Discover the Top 14 Must-Read Books of 2025 So Far!

It’s never been more fitting than at the onset of summer to slow down and reassess your goals. To put it mildly, one of those objectives ought to involve diving into some of the outstanding new books that have surfaced this year. We’re barely in June, yet the literary world has already produced a treasure trove of captivating memoirs, immersive novels, and intellectually stimulating non-fiction. Explore the intriguing perspectives of a theater actress, embark on a thought-provoking road trip with siblings that question the essence of family, or uncover a hidden truth. Below, you’ll find our top 14 picks for the year so far.

The Antidote, Karen Russell

Since Karen Russell’s critically acclaimed 2011 novel “Swamplandia!”, it seems like the U.S. has experienced a century’s worth of events, but the long-awaited sequel, titled “The Antidote”, has proven to be well worth the wait. Set in a fictional 1930s town named Uz, Nebraska, this American epic revolves around a self-proclaimed prairie witch known as “the Antidote”. She is a healer who takes on the burden of others’ sorrows, serving as a memory repository to ease their pain. However, when a dust bowl strikes Uz, it carries away her memory deposits, leaving her in fear for her own safety. With no longer a place for people to offload their deepest regrets, what will become of the Antidote and those who must confront themselves? Narrated from various perspectives within Uz, “The Antidote” is a comprehensive yet carefully crafted tale that encourages us to view American history in its entirety, with all its scars.—Rachel Sonis

Audition, Katie Kitamura

Audition, Katie Kitamura’s gripping sequel to Intimacies, starts with a compelling premise. The protagonist, a renowned actress grappling with a challenging new role, visits a Manhattan eatery to meet Xavier, a younger man who alleges he is her son. Yet, this claim is implausible since the actress, whose name remains undisclosed, has never given birth or been a parent. However, this peculiar encounter does not end there; Xavier becomes involved in the same play, causing the actress to scrutinize the numerous decisions and performances that have led her to this specific juncture, both on stage and in life. Midway through, Audition alters realities, fundamentally shifting the dynamic between the two characters. Kitamura’s captivating novel poses thought-provoking questions to its readers, presenting various interpretations of the same life that revolve around a notion raised by the main character herself: “As you grow older, things become less clear.” – Mahita Gajanan.

The Emperor of Gladness, Ocean Vuong

In his second book, Ocean Vuong abandons the letter format that made his first novel, “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” (2019), so successful. Instead, he presents a more expansive and straightforward coming-of-age story that deeply explores the complexities of its characters. The story introduces 19-year-old Hai, who is standing on a bridge in his struggling hometown of East Gladness, Conn. His first love has tragically passed away from a fentanyl overdose, and his mother is clinging to the false hope that he’s studying medicine. This leaves Hai grappling with a drug craving and feeling adrift. Just as he seems ready to take drastic action, he’s noticed by an elderly woman suffering from dementia, Grazina. Despite her mental deterioration, she seems to sense Hai’s inherent kindness and offers him a place to stay if he will care for her. The motley crew at their shared workplace provide support and stability for the lost young man, even as Grazina’s mind slips further away. In the hands of a less skilled writer, this premise could have become inspiration porn, but Vuong transforms it into a vibrant, humorous, and emotionally authentic exploration of the life-changing power of community.—Judy Berman

Gingko Season, Naomi Xu Elegant

In contrast to numerous first novels focusing on young characters exploring love and meaning, Naomi Xu Elegant’s introspective novel, “Gingko Season,” stands out for its insightful exploration of the relationship between these themes. The 20-something protagonist, Penelope Lin, is stuck in a cycle, still pining over an ex who broke her heart, working at a museum in Philadelphia, and delving into the city’s history while maintaining a minimal social life, mostly detached from her family. Her unexpected encounter with Hoang, a man who admits to saving lab mice destined for death at his workplace, sets off a painstakingly slow courtship that encourages Penelope to reconsider her personal values and aspirations. Elegant’s writing mirrors the quiet strength of her heroine, yet the thought-provoking questions she poses about navigating life with integrity in a flawed world can be surprisingly deep.—Judy Berman

