25 books to read in 2025

A bit of a different blog post today!

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a bit of a bookworm. I always have a book (or two) on the go and although I’m quite a slow reader it’s something I really like to prioritise in my life.

If you’re anything like me — or if you want to read a bit more this year — here’s 25 books you should consider reading in 2025.

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The Women by Kristin Hannah

First and foremost, please read The Women by Kristin Hannah. This woman knows how to make me BAWL with every book she writes (ok I’ve only read three so far but this was by far the best) — it’s a beautiful story about the women who were involved in the Vietnam War and the difficult return to American society. Make sure to check out The Nightingale too, a tale about two sisters who live in rural France during the German occupation and try to help fallen airmen cross the Pyrenees to safety.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Another author I discovered in 2024 and absolutely loved. Emily Henry’s novels are the perfect cosy holiday read. Book Lovers tells the story of two rivals within the publishing industry who fall in love (obvs). Happy Place was another great read about two exes who haven’t told their friends they’ve separated and end up on a group trip together. It’s tense and funny and sexy and would make for another fab pool-side read.

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

I can practically hear my sister screaming with joy that I’ve included this one. I actually only rated it four-star on Goodreads in 2024 but in retrospect this was a great read. Science fiction is very much out of my comfort zone (hence the non-five-star review) but if anyone fancies dipping their toe into this genre then this one will keep you hooked — I gobbled it up in about three days and will be sampling more of Mandel’s work in the future.

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

Now, I don’t think Matt Haig is the best writer (objectively, his grammar is a bit pants at times) but he has such a way of dealing with difficult subjects and somehow hitting you right in the feels. My heart ached reading this. It was very ‘Time Travller’s Wife’ crossed with ‘About Time’ crossed with ‘The Age of Adaline’ and ticked all my history/romance/fantasy boxes.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Another one which has to be on this list is another by Matt Haig. I know, I kind of dissed his writing a bit before, but The Midnight Library is hands down one of the best books I’ve ever read. Like, top 3 I would say. It tells the story of Nora, who has given up on life and wonders what the world would’ve been like had she a) not existed or b) made very different decisions in her life. It’s beautiful and might make you cry. TW: suicide.

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Reaaaally sorry I’ll stop suggesting books that will make you cry in a minute. Promise. One True Loves is about a woman whose life comes to a halt when her husband of one week tragically dies in a car accident. She reminisces on the beginnings of their relationship whilst battling with her rather nasty mother in law who she had never met before. Typing this out it sounds proper trashy but I wholeheartedly recommend Taylor Jenkins Reid books for easy, romantic, light reading (with a side of tears).

Pachinko by Mi Jin Lee

Pachinko was a novel unlike any other I’d ever read and has since inspired me to read more novels about other cultures and historical events that I’m unfamiliar with. It tells the life story of Sunja, a poor Korean fisherman’s daughter who falls in love with a wealthy married Yakuza and moves to Japan to raise her children, facing extreme hardships during the Japanese occupation and oppression of Korea. It’s a story of moral crises, survival, shame and love. I highly recommend trying Pachinko for a moving and thought provoking read.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

If you’ve not already read this phenomenal take on the story of Achilles and Patroclus, what are you doing!!! History and mythology meets love and war in this gorgeous tale of Greece’s iconic hero. It’s an easy read and one paired excellently with the 2004 movie Troy starring Brad Pitt.

The Castaways by Lucy Clarke

This is always one of my go-to book recommendations no matter what genre you’re usually into. It’s technically a thriller but it’s about a plane crash on a desert island (adventure), it’s got a woman searching for her sister who was on said plane (emotional drive), it’s got some incredible twists and turns (mystery) and all in all it’s a great, fast-paced read. Lucy Clarke has an excellent collection of similar novels, all inspired by her travels around the world. The Hike is her latest novel, set in Norway, and she’s releasing her next novel, set in Morocco, in February this year!

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows

Now I haven’t read this one (yet) but I watched the TV series which came out in summer 2024 and it was brilliant. It’s an alternative take on the life of Jane Grey, the ‘nine days queen’ who succeeded her cousin Edward VI for nine days until she was captured and beheaded by her other cousin Mary I (appropriately nicknamed Bloody Mary). This novel (and the TV adaptation) imagines what would’ve happened if Jane was not killed and had indeed taken the throne. The authors have a trilogy and this is the first; the others are My Plain Jane, about Jane Eyre, and My Calamity Jane, about the gun-slinging outlaw of the same name.

