Once again, it’s time to chat about our favorite reads of the previous month. The combination of bookish gifts and extra time off work and school always makes December a great reading month. Here’s what our family most enjoyed in the final weeks of 2025:
JEREMY: I loved Lincoln Michel’s Metallic Realms. A sci-fi novel that’s not really actually sci-fi and is more about friends, books, and fandom. On the non-fiction side, I was riveted by Jake Tapper’s Original Sin. It’s a truly Shakespearean story of failed leadership with the highest of stakes. Full reviews of both books are coming in January!
JANE: Braiding Sweetgrass was a 2025 favorite for both Jane and me, so it’s not too surprising that Robin Wall Kimmerer’s The Serviceberry is also a hit in our household. (I’m almost done and have quite enjoyed it.) It’s a quick and powerful read largely focused on the ideas of gifts, reciprocity, and moving away from a culture of individualistic consumerism.
GRAHAM (10 years old): Dusti Bowling’s Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus was an easy choice for Graham this month. This sweet story about a girl born without arms is well-deserving of all its accolades. Plus, it’s the first in a trilogy, which leaves Graham with plenty more reading material.
WILLA (almost 8 years old): Gareth Hinds’ illustrated adaptation of Romeo and Juliet was a surprising hit when I read it aloud to the older two kids. Hinds maintained much of the original language and none of the art was too graphic — and of course the kids’ minds were blown when the main characters actually died at the end. (They’re used to Disney endings, ha!) Another winner from Hinds.
BO (almost 5 years old): Bo is back to volcanoes, meaning Gail Gibbons’ Volcanoes was his favorite this month. I read it to his preschool class in mid-December and the whole group loved it. They picked out their favorite volcanoes and had a grand old time.
Your turn! What was your favorite December read?
THE SPARROW by Mary Doria Russell. My favorite book of December, my favorite book of 2025, and one of the best books I have ever read.
Read “I, Robot” by Asimov, “Against the Machine” by Paul Kingsnorth, and “A Christmas Carol” by Dickens. Favorite was easily the last one, love the story so much and was delighted to actually read it instead of just watch 😂 Was surprised by Dickens, wasn’t what I expected, never read him before!