2025 was a great year of reading. Here are my ten favorite, with #25wordbookreviews.
- Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy: This is the second time McConaghy wrote my favorite book of the year. Evocative natural setting plus a fast-paced family drama. I loved these characters!
- Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls: A deeply researched, heart-wrenching family history, a story of personal growth, and a history lesson at once. Shows you what graphic novels are capable of.
- James by Percival Everett: I am not big on classics, but I didn’t need to be for this one. Based on Huck Finn but a riveting stand-alone in itself.
- Wreck by Catherine Newman: Newman is an amazing writer. It’s all so easy, so sharp, so funny and yet somehow manages to break your heart in the best way.
- Hail Mary by Andy Weir: If you described the plot to me, I would swear I couldn’t possibly be interested, but somehow Weir made me love it. Fantastic on audio.
- Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch: Brutal and beautiful and completely unflinching. Not for the faint of heart, but absolutely for the brave of heart. Essential.
- Body Work by Melissa Febos: Body Work lit a fire in me I didn’t know needed lighting. I’ve been recommending it to every writer I know.
- Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid: I picked this up knowing nothing about it and now I won’t stop talking about it. Caught me completely off guard.
- What it Is by Lynda Barry: Lynda Barry is a national treasure and this is her masterpiece. Buy a physical copy. You need to hold it in your hands.
- Heart the Lover by Lily King: I couldn’t tell you exactly why this book works as well as it does. I just know I couldn’t put it down and I’m still thinking about it.
vgriff 
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