Is a River Alive?, Robert Macfarlane

The idea presented in this book is straightforward: just like other living beings, rivers – with their crucial nutrient provision, biodiversity, and transport capabilities – deserve equal respect. To illustrate this point, Robert Macfarlane explored three distinct rivers: the River of the Cedars in an Ecuadorian cloud forest under threat from mining companies, the flooded waterways of Chennai, India, inhabited by crocodiles and catfish following cyclones, and Mutehekau Shipu in Quebec – the first Canadian river granted rights, such as the right to be free from pollution. The author of Underland uses his knowledge to shed light on a frequently overlooked aspect of nature, highlighting that while rivers can easily suffer harm, they have the capacity to recover swiftly if properly cared for.—Olivia B. Waxman

Mark Twain, Ron Chernow

Ron Chernow, who wrote the widely acclaimed books Alexander Hamilton and Grant, provides an honest appraisal of Mark Twain, a prominent literary figure in the U.S. during the Civil War era and a key commentator on post-slavery America. Although his novels such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn have become timeless classics, Twain’s financial mismanagement led to bankruptcy and forced him to leave the country for nearly a decade in self-imposed exile. Chernow’s biography delves extensively into the writer, encompassing around 1,200 pages through his books, letters, and unpublished documents.—Olivia B. Waxman

My Documents, Kevin Nguyen

In a dystopian novel that explores speculative fiction, characters of Vietnamese-American descent are relocated to detention centers following a catastrophic event, with their liberties and self-worth compromised in the name of public safety. Despite the potentially heavy or didactic tone, Nguyen’s book is filled with intrigue, wit, and subtlety that keeps readers hooked. The narrative revolves around four half-siblings who face challenging moral dilemmas while managing their relationships with an oppressive government, cultural norms, and each other. Though certain aspects of the story are deeply rooted in historical events—particularly the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II—the book also resonates strongly with contemporary culture, offering a striking reflection of our times marked by division and increased scrutiny.

– Andrew R. Chow

O Sinners!, Nicole Cuffy

In Nicole Cuffy’s novel “O Sinners!“, Faruq Zaidi, a Brooklyn-based journalist who has been mourning the loss of his Muslim father, takes center stage. Upon discovering a mysterious cult called “the nameless” whose members follow principles such as “create beauty” and “do not despair at death”, Faruq—a former skeptic and someone who lost faith in religion during his teenage years—decides to investigate them by visiting their California Redwoods compound. However, as he grows more acquainted with the enigmatic cult leader, Odo, a Black Vietnam War veteran, Faruq starts questioning not only the inner workings of the cult but also his own beliefs and sense of belonging.

Cuffy’s novel is structured around three interwoven narratives: Faruq’s current journey, Odo’s experiences during the Vietnam War, and a documentary about a legal dispute between the cult and a fundamentalist church in Texas. By skillfully blending these stories, Cuffy delves into the diverse forms that grief, faith, and connection can assume.
—Erin McMullen

One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, Omar El Akkad

By October 2023, Omar El Akkad began expressing his emotions towards the Gaza conflict and the sense of displacement he experiences as a person uprooted from home. His gripping nonfiction debut, authored by a man born in Cairo, raised in Doha, relocated to Canada, and currently residing in rural Oregon, grapples with his disenchantment towards Western societies and their institutions, notably given the apathy he’s witnessed during the ongoing war. This hybrid memoir-manifesto may appear hopeless at first glance, but it is filled with scenes of violence. However, El Akkad skillfully unearths hope in the resolve of those fighting for their convictions, contrasting it with the illusion of Western liberalism. – Meg Zukin

Run for the Hills, Kevin Wilson

In Kevin Wilson’s newest book, “Run for the Hills,” the protagonist Mad has been spending her days working on a farm with her mother. It’s been two decades since she last saw her father, and while her life lacks excitement, she’s come to terms with it. However, everything changes when a mysterious man shows up at her doorstep, revealing himself as her long-lost older half-brother. He claims that their father has disappeared not just from them, but from other families too. Intrigued and skeptical, she joins him on a journey across the country to reunite with their other siblings and find their elusive father. Along the way, they encounter both comedic and heart-wrenching moments as Wilson explores the true essence of family, much like in his previous works such as “Nothing to See Here” and “Now Is Not the Time to Panic.” The novel is subtly moving and evocative, as reflected in the review by Annabel Gutterman.

