<p>Welcome to our yearly Recap Book Chat Awards for the year 2025.</p><p><strong>Most whimsical</strong>: <em>The Little Prince</em> by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry – Its dreamy, childlike philosophical tale of a young prince traveling planets, full of wonder, imagination, and gentle absurdity, captures pure whimsy more than any other on the list. <em>BFG </em>and <em>Much Ado About Nothing</em> also fit this category.</p><p><strong>Grittiest</strong>: <em>Les Misérables</em> by Victor Hugo – Depicting extreme poverty, injustice, prison brutality, prostitution, child suffering, and revolutionary violence in raw detail, it unflinchingly explores human misery and societal cruelty. </p><p><strong>Most unique format</strong>: <em>The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion</em> (Vol. 1 or 2) – Written entirely as witty, personal diary entries from a quirky Victorian-era heroine, this journal style stands out distinctly among traditional narratives, plays, and prose.</p><p><strong>Best opening line</strong>: <em>The Green Ember</em> by S.D. Smith “Heather had invented the game, but Picket made it magic.” </p><p><strong>Most unpredictable</strong>: <em>The Nature of Fragile Things</em> by Susan Meissner – Filled with shocking twists involving deception, bigamy, and survival amid the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, its plot revelations keep readers guessing.</p><p><strong>Most intense</strong>: <em>Where the Lost Wander </em>by Amy Harmon-Family killed in front of her, captured by Indians, yet in love with an Indian man. </p><p><strong>Most impactful in society</strong>: <em>Les Misérables</em> by Victor Hugo – A monumental critique of social injustice that influenced reforms, human rights discourse, and popular culture worldwide through adaptations highlighting redemption and inequality.</p><p><strong>Most creative</strong>: <em>The Fellowship of the Ring</em> by J.R.R. Tolkien – Inventing an entire mythology, languages, maps, and world (Middle-earth) showcases unparalleled imaginative world-building.</p><p><strong>Best leading lady</strong>: Emmalyne Knox from <em>The Quarryman’s Bride</em> by Tracie Peterson – Intelligent, resilient, compassionate, dealing with trauma from loss of sisters, home and betrothed. </p><p><strong>Best leading man</strong>: Aragorn from <em>The Fellowship of the Ring</em> by J.R.R Tolkien. Brave warrior, wise strategist, skilled healer, humble leader, stoic strength and empathy. Aragorn demonstrates a balanced masculinity free of pettiness, unjust anger or despair. He epitomizes patience and loyalty beyond today’s imagination! </p><p><strong>Best ending</strong>: <em>Ferris</em> by Kate Dicamillo, what a beautiful story of reconciliation and  community, <em>Here Be Dragons </em>by Melanie Shankle ends with her teaching her daughter to navigate the dragons (aka mean girls) in life.</p><p><strong>Changed our lives</strong>:<em> Seeing the Unseen</em> by Joe Beam, preparing yourself for Spiritual Warfare along with the bishop in <em>Les Miserables</em> whose kindness changed Jean Valjean’s life! </p><p><strong>Stands the test of time</strong>: <em>The Fellowship of the Ring</em> by J.R.R. Tolkien – Decades later, it remains a cultural cornerstone, influencing fantasy and enduring as a beloved classic.</p><p><strong>Best overall book</strong>: <em>The Fellowship of the Ring</em> by J.R.R. Tolkien – Masterful storytelling, rich themes of friendship, heroism, and good vs. evil, combined with enduring influence and depth, make it a standout masterpiece. Happy New Year dear readers!!!</p><p><br></p>