25 Books I NEED to Read in 2025 📘
Over the past year and a half, I've fallen deeply in love with reading. As someone with a full-time job who's finishing a PhD, creating content online, and running a business, I'm amazed that I managed to read 42 books last year! There are so many exciting books I'm looking forward to in 2025, and I had to really restrain myself when making this list.
I truly believe 2025 is going to be the year of new books. Some of my favorite authors who have been on hiatus are finally releasing new work, and I can't wait to share my most anticipated reads with you.
Here are the 25 books I'm most excited to read in 2025!
Classics and my Top TBR
1. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
I love Lord of the Rings but have never actually read the books all the way through. My partner read them last year and fell in love with them, sharing all his thoughts and notes with me. Reading the complete series is one of my major goals for 2025.
2. Promise of Lies by Claire Sager
This is the final book in the Tenebrous Court Trilogy. I filmed a reading vlog where I read the first two books and was completely hooked! It's about a girl brought in by the court to spy on a Fae Ambassador, and the second book left us on a massive cliffhanger. If you love Fae romance, this series is absolutely for you. I gave the first book 5 stars and the second 4.25 stars, so I'm really excited to see how the trilogy concludes.
3. The Will of the Many by James Islington
This book made its rounds on BookTok last year. From what I know, it features an academy setting inspired by ancient Rome. It's one of the most highly recommended books I've seen, but I just didn't get around to it in 2024.
4. The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
I loved Blood Over Bright Haven—it was my #1 book of 2024! I've read half of The Sword of Kaigen so far, and it's a dense, standalone Japanese-inspired high fantasy with beautiful writing. If you enjoyed The Poppy War or East Asian mythologically-inspired fantasy, you'll absolutely love this. The worldbuilding is gorgeous, and the character arcs are impeccably done from what I've read so far.
5. The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
I've heard so much about Brandon Sanderson, who's supposedly the high fantasy king right now. His books are intimidating—they're long and dense, and I sometimes struggle with high fantasy because it requires so much worldbuilding. But diving into high fantasy is a goal for 2025, so I want to give the Mistborn series a shot. It's one of my friend Ali's favorite series, and I'm eager to get into the Cosmere universe.
6. The Book of Azrael by Amber Nicole
This is an urban fantasy that appears slightly dark. I've heard the main female character is quite morally gray, which intrigues me. I haven't read much urban fantasy besides Crescent City, so I'm skeptical but interested.
7. Wild Swans by Jung Chang
This is an intergenerational story about Chinese women in the pre- and post-Communist Revolution era. My great-grandmother was born in China and fled during the Communist Revolution to Taiwan, where my grandmother was born before they immigrated to the United States. There's a lot of family lore around my great-grandmother and how she was given away by her family, so I'm excited to connect with that side of my heritage through this book.
8. Dead Wake by Erik Larson
Erik Larson is an incredible historical fiction writer who wrote "Devil in the White City" and a book about an American in Nazi Germany. Dead Wake is about the Lusitania, and for those who know me well, I was obsessed with the Titanic for about three years as a child. I became fascinated with the White Star Line and early 20th-century ships (and terrified of water as a result). This book has been on my shelf for years, and I think it's time to revive my nerdy obsession.
9. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
You might be shocked that I haven't read this yet! Hilary Mantel is one of the most famous historical fiction writers who focused on the Tudor court, and this book is about Thomas Cromwell. It's been on my shelf for years and is one of the only books I've heard early modern historians say they genuinely enjoyed.
10. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
This has been on my list for a long time, ever since my friend Christie mentioned that the plot centers on maternal descent, which connects to my dissertation research. As a fantasy reader who enjoys works inspired by Black history and the Black Atlantic, I'm fascinated by N.K. Jemisin's work. I've started this book and am excited to dive deeper.
11. Stoner by John Williams
This was recommended by my friend Kate. It's about a man who ends up at a university, set in what I believe is the interwar period. It's considered a classic story of academic experience and the discontent of young adulthood. I don't know much more than that, but I'm excited to explore it.
