Library Patrons Share Their Favorite Books of 2025, Part 1

Readers around the world are sharing the best books they read in 2025 and Napa County Library patrons are joining in! We recently asked our library users to send in their favorite books of the year (note they did not need to be published this year), and we received an enthusiastic response! Many of the reviews are below, and we will post more on our Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Do any of these books intrigue you? Get our your library card! Each book's title is linked to the listing in our catalog. (The few exceptions that are linked to our interlibrary loan service, Link+, are noted.)

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen

"I picked up this book not knowing what it was about and read it right after the loss of my dog of 15 years. If I had known this book dealt with the theme of grief I probably wouldn't have read it when I did, but I'm so glad the universe had other plans. This book helped remind me that those we love stay with us in very unique and special ways, and it's OK to hold on to them, however they may show up."--Charlee

Goodnight Punpun by Inio Asano

"It has a great story with many dark topics and a surrealist feeling. The characters are all terrible in the best way; there is no 'good guy' in this series. The art is also beautiful and is great at representing Punpun's mindset. Definitely not your standard manga!"--Annabel

Baumgartner by Paul Auster

"This striking novel was written while Auster was dying of lung cancer, and its grappling with mortality is reflected on every page. The protagonist is a 71-year-old philosophy professor at Princeton, and the reader is treated to Auster's masterful writing as they listen to the thoughts that circle through the professor's mind, both in present day and in past memory. It's a brief, beautiful novel which I don't want to spoil by saying too much. I highly, highly recommend it."--Sarah

Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

"It's a new beginning for Britt-Marie who leaves her cheating husband and moves to a small town. She goes from socially awkward to becoming comfortable with herself, making wonderful friends, and opening up to new possibilities, including becoming the coach of a youth soccer team. It is a humorous and engaging novel, often poignant, and at times a little crazy, but always real. It is a truly beautiful, inspiring story."--Janet

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

"Within the first 50 pages, I laughed, I cried, and I was in love with the main characters. It's a story about stolen childhoods, perfect moments, and finding your people through loss and hardship. I have never loved a Backman book, but this book was exceptional."--Karen

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

"I read this book last year and loved it so much that it is still my favorite this year! Six of Crows is a heist book that immediately hooks you and takes you on an amazing journey. The characters are so well written and complicated and the plot is fun and fast paced. I read the rest of the series but this book is still the best in my opinion."--Rose

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

"This book takes you on a journey that feels personal from the start. It follows a young shepherd who wonders about the purpose of his life, setting out on adventures that bring him to faraway places and surprising revelations. Along the way, he learns that the treasure and love he's been chasing were inside him all along. As you read, you'll find yourself reflecting on your own path, discovering new insights about purpose, and maybe even finding answers you didn't expect."--Antonio

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

"I first read The Hunger Games as a middle-schooler, and reading this book inspired me to reread the entire series. I was able to absorb so much as an adult that I had missed as a teen. It is so well written and such a beautiful yet sad telling of one of my favorite characters. Definitely recommend reading all of The Hunger Games as different points in your life."--Kaitlyn

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

"This book should be required reading at the high school level. It is a look at the reasons behind the risks people take to have a safe life, a better life here in the United States."--Lori

In the Distance by Hernan Diaz (Available on Hoopla)

"After following his odyssey of suffering from nineteenth century Europe through the American West the unusual protagonist of this story haunted me for months."

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

"Beautiful writing! A new take on World War II from the perspective a blind girl. The character building and relationship between main characters allowed me to see the possibility for beauty during a time filled with hatred and war."--Chaim

We couldn't fit all these great reviews in a single post! Part 2 is coming soon.