Library patrons have continued to share their favorite books of 2025, offering a range of titles and personal reflections. This is the second part in a series highlighting these selections.
One patron, Chuck, described “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans as “a heart-warming story about a senior woman, who, despite living alone, keeps in contact with the world by writing and receiving letters. She succumbs to an occasional email, but that’s it. It has a welcome humanity about it in these times of strife and stress.” Jamie commented on the book’s unique approach: “This book has a fresh and unique way of covering a character’s life. It is beautifully written and makes you look at the lost art of writing letters in a new light.” Monika added: “‘The Correspondent’ is an epistolary novel where the main protagonist’s life is revealed slowly. We learn about her character and her triumphs and struggles through letters, emails, and notes she writes to different people. An emotional read and an immensely satisfying one. Most unforgettable!”
Elena Ferrante’s “My Brilliant Friend” was also mentioned for its portrayal of friendship across decades. Diana wrote: “Two clever girls meet at school in a working-class section of Naples in post-war Italy and the story (four books total) follows their friendship to old age. School, puberty, first loves, marriage, kids, lovers, and aging parents… it’s all there. Beautifully written. The city of Naples is a subplot along with Italian politics.”
Another selection was Zoe Ferraris’s “Finding Nouf,” available through Link+. Noel shared: “When sixteen-year-old Nouf goes missing, along with a truck and her favorite camel, her prominent family calls on Nayir al-Sharqi, a desert guide, to lead a search party. This mission will push a Palestinian orphan, Nayir…to delve into the secret life of a rich…teenage girl in one of the most rigidly gender-segregated…societies…. Finding Nouf offers an intimate glimpse inside a closed society.”
“Boys in the Valley” by Philip Fracassi was noted by Ben for its engaging storytelling: “A Catholic orphanage in rural Pennsylvania brings a possessed man to heal. Things go horribly wrong for the clergy and for the 30 boys in their charge. It’s easy to follow Fracassi’s storytelling. The multiple POVs with each chapter keep the book fresh and engaging.”
Grant described Caroline Fraser’s “Murderland” as detailed: “Despite its ‘in your face’ title, Murderland is the incredibly detailed…story of the link between urban pollution and serial killers…in Seattle/Tacoma area of the 1970s and 80s….Caroline Fraser spins the story so brilliantly you’ll never look at a smokestack the same way again.”
Andrea Gibson’s poetry collection “Lord of the Butterflies,” available on Libby digital library service platforms like https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby-app/, resonated personally with one reader who said: “The book is a series of poems about love…It helped put words to my heartbreak when I had a late miscarriage…. That wasn’t the book’s original purpose but it helped me during difficult time.”
Kristin Hannah’s novel “The Women” received praise from Vicky: “A brilliantly written tour de force of Vietnam War era … Kristin Hannah’s finest work yet … such satisfying read.”
Samantha Harvey’s “Orbital” was highlighted by Nancy for its focus on human connection amid space exploration: “This was …about life in space …the underlying structure …emphasizing importance human connection …appreciated.”
Emily Henry’s “Great Big Beautiful Life” also stood out for character development according to Nancy: “This author is excellent with character development … especially enthralling with great plot…. There is romance… but that is not main focus… Can I just say Elinor Lipman and every book she’s written?”
More recommendations are expected soon as part three will be released.