My 10 Favorite Books From the Last Year

There are few things more satisfying than losing yourself in a book. One that sucks you in, transports you to another world, and spits you out seeing things a little differently (for better or worse). And while I'm no book critic, the past year of reading has been wildly fulfilling…and even earned a handful of five-star reviews from me on Goodreads. So, in no particular order (besides kicking it off with my favorite), here are the 10 books I devoured this year.

1. Heart the Lover by Lily King 

The first word that comes to mind: ugh. The I-wish-this-book-never-ended-and-then-when-it did-I-sobbed kind of ugh. Lily King is a true master of prose and world building. I could fully place myself on the campus of this mid-80s college (which felt quite similar to Colby, might I add), and deep into the lives of our three leading characters: “Jordan” (you’ll understand the quotation marks later), Sam, and Yash. It’s filled with love and heartbreak, joy and grief, rich conversation and gorgeous sentence structure. I could go on and on, but it’s almost impossible to put Lily’s magic into words. Just read it.

2. Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash 

I finished this one a few weeks ago, and holy shit was it good. Madeline Cash's voice is both hilarious and deeply layered, which is a combination few writers can really nail. The Flynn family is a dysfunctional time bomb whose kids oddly reminded me of those in Captain Fantastic (minus the wilderness), and whose parents had me chuckling and cringing in equal measure. The dialogue is quirky and irreverent, yet the plot beneath it is nuanced and intense. There's nothing I love more than a book that drags you through the full emotional spectrum, and this one delivered exactly that.

3. All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker 

I’ll be the first to admit that the length of a book is oftentimes a deterrent, particularly when it’s a heavy subject matter. But I’m so glad I bit the bullet with this widely acclaimed 600+ page novel. It’s a missing person mystery, serial killer thriller, and love story all in one, spanning 25 years and a motley crew of characters. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, I was pleasantly proved wrong, which is really all you can ask for in a mystery/thriller/love story trifecta. This was also one of the first books I read on my Kindle, which helped me forget just how long it was (despite that pesky percentage in the bottom right corner). My takeaway: this one’s a must for any avid reader. 

4. Good People by Patmeena Sabit 

Wow, I’m so glad this new novel found its way to me on Goodreads. Told entirely through police interviews and article excerpts, the story follows a refugee Afghan family that arrives in Northern Virginia without a dollar to their name and strikes millions, achieving the elusive American Dream. But what follows is the death of their oldest daughter and a constant questioning of what really happened and who to believe (am I crazy for loving inconclusivity?). It’s a thought-provoking, quietly devastating commentary on what it means to be Muselim in modern America. Highly, highly recommend. 

5. Famesick by Lena Dunham 

I've never quite understood the controversy around Lena Dunham. Maybe because I'm drawn to crude storylines and still feel nostalgic for the years I spent bingeing Girls in college, but I mostly just find her to be a dialogical genius (or, in the words of Hannah, "the voice of a generation."). Famesick sheds so much light on the Lena I didn't know: the one who’s dealt with chronic illness, addiction, toxic relationships…pretty much everything you could imagine. But what's interesting is that it never reads as a pity party. It's an honest retelling of her life and struggles, mixed with anecdotes so singular that no 24-year-old has ever experienced them or ever will again (becoming friends with Nora Ephron, for one). Whether you're a Lena fan or not, this memoir is a masterclass in autobiographical writing.

6. Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke 

It was about time we got a tradwife novel, and boy, did this one deliver. Part satire, part dark thriller, Yesteryear offers a piercing look at social media and the exploitation of one's life…and children. The story follows Natalie, a modern tradwife influencer who wakes up to find herself in 1855 with a new family and all the trappings of life back then (read: none). Chapters oscillate between centuries, but the underlying commentary stays consistent throughout: at what point does your life become a lie? I only have one lingering thought after finishing it: has Ballerina Farm read this?

7. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi 

If you need a feel-good read, look no further. A friend of mine (hi, Cammie!) rarely gives out five stars on Goodreads, so I knew I had to give this one a go. The story follows an elderly, enigmatic man named Theo who arrives in the small Southern town of Golden and shifts the lives of nearly everyone in it. He begins purchasing pencil portraits from a local coffee shop and returning them to the people depicted, asking only for their story in exchange, and what unfolds is a deeply heartwarming tale of human connection and kindness. You'll find yourself smiling, crying, and quietly hoping to move through the world a little more like him.

8. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

A book comprised entirely of letters? Sold. The Correspondent follows 73-year-old Sybil Van Antwerp, who’s spent her life writing to friends, family, and even literary legends like Joan Didion (who actually responds), weaving together themes of grief, forgiveness, and connection across decades. And then there's the one letter she never sends. The recipient? I won't spill the beans, but it's such a singular format that it's almost impossible to put down — which, for a book with no dialogue whatsoever, is really saying something.

9. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

For anyone interested in the fate of our planet, this one’s a must. Wild Dark Shore follows the Salt family who’s tasked with taking care of a global seedbank on a subantarctic island threatened by rising sea levels. But it’s not all climate commentary; a woman washes ashore during a storm in search of her husband, and what follows is a slow unraveling of secrets, love, and loss. It has all the twists and turns you want, and all of the emotional weight you need to give it a solid five stars. 

10. Strangers by Belle Burden

I had to end my list with this year's most talked-about memoir. What I won't do is comment on the recent news surrounding Belle's alleged exaggerations, because honestly, I don't care, but what I will do is praise her surefooted writing. As a lawyer, Belle writes with such clarity and precision that her husband's behavior is never once up for debate. The man is, without a doubt, a late-blooming egomaniac. Strangers drew me in and left me feeling completely icky, and somehow that's exactly why I loved it. Also, there’s no one better than Gwyneth to play the part.