Clearly, along with the slippery slope fallacy, the recency fallacy structures my thinking, since three of thise books are from last month. But!! My favorite book is one I read all the way back in FEBRUARY, and I encountered my number ten last JANUARY!
Runners Up: The Most by Jessica Anthony; Colored Television by Danzy Senna; God of the Woods by Liz Moore; Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange; Leaving by Roxana Robinson; The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson; The Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
10. Family Family by Laurie Frankel: Maybe I put this one on the list because this author is a favorite of mine. But probably it was also because the characters in this sweet, small story stayed with me all year.
9. I Want You More by Swan Huntley: This book has a FABULOUS concept, and the kinky, murderous Ree Drummond character was a blast—I also remembered this weird little book fondly for months.
8. Annie Bot by Sierra Godfrey: THIS BOOKS WAS INCREDIBLE, and I could not get Annie the sentient sex bot out of my head— or her sad dumb boyfriend, either.
7. All Fours by Miranda July: What in the actual? THIS BOOK IS SO WEIRD, and the main character is so unlikable but also strangely relatable because menopause is bananas.
6. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout : Oh, Lucy! Oh, Bob! A cameo from Amy and Isabelle, even? And Olive is still kicking— this books was a dream.
5. Same as it Ever Was by Claire Lombardo: The very end of this book makes the whole thing EVEN BETTER. I sobbed my face off and still think of this story and its narrator.
4. Hum by Helen Phillips: Dystopian fiction just hits different during End Times, you know? I think of the Hums every time Minnie talks with Alexa.
3. The Wedding People by Alison Espach: My very favorite parts of this book were the ones where Phoebe describes the academic circles of hell she lives in. TOO REAL.
2. Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell: Everything about this middle aged story of potential squandered and the magic of settling appealed to me FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. Also NO ONE does dialog better than this author.
1. Come and Get It by Kiley Reid: THIS IS GENIUS. A wildly entertaining story set in academia (my fave) with some very sharp race/class/gender analysis. Reid skewers college parents, college kids— all of us, really. I also love that it is coming-of-age story even though the characters are older than usual— SICK BURN.
Yeah for the reading recap. I was looking forward to it.
ReplyDeletefrom your top ten picks I have only read Family Family. It was ok but I didn't love it. It was our book club pick and we actually had the chance to talk with Laurie Frankel for an hour about her book, the characters and all. She is cool for sure. Unfortunately not my favorite though.
I have heard so much of Annie so that is on my TBR. Wedding People is moving up since a few of my blog friends read it and it sounds fluffy but it doesn't seem to be.
And I think I need to get a Strout book. Never read one but I like that everything is interconnected. Any suggestion where to start?
What a great reading year! I liked but did not love family family - but I think that’s because This Is How It Always Is was soooo good that it was a tough book to follow. I do think you have India energy as a mom! I loved how she always had confetti to throw! I haven’t read some on this list so will add them to my list.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing these!! I have some of yours on my favorites list, too. I didn't love Same as it Ever Was...I just never quite felt emotionally invested in the characters. Appreciate your recs!
ReplyDeleteI loved Come and Get It, The Wedding People, and Tell Me Everything! I really liked Same As It Ever Was and All Fours, but I didn't enjoy Family Family. I haven't read the others, so I will investigate further.
ReplyDeleteoops I missed your runners-up, I also loved Leaving and Long Island Compromise!
DeleteI have not read any of these books. A few I've heard of. There are too many books, and not enough time. At least not in my current stage of life - but I hope I can find time to read some of these. Thanks for the reviews.
ReplyDeleteOf the books you list that I've read, I agree with your <3 for them. I've just put Slow Dance and Same as it Ever Was on hold at the library.
ReplyDeleteooh! I loved come and get it (ALMOST put it in my top books of which i only picked 3 novels!) and i'm not entirely sure why i didn't. Kennedy alone is worth the whole book. why am i the only one who didn't like the Strout?! ahh well. I am going to heavily use hits list!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the recommendations. I really enjoyed The Wedding People, and Same as It Ever Was (but not as much as The Most Fun We Ever Had also by Lombardo-loved that one) and hated All Fours; could tolerate the main character so it was a DNF. Have put a few of the others on hold.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through Jenny (Runners Fly)--I do a monthly book review and I'm going to add you to my blog list! It looks like you and I like the same kind of books so it will be interesting for me to see your thoughts! Funny thing--I did not love Come and Get It, probably because I didn't 'get it'. Loved All Fours and have been considering Annie Bot!
ReplyDeleteThe only one of these that I've read is The Wedding People (loved.) I'm very intrigued by a couple of them, especially after readinf all the comments here. Slow Dance and Come and Get It are going on my TBR!
ReplyDeleteI caved and put The Wedding People on hold at the library. Everyone loves it. Let's hope it's not one of those Hello Beautiful/Berry Pickers situations where everyone but me loves it.
ReplyDeleteoooh - Judging from this list, I think we have similar taste in books. Did you read the Ministry of Time? It was one of my top books of 2025, along with Come and Get It and All Fours (agree, WEIRD, but also, yup). And also - have you read Sandwich? Another of my tops of the year.
ReplyDeleteI've only read one Laurie Frankel book but I absolutely loved it. Same with the Helen Phillips. I will add these to my TBR, *whimper*
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