Remember that favorite book invitation I included in my December Recap?
It’s not easy to pick out one book of all the books you loved last year, but there were a number of you who offered to answer that question.
Amazingly two favorites were for the same book. Or…as in the case where I answer on my phone it sends as “anonymous” it may have been the same person answering twice. (Could be possible.)
Links on titles are to Goodreads. Thumbnails are links to Amazon listings both US and UK if different from US cover.)
In any case, here are the results, one or more that I hope will interest you:
Julia, at Julias Bookshelves noted Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid as her “Undisputed Favorite” in her 2025 Notable Reading Highlights. (Hope it was okay that I borrowed from your blog, Julia!)
Fiction Fan at Fiction Fan’s Books Reviews said she preferred Venetian Vespers by John Banville.
Anonymous quipped, “Geesh! If pressed I guess I would pick “The Names” by Florence Knapp (and no, it was not a new genre for me). However, it was SO close to Chris Whitaker’s “All The Colors Of The Dark” that it was really to close to call…”
Anonymous
I get that Anonymous—I’ve had a few also too close to call!
Next, I got another vote for The Names by Florence Knapp. This one from Davida Chazan at The Chocolate Lady’s Book Review Blog who reported that “It beat out My Friends by Fredrik Backman by a whisker.” Thank you, Davida!
Next, I heard from Amanda Hughes (one of my favorite go-to authors), who sent me her choice, The Sultan’s Harem by Colin Falconer.
If you get a chance, might also check out Amanda’s books. I love her “Bold Women” series!
And then in my previous disclosure from my December Review Recap, I finally settled on Endurance by Alfred Lansing as I struggled to decide whether or not Shacktletons Incredible Voyage would win over The Women by Kristin Hannah.
Was one of these a favorite of yours also? Banville is always a favorite and March is coming—a great suggestion for Reading Ireland Month 2026. And for book cover lovers, quite a difference in covers for the same book, huh?
To those responding with your favs–thank you!
©2026 V Williams
Rosepoint Publishing 
Atmosphere was also on my list of 2025 favorites.
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I can never pick a favourite, I read too many. I did enjoy Atmosphere and The Names, but read both of them in 2026.
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yes, and i’m quite sure you’ve many more yet this year that will look like favorites
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Thanks for including my favorite read of the year AND the shout-out for my series!
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you are most welcome, i do enjoy your books and always happy to mention them when the occasion arises.
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You can’t go wrong with Banville! Announcement about Reading Ireland 2026 is incoming next week!
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yes, i thought it might be out now and hoped to include the new link but perhaps the ’25 link will also lead to your new one.
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