At long last, it's time to look at last year's books, the favorites (and the also-rans.) 2025 was far from my best reading year -- but within that year were plenty of wonderful books. I only pulled in 47 books this year, with a total of 14,947 pages. But I was pleased to see that my "favorites" list crossed many genres -- non-fiction, biography, mystery and history. I also found some authors new to me, meaning I can expand the hunt for used volumes. Here we go! (Links connect to the posts in which I reviewed the books.
My Top Ten in 2024
"My Name is Barbra" by Barbra Streisand -- Streisand's bio is heavy duty with over 900 pages, but it is fascinating, even if you aren't a fan. What I liked most about it was learning more about what goes into a film from the more technical angles of production as well as acting, along with the same about recording an album or developing a concert. Along with it being a bio, it's almost a tutorial in show business. (PS -- her own life was pretty interesting, too!)
"Moonflower Murders" by Anthony Horowitz -- Recently seen on PBS Masterpiece, the delightful Horowitz again weaves two books into one, and former editor Susan Ryland must step in to help a family find what happened to their daughter, a case that has direct connections to a book Susan edited.
"Being Mortal" by Atul Gawande -- We aren't getting any younger, right? And neither are those of us who still have living parents. This fascinating book by Gawande looks at the elder care options and encourages us to ask the hard questions about what we really want, what matters to us, as we age. Is it to stay at home, hospice (if we are terminal), needs for continuing treatment? And what gives us joy. It should be essential reading, and being a delightful author, it's interesting reading, too.
"An Unfinished Love Story" by Doris Kearns Goodwin -- This also falls into the "History category) Not listed below. Goodwin and her husband, Richard Goodwin, had rich political lives in the 1960s and '70s, working with the Kennedy and Johnson campaigns specifically, as well as others. When they decide to go through boxes of memorabilia and journals from that time, the author weaves a rich story of politics, civil rights, and key characters from our history, along with a look at their enduring relationship.
"Shy" by Mary Rodgers and Jesse Green -- Mary Rodgers wrote the music for "Once Upon a Mattress" and other shows and musical themes. Her autobiography, completed with NYTimes theatre critic Jesse Green, chronicles both her theatrical life as well as her personal life as the daughter of legendary composer Richard Rodgers and his wife, Dorothy. It wasn't all roses, but it was a fascinating life and Rodgers/Green tell it with tremendous humor. A real treat for musical comedy fans.
"The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown -- This is another that might fit into the history or biography categories (I put it in non-fiction) as Brown (not to be confused with "DaVinci Code" author Dan Brown) tells the fascinating story of the 1936 US men's Olympic rowing team -- a group of ragtag young men, many from humble backgrounds -- who went on to beat the Germans in the Nazi-staged Olympiad. Told largely about young Joe Rantz, Brown reveals what dedication and commitment can bring to reality.
"The Last Devil to Die" by Richard Osmun -- If you haven't discovered the "Thursday Murder Club" series, do so before the upcoming film with Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celie Imrie is released this year. It's a wonderful series and this most recent edition offers even greater insight into the characters, pathos and sadness and yes, a ripping good mystery!
"Riding Out" by Simon Parker -- When the Covid pandemic lockdown hit Great Britain, travel writer and cyclist Simon Parker knew he couldn't sit it out at home. So, he packed a camp stove, sleeping bag and phone and went "riding out" on a cycling trip from the top of Scotland to the tip of Cornwall and back around the other side of the country. Along the way, he met many fascinating people, willing to share info, life stories and sometimes even a spare room with him, as he gets to know his country far more intimately.
"Cecil Beaton's Fair Lady" by Cecil Beaton -- If you saw the film "My Fair Lady," it is likely that you will never forget the lush costumes and sets designed by Cecil Beaton, as identified with the film and Broadway play as much as its much-loved Lerner and Loewe score. This collection of entries from Beaton's diaries from the the film follow him on the film set and as he explores California while the film was in production. It's a delightful behind the scenes look at the film and at a creative genius.
"Prequel" by Rachel Maddow -- This, too, could go into a History category and should, for the story Maddow reveals about what happened in the United States in the time leading up to World War II with the American First and intense Anti-Semitism movement of the period. It is a shocking and powerful warning about corruption in government, personal evil and Fascism and how our country could have taken a completely different approach to the war (something that would have changed the trajectory of the world.) It's gripping, reading almost like fiction -- but Maddow has done her homework and it is a cautionary tale that is as important to read today as it was when she wrote it several years ago.
Books by Category
Mysteries
Mysteries tend to be my favorite genre and I especially enjoy series, so you'll see many repeats in the authors listed below.
"The Girl of His Dreams" by Donna Leon
"Moonflower Murders" by Anthony Horoitz
"The ZigZag Girl" by Elly Griffiths
"These Names Make Clues" by E.C.R. Lorac
"Red Bones" by Ann Cleeves
"White Nights" by Ann Cleeves
"Uncle Paul" by Celia Fremlin
"About Face" by Donna Leon
"Last Bus to Woodstock" by Colin Dexter
"Blue Lightning" by Ann Cleeves
"Fire in the Thatch" by E.C.R. Lorac
"Bodies from the Library" Tony Medawar, editor
"Murder at Midnight" by Eliott Roosevelt
"Nine Lives" by Peter Swanson
"A Question of Belief" by Donna Leon
"The Evil that Men Do" by Jeanne M. Dams
"The Heron's Cry" by Ann Ceeves
"Drawing Conclusions" by Donna Leon
"Sins Out of School" by Jeanne M. Dams
"The Darkest Evening" by Ann Cleeves
"Shadows of Death" by Jeanne M. Dams
"The Last Devil to Die" by Richard Osmun
"The Children Return" by Martin Walker
"The Case of the Crooked Candle" by Erle Stanley Gardner
"A Scream in Soho" by John G. Brandon
"A Bird in the Hand" by Ann Cleeves
"The White Priory Murders" by Carter Dickson
"Death of an Author" by E.C.R. Lorac
Fiction
"The Last Garden in England" by Julia Kelly
"Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks
"The English Understand Wool" by Helen DeWitt
Historic Fiction
"The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant
"Three Sisters, Three Queens" by Philippa Gregory
Non-Fiction/History
"Prequel" by Rachel Maddow
"Being Mortal" by Atul Gaande
"Is Your Cat a Psychopath?" by Stephen Wildish
"The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown
Biography/Memoir
"My Name is Barbra" by Barbra Streisand
"Toast and Marmelade" by Susan Bridgewater
"George: A Magpie Memoir" by Frieda Hughes
"An Unfinished Love Story" by Doris Kearns Goodwin
"Cecil Beaton's Fair Lady" by Cecil Beaton
"Shy" by Mary Rodgers and Jesse Green
"Once Upon a Tome" by Oliver Darkside
"Spare" by Prince Harry
"Time Steps" by Donna McKechnie
"Riding Out" by Simon Parker
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And now, we're into 2025. I've started with some autobiographies and I have (literally) dozens of books in the pile awaiting my eager eyeballs! All good wishes for a wonderful reading (or audio listening) year!
4 comments:
It’s amazing to me that you even keep track of all the books you read! Well done.
...47 book, I'm amazed!
I've read quite a few of your choices. We seem to touch base quite a bit. Not that I keep lists or anything vaguely organized, so thank you for doing it.
This is a great list! And you did read across so many genres! George looks like a good read - I love magpies. :)
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