With so many videos and articles about what to read next the book space can be overwhelming when trying to find your next 5-star read. Whether you have been reading for years or you’re looking to get into it this year here is a curated list of 12 books to read in 2025. This list will be split up into five sections: fantasy and sci fi, romance, non fiction, thriller and my personal picks. If you are looking to diversify your reading and expand to new heights you have come to the right article.
Fantasy
The Poppy War
The Poppy War has been making the rounds throughout the book world, but if you missed the hype, you are truly missing out. The Poppy War by R. F Kaung has released other amazing books such as Babel Yellow Face and later this year Katabasis. The Poppy War, released in 2018, is about a young girl named Rin who, in order to get away from an arranged marriage, enrolls in a war college. There she makes friends, enemies and even a mentor. This book is magical yet so real. The political intrigue of war and revenge and the complex relationships of the people are a part of this war. This book is a very heavy read filled with sexual violence, death and addiction based on the second Sino Japanese war. Before jumping into this scary world, check all the warnings this book provides, but if you read the warnings and still want to jump into a world of tragedy and betrayal,l then The Poppy War trilogy should be on your TBR for 2025.
Weyward
Weyward by Emilia Hart released in 2023 follows 3 women of the same timeline from the same family. We follow a woman in the 1600’s who is accused of being a witch, a young girl during World War II dealing with her own oddness and the cruelty of her world and a woman running from her abusive boyfriend. Many of these womens stories involve sexual violence and they explore these ideas in an amazing way; however this book not be for the faint of heart. This book has many moments that are hard to read but thankfully this story has a happy ending for all 3 of our characters. This book follows family, magic and womanhood in a whimsical way.
Romance
Shark Heart
Shark Heart released in 2023 by Emily Habeck is a novel about a woman’s husband with a disease that is turning him into a shark. We also follow this woman’s mother who has the same disease of turning into an animal. This book is a clear analogy of terminal illness. This book is an incredibly emotional ride with many ups and downs. Pefrect if you are looking for a story about love loss and grief.
Hani And Ishu’s Guide To Fake Dating
Released in 2021 by Adiba Jaigirdar Hani And Ishu’s Guide To Fake Dating is a cute love story about two high school girls who fall in love. This book deals with religion, family, responsibility and growing up. This book is a feel good read that is sure to make you smile.
Non Fiction
I’m Glad My Mom Died
This book by Jeanette Macurty is the first ever biography I’ve ever read about Nickelodeon star Jeanette Macurty about what happened behind the scenes of her time on shows like Sam And Cat and experiences with Dan Schneider. This book is an amazing exploration of the dark sides of child acting, parental relationships and eating disorders. If you have not already read it, this would be the year.
The Anthropocene reviewed
This book by John Green is such a fascinating concept that keeps your interest throughout. The book follows chapters of John Green eating random things from Teddy bears to searching people up online. The book feels extremely human, and the connection you feel while reading it is something hard to come across.
Thriller
None Shall Sleep
This book is one that I have actually read. This follows two teenagers, investigating a string of murders alongside the FBI and working with a notorious serial killer in order to find this new killer. This book is very reminiscent of a movie like Silence Of The Lamb so, if you’re interested in that type of thing, you should definitely check this one out.
The naturals
This series is gripping with super interesting character dynamics, and a dash of whimsy. If you haven’t read it already, you should put it on your TPR for this year.
My personal picks
Blood Over Bright Haven
This book is a fantasy with an extremely complex magic system. This book mirrors a lot of real life things like racism and prejudice in such an interesting way. The ending of this book left a hole in my heart, and I don’t think I can ever go back to the person I was before I read it.
Compound fracture
This book has become my favorite of all time. We follow a trans boy named Miles as he deals with the corrupt police within his tiny town. I read this book in a very short time because I could simply not put it down.
This concludes the 12 books you should read in 2025. All of these books are incredibly interesting and I’ve only heard good things about them. Before you read any of them, be sure to check trigger warnings and be careful of things that these books may include that you may not be a fan. Happy reading!
