There’s a certain level of pressure when selecting picks for a best books of 2025 list especially since I’ve had a phenomenal reading year. So, there’s a plethora of highly-rated books to choose from. Despite the inner struggles I was able to select my favorite books from fiction, nonfiction, and series. This is what I’ve determined were my best books of the year.
Best Fiction Books of 2025
All The Water in the World by Eiren Caffall
Released early in the year this novel follows a group of survivors following ecological collapse and climate change leading to extreme flooding. They find sanctuary on the roof of the New York’s Museum of Natural History. When a superstorm destroys their shelter they’re forced to flee in search of safety and home exploring a treacherous world as they follow the Hudson River to upstate New York and encounter people and communities trying to survive at all costs.
This novel deftly encapsulates the realities of grief and the continual trauma and sacrifice one must take in stride when serving in extreme conditions. It highlights the importance of community, and how to hold hope that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Check out my Review: All The Water in The World by Eiren Caffall
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
My first book by this author and certainly not my last. A chilling take on traditional vampire lore with an Indigenous twist. Jones explores the horror of American colonialism using the true account of the Marias Massacre when over 200 Blackfeet were murdered by the U.S. Army to create a narrative that explores the consequences colonialism had on the Blackfeet Nation. From genocide, cultural erasure, forced displacement, and systematic violence. A serious of events gives birth to an avenging force seeking retribution for the sins committed against the Blackfeet and refusing for history to be forgotten.
This novel was rich with powerful themes regarding cultural identity, erasure, assimilation, and the loss of heritage and lineage. Jones wrote with palpable raw emotion and wasn’t afraid to show the violent realities of American history. Additionally, his ability to subvert vampire lore to enhance these themes was a work of art. Highly recommend for lovers of social horror rooted in history. Read my Review The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones.
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
What Zelu a down on her luck writer and professor loses her job and receives another rejection for her latest novel decides to write a robot novel called Rusted Robots and submit it. She has zero expectations for how it will change the trajectory of her life.
This is a spellbinding novel that has such intricate complex storytelling. It features a book within a book where you get to read Zelu’s work Rusted Robots. And, we follow how the fame and success she receives isn’t what she’s expecting. There’s themes exploring identity, complex family dynamics, belonging, and the power of believing in yourself when the odds are stacked against you. It also has powerful commentary on the publishing industry, and the magic of storytelling. You can read my Review Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A reflective and contemplative novel exploring how four different women bound by their connection reflect over how their past has built them leading to where they find themselves in the present.
An intimate thought-provoking read that explores the realities of womanhood and how it differs from the expectations placed on us by society, culture, and patriarchy. Challenging how the female experience is more than motherhood and marriage while simultaneously exploring the immigrant experience in America. I appreciated that mature childless women were dominant characters in this novel and felt validated by their sentiments and the commentary explored in their storylines. I also commiserated with how sexual violence against women especially foreign women is easily ignored and dismissed with these women losing their voice and the chance at justice due to public perception and stigma against them. Adichie’s writing style is stunning and wonderfully complex while maintaining depth, cohesion, and dynamic characterization. Read my Review: Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Possession of Alba Diaz by Isabel Cañas
A young woman named Alba is desperate to escape her parents plans to marry her off to a rich older man where she’ll lose her autonomy and freedom. She offers her childhood friend Carlos the opportunity to enter into a mutually beneficial marriage so they can both escape the expectation placed on them by their families. However, when a plague breaks loose and they flee the city to the safety and isolation of Carlos’s mines Alba encounters a deadly danger when she becomes possessed with her only ally being Elías, Carlos’s disgraced cousin.
Perhaps Ms. Cañas’s best novel yet! I loved the rich gothic vibes, with her trademark forbidden romance full of longing and tension which will leave you breathless with each turn of the page. Her prose is lush, lyrical, descriptive and delightfully romantic even at the goriest parts. Lastly, her exploration of themes regarding Spain’s racist and problematic caste system, the oppression of both a patriarchal society with deep ties to Catholicism leading to religious zealotry. Truly, a masterpiece.
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
When an inexplicable tragedy befalls the Freeman family where a senseless act of violence leads to a loss it takes years for them to rebound. And in the face of another scandal involving their youngest Ebby they once again find themselves trying to recoup from this blow while facing the ghosts of the past.
