The Best Books I Read in 2025
I read over 100 books in 2025. Here are some that stood out to me. Leave a comment if you've read any of them, or if you have any recommendations of your own.
The BEST Book I Read in 2025
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami is one of those books that will stick with you long after you read it because you will find yourself relating to its main character’s frustrating and unfair circumstances long after you set it down. Yet some readers will certainly be able to relate to Sara and her plight inside Madison more vividly than others, especially DREAMers (undocumented, or first-generation immigrants) living inside the United States.
Readers will find themselves horrified and frustrated by the arbitrariness of Sara’s retention and treatment and how she and her fellow inmates (or retainees, a play on ‘detainees’) are treated as nothing more than free labor, a number with a score that can be manipulated and exploited by the owners and operators of Madison. And Madison— an old school that is repurposed to retain women who have ‘high risk scores’ that arbitrarily indicate their likelihood to commit acts of future violence for which there is no real-world tangible evidence and is only determined by technologies that are intended to parse and sell the data of their dreams, often without their knowledge— is run by a company called Safe-X, which has agreements and contracts with other companies that it must keep in order to keep making money.
I know a lot of readers are talking about the technology that collects and analyzes dreams, then incarcerates people based on those dreams in this novel, which is akin to narratives like those found in Minority Report. And such narratives are scary because they reveal what can happen, and what it feels like, when habeas corpus and how people should be presented with real reasons for their detainment, is thrown out the window. But I could not disassociate Sara’s situation from how immigrants and foreign-born US Citizens are being treated every single day in the United States by ICE and for-profit detention facilities. Yes, it is horrific that technology can potentially be wielded in such a way by the powerful and connected—reading our dreams and making false judgements about us based on them. Yet it’s even more horrifying how immigrants and DREAMers are being treated inside the US right now, and that so many people think it’s okay, or are blissfully unaware of their treatment.
I am grateful Lalami wrote a novel that forces its readers to really understand what such a situation (being a DREAMer) would be like, and how it would actually feel to be unlawfully and arbitrarily detained.
In this novel, you will be immersed in a situation in which Sara is never presented with facts regarding her detainment, or appropriate and reliable legal representation. A situation in which she does not have a criminal history, though one is oddly contorted into being after those assessing her and monitoring her don’t like her or what she says—people who have a vested interest in making the detention facility in which she is being held more money, as it corresponds to their own livelihoods… Read my full review of The Dream Hotel here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
The Best Fiction I Read in 2025
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang is a modern masterpiece … a novel that will stay with me forever. Overall, I would recommend this book to lit fic nerds, those who love satire, and those who work within the publishing industry, as they will likely get the most out of it. For all other readers: this novel is still very much worth the read, and wildly entertaining, though June may drive you completely bananas. Read my full review of Yellowface here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino is one of the most beautifully unique and authentic novels I have ever read. And it is a lot more profound than I was expecting it to be, as it juts up against the limitations of human language and experience while simultaneously celebrating and mapping out both. Read my full review of Beautyland here.
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor is so much more than a science fiction novel, as it beautifully illustrates the fundamental element of humanity: storytelling. This novel will take you on an emotional and intellectual journey you have likely never been on before, while remaining very engaging—it’s a page-turner that will have you thinking about life, death, and everything in between, before, and after. Read my full review of Death of the Author here.
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
I’ve read other novels by Erdrich, and I liked them all, so I did expect to like The Sentence . But this one is now my favorite novel by her, hands down. It offers an emotional rollercoaster so realistic that it just might have you believing in spirits and ghosts and love and redemption when you’re done reading it, as well as the spiritual and healing powers of stories and written words, which we’re constantly reminded are forces to be reckoned with both literally and figuratively throughout the novel. Read my full review of The Sentence here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is the first novel to make me cry in a long time. And I believe it will be one of those timeless dramatic love stories that will continue to resonate for a while. Think Where the Crawdads Sing meets The Notebook. Though it is still in a class all its own. There are no other books out there like it, that I have come across at least. Read my full review of Broken Country here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris
Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris is one of those books you can tell is deeply personal when you read it. It doesn’t shy away from the emotional rollercoaster of war and reminds you why we create art and tell stories, especially in the most desperate of times— because art, in all its forms, brings us together and reminds us that we are still alive and must keep living. Read my full review of Black Butterflies here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
While The Favorites by Layne Fargo is a tribute to strong and determined women everywhere who are constantly told they are ‘too much’ or ‘crazy’ or ‘a complete bitch’, it is also a tribute to those who feel they have all odds stacked against them as they navigate traditionally established institutions that value perception and artificial poise above authenticity and raw grit in the midst of obvious prejudice and corruption. Above all else, this is a novel about sheer grit and what it truly means to ‘win.’ Read my full review of The Favorites here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
