I remember that I loved reading so much in high school that my mother took away books when I was grounded (as I often was). I majored in English in college because it was an easy thing for me, reading and writing. Yet somewhere along the way, with a growing career and family, I forgot what books meant.
I recently saw Sharon McMahon, author of one of my favorite 2024 books, The Small and The Mighty, say something more people need to hear:
It is a reminder to me that books are more than entertainment. While we shame and laugh at women who enjoy romantacy novels, those women are becoming empowered with not only their sexuality, but also in the radical idea that one person, often small and underestimated, can change the world for the better.
The more inspired people stand up for values that protect or have empathy for those in need, the better.
“In this war, we know, books are weapons… No man and no force can put thought in a concentration camp forever.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
Within books, all of them, we learn and grow. From understanding the lived experience of others to exploring topics and ideas to help us understand our own identity or purpose better, books are tools. We know there is not just correlation with poverty, crime and lack of education; but there is causation. Which is why no matter what we read, from the intimate and the epic to the realistic and the imagined, or how we read them, from electronic audio or kindle to original paper format, it is valuable.
Of course, some are better than others. So, let’s take a look at my Top 5 Best Books of 2025 and then look at favorite fantasy finds, greek mythology, and what we were reading over in my book club!
Best Books: Top 5 of 2025
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Read
Y’all, I almost didn’t read this book because space exploration isn’t a favorite read of mine. But the author is one of my favorites, and this book is probably my favorite written by her. She is incredible at character development, not to mention getting sucked into the world building and plot. It’s a MUST.
Who’s it for? Those who loved Hidden Figures, Lessons in Chemistry, or are looking for a love story that feels unique.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Did I mention I’m not a sci-fi reader? Yeah, Andy Weir is an exception. There’s a reason Ryan Gosling is playing the star of this book in the upcoming film – it’s fantastic. It really had me digging deep to think about how humanity would react to an earth-wide cataclysmic event. And, it’s the most original take on alien life I’ve ever seen or heard of.
Who’s it for? Those who loved The Martian, Star Trek, Star Wars, Dune, Alien, ET, District 9, any space anything really.
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
A theme for me this year was revisiting greek mythology through different lenses. I talk more about the inspiration and others I read below, but this was a stand out. As someone who was raised watching Clash of the Titans every major holiday, to think about what that story was through Medusa’s perspective helped me unpack a lot of the narrative men have told for centuries. Of course, having Medusa’s cut off head narrate for her after it was disembodied was an interesting take worth hearing.
Who’s it for? Those who want to challenge the patriarchy, who love classic mythology or modern interpretations.
War Breaker by Brandon Sanderson
I read several of Brando’s epic fantasy novels (including the Mistborn series), and this book would be my suggested entry point. It was truly fantastic. How he writes female protagonists so well I do not understand. We love women empowerment in fantasy! In fact, Matt and I recorded a podcast on it – that technology ate. But trust us when we tell you: it’s worth a read.
Who’s it for? Those who love epic fantasy stories like Lord of the Ring, Sarah Maas or Fourth Wing.
Margo’s Got Money Trouble by Rufi Thorpe
A college student becomes a young mother in this challenge-everything-you-thought-about-sex-work story. This book challenges healthy parental relationships to the very broken ones that lead to the foster system, and everything in between. It is a humorous and enjoyable read about incredibly difficult topics. It is by far under-appreciated and I’ve been doing my “you must read this” very darn best all year.
Who’s it for? Those who love any edgy coming of age stories like Everything I Hate About You, Thirteen, and The Hate U Give, Fleabag, the quirky The Great or anything by Elle Fanning who both reads the audio book and is starring as the role in the upcoming movie.
Bonus: Book Report Podcast Episode
My favorite reading partner: my husband, Matt talk about what we’re reading (Margot’s Got Money Troubles and Atmosphere, spoiler-free, promise). We also chat about how books shape our worldview, challenge our biases, and sometimes leave us sobbing on a treadmill—or doing laundry while quietly falling apart.Whether you read with your partner or solo, whether you love audiobooks or prefer paperbacks, this episode is an invitation to think differently about fiction—and how the right story at the right time can shift everything. Listen here.
I also talked about Margo on another podcast with Daynah here
Special shout out to Black Onyx, my favorite romantacy of the year. This is the 3rd in the Empyrean series and I couldn’t put it down. And to Variation by the same author, Rebecca Yarros, but this is a contemporary romance not fantasy!
EVERYTHING I read in 2025
Fun facts (thanks, Goodreads!)
- 17,571 pages read
- 50 books read
- 688 pages of longest book
- 351 pages average per book
Best Books: Fun Fantasies
I’m so tired of the cliche I see online that smut books aren’t really books and don’t count as reading. Yes they dang do! And I’ll do ya one better. Even audio books count! What’s great about these is that they’re quality literature (relatively), empower women, and challenge the patriarchy. They are also a great escape to an adventure and darn good story.
- Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass
- Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
- Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson (and if you’re up for a commitment, Mistborn worth my time)
Best Books: Greek Mythology
- Classical Mythology: A Very Short Introduction by Helen Morales
- Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
- Blood of Hercules series by Jasmine Mas, if you like smutty romantacy (honestly I usually do and it was my least favorite part)
- The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
Stacy’s Book Club
What started at the “Naughty Book Club” still finds some steamy reads, though the truth is we just all love a good female-led story. Here is a recap of our 2025 (official) book club books. If you’re interested in joining us, reach out at stacy@realeverything.com — we have a monthly zoom call, as well as an ongoing chat!
- January: The Storied Life of AJ Fikry, by Gabrielle Zevin
- February: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
- March: Quicksilver by Callie Hart
- April: Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens
- May: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
- June: The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
- July: Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q Sutano
- August: Lights Out by Navessa Allen
- September: The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
- October: Mate by Ali Hazelwood
- November: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Want more ideas? Don’t miss my past rounds ups: Best Books of 2024, Best Books of 2023, and Best Dozen Books of 2022
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