As we hit myTop 5 books read in 2025, we’ve got a mix of novels and memoirs. My #5 book was a fun surprise, recommended to me by my sister-in-law, Dawn, it wasn’t a book I had heard of, and it was a unexpectedly lovely read. And my #4 book I read as a tribute to a highly-acclaimed, and beloved filmmaker who passed away early in the yeatr.
#5 – When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill (2022)
Kelly Barnhill’s novel, When Women Were Dragons explores the often soul-crushing struggles, all-encompassing suppressed rage, and all-too rare transcendent joy women have experience throughout human history. In an allegorical alternative history, Barnhill uses those struggles to give the rage and the joy a physical form. Alex Green is coming of age in the 1950’s, with a physically fragile, but emotionally rigid mother, an all-but absent father, a free-spirited unconventional aunt, and Beatrice, a passionate dervish of a young cousin. After a worldwide, some might say catastrophic, others might say euphoric, event in 1955, the world changes, despite the government and the press’ all-encompassing cover-up.
Alex and Beatrice endure challenges far beyond those of most children, but with a combination of science and an ancient legacy that stems from the ancient days of feminine power, they ultimately emerge triumphant in this imaginative and rewarding book.
#4 – Room to Dream by David Lynch and Kristine McKenna (2018)
In honor of the great director David Lynch’s passing recently, I decided to read his 2018 biography/memoir, Room to Dream. Knowing some of Lynch’s eccentricities, both gleaned from his incredible body of work, and the press he has received over the years, I was hoping for a fascinating and revealing account of his life. I was not disappointed.
The book is structured in an ingenious manner, with alternating chapters written by Lynch himself, and his biographer, Kristine McKenna. Starting with his childhood, and going through all of the man’s eclectic work in film, television, music, art and TM, McKenna accounts the details of his life, filled with quotes and stories from the many people who worked with him, then Lynch covers the same ground from his own recollections.
What becomes abundantly clear is that Lynch was a genius, a humanitarian, somewhat obsessive, a ladies man, and a true friend, who had little patience for the industry he worked in. Besides the extensive dives into the making of all his film and television work, the book explores his work producing and making music (most notably his deep partnership with Angelo Badalmenti), and his lifelong work creating art in many different mediums. The book explores his fascination and devotion to meditation and his work with the Maharashi as well.
While occasionally effusive in its praise of the man, it becomes clear through the many interviews with his hundreds of partners, colleagues, friends, wives and family that Lynch was a man that people loved being around, a charming, loyal, fascinating artist who received praise from those around him even if they were no longer part of his circle.
Filled with amazing photography, and a comprehensive listing of his film, music and artwork exhibitions, Room to Dream is a wonderful book for the Lynch devotee and the casual fan alike.