2025 in Review
A Year of Reading, Writing, and Substack
As 2025 comes to an end, I figured it would be fitting to create an end-of-year review of the best readings (books, Substack writers, essays, etc) I came upon this year.
No formal essay from me today. Instead, a quick and hopefully punchy exposition of the most influential writers I spent time with this year:
5 Brilliant Books (in Brief)
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
“‘These are the greatest of conveniences … and at one time I had them all. But in the end, it has been the inconveniences that have mattered to me most’” (Towles).
I do not know how to express the brilliance of this book except by calling it brilliant. Come for the arrest of romantic, poetic, principled Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov in Moscow in the 1920s; stay for his charm and the splendor of Towles’ prose. Had I any authority, I would without hesitation name this one of the best books of the 21st century.
Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
“‘Perhaps all that is left of the world is a wasteland covered with rubbish heaps, and the hanging garden of the Great Khan’s palace. It is our eyelids that separate them, but we cannot know which is inside and which outside’” (Calvino).
I read this book in April and continue to be mesmerized by it. I have yet to figure it out in its entirety (analysis from me hopefully forthcoming in 2026), but Calvino is one of those authors who convinces you without the slightest indication of what you have been convinced of. The premise sounds peculiar—Marco Polo discusses his adventures through various “invisible cities” with Genghis Khan—and yet is presented so beautifully and with such mastery that I feel changed for having read it. A meditation on memory, the past and present, our perceptions of reality, and the worlds we create for ourselves—well worth the focus it asks of you.
The Sea, the Sea by Iris Murdoch
“…people can be light sources, without even knowing, for years in the lives of others, while their own lives take different and hidden courses” (Murdoch).
For a proper review and analysis of the impact of this novel, you can read my recent essay on its themes. Stunningly potent, the narrative watches the disillusionment of Mr. Charles Arrowby whose vanity, fear of mortality, and desire for control over the adoration of his peers leads to his reluctant repentance. For novels like this, I can say only that it was excellent. I am normally fairly good at predicting where a plot is headed, but at every turn Murdoch defied my expectations here. Wonderfully meditative with a maritime setting which may as well serve as its own character, with just the right amount of magic realism and drama, this is a wretchedly underrated classic.
Eucharistic Presence: A Study in the Theology of Disclosure by Robert Sokolowski
“…a subject can be said to be a person only when God declares to that subject who he is before God…” (Sokolowski).
A theological exposition of Eucharistic theology unlike I’ve ever read! I read this in January and have referenced it constantly throughout the year. It is dense but utterly rewarding and—to use a tasteless term—mind-blowing (at least, it felt that way to me). I warn you that I went into this book staunchly set against the Real Presence and emerged from it with a perspective unlike I had ever encountered, suddenly completely convinced of its reality. Proceed at your own discretion.
The City & Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami
“Like the crew of a sinking sailboat clinging to the mast, maybe we are only capable of clinging, desperately, to one reality. Whether we like it or not” (Murakami).
The essay I wrote reviewing this novel was my entrance to Substack, and I would have it no other way. Taken for what it is, I thought this book fantastic. I’ve heard it described as slow, uninspired compared to Murakami’s other works, meandering—and these might all be true for those well-read in Murakami, which I am not. For my piece, I thought Murakami did an excellent job with magic realism and creating a distance between the reader and the characters which emphasized the protagonist’s own melancholy. It is not a book to be read for action or plot, this I grant, but for a meditation on dreams and reality and how to proceed in our lives when our hearts are elsewhere.
5 Superb Substackers
I apologize immediately for the inevitable inadequacy of the descriptions I am about to give to these five—and let it be known that there are far more than five that deserve to be on this list … some of whom I have added to an honorary mentions list! If any of my praise for these sounds “lofty”, know that it is also genuine and deserving; I don’t believe in flattery.
From the Shelves
Pulling wisdom “from the shelves” of the greatest historical and literary figures and events through impressive scholarly analyses, From the Shelves provided immense insight and perspective for me each week since I discovered him. As someone who is equally interested in and intimidated by historical study, I found the weekly essays to be greatly inspiring, informative, and challenging of character. Excellent work every single week—the depth of research and application of each piece is striking and impressive every time.
A Holy Ache
Mandy Morris is a writer you can depend on for beauty, reflection, insight, and comfort, experimenting with form and style with grace. I so enjoy reading her work multiple times per week; her poems, reflections, and essays always bring spiritual insight and a comforting feeling of rest. Her writing is tender and moving, resounding and powerful, never compromising on truth when it needs to be spoken—I am at a loss at how else to describe it. For the spiritually inclined, I certainly recommend her.
The Reading Room
In terms of literary essays founded in sound analysis and a classically-faith-based worldview, Don Beck has been a writer I regularly enjoyed reading. Obviously impressively literate, he has a mission that I support whole-heartedly: to defend well-written literature, modern as well as classic, and hold it to an unwavering standard of excellence. Alas, if all writers listened to his advice, we would be in the golden age of literature; if all readers listened to him, we would be in the golden age of literacy.
The Lays of Language
I am excited every time I see any work by Lukas Merrell show up in my inbox. His philosophical/theological/literary niche is exactly what I am always craving, and his analyses never disappoint. His goal of seeking the Good, True, and Beautiful is palpable in everything he writes, and as consequence I always leave his writing feeling fundamentally enriched and delighted.
Literary Feast: Poetry and Prose
Abigail writes both poetry and prose with stunning grace and profundity. I so enjoy reading her work, laced as it is with faith and a keen eye for the human experience. Her writing inspires hope and reflection at which I marvel every time. My great regret is that I don’t have more time in a day to sit with her work; I don’t exaggerate that her words regularly flit through my mind throughout the week.
Some Deserving Honorable Mentions Whom I Recommend:
For poetry which is delightful and intriguing, Florian G. R. Hartmann of Rotary Writings.
For restful, human reflections full of heart and integrity, Renee Laurence of Little Poems in Prose.
For great literature through an ecclesial lens, Kelly Garrison of Paging Dostoevsky .
For exciting Christian-fantasy serial fiction, The Veilborn Saga.
For down-to-earth essays often literarily grounded, Xan Doane of Xanalogue.
A Quick Note & My Thanks
It has been a delightful five-ish months of my writing on Substack. Originally, I intended to post an essay every other week, but as I fell into rhythm I by some miracle managed one per week (more or less) for the last five months.
For the sake of the quality of my work and my time commitments, in 2026 I plan to move to an every-other-week schedule for my posts. A minor change which should serve the quality of my work.
That being said, thank you wholeheartedly to every single one of you who have subscribed, commented, liked, restacked, and (most significantly) read from me this year. Truly, it means far more to me than I can adequately express. In the words of Thoreau, “My thanksgiving is perpetual.”
To another year, friends. Thank you for reading, and I hope I can continue to be of service to you.
Yours sincerely,
Emilia Nessuno
What a nice surprise to read this post and do a double-take when I see my own name in there! Thank you so much, Emilia--you're too kind :)
Although I'm a little miffed you're adding books to my TBR list... ;)
Here's wishing you continued success 2026!
This was so fun! I loved a Gentleman in Moscow. Totally with you on it being one of the best books of the 21st century.