My Friends by Fredrik Backman is one of those books that will make you laugh, cry, and think deeply about the human condition and the world, all at once. So, of course, I adored it. Backman has a knack for writing characters into existence who are so authentically beautiful and vulnerable that it becomes nearly impossible to believe they aren’t real. Each character in this novel will tug at your heart strings and make you laugh out loud as their individual stories unfold and overlap. Read my full review of My Friends here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
Mỹ Documents by Kevin Nguyen
Mỹ Documents by Kevin Nguyen is a book that has rich, complex characters who bring the nature of unconstitutional detention to life in a profoundly meaningful way. It also excels at resisting the many narratives out there full of outdated one-sided tropes regarding the oppressor-oppressed relationship by giving real multi-faceted voices to those characters in the novel who are directly and indirectly affected by unconstitutional detention. This novel’s power lies in its nuance and humor and candor. Read my full review of Mỹ Documents here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff
Overall, I would recommend The Bright Years to those readers who enjoy books with beautiful prose and who easily get lost in deeply emotional stories with complex characters— as long as they are prepared to face the deeply personal questions it evokes. Read my full review of The Bright Years here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is one of the best epistolary novels I have ever read. And its audio version is just as good if not better than its print version due to its diverse cast of characters. Readers who enjoy character-driven novels with a bit of mystery lurking in the background will want to pick this one up, along with a pack of tissues. Read my full review of The Correspondent here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood is a great summer read that had the right amount of emotional depth and character-development without ever getting too heavy or intense. I would recommend picking it up if you enjoy unique scenic vacation settings, witty banter, slow-burn age-gap romances, or if you simply need a pleasant distraction from the current world for a few hours. Read my full review of Problematic Summer Romance here.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a book that will have you contemplating the significance of the stars and their arrangement in the night sky, as well as the significance of love in everyday life. Yes, it is primarily a love story, but it is also a story that will have you contemplating how and why we exist, along with your own sense of purpose and spirituality. And it will prompt you to question successful team dynamics, and who is and is not ultimately cut out for some of the toughest missions in life. Read my full review of Atmosphere here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is an engaging read with vivid characters and a plot that unfolds at just the right pace. It is an ideal read for those who enjoy more obscure history, cryptic books and manuscripts, forbidden romance, found family, unseen dangers and unfolding mysteries, and magic. Read my full review of A Discovery of Witches here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
The Conditions of Will by Jessa Hastings
The Conditions of Will by Jessa Hastings is a novel that I found incredibly hard to put down once I started reading it. It’s full of family drama, romance, intrigue, and has a complex main character who is unforgettable. It is also full of interesting psychological and sociological insights, which I found fascinating. Read my full review of The Conditions of Will here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
The Pretender by Jo Harkin
The Pretender by Jo Harkin is one of the best historical fiction novels I have read in a long time. It shines a critical yet entertaining light on things that may or may not have happened during the War of the Roses via the perspective of a boy who grows into a young man over the course of the novel, who never knows who he really is aside from what he’s told by those who wield power over him and the world around him. Read my full review of The Pretender here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover
The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover is a perfect romance novel to read during the autumn months. It’s heartwarming and charming with a dash of spice and mystery and will delight any reader who enjoys a slow-burn romance that’s character-driven and offers emotional depth. Read my full review of The Heartbreak Hotel here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
At first, I was skeptical about reading this book, as I wasn’t sure there could be that much more to add to The Hunger Games repertoire pre-Katniss, post-Snow. But that skepticism was quickly thwarted once I started reading the book and became immediately immersed in a more intimate portrayal of Haymitch Abernathy. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins won the Goodreads Readers’ Choice award for Young Adult Fantasy and Sci-Fi this year for very good reasons. It’s as thrilling as it is heartbreaking, as introspective as it is entertaining, and will keep readers turning pages the whole time they’re reading it. If you’ve read any of the books in The Hunger Games series, you won’t want to miss this one, as it is quickly becoming a fan favorite. Read my full review of Sunrise on the Reaping here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros is the third book in the wildly popular Empyrean Series and lives up to its hype, as it has a bit of something for every type of reader. It has a complex and twisty plot, well-developed characters, political intrigue, family drama, war, reflection, comedic relief, propulsive action, mystery, suspense, betrayal, and intense romance. And as someone who doesn’t read that many books in this genre, I can’t recommend it enough. Once you get sucked into its world, it’s nearly impossible to get sucked back out. I can’t wait for the next book! I think most fans of the Empyrean Series will be happy with this third installment (out of what will be five installments, I believe?). I also think readers who appreciate character-driven novels with unfolding plots based on relationships and political intrigue will appreciate this series overall, though they will want to start with the first installment, Fourth Wing — especially fans of Game of Thrones and The Witcher and Shadow and Bone. Read my full review of Onyx Storm here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
The Best Nonfiction I Read in 2025
Murder the Truth: Fear, the First Amendment, and a Secret Campaign to Protect the Powerful by David Enrich
