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Books 2025

07 Wednesday Jan 2026

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I didn’t think I read that much this year but once I wrote it all down, I guess I did ok! The top ten were my favorite books this year. The rest of the list in not in any sort of order.

I want to know what your top books of 2025 were!

  1. My Friends by Fredrik Backman (My favorite book of 2025)
  2. Hunting Magic Eels by Richard Beck
  3. The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl
  4. Comfort me with Apples by Ruth Reichl
  5. James by Percival Everett
  6. The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston
  7. The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano
  8. Ascendant by Craig alanson
  9. The Lioness of Boston by Emily Franklin
  10. The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson
  11. Circle of Days by Ken Follett
  12. I hope this Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
  13. Persuasion by Jane Austen
  14. The Secret Detective Agency by Helena Dixon
  15. Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen
  16. The Wedding People by Alison Espach
  17. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
  18. The Academy by Elon Hilderbrand
  19. The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan
  20. Rain of Shadows and Endings by Melissa Roehrich
  21. Storms of Secrets and Sorrow by Melissa Roehrich
  22. Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance by Melissa Roehrich
  23. Dawn of Chaos and Fury by Melissa Roehrich
  24. A Christmas Truce by Emma Bennet
  25. Kissed by the Gods by City Rogan
  26. Christmas in London by Anita Hughes (the worst)
  27. Of Flames and Fallacies by Courtney Whims
  28. Of Blood and Banes by Courtney Whims
  29. The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman
  30. The Night Prince by Lauren Palphreyman
  31. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto
  32. Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
  33. Without a Hitch by Portia Macintosh
  34. On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn
  35. The Bond That Burns by Briar Boleyn
  36. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
  37. Red Rising by Pierce Brown
  38. Story of my Life by Lucy Score
  39. Wild Love by Elsie Silver
  40. Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerry Mayne
  41. The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
  42. Anathema by Keri Lake
  43. Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
  44. Glow of the Everflame by Penn Cole
  45. Heat of the Everflame by Penn Cole
  46. The Five-Star Weekend by Elon Hilderbrand
  47. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
  48. The One by John Marrs
  49. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
  50. The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
  51. The Switch by Beth O’Leary
  52. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
  53. The Love Haters by Katherine Center
  54. A Place to Hang The Moon by Kate Albus
  55. The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle Jensen
  56. The Traitor Queen by Danielle Jensen
  57. These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean
  58. Quicksilver by Callie Hart
  59. The Ashes and the Star Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
  60. The Songbird and the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent
  61. Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
  62. A Kiss of Iron by Clare Sager
  63. Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
  64. Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
  65. Rule of the Aurora King by Nisha Tuli
  66. The Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha Tuli
  67. Delicious by Ruth Reichl
  68. In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
  69. None of this is True by Lisa Jewell
  70. How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
  71. The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
  72. The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
  73. Ruthless Fae by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
  74. The Reckoning by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
  75. Shadow Princess by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
  76. Cursed Fates by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
  77. Fated Throneby Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
  78. Heartless Skyby Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
  79. Sorrow & Starlightby Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
  80. Restless Starsby Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
  81. Harry Potter 1
  82. Harry Potter 2
  83. Harry Potter 3
  84. Harry Potter 4
  85. Harry Potter 5
  86. Harry Potter 6
  87. Harry Potter 7
  88. The Magicians Nephew by C.S. Lewis
  89. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
  90. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
  91. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
  92. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
  93. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
  94. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
  95. Heartwood by Amity Gaige

