Top 10 Books to Read in 2025 Critics Choice

Top 10 Books to Read in 2025

2025 is looking like an exciting year for people who love books. Many great books are coming out from much-awaited sequels by popular authors to new writers making a big impression with their first books.

Whether you enjoy fun stories, inspiring life stories, or books that mix different genres, this list will help you find some of the best books to read this year.

10. "Zeal" by Morgan Jerkins

Genre: Historical Romance
Release: Early 2025

Morgan Jerkins returns with her second novel, "Zeal," a multigenerational romance that spans more than 150 years. In 2019, Harlem, Oliver, and Ardelia threw a party to celebrate their engagement. Before it ends, Oliver hands his fiancée a love letter written in 1865 by a soldier who returned home to Mississippi hoping to reconnect with the woman he loved. The centuries-old note will forever change how the couple sees their love story.

Why read it:

Jerkins skillfully weaves together past and present, exploring how historical trauma and love transcend generations. Her ability to blend romance with serious historical themes makes this both emotionally satisfying and intellectually engaging.

9. "The Dream Hotel" by Laila Lalami

Genre: Speculative Fiction
Release: March 2025

Laila Lalami presents a work that feels so plausible as to be nausea-inducing. Her protagonist, a mother named Sara Hussein, purchases a neuroprosthetic implant to help regulate her infant-disturbed sleep cycle. But when the device starts mining her dreams for data, that data prompts the Risk Assessment Administration to take her into custody.

Why read it:

In an era of increasing surveillance and AI development, Lalami's speculative fiction feels eerily prescient. Her exploration of privacy, technology, and civil liberties offers both thrilling entertainment and urgent social commentary.

8. "Mark Twain: A Life" by Ron Chernow

Genre: Biography
Release: Spring 2025

Across a whopping 1,200 pages, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Chernow takes a comprehensive look at the life of the author born Samuel Langhorne Clemens. After tackling Washington, Hamilton, and Grant, Chernow turns his masterful biographical skills to America's beloved humorist and social critic.

Why read it:

Chernow's biographies consistently redefine how we understand historical figures. His deep research and engaging prose make even the longest biographies compulsively readable, offering new insights into familiar American icons.

7. "Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old" by Brooke Shields

Genre: Memoir
Release: Spring 2025

Weaving in reporting with her own life experiences, Shields aims at the wall of negativity surrounding women's aging, from physical beauty to internal vitality. With remarkable candor, Brooke Shields shares her personal journey, challenging societal expectations of aging and inspiring women to embrace their age.

Why read it:

In a culture obsessed with youth, Shields offers a necessary counter-narrative about aging with grace and power. Her unique perspective as someone who's been in the public eye since childhood provides invaluable insights into beauty standards, fame, and self-acceptance.

6. "Katabasis" by R.F. Kuang

Genre: Dark Fantasy
Release: Fall 2025
Kuang's upcoming book follows two competing Cambridge students who must travel to Hell to save their advisor – and fans are "steadily counting down the days for this journey." After the success of "Babel" and "Yellowface," Kuang has proven her ability to blend academic settings with supernatural elements and sharp social commentary.

Why read it:

Kuang consistently delivers intellectually rigorous fantasy that doesn't shy away from difficult topics. Her ability to weave mythology, academia, and contemporary issues makes her work both entertaining and thought-provoking.

5. "Source Code" by Bill Gates

Genre: Memoir/Biography
Release: Early 2025

The visionary tech founder and philanthropist shares his journey from a curious child with ambitious parents to a young coder who sparked a global revolution. Gates offers a candid and inspiring look into his life, revealing the personal journey behind the public figure.

Why read it:

In an era dominated by technology and AI, understanding the mindset of one of tech's most influential figures provides valuable insight into where we've been and where we're heading. Gates' perspective on innovation, philanthropy, and global challenges makes this essential non-fiction reading.

4. "The Emperor of Gladness" by Ocean Vuong

Genre: Literary Fiction
Release: Spring 2025

Ocean Vuong's second novel begins when an elderly Lithuanian woman with early-stage dementia saves Hai, a troubled 19-year-old, from taking his own life. The story explores their unexpected friendship and Hai's journey of self-discovery in small-town Connecticut.

Why read it:

Vuong's poetic prose and ability to find beauty in unlikely places makes this essential reading. His exploration of intergenerational connection and mental health offers both literary merit and emotional healing.

3. "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Fiction
Release: Available Now

The new Hunger Games prequel by Suzanne Collins "succeeds in the near-impossible task of making a well-trodden story feel as intimate and visceral as its predecessors." This prequel focuses on Haymitch Abernathy, offering fresh perspective on the beloved series.

Why read it:

Collins proves that great storytelling transcends age categories. This prequel offers both nostalgia for longtime fans and accessibility for new readers, while addressing themes of resistance and hope that feel particularly relevant today.

2. "Great Big Beautiful Life" by Emily Henry

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release: Spring 2025

Emily Henry's latest has already been shelved 1,170 times as a 2025 release on Goodreads, proving the massive anticipation for this new work. Known for her witty, character-driven romances that tackle real-world issues with heart and humor, Henry continues to dominate the contemporary romance space.

Why read it:

Henry has consistently delivered books that make you laugh, cry, and believe in love again. Her ability to create relatable characters dealing with modern relationship challenges makes her essential reading for anyone seeking both entertainment and emotional resonance.

1. "Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Release: Summer 2025

Set in the 1980s, "Atmosphere" follows physics professor Joan Goodwin as she attempts to become one of the first women to join NASA's Space Shuttle Program. Reid, the mastermind behind "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," delivers another sweeping love story with high stakes. When a terrifying incident puts Joan's colleagues, including her love interest danger, she must find a way to bring them home safely.

Why read it:

Reid has proven her ability to blend historical detail with emotional depth. This space-age romance promises to be both educational and utterly romantic, perfect for fans who want their love stories with substance.

What Are the Tips for Reading a Book?

Here are some of the Tips for Reading a Book:

Mix genres intentionally – Alternate between fiction and non-fiction to keep your reading experience fresh
Join the conversation – Many of these books are generating significant social media buzz; engaging with other readers enhances the experience
Support diverse voices – This year's list represents authors from various backgrounds; supporting diverse literature enriches the publishing ecosystem
Don't feel pressured to read everything – Choose books that genuinely interest you, rather than following trends blindly