I’ve known Margie Bunting for quite some time now. She read and commented on the blog before I met her at a Left Coast Crime conference in Monterey, CA. We made sure we spent some time together when that conference was held in Phoenix as well. Margie’s Thursday reviews are eagerly awaited by some of my family and friends. Thank you, Margie, for sharing your list of favorite books again this year.

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MARGIE’S FAVORITE READS OF 2025

Greetings and Happy New Year, fellow book lovers! A huge thank you to Lesa Holstine for being a wonderful blogger. reviewer, and friend, and thanks for the book recommendations from all of you each Thursday at Lesa’s Book Critiques. This year I read 145 books. Below are abbreviated reviews of the 16 books that got the highest ratings from me. Full reviews can be found on Lesa’s blog and under Margie Bunting at Goodreads. 

SHOW BUSINESS MEMOIRS

Lin-Manuel Miranda: the Education of an Artist by Daniel Pollick-Pelzner

As a Lin-Manuel Miranda superfan, I couldn’t be more thrilled with  this authorized biography, Filled with glorious detail about the many aspects of Lin’s career and personal life, it is well researched and based on multiple interviews with Lin himself, his family members, teachers, mentors, friends, and collaborators. It’s easy to see how his education contributed to the artist he became. But it also covers how In the Heights was transformed into a Tony Award winner for Best Musical, years after Lin began writing it in college, with only five syllables of the original still existing, and how his second Broadway show, a phenomenon called Hamilton, broke box office phones. I also loved reading about how Lin’s parents, older sister, and wife grounded and supported him. There is so much more to say about this book and so much more this ebullient, sensitive, empathetic man has accomplished that it is difficult to do it justice. It is my favorite overall read of 2025,

Viewfinder: A Memoir of Seeing and Being Seen by Jon M. Chu

Having lived and worked in Silicon Valley, enjoying many meals at the iconic Chef Chu’s Restaurant, I was drawn to the memoir of the owners’ son, Jon M. Chu, director of three moves I had loved: Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights, and Wicked. Jon’s immigrant parents gave him and his siblings every opportunity to learn and grow, from tickets to the SF ballet, opera, and symphony to whatever classes caught their fancy . But they never talked much about their own background. It was only in this memoir that Jon envisioned a moving cinematic account of his parents’ story, which was eye-opening for himself at the same time. The rest of the book is filled with details about Jon’s childhood life, his own family, and his journey from homemade filmmaker to film student to heralded movie director. This book is everything I want a memoir to be–detailed, vulnerable, and filled with delightful insights into the author and his experiences.

MYSTERIES

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

In the fifth book of the popular Thursday Murder Club series, it’s inevitable that the octogenarian club members are feeling their age. Elizabeth still grieves for her late husband, and Joyce is trying to further define her value to the group. Psychotherapist Ibrahim is counseling veteran criminal Connie, as Connie herself counsels an ex-con teenager, while Ron struggles to protect his family from threatened violence. Slowly but steadily, we discover there are overlaps that involve all four in the central plot about the hunt for codes that unlock the fortune of the book’s title. Osman is a masterful writer, not just with plot but with the layered characters we have come to appreciate. These characters’ emotional depth and the well-developed supporting characters are what makes the series such a success. Osman has kept the quality of this series as high as always.

The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly

The eighth Lincoln Lawyer novel feels like one of the most intense in the series. Former  defense attorney Mickey Haller represents the plaintiff in a civil lawsuit, claiming that a chatbot created by a prominent AI company is responsible for motivating the plaintiff’s teenage son to murder his ex-girlfriend. It is a chilling tale, and the courtroom action begins almost immediately. But most compelling is the close-up look at Mickey’s step-by-step process and especially his cocky but effective presence in front of the judge and jury, His usual team members are part of the action, and his first wife, now the elected District Attorney, has her own issues to resolve. Set in a time of both dangerous wildfires and lingering Covid, the story is, in turns, explosive, emotional, and frightening. Highly recommended for those who appreciate a timely, thought-provoking  courtroom drama.

The Curious Poisoning of Jewel Barnes by Terry Shames

With all of the current books that feature dual timelines and multiple POVs, it is refreshing to savor #12 in the Samuel Craddock series. It is an absorbing story narrated by a seasoned police chief in rural Texas, so everything we experience comes from his perspective. The plot revolves around middle-aged female twins who seem to be drifting apart, as Lily accuses Jewel of trying to poison her. So why is Jewel the apparent victim of poisoning? Samuel is also concerned that trucks might be dumping toxic materials that could endanger the community. And Samuel’s lady friend has suddenly abandoned him for a former flame. Everything is just right in this book. Returning and new characters are all fleshed out with details that make them come to life. The mysteries are difficult to solve, and Samuel himself is a character to root for and to love. Terry Shames is writing at the top of her form, maintaining the high quality of this stellar series.

