Inspired by all the end of the year posts, I offer my “bests” in books. Thanks to audiobooks, I read or listened to 55 books this year. Included are links to books at bookshop.org, if you want to read more about them, and some author’s sites. My “to read” list is still quite long, but I am always open to your suggestions!
Physical Books
Fiction
The Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm. The genre romantasy is new to me. The McDonald siblings had been reading and discussing, so I jumped on the band wagon. So good! Dragons, a different world, romance, war, but it is definitely at least PG13. Will there be another book? I hope so.
Young Adult Fiction by Bryan Bliss: We’ll Fly Away and Dispatches from Parts Unknown. Bryan and I attended Vanderbilt Divinity School together, and both landed in the Twin Cities. The first is about two high school boys with difficult home lives. The second is about grief. Both have wrestling as a theme, literally and figuratively. His latest book, which is on my to read shelf, is a collaboration for youth with Marian Edgar Budde, We Can Be Brave: How We Learn to Be Brave in Life’s Decisive Moments. They did a joint interview on Minnesota Public Radio. The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde serves as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. She became famous in January when she preached at Washington Cathedral during the current President’s interfaith prayer service.
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty. I’ve read all her books, and this one did not disappoint. Peacock has made a TV series of it, but I have not watched it yet.
Nonfiction
All the Honey by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, a book of poetry. I borrowed this from the library, but I will be purchasing my own copy. The poetry is beautiful, as she explores grief and joy. She is my current favorite poet, and at her site you can subscribe to a poem a day.
The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents by Dr. Lisa Damour. I highly recommend following her on IG and also listening to her podcast. My church did a book study for the parents of youth, and I am happy to share the worksheets I made if you would like to lead a study.
Audio Books
Fiction
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. The audio book is read by Meryl Streep. Patchett is a great author, but since the book is about actors in a play, Streep brought it to life.
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto. I will be reading or listening to the sequel.
Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry. It is a young adult book that takes place in a Catholic school.
Nonfiction
This American Woman by Zarna Garg. Instagram introduced me to comedian Zarna Garg, and I recommend following her if you are on IG. Her life story is sad, inspiring, and funny. She has a special on Disney+ that I have yet to watch. I love listening to memoirs in the author’s own voice, and this one was great.
Others
I’m continuing to make my way through all the Agatha Christie books. She is such a great writer, but I have not included any of her works on my list. How coud I pick one?
After going to see David Sedaris with a friend in 2024, I have read or listened to several of his books. I prefer listening to them.
I read a lot of nonfiction, especially of the self-help variety. However, I did not include any of those on this list. Goodreads has my 2025 reading list. For 2026, I am switching to Storygraph. Let me know if you use it.
I hope to read another book in my stack this week. Happy reading to you!
Redheadedrev 