Wednesday, December 10, 2025

2025’s Most Readworthy Fiction

 
Readworthy by BookBub
This Month's Best New Most Readworthy Fiction
What were the absolute biggest, buzziest fiction releases of 2025? Readworthy has rounded up the novels you shouldn't miss from this past year — and there's something for every type of fiction lover.
 
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Book cover for The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb
This 'heart-wrenching story of redemption' (Publishers Weekly) has stunned readers and critics alike
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • A New York Times bestseller and Oprah's Book Club pick from the author of She's Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True
  • After causing the tragedy that tears his family apart, a young man must adjust to his new life — where small acts of kindness help him find hope
  • Glowing reviews from Alice Hoffman and Andre Dubus III, who says, "I could not put down The River Is Waiting, and I predict that you won't be able to either"
Learn more...
Media mentions for The River Is Waiting by Wally LambMEDIA MENTIONS:Oprah's Book Club, Book of the Month, NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Oprah Daily, People, The Washington Post, Associated Press, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, BookPage
GET EBOOK ON:
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Book cover for Heartwood by Amity Gaige
You'll be riveted by 'the best thriller of 2025' (The Boston Globe)
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • After an experienced hiker vanishes on the Appalachian Trail, a Maine game warden and a 76-year-old bird-watcher are determined to find her
  • Elin Hilderbrand raves, "I can't recall the last time I've been so dazzled by a novel"
  • This unmissable Read with Jenna pick is perfect for fans of The God of the Woods
Learn more...
Media mentions for Heartwood by Amity GaigeMEDIA MENTIONS:TODAY Book Club/Read with Jenna, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, People, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
Book cover for The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai
This Booker Prize finalist is 'not so much a novel as a marvel' (The New York Times Book Review)
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • Ann Patchett raves, "I wanted to pack a little suitcase and stay inside this book forever"
  • After first meeting on an overnight train, Sonia and Sunny find their lives repeatedly intersecting across decades and countries
  • An unforgettable New York Times bestseller and Kirkus Prize finalist
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran DesaiMEDIA MENTIONS:Time Magazine, NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Oprah Daily, The Economist, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Financial Times, Harper's Bazaar, Bustle, Elle, Vulture, The Guardian, The Times, The Boston Globe, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, BookPage, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
Book cover for Never Flinch by Stephen King
'This is Stephen King at his finest, and an absolute must-read for his fans' (Booklist)
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • The iconic, highly intelligent PI Holly Gibney faces off against a vengeful serial killer and a dangerous stalker
  • This propulsive #1 New York Times bestseller proves "he's not the King for nothing" (USA Today)
Learn more...
Media mentions for Never Flinch by Stephen KingMEDIA MENTIONS:NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, Associated Press, USA Today, Slate, Vulture, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Salon, Paste, Variety, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Booklist, BookPage
GET EBOOK ON:
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Book cover for Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
Reese Witherspoon says her November book club pick has 'twists that will shock you'
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • This instant New York Times bestseller is "a suspenseful and moving must-read" (Reader's Digest)
  • When a shipwrecked woman washes ashore on the storm-battered island of Shearwater, the Salt family takes her in — and soon, their world is upended
  • "It's a ferociously smart read, timely and poetic, and had me gripped from the very first page" (Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry)
Learn more...
Media mentions for Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghyMEDIA MENTIONS:Reese's Book Club, Book of the Month, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, The Economist, The Washington Post, Town & Country, Scientific American, Bustle, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Booklist, BookPage, Electric Literature, Literary Hub
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Book cover for The Names by Florence Knapp
One of 2025's biggest debuts has glowing praise from Ann Napolitano and Elin Hilderbrand
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • Cora hesitates to choose her newborn son's name — and ripple effects unfold across three possible futures…
  • A Read with Jenna pick and instant New York Times bestseller that "will linger with readers long after they finish the last page" (Booklist starred review)
  • "It's one of those books that will make you irritable with anyone who interrupts you, but which you'll finish wanting to press into the hands of a friend" (The Times)
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Names by Florence KnappMEDIA MENTIONS:TODAY Book Club/Read with Jenna, Book of the Month, People, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Times, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Booklist, BookPage, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
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Book cover for Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow
This New York Times bestselling legal thriller 'easily ranks among Turow's best' (Publishers Weekly)
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • Now a retired judge, Rusty Sabich's hopes for a quiet life are dashed when his wife's son, Aaron, is accused of murder
  • A "master class in legal suspense" (Booklist) that captivated Kristin Hannah and David Baldacci
  • The can't-miss sequel to Presumed Innocent, the inspiration for the hit Apple TV+ miniseries
Learn more...
Media mentions for Presumed Guilty by Scott TurowMEDIA MENTIONS:NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Slate, Vulture, Chicago Tribune, The Times, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist
GET EBOOK ON:
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Book cover for The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
Oprah Winfrey promises, 'If you read the first chapter, you're going to be hooked'
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • After troubled 19-year-old Hai becomes the caretaker to Grazina, an elderly widow with dementia, their bond dramatically changes both of their lives
  • This sweeping Oprah's Book Club pick and instant New York Times bestseller "soars to astonishing heights" (Publishers Weekly)
  • "In writing this book, Vuong may have joined the ranks of an elite few great novelists" (Los Angeles Times)
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean VuongMEDIA MENTIONS:Oprah's Book Club, NPR, PBS, TODAY Show, CBS Mornings, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Oprah Daily, Associated Press, Financial Times, Esquire, Vulture, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, BookPage
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
Book cover for The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
The Da Vinci Code's Robert Langdon is back in this smash-hit #1 New York Times bestseller!
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • Race through this page-turning adventure before the Netflix adaptation hits screens
  • Symbology professor Langdon travels to Prague to attend a groundbreaking lecture — where a missing person and a lost manuscript throw him into the center of a twisted conspiracy…
  • "A story is so riveting you'll want to clear your calendar" (USA Today)
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Secret of Secrets by Dan BrownMEDIA MENTIONS:NPR, Good Morning America, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, People, The Washington Post, Associated Press, Good Housekeeping, Vulture, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, The Times, Reactor, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
Book cover for Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Trust Kristin Hannah: 'You'll barrel through this electric novel' until the 'pitch-perfect ending'
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • A Good Morning America Book Club pick and instant #1 New York Times bestseller
  • When Joan becomes one of the first women scientists to join NASA's space shuttle program, she finds love and unlikely friendship — but one shocking mission will change everything
  • The epic latest from the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is already slated for a film adaptation
Learn more...
Media mentions for Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidMEDIA MENTIONS:Good Morning America Book Club, Time Magazine, NPR, Good Morning America, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, New Scientist, Entertainment Weekly, People, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Financial Times, USA Today, Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Los Angeles Times, The Times, Rolling Stone, Variety, Reactor, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, BookPage
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
 
  

New deals on ebooks recommended by Maggie O’Farrell and Lee Child

 
BookBub
Don't miss this deal on an ebook recommended by Maggie O'Farrell
Deal alerts on ebooks recommended by people you follow
 
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The Queen of Dirt Island
The Queen of Dirt Island
By Donal Ryan
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Maggie O'Farrell
Previously recommended by:
Maggie O'FarrellAuthor
“From its opening pages, this book exerts a quiet, propulsive hold over its reader. The three generations of Aylward women will break your heart and then put it back together again. It's a beautiful, compassionate novel — Donal Ryan at his inimitable best.”
The Girl with Ice in Her Veins
The Girl with Ice in Her Veins
By Karin Smirnoff
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Lee Child
Previously recommended by:
Lee ChildAuthor
“Lisbeth Salander is back — and maybe better than ever.”
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