Welcome back to the Hearth—for the final time in 2025!
We made it. Since launching in August, I’ve sent 14 issues featuring over 40 indie books. We’ve explored sentient forests, met SAS llamas, survived Arctic winters, and solved crimes with K-9 units.
But a few stories stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
For our final issue of the year, I’m skipping the new releases to bring you the Curator’s Choice Awards—the 5 absolute best books we featured in 2025. These are the stories that defined what this newsletter is all about. If you missed them the first time, now is your chance.
Here are the winners.
1. The Literary Masterpiece
The Last Whaler by Cynthia Reeves
Why it won: Best Atmosphere / Most Beautifully Written
The Vibe: Haunting, icy, and deeply emotional.
This book won the 2025 IndieReader Discovery Award for a reason. Set at a remote Arctic whaling station in the 1930s, it tells the story of Tor and Astrid, a couple isolated by geography and grief. The prose is as stark and beautiful as the landscape itself. It’s a profound look at how a marriage survives the freezing dark. If you only read one "serious" literary novel this year, make it this one.
Chasing Moonflowers by Pauline Chow
Why it won: Most Unique Setting / Best Worldbuilding
The Vibe: Gothic, magical, and historical.
It is rare to find a fantasy novel that feels completely new, but this one dazzled me. Set in a reimagined 1920s Hong Kong, it follows distinct, misfit characters navigating a world of colonial shadows and ancient magic. With a starred review from Kirkus, this is the definition of a "hidden gem"—a story with a vivid, breathing setting that you simply won't find anywhere else.
3. The Joyride
Confessions of a Trash Droid by Michael Cheney
Why it won: Funniest Read / Best Narrator
The Vibe: Murderbot meets The Office.
We featured a lot of heavy themes this year, but sometimes you just need to laugh. T.E.D.D., a cynical, glitchy sanitation droid who hates humans but is forced to save them, was hands-down the most entertaining character of 2025. It’s snarky, fast-paced, and surprisingly heartfelt. If you need a palate cleanser after a long year, this is the one.
4. The Comfort Read
The Barefoot Followers of Sweet Potato Grace by Megan Okonsky
Why it won: The "Warm Hug" Award / Best Found Family
The Vibe: Quirky, Southern, and deeply human.
This book captures the very soul of "The Misfit's Hearth." When a closeted girl in a small town stumbles upon a group of barefoot strangers at a cat’s funeral, she finds the tribe she never knew she needed. It’s a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the people who save us are the ones we least expect. It’s sweet, funny, and perfect for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
5. The Page-Turner
Twisted Reign by Mary Stone & Karen Guyler
Why it won: Best Thriller / Most Gripping Mystery
The Vibe: High stakes, secrets, and a very good dog.
Finally, for those who just want a story they can’t put down. This thriller about a K-9 officer with a secret gift was one of our earliest hits. It balances the "misfit" protagonist trope with the high-octane pacing of a bestseller. If you’re looking for a mystery to keep you up past your bedtime over the holidays, this is the winner.
Thank you for a wonderful 2025.
Whether you joined me in August or just signed up last week, thank you for reading. Building this community of book lovers has been one of the highlights of my year.
I’m taking a short break for the holidays to recharge (and read more books!), and I’ll be back in your inbox in January with a fresh batch of hidden gems.
Happy Holidays, and happy reading.
All the best,
C.J.