An all-time favorite illustration by Clare Mallison.
The end of the year always seems to conclude with a flurry of lists: Best books, best podcasts, our favorite stories of 2025, the recipes we loved most. Even though we like to do things differently at The Persistent, in this regard, I suppose we are no exception.
Below, you’ll find a list of stories that convey the breadth and nuance and highs and lows of 2025. I included what we in the business refer to as evergreen stories—pieces that can stand the test of time—which means very little here is breaking news. News comes and goes; a good, meaty essay can endure. Cast your eye down this list.
Make yourself a giant cup of tea (as I would do) and pick out one or two things to read. Or read them all. Or don’t read any. It doesn’t really matter; whatever floats your boat. We’ll be back in 2026 (may it be a year that sparks joy!) with a whole boatload of new work from The Persistent. See you on the other side.
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Francesca Donner is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Persistent. She is working on giving herself some grace. And also reading more.
