Home for the holidays? Here’s what to read

December 18, 2025
illustration of several book covers representing UVA librarians selections for their books of the year

Curl up this winter with one of these reads. (Contributed photos; illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications)

As the end of the year approaches, UVA Today asked University of Virginia Library staff to recommend their favorite books of 2025. The books could be any genre, published in any year, so long as they were available in the UVA Library or the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library collections. 

Take a look at the list below, which includes everything from Jane Austen to Andy Weir, and check out some books for the holidays – or find a gift for the book lover in your life.

“Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir

cover of the book “Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir

(Illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications)

“There is nothing bolder and more necessary for great contemporary science fiction to accomplish than inspiring sincere optimism and wonder for science and humanity,” wrote Cory Capron, a receiving and cataloging specialist. 

“Andy Weir’s popularity is well-earned, thanks to his uncanny knack for making long passages about math and engineering problems completely engaging, rivaled only by his ability to convincingly portray competent people working together, despite their many human (and alien) faults, to solve problems with life-or-death stakes that lack simple solutions. He is also very, very funny (and in a good way).”

“The Husbands” by Holly Gramazio

cover of the book “The Husbands” by Holly Gramazio

(Illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications)

Principal cataloger Jean Cooper recommended this debut novel from Holly Gramazio. “This is an interesting sort-of-science-fiction, sort-of-not story. Lauren comes home one evening and discovers a man in her condo – a man who says he’s her husband. However, Lauren is not married. Then the husband goes up to the attic, and when he comes down the stairs, he’s a different person. A totally different person. 

“What I found most amusing was how Lauren reacted to each of the different husbands who enter her life,” Cooper wrote.

“The Narrow Road to the Deep North” by Richard Flanagan

cover of the book “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” by Richard Flanagan

(Illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications)

After you read this recommendation from Nicholas Cummins, a research librarian for economics and commerce, you can catch the Amazon Prime adaptation. “Recently adapted as an Amazon Prime miniseries starring the now-ubiquitous Jacob Elordi, this Booker Prize-winning novel uses the Railway of Death as a vehicle to explore the human psyche. Part romance and part war story, Flanagan beautifully describes the brutality, love, cruelty and hope that exist simultaneously in all people. 

Discovery and Innovation: NASA selects UVA researcher for asteroid mission
Discovery and Innovation: NASA selects UVA researcher for asteroid mission

“Interestingly, this book is one of the few English-language works that references the oft-overlooked Unit 731, a truly nauseating element of the Imperial Japanese Army that conducted human experiments that would make Josef Mengele jealous,” Cummins wrote.

“Detransition, Baby” by Torrey Peters

cover of the book “Detransition, Baby” by Torrey Peters

(Illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications)

“A striking story of the lives of women – transgender and cisgender – with unique characters that are flawed in a way that isn’t stereotyping or cruel … just human. I loved getting to read and experience these different perspectives,” wrote Sue Donovan, a conservator for Special Collections.

“Juvenilia” by Jane Austen

cover of the book “Juvenilia” by Jane Austen

(Illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications)

“How better to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Jane’s birth than to speculate about how the chaotic and precocious teenage author of ‘Love and Freindship’ (original spelling) became the refined misanthrope narrating ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Emma?’ Standout performances are ‘The History of England,’ starring Mary Stuart and the haters, and ‘Jack and Alice’ starring … no one in particular and a teenage girl who just can’t get sober,” Bret Heddleston, a print periodical specialist, wrote. 

“Lady Sapiens: Breaking Stereotypes About Prehistoric Women” by Thomas Cirotteau, Jennifer Kerner and Eric Pincas

cover of a book titled “Lady Sapiens: Breaking Stereotypes About Prehistoric Women” by Thomas Cirotteau, Jennifer Kerner and Eric Pincas

(Illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications)

“I loved reading about how a new generation of researchers is shedding light on the daily life and social roles of prehistoric women,” Jennifer Huck, an associate director of research data services, said. “It was fascinating to try to imagine what life might have been like for women so long ago, and what would have been important to people then. (Fertility was higher up the list than I realized.) This was a great pick from our new Popular Science collection in Brown Library!”

“Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel

cover of the book “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel

(Illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications)

Deputy librarian Carla Lee’s recommendation has also been adapted into a TV series, this one on HBO. “I found this book unsettling, inspiring, moving and perfect. It’s been turned into a highly acclaimed series on HBO, but I found I couldn’t watch it, because any change from the source material felt like such a loss. This is the book I couldn’t stop recommending all year,” Lee wrote.

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Media Contacts

Molly Minturn

Content Specialist University of Virginia Library

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