Prior to the fire that swept through our town, I used to read a lot. However, since then I have struggled staying focused enough to read, often feeling anxious while doing so. However, this year I tried to overcome that feeling and did my best to plow through it. Sometimes, I had to also involve the audio version in order to keep making progress with a book. I prefer reading though more than listening because it is faster and I don’t take in information very well by listening. Just ask my former teachers.
A few blog posts ago, I asked the reader what we might talk about if we had the chance to sit in the backyard together. One of my favorite people commented that they’d like to discuss the books I’ve read. So, I am posting the photos of every book I read in 2025. Currently I am reading a Ron Chernow biography of Mark Twain. Typical of Chernow’s work, it is exhaustive, over a thousand pages. It will have to go into the 2026 reading list.
Every night I sit in one particular chair and read – that is until Benny comes in requesting my undivided attention. This is how he looks at me.
So here are the books I completed reading in 2025. I am sure my selection of books says something about me, but I don’t know what…
The only prayer I am very good at is just saying “Thank You.”It is really concerning what social media has done to our children.Wonderful short essays from a wonderful poet.Spotify ain’t coolLoved this story!Richard Rohr has been a blessingI failedLonesome Dove and The Last Picture Show! Enjoy reading about authors and creatives. I love living in California with its good and bad. Good book!Things we think we know…Little stories about big accomplishmentsFascinating look at what different presidents did with their lives after office.My father’s hero. Heard many stories about Rocky. Nobody’s perfect regardless of your victories.A few ideas have stayed with me. I think about them from time to time. Trying to put the pieces togetherJim Thorpe was almost mythical in my boyhood mind. His story though is very much human. The clerk at Barnes and Nobles got a little bonus for every one of these she talked people into buying. Nice little murder mystery. Made me want to read some old Travis McGee novels again. A look at Orthodox ChristianityAn incredibly heartbreaking review. Hit deeply. The atrocities are extremely redundant and took place where we walk today. Not a fan of Grisham’s fiction, but his non-fiction is powerful stuff. I am opposed to the death penalty partly because of all those who have been wrongfully convicted. Great profiles of influential artists.I haven’t mastered this yet.I’ve read a lot about Teddy but not much about Booker T. This was a good introduction .I always thought when the Creation Story said we were made in God’s image it meant creativity is part of who we are. I did not like this book, but I guess millions do. The Bible confuses me.An excellent look at religion, culture, environmental disasters and why people often vote for the very things that will harm them.I can’t stand Trump and I would have voted for a monkey before voting for him. However, I don’t understand what Kamala’s purpose was in writing this book. Money? Get even? I don’t think she did herself any favors with this book. I read The Da Vinci Code, figured it was time to read a second one of his. Interesting life, crazy experiences. Started writing for Rolling Stone while in high school.
Thanks for sharing your reads, Gary. Some interesting titles that I might look for. (I couldn’t get through the Mel Robbins book either!) Happy New Year!
What a fascinating library of books. I didn’t attempt to read Mel Robbins book, I watched a part of her podcast, I realized I could learn nothing from her. I’m very interested in Richard Rohr, he’s quite a spiritual teacher. I don’t know how you made it through American Genocide, I’ve watched several documentaries about the whites treatment of Native Originals, I end up crying through every one. I don’t usually speak about my feelings of the current president but with my sister, I have to say I laughed pretty hard at your preference to replace him, and I wholeheartedly agree.
