A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Grab a pen and paper and prepare to grow your watch, read, do and listen lists with Reader's Digest's editors' picks for the best of the year
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It was a year of content overload. Endless videos kept us thumb-scrolling until we rallied the very last of our self-control and put down our phones for the night. Endless streaming options had us spending more time scanning for shows than actually watching them (just me?). Endless books, podcasts, songs—all challenged our ability to consider our choices and make a dang decision.
I, for one, have never needed a “best of” list more. Enter: Reader’s Digest’s curated selection of the latest and greatest. Did I beg my co-workers to tell me what to watch, read, hear, see or do? No, I encouraged them to offer up their favorite things from 2025. And I shared some of my own picks as well, including the TV show that absolutely blew me away.
If you’ve come down with a case of decision paralysis like me, our comprehensive guide to the best of 2025 is the cure. Read on for the stuff that’ll keep you entertained and informed well into 2026.
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In a year of great TV, it was surprisingly easy to pick my favorite—Andor’s second season was that good. Though it’s woven into the Star Wars universe, Andor stands apart as a grittier look at the rise of a fascist empire and what makes a resistance: everyday people.
Built one tense episode after another, the season is a collection of unforgettable moments, like Senator Mon Mothma’s fevered dancing after committing a shameful act for the rebellion. But the real gut punch happens in Episode 8 (“Who Are You?”), one of the single best hours of TV that I’ve ever watched. And the tension doesn’t ease after that breathless episode—it’s chased by Mothma’s powerful speech to the Galactic Senate that reminds viewers how relevant the show is to today. Even if you’re not a Star Wars fan, this is must-watch TV. (Disney+) —Tracey Neithercott, Senior Editor
This show: chef’s kiss. The writing, the casting, the chemistry between the actors. My husband loved The Office (this is from the same creators), whereas I lost interest in it—and we both loved The Paper. I work in print media (the show is about a failing newspaper); my husband is not a word guy. Again, we both loved it. I’m convinced Sabrina Impacciatore deserves an Emmy nomination for her role as Esmeralda Grand. I’ve never finished and started rewatching a show faster than I did this one. (Peacock) —Emily Goodman, Senior Editor
Trivia lovers, don’t sleep on this Fox game show, amiably hosted by Rob Lowe, who regularly renders contestants starstruck and genuinely roots for them as they battle to name items in their “expert categories” before the clock runs out. From state nicknames to fictional crime-fighting duos, bathroom items to Harry Potter, knowledge is only part of the challenge as players try to strategize their way to owning all 100 pieces of the game board—a giant lit-up floor—and the $250,000 grand prize. It’s fun to play along, and often harder than you think! The Season 5 finale of The Floor airs on Wednesday, Dec. 17; no word yet on Season 6. (Fox) —Jody L. Rohlena, Content Director
Task tells the story of an investigation into a string of serial robberies that escalate to murder and kidnapping in a suburb outside Philadelphia. There’s a motorcycle gang, family trauma, birdwatching and a search for answers—both literal and existential.
