Best Books of the Year
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The New Yorker

The New Yorker Best Books of the Year 2025

The New Yorker Best Books of the Year 2025 names 336 books across 2 categories. 49 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Also Recommended

  1. 1861: The Lost Peace by Jay Winiksource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls by Adam Morgansource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Day Like Any Other by Nathan Kernansource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Different Kind of Tension by Jonathan Lethemsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A Flower Traveled in My Blood by Haley Cohen Gillilandsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. A Fractured Liberation by Kornel Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. A Gorgeous Excitement by Cynthia Weinersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdarsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. A Hollywood Ending by Yaron Weitzmansource (opens in a new tab)
  10. A Love Story from the End of the World by Juhea Kimsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. A Matter of Complexion by Tess Chakkalakalsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. A New New Me by Helen Oyeyemisource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Adaptable by Herman Pontzersource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Aflame by Pico Iyersource (opens in a new tab)
  15. After Lives by Megan Marshallsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. America, América by Greg Grandinsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. American Laughter, American Fury by Eran A. Zelniksource (opens in a new tab)
  18. American Oasis by Kyle Paolettasource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Among Friends by Hal Ebbottsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Analog Days by Damion Searlssource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Ancient Mediterranean Incarceration by Matthew D.C. Larsen and Mark Letteneysource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Another Man in the Street by Caryl Phillipssource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Antimemetics by Nadia Asparouhovasource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Apocalypse by Lizzie Wadesource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Apple in China by Patrick McGeesource (opens in a new tab)
  26. At Last by Marisa Silversource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Atlas’s Bones by D. Vance Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Atomic Dreams by Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Augustine the African by Catherine Conybearesource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Autocorrect by Etgar Keret, translated by Jessica CohenSondra Silverstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Baldwin by Nicholas Boggssource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Before Elvis by Preston Lauterbachsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoensource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashinosource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Big Kiss, Bye-Bye by Claire-Louise Bennettsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Bigger Than Fashion by Tyler Watamanuksource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Black in Blues by Imani Perrysource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Blessings and Disasters by Alexis Okeowosource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Blob by Maggie Susource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Bog Queen by Anna Northsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Bread of Angels by Patti Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Breakneck by Dan Wangsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Cape Fever by Nadia Davidssource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Capitalism and Its Critics by John Cassidysource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Changeover by Giri Nathansource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Children of Radium by Joe Dunthornesource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Clint by Shawn Levysource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Code Noir by Canisia Lubrinsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Cold Kitchen by Caroline Edensource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Cooler Than Cool by C. M. Kushinssource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Crumb by Dan Nadelsource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Cryptic by Garry J. Shawsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Culpability by Bruce Holsingersource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaitesource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Dante by Prue Shawsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Daring to Be Free by Sudhir Hazareesinghsource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Dark Renaissance by Stephen Greenblattsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Darkenbloom by Eva Menasse, translated by Charlotte Collinssource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Daughters of the Bamboo Grove by Barbara Demicksource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Death Takes Me by Cristina Rivera Garza, translated by Sarah BookerRobin Myerssource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Death and the Gardener by Georgi Gospodinov, translated by Angela Rodelsource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Death in a Shallow Pond by David Edmondssource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Deep House by Jeremy Atherton Linsource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Dinner with King Tut by Sam Keansource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Disinheritance by Ruth Prawer Jhabvalasource (opens in a new tab)