Murder the Truth: Fear, the First Amendment, and a Secret Campaign to Protect the Powerful by David Enrich is such an important book to read right now. At first, libel laws may not sound that interesting, but truly, this is one of the most necessary nonfiction books to read this year. Enrich does a superb job ensuring that it’s easy to follow and hard to put down. I would recommend picking it up as soon as possible, especially if you value democracy and having a free press. Read my full review of Murder the Truth here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
The Memory Palace: True Short Stories of the Past by Nate DiMeo
The Memory Palace: True Short Stories of the Past by Nate DiMeo is such a beautiful collection, but also difficult to summarize, as each story in the collection is so unique and interesting in its own right. This book of short stories will show readers from all sorts of backgrounds how history should be told: via narrative and storytelling. It will also prove that history can be engaging and based on thorough research without being boring, if it also includes key human elements and emotions when it’s being told. Read my full review of The Memory Palace here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams is a book that will shock you by not really being all that shocking in the end, once you get a chance to read it and fully digest it. At times it reads like a scandalous tabloid. And at other times it reads like a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s a book that’s hard to put down, even for those who don’t tend to gravitate toward memoirs or nonfiction. And somehow, by the time you reach the end of the book, you probably won’t be all that surprised by what you learn regarding what went on and likely continues to go on at Facebook, now Metaverse. Read my full review of Careless People here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
The Sirens’ Call: How Attention Became the World’s Most Endangered Resource by Christopher L. Hayes
The Sirens’ Call made smart analyses about where most of our attention is going, why, and why it’s so problematic. Still, the analyses were easy to follow and understand. Hayes does a great job of taking complex topics and making them palatable, which isn’t surprising given his day job. While he touches on philosophical concepts and historical contexts, for instance, he does so in a way that is relevant to his arguments and analyses, and in a way that will likely be easy for most readers to follow. Read my full review of The Sirens’ Call here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
America, América: A New History of the New World by Greg Grandin
While I don’t expect everyone to read this book due to its intellectual heft and length, I will say that they absolutely should, even if it takes a month or so to complete by reading a chapter or two per day. I will also say that America, América should be included in history curriculums in schools across continents as soon as possible. That’s how valuable and important this book is. Read my full review of America, América here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad is one of those books that will stay with you long after you read it, as it will likely prompt you to act thoughtfully and humanely as soon as you’re done reading it. Akkad does not hold back in any way in this book, as he holds powerful and traditional institutions to account while simultaneously pleading for readers to tap into the most humane and honest parts of themselves. Read my full review of One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir by Jacinda Ardern
A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir by Jacinda Ardern is a book that will leave you feeling pragmatically hopeful when you’re done reading it. It not only captures Ardern’s early life in New Zealand and pivotal historical moments she (and many of us) personally lived through, but a path forward for us all. Read my full review of A Different Kind of Power here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris
Most of all, I appreciated the personal accounts and quotes of former patients, medical professionals, researchers, and pharmaceutical reps in this book, as it made the case against J&J more vivid and real. While No More Tears does include a lot of statistics, medical jargon, and studies, it always veers back to what’s most important: all the people who have died and suffered due to J&J’s abhorrent, unethical, and deeply inhumane business practices. Read my full review of No More Tears here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds by John Fugelsang
Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang is as thorough as it is entertaining. It offers a perfect blend of scripture and historical context, and is full of much-needed reminders of what Jesus Christ actually did, said, and represents — reminders most of us will find both useful and meaningful. Oh, and did I mention that it’s funny?
Writing Creativity and Soul by Sue Monk Kidd
Overall, I would recommend Writing Creativity and Soul to aspiring and established creative writers alike, especially those who relish taking their time and going deep when they write, read, and create. I would also recommend it to fans of Sue Monk Kidd’s work who want to learn more about her writing process. Read my full review of Writing Creativity and Soul here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age by Vauhini Vara
If you want to read a more nuanced, personalized, and creative take on AI and our (or your) relationship with it, I highly recommend Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age by Vauhini Vara. Unlike other books about AI, it neither fiercely lauds nor condemns AI and its potential. Instead, it invites us humans to understand AI and take responsibility for how we want to continue to evolve and use it in the future. Read my full review of Searches here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI by Karen Hao
Overall, I appreciated how Hao explores what can be done about the colonial nature of AI development right now, deferring to ideas and projects researchers, activists, and local communities around the world have worked on and brought to life in this book. And for this reason alone, I believe Empire of AI is invaluable to getting important conversations regarding AI development and usage started as soon as possible. While parts of the book might seem gossipy to many readers (especially those inside Silicon Valley), its key takeaways will help facilitate invaluable conversations around the most powerful player in AI right now and how we should all be keeping them in check for the sake of all our futures— AI doomers and boomers alike. Read my full review of Empire of AI here, or read any of my book reviews, including this one, on Storygraph.
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© This work is not available for artificial intelligence (AI) training. All Rights Reserved by K.E. Creighton; Creighton’s Compositions LLC.
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