Five Star Reads of 2025

Here are the books I read in 2025 that I gave five stars to. I know it bothers Sarah endlessly that most of these were not published in 2025, but I'm not sure why she doesn't want to know that I found a book from 1952 to be excellent. 

I had thirteen five star reads this year. Last year I had nineteen, but I reread a bunch of Harry Potter and I read some fabulous Ken Follett books, so it's hardly a fair comparison. I guess there's a slight chance I'll read another five star book in the next two days, but that's not looking likely, to be honest.

*****************

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (I had a three part review because how else do you talk about this masterpiece?) - What can I say? This book is absolutely wonderful. There's so much to talk about when you talk about this book, but all I can say is that Mitchell made me care about truly horrible people and that's something special. 

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop - What a life Bishop has had. I listened to the audiobook and she narrated it, which was fun. 

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan - This book had some tropes I normally don't like, but I loved every second of this book. 

Back After This by Linda Holmes - Holmes knows how to write a romance that appeals to me. 

Ministry of Time by Kalianne Bradley - This was a book I read for my IRL book club and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. 

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood - Maybe it's a bit sentimental, but this book about second chances and found family really hit the mark for me. 

The Favorites by Layne Fargo - A sports book I could not put down! Not too much sport in this. 

Night Film Marisha Pessl - I still think about this mixed media book. Super fun to do the investigation on my own. 

Feed by Mira Grant - Zombies! Bloggers! What more could I ask for? 

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans - I am just like everybody else. I love Sybil.

Mr. President, How Long Must We Wait? by Tina Cassidy - We named our new car Lucy after Lucy Burns. 

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White - There really is a reason everyone reads this in elementary school. What a lovely book.

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén - Do you want a good cry? This is a good option!

*****************

I had another ten 4.5 star reads. 

The Blue Castle L.M. Montgomery
Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom
Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman
Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, translated by Ros Schwartz
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
Kate & Frida by Kim Fay
Heartwood by Amity Gaige
How to Read Literature Like A Professor by Thomas C. Foster
Her Many Faces by Nicci Cloke

*****************

Have you read any of these books? What was your #1 book of 2025?