A Year of Reading: 10 Books That Stole the Spotlight in 2025

A bookshelf filled with 49 books. These are the ones that didn't make the cut for the top 10 list of 2025. The process of selecting these books is simple yet intricate. Throughout the year, as each book is finished, if it's loved, it's set aside. By November, the stack is towering, and the real challenge begins. The selection process is intuitive. Books are shifted in and out of the top 10 pile until the final list is decided. It's not a perfect science, but it's a personal journey. The result is a list of 10 books that have left a lasting impression. But what about the other 49 books? Each one has its own story, its own merit. "Playworld" by Adam Ross, a disturbing novel about a child actor and an older woman, didn't make the cut. Neither did "Syme's Letter Writer" by Rachel Syme, a beautiful ode to correspondence. These books, along with many others, deserve more attention. The top 10 list is a mix of genres and styles. "Clam Down: A Metamorphosis" by Anelise Chen is a memoir that reads like a novel. It's a story of a writer navigating divorce and societal expectations. "Red Scare: Blacklists, McCarthyism and the Making of Modern America" by Clay Risen is a powerful narrative that delves into the everyday fear-mongering and courage that shaped America. "The Gossip Columnist's Daughter" by Peter Orner is a true crime story rooted in the author's real background. "A Guardian and a Thief" by Megha Majumdar is a tale of survival and family dynamics. "Sick and Dirty: Hollywood's Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness" by Michael Koresky is a dark cultural history that sheds light on the clandestine cleverness of gay filmmakers. "Lost in the Dark, and Other Excursions" by John Langan is a collection of horror stories that draw on classical literature. "Do Admit! The Mitford Sisters and Me" by Mimi Pond is a group-biography of the infamous sisters. "A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession and Shipwreck" by Sophie Elmhirst is a survival tale that delves into the psychological aftermath of a disaster. "King of Ashes" by S. A. Cosby is a crime fiction that combines broad appeal with Shakespearean tragedy. "Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers" by Caroline Fraser is a thrilling patchwork of correlation that drags the reader into a scary, reckless world. Each book on this list is a testament to the power of storytelling. They are not just books; they are experiences that challenge, entertain, and enlighten.