I was a little leery, based on the trailer, but anything HBO puts in the 9 p.m. slot on Sunday has proven to be worth watching, so I gave it a chance. It moved a little slowly, but I couldn’t look away. The characters seemed to be an odd mix of personalities, but I was intrigued. I love a show where the characters are messy and complex and make you question what it means to be good or bad and why we do the things we do. I highly recommend. (HBO) —Mae Lander, Senior Art Director
I went into this movie with low expectations. After all, the first movie was the equivalent of cotton candy dipped in glitter, and having seen the musical version, I already knew Act 2 drags, so how could the 2025 flick possibly compare? But—surprise!—I actually liked it better. Personally, I found Ariana Grande to be a stronger dramatic actress in For Good than she was a comedic actress in the frothier Wicked. Her Glinda in this film came off as more heartfelt and believable, and the true star of the show was the chemistry between Glinda and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) as star-crossed friends. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Grande and Erivo belted out the titular song, “For Good.” (In theaters) —Anne Fritz, Deputy Editor
Warning: This Kathryn Bigelow–directed film is the furthest thing from a Netflix-and-chill vibe that you can possibly get on the streaming channel. A House of Dynamite centers on an imminent nuclear attack on the United States, with a missile heading our way. But instead of a traditional narrative flow, it replays the same moments of discovery and decision from different key players’ perspectives—including a Situation Room captain and mom (Rebecca Ferguson), the deputy national security advisor (Gabriel Basso) and the president of the United States (Idris Elba). I was in tears and having trouble catching my breath after the first vignette. The stellar ensemble cast makes you feel like you’re right there in the insanity of DEFCON 1 as they grapple with the devastating reality of it all, but I was there for every minute of it. (Netflix) —Dawn Yanek, Senior Editor
I’m not a huge horror fan—too many unnecessary spiders. But I am a Michael B. Jordan fan, and I’d heard he was at the top of his game as brothers Smoke and Stack in Ryan Coogler’s vampire flick. (Yep, he plays both of the twins.) Set in Jim Crow Mississippi, Sinners opens as the twins return from Chicago and open a local juke joint. It’s where their cousin Sammie will play the blues so powerfully, he’ll conjure ancestors and descendants in a mesmerizing dance. It’s also where a supernatural showdown kicks off. Sinners simmered with tension, enthralled with musical sequences and kept me glued to the screen as it hit its boiling point. (HBO) —T.N.
I don’t think I’m going out on a limb here by calling this prequel to the dystopian Hunger Games trilogy the best novel in the entire series, including The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Sunrise on the Reaping tells the story of the 50th Hunger Games, when Haymitch Abernathy’s name was called as tribute for District 13, and shares the backstory of characters we meet in the original series, helping put plot pieces together in a very satisfying way. Even knowing Haymitch would survive the games and go on to be Katniss and Peeta’s mentor, this book was a page-turner that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. —A.F.
A gripping tale of life at the edge of the world, Charlotte McConaghy’s Wild Dark Shore transports readers to a remote island off Antarctica. Dominic Salt and his three children are stewards of the land and the world’s largest seed bank. They’re the only remaining inhabitants after the research crew left for the mainland … until a mysterious woman washes up on shore. With a slow-building sense of foreboding, McConaghy unravels a series of mysteries while setting a ticking clock: As sea levels rise, the seeds in the vault—humanity’s future—are at risk of being destroyed.
I absolutely lost myself in this book (and quickly selected it as Reader’s Digest Book Club’s March ’25 read). Wild Dark Shore is so much more than its mysteries. Each of the characters is broken in their own way, and watching them rebuild one another brought me to tears (as did that heart-wrenching ending). Pick up this book if you love suspenseful stories, richly drawn settings, climate fiction or characters that come alive on the page. It’s hands-down the best novel I’ve read all year. —T.N.
Susan Orlean’s 2025 memoir, Joyride, was the best book I read and a bright spot in a dark year. Knowing someone as smart and observant and spirited as Orlean is around to make sense of it all for us is a total relief. It’s a good reminder that as long as we have people like her in the world, we might be OK. —Caroline Fanning, Editor
As an avid romance reader, I can attest that there’s a lot of fluff on the market. That’s why I love author Abby Jimenez’s books so much. Her characters feel so real as they navigate life’s trials. Of the 40 books I read in 2025, Say You’ll Remember Me was my favorite.
Jimenez’s latest novel masterfully weaves the sweetness of a budding new relationship with the challenges of financial strain and complex family dynamics. It’s a tale of loving someone against all odds—even when it isn’t easy. My now-husband and I were in a long-distance relationship for two years before merging our lives, so I resonated deeply with Xavier and Samantha’s struggles. Say You’ll Remember Me is heart-wrenchingly relatable—and I already have Jimenez’s next book, The Night We Met, on preorder! —Katie Bandurski, Deputy Editor, Affiliate
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to leave your career and completely start over—or what it takes to get the mail to your mailbox every day—Stephen Starring Grant will tell you. When he’s laid off from his corporate career, he gets a job as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, delivering mail in his rural hometown in Appalachia. It’s harder than you might think, especially when you have a lot of packages to deliver or have to drive deep into the holler.
