2025 Book Commentary

Yes, I'm over half a year late posting this, but I want it for my own records.

I only read 33 books in 2025. But I had a busy year. 2026 is going to be better when it comes to book reading!

A good portion of my reading was British literature because I tutored Challenge II (Classical Conversations), and my class did British literature. This was my second year tutoring this level, but I hadn't read all the books the first time (tutors aren't required to read them - we just facilitate discussion). I also read some of my favorite authors and some new-to-me authors. In 2025, I read Christian historical fiction, classics, mysteries, young adult, fantasy, and a biography.

Here are the stats:

Books read: 33 (or maybe 34)

Most read author: Jen Turano (3 books) 

Runners up: J.R.R. Tolkien, Karen Witemeyer, Rachel Scott McDaniel, Jaime Jo Wright (2 books each)

Favorite book: The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House (Joanna Davidson Politano)

Other favorites: Walking on Hidden Wings AND The Dreams We Knew (both by Rachel Scott McDaniel), To Love a Beast (Karen Witemeyer), Of Silver and Secrets (Michelle Griep), and the first 4 classics listed below under "Re-reads."

Re-reads: The Return of the King (Tolkien), The Hobbit (Tolkien), Pride & Prejudice (Austen), Jane Eyre (Bronte), The Pilgrim's Progress (Bunyan), Robinson Crusoe (Defoe), Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Carroll)

Least favorite: I don't usually put a least favorite, but I didn't enjoy these two at all: Beowulf: A New Telling (Robert Nye) and A Passage to India (E.M. Forster). I think Beowulf: A New Telling would be my least favorite because the "new telling" was awful (imo). It has good reviews on Amazon, but I can't think why. Try a good translation of the original Beowulf instead. I wouldn't recommend it as a good introduction to Beowulf for kids, but that's me. Too much of the story was changed, and I found some bits silly or inappropriate for kids. A Passage to India has very good descriptions of India so that you feel you're there. And that's my only positive. None, and I do mean none, of the characters are likeable. It's told from a nihilistic point of view, so it's rather depressing.

I enjoyed all the rest of the books on my list!

I'm doing much better at reading this year, and my favorites list will be a lot longer!