My Top Five Books of 2025
As an avid reader, the question I dread the most is: “What is your favorite book?” To me, this question is nearly impossible to answer — there are too many stories, too many voices and too many worlds, and having to decide which titles deserve the spotlight is nothing short of a Herculean task.
But some questions demand answers and so, I present my top books of 2025. Each of these books moved me, challenged me and kept me thinking long after I turned the final page. In sharing these reads, I hope to inspire you to explore new stories and perspectives in the year ahead.
“The Weight of Ink” by Rachel Kadish
To start off strong, “The Weight of Ink” by Rachel Kadish blew me away. A work of historical fiction that jumps between the 17th century English and Portuguese Jewish communities and modern-day London, the novel weaves a tale so gripping and historically rich that the hefty 550 pages feel almost too short.
The story centers around Helen, a historian who discovers a genizah, a collection of Hebrew writings from a 1660s Jewish household, in a modern day London townhouse. The scribe of this genizah, an unnamed individual that writes each document under the pseudonym of “Aleph,” becomes the focus of Helen’s attention. As she works to understand the identity of this mysterious scribe, Helen stumbles upon revelations that fundamentally alter her understanding of Jewish life both in the past and the present.
What stood out to me was Kadish’s poetic nature, and her ability to draw the reader in, turning historical details into a gripping narrative. In the opening pages, Aleph admits, “Let me begin afresh. Perhaps, this time, to tell the truth. For in the biting hush of ink on paper, where truth ought to raise its head and speak without fear, I have long lied.” This passage frames the archival material as a confession rather than a mere record.
“The Dovekeepers” by Alice Hoffman
Keeping with historical fiction, my next pick is “The Dovekeepers” by Alice Hoffman. Set in 70 C.E. in ancient Israel, this novel follows the stories of four vastly different women, brought together in the final stronghold of the Jewish resistance against the Romans: the mountain fortress of Masada.
Though each woman — Azizah, Shirah, Yael and Revkah — arrives at Masada by a different path, their lives intertwine when they begin working together tending the fortress’s many dovecotes. Each carries her own tragic story, and as their lives intersect more deeply, they offer one another strength, resilience and a sense of shared humanity in a time of hardship and uncertainty.
Hoffman’s incredible story-telling is evident in the rich, detailed narrative and masterful descriptions, which allow the reader a vivid glimpse into the war-torn world of ancient Israel. Upon hearing of the destruction of the second Temple, Yael laments, “Stone should last forever, but on that night I came to understand that a stone was only another form of dust. Streams of holy dust loomed in the air, and every breath included remnants of the Temple, so that we inhaled that which was meant to stand through eternity.” This passage transforms the destruction of the second Temple from a historical fact into a haunting and tangible reality. For me, this was a deeply emotional read and I rarely connect with fictional characters as profoundly as I did with these women.
“The Women” by Kristin Hannah
Next up, “The Women” by Kristin Hannah caught me by surprise. This historical fiction novel (you may be sensing a pattern here) unveils the untold stories of the females who risked their lives and served in the Vietnam War. I had no idea that this book would strike me so deeply, so much so that I reread it almost immediately after finishing the last page.
The narrative follows Frankie McGrath, a young woman from a traditional family who chooses to follow in her brother’s footsteps and apply to the Army Nurse Corps in order to support the war effort. Her family is far from supportive and Frankie soon finds herself alone as she is thrust into chaos and destruction, witnessing horrific violence and injuries while feeling entirely unprepared to confront the brutal realities of war.
What was most compelling about this story was the war’s aftermath and Frankie’s struggle to rebuild herself after returning home. Hannah delves into the psychological toll of war and the difficulties that Frankie, and many other heroic women, faced upon their return from the warfront. Spanning two decades, the novel follows Frankie as she struggles with loss, addiction and PTSD, ultimately chronicling her desperate search for peace.
“There Are Rivers in the Sky” by Elif Shafak
Finally, for a change in genre, “There Are Rivers in the Sky” by Elif Shafak stood out as one of the most beautiful and poignant novels I read this year. Echoing the “Epic of Gilgamesh,” Shafak weaves a multifaceted story that spans centuries, geographies and identities, all while hovering over the central theme of the water’s eternality. Arthur is a man born in the slums of London in 1840, gifted with an incredible memory and a desire to escape poverty; Narin is a nine-year-old girl living in Turkey in 2014, yearning to be baptized by the Tigris River; Zaleekhah is a young water scientist living in a houseboat on the River Thames in 2018 in London after separating from her husband. Though different in many ways, these three characters are all connected by the endless threaded journey of a single drop of water that transcends time and space, travelling from one end of the world to the other over the course of the novel.
I loved this book because of its uniquely layered narrative. As the story unfolded, the seemingly separate characters connect in a mesmerizing web that binds past, present and future. I also enjoyed how Shafak wove “The Epic of Gilgamesh” throughout the story, connecting modern characters to a tale as old as time.
“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab
Last, but certainly not least, “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab impacted me in a way I did not expect and, at certain points, left me speechless. Although I’m not usually a fan of fantasy, I am so glad I decided to leave my comfort zone and read this book, as I was pleasantly surprised by its narrative and meaningful lessons.
The book follows Adeline Larue, a young woman born in 18th-century France. In a moment of desperation, she makes a pact with the devil to escape being locked in a stifling marriage. While she gets what she wants, Addie also unknowingly agrees to the devil’s other terms, which include her living forever, unable to put down roots or settle, cursed to be forgotten by anyone she encounters. Though painful, Addie eventually learns to navigate life as a mere shadow until, after nearly 300 years of solitude, someone remembers her.
The plot is gripping and emotional, and Schwab’s writing is poetic, lyrical and deeply melancholy, capturing the beauty and pain of a life lived on the cusp of memory and time. Schwab ultimately frames Addie’s existence around the question, “What is a person, if not the marks they leave behind?”
Overall, these five books left a lasting impression on me, and I hope they can do the same for you. They reminded me of a good book’s power to open new worlds, spark reflection and leave enduring impressions on a reader. I hope that, if nothing else, this list inspired you to pick up a new book this year and discover the joy, challenge and wonder that reading can bring.
Photo Caption: Books waiting to be read
Photo Credit: Unsplash