What a beautiful and heartfelt family saga. We follow multiple generations of the Freemans as told through a family heirloom which adds this beautiful layer within this novel. Additionally, the way Wilkerson structured the multiple points-of-view was so enjoyable. You get to intimately know each character as you come to understand the story holistically. She has such strong female characters that stood on business and didn’t compromise their values for anyone. And, her explorations into grief, trauma and the difficult art of healing will tug on your heartstrings. For more of my thoughts read my Review Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
When a distraught young girl has a chance encounter with a kindred spirit in a back alley she finds herself the proud owner of a painting that costs a tidy sum. Through a series of events she embarks on a cross country journey with an unlikely sidekick as she learns the origins behind the painting and how it came into being.
There’s something about Backman’s writing that just hits different. He has this uncanny ability to utilize language in the simplest and mundane ways to create powerful profound statements that will crack your heart wide open. Additionally, the way that he explores the human condition and accurately depicts the way grief manifests and unfolds is haunting. But amidst the trauma and pain there’s always that singular thread of hope. I loved this novel so much I literally cried every other chapter.
Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang
Enka a lower class artist finds herself attending a prestigious art conservatory to pursue her dream of becoming an artist she develops a friendship with Mathilde a maestro with a unique creative voice. As Mathilde rises in success and notoriety Enka seethes with envy and frustration over her talent and stagnation in her career. When a chance opportunity to push the boundaries of their friendship and uncover the inspiration behind Mathilde’s artistry Enka jumps at the chance putting their friendship and art to the test.
Ling Ling Huang is quickly becoming an author that I’m falling in love with. Her writing style speaks to me with its blend of literary, speculative and surrealism. Her prose is simple, elegant and profound with mesmerizing metaphors and immersive imagery. And as a thematic reader I throughly enjoy her commentary and exploration of the human condition. In this novel she finds inspiration from a twelve month affair between her college boyfriend and best friend. She peels back the veil of toxic female friendships showing that beneath the envy, betrayal, jealousy and bitterness lies love, adoration, co-dependency, and intimacy. A powerful and thought-provoking read. For more of my thoughts check out my review: Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang Art, Friendship and Ownership
Salt Bones by Jennifer Givhan
Set on the Mexi-Cali Borderlands affected by climate change the Veracruz family struggles under the burden of guilt, grief and unanswered questions concerning the disappearance of the youngest family member Elena. Mal lives with her family helping to care for her sick mother while running a carniceria and dreaming of a better life for her daughters Griselda and Amaranta. When a young girl in the community goes missing Mal’s past comes back to haunt her as she sees troubling visions of La Siguanaba, a local legend that leads wayward men to their death. The more Mal becomes involved with the investigation the closer she gets to a deadly truth that will be her undoing.
I’m so happy that I added this book to my Aardvark Book Box in July because this book quickly became one of my favorites that I can’t stop talking about. Jennifer Givhan’s writing is beyond beautiful. Her prose is pure poetry with a strong emphasis on atmosphere, metaphorical imagery, and evocative character development. I appreciated the way she infused Mexican folklore into this story’s narrative as it was a powerful symbol and motif. Lastly, the themes exploring the disappearance of Black and Brown girls and how their cases are received in the media, community and public opinion is visceral and cuts to the quick when it comes to complicity, culpability and how disregard for these young women is a grave injustice. I can’t wait to explore her backlist. If you want more of my thoughts and full review of this book check out my post Salt Bones by Jennifer Givhan Book Review: Generational Trauma with a Dash of Magical Realism
Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine
A young enslaved teenager is forced to reckon with her grief over the loss of her oldest sister Minnie and the guilt she carries over her death. She clings to the only family she has remaining at Bellereine Plantation and her friendship with lady of the house Violet. Yet, when talk spreads that Violet may wed a wealthy young man from Louisiana and she’ll be ripped from the only life she’s known she calls forth the spirit of her sister who’s bound to Earth until Junie completes a series of tasks for her. As Junie does so she begins to uncover truths about her family, the plantation, and herself.
A powerful coming-of-age story that challenges love, friendship, identity, autonomy and belonging. We see the foibles and missteps of Junie and while it can be frustrating there’s much to be learned about the realities of slavery and how it must have felt for a young woman who’s doing her best to survive. Not just the physical brutalities but the emotional and mental. Perhaps, most important is what Erin Crosby Eckstine has to say about freedom and the sacrifices and high cost that comes with it and how we each owe our lives to the ones that came before us.
This covers the best books of 2025 that made a huge impression on me and that I’ve learned something from. Whether they challenged my perception, inspired deeper reflection, or allowed me to absorb wisdom and knowledge from their pages. They were all a treasure and pleasure to read. I’m excited for what 2026 will bring! Let me know what novels would make your best books of 2025 list.
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