2024 Books

01 Wednesday Jan 2025

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  1. The Women Kristin Hannah (Best book I read this year)
  2. West End Girls Jenny Colgan
  3. Not Another Christmas Rom Com A.J. Pine
  4. The Best Worst Christmas Kate Forster
  5. The Christmas Book Hunt Jenny Colgan
  6. Iris is More Than Ok Natalie Cooper
  7. Studies at the School by the Sea Jenny Colgan
  8. I invited Her In Adele Parks
  9. The Lioness of Boston Emily Franklin (Second favorite book of the year)
  10. Slow Dance Rainbow Rowell
  11. Yellowface R.F. Kuang (Least favorite book of the year)
  12. Crave Tracy Wolff
  13. The Nauty, The Nice & The Nanny Willa Nash (Trash)
  14. Delicious Ruth Reichl (always a favorite)
  15. The Paris Novel Ruth Reichl
  16. The Bookshop on the Corner Jenny Colgan
  17. The Heiress Rachel Hawkins
  18. Close Knit Jenny Colgan
  19. Lady Jayne Disappears Joanna Davidson Politano
  20. Silver Girl Elin Hilderbrand
  21. The Bee Sting Paul Murray (DNF it was so bad)
  22. The Night I Died Anne Frasier
  23. Happy Place Emily Henry
  24. This Summer Will Be Different Carley Fortune
  25. Beach Read Emily Henry
  26. The Wanderer Robyn Carr (horrible)
  27. Ruthless Vows Rebecca Ross
  28. Mrs. Nash’s Ashes Sarah Adler
  29. Resistance Women Jennifer Chiaverini
  30. The Answer is No Fredrik Backman
  31. When the Moon Hatched Sarah A Parker
  32. What You Are Looking For is in the Library Michiko Aoyama (This was so good)
  33. Listen for the Lie Amy Tintera
  34. Court Tracy Wolff
  35. The Last Bookshop in London Madeline Martin
  36. North and South Elizabeth Gaskell
  37. A Girl of the Limberlost Porter Gene Stratton (I loved this: we watched the movie as kids but I had never read the book before)
  38. Faking Christmas Cindy Steel
  39. The God of the Woods Liz Moore
  40. Preparing for Easter C.S. Lewis
  41. Heartless Hunter Kristen Ciccarelli
  42. House of Flame & Shadow Sarah J Maas
  43. The Exception to the Rule Christina Lauren
  44. A Grief Observed C.S. Lewis
  45. The Italian Girls Debbie Rix
  46. Covet Tracy Wolff
  47. Funny Story Emily Henry
  48. Crush Tracy Wolff
  49. Hunting Magic Eels Richard Beck
  50. Tower of Dawn Sarah Maas
  51. One Dark Window Rachel Gillig
  52. The Things we Leave Unfinished Rebecca Yarros
  53. Yours Truly Abby Jimenez
  54. The Briar Club Kate Quinn (she’s always amazing)
  55. Iron Flame Rebecca Yarros
  56. Fourth Wing Rebecca Yarros
  57. All the Colors of the Dark Chris Whitaker
  58. Remarkably Bright Creatures Shelby Van Pelt (Loved)
  59. Just for the Summer Abby Jimenez
  60. The Frozen River Ariel Lawhon
  61. Two Twisted Crowns Rachel Gillig
  62. Celebrate Every Day Shauna Niequist
  63. House of Sky & Breath Sarah Maas
  64. House of Earth & Blood Sarah Maas
  65. Tired of Being Tired Jess Connolly
  66. Empire of Storms Sarah Maas
  67. Kingdom of Ash Sarah Maas
  68. Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
  69. Harry Potter 1-7
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5
    • 6
    • 7

75. Narnia 1-7

82. Sense & Sensibility Jane Austen
83. Pride & Prejudice Jane Austen
84. Mansfield Park Jane Austen
85. Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis
86. Small Things Like These Claire Keegan
87. A Casterglass Christmas Kate Hewill
88. The Girls in the Stilt House Kelly Mustian
89. Anne of Green Gables L.M. Montgomery
90. The Fellowship of the Ring J.R.R. Tolkein
91. The Creative Act Rick Rubin
92.The People We Meet on Vacation Emily Henry
93. Heading Home to Lavender Cottage Allison Sherlock

93 total for 2024. Not as many as last year, but… I’m ok with it! I think I’m missing a few, but I do a poor job keeping track! Tell me some of your favorite reads of the year so I can add them to my list!!

Books I Read in 2023

03 Wednesday Jan 2024

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I really wanted to push the limits this year. I heard a pastor in a podcast talking about how he usually reads about 150 books a year, so I wanted to see if I just went all out and read as much as possible, how many books could I read. I ended 2023 with a whopping 105. Didn’t quite make it to 150, but maybe 2024 will be the year. If you have any recommendations, I would love to hear your favorite books of 2023. I have put ** by my favorites this year. Happy Reading!