Part reinvention memoir, part history lesson, part sociological study, part suspense tale (will the suspicious homeowner see that he’s the mailman and put the shotgun down?), Mailman is an eye-opener in many ways. And if it doesn’t make you think twice before ordering pants in three sizes, intending to return at least two, you have no heart. —J.R.
In an era when deep, investigative journalism is more important than ever—and many sports media outlets are moving away from such work—this well-researched podcast covers the issues that matter in sports. Pablo Torre Finds Out is not a deep dive into tactics that will bore everyone but diehard fans. These are the topics that even non-sports fans are talking about, like sports gambling, trans athletes in sports and more. —Cameron Songer, Newsletter Editor
In this episode of his podcast, Joe Rogan sits down with John Kiriakou, a former CIA agent who, in 2007, blew the whistle on the agency’s torture program. He later went to prison for leaking the names of two CIA agents, a charge that he believes was targeted retribution for his earlier actions.
I was rapt listening to Kiriakou share his history with the CIA, how the torture program came about, his trial and prison time, and his take on the deep state. I can only assume Rogan was too, as he let Kiriakou speak uninterrupted for the majority of the two-and-a-half-hour podcast episode. —A.F.
Amy Poehler is joy personified (literally—she voices Joy in the Inside Out movies). And her joy is infectious, whether she’s palling around with fellow Saturday Night Live alums, her friends from Parks and Recreation or Hollywood heavyweights like Selena Gomez and Olivia Colman. The conversations are fun and feel-good. Poehler asks smart questions and allows herself and her guests to go on amusing tangents. And they always talk about what’s been bringing them joy, so I walk away from each Good Hang episode with a solid recommendation for something to read or watch. —E.G.
I stumbled upon this podcast before I was grieving. Anderson Cooper was a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and the two had a moving conversation about losing a parent and sibling(s) at a young age. (Both lost their dad and brother—two brothers, in Colbert’s case.) So I checked out the podcast, in which Cooper talks to people, both well-known and not, about their loved ones and how those losses have shaped their lives.
In a recent episode of All There Is with Anderson Cooper, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, whose mom died when he was 11, calls grief a lifelong companion. Colbert, when he appeared, called it “a beloved tiger.” When I lost a relative and then a close friend, I found comfort in the community Cooper has created around this universal experience that nobody wants to talk about. He asks people to share their grief stories and swears he listens to them all. New episodes drop Tuesday evenings, and the new streaming companion show—All There Is Live with Anderson Cooper—airs live Thursdays at 9:15 p.m. ET here on CNN.” —J.R.
The New Zealand–based group released yet another amazing album this year. It’s indie rock at its purest. (You can check out their first performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live to get a feel for it.) You’ll go through a range of emotions listening to Straight Line Was a Lie, which is why it’s my pick for 2025. —Sam Kimbrell, Senior Brand Director
Kelsea Ballerini’s songwriting is poetry—and not the kind where you have to guess what the author was thinking or feeling. Everything she’s going through on this EP (namely, heartbreak and self-evaluation) is both intensely personal to her own experience and yet also extremely relatable. Sonically, it’s great music to chill out to. And at just six songs, it’s easy to digest the whole thing in one sitting. Mount Pleasant is a perfect soundtrack for staring out the window and working through some stuff. —E.G.
I took my 10-year-old daughter to see Maddox Batson, an up-and-coming 15-year-old country singer who opened for Lainey Wilson on her recent tour. Even with all the screaming tweens, it was one of the best, most high-energy shows I’ve seen in a long time. His songs like “Girl in Green” and “Coincidence” are just as catchy for older listeners as they are for his fan base. With comparisons to a young Justin Bieber, Batson is on the brink of major stardom, mark my words! —A.F.
Our family vacation this summer was on this new Royal Caribbean ship, one of the two biggest cruise ships in the world. As I wrote for Reader’s Digest, I had my doubts about sailing on a 5,600-passenger ship, but it really was one of our favorite vacations ever. There’s so much for both couples and families to do, from waterslides to karaoke to action-packed shows and a silent disco. All those activities made for shared bonding experiences that we’re still talking about. Core memories, right there! —A.F.
