Another year’s end means another year of reading complete. This year, I read 63 books which surprised me since I was aiming for one a week. Choosing my favourites was still hard (as it is every year) but I’ve narrowed it down to 5 top books. My honourable mentions are at the end because there are so many good books!
Looking through my list, I realize that I’ve been camping out in the memoir section. I find it so fascinating to hear other people’s lived experiences and everyone has something to teach me. So, four out of my five top books are memoirs this year, with the last one being a novel that was recommended to me by my daughter. I have also been reading a lot about autism since discovering I’m autistic.
{Note: I have linked the titles to the Amazon pages for ease of reference (affiliate links) but I encourage you to support your local independent bookstore, buy used, or find them at your library.}
My top five reads of 2025 listed in no particular order:
Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand by Jeff Chu
This memoir was the first one I’ve read by a Cantonese American and so much of it felt familiar because of my shared heritage with the author. I enjoyed Chu’s weaving of his story about his time at the Farminary (farm + seminary) with reflections on spirituality and being human. The writing itself is beautiful and I know I will never look at compost the same way after reading this book.
Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad
This was a deeply moving book about a woman who found herself dealing with cancer fresh out of university. Contrasting the “kingdom of the sick” with the “kingdom of the healthy,” it chronicles what life was like for her while in treatment, recovery, and the reality of life afterwards. I really enjoyed her style of writing and how honestly she shared about her struggles. Also inspiring were her stories of the people she met both during and after her illness.
The Top Five Regrets of the Dying – A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing by Bronnie Ware
Reflecting on death always puts living into perspective. Bronnie Ware does a fantastic job of distilling her experiences during her time as a palliative nurse and sharing the lessons she learned from those she served during their last days. My main takeaway from this book was that it’s important to live a life I’m proud of for myself and not for what others expect of me. And to keep investing into friendships even as I age.
On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, and the Gifts of Neurodiversity by Daniel Bowman Jr.
This book was recommended to me by a pastor friend and it’s one of the first books I’ve read featuring the intersection of autism and faith. A memoir about the author’s late discovery of autism, he explains autism quite well. But the parts that resonated most with me were his descriptions of what it’s like to participate in a faith community as an autistic person. Hearing someone else’s stories about the challenges and costs of being part of a church was really validating.
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
My kids both read a lot of books and, once in a while, they’ll suggest something that they think I’ll enjoy. This novel is a middle-school book that’s full of fun and fantasy. It’s a story about using your gifts to help society even when you’re not sure about them and the powers-that-be are against you. It’s creative, funny, dramatic, and features an unlikely heroine.
Honourable Mentions:
Being Autistic (And What That Actually Means) by Niamh Garvey
This is one of the best school-age books explaining autism that I’ve come across so far. The concepts are clearly presented along with engaging illustrations that makes for a fun and informative read.
Unmasking for Life: A Guide to Embracing Your Autism in a Neurotypical World by Devon Price
This book is a sequel to “Unmasking Autism” and is more of a practical how-to book for autistics looking to thrive in a world that’s not designed for neurodivergence. The first book was more about what autistic masking is while this book was about how to unmask. I found it quite insightful with applicable suggestions and would recommend it to anyone who is autistic or loves an autistic person.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
Another recommendation from my teenager, this novel was a beautifully told tale across time and worlds. A fantastical story, it’s also a chronicle of self-discovery and love.
The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing and Healing by Lara Love Hardin
This book was recommended to me by a dear friend. It’s an incredible story of one woman’s experience of drug addiction, jail, and learning to heal herself through writing and helping others.
Hello, Cruel World: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times by Melinda Wenner Moyer
This was one of the most practical parenting books I read this year. In contrast to the alarmist title, the content is actually quite hopeful. I would recommend this to anyone who wants grounded strategies for raising kids in our current society.