  67. Don’t Forget We’re Here Forever by Lamorna Ashsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichiesource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Dream State by Eric Puchnersource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Dusk by Robbie Arnottsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. Dust and Light by Andrea Barrettsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. Embers of the Hands by Eleanor Barracloughsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Embracing Exile by David Kraemersource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Eminent Jews by David Denbysource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Empty Vessel by Ian Kumekawasource (opens in a new tab)
  76. Endling by Maria Revasource (opens in a new tab)
  77. Ends of the Earth by Neil Shubinsource (opens in a new tab)
  78. Estate by Cynthia Zarinsource (opens in a new tab)
  79. Everything Evolves by Mark Vellendsource (opens in a new tab)
  80. Everything Must Go by Dorian Lynskeysource (opens in a new tab)
  81. Exophony by Yoko Tawada, translated by Lisa Hofmann-Kurodasource (opens in a new tab)
  82. Flashes of Brilliance by Anika Burgesssource (opens in a new tab)
  83. Flop Era by Lara Eggersource (opens in a new tab)
  84. Ghosts of Iron Mountain by Phil Tinlinesource (opens in a new tab)
  85. Gliff by Ali Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. God and Sex by Jon Raymondsource (opens in a new tab)
  87. Goddess Complex by Sanjena Sathiansource (opens in a new tab)
  88. Godstruck by Kelsey Osgoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  89. Going Home by Tom Lamontsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. Good Things by Samin Nosratsource (opens in a new tab)
  91. Good and Evil by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowellsource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Happiness Forever by Adelaide Faithsource (opens in a new tab)
  93. Heart the Lover by Lily Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Heart, Be at Peace by Donal Ryansource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Heiresses by Miranda Kaufmannsource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Helen of Troy, 1993 by Maria Zoccolasource (opens in a new tab)
  97. Here Comes the Sun by Bill McKibbensource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Hollywood High by Bruce Handysource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Homes for Living by Jonathan Tarletonsource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Homework by Geoff Dyersource (opens in a new tab)
  101. How Things Are Made by Tim Minshallsource (opens in a new tab)
  102. How We Grow Up by Matt Richtelsource (opens in a new tab)
  103. How to Feed the World by Vaclav Smilsource (opens in a new tab)
  104. Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa, translated by Polly Bartonsource (opens in a new tab)
  105. Hunter by Shuang Xuetao, translated by Jeremy Tiangsource (opens in a new tab)
  106. I Deliver Parcels in Beijing by Hu Anyan, translated by Jack Hargreavessource (opens in a new tab)
  107. I Regret Almost Everything by Keith McNallysource (opens in a new tab)
  108. If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies by Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soaressource (opens in a new tab)
  109. Immaculate Forms by Helen Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  110. In Covid’s Wake by Stephen Macedo and Frances Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  111. In Defense of Partisanship by Julian E. Zelizersource (opens in a new tab)
  112. In Praise of Floods by James C. Scottsource (opens in a new tab)
  113. Information Age by Cora Lewissource (opens in a new tab)
  114. Inventing the Renaissance by Ada Palmersource (opens in a new tab)
  115. I’ll Tell You When I’m Home by Hala Alyansource (opens in a new tab)
  116. Jesus Wept by Philip Shenonsource (opens in a new tab)
  117. Joyride by Susan Orleansource (opens in a new tab)
  118. Kant: A Revolution in Thinking by Marcus Willaschek, translated by Peter Lewissource (opens in a new tab)
  119. King of Kings by Scott Andersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  120. Land Power by Michael Albertussource (opens in a new tab)
  121. Languages of Home by John Edgar Widemansource (opens in a new tab)
  122. Life on a Little-Known Planet by Elizabeth Kolbertsource (opens in a new tab)
  123. Lightbreakers by Aja Gabelsource (opens in a new tab)
  124. Lili Is Crying by Hélène Bessette, translated by Kate Briggssource (opens in a new tab)
  125. Lincoln’s Peace by Michael Vorenbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  126. Little Red Barns by Will Pottersource (opens in a new tab)
  127. Long Distance by Aysegül Savassource (opens in a new tab)
  128. Looking For Tank Man by Ha Jinsource (opens in a new tab)
