Every year, millions of readers come together to crown the most captivating books of the year through the Goodreads Choice Awards — the world’s largest reader-driven book awards. In 2025, more than 7.5 million votes decided the winners, making this list the most authentic and democratic collection of the year’s most-loved books.
Whether you love romance, fantasy, historical fiction, thrillers, or nonfiction, the 2025 winners offer something unforgettable for every reader. This guide brings you the best books of 2025, complete with short book introductions, category winners, links to Goodreads, and why these titles stood above the rest.
Why the 2025 Goodreads Winners Matter
Unlike awards decided by critics or committees, the Goodreads Choice Awards are entirely reader-powered. Millions of book lovers choose titles that truly moved them, entertained them, or changed how they see the world.
These winners matter because they:
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Reflect global reading trends
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Highlight breakout authors and new voices
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Capture the emotional pulse of the reading community
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Represent the most-read and most-discussed books of 2025
If you're building your reading list for 2025–2026, this is the perfect place to start.
Best Books of 2025 — Categories & Winners
Below is a detailed breakdown of each major category, complete with insights and book links.
**1. Best Fiction of 2025
★ Winner: My Friends — Fredrik Backman**
Why it won:
Fredrik Backman delivers a beautifully emotional story about youth, art, and friendship. Known for titles like A Man Called Ove, Backman once again captures human complexities with tenderness and humor.
Short Intro:
A novel filled with nostalgia and quiet emotional power, My Friends examines how friendships shape us — and how memory, time, and choices can redefine our lives.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “My Friends Fredrik Backman Goodreads”)
**2. Best Historical Fiction of 2025
★ Winner: Atmosphere — Taylor Jenkins Reid**
Why it won:
TJR is a master of emotional storytelling, and Atmosphere blends history with gripping character arcs that stay with you long after finishing.
Short Intro:
Richly atmospheric and beautifully layered, this novel explores relationships, ambition, and the human cost of choices set against a memorable historical backdrop.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “Atmosphere Taylor Jenkins Reid Goodreads”)
**3. Best Romance of 2025
★ Winner: Great Big Beautiful Life — Emily Henry**
Why it won:
Emily Henry continues her reign as the queen of modern romance. This book won readers’ hearts with its heartfelt emotional depth and signature humor.
Short Intro:
A warm and charming tale of love, healing, and rediscovering joy. Expect witty dialogue, slow-burn chemistry, and beautifully relatable characters.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “Great Big Beautiful Life Emily Henry Goodreads”)
**4. Best Romantic Fantasy (Romantasy) of 2025
★ Winner: Onyx Storm — Rebecca Yarros**
Why it won:
The Empyrean series continues to dominate, thanks to its powerful blend of dragons, intense romance, and high-stakes fantasy battles.
Short Intro:
The sequel brings more action, deeper emotional conflicts, and world-building that fans of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame adore.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “Onyx Storm Rebecca Yarros Goodreads”)
**5. Best Fantasy of 2025
★ Winner: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil — V. E. Schwab**
Why it won:
Schwab’s dark, atmospheric storytelling once again mesmerized readers. This book blends historical fiction, fantasy, and gothic horror in a unique way.
Short Intro:
A haunting, poetic, character-driven fantasy exploring identity, oppression, and the power of stories — set in a beautifully imagined world.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil Schwab Goodreads”)
**6. Best Debut Novel of 2025
★ Winner: Alchemised — SenLinYu**
Why it won:
A surprise breakout! SenLinYu’s debut captured massive attention with its atmospheric world, dark magic, and intense storytelling.
Short Intro:
Necromancers, haunted estates, forbidden alchemy — this is a perfect pick for fans of dark fantasy and gothic romance.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “Alchemised SenLinYu Goodreads”)
**7. Best YA Fantasy & Sci-Fi of 2025
★ Winner: Sunrise on the Reaping — Suzanne Collins**
Why it won:
The world of The Hunger Games returns — and fans rewarded it with huge votes.
Short Intro:
This prequel expands the lore, deepens character motivations, and adds gripping new layers to the iconic dystopian universe.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “Sunrise on the Reaping Suzanne Collins Goodreads”)
**8. Best Science Fiction of 2025
★ Winner: The Compound — Aisling Rawle**
Why it won:
An imaginative story exploring futuristic themes, ethics, and survival — it quickly became a sci-fi favorite.
Short Intro:
Filled with thought-provoking ideas and sharp world-building, this book appeals to both casual and hardcore sci-fi fans.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “The Compound Aisling Rawle Goodreads”)
**9. Best Mystery & Thriller of 2025
★ Winner: Not Quite Dead Yet — Holly Jackson**
Why it won:
From the author of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, this thriller delivered heart-pounding suspense.
Short Intro:
A gripping, twist-loaded mystery that keeps readers turning pages late into the night.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “Not Quite Dead Yet Holly Jackson Goodreads”)
**10. Best Horror of 2025
★ Winner: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls — Grady Hendrix**
Why it won:
Hendrix is known for clever, chilling stories — and this one hits hard with mystery, supernatural elements, and strong themes.
Short Intro:
A cleverly crafted horror with psychological twists, dark humor, and eerie world-building.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “Witchcraft for Wayward Girls Grady Hendrix Goodreads”)
**11. Best Nonfiction of 2025
★ Winner: Everything Is Tuberculosis — John Green**
Why it won:
Insightful, deeply researched, and accessible — this nonfiction work tackles one of the world’s most persistent diseases.
Short Intro:
A mix of history, personal reflection, and public health commentary, this book speaks to readers who appreciate meaningful, socially relevant nonfiction.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “Everything Is Tuberculosis John Green Goodreads”)
**12. Best Memoir & Autobiography of 2025
★ Winner: The House of My Mother — Shari Franke**
Why it won:
Raw, emotional, and beautifully written — this memoir resonated with readers across generations.
Short Intro:
A powerful journey of identity, freedom, and healing told with brutal honesty and emotional clarity.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “The House of My Mother Shari Franke Goodreads”)
**13. Best History & Biography of 2025
★ Winner: How to Kill a Witch — Claire Mitchell & Zoe Venditozzi**
Why it won:
A bold and eye-opening exploration of how patriarchal systems targeted and silenced women throughout history.
Short Intro:
Both historical and modern, this book revisits witch trials to draw parallels with contemporary injustices.
👉 Read on Goodreads: (Search “How to Kill a Witch Mitchell Venditozzi Goodreads”)
What These Winners Tell Us About Reading Trends in 2025
1. Romance and Fantasy Continue to Dominate
Romantasy remains one of the fastest-growing genres — with Rebecca Yarros and V.E. Schwab leading the charge.
2. Readers Want Depth & Emotion
Memoirs, historical fiction, and character-driven novels topped categories, showing readers want emotional storytelling.
3. Young Adult & Sci-Fi Are Back in Spotlight
The return of Suzanne Collins shows YA dystopia still has massive fan energy.
4. Social & Global Issues Matter
Books like John Green’s Everything Is Tuberculosis highlight the demand for meaningful nonfiction.
How to Use This List
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Build a 2025–2026 reading list
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Discover new authors and genres
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Gift books that will be loved
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Add trending titles to your book club
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Use it as a guide for library or Kindle selections
Final Thoughts
The Best Books of 2025 list reflects what millions of readers truly loved — making it the most honest snapshot of what defined this year in literature. Whether you enjoy thrilling mysteries, emotional romances, haunting fantasies, or impactful nonfiction, there’s a book here that will stay with you long after the last page.
Start exploring, start reading — and let these reader-chosen favorites inspire your next unforgettable story.