30 best new books to read in 2025

Whether you’ve joined the 2025 challenge on Goodreads or you’re already planning your spring break and summer holiday reading material, you’re spoiled for choice with new book releases from the past year.

From light-hearted reads to novels that transport you to warmer climes, the criteria for a good book is simple: you won’t want to put it down. We might only be in March, but some of the new titles in 2025 have been incredible.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s first novel in 10 years, Dream Count, is already a hit with critics, while Pulitzer-Prize winning author Anne Tyler’s new novel, Three Days in June, is quietly majestic. As for debuts, Nussaibah Younis’s Fundamentally is a witty story of Islamic State brides, and Sarah Harman’s novel, All The Other Mothers Hate Me, is sure to be one of the buzziest books of the summer. Bold and thought-provoking in different ways, Natasha Brown’s Universality and Saou Ichikawa’s Hunchback are both short reads that can occupy a spring afternoon.

New paperback releases are equally worth diving into (and not just to save on shelf or hand luggage space) – think Kaliane Bradley’s charming time-travelling romance, The Ministry of Time, and Percival Everett’s reimagining of Huckleberry Finn, James. That’s all on top of the past year’s anticipated titles from acclaimed authors such as Sally Rooney, Taffy Brodesser-Akner and Coco Mellors.

There’s a huge variety of novels out this year – our list ranges from an Irish family in turmoil to love in the trenches of the First World War, grieving sisters, slavery in the American South, and astronauts on the International Space Station. Keep scrolling to find your new favourite novel.

How we tested

We’ve read dozens of new releases over the past year, including hardbacks and paperbacks. This list includes the best original page-turners with superb quality prose and the most captivating stories that stayed with us after we’d reached the end. From books for history-lovers to romance novels, witty romantic comedies and acclaimed prize-winners, there’s something for every type of reader.

Why you can trust us

Daisy Lester is a senior shopping writer at The Independent. As well as writing about beauty and fashion, she specialises in reviewing books. She always has her finger on the pulse when it comes to new releases from both debut authors and acclaimed writers. Daisy knows what makes a gripping, moving or important story, whether it’s a romantic comedy or historical drama. She loves books of every genre, from satire to mystery and crime, so rest assured there will be a book for every taste in her round-ups.

The best new books to read in 2025 are:

• Best overall – ‘The Names’ by Florence Knapp, published by Phoenix: £13.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Best debut – Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis, published by W&N: £14.19, Amazon.co.uk
• Best literary retelling – James by Percival Everett, published by Mantle: £15.88, Amazon.co.uk
• Best crime novel – ‘All The Other Mothers Hate Me’ by Sarah Harman, published by Fourth Estate: £13.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Best time-travel romance – The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, published by Sceptre: £13.99, Amazon.co.uk