  129. Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg by Kenneth Turansource (opens in a new tab)
  130. Love and Need by Adam Plunkettsource (opens in a new tab)
  131. Lower than the Angels by Diarmaid MacCullochsource (opens in a new tab)
  132. Mafalda by Quino, translated by Frank Wynnesource (opens in a new tab)
  133. Make It Ours by Robin Givhansource (opens in a new tab)
  134. Make Your Own Job by Erik Bakersource (opens in a new tab)
  135. Marketcrafters by Chris Hughessource (opens in a new tab)
  136. Matching Minds with Sondheim by Barry Josephsource (opens in a new tab)
  137. Miracles and Wonder by Elaine Pagelssource (opens in a new tab)
  138. Misbehaving at the Crossroads by Honorée Fanonne Jefferssource (opens in a new tab)
  139. Moderation by Elaine Castillosource (opens in a new tab)
  140. Mood Machine by Liz Pellysource (opens in a new tab)
  141. Mornings Without Mii by Mayumi Inaba, translated by Ginny Tapley Takemorisource (opens in a new tab)
  142. Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roysource (opens in a new tab)
  143. Murderland by Caroline Frasersource (opens in a new tab)
  144. Muscle Man by Jordan Castrosource (opens in a new tab)
  145. My Childhood in Pieces by Edward Hirschsource (opens in a new tab)
  146. My Darling Boy by John Dufresnesource (opens in a new tab)
  147. My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende, translated by Frances Riddlesource (opens in a new tab)
  148. Mỹ Documents by Kevin Nguyensource (opens in a new tab)
  149. Near Flesh by Katherine Dunnsource (opens in a new tab)
  150. New and Collected Hell by Shane McCraesource (opens in a new tab)
  151. Night People by Mark Ronsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  152. Ninette’s War by John Jaysource (opens in a new tab)
  153. No Fault by Haley Mloteksource (opens in a new tab)
  154. No Sense in Wishing by Lawrence Burneysource (opens in a new tab)
  155. Notes on Surviving the Fire by Christine Murphysource (opens in a new tab)
  156. On Antisemitism by Mark Mazowersource (opens in a new tab)
  157. On the Calculation of Volume (Book III) by Solvej Balle, translated by Sophia Hersi Smith & Jennifer Russellsource (opens in a new tab)
  158. Open Socrates by Agnes Callardsource (opens in a new tab)
  159. Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  160. Original Sins by Eve L. Ewingsource (opens in a new tab)
  161. Other Worlds by André Alexissource (opens in a new tab)
  162. Palaver by Bryan Washingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  163. Paper Girl by Beth Macysource (opens in a new tab)
  164. Paradiso by Dante Alighieri, translated by Mary Jo Bangsource (opens in a new tab)
  165. Pariah by Dan Fespermansource (opens in a new tab)
  166. Peacemaker by Thant Myint-Usource (opens in a new tab)
  167. Pick a Color by Souvankham Thammavongsasource (opens in a new tab)
  168. Playworld by Adam Rosssource (opens in a new tab)
  169. Positive Obsession by Susana M. Morrissource (opens in a new tab)
  170. Powers of Reading by Peter Szendy, translated by Olivia Custersource (opens in a new tab)
  171. Putting Myself Together by Jamaica Kincaidsource (opens in a new tab)
  172. Razzle Dazzle 'Em by John Lahrsource (opens in a new tab)
  173. Ready for My Close-Up by David M. Lubinsource (opens in a new tab)
  174. Red Scare by Clay Risensource (opens in a new tab)
  175. Rosa Mistika by Euphrase Kezilahabi, translated by Jay Boss Rubinsource (opens in a new tab)
  176. Rosarita by Anita Desaisource (opens in a new tab)
  177. Rot by Padraic X. Scanlansource (opens in a new tab)
  178. Run the Song by Ben Ratliffsource (opens in a new tab)
  179. Second Life by Amanda Hesssource (opens in a new tab)
  180. Seeking Shelter by Jeff Hobbssource (opens in a new tab)
  181. Selected Letters of John Updike by John Updikesource (opens in a new tab)
  182. Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything by Alyson Stonersource (opens in a new tab)
  183. Shade by Sam Blochsource (opens in a new tab)
  184. Shamanism by Manvir Singhsource (opens in a new tab)
  185. Shattered by Hanif Kureishisource (opens in a new tab)
  186. Sister, Sinner by Claire Hoffmansource (opens in a new tab)
  187. Sitting Bull’s War by Paul L. Hedrensource (opens in a new tab)
  188. Some Bright Nowhere by Ann Packersource (opens in a new tab)
  189. Somewhere Toward Freedom by Bennett Partensource (opens in a new tab)
  190. Spent by Alison Bechdelsource (opens in a new tab)
  191. Splendid Liberators by Joe Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  192. Stan and Gus by Henry Wienceksource (opens in a new tab)
  193. Startlement by Ada Limónsource (opens in a new tab)
  194. Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Woodsource (opens in a new tab)
  195. Strike by Sarah E. Bondsource (opens in a new tab)
  196. Swallows by Natsuo Kirino, translated by Lisa Hofmann-Kurodasource (opens in a new tab)
  197. Taking Manhattan by Russell Shortosource (opens in a new tab)
  198. Television by Lauren Rotherysource (opens in a new tab)
  199. The Age of Extraction by Tim Wusource (opens in a new tab)
  200. The Aviator and the Showman by Laurie Gwen Shapirosource (opens in a new tab)
  201. The Award by Matthew Pearlsource (opens in a new tab)
  202. The Book of Records by Madeleine Thiensource (opens in a new tab)
  203. The Boyhood of Cain by Michael Amherstsource (opens in a new tab)
