Every year we read a lot of books, but the ones that really matter are the ones that stay with us, the stories we recommend relentlessly, argue about in comment sections, and press into friends’ hands with you have to read this.
So rather than publishing a solitary “best of” list, we asked you to vote for your favourite books of 2025, and the results are in. From literary heavyweights to genre standouts, this year’s list is thoughtful, emotional, political, and quietly devastating in places.
Here are the top ten books of 2025, as voted for by our readers
1. The Correspondent – Virginia Evans
25 votes
A clear winner, The Correspondent struck a chord with more readers than any other book this year. Evans’ novel is intimate and sharply observed, capturing the emotional undercurrents of modern life with remarkable restraint. It’s a book about communication — what we say, what we don’t, and how meaning can shift entirely in the space between sender and receiver. Quiet, intelligent, and deeply human, this was a standout for many.
2. Atmosphere – Taylor Jenkins Reid
20 votes
Taylor Jenkins Reid knows how to write a compulsive, emotionally immersive novel, and Atmosphere is no exception. Balancing ambition, love, and identity against a backdrop that feels both expansive and intensely personal, this was a huge hit with readers who love character-driven storytelling with heart. A novel that’s as readable as it is affecting.
3. King Sorrow – Joe Hill
16 votes
Dark, unsettling, and unmistakably Joe Hill, King Sorrow delivered for fans of literary horror and psychological unease. Blending myth, fear, and emotional depth, this novel proves once again that Hill excels at making the monstrous feel disturbingly close to home. A gripping read that lingered long after the final page.
4. The River Is Waiting – Wally Lamb
14 votes
Wally Lamb returns with a powerful, emotionally charged novel exploring grief, guilt, and the long shadows of trauma. The River Is Waiting resonated strongly with readers who appreciate deeply empathetic storytelling and morally complex characters. It’s painful in places, but never without compassion.
5. There are Rivers in the Sky – Elif Shafak
13 votes
Elif Shafak’s lyrical prose once again captivated readers with Rivers in the Sky, a novel that weaves together place, memory, and identity. Richly layered and deeply humane, this book appealed to those who love expansive storytelling rooted in empathy and cultural insight. A beautiful, thoughtful read.
6. Sunrise on the Reaping – Suzanne Collins
12 votes (tie)
The Hunger Games universe returned to the spotlight with Sunrise on the Reaping, and readers were more than ready. Suzanne Collins delivers a tense, politically charged novel that adds depth to a familiar world while standing confidently on its own. A reminder of why this series continues to resonate so powerfully.
7. Somewhere Beyond the Sea – T.J. Klune
12 votes (tie)
Warm, hopeful, and unapologetically kind, Somewhere Beyond the Sea offered readers a much-needed emotional refuge. T.J. Klune’s signature blend of found family, gentle humour, and heartfelt sincerity made this a favourite for those seeking comfort without sentimentality.
8. Everything Is Tuberculosis – John Green
11 votes
Part memoir, part social history, Everything Is Tuberculosis is John Green at his most reflective and incisive. Readers praised its compassion and clarity, as well as its ability to connect the deeply personal with the profoundly political. Informative, moving, and quietly radical.
9. Wild, Dark Shore – Charlotte McConaghy
10 votes
Rounding out the list is Charlotte McConaghy’s Wild, Dark Shore, a novel that blends environmental themes with emotional intensity. Atmospheric and urgent, it appealed to readers who love nature writing infused with tension and moral complexity. A haunting, timely book to close out the top ten.
10. Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent – Judi Dench
(7 votes)
A joyful, intelligent celebration of Shakespeare and a lifetime spent in his company, Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent was a firm favourite among readers who love books about books — and performance. Judi Dench’s warmth and wit shine throughout as she reflects on the plays she has lived with, learned from, and returned to again and again.
Rather than academic analysis, this is Shakespeare as a working actor knows him: alive, playful, and endlessly adaptable. It’s accessible without being simplistic, reverent without being dry, and a reminder that the Bard’s words endure because they continue to be spoken, questioned, and felt. A delight for theatre lovers and curious readers alike.
This year’s list reflects a reading community drawn to emotionally intelligent fiction, political awareness, and stories that ask difficult questions. Whether you voted or are just looking for your next great read, these ten books defined 2025 for many of us — and if you haven’t read them yet, your TBR pile may have just grown again.
Did your favourite make the list? And which book are you backing for 2026 already?
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