Here are my GoodReads stats for 2025:
As you can tell by the average rating of 4.1, I loved a lot of books in 2025.
Let's just say, I love my reading life. Taking good care of my eyes is a priority. Macular degeneration is not going to defeat me!
77 books and 26k pages feels so good! I read a variety of favorite authors and discovered some new ones. I enjoyed a bunch of mysteries, historical fiction, and nonfiction, including some terrific memoirs.
I have a hard time picking favorites, but here's a few that I will definitely reread:
- The Briar Club, by Kate Quinn
- Emma, by Jane Austen
- The Heirloom Gardener, by John Forti
- Fifteen Wild Decembers, by Karen Powell
- The Last Bookshop in London, by Madeline Martin
- John Adams, by David McCullough
- The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara
My very best wishes to all of you for a happy and healthy 2026. May your days be merry and bright, and may all of your reading choices yield 5-star books.
Happy Hogmanay - 2026 is my year of Scottish reading, so I baked shortbread yesterday and shared some with my neighbors
You had a very good year of reading, Jane! I feel the same about my vision. I have glaucoma, but my daily eye drops seem to be doing a good job keeping the pressure at a decent level. My mom has MD and gets shots in both eyes every 6-8 weeks. She's a voracious reader, so she's glad to do something to keep her vision.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading The Briar Club in the coming months. I gave a copy to my mom for Christmas, so as soon as she's finished, I'll dive in.
I'll bet your shortbread was divine. It's my favorite treat! Happy New Year!
We take our eyes for granted until something flares up. Glad that you can keep your glaucoma at bay. I am hoping to avoid the eye shots as long as possible, but like your mom, I will do whatever I need to keep on reading.
DeleteHope you and your mom enjoy the Briar Club. I loved it.
The shortbread is all gone. Time to make a new batch!
Congrats on such a good year of reading! I look forward to seeing what books you choose for your year of Scottish reading in 2026. Happy New Year! :D
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you as well. I always enjoy seeing what you're reading.
DeleteCongratulations on an excellent reading year. My longest book was also an annotated Austen, Mansfield Park. I plan to read another one this summer with MMD, and P&P has already been selected. Can't wait. Happy reading in 2026!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading MP in Jan/Feb with my JASNA group, so I need to get the annotated one myself.
DeleteGreat post. I had checked shortly before seeing your list but mine wasn't up, yet. Still, it's here now and I have read almost as many pages as you but fewer books (I love the chunkies). I'll post that in a few days.
ReplyDeleteApart form Emma, I have not read any of your books listed. However, I have read all of Jane Austen's books several times. Does that count? ;)
Rereading counts! I have read all the Austen novels more times than I can count, and they never fail to warm my heart.
DeleteHi Jane, congratulations on 77 books! And mostly 4 stars is a great year of reading and The Briar Club is on my top 40 list this year but I also must read 15 Wild Decembers. Many books these days take place in bookshops but your recommendation of The last Bookshop in London is all the recommendation I need and its going on my 2026 reads.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Yes, so many books do seem to be set in bookstores these days, but I am glad I took the plunge with this one as it really was a great book. Hope you enjoy it as well.
DeleteKudos, a great reading year for you and I like your favorites list. Glad Fifteen Wild Decembers made your list as it made my list too! I will read the Last Bookshop novel sometime -- I'm looking forward to it. Happy New Year and have another reading year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year--I find so many great books on your blog. My deepest thanks!
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