Thank you to all of the great readers who filled out our 2025 Favorite Books survey!
Every year, Reading Group Choices surveys book groups and readers to compile our annual list of Favorite Books. And every year we randomly choose winners who receive a gift certificate to their local independent bookstore, copies of our 2026 annual guide, and a literary tote!
Meet our 2025 favorite books survey winners below (and sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss the chance to take our next survey!).
Alisha of Reading Between the Wines
Jacksonville, Florida
Alisha is part of a book club called Reading Between the Wines – cleverly subtitled A Wine Club for People with a Reading Problem. This photograph captures their inaugural gathering, where glasses were poured and pages turned over Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major. Now, she says, they’ve moved on to Remarkably Bright Creatures, pairing their reading with a deep dive into the strange, mesmerizing world of octopuses – watching every YouTube video and documentary they can find.
Recent Favorites: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy and The Everlasting by Alix Harrow.
Up Next: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Independent Bookseller: Chamberlin Bookmine in Jacksonville, FL
Rita from Oregon
Rita is part of a book club that meets monthly, gathering around a shared love of books and conversation. Recently, they tried something new: an author joined them on Zoom, sending copies of her book ahead of time so they could read and come prepared. When they met, they were able to discuss the story not just with each other, but with the person who wrote it – an experience that felt both novel and deeply engaging. Rita expressed that there’s something especially compelling about hearing an author reflect on their own work, offering insight into the thoughts and feelings behind the pages.
Advice for Book Lovers: Read as much as you can. You can go all over the world without having to leave your home when you read. So many interesting books!
Recent Favorites: Killer’s of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn, Too Old for This by Samantha Downing, The Invisible Woman by James Patterson/Susan Dilallo
Independent Bookseller: Bob’s Beach Books in Lincoln City, OR
Liz from New Jersey
Liz has always been an avid reader, and recently began listening to audiobooks on her walks, weaving stories into her daily routine. She now facilitates a book club within the 55+ community where she lives, a group of about fifteen members ranging in age from 74 to 92, who gather once a month. Together, they take turns selecting titles – most often fiction – and come together over a shared love of reading that spans generations and life experiences.
Advice for Book Lovers: Book lovers should check out Goodreads.com and enter the giveaways for books.
Recent Favorites: Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick and Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Independent Bookseller: Bookends in Ridgewood, NJ
Did you know? We also feature a Spotlight Book Group every month. Read about our past groups, and apply to become our next!