The tumult and roar of thrashing, crashing waves shook our fragile craft. The cold pelting night rains send chills through our bodies, and the disarming darkness felt ruinously ominous. Occasional bolts of lightning preceded the distant drums of thunder but did little to orient us in those perilous seas. There was nary a star to be seen. Time stretched out. Gripped by primal fear, we shivered and searched for hope and the chance to survive the night. And then, we saw it. A lighthouse!
A lighthouse
offers the promise of safe transit through potentially perilous periods of
darkness, and we need that shining light now more than ever. A
good book can provide both refuge and passage through the turmoil of insanity
that swirls around us, a restorative retreat into the fascinating, engaging
stories of others, the lessons of which may help us better navigate our way forward.
I was originally inspired to recommend one book this year, but it soon became
more. I reluctantly stopped at twenty. I call them my ‘Top of the Heap Award
Winners.’ I present my standout reads of 2025, each with a snippet of
information.
I
hope there is something here for you. Happy Holidays!
Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces That Threaten Our World by Michael E. Mann and Peter J. Hotez – For all those who believe in climate and vaccine science and strenuously oppose the efforts of those who spread anti-science propaganda for financial gain. The authors present five critical threats and propose battle plans to combat them all. My top ‘must-read’ serious book of the year.
Hotshot: A Life on Fire by River Shelby – This book interweaves intense stories of personal transformation over 1o years in a gritty, dangerous job as a hotshot fighting wildfire in the American west, often as the only woman on the crew, the science of firefighting, the influences of climate change, the history and ecology of the land impacted by fires, and the often-imperiled stewardship of those wild places. An exemplary read.
Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin by Sue Prideaux – Some years ago, I stood before three adjacent Gauguin paintings in the National Gallery of Art and soon found myself in tears as their beauty overwhelmed me. If you love his work as I do and yearn to learn more, this new illustrated biography is a must-read. This exceptional book chronicles Gauguin’s arduous spiritual and artistic quest, and his unique use of color and symbolism in his exploration of primitive indigenous themes.
Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Story of the First All-women's Ascent of Denali by Cassidy Randall – Intimate portraits of six well-experienced and capable women climbers and a detailed chronicle of every stage of their indominable, sometimes harrowing, quest. A revealing examination of the challenges faced by both the climbers and the difficult terrain and weather conditions of the high-altitude route. A fast and involving read.
The Wild Dark: Finding the Night Sky in the Age of Light by Craig Childs – An inspired backcountry adventure to witness the increasingly rare domains of dark night skies, while chronicling the science and history of human relationship to the cosmos. Riveting and beautiful.
Turning to Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing by Lili Taylor - A lovely series of short stories that drew me even further into the fascinating life of birds and birding as a portal to absorb and appreciate the intricacies of the natural world. Made me want to upgrade to 10x40 binoculars and get out more.
Viewfinder: A Memoir of Seeing and Being Seen by Jon M. Chu – Jon’s insightful memoir explores the essence of creativity and self-discovery as he journeys from his early fascination with film to a successful career in California’s film industry. He succeeds brilliantly when he directs ‘Crazy Rich Asians.’
Heartbreaker by Mike Campbell (author) with Ari Surdoval – Mike Campbell, the lead guitarist of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, writes a heartfelt and moving rags-to-riches story of the band. An intimate look at the artists and creative talents that propelled them from obscurity to accolades and finally, enduring fame.
Taylor’s Version: The Poetic and Musical Genius of Taylor Swift by Stephanie Burt – What? You could not attend ‘English 183ts: Taylor Swift and Her World’ at Harvard last year? Fortunately, you ardent ‘Swifties’ can now audit the course by simply reading this book. Comprehensive, insightful, and very cool.
John and Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie –Ian transports us into the intimate and complex creative relationship between John and Paul as they collaborated to create forty-three of their greatest songs. Impressively thorough and beautifully written.
Wait Until Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin – Kearns lovingly revisits her 1950s childhood, with stories of friends, family, neighbors, books, and her ardent commitment to baseball. She keeps score sheets and profiles the players of the Brooklyn Dodgers while sharing the collective angst of their fans during that era. Sensational read!
Mountains
Beyond Mountains
by Tracy Kidder –
Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President by E. Jean Carroll - Once a jury foreman in a difficult abuse case, I had followed news of E. Jean’s trials and felt compelled to read this true-life courtroom drama. I was delighted that E. Jean Carroll achieved a well-earned guilty verdict. A story well told.
West with the Night by Beryl Markham – This is, of course, a reread. If this is not the very best memoir of an impassioned, adventurous life, it has a well-earned place in the pantheon of the all-time greats. And, the writing is heartbreakingly beautiful.
Empresses of Seventh Avenue: World War II, New York City, and the Birth of American Fashion by Nancy MacDonall – The world of apparel design once revolved around Paris, the undisputed epicenter of couture after WW2. Then, several talented, take-charge New York women upset the apple cart, creating modern style, and in the process, elevating America to a position of prominence in the fashion world. Fascinating stories.
The Commitments by Roddy Doyle – The story of a committed music enthusiast, Jimmy Rabbitte, as he conceives, creates, and attempts to manage a soul band in 1980s Dublin. What? Yes, it is about the power of music, the power of soul, teamwork, and the pursuit of passion. The engaging characters and regional dialogue make this book truly unique, endearing, and hilarious. Also, a hidden gem of a movie and a superb soundtrack.
The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler – My favorite Anne Tyler book, so far. Her quirky characters collide as they work out issues of grief and isolation, finding unexpected relationships that hold the promise of personal healing. Also, a charming movie, featuring William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Bill Pullman, and Geena Davis.
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz – A twisting, convoluted path compels us to solve a mystery within a mystery, or if we cannot, to just relax and go along for the ride. The paths of a book editor and a fictional detective intersect in oblique ways that offer clues to what happens in each of the parallel stories. At times frustrating but ultimately satisfying.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros –The third book
after Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, an action-packed, dragon-filled, sci-fi romantasy
thriller series puts the wildly imaginative and engaging plot first. I do not
want to minimize the dragons. They are amazing! Though I am not the core target
audience, I could not put any of the books down.
