Your Essential Reading List: The Best Books to Read This Year

Introduction

As the pages of 2025 continue to turn, the literary world is brimming with incredible stories and profound insights waiting to be discovered. Whether you're a fan of heart-pounding suspense, thought-provoking non-fiction, or captivating fantasy, this year promises a treasure trove of reads that will transport you to new worlds, challenge your perspectives, and ignite your imagination. Get ready to update your "To Be Read" list, because we've curated a selection of the best books that are making waves and are simply unmissable.

The Unmissable Reads of 2025

1. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (Fantasy)

Fans of the Empyrean series have been eagerly awaiting this third installment, and it doesn't disappoint. Rebecca Yarros dives deeper into Violet Sorrengail's journey at Basgiath War College, where the stakes are higher than ever. With enemies both within and outside their walls, Violet must journey beyond familiar territories to find allies, putting her wit, luck, and strength to the ultimate test. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves epic fantasy with dragons, intricate plots, and powerful characters. It's a tale of survival, loyalty, and uncovering the truth when a storm is brewing.

2. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Young Adult/Dystopian)

Suzanne Collins makes a highly anticipated return to the world of Panem with this prequel to The Hunger Games. Set during the 50th annual Hunger Games (the Second Quarter Quell), this novel delves into Haymitch Abernathy's tumultuous experience as a tribute from District 12. As twice as many tributes are reaped, Haymitch is torn from his life and the girl he loves. The story explores his fight for survival and how his actions resonate far beyond the deadly arena, offering a compelling look at the origins of a beloved character.

3. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (Romance/Contemporary Fiction)

Emily Henry, known for her witty and emotionally resonant novels, delivers another gem with Great Big Beautiful Life. This dazzling and sweeping new novel follows two writers, Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson, who compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a reclusive octogenarian, Margaret Ives. Set on the balmy Little Crescent Island, the book explores themes of love, longing, and desire, all while a mystery unfolds. It's a delightful blend of romance, humor, and depth that will keep you turning pages.

4. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (Literary Fiction)

Ocean Vuong, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, returns with a bighearted novel that explores chosen family, unexpected friendship, and the narratives we construct to survive. The Emperor of Gladness follows the cycles of history, memory, and time, revealing how love, labor, and loneliness are fundamental to American life. At its core, it's a brave and epic tale about existing on the fringes of society and confronting the wounds that haunt our collective soul. This is a profound and beautifully written work that promises to linger long after you've finished reading.

5. Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green (Non-Fiction)

For those seeking an insightful non-fiction read, John Green's Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection offers a fascinating exploration. Green delves into the millennia-long entanglement of tuberculosis with humanity. Once romanticized as a poet's malady, this book sheds light on its historical and persistent impact, providing a comprehensive and engaging look at a disease that has profoundly shaped human history.

Final Thoughts/Conclusion

The year 2025 is shaping up to be an extraordinary year for readers, with a diverse array of captivating titles across genres. From the high-stakes fantasy of Rebecca Yarros to the poignant reflections of Ocean Vuong, and the highly anticipated return to Panem by Suzanne Collins, there's something for every literary taste. Dive into these exceptional books and let them enrich your year with unforgettable stories and fresh perspectives. Happy reading!