Whether you’re braving epic battles, diving into emotional wreckage, or falling in love in zero gravity, these books will have you hooked all year long.
New year, same story addiction—and honestly, isn’t that the point?
If your 2025 goals include reading books that everyone will be talking about (or just avoiding existential dread by escaping into another world), you’re in for a treat. We’ve rounded up ten must-reads that will keep your reading list fresh and your bookshelf teetering until December.
From dragon-fueled chaos to family secrets that refuse to stay buried and a romantic space race that’ll break your heart in the best way, this list has a little something for everyone. Whether you’re a fantasy fanatic, a rom-com devotee, or a sucker for literary fiction that wrecks you, these picks promise an unforgettable reading year.
So, clear some shelf space, prep your preorders, and get ready to make 2025 your best reading year yet—one epic story at a time.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
When Dragons, Danger, and Drama Collide—Brace Yourself for the Storm
Rebecca Yarros is back at it with Onyx Storm, the third Empyrean book that’s bound to leave your heart in a chokehold. Violet Sorrengail’s epic fantasy journey just got way messier—and somehow, that’s exactly what we signed up for. With a reputation for gut-punch plot twists and characters that worm their way into your soul, Yarros has all of us counting down the days until our TBR is officially destroyed.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Haymitch Abernathy’s Origin Story: Because Trauma and Whiskey Deserve Context
Suzanne Collins heard the cries for more Panem backstory and delivered with Sunrise on the Reaping. This prequel promises to dig into the gritty details of Haymitch’s life—before he became the arena’s most reluctant mentor. Expect emotional damage wrapped in dystopian brilliance. Whether you’re a Capitol sympathizer or strictly Team District 12, this one’s set to blow the roof off the arena.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Love Among the Space Shuttles—Prepare for Liftoff
Taylor Jenkins Reid is about to send us on an emotional spacewalk with Atmosphere. Set in the 1980s during NASA’s glory days, this story of love and ambition is dressed in retro vibes and existential dilemmas. If you thought falling for fictional band members was tough, wait until you meet her astronaut crew. TJR knows how to make your heart orbit her characters—and this time, there’s zero gravity to catch you.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Another Rom-Com Winner from the Queen of “OMG, Same” Moments
Emily Henry has done it again. Great Big Beautiful Life is what happens when charm, chaos, and the complexity of adulting crash into one unputdownable love story. Henry’s wit is sharper than ever, her warmth cozily familiar, and her characters? Deliciously messy in all the right ways. If you need a book that feels like sunshine but occasionally slaps you in the face—this is the one.
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chasing Dreams and Wrestling Reality—Adichie’s Latest Will Stay with You
Adichie is back to remind us why she’s literary royalty with Dream Count. This novel promises a soulful meditation on dreams, ambition, and the price of wanting more. Expect powerful storytelling, cultural nuance, and prose that reads like poetry. Bring tissues, bring existential questions—this one will hit where it hurts (but in a good way).
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
Vuong’s Follow-Up Will Leave You Absolutely Wrecked—in the Best Way
If you thought Ocean Vuong’s first novel was an emotional masterclass, buckle up for The Emperor of Gladness. Vuong’s gift for blending poetry and prose creates a story that’ll make you feel everything, everywhere, all at once. His exploration of love, loss, and joy will undoubtedly leave readers shattered, pieced back together, and sobbing at 2 a.m.
Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
A Multigenerational Epic for Anyone Who’s Ever Wondered Where They Belong
Homeseeking is Karissa Chen’s sweeping journey through six decades of Chinese history, identity, and displacement. Chen’s talent for weaving together intimate character moments with grand historical narratives means this book will make you feel like you’re living multiple lives at once. Spoiler alert: your own family history may suddenly seem like it’s begging for a novelization.
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
Family Secrets, Cultural Roots, and Enough Drama to Fill a Family Reunion
Charmaine Wilkerson knows how to serve up a multigenerational saga, and Good Dirt digs deep into the ties that bind—and sometimes strangle—us. From buried histories to emotional reckonings, this is the kind of story where every page feels like an unearthing. If you’re into family epics that crack your heart open, grab a shovel and start reading.
We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
Jojo Moyes Proves (Again) That Found Family Will Ruin You
We All Live Here is Moyes at her finest—writing about imperfect people stumbling toward connection. Whether it’s hilariously awkward moments or heart-tugging realizations, Moyes captures all the highs and lows of family in its many forms. If you’re ready to laugh, cry, and contemplate the meaning of “home,” this one will hit you right where it counts.
The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight
Friendship, Motherhood, and…Octopuses? Yes, and It’s Amazing
Emma Knight’s debut novel is here to prove that octopuses have more wisdom than we deserve. The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus isn’t just about cephalopods—it’s about life, love, mystery, and the sheer ridiculousness of trying to figure it all out. Knight’s fresh, witty voice will reel you in, tentacle by tentacle, until you’re fully invested in this smart, quirky, emotional tale.
Final Chapter: Your 2025 Reading Adventure Awaits
So, there you have it—10 stories guaranteed to make your 2025 reading list feel like a literary adventure of epic proportions.
Some of these books will shatter your heart (looking at you, Ocean Vuong), some will make you laugh out loud (thanks, Emily Henry), and some might even inspire you to write your own story (cue existential crisis courtesy of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie).
One thing’s for sure: 2025 is shaping up to be the year your TBR becomes both your greatest joy and your most beautiful burden.
So grab your favorite reading nook, stock up on snacks, and let these stories carry you through the highs and lows of the year—one page at a time. Happy reading!
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