Christmas is just around the corner and the end of 2025 will be upon us soon too. 2025 has been my biggest reading year ever. Last year I read 53 books which I thought was pretty impressive but so far in 2025, I’m reading book 97 (“Murder Sky High” by Linda Hagan) and hope to pass the 100 book milestone by the end of the year!
Why the increase? I spent two weeks in hospital in April which gave me lots of reading time when I was recuperating. But I also joined two book groups which has inspired me to read a wider range of authors and to meet some new book lovers.
Even though I haven’t reached the 100 milestone just yet, I thought I would share with you my “Top Ten Books of 2025”. They were all five star reads with a mixture of crime, romance, drama, history and fantasy. There are lots of Irish authors in the mix too.
My Top Ten Books of 2025
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt – a heartwarming story about the relationship between Marcellus, the Giant Pacific Octopus and Tova, the night cleaner in an aquarium in Washington State. It explores the importance of community, grief, loneliness, love and friendship with a touch of fantasy.
- Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent – set in rural County Roscommon, Sally Diamond is a unique, quirky character – similar to Eleanor Oliphant. Sally is struggling to adjust to a new life after the death of her adopted father. The story is dark, sad, moving and occasionally funny. It moves back and forth in time to explore Sally’s difficult childhood, but also juggles between Ireland and New Zealand.
- The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey – it’s 1979 and the Yorkshire Ripper is at large. Two 12 year old Yorkshire girls, Mia and Sharon, decide to find the Yorkshire Ripper and their detective work even leads them to the red light district in Leeds! It’s a heartwarming and moving story of family, friendship and community, at times funny and at other times sad.
- Night Swimmers by Roisin Maguire – we’re off to the fictional coastal village of Ballybrady in Northern Ireland and it’s the first Covid-19 lockdown. Townie Evan is on holiday there along with his deaf son Luca. His landlady Grace rescues Evan in a kayaking accident and a relationship soon starts centred around night swimming. There are beautiful character descriptions in this moving and wholesome read.
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – next we head to France during World War II to meet two very brave sisters, Vianne and Isabelle. Both sisters showed extreme bravery and had different roles in fighting against the Germans. It’s a powerful and harrowing story about wartime France. In-depth research had been carried out into this excellent story of love, loss, hardship and courage.
- The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths – I had to include Elly Griffiths in my list as I read 20 of her books this year! She’s an English crime writer and this is her last book in the Dr Ruth Galloway series. Ruth is a Norfolk forensic archaeologist who works closely with the police, especially DCI Nelson with whom she has an on-off relationship. All 15 books are full of suspense, old bones and likeable characters (including Cathbad the druid) but it would be best to start with the first book in the series, The Crossing Places.
- The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods – written by a Galway author, this book is based mainly in Dublin. It has dual timelines. Opaline has a bookshop in Dublin in the 1920s whereas Henry and Martha are in the 21st century and are searching for the bookshop which seems to have disappeared without a trace. This is a book full of books and mystery along with a sprinkling of “Narnia” type magic.
- Deadline by Steph McGovern – this was a fast moving debut novel from TV personality Steph McGovern. Using Steph’s own TV experience, the book’s main character journalist Rose is on an outside broadcast to interview the Chancellor of the Exchequer. But as the interview is starting, Rose hears a voice telling her that her wife and toddler son had been kidnapped! It’s a very readable thriller which keeps you guessing right to the end.
- The Stranger Inside by Amanda Cassidy – another Irish novel set in Dublin again. Midwife Ciara Duffy wakes during the night and discovers her husband Morgan lying dead in the bed beside her with a dagger in his chest! She pleads her innocence but is imprisoned for a short while before she escapes and goes “on the run”. This is a gripping rollercoaster of a crime thriller, full of twists and turns.
- The Perfect Passion Company by Alexander McCall Smith – famous author Alexander McCall Smith does not disappoint in this standalone novel set in Edinburgh. Katie Donald takes on the role of matchmaker in her cousin’s business and is assisted by William Kidd, an Australian knitwear designer. Her clients are a very diverse bunch! This is a romantic, hopeful and humorous novel full of beautiful prose.
That’s my top ten of 2025 and they are all amazing books. Hopefully I have given you some inspiration about what to read next. Or you could use this list to drop a hint to your nearest and dearest for a Christmas book gift idea. Remember a National Book Token is always a great gift for avid readers – they can be spent in Waterstones as well as an independent bookshop such as Bridge Books in Dromore, Co Down or the Secret Bookshelf in Carrickfergus.
Perhaps this Christmas you could even adopt the lovely Icelandic tradition of Jolabokafloo (the Christmas Book Flood). On Christmas Eve, friends and families give each other books as presents. The evening is then spent reading the new books while enjoying cosy drinks like hot chocolate. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?
Finally, I’d like to wish and your family a very happy Christmas plus a healthy and book-filled New Year.
Lynda
The Author
Lynda Willis lives in Co Armagh and writes blogs about her rambles in nature as well as rambling about topics close to her heart. This year, she is fundraising for Breast Cancer Now so please click here if you’d like to donate.
