My 2025 Reading List
My 2025 reading list has a huge variety of books with some flops and some must-reads.
#3 is one of my all-time favorite books.
#6 helped me with my physical well-being more than anything I've ever read.
#11 created great anticipation and excitement for Heaven.
#18 forever changed the way I look at work and career.
#38 is the best novel I've ever read (I've already broken the news to my fiction-writing husband, but don't miss his new novella, #57).
#39 should be required reading for every westerner.
#46 explains the Gospel of Jesus Christ better than anyone else ever has.
#48 is one of the best books I read this year.
#50, 51, and 52 are the best daily readers and will be on my 2026 reading list.
#56 is one of the top 3 leadership/business books of all-time.
I'm hopeful that you will find a couple that you're eager to dive into.
Happy reading, friend!
2025 Book 1: The Simple Difference by Becky Keife
Becky reminds us that we all need more small kindnesses in our lives. Maybe it’s time for you to give an encouraging word, offer to help with a project, send a care package, drop off dinner, or just sit and listen to a friend going through a hard time. It will make a difference.
2025 Book 2: Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart by Russ Ramsey
An interesting look at what art, in the form of paintings, tells us about the pain and suffering of the artist. I enjoyed learning about a couple of artists that were unfamiliar to me.
2025 Book 3: The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
My word for 2025 was ‘grace’ and I’ve never heard anyone speak of grace and live in grace quite like Brennan Manning. This book and its message encourage me every time I read it. It is a must-read for anyone struggling with shame, guilt, insecurity, or doubt.
2025 Book 4: Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning
If you’re feeling unloved, please read this book. It will leave tears running down your cheeks as you feel enveloped by love Himself.
2025 Book 5: The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown
Growing up in California, I heard and learned about the Donner Party from a young age, but I didn’t know, or remember, many of the details. True to his narrative style, Brown, author of The Boys in the Boat, follows one member of the Donner Party from her life as a young woman in Illinois through the sojourn west where she loses her father, husband, and other family members, and her attempt to find life again following the catastrophic journey.
2025 Book 6: 40 Day Sugar Fast by Wendy Speake
A guided sugar detox with daily reminders that our dependence on, and addiction to, sugar is not actually about the sugar itself. I sincerely appreciated Wendy’s encouragement, willingness to share her own struggles, and wisdom to help us not only address the sugar itself but the challenges going on inside our hearts and heads that are causing us to reach for the sugar to begin with.
2025 Book 7: The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
A fascinating and well-researched look at the ideologies and events that created the call-out and cancel culture, witch hunts, and dehumanization that we have seen become prevalent in the last decade.
2025 Book 8: My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex PruďHomme
An absolutely delightful memoir of the 30+ years that Julia and Paul Child spent in France. Her stories and recollections are funny and heartwarming, and her love for the country and its people is undeniable.
2025 Book 9: Modern Art and the Death of a Culture by H.R. Rookmaaker
A very insightful history of art over the last five centuries, the ideologies behind the art, and its impact on culture and our lives. A fascinating read for all artists, especially those who are Christians.
2025 Book 10: A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor
Flannery’s famous collection of short stories will shock and bewilder you, and also make you laugh out loud from what some people describe as her “acid humor.”
2025 Book 11: Heaven by Randy Alcorn
2025 Book 12: Heaven by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson
2025 Book 13: Resurrection Hope and the Death of Death by Mitchell L. Chase
2025 Book 14: Heaven is a World of Love by Jonathan Edwards
At the beginning of 2025, I decided that I wanted to better understand Heaven, so I read these four books, and I am so glad that I did. I learned so much that I didn’t know and was encouraged in ways I didn’t expect to be. If you have questions about Heaven, start with book 11 – it covers practically everything you’ve ever wondered or wanted to know. Books 12 and 13 are rich theological deep dives. If you want to better understand hell, book 14 covers it well.
2025 Book 15: The 40-Day Body Image Workbook by Heather Creekmore
I’ve been very intentional about working on all aspects of my physical health, including my mental and emotional mindset regarding how I steward my body and my health. While I didn’t resonate with all of Heather’s ideology, she does have some good insights about shame and how we can talk to ourselves in a non-condemning way.
2025 Book 16: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
2025 Book 17: The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
I am re-reading through the Chronicles of Narnia series for the first time in a few years. They are a must-read for everyone – young and old.
2025 Book 18: Purposefooled by Kelly Needham
This is hands-down one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve read in the last 10 years. It is required reading for all my career-focused clients.
2025 Book 19: Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurdham
A sweet story that is richly soul nourishing; highly recommend for anyone who is discouraged or weary.
2025 Book 20: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Jonathan's research on the impact of smart phones, social media, and various apps on adolescents and teenagers is something that we should all be paying attention to – his findings can easily be extrapolated to adults and the rise in anxiety that is obvious in our day-to-day lives.
