Show Notes
In Episode 213, Sarah and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) wrap up the year with the Best Books of 2025 Genre Awards. They reveal their Overall Best Books (Fiction and Nonfiction) and a full breakdown by genre, including: Best Literary Fiction, Best Romance, Best Brain Candy, Best Genre Mash-Up, and more! Plus, they share the winners for these same genres as chosen by the Sarah's Bookshelves Live Member Community.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Announcements The 2026 Reading Tracker is out! This year brings upgraded features across the board — including NEW average star rating and 5-star book tracking for every stat on the Dashboard — plus an updated Lite Tracker for those who prefer a streamlined version. Both Trackers are ONLY available to paid Patreon or Substack subscribers ($7/month) and is no longer sold separately. To avoid Apple's 30% fee, be sure to join directly from the Patreon website (mobile or desktop). Join our Patreon Community (here) OR become a Substack Paid Member (here)! Highlights Podcast reflections from 2025 — including top episodes based on download stats. A brief overview of Sarah's and Chrissie's 2025 year in reading. Their favorite books of the year: overall and by genre, including the SBL Member Community's picks. 2025 Genre Awards [12:39] Sarah The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:45] The Favorites by Layne Fargo (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:32] The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:13] One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:48] The Compound by Aisling Rawle (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [28:47] August Lane by Regina Black (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:03] The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:54] Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:36] This American Woman by Zarna Garg (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:00] Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:59] The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:44] Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:29] Next of Kin by Gabrielle Hamilton (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:10] The Elements by John Boyne (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:03:10] Chrissie Fox by Joyce Carol Oates (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:42] Joy Moody Is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:36] Marble Hall Murders (Susan Ryeland, 3) by Anthony Horowitz (2025) | Amazon| Bookshop.org [21:39] The Pretender by Jo Harkin (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:51] What We Can Know by Ian McEwan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [30:28] To Clutch a Razor (Curse Bearer, 2) by Veronica Roth (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:39] The Love Haters by Katherine Center (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [37:03] These Heathens by Mia McKenzie (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:31] The Zorg by Siddarth Kara (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:11] Misbehaving at the Crossroads by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:09] A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:38] Awake in the Floating City by Susanna Kwan (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[55:11] Heartwood by Amity Gaige (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [57:16] Future Boy by Michael J. Fox (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:01:23] Reports of His Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated by James Goodhand (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:06:07] SBL Member Community The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:43] The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:02] Heartwood by Amity Gaige (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:52] Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (2025) |
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