My Year in Books 2025

My 2025 reading was all over the place—surreal fiction, heartbreaking nonfiction, mind-bending graphic novels, and a lot of work written for young readers. In recent years I’ve created end-of-year zines to celebrate the books that I loved most (see the zines here for 2022, 2023, and 2024). This year I thought I’d try something different and share my favorites along with short reflections in a blog. Here are the books that left a lasting impression on me in 2025! 

Adult Reads

Adult Fiction

Love in the New Millennium — Can Xue

A surreal, shapeshifting novel that feels impossible to sum up. I loved losing myself in the labyrinth of its characters’ overlapping lives. This book confirmed for me that I’m a big fan of Can Xue. Her short story collection Vertical Motion was another favorite for me this year, and her nightmarish novella Yellow Mud Street was one of my favorite reads back in 2017.

The Castle — Franz Kafka

Only Kafka can make me laugh out loud and feel deeply paranoid all at once. Like all of Kafka’s books, this one feels excruciatingly relevant these days. (Also, it paired well with watching Severance and The Prisoner, two TV shows that I enjoyed this year.) 

No Longer Human — Osamu Dazai 

A bleak novel with a captivating voice. One of those books that reminds you how deeply precious every human life is. 

If on a Winter's Night a Traveler — Italo Calvino

I love anything by Calvino. He continues to be one of my all-time favorite authors whom I turn to for inspiration. I’ve had this book on my TBR list for over a decade (who does that?!). It was one of those books I was saving for when I needed a boost. This year I needed that boost. I’m glad I finally read it. 

Adult Poetry

Forest of Noise — Mosab Abu Toha

“If you live in Gaza, you die several times.” Haunting, heartbreaking poems bearing witness to horrific war and occupation. A book that finds, amidst so much suffering, love for family, home—things taken away. Free Palestine. 

Terror, Terrible, Terrific — Rebecca Wadlinger

The perfect mix of dark, surreal, and funny. I loved reading such an exciting work by a local Portland-based poet. I came across Wadlinger’s poems thanks to the poet Benjamin Niespodziany, who shared an excellent interview with Wadlinger here.

Selected Poems — Shuntaro Tanikawa, translated by William I. Elliott and Kazuo Kawamura

There is an exuberance and playfulness to Tanikawa’s work that I find so heartening. This collection showcases his stylistic versatility, all unified by his comforting, compassionate voice. 

The Dreams We Carry: Selected and Last Poems — Olav H. Hauge, translated by Robert Bly and Robert Hedin 

This was my first encounter with Hauge’s work and it surprised me how much these poems resonated with me. His work is elemental, profound, and clear. Particular favorites include “Years of Experience with Bows and Arrows” and “Conch.” 

Adult Nonfiction

One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This — Omar El Akkad

This book has rightfully been winning big awards, including the National Book Award for Nonfiction 2025 and (most recently as of this writing) the 2026 Pacific Northwest Book Award. This book calls on us to examine our own complicity in the ongoing violence of empire and feels absolutely urgent and necessary. 

The Burning Earth: An Environmental History of the Last 500 Years — Sunil Amrith

“Once upon a time all history was environmental history.” This chilling and powerful book chronicles the entanglement of empire and ecological ruin. I appreciated the detailed storytelling and well-researched perspective. That said, I needed time to recover after reading this one. 

No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering — Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh is one of those writers/teachers I continually return to in times of need. I wasn’t sure where else to shelve this book since none of the other “self-help” books I read this year left a big impression on me, and this book, like all of his works, is much more than a self-help book. I expect I’ll return to this one, as its message bears repeating. 

Adult Graphic Novels

The Dancing Plague — Gareth Brookes

I read this surreal, historical graphic novel about demonically-driven compulsive dancing in one sitting on my birthday. And it was an excellent birthday! The mixed-media artwork (part embroidery, part pyrography) is incredible. 

Rare Flavours — Ram V. + Filipe Andrade

In this book a demon takes you on an Anthony Bourdain-style cooking adventure, and it’s a lot of fun. I guess I just enjoyed graphic novels with demons this year (2025 the year of demons? Sounds about right). 

A Frog in the Fall (and Later On) — Linnea Sterte

Beautifully illustrated Miyazaki-esque adventure. A world I wanted to linger in longer. Also featured a stunning binding and slipcase. (2025 was also a year for heroic frogs, after all.) 

Holy Lacrimony - Michael DeForge

I just love DeForge’s weirdness. With every book he continues to surprise me. This one, about extraterrestrials who abduct a musician because he is “the saddest living person in the entire world,” was hilarious, dark, and refreshing. His book Birds of Maine was one of my favorite graphic novel reads in 2023. 

Adult Graphic Nonfiction

We Live Here: Detroit Eviction Defense and the Battle for Housing Justice — Jeffrey Wilson and Bambi Kramer

This book collects and celebrates important stories of community organizing. An inspiring and uplifting book and an excellent introduction to the power of tenant action! 

Reads for Young People

Children's Picture Books

Oh boy, this category is particularly difficult to narrow down. I read over 250 picture books in 2025 and there were so many that blew me away. I’m going to try to keep this list reasonably short and I'll have to accept that I can’t list all of my favorites.

