Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books I Read in 2025

by Enola

For all the book-lovers out there, having a favorite read of the year is a common thing. There is always one book that truly stands out to each reader. One that makes us happy. One where we love the characters. One that excites us and keeps us on the edge of our seats. One we can’t stop thinking about. But unfortunately, the biggest problem is when somebody asks “What’s the top book you read this year?” We usually reply, “I have multiple” or our brains go blank and we can’t decide which is our favorite. It’s hard! There are a lot of great books out there. So, I’m putting together my top ten best books of 2025.

 

 

1. Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

            Starting off with an absolute fantasy-favorite and bestselling book, I absolutely loved Once Upon a Broken Heart. I’d recommend it to anyone. The book was magical and romantic with a fairytale-like setting and such interesting, complex characters. The story follows Evangeline Fox, who makes a dangerous deal with the notorious Prince of Hearts in order to stop the man she loves from marrying her stepsister. This then leads to a dangerous journey of love, curses, and magic. If you love romantasy that will whisk you away into a whole new world that you can get lost in, this is definitely the book for you.

 

2. Caraval by Stephanie Garber

            Yet another Stephanie Garber book made it onto my list and for a good reason. This romantasy is whimsical and mysterious; you can’t predict a thing! The book follows protagonist Scarlett Dragna as she partakes in the magical and mysterious performance known as Caraval and explores the Isla De Suenos--the island on which it takes place--with a mysterious young man named Julian Santos, as they quickly try to win this year’s game. With action, mystery, old secrets, and whimsy, this is the perfect book for all fantasy (and romance) fans. I loved it and flew through this book. The plot twists were absolutely mind-blowing (don’t worry, no spoilers here). I definitely recommend it.

 

3. Glorious Rivals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

            This outstanding second book in The Grandest Game trilogy, the popular TheInheritance Games spinoff, is a beautiful combination of romance and mystery. It is definitely a book that will blow your mind. Full of twists and turns, danger and romance, this book was very fun. It was so interesting! The book is told through the perspectives of Lyra Kane, Gigi Grayson, and Rohan as they partake in the annual Grandest Game and solve all the puzzles that come along with it. A must-read for mystery fans! I absolutely loved it.

 

4. Mint To Be by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc

            Tis the season! Would this really be a “Top Ten Best Books I Read in 2025” without at least one Christmas rom-com? I don’t think so. Mint To Be follows two leads, Emma and Aidan, two childhood best friends whose relationship is strained when Emma leaves for boarding school without saying goodbye, only to return for the holidays with her boyfriend. Emma’s return forces her and Aidan to reconnect. The book is a small-town holiday romance and perfect for readers looking for a short read to get them into the Christmas spirit. I definitely enjoyed it this holiday season.

 

5. ASAP by Axie Oh

            Romance readers, K-pop fans, and K-drama fans, you need to read this book…ASAP! ASAP by Axie Oh is a very adorable K-pop romance about Sori, a rich trainee and the daughter of a K-pop company owner, as she deals with family expectations, duty, the industry, and returning feelings for her ex-boyfriend, K-pop star Nathaniel. It was very wholesome, light-hearted, and entertaining. I really liked it. It was a great short and sweet novel.

 

6. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

            When I tell you this book was AMAZING, I truly mean it. The Inheritance Games series is my second favorite series of all time. I will forever recommend this to everyone and anyone, whether you are a fantasy, romance, sci-fi, dystopia, or mystery reader, though keep in mind this book is mystery with a sprinkle of romance. This mystery follows a teenage girl named Avery Grambs, who randomly inherits billions from a stranger, Tobias Hawthorne, as she tries to figure out the mystery of why she of all people was chosen to inherit everything. The book was super interesting and complex, it will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat! This was a book I could not put down. The whole series was amazing (The Inheritance Games, The Hawthorne Legacy, The Final Gambit, The Brothers Hawthorne, Games Untold, and The Grandest Game Trilogy) but I chose to talk about only a few of the books so I could make room for other amazing books.

 

7. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

            Yet another book from Axie Oh made it onto this list. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is not a book to miss! Blending fantasy, Korean mythology, and romance, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is an interesting and fantastical retelling of The Tale of Shim Cheong, a classic Korean folktale. The story follows Mina, a girl who (in this version of the story) sacrifices herself instead of Shim Cheong, in order to save her older brother, Joon, and his love, Shim Cheong, from the wrath of the Sea God. The story then follows her journey through the Spirit Realm, where she meets Shin, a mysterious spirit. I loved this book especially since I am a fan of mythology. All the mythology fans, here is your sign to pick another mythology book (aka, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea).

