Of the fifty or so books that I read (or started to read) this year, I wrote reviews of the thirty that I enjoyed most. Now I’m going to highlight the five that are my top favorites of the year.
A Little Less Broken by Marian Schembari: This memoir succeeds for me on three levels: It humanizes a topic (autism) that is close to my heart, her literary techniques are stunning, and she generously shows us how she learned how to write it an an article for other writers.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou: This classic memoir is a favorite of many readers for many reasons. At the top of my list of reasons for wanting to reread this book is her brilliant use of metaphors. How I savor the way her words soar from the pages!
Foster by Claire Keegan: She has earned my greatest respect. This book, along with her previous “So Late in the Day,” exemplify why she has been called “the present-day Chekhov.” She packs so much suspense and power in a spare number of pages. I had to take several deep breaths after reading her work.
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In which four Russians give a master class on writing, reading, and life by George Saunders. I believe that I learned more about writing from this book than any book I studied in graduate school. Saunders is not just a smart person, he is generous and respectful. I’ve never met him, but he has become a mentor to me.
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri: I loved the stories in this book. And then I heard a discussion of one of the stories in the New Yorker’s fiction podcast, and I fell in love all over again. Hearing two experts describe how and why the story works is illuminating.
That’s all from me in 2025! Here’s to a wonderful year ahead!
Great summary of five books I now want to read, thank you. Wishing you a year full of good reading and writing ahead!
Thanks for providing a 2025 wrap up of your favorites among favorites!