We're wrapping up 2025 with a big, bookish bow! In this year-end celebration, Joe is joined by Carmen, Cece, Jananie K. Velu, Kayla, and Meara as everyone brings two of their favorite reads of the entire year. From unforgettable characters to gasp-worthy plots, these are the books that rose straight to the top of our 2025 lists.
Whether you're building your 2026 TBR or reliving your favorite reads of the year, settle in — this is the coziest way to close out the season.
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Survey link: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8564187/2025-Book-Lounge-Listener-Survey
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Guest host recommendations:
Carmen
Poppy State: A Labyrinth of Plants and a Story of Beginnings - Myriam Gurba
The Possession of Alba Diaz - Isabel Canas
Cece
Listen to Your Sister – Neena Viel
The Luis Ortega Survival Club – Sonora Reyes
Jananie
Dust Settles North – Deena ElGenaidi
Immaculate Conception – Ling Ling Huang
Kayla
Julie Chan is Dead- Liann Zhang
The Compound- Aisling Rawle
Meara
Girl Dinner – Olivie Blake
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng - Kylie Lee Baker
Joe
When the Wolf Comes Home – Nat Cassidy
Victorian Psycho – Virginia Feito
Hungerstone – Kat Dunn
Follow the guests & guest hosts:
Carmen – link
Cece - link
Jananie K. Velu – link
Kayla - link
Meara – link
Time stamps:
00:00:00 Title
00:01:07 Intro
00:03:54 Best Reads of 2025
00:03:22 The Summer Book on KANOPY
00:31:52 Best Reads of 2025
01:03:01 Outro
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode!
Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!
We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram!
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