Anyone who knows me knows I like books. That might be the understatement of the year because I looove books. Over the years, I have curated quite the library. Throwback: I read the dictionary in my leisure time when I was a kid (that was before the internet, folks, give me a break here). Our small home library had a copy of Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary (9th edition), and alone in my room, I flipped through the pages, reading definitions, sifting through Latin words and phrases, and understanding the structure of a business letter — I know, nerd alert.
And you don’t have to be a supersleuth to connect the dots, here. I like words, etymology, and all the brilliant ways talented writers and authors can arrange them in a sentence or on a page to grab our attention and light up our imaginations.
And in anticipation of your next question: I am team “print” — ALL THE WAY. I’m sure there are plenty of book lovers who’d agree there’s nothing like the feel of a book in your hand and physically turning a page to see what lies ahead.
In terms of genre, I’m all over the board. While my reading list over the last year or two has been a ton of spirituality and metaphysics, I’m also drawn to mystery/suspense for a light read, and some of my all-time favorites are historical fiction, and…wait for it… time travel…
When I bump into other avid readers, and even not-so-avid readers, I find myself recommending (and gifting) the same books over and over again, because they’re just that good. So you can imagine my delight when I was tasked (and allowed) to write about my favorites. It was hard, but I managed to narrow it down to eight picks.
Someone will make you cringe. Some will make you cry. Many will leave you wanting more, and all of them will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
These are our best books of 2025 to gift or add to your TBR pile.
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
I have long held that appearances can be deceiving, and we never know what goes on behind closed doors. And B.A. Paris captures that brilliantly in her story about Grace and Jack Angel. Their home is beautiful, and everything is in order, but a deeper look reveals a house built on control, manipulation, and psychological abuse. Guys, the last question Esther asks Grace lives rent-free in my head.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
IMHO, Kristin Hannah is a masterclass in historical fiction, and The Four Winds may be her best yet. Set during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, the story follows Elsa Wolcott on her journey through life and across the Great Plains to California at a time when life didn’t have much to give anyone. This book is a touching tribute to motherhood, resilience, and enduring hope. A word to the wise: You might want to grab some tissues before cracking this one open.
11/22/63 by Stephen King
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of time travel, so when I discovered that 11/22/63 centers on that very concept, I was immediately intrigued. Stephen King beautifully tackles the familiar and deeply introspective question, “What if you could change the past?” In this case, he proffers the ripple effects of a reality where JFK was never assassinated on November 22, 1963. Caution: DO NOT skip this for Hulu’s attempt at it. It was not good.
Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry
Forcing readers to confront the unimaginable: “Can you still love someone who’s done the unthinkable?” Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry is a deeply unsettling novel that examines what happens when love and morality collide. Moreover, it explores the complexity of parental loyalty while surveying the strength of a mother’s love — and the twist at the end makes it even more heartbreaking. This was a tough read, folks — nobody wins.
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
In Ordinary Town, USA, a small community is rocked when a woman and her six-year-old daughter disappear. Eleven years later, a missing girl mysteriously turns up, sparking a lot of questions. Each page peels back the layers of this twisty story, and when the truth is finally revealed, it’s hard not to feel the pain for her yourself.
The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden
No one wants to hire a felon, so when the Winchester family throws out a life preserver, Millie grabs on. However, it doesn’t take long for her to realize that within the walls of their home, nothing is what it seems, and everyone has something to hide. This one may be a lighter read, but rest assured — you will be frantically turning the pages.
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
The best thing about Kristin Hannah is that with each novel, readers are beautifully exposed to another part of history. This time, Hannah takes us back to Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) amidst World War II.
All her life, Meredith’s mother had been stoic and cold, while her father was the glue that held the family together. Following his death, Meredith’s mother finally shares the truth about the things she carried out of war-torn Leningrad. With every detail, Hannah draws us deeper and deeper, but you won’t see “it” coming. So close — yet so far….
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
In this searing story about Afghanistan during the Russian occupation, Khaled Hosseini paints a heartbreaking portrait of domestic violence, cultural silencing, and buried hope. Thrown together by cruel circumstance, Mariam and Laila are bound by suffering, yet the two manage to form an unbreakable bond, finding small ways to survive and love every day. As cheesy as it may sound, this novel shows us that the human spirit can endure, and that love can be an act of defiance.
This book is a slow burn — but it’s so worth it. When I first read this one, I stayed up until 4 AM one “night,” only closing the book because my 3-month-old was about to wake up. Over the years, I’ve read it 4 times. Moms, this one will make you grab your babies and squeeze tight. I know it did for me.
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