By Jim Heffernan
Here’s my fourth annual book list. It’s my take on the best 25 books I’ve read in 2025. Many of them have reviews in the Pioneer, some don’t. Many are new books from this year, some are older books that I discovered this year.
I’ve ranked them loosely on how much they affected me and how much I agreed with them.
It’s easy to see I’m compulsive about books. Looking back, I regret the money I’ve spent but I don’t see me giving up anytime soon. I’m addicted to Kindle for its convenience and I hate that my habit is enriching Jeff Bezos. In the last year, I’ve put something like 100 books on my Kindle. Think of the chocolate I could have bought.
My compulsion is rooted in a profound despair I have for how our country has turned out. The optimism I felt as a child and as a young man has almost vanished. My books are classified as non-fiction and I hope they are. I can’t deny they tend to lean a little to the left.
My resolutions for the New Year are to use the library more and write reviews for the books that don’t have them.
#1
“Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy” by Jonathan Rauch (Published 2025)
Written by a Jewish atheist with a deep respect for Christianity. It introduced me to the idea that simple morality is the “load bearing wall” that has supported our Constitution since our founding. See review at https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-cross-purposes-christianitys-broken-bargain-with-democracy/
#2
“The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains”
Nicholas Carr (Published 2008)
What the internet is doing to our brains is thoroughly examined in this book.
See review at https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-reviews-superbloom-the-shallows-by-nicholas-carr/
#3
“Paper Girl: A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America” by Beth Macy (Published 2025)
For sheer enjoyment this would have been my #1 book. Beth Macy is a great writer and her comparison of her growing up in small town in a dysfunctional family and a young man today charmed me..
#4
“Superbloom: How Technologies of Connection Tear Us Apart” by Nicholas Carr (Published 2025)
Computers were going to save us paper and bring us closer together. History proves us wrong.
See review at https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-reviews-superbloom-the-shallows-by-nicholas-carr/
#5
“Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization” by Bill McKibben (Published 2025)
Examines the big problem most of our leadership ignores, climate change.
#6
“Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home” by Pope Francis (Published 2015)
Pope Francis
Pope Francis’ encyclical (circular letter to churches about a topic) about how we should care for the earth is wonderful.
See review at https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-laudato-si-praise-to-you-fratelli-tutto-brothers-all-by-pope-francis/
#7
“Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World” by Michael E. Mann and Peter J. Hotez (Published 2025)
The truthful application of science does not benefit the rich and powerful. This book explores why and suggests what we can do about it.
#8
“Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship” by Pope Francis (Published 2020)
Pope Francis’ encyclical on how we should treat each other.
#9
“Life and Death of the American Worker: The Immigrants Taking on America’s Largest Meatpacking Company” by Alice Driver (Published 2024)
A harrowing look into the cruelty that goes into us putting cheap chicken into our supermarkets.
#10
“Plunder Private Equity’s Plan to Pillage America” by Brendan Ballou (Published 2023)
Exposes the mostly bad things that happen when “private equity” buys a company.
#11
“This America The Case for the Nation” by Jill Lepore (Published 2019)
A distinquished historian prescription for to a better nation, and a call for a “new Americanism,”This America” seeks to reclaim the nation’s future by reclaiming its past.
#12
“The Sirens’ Call: How Attention Became the World’s Most Endangered Resource” by Chris Hayes (Published 2025)
A revelation about how our current media circus is a contest to capture our attention for commercial gain.
See review at https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-the-sirens-call-by-chris-hayes/
#13
“On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century” by Timothy Snyder (Published 2017)
A very short book filled with big ideas we desperately need.
https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-on-tyranny-by-timothy-snyder/
#14
“Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt” by Arthur C. Brooks (Published 2019)
A precious book! If we can wean ourselves away from a “culture of contempt” our problems may be solvable.
https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-love-your-enemies-by-aurthur-c-brooks/
#15
“Debt and Taxes: Defusing America’s Debt Bomb” by Howard Mick (Published 2024)
Good, simple book about a big problem we choose to ignore, our ballooning national debt, which we simply pass on to our children.
See review at https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-debt-and-taxes-defusing-americas-debt-bomb-by-howard-mick/
#16
“Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds” by John Fugelsang (Published 2025)
Written by the comedian son of a Franciscan Brother and nun who renounced their vows and married. His book is dedicated to separating religion from hate (and guilt)
#17
“The Last American President: A Broken Man, a Corrupt Party, and a World on the Brink” by Thom Hartmann (Published 2025)
A hard look at Donald Trump, today’s Republican party, and our future.
#18
“Free Lunch Thinking: 8 Economic Myths and Why Politicians Fall for Them” by Tom Bergin (Published 2021)
An investigative financial journalist writes an amazing book on how we lie to ourselves about economics.
#19
“Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America” by Robert B. Reich (Published 2025)
A man who grew up very short (4’10”) writes about his time in government and his dedication to fighting bullies.
#20
“One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This” by Omar El Akkad (Published 2025)
Beautiful and sad accounting of what some call war in Gaza and some call genocide.
#21
“A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir” by Jacinda Ardern (Published 2025)
A memoir her experiences before and after she was Prime Minister of New Zealand.
#22
“Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity” by Yoni Appelbaum (Published 2025)
Surprising story of the people and ideas that caused our housing mess economic and ways to get out of it.
#23
“How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith” by Mariann Edgar Budde (Published 2023)
Lessons from the Episcopal Bishop of Washington who stood up to Trump.
See review at https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/book-review-how-we-learn-to-be-brave-by-mariann-edgar-budde/
#24
“Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net” by Jessica McCrory Calarco (Published 2025)
How the US lets women and families down, leaving them to do all the hard work of care with no money or support.
#25
“Fire Weather: On the Front Lines of a Burning World” by John Vaillant (Published 2025)
Riveting and spellbinder account of 2016 fire that caused 100,000 to evacuate Fort McMurry in Canada. It’s mixed with current affairs, science, and history to tie everything together.
As always, discussion welcome at codger817@gmail.com