2025 Book 21: This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley
Part memoir and part poetry, this is a beautifully written book. I loved her conversation about dignity.
2025 Book 22: Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren
Over the last decade my spiritual practices have changed to include more formal liturgies and observances like the recitation of creeds and set prayers based on the time of day and the church calendar. This deeply thoughtful and vulnerable book walks through the prayer of Compline, which is the final prayer service of the day as part of the Anglican church tradition. Tish shares how the prayer helped her through her darkest nights and deepest doubts, and how it can do the same for us.
2025 Book 23: Hope in Times of Fear by Tim Keller
I think we can all agree that fear, in our country and our world, is pretty high right now. If we’re honest, we can all easily name a handful of things that we are scared of or worried about. In his usual (and masterful) way, Tim points us back to a place where hope overrides our fears. This is a must-read for anyone who is being kept up at night by fears and worries.
2025 Book 24: The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
The last book that I read in 2024 was MacDonald’s At the Back of the North Wind. As with that book, the poems and rhymes of The Princess and the Goblin are delightful, and the story itself is cute and witty. I highly recommend listening to Laura Sauriat’s narrated version on Audible – she makes the story truly come alive.
2025 Book 25: Horse by Geraldine Brooks
An historical fiction account of a real racehorse that is fascinating. The story about the horse and its life in the 1860s was excellent. In my critical opinion, the book would have been better off without the modern era portion of the story, but even so, it was a story that I enjoyed and am glad I read.
2025 Book 26: The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
Corey has always loved magical realism, so this book made it into my hands because of my curiosity about if the author would be heavy-handed or more lyrical in her attempt at magical realism. I was actually surprised that she was pretty covert, which kept some mystery to a fun and engaging story.
2025 Book 27: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
My friend, Gina, told me for over a year that I needed to read this book. She was right. It is a wonderful story. It is a bit of a slow read in the second quarter and the cynic in me wondered how he was going to pick the pace back up, but he did, and ultimately left me bawling through the final 50 pages.
2025 Book 28: Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
An absolutely wonderful historical fiction novel based on a true story of a teenage Italian boy during WWII. A real page turner!
2025 Book 29: The Women by Kristin Hannah
The writing and story are somewhat basic and cliché but the historical elements about the women nurses who served in Vietnam are very eye-opening.
2025 Book 30: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
Continuing through the Chronicles of Narnia series with book 4. So good!!
2025 Book 31: Daring Joy by Nicole Zasowski
It’s pretty evident that most of us are living without joy being present in our daily lives. This study truly has the power to transform our mindsets about joy and bring us to a place where we are living with more joy. I am highly critical of Bible studies and this is one of the best ones I have ever done; I highly recommend it. Be prepared to be challenged and changed. I also highly recommend Nicole’s book, What If It’s Wonderful, which I read in 2022.
2025 Book 32: Self Made by Tara Isabella Burton
A phenomenal historical overview of personal identity and the ideologies of the last 500 years that have shaped our current social and cultural beliefs about who we are and how we can, and should, act in the world. If you have any interest in sociology, identity, or philosophy, you will be fascinated by this book.
2025 Book 33: Faithful Feelings by Matthew A. Elliott
“Emotions are a faithful reflection of what we believe and value. The Bible does not treat them as forces to be controlled or channeled toward the right things, but as an integral part of who we are as people created in God’s image.”
An academic exposition of emotion: what it is, what it’s not, how it is portrayed throughout history, and how it is defined and portrayed in the Bible. I learned a lot from this deep dive, and particularly appreciated the sections on grief, sorrow, and anger.
2025 Book 34: March by Geraldine Brooks
Since I *mostly* liked her writing style in Horse, I thought I would try her Pulitzer Prize winning novel that tells the story of Mr. March, beloved father of Alcott’s ‘little women’. It was an interesting story, but his character was overdone and didn’t seem entirely believable for the 1860s. It’s worth having on your list to read but doesn’t need to be near the top.
2025 Book 35: You Are Not Enough (and That’s Okay) by Allie Beth Stuckey
While I appreciate, and agree with many of the messages given, her approach is filled with shame and is significantly lacking grace. Given her personal experiences and her stated beliefs, I expected thoughtfulness and kindness, but they are absent. Additionally, it is clear that the publisher was pushing for shock value and to just get it published because the quality of writing and editing is not great (contradictions and logical fallacies throughout). Book 18 touches on similar messages and themes – I highly recommend it instead of this one.
2025 Book 36: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
While a much better story than book 29, her writing style and stories are simply too generic, basic, and cliché. If you like WWII historical fiction, you will enjoy this story, but I recommend book 28 above instead, or my favorite WWII historical fiction, All the Light We Cannot See.
