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Best books of 2025: A look back at this year’s most exciting reads

Best books of 2025: A look back at this year’s most exciting reads

by Penguin editors

min read

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2025 was a year of milestones. As we celebrated Penguin's 90th birthday, we reflected on the books that shocked us, comforted us, informed us, and ultimately shaped us over the last nine decades. And, as we marked what would have been Jane Austen's 250th birthday year, we fully embraced Austenmania with the classics that shaped her as a writer, the Austen aficionados who have kept her legacy alive, and even the modern-day books we'd recommend her most famous characters.

But 2025 was more than just a year for looking back, as there was no shortage of brilliant new books to look forward to – from escapist romances to unmissable debut novels, to prize-winning literary masterpieces and agenda-setting memoirs.

In no particular order, we've rounded up some of the many books that have defined this year.

Fiction

Flesh by David Szalay

David Szalay scooped this year's prestigious Booker Prize with his fifth novel Flesh, an exploration of masculinity, coming-of-age, wealth, power, told sparingly yet powerfully in pared-back prose. From his teenage years to ascendency into adulthood, protagonist István's story is one of a life that is defined and unravelled by the forces of a changing world.

Learn more about David Szalay's writing with our essential guide on where to start with his books.

We Do Not Part by Han Kang

A tender, poignant read, We Do Not Part was South Korean author Han Kang's first English-translated book since she was awarded the Nobel Literature Prize in 2024. Set against the harsh backdrop of winter, We Do Not Part follows Kyungha as she travels to the remote forests of Korea’s Jeju Island, tasked with feeding her injured friend Inseon’s pet bird while she remains in hospital. Kyungha soon discovers, however, that she is house-sitting a place haunted by a horrific past.

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

Richard Osman returned to his bestselling The Thursday Murder Club series this year with their fifth outing – and their most explosive yet. This time, the gang have no time for, well, murder: Joyce is planning a wedding, Elizabeth is grieving, Ron has family troubles, and Ibrahim is busy being a therapist. But murder is never far away, and when Elizabeth meets a wedding guest who fears for their life, the group is pitted against a villain who is after an uncrackable code.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Emily Henry gave us the romance read of the summer with Great Big Beautiful Life. In this enemies-to-lovers story, a reclusive heiress pits two rival writers – ever-optimistic Alice Scott and mercurial Hayden Anderson – against each other to decide who will get the assignment of a lifetime. Despite being polar opposites, Alice and Hayden must find a way to work together, and deal with the sparks that fly between them.

What We Can Know by Ian McEwan

It’s 2119, and Britain’s lowlands have been buried by rising seas. At the University of the South Downs, academic Tom Metcalfe is keenly searching for a fabled lost poem that was read aloud at a dinner party in 2014 and never heard again. As he traverses Britain's treacherous archipelagos in hopes of finding the truth, he may just make some paradigm-shifting discoveries. Award-winning author Ian McEwan tackles the past and the future with this speculative novel examining climate change, literature and love.

Shadow Ticket by Thomas Pynchon

Thomas Pynchon's first novel in over a decade transports us to the midst of Great Depression-era America, where private eye Hicks McTaggart is tasked with recovering the heiress of a Wisconsin cheese fortune. What should be a simple job leads him to Hungary, where he becomes entangled with Nazis, British counter-spies, practitioners of the paranormal, and more as he tries to get out of the tangle of history and back to Milwaukee.

New to Thomas Pynchon? Read our guide on where to start with the author.

Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

Master storyteller Lisa Jewell is back with a new thriller that examines how much we really know about the people closest to us, as three women’s worlds collide when they each realise they can no longer trust what they know about the men in their lives. With Jewell’s trademark pacy plots, complex characters, and unexpected twists, this novel builds with simmering tension and intrigue that, before you know it, turns explosive.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid is known for transporting readers to another world – be that a 1970s tour bus in Daisy Jones and The Six or the glittering Golden-Age Hollywood of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Her latest novel goes a step further: it is a love story set among the stars, following a cohort of new astronauts in the 1980s as they prepare to embark on a space shuttle mission that is about to change everything.

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes

This is a story of a family in crisis, told with Jojo Moyes’ trademark warmth, wit and emotional depth. Matriarch Lila Kennedy is still processing her divorce; her stepfather Bill has unofficially moved in; Celie, her eldest, is skipping school; Violet, her youngest, is running wild. Then Lila’s estranged father Gene turns up on her doorstep – but will he save the family, or cause it to splinter for good?

