My best reads {so far} 2025
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Novik swept me into the story arc of Agnieszka, the young girl who is taken by the wizard in the tower. Most impressive was Novik’s parallel structure of Nieszka’s arc growing and changing right along with that of the magic in the story. Fantasy isn’t usually my jam, but this one rocked!
5 out of 5 for me!
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What’s not to love about a story told from the POV of a tree? And not just any tree, a maternal figure who is kind and just a little saucy. A sweet read that could propel some really wonderful discussions with your young readers.
5 out of 5
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Such a fascinating explanation for the state of today’s children and teens. I most appreciated that Haidt didn’t oversimplify the matter and that he didn’t pull any punches in showing how the situation we have created as a society has been a few generations in the making. I couldn’t read this book without doing some self-analysis on my own parenting.
5 out of 5
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This was a snuggle-up-and-read book for me. One I thought about when I wasn’t reading and couldn’t wait to get back to. I’m a sucker for fiction that lands on the literary side of the fence. Add to that being set in the 1990s and I was sold. Ng hits on some thought-provoking themes in unique and powerful ways that I still - months later - find myself thinking on.
5 out of 5 for me
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Kate DiCamillo is a master of storytelling. She writes people, and I can never get enough of that! Like so many of her other books, this one tackles heavy themes as seen through the eyes of a child. In this book, strangers come together in acts of basic human kindness. The result is hope despite hardship.
5 out of 5!
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This was my first encounter with Mel Robbins and I wasn’t disappointed. Her frank and open pros were refreshing, her stories relatable. And while the idea of ‘live and let live,’ is not new, Robbins put a fresh spin on it with actionable tools that left me feeling geared up to try this approach in my own life.
5 of 5
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Confession: I’m a little obsessed with Gary Schmidt’s work! This story in particular is poignant, entertaining and a little heart-wrenching. If you’ve read the Wednesday Wars, this books gives Doug Swieteck his own story. Schmidt has woven this complex character-driven plot that had me cheering for Doug throughout. Couldn’t get enough of this one!
6 out of 5! :)
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This book. All you need to know is that one of the POV characters is a giant pacific octopus. I read that on the back cover copy and was sold. and it didn’t disappoint. This has been a top book club pick this year. I’ve read it three times! Once on my own, then twice for my two book clubs. It was enjoyable every time! A fresh, sweet take on grief and second chances.
5 of 5!
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I’ll admit I was skeptical of this book. So many YA novels glorify and glamorize underage drinking, but this was a powerful read. Visceral in so many ways. It chronicles a fifteen-year-old alcoholic on her road to recovery. It was intense in all the best ways!
5 out of 5
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Humorous and poignant I couldn’t get enough of this book! Corrigan has a knack for getting right to the beating heart of some of life’s messiest experiences and just when you think your own heart might break, she makes you laugh. I’ll definitely be reading her other books.
6 out of 5 for sure!