Local Readers Share Their Favorite Books from 2025
As the holiday season winds down and a new year approaches, residents of Accomack and Northampton are preparing for the winter months by diving into their favorite reads. The community has shared their top book picks from 2025, offering a diverse list of genres and stories.
Chincoteague Mayor Denise Bowden expressed her admiration for “Stand by Your Man,” the autobiography of country music legend Tammy Wynette. Bowden, who ranks Wynette just behind her favorite, Loretta Lynn, shared, “I felt like I was right on the tour bus with her. What a life she led, and what a life that was tragically cut short.”
Bill Schmidt from Painter recommended “Rosemear,” a gothic horror story by local author Quinn Noll. Set in 1859 on a tobacco plantation, the novel involves a triple homicide in Savannah, Georgia. Schmidt remarked, “She reminds me of Steven King. I have read all her books, except the new one just out.”
Grayson Chesser, a former Accomack County supervisor and renowned decoy carver, praised “Slave and Free on Virginia’s Eastern Shore” by the late Kirk Mariner. He also highly recommended Brooks Miles Barnes’ new work, “Steam and Steel: The Eastern Shore of Virginia 1870-1884,” stating it “should be required reading for every realtor” to help newcomers understand the unique history of the area.
Cecil Bundick from Parksley highlighted “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” by Bill Gates. Bundick noted, “Gates doesn’t treat climate change as an abstract moral failing or a distant disaster. He approaches it as a practical problem that demands practical solutions.”
Diana Davis of Jamesville found solace in “A Kiss Before You Go” by Danny Gregory, a book about coming to terms with the death of a spouse. Davis described it as a “great book,” adding that she “read it in one sitting” and “cried and laughed.”
Among the classics, David Replogle of Belle Haven added “The Bible” to his reading list for 2025. Known as the best-selling book of all time, it remains a staple for many readers, with over five billion copies sold worldwide.
Jessica Jennestreet Bernard of Melfa recommended “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins, a self-help book that encourages readers to focus on their own goals and emotions. Bernard shared, “It helped me refocus on myself instead of the noise around me, and honestly, it helped me get back to the old Jessica.”
Onancock resident Carol Buckner McGarrity chose “Nobody’s Girl” by Virginia Giuffre, which provides a rare look into the world of sex trafficking. McGarrity commented, “The information that she provided confirms in my mind how many prominent people around the world are involved in sustaining and protecting the trafficking industry.”
Connie Burford from Chincoteague enjoyed Matthew McConaughey’s “Greenlights,” a memoir filled with life lessons and stories. Burford was so captivated that she also bought the audiobook and listened to it while driving. She later purchased McConaughey’s children’s book, “Just Because,” for her daughter’s class.
Lastly, Jan Coulbourne of Captain’s Cove revisited “Donegal Highlands” by Liam Ronayne, appreciating its depiction of Irish folk tales and stunning landscapes. Coulbourne recommended it as a “positive must-read” for anyone interested in Irish culture and history.
Original Story at shoredailynews.com