 

8. The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

            If you loved The Inheritance Games series and decided to start The Grandest Game trilogy, prepare yourself for a high-stakes spinoff where nothing is as it seems. With dangerous secrets, intricate puzzles, limited time, and a hidden threat, The Grandest Game is a very entertaining and action-packed story. This book is told through the perspectives of Lyra Kane, Gigi Grayson, and Rohan as they each make their own alliances and fight to win. The Grandest Game is the perfect mystery to pick up if you’re looking for unpredictable plot twists, romance, mystery, and danger. This book will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat.

 

9. True Beauty by Yaongyi

            All right graphic novel fans, this one is for you! True Beauty is a fun and entertaining story about a girl (Jugyeong Lim), navigating high-school (and later college), beauty standards, makeup, and romance. For most of her life, Jugyeong was bullied and laughed at for her looks, but soon, she learns makeup and is able to use it to make herself beautiful. She changes her style, face, and likes just to be liked, and Jugyeong becomes a popular girl at her new school, Saebom High. But things get complicated when Jugyeong is caught in a love triangle with Suho Lee, the cold and smart student, and Seojun Han, the handsome bad-boy. I had so much fun with this series, even though I’ve only read volumes 1-7 so far.

 

10. Games Untold by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

            We finally made it to the last book on this list and the spot goes to…Games Untold, yet another book in The Inheritance Games saga! This novella was very entertaining, with multiple short stories featuring characters from the world of The Inheritance Games. It featured stories focused on Nash and Libby Hawthorne, the four Hawthorne brothers, Toby Hawthorne, and more! It was a fun and short read. I definitely recommend it to fans of The Inheritance Games and mystery fans alike.

Top Ten Tuesday: Cozy/Atmospheric Reads

by Victoria J.

 Better Than the Movies - Lynn Painter

It’s charming, funny, and filled with all the warmth of a feel-good movie night. The cozy vibe comes from the blend of humor, nostalgia, and the gentle thrill of discovering love right where you are.

Falling Like Leaves - Misty Wilson 

When Ellis moves back to her small hometown just in time for fall, she reconnects with her first love and the memories she left behind. Between pumpkin patches, golden leaves, and second chances, she starts to see her life in a new light. Cozy because it captures the beauty of change and the comfort of coming home.

Far From the Tree - Robin Benway

Three siblings, separated by adoption, find each other and slowly learn what family truly means. The story is tender, emotional, and full of empathy. It’s cozy because it centers on healing and connection, proof that love can be built, chosen, and found again.

The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins’s adventure begins quietly in a hole in the ground, and turns into an unforgettable journey through mountains, forests, and dragons’ lairs. Yet beneath the danger, it’s a tale about courage, comfort, and finding joy in simple things like home-cooked meals and friendship. The cozy magic of The Hobbit is in that even the wildest journey always leads back to warmth and hearth.

Howl's Moving Castle - Diana Wynne Jones

A whimsical tale where magic, humor, and heart meet. Sophie, a hat maker cursed into an old woman, ends up working for the mysterious wizard Howl in his walking castle. Between enchanted doors, talking fires, and floating landscapes, the story glows with warmth and wonder. Its cozy charm lies in the way the everyday and the magical blend so effortlessly, it feels like stepping into a fairytale.

Jellicoe Road - Melina Marchetta

At a quiet boarding school surrounded by forests, Taylor tries to uncover the mystery of her past while navigating fragile friendships and rivalries. The story moves gently between loss and love, building a world that feels both haunting and comforting. Its cozy heart beats in the way it captures connection, like those small, tender moments of being seen, even in the middle of chaos.

The Rest of the Story - Sarah Dessen

When Emma spends a summer with the side of her family she barely knows, she uncovers family secrets, finds new friendships, and learns who she really is. Set on a sunny lakeside town full of soft waves and second chances, the book feels like a slow golden afternoon. It’s cozy in the way it explores belonging and connection, like the kind of story that makes you breathe a little deeper.

Second Chance Summer - Morgan Matson

When Taylor’s family returns to their old lake house for one last summer together, she must face the past, reconnect with old friends, and rediscover what truly matters. Set under golden sunsets and quiet evenings by the water, this book feels deeply human and heartfelt. Cozy in its emotions and setting. 

Sorcery of Thorns - Margaret Rogerson

In a world where enchanted books can come alive, Elisabeth is a library apprentice who must team up with a sorcerer to stop dark magic from spreading. The story is full of dusty libraries, sentient grimoires, and quiet bravery. Cozy because it celebrates everything book lovers adore, curiosity, wonder, and the comfort of finding magic tucked between pages.

