By Mindi Popovich-Schneider and the Interns
Each year, the interns and I compile our favorite books of the year. Here are our books of 2025.
Adult/Teen:
The Secrets of Ormsdale series by Christina Baehr
When I finished this series in early March, one of my first thoughts was, “I can’t wait to write about this in our annual book round-up!” I flew through the whole series in a week, and the only reason it took me that long was because of Hoopla’s limitations on checking out books!
Set in Victorian England, this series follows Edith Worms, a clergyman’s daughter, who travels to her estranged family’s estate after the death of her uncle. Edith finds herself pulled into the secrets of Wormwood Abbey and its mythical creatures (who aren’t so mythical after all).
Edith is a delightful, charming main character, and her reliance on Christ to help her through every challenge is one of the loveliest parts of the book. (There are a few unnecessary digs at Catholicism throughout, but that is the only criticism I have!)
The Professor by Charlotte Bronte
This story is about a young man named William Crimsworth who is looking for a job that suits him and a soulmate. Throughout this book, one can see how the process of choosing a spouse is not only based on physical beauty, but a beauty of character, intelligence, and depth.
The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen
In this low fantasy novel, an orphan teen is “adopted,” – or rather, selected to train along with other teen boys for a special task. The assignment? Pretend to be the long-lost prince in order to help the rebellion take the throne. The catch? The boys who are not chosen will be disposed of to protect the rebellion’s secrets.
Children’s Books:
Watership Down by Richard Adams
This book tells the story of a group of rabbits who must evacuate their old warren. Tag along on the adventures these fuzzy bunnies have as they face the difficulties of finding a new location and does to help populate it.
Early/Leveled Readers
Mr. Putter & Tabby series by Cynthia Rylant
When I was a little girl, Mr. Putter & Tabby was one of my favorite books. For the first time this year, I read the rest of the series, and the follow-up entries are almost as wonderful as the original. I especially like Mr. Putter & Tabby Walk the Dog.
Picture books:
Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall
This beautiful book tells the story of a farmhouse and the family that once lived in it. It is illustrated with beautiful collages, the components of which were taken from the farmhouse that the book is about.
Miss Bridie Chose a Shovel by Leslie Connor
This historical fiction tells the story of Miss Bridie, and how her choice to bring her shovel with her to America affected her life.
Michael Bird Boy by Tomie de Paola
I love pretty much anything written by Tomie de Paola, but this surprising little book is especially charming and whimsical.
What were your best books of the year? Which ones should we add to our lists!?