Top 27 Books of 2025 (So Far)

Best Books of 2025: A Curated List for Every Reader

If you're looking for the best books of 2025, you've come to the right place. This year has brought a wealth of exceptional fiction and nonfiction that promises to captivate readers of all tastes. From compelling mysteries to heartwarming dramas and thought-provoking science fiction, there's something for everyone. Here are some standout titles that have made a significant impact so far.

Fonseca by Jessica Francis Kane

Jessica Francis Kane’s Fonseca is a novel that beautifully captures the essence of Penelope Fitzgerald’s legacy. While it fictionalizes a mysterious part of Fitzgerald’s life, the book stands on its own with Kane’s elegant prose and sharp wit. It’s a delightful comedy of manners that will appeal to fans of Fitzgerald’s work and newcomers alike.

A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar

Megha Majumdar’s A Guardian and a Thief is set in a near-future Kolkata where climate change has drastically affected the food supply. The story follows a mother and a young thief whose survival instincts lead them into conflict. With a poet’s eye for imagery, Majumdar crafts a tense and emotional thriller that is both gripping and thought-provoking.

Extinction Capital of the World: Stories by Mariah Rigg

Mariah Rigg’s Extinction Capital of the World: Stories explores the cultural history of Hawaii through a series of short stories. The collection highlights the impact of colonization on the daily lives of Hawaiians, showcasing both extraordinary and mundane experiences. Rigg’s writing is smooth and immersive, offering a fresh perspective on the region’s complex history.

Waterline by Aram Mrjoian

Aram Mrjoian’s debut novel, Waterline, is set in the American Midwest and centers around a woman who dies by suicide after swimming into Lake Michigan. Despite its haunting premise, the novel is filled with warm, family-centered moments reminiscent of Stuart Dybek’s work. Mrjoian avoids a historical trauma narrative, instead focusing on a joyful and heartwarming drama that is easy to get lost in.

Kaplan's Plot by Jason Diamond

Jason Diamond’s Kaplan's Plot is a contemporary spin on a literary gangster novel. It alternates between modern-day Chicago and the city’s Outfit era in the 1920s. Diamond’s unique sense of humor shines through as he tells the story of a wayward son returning to Chicago to uncover his grandfather’s role in a Jewish mob. The novel is a must-read for fans of Chicago literature and beyond.

The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers

Erin Somers’s The Ten Year Affair is a hilarious and suspenseful novel set in the Hudson Valley. It follows a married woman who meets a married man at a parenting group and fantasizes about an affair. The novel masterfully blends a searing adultery drama with a satirical thriller, capturing the complexities of millennial boredom, privilege, and disillusionment.

Bog Queen by Anna North

Anna North’s Bog Queen is a tense and atmospheric literary thriller. The novel opens with a passage from the perspective of moss, setting the tone for a story that toggles between the present day and ancient times. It follows a forensic anthropologist trying to identify an ancient body found in a bog, while also exploring the life of a Celtic druid facing Roman expansion.

Rosarita by Anita Desai

Anita Desai’s Rosarita is a minimalist masterpiece that transports readers to the lush plazas of San Miguel de Allende. In just 112 pages, Desai creates a memorable reading experience centered around a young woman named Bonita and her journey across Mexico. The novel is a testament to Desai’s storytelling prowess and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Exit Zero by Marie-Helene Bertino

Marie-Helene Bertino’s Exit Zero is a standout collection of short stories that showcases her talent for blending genre elements with emotional realism. The stories feature ghosts, unicorns, and other fantastical elements, but they are grounded in real emotions and humor. Bertino’s writing is electric and propulsive, making this collection a must-read.

Sorrowful Mysteries: The Shepherd Children of Fatima and the Fate of the Twentieth Century by Stephen Harrigan

Stephen Harrigan’s Sorrowful Mysteries delves into the story of the Virgin Mary’s appearance to three children in Fátima, Portugal. This nonfiction work is a fascinating exploration of a historical event that continues to captivate readers. Harrigan’s detailed investigation offers a compelling look at the significance of this event in the context of the twentieth century.

My Documents by Kevin Nguyen

Kevin Nguyen’s My Documents is a thrilling speculative novel that begins as a multigenerational family drama. However, it quickly takes a dramatic turn when bombs explode in America’s airports, leading to the imprisonment of Vietnamese Americans. The novel combines humor with a gripping narrative, offering a unique perspective on race, identity, and societal issues.

The Imagined Life by Andrew Porter

Andrew Porter’s The Imagined Life is a perfect summer read that follows a 50-something academic searching for his missing father. The novel’s atmospheric prose and human insight make it a compelling and emotionally resonant story. Porter’s skillful storytelling ensures that readers will be unable to put the book down.