Wintersong - S. Jae-Jones

Deep in the winter woods, a girl named Liesl is drawn into the underground world of the mysterious Goblin King. It’s lush, romantic, and filled with music that feels both haunting and warm. The coziness here comes from the contrast, the beauty of firelight against snow, love blooming in cold places, and the warmth of creativity itself.

Page to Post: We'll Fly Away by Bryan Bliss

In the Page to Post series, the Teen Book Guild spotlights the books that caught our attention after scoping out an entire shelf of titles in the Winter Park Library. From that first spark of interest to how we really felt after reading, you’ll get our honest take—no sugarcoating, just real talk from teens who love books (or sometimes don’t!).

If you’re looking for your next great read or just want to see if our choice was worth it, stick around. Let’s dive into the world of stories, one shelf and one book at a time.

Title: We'll Fly Away
Edited by: Bryan B.
Chosen by: Christopher S.

Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, Cynthia Leitich Smith (editor)

Reviewed by Christopher S.
Grade 12

Written by an all-star cast of articulate Indigenous American authors, Legendary Flatbread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories is a collection of short stories written by this line up and compiled into one book. Each story features an Indigenous American teen that doesn't seem to fit in completely until they encounter the mystifying drive-in run by the mysterious Sandy June.

While the characters, stories, and inner conflicts are nifty, they do get bland after a while. Every story is very similar, and they usually end in the same way. A lot of the stories are similar to a shower-thought that was put on paper soon afterwards. However, that is not enough reason to not give this book a chance. It is fun to explore Legendary Frybread Drive-In story by story and the authors manage to make each character different despite the repetitiveness of the plots. It is jam packed with Native American cultural references that sadly go over my head. Some stories even have unique formats that reflect the characters such as chat logs or a poem.

This book is meant for people that don’t feel like they exactly belong, or want some wholesome stories to cheer them up. If you don’t like shortform stories or just want a book with less of a straightforward plot, you should probably keep looking. As for me, I give it 3 out of 5 stars. 

*coming soon to WPL!

Page to Post: Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda

In the Page to Post series, the Teen Book Guild spotlights the books that caught our attention after scoping out an entire shelf of titles in the Winter Park Library. From that first spark of interest to how we really felt after reading, you’ll get our honest take—no sugarcoating, just real talk from teens who love books (or sometimes don’t!).

If you’re looking for your next great read or just want to see if our choice was worth it, stick around. Let’s dive into the world of stories, one shelf and one book at a time.

Title: Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda
Edited by: Jesse J. Holland
Chosen by: Andres J.

Page to Plate: Hack Your Cupboard

In our Page to Plate series, the Teen Book Guild brings the library to their kitchen. Each post features teens checking out a cookbook from the library, trying out recipes that catch their eye (or appetite!), and sharing their culinary adventures—successes, surprises, and even the occasional kitchen mishap. Whether they’re flipping pages or flipping pancakes, these foodies are exploring how cookbooks can inspire creativity, confidence, and connection. 

Grab a fork—and a library card—and dig in!

Title: Hack Your Cupboard: Make Great Food with What You've Got
by Alyssa Wiegand & Carla Carreon

Chosen by: Brooke K.

Top Ten Tuesday: Non-Bookish Freebie Topic - TOP TEN ICE CREAM FLAVORS

by Brooke K.
Grade 12

For the top ten list of my choice, I decided to go with ice cream. Everyone loves ice cream, so I figured it would be fun to rank the flavors and explain why people love them. 

1. Mint Chocolate Chip - the perfect combination of a cool flavor with the sweet chocolate
2. Birthday cake- The sprinkles are the reason
3. Cookie dough- The chewy texture of cookie dough chunks
4. Cookies and Cream- I love Oreos
5. Mango - Not too sweet but sweet enough 

6. Vanilla - the best staple flavor
7. Cookie Monster - A cookie lover’s dream
8. Rocky road- A mix of all the delicious chocolate pieces
9. Strawberry - refreshing and classic
10. Chocolate - pairs well with all toppings

I hope you enjoyed my list of the best ice cream flavors, and I encourage you to try out a new flavor the next time you are at an ice cream shop. 

A big scoop of credit to the talented bloggers behind these photos! Each flavor listed links to their recipe — click through to explore their delicious creations. 

5 Questions With...Rex Ogle!

Photo provided courtesy of Rex Ogle

Written by Ava M.
Grade 8

Welcome back to a new round of 5 Questions With, where members of the Teen Book Guild have the chance to ask five questions of a favorite author. Recently, I had one amazing opportunity to connect with Rex Ogle, author of Road Home, a memoir, When We Ride, a YA novel written in verse and many more! He writes many different types of books such as graphic novels, memoirs, books in verse and of course YA! 

