I love seeing everyone’s year-end reading lists, and I was also fortunate to read some great books in 2025! Here are some of my favorites:
“Vera, or Faith” by Gary Shtengyart
A near-future novel, this book nails the feeling of living in the present with humor and grace. Our title character is a precocious 10-year-old who’s struggling to figure out status and socializing while the world around her is low-key falling apart. An examination of family, politics, society and more, it’s short and nails the ending.
“The Piano Lesson” by August Wilson
A short play anchored in ghosts, it explores the difficult line between honoring our family pasts and casting them off to build better futures. The characters and dialogue are excellent, and it avoids settling into easy answers.
“The Bean Trees” by Barbara Kingsolver
A beautiful early novel about a young woman who heads out west and picks up a foundling baby on the way. Settling in Tucson, Arizona, she discovers herself and a deeper understanding of family in the network she creates. Set in the 80s, the book engages topics we continue to grapple with today and is anchored with easy writing in a memorable voice.
“Motherland: A Jamaican Cookbook” by Melissa Thompson
I picked this up looking to expand my vegetarian palette and loved the blend of family stories and tasty recipes. The coco wheat buns are great, and I have enjoyed many a pigeon-pea stew here.
“Hirayasumi” by Keigo Shinzo
This manga series set in Tokyo follows a 20-something slacker living with his art-student cousin. It’s warm and humane, with excellent art and gentle storytelling that reminds me of classic Archie Double Digests (but better).
“The Heart in Winter” by Kevin Barry
Funny and vulgar, this Western-era novel introduces us to a star-crossed pair of Irish immigrants who fall hard for one another and end up trying to make a run from Montana to California. The characters and voice are memorable, even if Tom and Polly seem driven to self-destruction.
“Popeye” by E.C. Segar
This classic comic-strip collection is bustling with life, as Popeye trades punches and malapropisms with anyone who crosses his path. Absurdly funny, it’s a wild read.
“State of Wonder” by Ann Patchett
This novel finds a strait-laced researcher setting off into the Amazon rainforest in search of a presumed-dead colleague. It’s often contrived, but it’s also heartfelt and memorable.
“Prince Valiant” by Hal Foster
Even 12 volumes in, this series continues to pair exquisite art with lively action and knowing dialogue. It’s nowhere near as square as Val’s haircut makes it look.