Last Thursday, we celebrated the spring equinox here in the northern hemisphere. And even though it was cold enough for snow to fall here (sigh), the first day of spring – even as a technicality – is always welcome.

As you probably recall, at the end of each season – very near the equinox or solstice – I force myself to choose five books to highlight for you. Only five. Sometimes it’s hard for me to choose just five . . .  because the books I read were all so good. Sometimes, though, it’s a struggle to choose five at all because the season was clunker-heavy – or I was in a reading slump (it happens). I’m happy to report that I actually read several interesting and/or notable books over the winter months this year, and it was easy to choose five book to share with you.

(Oh. And just for the record . . . these are my Top Five Books in no particular order. I just list ’em; I don’t rank ’em.)

Let’s get started!

First up, I’ve got the first book I read in 2025 . . . Orbital by Samantha Harvey. Orbital, which won the Booker Prize in 2024, is a beautifully written love letter . . . to Earth. The novel is short, spare, compact. In less than 200 pages, Healy gives us compelling character studies, lyrical writing, and a day-in-the-life narrative for 6 astronauts on board the International Space Station. It is fascinating and lovely and completely unexpected. This is a novel to savor. (I will never look at the sky the same way again!) I gave this book 5 stars — and I recommend it to other readers all the time. (Beautiful cover, non?)

Next, I’ve got Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea. I read this one in audio format — and it was absolutely delightful! Although I have seen and/or read many of Shakespeare’s plays over the years, I am by no means a Shakespeare aficionado. I am, though, a big fan of Judi Dench. I loved hearing Judi dish with Brendan O’Hea (her co-author) about all the Shakespeare roles she’s played over her long and illustrious career in the theatre, along with her behind-the-scenes tales, her take on the value of Shakespeare in today’s world, and enough backstory about each of the plays to help even Shakespeare newbies follow the action. At nearly 90, Judi is unable to comfortably read aloud anymore, so Barbara Flynn expertly narrates Judi’s portion of the audiobook version (with the exception of various sonnets/soliloquies beautifully performed by Judi at the beginning of each chapter). Flynn is a perfect narrator.

This book (and especially the audiobook version) will appeal to both fans of Shakespeare and those who are not yet fans of Shakespeare. It really is a delight. (And audiobook listeners get a 45-minute bonus conversation between Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea which is just wonderful.) 5 stars for this one, too.

Next, I have Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand by Jeff Chu, a lovely new memoir that I read as an ARC through NetGalley (but since it’s being published tomorrow I don’t feel bad for telling you about it before its release). As a long-time gardener and lover of soil, the title appealed to me immediately. I will admit to having some trepidation about the book when I discovered the seminary setting, but, really, I needn’t have worried. Jeff’s theological journey was fascinating, and a perfect framework for his farming lessons and adventures. Jeff Chu’s writing is beautiful. His reflections are deeply personal, compelling, and universally appealing. I found Good Soil to be comforting and hopeful – and just the book I needed to be reading at this moment. I appreciate Jeff’s vulnerability in sharing his journey. (Additionally, the cover is beautiful.) I gave this book 4.5 stars.

Then, I’ve got Small Rain by the poet Garth Greenwell, a brilliantly conceived novel-that-reads-like-a-memoir. Set at a very specific point in time (late summer 2021, so in the thick of the worst of the pandemic, but before the vaccine was available), the narrator is dealing with a life-threatening medical emergency (unrelated to Covid) which requires him to be hospitalized in ICU for a couple of weeks. The novel opens with a lot of medical and hospital details, which gives readers a you-are-there perspective as the medical emergency unfolds. The author then brilliantly juxtaposes the “trapped” feelings of being “stuck” in the medical system/hospital and the “betrayal” of his own (usually healthy) body by layering medical updates, in-the-moment events, and a gradual unfolding of the narrator’s inner life – his personal memories, life stories, and self-reflection – into the story. That . . . unfolding of this inner life . . . is where the novel really shines. The prose is beautiful, and the unfolding is remarkable. The very structure of the novel (there are “chapters,” but they are very long with no real breaks) works especially well to give readers a sense of confinement and an inability to “escape” – although it does make it more challenging to read. I loved this book. I found it hopeful and full of love, and an excellent reminder that . . . life goes on. Even in times of tragedy and suffering. 5 stars for this one.

And last, I’ve got a re-read of The Secret History by Donna Tartt, which is also the current Read With Us book selection. I first read The Secret History shortly after it was published in 1992. I loved it back then . . . even though I was repulsed by the characters. At the time, it was the first book I stuck with despite the unlikeable characters, and, frankly, it changed my entire relationship with character development in literature. I remember feeling rather liberated to realize I didn’t have to like or identify with any of the characters to like or appreciate the book. The Secret History changed my relationship with fiction reading forever. (So thank you Donna Tartt.)

Fast forward 33 years. After my re-read, I feel much the same about the novel as I did back in 1992. Brilliant writing. Excellent character development. Themes you can really sink your teeth into. It is a classic of contemporary literary fiction for a reason. (And those characters are all still repulsive, through and through.) 5 stars. And I can’t wait for our Read With Us discussion tomorrow.*

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How about you?
What books would make it onto YOUR winter Top Five list?

*REMINDER: Tomorrow – Tuesday, March 25 – is Read With Us Discussion Day for The Secret History. Bonny, Carole, and I will be “hosting” discussion questions on our blogs, and then we’ll gathering by Zoom to talk about the book at 7:00 pm Eastern time. I’ll be sending out the Zoom invitations later today. It’s not too late to RSVP — just comment here or send an email (link in sidebar).

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If you want to see what I’m reading now, or if you’d like to check out my recent reviews on Goodreads, just check out the sidebar on my home page.  You can find me here on Goodreads.

If you’re looking for my previous Top Five lists, you can find them in my Field Notes (just click in from the menu bar at the top or bottom of any page) — or click the link.