1. When you first decided to pursue a writing career, what was the most difficult thing to overcome?  

REX:  The amount of people saying "NO" that I wasn't prepared for.  And actually, there were a lot less "NO's" than just agents and editors never replying.  Or even replying and then ghosting me.  But now I believe that is par for the course when choosing artistic endeavors.  It's so hard to break in, but once you have one, it's easier to get another and another and so on.  But that first one?  That's the hardest.  Though it took me a long time to realize I shouldn't think of a "NO" as defeat but instead as a badge of honor because I put myself out there.  And if you never take a swing, you're never gonna hit the ball.   

2. When creating the characters of Diego and Lawson, were any of the character elements based on people or events from your own life? 

 REX:  I'd say the book is about 70% based on true life events. My senior year, my best friend was in fact a drug dealer, and there were times when i drove him to drug deals and did my homework in the car.  They say "write what you know".  I always found that difficult when i wrote fantasy and sci-fi and horror, but for this book it came quite naturally.  

3. If someone reads your novel When We Ride, what message would you want them to take away after reading it?  

REX:   My main focus is that they realize kids who do bad things aren't bad people.  Teen drug dealers aren't failing society.  Society is failing them.  If they hadn't been put in a situation where they have to help their parents pay bills or provide food, then they wouldn't be doing something dangerous to earn money.  Sometimes good kids do bad things for good reasons.  We shouldn't look down on them. 

4. Are there any details in the novel that a reader might overlook but that play a crucial role in the plot's development? 

REX:  I can't think of any.  Writing in verse, there's so little to read, which means the story itself is delivered in a very concentrated format.  There are fewer words, so each one means so much more.  

5. This book is told mostly from Diego’s perspective, with Lawson’s perspective appearing at the very end. If you could write from another character’s perspective, whose would it be? 

REX:  Every character in everyone of my books has a larger story.  But I always choose who I think would be best to tell the story.  In this situation, it has to be Diego.  If it was told from anyone else's perspective the story would be completely different.  If I had to choose one though, it would be Lawson.  It would be intersting to see his perspective.  But I always think it's wonderful to see circumstances through different eyes.  It helps all of us develop empathy that is much-needed in our world, especially now.  

A huge thank you is in order to Rex Ogle! We highly appreciate all of your considerate responses. 

You can check out When We Ride and more of Rex's work at the Winter Park Library! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 favorite fantasy-themed books that I recommend to those wanting to get into the genre

by Abby A.

I haven't been in a reading mood recently, but I always find myself listening to audiobooks when in doubt. Here's ten romantasy books I recommend to those wanting to get into the genre.

1. The Wicked King - I rate this 10/10 because it introduced me to the Cruel Prince series and the author, Holly Black, who is now one of my favorites.

2. Fortune's Kiss - 10/10 once again because it gives us different points of view with the two main characters, plus the minute I picked up the book, I couldn't put it down.

3. Sing Me to Sleep - 9/10. It not only has a black and brown cast of characters, but also pictures the hardship of doing anything to protect family, even if that means keeping the biggest secret to do so.

4. A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic - 9.7/10. As a human in a fae world, just because you don't have what they have doesn't mean you can't do what they can do.

5. A Dawn of Onyx - 9.5/10. I feel like this book reminds me of when darkness meets the light, plus yet another protagonist does.

6. One Dark Window - 8.6/10. What could a few Providence Cards do, especially when you have someone, a monster trapped inside your mind?

7.Faeries Never Lie:Tales to Revel In - 8/10. I really like this book because it has not just different stories, but different authors.

8. The Otherwhere Post - 7/10. Trying to hide and eventually uncovering her father's past might just bring trouble, but what if he was innocent all this time?

9. Little Thieves - 7.5/10. How does one live a double life as a jewel thief and the stolen identity of the princess while trying their best to break a curse?

10.Our Vengeful Souls - 8/10. A brave female protagonist exiled from her home soon gets a place in the army for her abilities to wield a weapon, yet she hides a secret.

Page to Post: No Accident by Laura Bates

In the Page to Post series, the Teen Book Guild spotlights the books that caught our attention after scoping out an entire shelf of titles in the Winter Park Library. From that first spark of interest to how we really felt after reading, you’ll get our honest take—no sugarcoating, just real talk from teens who love books (or sometimes don’t!).
If you’re looking for your next great read or just want to see if our choice was worth it, stick around. Let’s dive into the world of stories, one shelf and one book at a time.

Title: No Accident
Author: Laura Bates
Chosen by: Andres J.