2025 is a great year to discover new books. Whether you love fiction or non-fiction, I’ve listed the best books you can’t afford to miss.

Each book has been chosen for a reason. Some will inspire you. Others will challenge your thinking. A few will simply entertain you.

You’ll find fresh releases and timeless classics that will help you grow and let you escape into new worlds.

Make your reading list unforgettable this year. Here are the 25 best books you must read in 2025!

Best Fictions Books You Must Read

1. The Emperor of Gladness

Author: Ocean Vuong

The Emperor of Gladness is a powerful story about love, grief, and the immigrant experience. Although the novel feels personal, it speaks to universal truths.

You’ll find themes of trauma and healing throughout. Vuong shows how love can transform and endure.

This book will stay with you long after you finish it.

2. The Time of Our Singing

Author: Richard Powers

This novel tells the story of a biracial family navigating race and identity in America. It spans generations, weaving their struggles with the broader civil rights movement. Music plays a central role in this novel.

You’ll see how music becomes a universal language of transformation. The story offers a thoughtful look at America’s historical challenges.

This is a profound and emotionally rich book. It blends history, music, and human connection in a unique way.

3. A Gentleman in Moscow

Author: Amor Towles

Set in post-revolutionary Russia, this novel tells the story of Count Alexander Rostov. Sentenced to house arrest in the grand Metropol Hotel, he must adjust to a life within its walls.

Over the years, he discovers meaning and joy in small moments and relationships. The story highlights the beauty of simple pleasures and celebrates human connection.

A Gentleman in Moscow is a beautifully written novel. It shows how even life’s limitations can uncover its deepest richness.

4. Stag Dance

Author: Torrey Peters

Stag Dance is a bold exploration of gender identity. The novel weaves together the lives of its characters, capturing the essence of modern urban life.

Peters dives into the complexity of identity with emotional richness.

This book give your a thought-provoking and emotional journey.

5. A Little Life

Author: Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life follows four friends—Jude, Willem, Malcolm, and JB. They navigate life in New York City. The main character of the story is Jude, a brilliant man with a painful past. His struggles form the heart of the story.

The book shows how the human spirit can endure immense pain. Relationships are both healing and challenging. Mental health is also portrayed honestly.

This book leaves a lasting impression because it’s a raw look at vulnerability and endurance.

6. The God of Small Things

Author: Arundhati Roy

The God of Small Things is a Booker Prize-winning novel.

The story takes place in Kerala, India. It follows fraternal twins, Estha and Rahel. They struggle with love and strict societal rules.

The book explores forbidden love and societal constraints. It shows how caste, tradition, and family affect individual lives.

This novel is a powerful meditation on love and childhood trauma. It challenges the societal norms. It’s a must-read for its beauty and depth.

7. Stories of Your Life and Others

Author: Ted Chiang

Stories of Your Life and Others is a collection of science fiction short stories. Ted Chiang blends philosophy with storytelling. The title story, “Story of Your Life,” inspired the film Arrival.

The book challenges your views on reality and time. The stories show how technology and knowledge shape our choices.

If you enjoy speculative fiction, this book is for you.

8. Our Evenings

Author: Alan Hollinghurst

Our Evenings follows Dave Win, a gay biracial actor. It traces his life from the 1960s in England to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It shows a man’s search for self-acceptance in a world dealing with race, sexuality, and class. The book critiques England’s sociopolitical climate, from Brexit to the pandemic’s impact on identity.

Hollinghurst’s writing is profound. The characters feel real, and their stories will make you think.

9. Sea of Tranquility

Author: Emily St. John Mandel

Sea of Tranquility follows characters across timelines, from 1912 Vancouver Island to a moon colony in the 2400s. A mysterious anomaly ties their stories together in unexpected ways.

The book blends historical fiction with speculative science fiction. It examines time travel, existential questions, and how pandemics affect human resilience.

If you loved Station Eleven, you’ll enjoy this novel.

Best Non-Fiction Books You Must Read

10. The Art of Laziness

Author: Library Mindset

The Art of Laziness challenges the typical view on productivity. It focuses on the power of mindfulness.

It teaches you how to prioritize tasks and focus on what truly matters. You’ll learn how to balance work and relaxation without feeling guilty.

This book offers a refreshing change. It’s humorous, insightful, and shows you how to achieve more by stressing less.

11. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Author: Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

Ikigai explores the Japanese concept of “reason for being.” The book mixes philosophy, psychology, and practical advice to show how finding joy in daily life leads to fulfillment.

It includes lessons from Okinawa, home to the world’s longest-living people. The book shares insights on diet, movement, and community as keys to a long, happy life.

If you’re looking for a purpose, read this book.

12. The Last Lecture

Author: Randy Pausch

In The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch shares his life lessons after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. He focuses on living, not dying.

The book captures his dreams, advice, and how to lead a meaningful life. Pausch also gives practical advice on facing challenges with positivity.

This book is a reminder of what truly matters. Pausch’s optimism and humor will inspire you.

13. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down

Author: Haemin Sunim

In The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, Haemin Sunim offers wisdom on emotional well-being. He draws from Zen Buddhist teachings to encourage you to pause and reflect.

You’ll learn the importance of slowing down to connect with yourself. It also offers practical tips on balancing work, relationships, and self-care.

Read this book if you’re feeling overwhelmed. It provides thoughtful reflections and actionable advice to find calm.

14. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

Author: Isabel Wilkerson

In Caste, Isabel Wilkerson explores hidden caste systems in America, India, and Nazi Germany. She combines personal stories and history to reveal systemic injustices.

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of inequality and where it comes from. The book shows how caste systems are similar across the world.

This book talks about systemic inequality and challenges you to confront injustices.

15. The Top Five Regrets of the Dying

Author: Bronnie Ware

In The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, Bronnie Ware shares the most common regrets her palliative care patients expressed.

Top Five Regrets from the Book

• Regret #1: Not living true to yourself, instead living for others’ expectations.
• Regret #2: Working too hard and missing time with loved ones.
• Regret #3: Not expressing your feelings.
• Regret #4: Losing touch with friends.
• Regret #5: Not allowing yourself to be happier.

This book inspires you to cherish relationships, follow your heart, and live authentically.

16. The Psychology of Money

Author: Morgan Housel

In The Psychology of Money, Morgan Housel shows how your emotions and behavior affect your financial decisions.

You’ll discover that wealth is more about behavior than income or investment strategies. Housel stresses the importance of consistency and long-term thinking.

This book is a great read if you want to improve your mindset about money. It’s easy to understand and relatable for anyone at any stage of their financial journey.

17. The Laws of Human Nature

Author: Robert Greene

In The Laws of Human Nature, Robert Greene dives into why people behave the way they do.

You’ll learn how to decode the motivations and emotions of those around you. Greene offers strategies to manage relationships. You’ll also find lessons from historical figures and events that apply to modern challenges.

This book helps you master social dynamics and improve personal growth.

18. The Courage to Be Disliked

Authors: Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

The Courage to Be Disliked challenges you to break free from societal expectations. It presents a dialogue between a philosopher and a young man. Through this conversation, you’ll learn about living authentically.

You’ll learn that true happiness comes from self-acceptance, not seeking approval.

If you want to overcome fears, insecurities, and societal pressures, this book is for you.

19. Thinking, Fast and Slow

Author: Daniel Kahneman

This book dives into the two systems of thinking:

• System 1 (fast, intuitive, emotional)
• System 2 (slow, deliberate, logical)

You’ll understand how both systems impact your decisions. The book also offers practical strategies to improve your thinking.

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to make better decisions and understand how the mind works.

20. Good Vibes, Good Life

Author: Vex King

In Good Vibes, Good Life, Vex King shares how he overcame adversity to find happiness. He offers practical advice on cultivating positivity, self-love, and inner peace.

You’ll discover the power of positive thinking and how it shapes your life. He provides techniques to raise your vibration and manifest your goals.

If you’re seeking personal growth and a fulfilling life, this book is for you.

21. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup

Author: John Carreyrou

This book tells the shocking story of Theranos, a company once valued at $9 billion. Elizabeth Holmes promised to revolutionize healthcare with blood-testing technology, but it was all a fraud.

The author, John Carreyrou, exposes the dangerous side of unchecked ambition and corporate lies.

This book warns about the “fake it till you make it” mentality in Silicon Valley. It’s a real-life thriller that shows the consequences of greed and dishonesty.

22. A Brief History of Time

Author: Stephen Hawking

This book takes you on an exploration of the universe. Stephen Hawking explains complex scientific ideas, like the Big Bang, black holes, relativity, and quantum mechanics, in simple terms.

You’ll learn about the origins of the cosmos, its evolution, and its ultimate fate.

If you’re curious about space, time, and the universe, you must read this book.

23. A Room of One’s Own

Author: Virginia Woolf

This essay explores the challenges women face in society. Virginia Woolf argues that to create great works of art, women need financial independence and personal space.

You’ll learn why creative freedom requires financial independence.

This feminist classic is still highly relevant today. Woolf’s eloquent arguments push you to reflect on gender, privilege, and creativity.

24. Freedom from the Known

Author: Jiddu Krishnamurti

This book encourages you to question your beliefs. Krishnamurti shows how societal norms hold you back.

You’ll learn how to break free from psychological barriers. Fear, attachment, and conformity stop personal growth. Self-awareness and mindfulness help you live fully in the present moment.

This book is for anyone seeking personal transformation.

25. Tuesdays with Morrie

Author: Mitch Albom

In this memoir, you’ll follow Mitch Albom’s lessons from his former professor, Morrie Schwartz. Every Tuesday, they meet. Morrie shares wisdom on life, love, work, and mortality.

Morrie shows the value of vulnerability and meaningful relationships. He teaches how to accept mortality and live fully in the present.

This is a deeply thought-provoking book that offers wisdom on navigating life’s challenges.