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?
Drive your plough over the Bones of the Dead. I’m not over it yet! Absolute stunner, I could have spent a thousand pages in Janinas head.