The most outstanding books of 2025
Fiction
Guardian fiction editor Justine Jordan curates the year’s crowd-pleasers, highlighting Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Dream Count, a notable return from Thomas Pynchon, David Szalay’s Booker-winning work, and a striking collection of short stories.
Memoir and biography
Anthony Hopkins and Kathy Burke share behind-the-scenes moments from acting, a courageous memoir by Arundhati Roy, and Helen Dunmore’s prize-winning diaries, all highlighted by Fiona Sturges.
Crime and thrillers
Laura Wilson showcases a fresh case in Mick Herron’s Slow Horses universe, Denise Mina’s The Good Liar, and a clever, unsettling Japanese detective mystery from YouTuber Uketsu.
History and politics
Radical extremists surge in the 1970s, modern Russian history through a female lens in Motherland, plus insights into political shifts: how the Tories unraveled and Keir Starmer rose to power — selections chosen by Pratinav Anil.
Poetry
Rishi Dastidar presents the year’s poetry highlights, spanning Seamus Heaney’sCollected Poems, Simon Armitage’s animal-inspired verse, and award-winning collections by Karen Solie and Vidyan Ravinthiran.
Children’s literature
A fresh read-aloud favorite about world-dominating doughnuts, adventurous high fantasy from Katherine Rundell, and more — Imogen Russell Williams selects the best kids’ books of 2025.
Science and nature
From debates over superintelligent AI to life-extension strategies, plus language evolution and the inventive work of Francis Crick — Anjana Ahuja spotlights year’s must-read science and nature titles.
Translated fiction
Han Kang returns, Daniel Kehlmann’s Nazi-era filmmaking, Solvej Balle’s looping life, Nordic thrillers, and essential postwar Iraqi stories — John Self highlights the finest translated fiction of 2025.
Food
Sami Tamimi honors Palestine’s culinary heritage, Helen Goh reveals the mental perks of baking, and Roopa Gulati shares kitchen tricks from top Indian households — Bee Wilson rounds up the standout recipe books of the year.
Graphic novels
Ariel returns from Alison Bechdel and Joe Sacco, plus tales of rustic courage, vengeful gods, and a reimagined angling classic — James Smart showcases the graphic novels you shouldn’t miss.
Young adult
Spacefaring telepaths, LGBTQ+ activism, a torn Britain, online alter egos, and feminist role models define Imogen Russell Williams’s selection of the year’s best YA titles.
Music
From a sharp critique of Spotify to a gripping Tupac Shakur biography, Alexis Petridis curates five titles that strike a chord.
Science fiction
Icy twists, cybernetic worlds, memory-devouring aliens, and ultra-rapid travel that destabilizes the globe define the year’s top SF picks, chosen by Adam Roberts.
Sports
From Olympic cyclist Bradley Wiggins’s triumphs and traumas to a covert life of a match fixer, these are the best sports books of 2025, selected by Jonathan Liew.
For a complete look at Guardian’s best books of 2025, visit guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
