It’s that time of year again – time for lists. As an author and avid reader, I track my books through Goodreads. That makes it sooo easy to track my reading history.
I discovered two of my top three books early in the year:
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn – Set in the turbulent 1950s, the Briar Club takes place in Washington, DC. Five women, who are boarders in the Briarwood Boarding House, confront cultural and personal struggles. Loved it.
Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim M. Richardson – This is about one of the many horseback librarians who delivered books and magazines to people in the remote mountain regions of Appalachia. The main character in this book is one of the “blue-skinned” people of Kentucky.
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel – Inspired by a true story in WWII, this book focuses on a forger in Nazi France.
Like last year’s list, these books were about strong women who faced and overcame obstacles.
The rest of the top ten for 2025 included:
Katherine by Anya Seton – I read this book so long ago that it was like reading it for the first time.
Apostle’s Cove by William Kent Krueger – This is the newest book in the Cork O’Connor series. I also filled in the blanks with some of Krueger’s earlier books. (Fan girl side note: William Kent Krueger was a featured speaker at the 2025 SD Festival of Books. He stopped at my table, and we chatted about writing.)
Lethal Prey by John Sandford – The latest book in the Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers series doesn’t disappoint. I also read several of Sandford’s earlier books that I’d skipped.
State of Terror by Hilliary Clinton and Louise Penny – Clinton and Penny co-authored this political thriller.
Under Currents by Nora Roberts – While Roberts is known as a leader in romance, this book also tackles tough issues like childhood domestic abuse.
The Widow by John Grisham – Another legal thriller by one of the masters of the genre.
There were also some great non-fiction books on the list:
The Northwomen: Untold Stories from the Other Half of the Viking World by Heather Pringle – For every Norseman Viking who struck terror in the hearts of people in Europe, there was a cadre of women who wove and sewed Viking protective clothing and sails, who farmed for and financed the men when they went “a Viking.”
Who is Government? The Untold Stories of Public Service by Michael Lewis – A series of essays that profiles federal employees. From discovering new planets to digitizing archives, it gives readers a greater appreciation for these behind-the-scenes heroes.
What’s on my list for 2026? There’s a sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Also, John Sandford, William Kent Krueger, and Nora Roberts/JD Robb all have upcoming books.
Happy reading!