If you love Jojo Moyes, take our quiz to find out which of her characters you’re most like.

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong

Critically acclaimed author Ocean Vuong is known for his tender, heartbreaking prose that reads like poetry, as seen in his bestselling novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. In his latest book, a depressed teenager and an elderly widow develop a life-altering bond forged by empathy, heartbreak, and the loneliness of feeling like outsiders in their post-industrial town. This is an epic story about love, finding connection in unlikely places, and the magic of second chances.

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

Holly Jackson is one of the biggest names writing YA mysteries, thanks to her bestseller A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. In Not Quite Dead Yet, her first adult mystery novel, 27-year-old Jet Mason has been attacked and, with just seven days left to live, is determined to do the impossible: solve her own murder. As with Jackson’s other books, expect corkscrew twists, complex motives, small-town intrigue, and a heroine you’ll root for.

Alchemised by SenLinYu

Alchemised made waves and broke records this year as the debut novel of fanfiction writer SenLinYu, whose online works have been downloaded more than 20 million times. This epic, intricately plotted fantasy follows Helena Marino, who, according to records, was a healer of little importance for the now-defeated Resistance. But her inexplicable memory loss gets her sent to the powerful and ruthless necromancer High Reeve, where Helena must fight to protect herself and uncover her own secrets – and those of her captor.

Sunstruck by William Rayfet Hunter

Sunstruck is at once a sultry summer read and a poignant exploration of race, wealth and privilege. The debut novel, which won the 2022 #Merky Books New Writers’ Prize, follows a young man as he joins his university friend Lily in her family’s holiday mansion and falls for Lily’s handsome, charismatic brother Felix. But as they return to London, he and Felix will have to face their demons and make tough choices as their relationship faces new tests.

The Passengers on the Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa

Fans of feel-good fiction need look no further than the newly translated novel by Hiro Arikawa, bestselling author of The Travelling Cat Chronicles. Set over the course of two train journeys six months apart, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line follows a whole host of characters as they navigate the highs and lows of their respective lives. All the while, their stories unfold against the inevitable changes of the seasons and landscapes around them. (Translated by Allison Markin Powell)

Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall

In a sleepy Dorset village, a pub landlord’s body has been discovered. Everyone is hiding something, from the local farmer to the young girl in the playground, but who is the killer? This gripping debut crime novel from Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall has the trademark suspense, small-town intrigue and dubious characters we love about his work on-screen, and counts Lee Child, Shari Lapena and Gillian McAllister among its many fans.

The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

Robert Langdon – the iconic hero of hit bestsellers such as The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons – is back for The Secret of Secrets, author Dan Brown’s first novel in eight years. This latest adventure sees Langdon desperately searching for his partner Katherine Solomon, after she disappears from their Prague hotel room. In the biggest test of his abilities so far, Langdon finds himself navigating a shadow city of labyrinthine underground passages and buried graveyards to find the woman he loves.

By Your Side by Ruth Jones

Gavin and Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones has also earned a loyal fanbase thanks to her beautiful, life-affirming novels. Her latest follows Linda Standish, who tracks down the living relatives of those who have died alone. This takes Linda and her work nemesis to a remote Scottish island, where they must piece together a man’s final years. Along the way, they meet eccentric characters and find joy in unexpected places.

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Non-fiction

Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre

Virginia Roberts Giuffre was one of Jeffrey Epstein's most outspoken victims and a powerful advocate for the survivors of sex trafficking. Her courage in speaking out against the horrific abuses she witnessed and endured. Published after she died by suicide in April 2025, Nobody's Girl sees Giuffre tell her full story for the first time, in her own words. The result is powerful yet heartbreaking testimony and story of resilience in the face of horrific adversity.

Dead and Alive by Zadie Smith

Award-winning author Zadie Smith’s latest essay collection explores a range of subjects with her trademark incisiveness. From Stormzy's ascendent performance at Glastonbury, to the work of artists including Toyin Ojih and Kara Walker, Smith interrogates the cultural topics that have captured her attention in recent years – and, in reflecting on the legacies of late writers such as Joan Didion, Hilary Mantel, Martin Amis and Toni Morrison, offers insight into her creative inspirations.