About four hours due north of New York City is the city of Saratoga Springs. Known for horse racing and mineral springs, it has a beautiful downtown area filled with cute shops and delightful restaurants. Though I may already be partial to Saratoga from previous visits, this year, I booked a birthday stay, and the experience easily topped all my other Saratoga excursions.
The crown jewel was a stay at the Adelphi Hotel on Broadway: It’s elegant and inviting, and the staff were incredible. I did mention the occasion when booking, and we were treated to a chocolate cake waiting for us in the room (I’m not a big cake person, but this one made me reconsider!). For dinner, we walked over to 15 Church, which is always a good decision if you can get a reservation. The crudo, caviar sliders and street noodles were incredible; I don’t think there’s anything on that menu that would disappoint. For dessert, however, we opted for the cake back in our room, eaten in cozy robes while we sank into that cloud of a bed. —M.L.
Nostalgia is having a moment right now, with Gen Zers taking “kidulting” trips to places like old-school arcades, rustic camps and D&D retreats. I’ve been doing something similar for a while, but on a more personal scale. In addition to exploring new locales with my 13-year-old and 10-year-old, I’ve been taking them on adventures I had back in the day with my own parents.
Last year, we went to New Hampshire, checking out places like the Flume Gorge and the Castle in the Clouds and going whale-watching. The year before, we checked out Colonial Williamsburg. This summer, I took them to Herkimer Diamond Mines in Upstate New York, where we used a pickax to whack away the stones in a quarry and uncover “diamonds” (clear quartz) and even made jewelry from a few of our finds. I have tons of pics from the day, nearly identical to ones taken of me and my brother decades ago, and the double layer of memories, old and new, settles me in a way that’s hard to describe. It’s kind of like a comforting hug that extends through the generations and reminds me how lucky I was and how lucky I still am. —D.Y.
Heather Cox Richardson may be single-handedly keeping me sane right now. A history professor at Boston College, she breaks down the major political events of the day via curated news snippets and puts everything in historical context. All the political maneuverings and stunts we’re seeing now have roots that go back decades, sometimes even centuries, and looking at it in this smart way provides a fuller picture of our world. The best part is that her work isn’t hysterical or politically biased like so much of today’s media outlets; it is a historian’s view of the world, grounded in facts.
Personally, I read her posts on Facebook every morning as soon as I wake up, though she also has a Substack, called Letters from an American. You also shouldn’t miss her live chats, where she sometimes answers questions solo and sometimes interviews politicians and converses with colleagues. It’s like the best history class you’ll ever take and a cheat sheet to every day’s news dump. Some days, you’ll feel hopeful; others, you’ll feel stressed. But either way, you will feel informed and not alone. —D.Y.
A sincere thank-you to whatever algorithmic magic brought Caroline Winkler’s channel into my YouTube feed. I don’t think there’s a search query that could have surfaced this content better—maybe “interior decorator and agent of chaos who’s not afraid of some real talk”? I originally tuned in for her home decor tips, but let’s be real: There are a bazillion home design channels on YouTube. Winkler’s tips are good, but what makes her a must-watch is her personality. In all seriousness, I’d watch a video of her explaining what’s in her fridge. Reader, I watch her ads. All the way through. With laughter!
You can’t go wrong by closing your eyes and picking a random video as your entry into her oeuvre. But if you can’t decide, may I suggest starting with this hilarious (and helpful!) video in which Winkler makes home design suggestions for a bunch of dudes on Reddit? Tuning in to her latest video is like catching up with a friend who is much cooler and much funnier … but goofy enough not to be irritating. —T.N.
Adam Wardlaw is a teacher and assistant football coach at Forney High School, near Dallas. Texas high school football is well-known for its scale and spectacle, but it’s rare to see a look behind the scenes at the work that goes into making the sport so successful. Coach Wardlaw documents his job with daily “day in the life of a Texas high school football coach” vlogs, showing the early mornings and late nights at Forney High School—watching film, doing laundry, supervising the weight room, organizing practices, teaching Astronomy class and so on. —C.S.