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

Another I haven’t yet read but has been on my list for quite a while. A few of my friends have read Shantaram recently and raved about it — all 936 pages of it. This behemoth of a book tells the story of an escaped Australian convict who starts a new life in India. It’s the sort of novel which would be enjoyed by anyone who is interested in adventure, philosophy, complex characters and intricate storytelling.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Romance. Adventure. Fantasy. My three favourite genres. Claire Randall travels back in time from 1945 to 1743, at a time when Scotland is facing the Jacobite uprising. I fell in love with the TV show (and Jamie Fraser) years ago and have since read more than half of the book series — they’re each on average 800-1,000 pages long so it’s taking me some time! The whole series covers the Battle of Culloden, the French courts of Louis XV, the discovery of the ‘New World’ and build up to the American Revolutionary War. If you like a chunky book and getting lost in some sexy fantasy, Outlander is the one for you.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

This will always be on my recommendations list. I love Pride and Prejudice and always will. I’ve had some interesting and perhaps controversial conversations with people about reading classical novels. They are dated, but it’s one reason why I enjoy them every now and then. I’m a bit of a history nerd, so going back in time and seeing what was contemporary back then and reading about the ‘scandalous’ themes of the period is really interesting. Pride and Prejudice is often considered a great entry point into classical literature as it’s easy to read, most people already know the story (or at least roughly know what’s going on) and it’s quite relatable compared to other classic novels of the time.

The Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall

For those who prefer non-fiction, this book explores politics, geography and international relations. Learning why the world and society is the way it is because of land borders, terrain, access to shipping ports and more makes this a fascninating read and it deserves its many accolades. Non-fiction isn’t usually my cup of tea and I’ve found it to be a slow read — one I dip into for a chapter every now and then — but it’s incredibly engaging and insightful.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Atomic Habits is a practical guide on how to form good habits, break bad ones, and make small consistent changes that lead to remarkable results. Again, I don’t usually steer towards non-fiction but I found Clear to be a great author — not biased, not egotistical (the way most ‘self-help’ writers are), backed with science and tried and tested formulas, and also a great storyteller. Worth a read for a bit of motivation and learning.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

You may have seen the movie but why not read the book? Wild is a true story about Cheryl Strayed’s poignant journey from abuse, addiction and grief to gratitude, adventure and self-discovery as she hikes over 1,000 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail. It’s a great read for all the adventure lovers out there.

Into Thin Air by John Krakauer

Another book perfectly suited to adventurists, Into Thin Air is a personal account of the 1996 Everest disaster. Having always loved mountaineering, climbing, hiking and simply getting outside, the concept of scaling a mountain like Everest has fascinated — but never tempted — me. This heartbreaking and thought-provoking true story is a great reminder of why we should respect nature and the lives of everyone around us.

Sister by Rosamund Lupton

One of my first reads of 2025 and wow, I was hooked! A woman searching for her younger sister accidentally becomes the lead investigator in her case. It’s emotional, with lots of twists and turns — one for any thriller/crime fan!

The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper

Another book I’ve already read so far this year is The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper. This novel, set in AD 74 in Pompeii (yep, five years before the eruption of Vesuvius!), is a fascinating insight into the lives of slaves during the Roman era. It follows Amara, the daughter of a Greek doctor who was sold into slavery and now lives in squalor at a brothel with her fellow slaves. It’s heartbreaking and hopeful and Harper doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the time. As a lover of all eras of historical fiction, this is a novel I highly recommend you try reading this year.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

I HAD to put a bit of SJM on this list because even if you don’t think you’re a fantasy reader, you should give this a go! TikTok (apparently) made this famous and it’s easy to devour this entire series but you just can’t relate to the pain I felt having to wait a YEAR between each novel when these first came out. The 8-book series follows an assassin who rises from slavery to reclaim her destiny amid deadly battles, ancient magic, betrayal and tyranny. 2012 me would be thrilled to know that reading Throne of Glass doesn’t make you a nerd in 2025.

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

If Sarah J Maas’ series are a little too smutty for you (seriously the smut is next level) then dip your toe into fantasy world building with the Poison Study series by Maria V. Snyder. It starts with an original trilogy a young woman sentenced to becoming a food taster for the Commander of Ixia, learning to detect poisons. Political intrigue, magic and romance are the themes for this ‘soft fantasy’ series.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I could honestly add every book by TJR to this list but I started with Evelyn Hugo and it was such a brilliant entry into her world of glamour, scandal and intrigue in 20th century Hollywood. The writing is spectacular and the characters and world building so immersive, making it the perfect beach read this summer!

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

My book club seems to be going crazy for Freida McFadden at the moment but I’m yet to read any of her novels! The Housemaid seems as good a place as any to start. It’s a psychological thriller about a young woman hired to work for a wealthy, enigmatic family. As she uncovers dark secrets in their seemingly perfect home, her own past threatens to resurface. Twists, lies, and shocking revelations make this an unmissable thriller you should read in 2025.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

One of the best books I’ve ever read is A Thousand Splendid Suns. It’s a poignant tale of two Afghan women whose lives intertwine through shared hardship and resilience under oppressive circumstances. Set against Afghanistan’s tumultuous history, their unlikely friendship becomes a powerful force of love, sacrifice, and survival in a world of suffering. Add this to your list of books you have to read before you die.

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

Another about turn as we delve into a cosy romance for my final recommendation for what to read in 2025. Not necessarily a work of literary excellence, but a bit of a steamy page turner which takes ‘small town romance’ to another level. There are a few in this series and I enjoyed reading them over the Christmas break for an easy, light hearted read. Save it for autumn when you can grab a pumpkin spice latte, light some candles and cosy up on a rainy Sunday.

What would you add to the list?

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