2025 Book 37: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle
A curious little tale that I’ve been wanting to read because Ted Lasso gives it to Roy Kent to read as a means of developing Roy’s leadership skills. It is an imaginative story that I will give to, and read with, my nieces and nephews.
2025 Book 38: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
I love this book! A fantastic story! Superb writing! No wonder it won a Pulitzer! A definite must-read novel! Now I have to read David Copperfield.
2025 Book 39: A Discourse on Meekness and Quietness of Spirit by Matthew Henry
Humility and gentleness are under fire today by people who would tell you that you need to live your values loudly and proudly. This book makes a very strong case for us to go out of our way to love and serve others through kindness and compassion, by showing dignity and respect without any fanfare or notice beyond the individual person. This is one of those books that I would love to see as required reading for all westerners.
2025 Book 40: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
2025 Book 41: The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
As noted above with books 16, 17, and 30, I am re-reading through the Chronicles of Narnia series for the first time in a few years. I cry at some point of each book - their allegory is so rich!!
2025 Book 42: One with My Lord by Sam Allberry
An informative and lovely exposition of what it actually means to be a Christian.
2025 Book 43: The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis by Nancy Guthrie
An in-depth study of the book of Genesis.
2025 Book 44: A Confidence That Changes Everything by Hannah Crews
A 90-day devotional that helps us move from self-confidence to God-confidence.
2025 Book 45: The Watchmaker’s Daughter by Larry Loftis
A wonderful biography of Corrie ten Boom. He expands on many of the stories she tells in her own book, The Hiding Place and adds additional information about her and her family. A worthwhile read.
2025 Book 46: The Prodigal God by Tim Keller
If you have given up on Christianity, please read this book. This is a must-read for every single person who calls themselves a Christian or ever called themselves a Christian. I believe that most Christians living today were taught a Gospel that was missing the most important element, which Keller brings to light in this book.
2025 Book 47: Traction by Gino Wickman
It was time for a re-read of this foundational business book. Every business owner needs to read it every 5 years to remind themselves to get back to the basics.
2025 Book 48: Everyone Who is Gone is Here by Jonathan Blitzer
Wow! The complexities of immigration and immigration policy are vast! So much more than most of us realize. This is one journalist’s comprehensive search to discover what led to the migration of hundreds of thousands of Central American people over the last 60 years and the varying responses these folks have encountered along their journeys. One of the best books I read this year.
2025 Book 49: Darkness Then Light by Christianity Today
A wonderful devotional with vignettes for each day of Advent.
2025 Book 50: The Songs of Jesus by Tim Keller
A deep dive into the book of Psalms with every day spent reading a new Psalm and meditating on what it means for my relationship with God. I have read this book every day for the last four years and will continue to do so. I love seeing my notes from years past of what tugged at my heart or was something I was being challenged by.
2025 Book 51: God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life by Tim Keller
Similar to book 50, this is an exploration of the book of Proverbs with a daily reading from Proverbs and its applicability to life today. Part of my daily rhythm that I greatly look forward to. You will also see this as a repeat on my list for 2026.
2025 Book 52: Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
After several years of not reading this daily devotional, I re-started it last January and am so glad that I did. Regularly throughout the year two friends, who were also reading it daily, would text me commenting how much that day’s meditation was exactly what they needed or asking me if I had read it yet because they knew I needed to hear that day’s exhortation. It is no exaggeration to say that the wisdom and counsel of this book saw me through some very hard days in 2025, and I expect it will do the same in 2026.
2025 Book 53: On This Day in Christian History by Robert J. Morgan
An interesting daily read about the martyrs, heroes, and notable events of Christian history.
2025 Book 54: Daughters of Palestine by Leyla K. King
A beautiful and eye-opening multi-generational memoir of Palestinian Christian women and their families from the 1940s to present day.
2025 Book 55: Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey
If you have ever been disappointed with God or asked why God is silent or hidden or unfair, this is a must-read. Yancey has such a straightforward writing style and doesn’t beat around the bush. So far his favorite book of mine is book 35 from my 2024 reading list.
2025 Book 56: Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud
This is one of those business books that I re-read every few years, especially when I give it to a client as a reading assignment. If you’ve followed my lists for any length of time, you’ll know that I have read a lot of business books and believe that most of them are 90-100% junk. This one is pure gold and a must-read. Its principles are applicable not just to business but to our personal lives as well.
2025 Book 57: Toiling Under the Sun by Corey Emory
In case you missed our email announcement, my husband’s second novel (novella) was published in November. It is a belated love letter to his father, the idea for which came as the result of wanting to understand his father and the background in which he grew up (1960s California). It is a great read for those who lived through the 60s, those who ponder spiritual experience, lovers of art or art history, those of us who have Boomer parents, and anyone who enjoys well-written, well-researched historical fiction.
All my previous reading lists can be found here.
