Another year has come and gone, and with it, a wonderful stack of books that impacted me. Some made me think deeply, others swept me away with beautiful prose, and a few simply made me smile. Here are my top reads from last year, spanning across different genres.
1. “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin
This novel completely stole my heart. Following the lives of two friends who create video games together, Zevin crafts an emotional, immersive story about creativity, friendship, and the passage of time. It’s a novel that captures the joys and heartbreaks of collaboration in a way I’ve rarely seen before. This one is a must-read if you love books that explore relationships with depth and nuance.
2. “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver
A modern retelling of David Copperfield, this book reimagines Dickens’s classic through the eyes of a boy growing up in the Appalachian South. Kingsolver’s writing is lush and deeply moving, and she brings attention to issues like poverty, addiction, and resilience in a way that feels both timeless and urgent. It’s a gripping, beautifully told story that stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
3. “The Measure” by Nikki Erlick
What if one day, everyone in the world received a small box with a string inside, the length of which told them how long they had to live? That’s the premise of The Measure, and it’s as thought-provoking as it sounds. Erlick weaves together multiple perspectives in this speculative novel, offering a meditation on fate, free will, and the way we choose to live our lives. It’s the kind of book that sparks long conversations and lingers in your thoughts.
4. “Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence” by R.F. Kuang
I love a book that blends academia with fantasy, and Babel does it masterfully. Set in an alternate 19th-century Oxford, this novel explores colonialism, language, and power through a group of students at the prestigious Babel Institute. It’s rich in historical detail, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally powerful. If you enjoy dark academia and thought-provoking themes, this is one to pick up.
5. “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus
This novel was pure joy. It follows Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist in the 1960s who finds herself unexpectedly hosting a cooking show. But instead of simply teaching housewives how to make dinner, she ends up teaching them about science, self-worth, and the importance of challenging societal norms. With humor, heart, and a cast of unforgettable characters, Lessons in Chemistry was one of the most delightful books I read all year.
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