2025 Favorites (and good riddance I must say)

 

Don't get me wrong.  I'm grateful for a lot of things that happened for me, my loved one and my friends this year but there was an awful lot of crap as well (especially during the times I kept doomscrolling).  However, we all have our health after a scare from my mom this fall and the boys are doing wonderfully so I will hold on to my blessings.  

I managed to read about 125 books in 2025.  I wanted to share 13 of my favorites today.  These may not all have been 5 paws (stars), but they all made a memorable impact for one reason or another. 

Whistle is one of the best horror books I've read in a long time and very reminiscent of old Stephen King.  I also found the MC in Victorian Psycho so interesting and as for Suffer the Children, there is always room for vampires.

I read quite a bit of romance this year and used them for lighter reads during highly stressful times (see note about my mom and a medical condition).  I kind of consider 2025 my cowboy era (thanks Yellowstone) and I ended up adoring all four books in the Lyla Sage series.  The Meet-Poop was perfect, especially given the quirky title, and The Holiday Mixtape was a great combination of the holidays and music.

Look!  More horror.  Is anyone surprised?  I've seen Play Nice on quite a few favorites lists and I will never be able to resist a Sleepy Hollow reimagining/retelling.

Unnatural Selection is an adult book told from the dog's POV and Slayers of Old featured an elderly group of retired supernatural slayers.  I love books with older characters and you know I love dogs - duh!  Also, Karin Slaughter is always a win in my book and this is the first in a new series.

So there you have it.  Did you read any of these last year or are any of them sitting on your TBRs???