Countdown to 2026....Favorite Reads of 2025

 I can't believe it's time to write my new year's countdown post! This year flew by.

2025 was a banner year for great books. Rather than a top 5 list, I'm listing my favorite top 6 books because I couldn't leave any of these off my list. 

Adventure was the word of the year in terms of reading. These books live rent free in my head, and you'll still be thinking about them long after you close the book.

I discovered a couple of new-to-me authors (Susan L. Tuttle and Christine Hill Sunz), but I also noticed that four of my auto-buy authors (no surprise) made the list.

In no particular order, here's my top 6 list. Did any of these make your favorites list? Any books I'm leaving out? I'd love to know.

                                          You can read my review of To Love a Beast here. 

You can read my review of The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry here.

                              You can read my review of The Lawyer and the Laundress here.

                                       You can read my review of First Love, Second Draft here.

                                      You can read my review of Every Hour Until Then here.

      You can read my review of The Atlas of Untold Stories here. 

The Birds' Christmas Carol is a Bittersweet Story

The Birds' Christmas Carol should come with a PSA warning. You will need Kleenex when reading this gem of a story.

Author Kate Douglas Wiggin is best known for Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. A few of her writer contemporaries include Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, Mark Twain and Jack London. Many of Wiggins novels were made into films. Most notably, the 1938 version of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm starring Shirley Temple. Also, Summer Magic (1963) starring Haley Mills and Dorothy McGuire was based on her novel Mother Carey's Chickens.

I think I was about nine or ten years old when my mom read us this bittersweet story of Carol Bird, a Christmas-born child whose loving and generous nature brings joy to all those she meets. I loved how her abundant and sweet character brought delight to her whole family. 

My heart can only take reading this story every few years. At only 74 pages, this emotional story will stay with you long after you closed the book.

Along with the tears, the author also provides numerous comical moments with the nine Ruggles children. One minute you'll be shedding tears, the next minute you'll be laughing through your tears. 

If you've never read The Birds' Christmas Carol, I urge you to check it out. It's a poignant Christmas story that will tug at your heartstrings even 138 years after its publication.  

Reading is an adventure,

    Emilee 

 

The Heart of It's a Wonderful Life is a Lovely Tribute

 It's a Wonderful Life is a Christmas tradition for many, my family included. (Always the B&W version never colorized version.) 

 Author Jimmy Hawkins' (he played Tommy Bailey, Geroge and Mary's youngest son) new book The Heart of It's a Wonderful Life offers some unique facts and insights into this beloved holiday film. Jimmy clearly has a love and admiration for this movie and it's evident in this book. 

I thought I'd close the book and have more film trivia to share with family and friends. Instead, I walked away with the inspiration to never give up on your dreams. 

Director Frank Capra had a clear vision for his first post-WWII movie. How different would this film look had he compromised on his concept? 

I'd rate The Heart of It's a Wonderful Life as 4 out of 5 stars. Because I know the film backwards and forwards. I didn't feel there was a lot of trivia I didn't already know. I enjoyed this book as a tribute to the film, and it gave me a great appreciation for it. 

When the movie premiered in 1946 (almost 80 years ago) it opened to a lukewarm reception from audiences and critics alike. Thanks to a clerical error, this film had since become a masterpiece. During his lifetime, Capra witnessed his favorite film (and Jimmy Stewart's) become the iconic Christmas classic it is today. How cool is that?! 

Do you have any Christmas films you love to watch every year? I'd love to know. 

Reading is an adventure,

    Emilee