The Guardian has unveiled its highly anticipated guide to the best books of 2025, featuring a stellar line-up of literary talent across fiction, non-fiction, and specialist genres. The annual selection, curated by the newspaper's team of expert critics, promises readers a year of exceptional reading, from long-awaited new novels to groundbreaking memoirs and thought-provoking non-fiction.
Fiction and Literary Highlights
The fiction list for 2025 is particularly strong, headlined by major new works from literary giants. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie returns with her novel 'Dream Count', while Ian McEwan also delivers a new title. In a notable literary event, the reclusive Thomas Pynchon makes a return. The year also sees David Szalay's Booker Prize-winning novel celebrated, alongside a remarkable collection of short stories highlighted by fiction editor Justine Jordan.
In the realm of translated fiction, Nobel laureate Han Kang makes a welcome return. Other notable works include Daniel Kehlmann's 'The Director', exploring film-making under the Nazis, and essential stories from postwar Iraq, as selected by critic John Self.
Memoir, Biography and Non-Fiction Standouts
The personal stories of 2025 are compelling and diverse. In memoir and biography, Anthony Hopkins and Kathy Burke offer candid insights into the world of acting. Arundhati Roy pens a brave memoir, while the prize-winning diaries of Helen Dunmore are published. The selection, chosen by Fiona Sturges, also features figures like Margaret Atwood, Tim Curry, Lionel Richie, Jacinda Ardern, Jung Chang, and Helen Garner.
The history and politics section, chosen by Pratinav Anil, includes Jason Burke's 'The Revolutionists', which examines radical extremists in the 1970s. 'Motherland' views modern Russian history through women's eyes, and other titles analyse the fall of the Tories and Keir Starmer's electoral victory.
In science and nature, Anjana Ahuja selects books tackling the threat of superintelligent AI, the secrets to a longer life, the evolution of language, and a study of Francis Crick's restless genius.
Genre Fiction and Specialist Categories
Fans of crime and thrillers have much to anticipate. Mick Herron's beloved 'Slow Horses' series returns with a new case, while Denise Mina presents 'The Good Liar'. A clever, creepy Japanese detective mystery from YouTuber Uketsu is also spotlighted by Laura Wilson.
Science fiction picks from Adam Roberts feature icy intrigue, cyberpunk cyborgs, memory-eating aliens, and stories of super-fast travel destabilising the world. In poetry, Rishi Dastidar highlights a collected works from Seamus Heaney, new verse from Simon Armitage, and Forward prize winners Karen Solie and Vidyan Ravinthiran.
Other notable categories include:
- Food: Sami Tamimi on Palestinian heritage, Helen Goh on baking's psychological benefits, and Roopa Gulati on Indian kitchen secrets (selected by Bee Wilson).
- Graphic Novels: Returns for Alison Bechdel and Joe Sacco, plus tales of Black Country cowboys and vengeful gods (picked by James Smart).
- Children's & YA: A new read-aloud favourite, Katherine Rundell's high fantasy, and YA tales of space telepaths and war-torn Britain (selected by Imogen Russell Williams).
- Music: Alexis Petridis chooses an indictment of Spotify and a compelling Tupac Shakur biography.
- Sports: Jonathan Liew picks books on Bradley Wiggins's trauma and triumphs and the secret life of a match fixer.
The Guardian's comprehensive list serves as an essential roadmap for the literary year ahead. With such a rich variety of titles across all genres, 2025 is set to be a landmark year for readers. The full selection of the best books of 2025 can be explored via the Guardian Bookshop.
