I Read a Book a Week: My 3 Favorite Books of 2025 (So Far)
Discover the top three must-read novels of 2025—from mythic love and classic gothic tales to an epic reimagining of Dickens.
I Read a Book a Week. These Are My Favorite Books of 2025 (So Far)
Confession: I’m not much of a film or television person. Instead, my solace lies in the pages of books—a habit that, if life allowed, would see me devour a novel a day. This year alone, 32 books have made their way from cover to cover. Among these, three titles have lingered, their stories refusing to leave the corners of my mind. Presented here, in no particular order, are the novels I recommend without reservation to anyone seeking a transformative reading experience.
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Which One Will You Read Next?
Every book featured comes from careful selection. Some may have even arrived as gifts. Please note: PureWow may benefit from affiliate links in this story, though all pricing and selections remain independent and accurate as of publication.
1. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Published: 2012
Awards: New York Times Bestseller, Orange Prize for Fiction
The Song of Achilles stood on my to-read list for nearly 15 years until a classics-loving roommate finally convinced me to pick it up. Once I did, I was engrossed from the very first page, and after finishing, I revisited the ending multiple times, overwhelmed by emotion each time.
- Inventive Retelling of Greek Myth: Miller elevates Patroclus—traditionally a minor figure—to storyteller and protagonist, framing Achilles’ ascent and tragic fate through the eyes of his closest friend and lover.
- Bildungsroman & Queer Love Story: The boys’ coming-of-age unfolds against the grandeur and violence of the Trojan War, but the real tension lies in their deepening emotional and romantic bond.
- Tenderness Amid Tragedy: Miller’s prose is both delicate and powerful, making every page shimmer with longing, fear, and beauty. Few endings in literature have moved me so profoundly.
Why it matters: The book reimagines myth through intimacy and empathy, challenging traditional portrayals and providing readers a new way to understand heroism, love, and loss.
Key Themes in The Song of Achilles
- Identity and Destiny
- The Nature of Heroism
- LGBTQ+ representation in literature
- The pain and promise of youth
2. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Published: 1890
Pages: 213
Preconceptions about Victorian fiction often center on slow pacing and moralizing prose, but Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray is a dazzling exception. I approached it cautiously, expecting a classic to be more a slog than a sprint—but was instead met with biting wit and relevance.
- Fast-Paced Gothic Novel: Unlike many works of its era, Wilde’s story never lags. Every chapter brims with quotable aphorisms and tense drama, especially surrounding its titular character and the manipulative Lord Henry.
- Brutal Social Commentary: Wilde’s satire cuts deeply into themes of beauty, vanity, art, and social ambition, holding an uncomfortably accurate mirror up to modern life. Readers will find the culture of Instagram, surface-level allure, and fleeting youth eerily predicted and dissected.
- Enduring Modernity: The novel remains shockingly current, addressing today’s relentless pursuit of perfection and the costs—spiritual and psychic—of living for image rather than substance.
Why it matters: Wilde’s classic isn’t just a historical artifact; it’s a conversation starter about morality, influence, and self-destruction, alive and well in the present digital age.
Key Themes in The Picture of Dorian Gray
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Beauty and Decay | The fleeting nature of physical attractiveness and its impact on character. |
| Narcissism | The toxic effects of self-obsession, exacerbated by social influence. |
| Moral Corruption | The consequence of choices led by pleasure and pride over principle. |
| Social Satire | Sharp critique of the Victorian, and implicitly modern, social order. |
3. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Published: 2022
Awards: 2023 Pulitzer Prize (co-recipient)
My first encounter with Kingsolver was assigned reading in high school. Since then, I’ve kept an eye on her work, especially when I learned she’d taken on Dickens for a contemporary retelling. Demon Copperhead does just that—transforming Dickens’ classic into a distinctly American epic, set amid addiction and poverty in rural Virginia.
- Modern Dickensian Tale: Demon Copperhead is born to a single mother and thrust into hardship, with life and death stakes from the outset. The narrative follows Demon’s attempts to rise above cycles of dependency and despair, mirroring the impact of opioid addiction on entire communities.
- Heartbreaking, Hopeful, and Propulsive: Kingsolver’s storytelling renders 546 pages as swift and vital, balancing horror with resilience and joy with bitter truth.
- Social Impact: Notably, Kingsolver used her book’s proceeds to establish the Higher Ground Women’s Recovery Residence in Lee County, the same region depicted in the novel—a powerful case of art inspiring action.
Why it matters: The novel provides an unvarnished look at Appalachian life, addiction, and survival, all through Dickensian echoes reimagined for 21st-century America.
Key Themes in Demon Copperhead
- Poverty and Resilience
- Cycles of Addiction
- The Search for Identity amid Adversity
- Community, Family, and the American Dream
Comparing the Favorites: Story, Style, Impact
| Title | Genre | Key Theme | Award | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Song of Achilles | Mythic Fiction, LGBTQ+, Romance | Love and Heroism | Orange Prize for Fiction | Reframes Greek myth; emotional and poetic |
| The Picture of Dorian Gray | Gothic Fiction, Satire | Vanity and Morality | Classic Enduring Work | Still relevant satire; aphoristic style |
| Demon Copperhead | Contemporary Fiction, Social Epic | Resilience and Addiction | Pulitzer Prize | Modern retelling; real-world impact |
Why These Books Resonated Most in 2025
- Timeless Themes, Timely Relevance: Each book explores issues of identity, morality, and survival in ways that bridge past and present.
- Emotional Complexity: Whether mythic romance, social critique, or epic struggle, all three novels confront the complexities of being human, making their stories unforgettable.
- Unflinching Honesty: None of these books flinches from darkness; instead, each shows the redemptive or cautionary power of facing hardship, vanity, or loss.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What criteria were used to select these favorites?
The choices were based on personal impact, emotional resonance, and narrative quality. Each book offered a transformative reading experience that stood out among more than 30 others read this year.
Are these books suitable for all readers?
While all three have broad literary appeal, readers should be aware of thematic content: war and queer romance in The Song of Achilles, moral degeneracy in Dorian Gray, and addiction in Demon Copperhead. For sensitive readers, checking detailed reviews and content warnings is advised.
Is The Song of Achilles historically accurate?
The novel is based on Homer’s Iliad but takes creative liberties, especially in personalizing Patroclus, giving him depth and agency not found in the original myth. It is not strictly historical but is deeply rooted in its source material.
Why is Dorian Gray still relevant today?
Wilde’s exploration of vanity, youth, and the influence of society mirrors the persistent struggles of the digital era, especially in terms of self-image and social pressure.
How does Demon Copperhead relate to Charles Dickens?
Kingsolver’s novel is a contemporary adaptation of David Copperfield, reimagined for modern Appalachia and focusing on the opioid crisis and poverty, making classical themes urgently current.
Tips for Starting Your 2025 Reading Journey
- Set Realistic Goals: Even a book a month can offer transformation—don’t be daunted by fast readers.
- Mix Genres: Diversify your reading across classics, contemporary fiction, and mythic retellings for a rich literary experience.
- Journal Your Reactions: After finishing a book, jot down what moved you. This will help track impact and guide future picks.
- Join or Start a Book Club: Talking about books can deepen understanding and reveal new perspectives.
Final Thoughts
In a world moving ever faster, great fiction provides a sanctuary—a place to think, feel, and confront humanity at its richest and rawest. The three books above have shown themselves to be more than entertainment; they are guides, warnings, and sources of comfort, proving again that stories are as vital as ever.