12. A Court So Cruel and Lovely
This book has been sitting on my shelf for a while after making its way around BookTok. I don't know much about it except that it's Fae fantasy and romance, which is enough to get me interested!
New Releases in 2025
13. The Favorites by Lan Fargo (January 16)
This is supposed to be an ice skating romance, which sounds fascinating. My college roommate was a figure skater, so I know very little about the sport except what I learned from her.
14. The Curse Bite (January 28)
This is about Noah, who's wandered the halls of his ancient home, bound by a curse that keeps him trapped within the estate's iron gates. Ghosts keep him company, but they're poor substitutes for the one person he waits for—the love of his life. When she arrives, McKenna doesn't remember him (she never does), but Noah thinks he may have discovered a way to finally break the curse that binds them both. Sounds absolutely fascinating!
15. The Rose Bargain (February 13)
Set in Regency Era England with supernatural elements, this book involves a sister helping her sibling get the attention of a prince. It sounds very Bridgerton-esque, and I'm completely sold! I'm blocking out that entire Saturday to binge-read it.
16. Our Infinite Fates (February 27)
This is a star-crossed lovers romance where the main character, Evelyn, has been murdered in every single one of her lifetimes but really wants to remain in this particular one. It seems to have vibes similar to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, which I haven't read yet, but sounds incredibly intriguing.
17. The Rebel Witch (February 27)
This is the second book in the Crimson Moth series. I loved the first book, which was slightly predictable but a wonderful enemies-to-lovers romance incorporating witches and witch hunters. It left us on a traumatizing cliffhanger, and people who've read the ARC say they loved the second book even more than the first. I haven't pre-ordered it because I want to run to my local Waterstones the day it comes out, grab it, head to a coffee shop, and spend the entire day reading it.
18. Fearless by Lauren Roberts (April 8)
This is the third book in the Powerless series. I personally love these books, though I know reviews are mixed, with some people finding them a bit cheesy. I think the banter is perfect, and I'm excited to see how the story continues after that interesting cliffhanger in book two.
19. Gifted and Talented by Olivie Blake (April 30)
If you love Succession and fantasy, this is right up your alley. I love Olivie Blake's writing style—I read "Alone With You in the Ether" and fell in love with her storytelling. This new release just seems fascinating.
20. Servant of the Earth by Sarah Holly
This is your standard Fae story with a human conscripted as a servant. I don't know much more than that, but based on reviews from BookTok creators I trust (like Tammy and Emmy), it seems promising. If they like a book, I'm going to buy it—that's a strong influence!
Fan Fiction Gone Traditional
2025 is also the year of traditionally published fan fiction! Several Dramione (Draco and Hermione) fan fiction authors are getting traditional publishing deals, transforming their stories to avoid copyright issues:
21. Rose in Chains (July 3)
22. The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy (July 8)
23. Immortal Consequences (July 31)
I don't know much more than that, but if it's Dramione fan fiction being transformed into a traditionally published book, I've pre-ordered it!
24. Vita Nostra
This is a dark academia novel, which essentially sells me every time. My best friend Cait recommended it to me, describing it as "like Harry Potter but adult," and I was immediately sold. I've downloaded it on Kindle and can't wait to start.
Top Release of the Year I am Excited About
25. Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
This is the top book on my list for 2025! I have the utmost respect for Rebecca Kuang—not only do we go to the same school, but I love her books and consider her one of the most impeccable writers of our generation. Babel, Poppy War, and Yellowface were all amazing, and I love how she creates new worlds.
This book is about two magicians who are students at Cambridge who need to travel to Hell to save their advisor's soul. Fantasy + academia + R.F. Kuang is an automatic buy for me, and I'm going to try everything in my power to grow on BookTok and BookSimply so that maybe—please, universe—I can get an ARC of Katabasis!