We Lived on the Horizon by Erika Swyler

Erika Swyler’s We Lived on the Horizon is a timely science fiction novel set in a walled city governed by AI. The story follows a woman named Enita as she becomes involved in a murder mystery after one of her fellow saints is killed. The novel offers a nuanced and suspenseful look at the future we may be heading toward.

Original Sins by Eve L. Ewing

Eve L. Ewing’s Original Sins is a powerful examination of how American schools have contributed to racial inequality. Drawing on her research and analysis, Ewing presents a compelling argument that is essential reading for parents and educators. Her bracing prose makes this a must-read for anyone interested in education and social justice.

Death Takes Me by Cristina Rivera Garza

Cristina Rivera Garza’s Death Takes Me is a meta-thriller that redefines the boundaries of literary fiction. The novel follows a professor who stumbles upon a dead body and helps a detective solve a murder case involving a serial killer. Rivera Garza’s writing is both evocative and thought-provoking, making this a standout addition to her impressive body of work.

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

Laila Lalami’s The Dream Hotel is a high-concept novel that follows a museum archivist abducted by federal agents. The story explores themes of surveillance, free will, and the future of technology. Lalami’s silk-like prose and engaging narrative make this a captivating read that is sure to resonate with readers.

The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar

Amal El-Mohtar’s The River Has Roots is a concise fantasy adventure that follows two sisters caring for ancient trees in a town near Faerie. The novel features a unique magic system called Grammar, reflecting El-Mohtar’s talent for crafting intricate and imaginative worlds. This book is a testament to her skill as a writer and a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts.

The Antidote by Karen Russell

Karen Russell’s The Antidote is a departure from her previous works, focusing on a small town in Nebraska devastated by dust storms and the Great Depression. The novel introduces a “prairie witch” who can preserve memories and a farm unaffected by drought. Russell’s creative storytelling and vivid descriptions make this a compelling read that showcases her versatility as a writer.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones

Stephen Graham Jones’s The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is a creepy thriller that tackles the vampire mythos from a unique perspective. The novel is based on the lost 1912 diary of a Montana priest, offering a fresh take on the genre. With its eerie atmosphere and compelling narrative, this book is destined for a prestige TV adaptation.

Dissolution by Nicholas Binge

Nicholas Binge’s Dissolution is a suspenseful sci-fi thriller that follows an elderly woman being interrogated about her husband’s stolen memories. The novel’s plot is designed to keep readers guessing, making it a pleasure to unravel. Binge’s ability to craft intricate narratives ensures that this book will be a hit with fans of the genre.

Where the Axe Is Buried by Ray Nayler

Ray Nayler’s Where the Axe Is Buried is a mix of Apple TV+’s Foundation and Slow Horses. Set in the not-too-distant future, the novel explores a world where the president keeps downloading his mind into new bodies. The story follows a team of spies and scientists trying to fight back against a flawed AI-driven government. Nayler’s blend of science fiction and espionage makes this a compelling read.

Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age by Vauhini Vara

Vauhini Vara’s Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age is a nonfiction exploration of humanity’s relationship with technology, particularly the rise of AI. Vara’s previous novel, The Immortal King Rao, was a favorite of the decade, and this new work continues her tradition of insightful and thought-provoking writing. The book offers a critical perspective on the digital age and its implications.

Terrestrial History by Joe Mungo Reed

Joe Mungo Reed’s Terrestrial History is a science fiction novel about a scientist meeting a man from the future. The story explores the cost of immortality and the consequences of leaving Earth for another planet. Reed’s nuanced and cerebral approach to time travel makes this a standout novel that will appeal to fans of the genre.

Audition by Katie Kitamura

Katie Kitamura’s Audition is a taut and suspenseful novel that follows a woman and a younger man meeting for lunch in New York. The story revolves around their interactions and the secrets they uncover. Kitamura’s attention to detail and use of voice and tone make this a compelling read that is hard to put down.

Metallic Realms by Lincoln Michel

Lincoln Michel’s Metallic Realms is a humorous and pulpy homage to the golden age of science fiction. Set in Brooklyn, the novel follows a group of young writers collaborating on a shared fictional universe. The interstitials between chapters add a unique layer to the narrative, making this a fun and engaging read.

The Book of Records by Madeleine Thien

Madeleine Thien’s The Book of Records is a deeply emotional novel that left a lasting impression on readers. The story follows a father and daughter migrating across the ocean to a liminal island where other migrants live in buildings made of time. Thien’s lyrical prose and intricate storytelling make this a must-read that lingers in the mind long after the final page.

Mark Twain by Ron Chernow

Ron Chernow’s Mark Twain is a definitive biography of the famous author. After publishing biographies of other notable figures, Chernow turns his attention to the white-haired Bard of the Mississippi. The 1,200-page doorstopper offers the most detailed account of Twain’s life ever published, making it a valuable resource for scholars and fans alike.