With that in mind, I’ll only list books that were published in 2025 (or else the list would be outrageously long). And since there are still so many, I won’t write any blurbs here. Just imagine that my blurb for each book is something like “OMG I LOVE IT! READ THIS BOOK!!!” 

Aggie and the Ghost — Matthew Forsythe 

The Bear Out There — Jess Hannigan 

Broken — X. Fang 

Dinos That Drive — Suzy Levinson, illustrated by Dustin Harbin (I wrote about this one below in my children's poetry section, but I'm including it here as well for good measure.) 

Don't Eat Eustace — Lian Cho

Don’t Trust Fish — Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat 

The Dream Catcher — Marcelo Verdad 

If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone — Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Emily Hughes

I Have Three Cats... — Michelle Sumovich, illustrated by Laura Park 

¡Mistaco! A Tale of Tragedy y Tortillas — Eliza Kinkz

This Year, a Witch! — Zoey Abbott 

Toto — Hyewon Yum 

The Witch in the Tower — Júlia Sardà 

Children's Poetry

Why Did My Brain Make Me Say It? — Sarah Ziman

This book begins with a “Hi-ku” and ends with a “Bye-ku”—and everything in between is just as inventive and delightful! Check out one of my favorite poems from the collection on The Dirigible Balloon website: “Dear Mrs. Kent”

Blue Jelly and Strawberries: Poems to Tickle Your Tastebuds — Attie Lime

It’s impossible to read this joyful collection without having a go at reading the poems aloud—they leap off the page! A dazzling debut with a big heart. Listen to Attie Lime read one of my favorites from the collection here.

Dinos That Drive — Suzy Levinson, illustrated by Dustin Harbin

Dinosaurs meet automobiles, picture book meets poetry—what’s not to love here?! How can anyone ever say that poetry is “boring” when books like this exist? What a fun, wacky joyride of a book! 

Words with Wings and Magic Things — Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Doug Salati 

These poems are as fun as Shel Silverstein but with a mystical, mindful twist. Thoughtful, whimsical, and paired with Doug Salati’s breathtaking illustrations. A collection of treasures.

Poetry Comics — Grant Snider

As someone who loves both poetry and comics/graphic novels, this book was sure to be a hit for me. Equal parts profound and fun, it’s a perfect gateway into poetry for kids! 

Middle Grade Fiction

Graciela in the Abyss — Meg Medina

I read this book thanks to the Kids at Heart Book Club organized by my friend, colleague, and fellow writer, Earl Dizon, whose blog is a must-read for fans of KidLit. I loved the textured, immersive world created in this book. It makes nods to classic mermaid fairy tales (think Hans Christian Andersen) but makes its own unique magic.

Busted — Dan Gemeinhart

This book is such a wild ride. I laughed, I cried, I got angry about evictions, I sympathized with a retired mobster, I was on the edge of my seat, I didn’t want this one to end. 

Piecing Me Together — Renée Watson

I had the pleasure of reading several Renée Watson books this year: Ways to Make Sunshine, Black Girl You Are Atlas, and All the Blues in the Sky. All of them were excellent, but PMT was the book that stuck with me most of all—a profound and moving Portland masterpiece. (This one might be more accurately shelved under YA or Upper MG, but I’m including it here since I didn’t read too many other standout YA books this year.) 

The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story — Daniel Nayeri 

Winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2025, this book offers a necessary fresh perspective on World War II. As a poet, I was fascinated by the book’s focus on language and communication, especially amidst wartime where violence distorts language, erases histories, and silences people. This book shows the transformative power that words have when wielded for understanding and connection. 

Middle Grade Graphic Novels

Speechless — Aron Nels Steinke

I adore this book about a middle schooler who has selective mutism and loves making stop-motion animation videos. I was excited to see that Aron Nels Steinke won the 2026 Pacific Northwest Book Award and will have a special event soon at Green Bean Books! 

Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy — Jonathan Hill

In my role as a bookseller, I keep reaching for this book when middle school readers come into the shop. It’s a story that perfectly blends sci-fi, humor, and drama to create a thoughtful and fresh take on the immigrant experience. I absolutely love it. 

Overall, I read a lot of graphic novels for young readers this year and it feels too tough to narrow down the list. I’m just excited by this genre and love seeing how these books are inspiring young readers to embrace reading.

A few other new-to-me books that stood out this year included Roll Call (Dungeon Club 1) by Molly Knox Ostertag and Xanthe Bouma, the Monkey King and the World of Myths series by Maple Lam, and Cabin Head and Tree Head by Scott Campbell (this last one for younger readers, around ages 6-9). 

Reading Goals for 2026

I hope to keep the momentum going with my reading in 2026, and in order to do so, I’ve given myself a few reading challenges to complete:

1. I’m reading a picture book every day for the month of January (and I’ll likely do this again later in the year). You can follow along on X/Twitter or Bluesky.

2. I aim to read at least one collection of (adult) poetry every month. 

3. I want to prioritize reading more banned/challenged books this year. (I’m still thinking about how to implement this goal...) 

Let me know about your own reading goals and how you stay organized and motivated throughout the year with your reading! 

In Closing...

Thank you for taking the time to check out my favorite reads of the year! 

If you’re interested in any of these books, I encourage you to check your local library or independent bookstore. Alternatively, if you’d like to support a bookstore that is dear to me, you might consider ordering online from Green Bean Books. I’m a bookseller there—come say hi! :) 

Thanks again for reading!