Zachariah Porter’s multiple personalities—thanks to an impressive wig collection, he does spot-on impressions of everyone from your nosy mother to an overexcited Disney mom—are relatable and laugh-out-loud funny. He bucks convention with a smile, side eye and plenty of sarcasm, saying aloud the things everyone is thinking but is too afraid to say. He is the comedic relief we’ve all been missing, and his account is well worth a follow. A little laughter (and harmless barbs) are exactly what we need in trying times. —Lindsay Barton, Senior Social Media Editor
Has there ever been a better two-word pairing than “tactical frivolity?” One Portland activist began wearing an inflatable frog costume to protest the city’s ICE facility, and the frogs have since multiplied. (It’s hard to brand them as violent extremists when the only footage you can get is of dozens of frogs and the occasional unicorn or duck milling about.) Plus, it’s hysterical. I brayed like a donkey the first time I saw this. And tactical frivolity is a real, effective thing—the Marshall Project just published a great explainer about it. In addition to combating inaccurate rhetoric, it helps diffuse tension. —C.F.
Talk about a bait-and-switch for the ages. As company after company rolls out “must-use” AI tools, Merriam-Webster has posted a phony video for its new Large Language Model that “never hallucinates,” “doesn’t require a data center,” “uses no electricity” and will “change how you communicate—forever.” It is, of course, simply the next edition of the collegiate dictionary.
The post did absolute numbers on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, everywhere. Also, Merriam-Webster’s reply to a comment (“Where is the data stored then?”) from someone who misunderstood the satire with “On pages made of paper and then hopefully your brain” gave me a good giggle. —C.F.
What does this seltzer taste like? Sunshine! That’s all it says on La Croix’s newest flavor, released earlier this year. The can doesn’t offer any clues, and the 12-pack box doesn’t help either—it just says “Tastes of … wonder!” I recently discovered this delightful drink, and I’m here to tell you, it really does taste like sunshine. Or like you imagine sunshine tasting anyway.
I’ve drunk almost a full 12-pack at this point and am still hazy on the flavor, or flavors. My husband took one sip and nailed it—according to chatter on the internet, anyway. Try it and see what you get. As far as I’m concerned, whatever is in these blue cans bedecked with bright yellow sunflowers really does taste of wonder. Because, as my dad put it, “You wonder what’s in it.” I do wonder, but I don’t even care. La Croix Sunshine is my new favorite. —J.R.
Not to be confused with cross-stitch, needlepoint is a form of embroidery in which the threads are woven into a mesh canvas. A completed canvas can then be framed or “finished” into a wide range of products, including ornaments, pillows, clutch pouches, acrylic trays or almost anything you can dream up. This year, I was lucky enough to have a new LNS (local needlepoint store) open near me—maybe because, it seems, this is the year of the grandma hobby—and I attended a beginner class. I was immediately hooked. The basics are easy enough that you can feel confident quickly.
I love that a project can be simple and meditative, or it can be more intricate and creative if you choose. It’s a perfect pairing for sitting in front of the TV, where I’d otherwise be aimlessly scrolling Instagram. And there are just so many cute canvases to choose from! —M.L.
This was the year of the tchotchke, no? While I never bought into the Labubu hype, I admittedly am a big fan of Jellycats. (And yes, I am an adult!) There’s just something about their uber-plush fur, darling designs and soulful expressions that help heal my inner child. They also make an incredible gift for the expecting parents and littles in my life. While the price point is higher than most other plushies, I appreciate the brand’s commitment to sustainability and ethical manufacturing practices. If you need a rec, Egglantine Egg on Toast and Sky Dragon are personal favorites. —K.B.
Asking me to choose just one product from Drmtlgy is like asking me to choose my favorite child. There’s the Needless Serum, the Peptide Night Cream, the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask and so many more. But if I had to choose, I’d go with the Luminous Eye Corrector, which launched early in the year. It takes the place of concealer, which can get cakey and settle into fine lines. Somehow, miraculously, this doesn’t. You apply the tiniest bit with the cold tip of the metal applicator, dab it in and voila—you suddenly look … better. Literally, even on my worst days, my dark circles disappear, my skin is brighter and I look more awake.
And believe it or not, this corrector is also skin care, with SPF 41 built right in. That means you’re protecting that delicate under-eye area even on the days you forget about sunscreen. Trust me—this little miracle in a tube will be the new BFF you didn’t know you needed and will now never spend a day without. —D.Y.
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