  1. **The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
  2. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
  3. A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
  4. **Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
  5. The Cypress Maze by Fiona Valpy
  6. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
  7. The Princess Game by Melanie Cellier
  8. A Midwinter’s Wedding by Melanie Cellier
  9. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
  10. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
  11. Ditch the Baggage, Change Your Life by Nancy Alcorn
  12. The Princess Pact by Melanie Cellier
  13. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
  14. Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
  15. The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
  16. A Princess of Wind and Wave by Melanie Cellier
  17. A Captive of Wing and Feather by Melanie Cellier
  18. A Dream of Ebony and White by Melanie Cellier
  19. A Dance of Silver and Shadow by Melanie Cellier
  20. A Tale of Beauty and Beast by Melanie Cellier
  21. A Crown of Snow and Ice by Melanie Cellier
  22. Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie
  23. **Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
  24. **Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (read 2x)
  25. Happily Ever Afters by Melanie Cellier
  26. An Island Wedding by Jenny Colgan
  27. Then She was gone by Lisa Jewell
  28. Christmas at the Island Hotel by Jenny Colgan
  29. The Princess Fugitive by Melanie Cellier
  30. Christmas on the Island by Jenny Colgan
  31. Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
  32. God’s Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis
  33. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
  34. The Endless Beach by Jenny Colgan
  35. The Art of Seduction by Robert Greene
  36. **The Covenant of Water by Abraham verghese
  37. Thank you for Listening by Julia Whelan
  38. Dirt: Growing Strong Roots in What Makes the Broken Beautiful by Mary Marantz
  39. The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff
  40. **Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen
  41. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
  42. The Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan
  43. **Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Stanton
  44. The Summer Skies by Jenny Colgan
  45. Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis
  46. The Inklings by Humphrey Carpenter
  47. The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen
  48. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
  49. **Night Road by Kristin Hannah
  50. True Colors by Kristin Hanna
  51. Dawn of the Golden Promise by B.J. Hoff
  52. Sons of an Ancient Glory by B.J. Hoff
  53. Heart of the Lonely Exile B.J. Hoff
  54. Song of the Silent Harp by B.J. Hoff
  55. **Managing Expectations: A Memoir by Minnie Driver
  56. The Loveliest Chocolate Shop by Jenny Colgan
  57. The House by the Sea by Louise Douglas
  58. The Princess Companion by Melanie Cellier
  59. **Code Name Sapphire by Pam Jenoff
  60. One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
  61. Sabbath by Dan B. Allender
  62. Miss Newbury’s List by Megan Walker
  63. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
  64. The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
  65. The American Wife by Lucyk-Berger
  66. **The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
  67. Book Lovers by Emily Henry
  68. Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
  69. Homecoming by Kate Morton
  70. A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas
  71. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas
  72. A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas
  73. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas
  74. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
  75. **Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan Henry
  76. Lessons at the School by the Sea by Jenny Colgan
  77. The Go-Giver by Bob Burg
  78. Land of a Thousand Dreams by B.J. Hoff
  79. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
  80. Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano
  81. Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano
  82. Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
  83. The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan
  84. All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers
  85. The Small Rain by Madeleine L’Engle
  86. The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
  87. Be Brave For Me by Elaine Johns
  88. Letters to the Church by Francis Chan
  89. Scotland’s Melody by Katie Stewart Stone
  90. **Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley
  91. The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis
  92. Harry Potter 1
  93. Harry Potter 2
  94. Harry Potter 3
  95. Harry Potter 4
  96. Harry Potter 5
  97. Harry Potter 6
  98. Harry Potter 7
  99. Narnia 1
  100. Narnia 2
  101. Narnia 3
  102. Narnia 4
  103. Narnia 5
  104. Narnia 6
  105. Narnia 7

2018 Book List

06 Thursday Sep 2018

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blur-books-close-up-159866.jpg

 

Every year I make a goal to read as many books as my age. I know its not that many yet, but someday when I’m 80…yeah it will be a lot of reading! I probably won’t be able to do much else at that point. Anyway, here’s my 2018 book list. Happy birthday to me! Getting started on my 37 books for 2019…I’d love to hear your suggestions!