Sky Daddy, Kate Folk

In the unique and captivating novel titled “Sky Daddy,” author Kate Folk presents an unconventional love story unlike any you’ve read before. Drawing inspiration from Herman Melville’s renowned work, “Moby Dick,” this debut novel follows a woman named Linda in her quest to find her aircraft soulmate – her very own white whale. The narrative centers around Linda’s desire for an aviation-related romantic relationship, with the ultimate goal of consummating it through a plane crash.

Living in San Francisco, Linda earns $20 an hour moderating hate comments on a video-sharing platform and spends as much of her modest income as possible exploring the world of aircraft dating by taking flights. To keep her peculiar inclinations hidden, Linda endeavors to maintain secrecy, but when she’s invited to a monthly “Vision Board Brunch” with some old college friends by her work friend, Karina, Linda’s aspirations for romantic bliss set her on a journey towards self-acceptance.

“Sky Daddy” is as touching as it is peculiar – an intriguing blend of emotions and the extraordinary. This novel by Megan McCluskey promises to be a mesmerizing read.

The Tell, Amy Griffin

Seldom or never before has a book received endorsements from all three heavyweights in the celebrity book club scene – Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Jenna Bush Hager. However, Amy Griffin’s The Tell is not just another memoir; it’s extraordinary. Readers of Tara Westover’s Educated or Chanel Miller’s Know My Name will find a strong resonance with Griffin’s deeply personal narrative that, remarkably, feels relatable on a broader scale.

Griffin was leading a successful business life and content as a mother of four in New York City when a therapy session involving MDMA unearthed long-suppressed memories of sexual abuse she experienced at the hands of her teacher, starting when she was 12 years old. Overwhelmed and furious, Griffin wrestled with reconciling her past with her self-image that she had carefully constructed over the years. She battled with the burden of carrying such a heavy secret. Her memoir chronicles her journey through private sorrow and her solitary quest for justice, ultimately leading to her empowering understanding that sharing her story was key to healing.

—Lucy Feldman

Things in Nature Merely Grow, Yiyun Li

Following the heartbreaking suicide of her teenage son James, author Yiyun Li turns to writing as a means of expression – it’s a skill she has honed over time. Regrettably, she has been in a similar devastating situation before. Her elder son, Vincent, also took his life in 2017. In her profound new work, she expresses that she does not dwell on grief, for to grieve implies a healing process with an eventual conclusion. She understands that enduring life means acknowledging her role as a parent to her children forevermore. With succinct and poignant language, Li delves into the connection between language and loss, commemorating the sons who remain with her, forever present. – Annabel Gutterman

Tilt, Emma Pattee

Emma Pattee’s novel, titled “Tilt“, vividly portrays an apocalyptic scenario unfolding in real life. Nine-months pregnant Annie is at Ikea when Oregon experiences “the big one” – the long-awaited earthquake that has been a concern for those living in the Pacific Northwest. In this gripping debut, Pattee follows Annie’s harrowing odyssey through wreckage, turmoil, hope, and despair as she endeavors to locate her husband amidst the catastrophe. “Tilt” is an enthralling tale of survival, offering insights into how humanity responds under the strain of a disaster. As Annie navigates through Portland, flashbacks reveal crucial moments that illuminate her life decisions until now. Her marriage and career are scrutinized as she interacts with others in crisis: the injured, the missing, the lost, and the desperate. For optimal reading experience, it is recommended to read “Tilt” in a single sitting. This novel presents an unvarnished portrayal of motherhood and its most intense challenges.—Meg Zukin

2025-06-06 21:07

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