HISTORICAL FICTION

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

I never felt that this long book’s story was dragging; in fact, I slowed my reading speed to savor the beautiful writing. I became so deeply riveted by the story of intrepid, very human midwife Martha Ballard that  I didn’t want to put the book down. The setting is 1789 Maine , where fiftyish Martha has six living children. Her husband had taught her how to read, and Martha has 30 years of experience delivering babies and performing other healing activities. But an obnoxious young doctor, a recent Harvard grad, seeking to take over for her, disparages her at every turn, despite the fact that his ministrations are often dangerous. Every character comes out of the page in glorious detail. The bond between Martha and her husband is a shining example of a strong, mature relationship. And the setting is meticulously described, featuring a river that freezes solid every winter and—one year—contains the mystery of a dead man encased in ice. Well researched, gripping, emotional–and a joy to read.

UPLIFTING AND LIFE-AFFIRMING

Through an Open Window by Pamela Terry

Widowed Margaret is worried her children will think she is crazy when the long-deceased aunt who raised her starts appearing before her. But she is sure Aunt Edith is trying to tell her something important. Her adult children are exceedingly different people, even the twins. Veterinarian Lawrie hasn’t convinced his live-in girlfriend to marry him, and property developer Tom has a failing marriage, expects to be fired from his job, and is pursuing a new passion that startles his family. Daughter Mouse, a caterer, is devastated by her father’s death and fears she is driving her (wonderful) husband away with her depression. These characters are vividly portrayed and relatable, each with distinct details that grab the reader’s attention. Supporting characters are no less complex and engaging. The story alternately focuses on each protagonist and uses expressive language, gentle humor, surprising plot turns, and a modicum of magic to keep the reader fascinated and wanting the best for these characters, in the face of daunting and long-held family secrets.

The Light a Candle Society by Ruth Hogan

Part-time librarian George notices at the cemetery where he often talks to his late wife that  there are no mourners at a funeral at the adjoining crematorium and chapel. He is desolate  to learn that these “public health funerals” are held when the deceased has no living relatives and no will. So George enlists the help of a fellow library worker, a florist, a cafe owner, a second-hand store proprietor, and a junior newspaper reporter to find a way to create a customized ceremony that properly reflects the life and the meaning of the  death of each of these folks. Sprinkled throughout the book are a dozen “cases”–individuals who have died of old age, disease, accident, or suicide. With the resources they developed, the Light a Candle Society members know they are providing an important service to people whose death would not otherwise have been noticed nor their life honored. This is a quiet, uplifting book, an easy read, but filled with optimism, joyful collaboration, and emotion, and populated with relatable, likeable characters.

The Goode Girls of Maple Lane by Jacqueline Firkins

I can’t overstate how much I adored this book, which is about love for dogs and people, finding family where you least expect it, and banishing the stories you tell yourself about your unworthiness. Cameron is a grad student at vet school, living in a tiny apartment and scrimping on food and furniture. But when an animal rescue asks her to foster Aggie, she can’t say no. The golden retriever has been mistreated to the point where she is immobile, downtrodden, and sick. Cameron’s  journey to provide a rewarding life for Aggie leads her to her neighbors—a guy with a car who lives upstairs, a female couple with disturbing PDAs, a cyclist majoring in robotics, a professor with a fearless mini-dog. and a woman who is always on her cell phone. Everett, the guy with the car, makes Aggie the star of her own social media account and investigates a relationship with Cameron. All of the characters are brought to life with surprising details. I found the story overwhelmingly positive and life-affirming. It made me feel good all the way through and stayed with me.

Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg

Florence Greene, 92,  living  alone since her husband’s death, has  a rare form of cancer that will end her life within a matter of weeks. She isn’t bed-ridden and is not suffering much physically, so she summarizes everything she has loved in a long letter to a dear friend. Ruthie was Flo’s neighbor years ago, becoming almost a surrogate daughter. She later moved away and got married, but they have stayed in touch through their letters. Now Flo is leaving all of her possessions to Ruthie, and she is eager to explain the significance of each of the special items in her life. She also relates a shocking event in her married life that she hopes will make Ruthie reconsider the divorce she is contemplating. Another person who is greatly inspired by Flo is Teresa, her neighbor and death doula, helping her to transition from life to death in the most comforting and supportive way. Given the subject, this could have been a very depressing book, but it is anything but. Alternating between third-person narrative and Flo’s last letter, it is a paean to paying attention to, and deeply enjoying, all of the small things that mean so much in our lives. (3/17/26)

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

Dolly is a single mom who has always been able to provide solutions for her family. Giving up her teacher job and  several side hustles, she moves herself and 13-year-old Gus to the seaside town where her father is in danger of losing the family home and seafood business. Dolly sees an opportunity to earn the money needed by pretending to be Stewart’s  girlfriend. He is heir to a very successful family business who has had a painful breakup from his fiancé, which means he could  forfeit the CEO position to his obnoxious cousin. Faux dating is a popular romance trope, but this one stands out thanks to the expert character development. Stewart meets Dolly when she helps him change a flat tire, something he has never had to learn. And as they attend upscale events together and meet each other’s family, things begin to change for both. This is an emotional, upbeat, very well written book, and Dolly and Stewart are both memorable characters.  (5/26/26)

