As 2025 draws to a close, a literary review captures the essence of the year through the books read by various enthusiasts. In this reflection, readers are invited to share their own experiences, highlighting significant titles and personal insights. Notable among the works featured is Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by Susana M. Morris, alongside How to Travel with a Salmon and Other Essays by Umberto Eco.
A Year in Books
The final Friday of the year serves as an occasion to look back at the literary achievements of 2025. Among the titles completed are:
- Open Socrates: The Case For a Philosophical Life by Agnes Callard
- The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy
- Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers by Kwame Anthony Appiah
- The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of Dorothy Day by Dorothy Day
- The Bostonians by Henry James
- My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme
- Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer’s Legendary Editorship by Dana A Williams
While it may feel that more books were read, the list reflects a year filled with diverse narratives. Some titles remain unfinished, such as the biography Jean Genet by Edmund White and the second volume of Thomas Merton‘s journal.
Readers also enjoyed Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life by Zena Hitz, which, despite its seemingly pretentious title, received positive feedback for its engaging content.
Reflections on Reading Trends
The year did not turn out to be a celebration of female authors as initially envisioned. Nevertheless, the completion of biographies centered on pioneering women marked a significant achievement. Looking forward, there is a desire to explore more “trashy” and entertaining literature while also committing to finishing more books.
For those who wish to connect with other book lovers, the Readers and Book Lovers series on Daily Kos offers a variety of discussions. The schedule includes:
- Sundays at 4:00 PM – Let’s Talk BOOKS
- Mondays at 8:00 PM – The Language of the Night
- Tuesdays at 8:00 PM – Contemporary Fiction Views
- Wednesdays at 8:00 PM – Bookchat
- Thursdays at 8:00 PM – Write On!
- Fridays at 7:30 AM – WAYR?
Readers are encouraged to join the community by following the group on the Daily Kos homepage, ensuring they receive all updates and insights from fellow literature enthusiasts.
This year-end review serves as a reminder of the enriching experiences that books provide and the connections formed through sharing literary journeys.
