Watseka Public Library has been suggesting Worthwhile Reads for 5 ½ years now! (The blog posts weekly on our Facebook page and you can search past titles on the WPL Aspen website.) I hope you’ve found some new authors or titles to checkout through this weekly post. Since it’s December I’ll share which of 2025’s Worthwhile Reads were also award-winning titles for 2025.
At the top of the awards list is “Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It combined a secret love story with the history of NASA’s space program. It was a Top 5 Historical Fiction novel on Book Riot, the favorite Historical Fiction book and Top 10 Audiobook on Goodreads, a Top 20 Book of the Year on Amazon, one of Time’s Top 100 Books, and a Barnes & Noble Top Fiction nominee.
Emily Henry was back on the award list as well with “Great Big Beautiful Life.” Her writing never fails to touch my heart. This novel was the favorite Romance book and a Top 10 Audiobook on Goodreads, a Top 20 Romance on Amazon, and a Barnes & Noble Top Romance.
One of my personal favorites this year was “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans. It was a unique story told through the letters written and received by the main character. This novel was a Top 10 Fiction and Top 10 Debut Novel on Goodreads, a Top 20 Book on Amazon, and a Top Fiction Book of the Year on Barnes & Noble.
“Broken Country” by Clare Leslie Hall was a touching story that stayed with me long after I finished reading. It was a Top 10 Historical Fiction and Top 10 Audiobook on Goodreads, a Top 20 Book on Amazon, and a Top Fiction novel on Barnes & Noble.
Another of my absolute favorites this year was “My Friends” by Fredrik Backman. I love Backman’s insight into human feelings and also loved the connections between the friends in the novel. It was voted the favorite Fiction book and a Top 10 Audiobook on Goodreads and a Top Fiction on Barnes & Noble.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” was Suzanne Collins’ latest prequel in the Hunger Games series. It was very entertaining and I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the movie adaptation. It was Amazon’s #1 Best Young Adult Book, Goodreads’ #1 Young Adult Fantasy Book, and a Barnes and Noble Young Adult Top Book. It was also the 2nd most popular book read overall on Goodreads this year.
“The Names” by Florence Knapp was a thought provoking novel about the effect one’s name has on one’s life. This book was a Top 10 Fiction and Top 10 Debut Novel on Goodreads and a Top 20 Fiction on Amazon.
If you love mysteries, “The Oligarch’s Daughter” and “She Didn’t See It Coming” were Top 20 Mystery/Thrillers on Amazon, while “Not Quite Dead Yet” was voted the favorite Mystery/Thriller novel on Goodreads.
“Shield of Sparrows” by Devney Perry was a great debut for her new series. It was a Top 10 Romantasy on Goodreads and a Top 20 Romantasy on Amazon. “Heartwood” was an outdoor adventure/mystery by Amity Gaige. It made the NY Public Library’s Top 50 Books of the Year list.
“We All Live Here” by JoJo Moyes was a Top 10 Fiction Book on Goodreads and “Twice” by Mitch Albom was a Barnes & Noble Top Fiction Novel. “The Amalfi Curse,” a novel set in Italy by Sarah Penner, made Goodreads’ Top 10 Historical Fiction list. “The Favorites” by Layne Fargo was an ice-skating themed Top 10 Romance on Goodreads
The only non-fiction nominee from our Worthwhile Reads this year was “Cher, The Memoir v #1”. It made Goodreads’ Top 10 Memoir list. (Volume 2 on Cher’s life will be released in 2026.)
Look for more Worthwhile Reads suggestions beginning again in mid-January of 2026!
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