Book of Lives by Margaret Atwood

In this 'memoir of sorts', Margaret Atwood lends her powers of observation, wit, and unique perspective to that most intimate of topics: her own life. Linking key formative moments to her remarkable body of work, such as living in 1980s Berlin while she worked on The Handmaid’s Tale, Atwood's Book of Lives enriches our understanding of her personal story and literary output.

Always Remember by Charlie Mackesy

In this hotly-anticipated sequel to Charlie Mackesy’s beloved bestseller The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, we saw the four unlikely friends return to wandering through the wilds again. When the dark clouds come, the boy must remember everything he's learned about how to get through the storm – and, above all, remember that while life can be difficult, love and friendship are an enduring and powerful source of hope.

Ferment by Tim Spector

Gut health expert and bestselling Food for Life author Tim Spector returns with a groundbreaking exploration of the importance of incorporating fermented food into our diets. From explaining the science of fermentation to understanding the transformative role of microbes, Spector makes the case for consuming more fermented ingredients and staples. With practical tips for making this achievable, Ferment is an essential addition to your bookshelf and your kitchen.

What's Your Dream? by Simon Squibb

Entrepreneur Simon Squibb has garnered millions of followers with his inspirational content and street interviews, where he stops members of the public in their tracks with a simple yet powerful question "What's your dream?". With his debut book of the same name, Squibb condenses his philosophy into simple, actionable steps, so that you too can find and follow your dream.

Read more about the five things we learned from reading What's Your Dream?

When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between by Ruth Jones and James Corden

After capturing the nation's heart with a touching Christmas special in 2024, Gavin & Stacey creators Ruth Jones and James Corden share the full story of how their show – about an Essex boy who falls in love with a Welsh girl – went from humble beginnings to a cultural phenomenon. Recounting the rejection, obstacles and challenges they faced along the way, Jones and Corden also share never-before-heard anecdotes and offer an unprecedented glimpse into their real-life friendship.

A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0 by Bill Bryson

This fully revised and updated edition of Bill Bryson’s hit popular science book answers yet more questions about the universe around us, including why Pluto is no longer a planet, how genetic research has uncovered new species of early humans, and how the number of moons in the solar system has more than doubled in 20 years. Accessible and fascinating in equal measure, this revival of a modern classic is perfect for the perpetually curious.

HOPE by Pope Francis

HOPE, is a groundbreaking memoir: not only is it the first autobiography to be published by a Pope, but it is also a fascinating piece of life writing in its own right. Pope Francis shares illuminating, sometimes funny anecdotes about his own life, while also writing candidly about some of the most pressing topics of our time, from women’s rights to global conflict. Published before Pope Francis passed away in April this year, HOPE is a powerful lasting testimony from a late influential figure on the world stage.

Open When… by Dr Julie Smith

Dr Julie Smith’s first bestselling book, Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?, equipped us with the skills to strengthen and maintain our mental health. In her latest book, she turns her attention to the moments when life gets complicated and difficult to navigate, dispensing her trademark no-nonsense yet compassionate advice that offers solutions to an array of commonly experienced issues and challenges.

Love in Exile by Shon Faye

With her latest book, Shon Faye, columnist and author of the Sunday Times bestseller The Transgender Issue, offers a thoughtful and candid meditation on love in all its forms from the romantic, to the familial, to the spiritual. Faye reflects on her own obsession with – and sometimes self-destructive pursuit of – love and the validation it promises, while also examining the societal forces that shape our assumptions and ideals. In doing so, she forms an insightful argument for making romantic love more inclusive for all.

We Were There by Lanre Bakare

Expanding its scope beyond the well-documented history of London, We Were There sees Guardian culture correspondent Lanre Bakare chart the lives of Black Britons from the late 1970s to early 1990s, examining how they shaped modern culture, communities, and modes of resistance. Through the voices of feminists, Rastafarians, artists, and activists, this book reveals the rich tapestry of Black British culture in towns and cities across the country and establishes a timely, joyful and compelling account of this significant chapter in the story of modern Britain.

Who Wants Normal? by Frances Ryan

As an award-winning journalist and the author of Crippled: Austerity and the Demonization of Disabled People, Frances Ryan's work has been impactful in driving policy change and challenging social oppression. Who Wants Normal? is both a memoir and manifesto for change, with Ryan drawing from interviews and personal experiences to create an affirming, insightful exploration of life for women and non-binary people living with mental and physical health conditions.

Best books of 2025: A look back at this year’s most exciting reads

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