My Beloved by Jan Karon

The author of the much-loved Mitford series has described the novels as “ordinary people living ordinary lives” in a fictional town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While true, it doesn’t express the depth of emotion, humor, and universal truths contained in these pages. In book #15, former Episcopal priest Tim is now a retired family man with an artist wife and an adopted son and his family. As the holidays approach, Tim’s wife asks him to write her a letter instead of buying her a Christmas gift. However, his heartfelt letter disappears and is inadvertently passed from person to person, sometimes inspiring the recipient, even when they know it wasn’t written for them. But Thanksgiving is a disaster, as estranged family members exchange damaging words. Can they possibly try again at Christmas? I continued to be involved with the lives of the characters who have populated the books in the series. They represent a variety of ages, family experiences, living conditions, financial situations, and occupations, but they are all looking for the same thing–lasting love.

MAGICAL REALISM/FANTASY

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

Libraries have been her refuge since Alix landed in the foster system. Losing her home, job, and savings account, she finds a door in the reading room that leads to a magical library where individuals can seek sanctuary in a favorite book, painting, or video game. But before she can choose her new home, an insidious group threaten the Library’s existence and of its customers’ futures. It’s the story of a disadvantaged but intelligent woman who rises above her misfortune to find her strength and purpose. The writing style is brilliant. descriptions are beyond beautiful, and the characters will stick with you. Besides Alix, unforgettable characters include: the Astral Librarian, much older than she looks with unexpected powers; fashion designer and fast friend Beau, who is hoping for a career breakthrough; and the library’s sentient books that react when their home is threatened. This is also a  cautionary tale about protecting our libraries from those who would change everything they stand for.  (2/17/26)

DEFIES CATEGORIZATION

I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kenney

A sparkling gem of a book, this is one I will remember for a long time. Journalist Bud’s life hasn’t been going well. Trying to recover from a bad breakup, he is suffering through disastrous dates and making careless mistakes as an obituary writer. Fueled by alcohol, he writes his own obituary, full of hilarious exaggerations and outright fabrications, and mistakenly releases it to the world. His employer will fire him if he can figure out how to change his employee status from dead to alive. In the meantime, Bud starts to attend strangers’ funerals at the suggestion of a new friend, shares experiences with his paraplegic landlord, and forges a unique relationship with a precocious 8-year-old neighbor. With luminous prose and Bud’s gentle snark, and with characters that will pierce your heart, the author creates the story of a man who is trying to navigate life and come to terms with death. His musings and repartee are never preachy or suicidal, but real and thought-provoking. This book inspired me, entertained me, brought me to tears, and encouraged me to find and treasure all the special moments that make life worth living.

Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo

Gabriel’s birth as an 18-pounder takes the life of his Amish mother, and he grows faster than a normal boy to his ultimate size at well over 8 feet and 500+ pounds.. Living first with his older ”English” brother, then his Amish grandparents, he struggles to combine both lifestyles, playing football in high school and college. In alternating chapters, Gabriel’s story is told by the people who love him: the vet who delivered him and notices he has an almost otherworldly relationship with animals; a local bar owner and a high school football coach whose lives are changed; and his grandmother, who is conflicted regarding her often difficult Amish upbringing. All of these characters, including Gabriel, evolve significantly throughout the book, and the portrayal of Amish culture and religion taught me things I never knew. One of the later scenes, which you have to read to appreciate, is so unbelievably beautiful and magical that I know I will return to read it again in the future. There are also dark moments that may challenge the reader to continue reading. But overall, it is an extraordinary story, exquisitely written, about the many different kinds of love. 

Crooks by Lou Berney

From the time they marry, Buddy and Lillian make their living in ways that are not strictly legal. And they welcome their five children into the family business from an early age. The story follows each child in turn, revealing how their childhood experiences affect their lives. Ray is clearly the muscle. As an adult, he works for a low-level gangster, never backing down from a difficult or lethal assignment. Jeremy has star quality, encouraged by his mother to make his fortune with his looks and charisma. Tallulah, the only adopted child, is an acrobat traveling in Russia with a circus group comprised of thieves. Brainy Alice goes in the opposite direction, an attorney who never jeopardizes her professional status. And there’s Piggy, so much younger than the others that he considers himself an only child. What delighted and surprised me was finding out how each of the siblings is able to change as they question what they really want out of life–romantic love, the thrill of danger, a new purpose that gives their life meaning. Berney is a master with character development, and his portrait of an unusual family is nothing less than unforgettable.

HONORABLE MENTION
Memoir/Humor: Class Clown by Dave Barry
Mystery: Dark Humor by Matt Goldman
Historical Fiction: The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
Uplifting/Life-Affirming: Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman  
Defies Categorization: The Names by Florence Knapp