In a gift giving frenzy?
In this season of giving, the air is filled with an urgency that calls for action: Make it special! Make it sparkle!
But I say skip the glitz and hand me books.
Books always fit and rarely offend. Books are best to both give and receive. Give them used and tattered or fresh and crisp — a book, in any state, always opens with love.
Here are my picks for best books of 2025:
FICTION
Heart the Lover by Lily King
A masterful writer, Lily King skillfully captures the emotional tenor and evolution of characters over time. This one left me in tears. Of all her novels (I’ve read at least eight), this is my favorite to date.
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
Mysterious, dreamy, sinister, surreal, atmospheric — I loved this strange book. It’s the classic mother-daughter tangle, with hypnotic distortion that somehow feels more true than a traditional telling.
Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
A beautifully quiet book that gently, but never cloyingly, explores the working faith that life requires.
Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld
I loved this book of short, but dense and satisfying, stories. A bestselling author, Curtis Sittenfeld always delivers steady pieces, and this collection features middle-age women leading smart, witty, wondering, wandering, complicated, ordinary lives.
Leaving by Roxana Robinson
I will be forever grateful to the friend who pressed this book in my hand (thanks Beth!). Roxana Robinson is now one of my favorite novelists. Her characters are nuanced and real, and plot and pacing are finely balanced and true. In 2025, I tore through her entire backlist of short stories and novels. All are excellent, but Leaving remains at the top of my list.
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote
My new favorite Christmas classic! Published in 1956, how did I not know of this beautifully written tale of friendship, humor and warmth? (With thanks to Audrey who always gifts the perfect book).
POETRY
The Wonder of Small Things: Poems of Peace & Renewal, edited by James Crews
This easy-to-read paperback anthology is my comfort companion. Packed with solid and accessible poems, this find includes writing prompts and reflections, too. I love this book, and have gifted this gem so many times I’ve probably given it to you twice!
MEMOIR
Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks
This is a book you don’t want to need but really want to read. Lately, I try to enter a book knowing nothing at all; I like the fresh slate, no expectation experience. This approach worked really well on Memorial Days, a portion-of-life memoir that is beautiful, direct, and incredibly moving.
BOOKS I SHOULD READ
My pile of want-to-reads is always growing (over 200!). On this long list, these books have been especially languishing with my inattention. Pick me, pick me, I hear them cry.
Here are the perpetual hangers-on:
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Possession by A.S. Byatt
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Yoga For People Who Can't Be Bothered To Do It by Geoff Dyer. I love this title so much!
I really should read these. People rave about them. Have you read these books?
Please, help me decide: time to cut them loose (and lessen my guilt), or finally dig in (and experience the beautiful state of book joy)?
Blog subscribers can simply hit “reply” to this email.
Or, send an email: dcm@drewmyron.com
I’d love to hear from you.
* * *
The world turns on words. Thank you for reading & writing.
• If you know someone who might enjoy this blog — please share.
• If you want to read more — subscribe for free.
• If you are here, reading this now — thank you!