As 2025 comes to a close, an overview of the year’s reading highlights offers insights into notable works and personal reflections on literature. This retrospective brings attention to several influential authors and books that shaped the literary landscape throughout the year.
Books Completed in 2025
Among the books read this year, Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by Susana M. Morris stands out as a compelling biography exploring the life of a pioneer in speculative fiction. Additionally, How to Travel with a Salmon and Other Essays by Umberto Eco provided a whimsical take on travel and culture through a series of engaging essays.
Other noteworthy titles completed in 2025 include:
- Open Socrates: The Case For a Philosophical Life by Agnes Callard
- The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy
- Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers by Kwame Anthony Appiah
- The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of Dorothy Day by Dorothy Day
- The Bostonians by Henry James
- My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme
- Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer’s Legendary Editorship by Dana A. Williams
This list reflects a diverse mix of genres and themes, although it may not fully align with the initial goal of focusing on works by women authors. Notably, the completion of biographies of influential women underscores a commitment to recognizing these significant figures.
Reflections on Reading Habits
The year was marked by a desire to read more, particularly lighter, entertaining literature. The challenge of completing books was evident, as several titles, such as Edmund White’s biography of Jean Genet and the second volume of Thomas Merton’s journal, were left unfinished. However, Zena Hitz’s Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life was completed and received positive feedback for its engaging exploration of intellectual pursuits.
As the year concludes, it serves as a reminder of the joy of reading and the importance of exploring various voices and narratives. The hope moving forward is to not only read more books but also to embrace genres that provide both entertainment and insight.
Readers interested in continuing their literary journey can participate in the Readers & Book Lovers series hosted by Daily Kos. The series features various discussions on different genres and themes throughout the week, providing a platform for book lovers to share their thoughts and recommendations.
For those keen on joining the conversation, the series schedule includes:
- SUNDAY: 4:00 PM – Let’s Talk BOOKS
- MONDAY: 8:00 PM – The Language of the Night
- TUESDAY: 8:00 PM – Contemporary Fiction
- WEDNESDAY: 8:00 PM – Bookchat
- THURSDAY: 8:00 PM – Write On! (First Thursday of the month)
- FRIDAY: 7:30 AM – WAYR?
- SATURDAY: 12:00 PM – You Can’t Read That!
Readers are encouraged to follow the Readers & Book Lovers group on Daily Kos for updates and access to all literary discussions, ensuring a vibrant community of book enthusiasts continues to thrive.
