Looking for the year’s standout reads? You’re in the right place! Amazon’s editors have curated a list of the most captivating, insightful, and unforgettable books that defined 2025. From breathtaking fiction to groundbreaking nonfiction, these handpicked titles showcase the stories, voices, and ideas that made this year truly remarkable.
Whether you’re seeking thought-provoking narratives, heartwarming tales, or books that spark curiosity, this collection is your ultimate guide to 2025’s literary achievements. Perfect for gift ideas or building your own bookshelf, these top picks are stories you won’t want to miss. Dive in and explore the best books of the year!
Buckeye: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel
by Patrick Ryan
Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fiction, Buckeye is a poignant story of love, identity, and resilience set in the heartland of America. Patrick Ryan captivates readers with his heartfelt prose and deeply relatable characters. A thought-provoking Read with Jenna selection, this is a novel that touches the soul and stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
The Correspondent: A Novel
by Virginia Evans
Virginia Evans delivers an unforgettable tale of ambition, love, and sacrifice in The Correspondent. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this historical fiction follows a fearless journalist navigating war-torn Europe while uncovering both professional and personal truths. A gripping story of courage and resilience, this novel captures the struggles and triumphs of a woman finding her voice in a time of chaos.
The Boys in the Light: An Extraordinary World War II Story of Survival, Faith, and Brotherhood
by Nina Willner
Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best History and Biography, Nina Willner brings to life a powerful and emotional true story of courage, brotherhood, and solidarity. Set during World War II, this tale of survival is both a gripping account of faith in the face of adversity and a tribute to the strength of human connection. A must-read for lovers of history and inspiring true stories.
The Emperor of Gladness: Oprah’s Book Club: A Novel
by Ocean Vuong
Acclaimed author Ocean Vuong returns with The Emperor of Gladness, a poetic and emotional exploration of grief, joy, and human connection. An Oprah’s Book Club pick, this richly layered novel delves into generational relationships with heartbreaking honesty and Vuong’s signature lyrical prose. Intimate yet far-reaching, this is a powerful meditation on the beauty and fragility of life.
Wild Dark Shore: Reese’s Book Club Pick (A Novel)
by Charlotte McConaghy
Set on a rugged, windswept coastline, Wild Dark Shore follows a woman reckoning with the secrets of her past while navigating a mysterious world of loss and love. Charlotte McConaghy weaves an atmospheric tale with stunning prose and unrelenting tension in this Reese’s Book Club pick. This emotional and thrilling journey will leave readers captivated from beginning to end.
The Intruder: An Unputdownable Psychological Thriller from the Author of The Housemaid Books
by Freida McFadden
Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Thriller, The Intruder by Freida McFadden is a gripping psychological masterpiece that will leave you breathless. With plot twists so unexpected, this page-turner cements McFadden as the queen of suspense-filled thrillers. Fans of The Housemaid will find this an unforgettable thrill ride.
Awake: A Memoir
by Jen Hatmaker
In Awake, bestselling author Jen Hatmaker offers a raw, honest reflection on life’s most challenging moments. Through laughter, heartbreak, and powerful storytelling, Hatmaker chronicles her deeply personal journey of rediscovering purpose, self-acceptance, and faith. Equal parts vulnerable and hopeful, Awake is an inspiring memoir perfect for readers seeking courage and transformation.
Paper Girl: A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America
by Beth Macy
Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Nonfiction, Beth Macy’s Paper Girl is a deeply moving memoir about family, class, and resilience. Amid a fractured America, Macy’s storytelling shines as both personal and universal, delivering a heartfelt narrative of hope and perseverance against the odds. This is one memoir you’ll want to recommend to everyone.
Atmosphere: A GMA Book Club Pick: A Love Story
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance, Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a heart-stirring tale full of passion, heartbreak, and redemption. Reid’s intricate character work and evocative storytelling make this GMA Book Club Pick a standout love story for the ages, solidifying her place as a master of contemporary romance.
Broken Country (Reese’s Book Club)
by Clare Leslie Hall
Broken Country secured the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Debut Novel, marking Clare Leslie Hall as an incredible new talent. A Reese’s Book Club pick, this debut explores complex themes of identity, home, and reconciliation in a landscape marked by loss and healing. Written with breathtaking prose, Hall’s powerful storytelling captures the beauty and brutality of rebuilding after devastation.
Katabasis: A Novel
by R. F. Kuang
Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy, R.F. Kuang’s Katabasis is a breathtaking fantasy epic exploring themes of sacrifice, power, and redemption. Fusing mythology with Kuang’s trademark moral complexity, this novel weaves a spellbinding narrative that captivates from start to finish. Fans of bold, innovative fantasy won’t want to miss this masterpiece.
Cursed Daughters: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel
by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Oyinkan Braithwaite delivers a sharp, witty take on family dynamics and cultural traditions in Cursed Daughters. A Read with Jenna pick, the novel masterfully balances dark humor with heartfelt moments while exploring the intertwined lives of three sisters struggling against the weight of destiny. Braithwaite’s bold storytelling shines in this captivating tale about love, loyalty, and breaking free.
Final Thoughts
The books featured here represent some of the finest storytelling, most impactful memoirs, and most gripping tales of 2025. Whether you’re reveling in a Goodreads Choice Award winner or diving into a book club pick, each title offers a unique experience, from heart-stopping thrillers to deeply personal memoirs and sweeping historical sagas. These books are a testament to the power of literature in helping us connect, escape, and reflect.
No matter your reading passion—be it fiction, nonfiction, history, or fantasy—this list has something for everyone. So, add a few of these gems to your shelf, and let the stories of 2025 inspire, move, and stay with you long after you’ve closed the book. Happy reading!