  1. The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows
  2. Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber
  3. Side Hustle by Chris Guillebeau
  4. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
  5. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
  6. *Harry Potter All 6 Books by J. K Rowling
  7. *The Chronicles of Narnia All 7 books by C. S. Lewis
  8. Spirits In Bondage by C. S. Lewis
  9. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
  10. The Subtle Art of not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
  11. The Baker’s Secret by Stephen Kiernan
  12. The Night Circus By Erin Morgenstern
  13. The Plantagenets by Dan Jones
  14. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
  15. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
  16. The Little Book of Lykke by Meik Wiking
  17. Wonder by RJ Palacio
  18. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
  19. The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
  20. Everybody Always by Bob Goff
  21. Scary Close by Donald Miller
  22. Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs
  23. The Shadow of Death by James Runcie
  24. Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
  25. My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
  26. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
  27. Rare Objects by Kathleen Tessaro
  28. Casual Vacancy by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)
  29. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
  30. The Eternal Current by Aaron Niequist
  31. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
  32. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
  33. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
  34. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
  35. The Road Back to You by Suzanne Stabile & Ian Morgan Cron
  36. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
  37. The Broken Way by Anne Voskamp

*  I don’t count the Narnia and Harry Potter books because I read them every year so it’s not like they are new material

34 Books Complete!

08 Thursday Sep 2016

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For my 34th year I decided to make a goal of reading 34 books. When I made this goal I didn’t know if I would be able to do it. I’ve never kept track of books I’ve read before, so I don’t know how many books I usually read in a year. I was lazy for a while, but I pretty easily read all 34. Now I have a starting point. I KNOW I can read 34. So I guess I’ll see if I can read 35! If you have any recommendations let me know!

  1. For The Love ~ Jen Hatmaker
  2. The Last Battle ~ C.S. Lewis
  3. The Shack ~ WM Paul Young
  4. Poldark ~ Winston Graham (fantastic British TV series)
  5. In the Heart of the Sea ~ (book better than movie)
  6. Mean’s Search For Meaning ~ Viktor Frankl
  7. The Rock That is Higher ~ Madeliene L’Engle
  8. Bird By Bird ~ Anne Lamotte
  9. Demelza ~ Winston Graham
  10. Breaking Busy ~ Alli Worthington
  11. The Russians Series ~ Michael R. Phillips
  12. The Russians Series ~
  13. The Russians Series ~
  14. The Russians Series ~
  15. The Comeback ~ Louie Giglio
  16. Sisi: An Empress on her own ~ Allison Pitaki
  17. The Calling ~ Rachelle Dekker
  18. Life’s Great Dare ~ Christa Hesselink
  19. Brazen ~ Leeana Tankersly
  20. Miss Perigrines Home for Peculiar Children ~
  21. The Dressmaker ~ Rosalie Hamm (book better than movie)
  22. Through the Looking Glass ~ Lewis Carroll (book better than movie)
  23. The BFG ~ Roald Dahl (book better than movie)
  24. Fantastic Beasts & Where to find them ~ J. K. Rowling
  25. The Night Circus (highly recommend) ~Erin Morgenstern
  26. The Bell Jar ~ Sylvia Plath
  27. The Cursed Child ~ J.K. Rowling
  28. Dark Places ~ Gillian Flynn
  29. Present Over Perfect ~ Shauna Niequist
  30. The sun also rises ~ Hemingway
  31. The Old Man & The Sea ~ Hemingway
  32. Ethan Frome ~ Edith Wharton
  33. The Magician’s Nephew ~ C. S. Lewis
  34. Chronicle of a Death Foretold ~ Gabriel Garcia Marquez

 

Audio Books (Which I’m not counting in my reading, but I feel like deserve a mention because I “read” them)

  1. Harry Potter 1
  2. Harry Potter 2
  3. Harry Potter 3
  4. Harry Potter 4
  5. Harry Potter 5
  6. Delicious (Probably one of my most favorite books ever. It’s about food and it’s amazing. Recommended by Shauna Niequist)
  7. Delancy (really not good)
  8. Pride & Prejudice & Zombies (brilliant)
  9. Sarafina & The Black Cloak (literally one of the worst books ever)
  10. Harry Potter 6
  11. Harry Potter 7