Kick Off 2025 with These 5 Novels
This December I had some surgery and was laid up for a while. Because I knew my “taking it easy” wasn’t for an indefinite amount of time, curling up on the couch every day with my blanket, tea, and book was glorious. I read and read and read.
And I started thinking … Why don’t I do this more?
So! Although I’m not a big maker of New Year’s resolutions, I have promised myself to read more in the coming year. More specifically, I’ve vowed to read when I want to. After lunch? Sure! Before I run errands? Why not! While I wait for the laundry to finish? Yep!
Who says I must wait until the day ends and chores are complete to open my book?
Here are a few I’ve enjoyed lately…
The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Parman
Three cheers for Elizabeth Parman’s debut novel! This heartwarming tale is the perfect way to unwind after a busy holiday season.
Those readers raised in the Southern U.S. will laugh out loud at Posey Jarvis and her Southern-isms. Those reared elsewhere will learn a whole new vocabulary! (I certainly did!)
I met Elizabeth when we were both guests on a Nashville television show (my next new thing). We later met for coffee (another new thing), and she regaled me with stories about ALL the rejections she received before this book entered a bidding war. And now this lovely grandmother is wrapping up a second novel. I’m very happy for her, and I look forward to following her success!
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Loigman
“Because you can’t have the highs without the lows. That’s how love works.”
Lynda Loigman is one of my favorite authors – and humans. Remember her captivating, beautiful The Matchmaker’s Gift? In her latest novel, Lynda crafts another heartwarming story with characters readers will cheer across the finish line.
Pushing 80, newly retired pharmacist Augusta Stern moves from New York City to a Florida retirement community. She never expected to run into Irving, who broke her heart 60 years ago. Augusta thought Irving loved her back then, but she had been horribly mistaken.
Based on the adage, “You’re never too old, and it’s never too late,” this novel weaves stories set in 1980s Florida and 1920s Brooklyn. It is an enchanting read.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Although a friend described this novel as “not awesome,” I found it “unputdownable.” Isn’t it funny how different people can disagree completely about a book? This mystery/thriller has reaped all kinds of awards and buzz and accolades, and I can see why.
In New York’s Adirondack Mountains, a young girl has gone missing from her exclusive summer camp. The camper is Barbara Van Laar, the daughter of the camp’s wealthy owners and the sister of a young boy who went missing – and was never found – 14 years ago.
Law enforcement, camp employees, and counselors scour the woods to find Barbara. With intrigue, secrets, and twists, this book contains many layers. I stayed up long past my bedtime, turning the pages!
Maria: A Novel of Maria von Trapp by Michelle Moran
Calling all Sound of Music fans! Readers may find themselves humming Do-Re-Mi as they dive into this story about the life of Maria von Trapp. Writers and composers took some artistic liberties when crafting the movie and musical; this book explores those differences.
The historical fiction novel takes readers along Maria’s journey – her days as a nun in an abbey, a 10-month babysitting assignment that evolves into marriage, the Trapp Family Singers, and escaping Austria and the Nazis during the war.
I love people stories, and this was a good one.
Homecoming by Kate Morton
“Someone I used to know a long time ago told me once that fear is the doorway to opportunity.”
I’m a big fan of beloved Australian author Kate Morton, and her latest novel did not disappoint.
Morton transports readers to Christmas Eve, 1959, in small-town Australia. Percy happens upon a terrible scene on the grounds of a grand country home. What in the world happened? The ensuing murder investigation – the Turner Family Tragedy – becomes one of the most baffling cases in the history of South Australia.
Although it took a minute to get going, this twisty, smartly written novel mesmerized me with its complicated family dynamics. We all have them…
Find more book recommendations here in our Books section.
Let’s Talk Books:
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? When do you do your reading? Would you like to read more books in 2025?
Tags Books
I read The God of the Woods last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Have added The Empress of Cooke County to this year’s reading list. As an aside, the most beautifully written book I read last year was Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett. “Read more” is something I recommend to EVERYONE.
Sounds like some great reads! I like recommendations, otherwise I just keep reading the same stuff I always pick, great though it may be. I’ve always been a big reader and now that I’m retired I read to my hearts content.
Thanks for these great recs! I just started listening to The Empress of Cooke County and am loving it.
I LOVE New Year’s resolutions – I write them down with a small local group of women (we call ourselves the Goals Group) in a book called Goodbye 2024 Hello 2025. We meet quarterly to talk about what we have been accomplishing and what we’ve decided to let go of. Reading more is a great resolution I hadn’t thought of. But yes, more reading = more pleasure and why wouldn’t we want more pleasure in our daily life?! Reading is also so great for the brain. Your recs help me to read outside my usual genre and I’m never disappointed.
In 2025 I am also looking forward to re-reading your book Do the Next New Thing. I feel like it’s a book I want to read every year to stay fresh and stimulated. I brought some great new experiences and attitudes into my life since reading it the first time.
Thanks for another great post Pam!
Thank you for the book reviews. I have put them all on my list to read. I am an avid reader and listen to audio books as well. Hearing about books that other people like is a treat for me. It helps me branch out and sometimes read things I usually wouldn’t.
Thank you, for these recommendations, Pam. I’ll check them out. Happy 2025!