My Top 10 Reads of 2025
Hello! Well, it’s that time of year again… time to pick my 10 favourites out of the 152 books I read in 2025!
It’s been unusually difficult to do this year. Not because of the amount of books I read in 2025, but because very few of them really stood out as overall favourites. I don’t count re-reads for this list, or A Tale of Two Cities and Bunny would easily be at the top. But choosing only from my first-time reads, these are the ten books I’ve settled on as my favourites of the year.
Note: Each title is a link to that book’s Goodreads page if you’d like more information, and I’ve curated a Bookshop.org shelf on my affiliate bookshop of these 10 books if you’re interested. (Any purchase made through the Bookshop.org link will earn me a small commission at no extra expense to you.) On to the books!
#10
I discovered Grady Hendrix in 2025, and absolutely fell in love. Horrorstor was my first, and it’ll always stand as one of my favourites. A horror novel with humour and heart that’s not only set in a furniture store but styled to look like an IKEA catalogue. I devoured it!
#9
Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket
Forget James Joyce – this is the stream-of-consciousness odyssey the world needs. It’s equal parts hilarious and profound, silly nonsense and thought-provoking philosophy. What would you do if you received a note under your door saying, “You had poison for breakfast”? Certainly not what Lemony Snicket does, but that’s the beauty of it.
#8
Hidden Treasure by Jessie Burton
I read this as an ARC from NetGalley and loved every minute of it. I reviewed it here. There’s something timeless and ageless about this story of a young girl who finds a jewel-studded silver disk through which she hears the river speak to her. This is a children’s book that doesn’t talk down to its readers, and anyone of any age could get something out of it.
#7
The Wonderful Visit by H.G. Wells
This was published the same year as Wells’ more famous The Time Machine, but I’d never heard of it until I saw it on Libby last Victober. Picked it up on a whim and was blown away. It’s a satirical criticism of the Victorian period’s “collectors,” who killed any unique animal, bird, insect, or plant they could find just to display them in their houses. Unfortunately, the “bird” this particular collector shoots turns out to be an angel!
#6
I had no idea until I picked up this book that a man in an insane asylum helped to create the Oxford English Dictionary. This book tells his story, as well as that of the professor who unknowingly hired him and corresponded with him for years. Their friendship is fascinating to read about, and so are the insights we’re given into the origins of several of the word definitions they wrote. Every word nerd should read this.
#5
She’s a Lamb! by Meredith Hambrock
I reviewed this 2025 release here. Basically, it’s the satirical story of a small-time Vancouver actress who dreams of being a star, and the lengths to which she goes to get the role of her dreams. It’s a wild ride, and I loved every minute of it.
#4
Talking to Canadians: A Memoir by Rick Mercer
Rick Mercer is a Canadian comedian who rose to fame because of a segment called ‘Talking to Americans’ on his satirical news show, The Rick Mercer Report. In this memoir, he talks about his life leading up to the beginning of his show, and it’s as hilarious and insightful as you’d expect from this guy. I stand by my declaration that it’s the best memoir I’ve ever read, from one of the greatest Canadians who has ever lived.
#3
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
I managed to end my reading year on a high note thanks to Grady Hendrix. I’ve always loved dolls, and Hendrix’s vivid depictions of evil dolls and puppets didn’t manage to make me creeped out by them, but I sure appreciated the effort. 🤣 I love the blend of laughs and scares here, the attention to detail, the depth of Hendrix’s historical research and insights into human nature and behaviours, and the fact that this family’s story would still be compelling to me even without the horror elements. Loved it.
#2
Blob: A Love Story by Maggie Su
I don’t even know, you guys. How did this book stay at the top of my rankings all year?? 🤣 It’s so weird and ridiculous, but I enjoyed it SO MUCH. I reviewed it here. Suffice it to say: they’re not kidding in the blurb when they say it’s for fans of Bunny and Convenience Store Woman. I loved both of those books, and I LOVED Blob.
#1
Around the World in 80 Trees by Jonathan Drori
Trees are a passion of mine, and this book taught me so much about types of trees I barely knew existed. It’s full of gorgeous drawings, too. I was reading this book the week my dog died last summer, and it brought me so much comfort and much-needed distraction. For that reason alone it was my best reading experience of the year, but it’s also a beautiful, fascinating book that I’ll return to again and again.