Every year, a few books rise above the rest. They are the ones that stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Out of all the books we read in 2025, three novels stood out to us in unforgettable ways: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, Twice by Mitch Albom, and The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali. Each one offered something different — history, heartbreak, magical realism, friendship, second chances — but all three left a deep emotional imprint.

Here’s a look at what each book is about and why it earned a place on our favorites list.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

What it’s about:
Set in the final months of World War II, Salt to the Sea follows four young refugees as they flee violence in East Prussia and make their way toward the Baltic Sea, hoping to escape on the ship Wilhelm Gustloff. Their stories unfold against the backdrop of one of the deadliest maritime disasters in history, a tragedy that claimed more lives than the Titanic and Lusitania combined.

Why it’s great:
Ruta Sepetys is a master of illuminating forgotten history and this novel is no exception. The short, rotating chapters create a propulsive rhythm, while the emotional depth of each character makes the story feel intimate and human. It’s a book that breaks your heart and expands it at the same time, a reminder of the resilience of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.

Twice by Mitch Albom

What it’s about:
Twice centers on Alfie Logan, a man who discovers as a child that he can relive any moment in his life, but only once. As he grows up, he uses this gift to correct mistakes, avoid embarrassment, and rewrite moments he wishes had gone differently. But when it comes to love, he learns that second chances always come with consequences.

Why it’s great:
Mitch Albom has a gift for blending philosophy with storytelling and Twice is one of his most emotionally resonant works. It asks big questions — What would you redo? What should you leave untouched? — while grounding the story in a tender, deeply human love story. It’s reflective without being too heavy and magical without losing its heart.

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

What it’s about:
Spanning decades of Iranian history, The Lion Women of Tehran follows two girls, Ellie and Homa, whose friendship begins in 1950s Tehran. Their relationship evolves through political upheaval, revolution, exile, and personal sacrifice. Their lives diverge yet their bond remains powerful across time and distance.

Why it’s great:
Marjan Kamali writes with tenderness and clarity about the complexities of Iranian womanhood, friendship, and resilience. This novel is political while still being deeply personal. Ellie and Homa’s story feels like a tribute to the women who carry strength across generations, and to the friendships that shape who we become.

These three books couldn’t be more different, yet they share a common thread. Each one explores the human heart under pressure — in war, in love, in revolution, in regret, in hope. They reminded us why we read: to understand, to feel, to witness lives beyond our own. If you’re looking for stories that stay with you, challenge you, and move you, these are the ones we’ll be recommending again and again.