I’m happy you shared your 2025 reads, you have quite a range of interests. I’ve been so busy with my photos and website management that my reading time hasn’t been where I prefer it to be
Great call on not reading “Mel’s” book, Laura! Richard Rohr’s lessons filled a much needed void in my life and have made my soul dance on occasion. Still, very much a pilgrim with all this, I am curious about many other perspectives, but Father Rohr’s ideas always feel like I’m back home. (Although the Franciscans are historically responsible for many atrocities against indigenous peoples which I have not forgotten.)…As we shared before, American Genocide was a review of the totally horrific past. It hit home, hard. When I found out my stepmother was not my “real” mother, I was told my real mother was a “digger” Indian. It was not said with any intentional racism, it was just how people talked about many California Indians even in the 1950’s and 60’s. They didn’t know that “digger” was a substitute for the “n” word used by the gold seekers of the 1850’s. Even one variety of local pine trees out here are still referred to by locals as “Digger Pines” because Indians were found digging for the seeds beneath the trees, or so they say. Not sure why you would dig for seeds when they are plentiful within the pine cone? The real story, though, is how insanely cruel we humans can be toward others, not just an Indian tribe, but any other “tribe.”… I mostly avoid political talk on my blog. We are bombarded with it through media and much of it is hateful. However, I have become a loud mouth activist in other areas of my life, marching in protests, voicing my opinions online. Some of the motivation for doing so is that I come from and now live in the deep, deep red of Trump populism and I felt staying quiet would be construed as being in agreement with the predominant attitudes toward policies and people. I have lost some lifelong friends over my stated opinions although I have never personally attacked them. I have been called many names online, but so far no sticks and stones, so my bones are good!
Wishing you the very, very best in the year to come. You are an inspiration. Say hello to your sis for me. Garden time is not far away!
Thank you my friend, I wish you and your family the best year ever, say hi to your wife for me. Seasons came late this year in my sister’s part of the world, they worked in the yard and garden until just before Thanksgiving, so they’re enjoying a much needed break before the new garden season is here.
Another Picture On The Wall 
Thanks for sharing your reads, Gary. Some interesting titles that I might look for. (I couldn’t get through the Mel Robbins book either!) Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year to you too! (I left my true vitriol comments from my summary of “Mel’s”book.)
Truckee got some snow!!!
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Ha, yes! My son says they got 18″, but of course, the summits got more.
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What a fascinating library of books. I didn’t attempt to read Mel Robbins book, I watched a part of her podcast, I realized I could learn nothing from her. I’m very interested in Richard Rohr, he’s quite a spiritual teacher. I don’t know how you made it through American Genocide, I’ve watched several documentaries about the whites treatment of Native Originals, I end up crying through every one. I don’t usually speak about my feelings of the current president but with my sister, I have to say I laughed pretty hard at your preference to replace him, and I wholeheartedly agree.
I’m happy you shared your 2025 reads, you have quite a range of interests. I’ve been so busy with my photos and website management that my reading time hasn’t been where I prefer it to be
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Great call on not reading “Mel’s” book, Laura! Richard Rohr’s lessons filled a much needed void in my life and have made my soul dance on occasion. Still, very much a pilgrim with all this, I am curious about many other perspectives, but Father Rohr’s ideas always feel like I’m back home. (Although the Franciscans are historically responsible for many atrocities against indigenous peoples which I have not forgotten.)…As we shared before, American Genocide was a review of the totally horrific past. It hit home, hard. When I found out my stepmother was not my “real” mother, I was told my real mother was a “digger” Indian. It was not said with any intentional racism, it was just how people talked about many California Indians even in the 1950’s and 60’s. They didn’t know that “digger” was a substitute for the “n” word used by the gold seekers of the 1850’s. Even one variety of local pine trees out here are still referred to by locals as “Digger Pines” because Indians were found digging for the seeds beneath the trees, or so they say. Not sure why you would dig for seeds when they are plentiful within the pine cone? The real story, though, is how insanely cruel we humans can be toward others, not just an Indian tribe, but any other “tribe.”… I mostly avoid political talk on my blog. We are bombarded with it through media and much of it is hateful. However, I have become a loud mouth activist in other areas of my life, marching in protests, voicing my opinions online. Some of the motivation for doing so is that I come from and now live in the deep, deep red of Trump populism and I felt staying quiet would be construed as being in agreement with the predominant attitudes toward policies and people. I have lost some lifelong friends over my stated opinions although I have never personally attacked them. I have been called many names online, but so far no sticks and stones, so my bones are good!
Wishing you the very, very best in the year to come. You are an inspiration. Say hello to your sis for me. Garden time is not far away!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you my friend, I wish you and your family the best year ever, say hi to your wife for me. Seasons came late this year in my sister’s part of the world, they worked in the yard and garden until just before Thanksgiving, so they’re enjoying a much needed break before the new garden season is here.
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