Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Read in 2025

 

Top Ten Books I Read in 2025

These were some of the best reads of 2025, in no order. In fact, I had to do eleven because I could not eliminate any of these. I rated them four and five stars on GoodReads. It does not mean I agreed with them all of the time, but rather that I felt engaged and learned something new or enjoyed the story experience. 

    

1. The Aeneid by Virgil (translated by Christopher Pearse Cranch) : Enjoyed the writing/translation style and much of the story; however, the war scenes were at times laborious. I skimmed through a bit.

2. The Essential Writings by Josephus : According to Josephus, the Jewish people were so divided and weakened by civil strife that the Romans did not have to exert themselves to take Jerusalem. In fact, the Temple was already in ruins at the hands of the Jewish sects, that it was not even salvageable. The Roman general Titus gave orders to burn it down. I believe Josephus suggested that the Romans would have preserved it, if they thought there was anything to save.  Fascinating stuff!

3. My Dear Hemlock by Tilly Dillehay : This is a woman's take on C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters. Very engaging, especially if you read it with her Discussion Guide.

4. Our Town by Thorton Wilder : A very American-themed play set in the early 20th century showcasing our common human experience. Bring tissues. After reading the play, I was lucky enough to see a local theater perform it. 

        

5. My First Summer in the Sierra by John Muir : If you love nature and stories set in nature, you'll truly appreciate John Muir's journaling of his time in the Sierra's. He knew every tree, flower, shrub, and bird ever created. It was also adventurous.

6. The Pioneers by David McCullough : An intriguing insight told through personal accounts about the first New Englanders who risked their lives and comfort to explore and settle the new and wild Northwest Territory (Ohio Valley).  

7. Gilgamesh the Hero by Geraldine McCaughrean : While this is a version for children (junior high and older), it does not dilute or leave out the agreeable characteristics of this ancient tale about love and friendship, and life and death. 

8. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair : This story reminds me of Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath in some ways because it was a preachy novel. It was a train wreck so well written, I couldn't put it down, the same way people slow down to stare at the car wreck on the side of the road. I disagreed with this story, but I don't mind reading penetrating stories that cause me to reel with disbelief. 

 
9. John Adams by David McCullough : Again, McCullough is a master of vivid story telling about history and people, particularly through the use of letters and other correspondence, news articles, and journals. He helps the reader understand his human subject(s), flawed and broken, at times, but capable of triumph and goodness. Kind of like all of us.

10. Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris : Another successful author with a pleasant writing style about a fascinating American, Theodore Roosevelt. Talk about privilege! This is the second book in a trilogy, and  I believe it covers his entire two-terms as president. Exceptional!

Bonus: The Ox-Bow Incident by Walter Clark : I had to include this. It's a western, but more than that. It's shocking! This story will make you take a good long look at yourself -- on the inside. Where God looks. If you don't have a conscience, this book won't bother you. But for the rest of us...prepare to shudder. 

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