  204. The Broken King by Michael Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  205. The Compound by Aisling Rawlesource (opens in a new tab)
  206. The Containment by Michelle Adamssource (opens in a new tab)
  207. The Crossing by Richard Parkersource (opens in a new tab)
  208. The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated by Ross Benjaminsource (opens in a new tab)
  209. The Dissenters by Youssef Rakhasource (opens in a new tab)
  210. The Diversity of Morals by Steven Lukessource (opens in a new tab)
  211. The Doorman by Chris Pavonesource (opens in a new tab)
  212. The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalamisource (opens in a new tab)
  213. The Einstein of Sex by Daniel Brooksource (opens in a new tab)
  214. The Eleventh Hour by Salman Rushdiesource (opens in a new tab)
  215. The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjeesource (opens in a new tab)
  216. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuongsource (opens in a new tab)
  217. The End Is the Beginning by Jill Bialoskysource (opens in a new tab)
  218. The Eternal Forest by Elena Sheppardsource (opens in a new tab)
  219. The Float Test by Lynn Steger Strongsource (opens in a new tab)
  220. The Four Spent the Day Together by Chris Kraussource (opens in a new tab)
  221. The Franklin Stove by Joyce E. Chaplinsource (opens in a new tab)
  222. The Genius of Trees by Harriet Rixsource (opens in a new tab)
  223. The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottleysource (opens in a new tab)
  224. The Gods of New York by Jonathan Mahlersource (opens in a new tab)
  225. The Gossip Columnist’s Daughter by Peter Ornersource (opens in a new tab)
  226. The Haves and Have-Yachts by Evan Osnossource (opens in a new tab)
  227. The House on Buzzards Bay by Dwyer Murphysource (opens in a new tab)
  228. The Imagined Life by Andrew Portersource (opens in a new tab)
  229. The Improbable Victoria Woodhull by Eden Collinsworthsource (opens in a new tab)
  230. The Innocents of Florence by Joseph Luzzisource (opens in a new tab)
  231. The Insider by Gerald Howardsource (opens in a new tab)
  232. The Invention of Design by Maggie Gramsource (opens in a new tab)
  233. The Key to Everything by Margaret A. Bruciasource (opens in a new tab)
  234. The Land in Winter by Andrew Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  235. The Last Supper by Paul Eliesource (opens in a new tab)
  236. The Lost Orchid by Sarah Bilstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  237. The Many Lives of Anne Frank by Ruth Franklinsource (opens in a new tab)
  238. The Martians by David Baronsource (opens in a new tab)
  239. The Maverick’s Museum by Blake Gopniksource (opens in a new tab)
  240. The Mind Reels by Fredrik deBoersource (opens in a new tab)
  241. The Mission by Tim Weinersource (opens in a new tab)
  242. The Moral Circle by Jeff Sebosource (opens in a new tab)
  243. The Natural Order of Things by Donika Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  244. The Nimbus by Robert P. Bairdsource (opens in a new tab)
  245. The Old Man by the Sea by Domenico Starnone, translated by Oonagh Stranskysource (opens in a new tab)
  246. The Place of Tides by James Rebankssource (opens in a new tab)
  247. The Poems of Seamus Heaney by Seamus Heaneysource (opens in a new tab)
  248. The Riveter by Jack Wangsource (opens in a new tab)
  249. The Running Ground by Nicholas Thompsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  250. The Salt Stones by Helen Whybrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  251. The Scrapbook by Heather Clarksource (opens in a new tab)
  252. The Season by Helen Garnersource (opens in a new tab)
  253. The Second Coming by Carter Shermansource (opens in a new tab)
  254. The Second Estate by Ray D. Madoffsource (opens in a new tab)
  255. The Secret History of the Rape Kit by Pagan Kennedysource (opens in a new tab)
  256. The Shadow of the Mammoth by Fabio Morábito, translated by Curtis Bauersource (opens in a new tab)
  257. The Sirens’ Call by Chris Hayessource (opens in a new tab)
  258. The South by Tash Awsource (opens in a new tab)
  259. The Spinach King by John Seabrooksource (opens in a new tab)
  260. The Strangers by Ekow Eshunsource (opens in a new tab)
  261. The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somerssource (opens in a new tab)
  262. The Thinking Machine by Stephen Wittsource (opens in a new tab)
  263. The Tragedy of True Crime by John J. Lennonsource (opens in a new tab)
  264. The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) by Rabih Alameddinesource (opens in a new tab)
  265. The Unbroken Coast by Nalini Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  266. The Uncollected Stories of Mavis Gallant by Mavis Gallantsource (opens in a new tab)
  267. The Vanishing Point by Paul Therouxsource (opens in a new tab)
  268. The Very Heart of It by Thomas Mallonsource (opens in a new tab)
  269. The Weaponization of Expertise by Jacob Hale Russell and Dennis Pattersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  270. The Words of Dr. L by Karen E. Bendersource (opens in a new tab)
  271. The World at First Light by Bernd Roeck, translated by Patrick Bakersource (opens in a new tab)
  272. Theater Kid by Jeffrey Sellersource (opens in a new tab)
  273. Theory & Practice by Michelle de Kretsersource (opens in a new tab)
  274. There Lives a Young Girl in Me Who Will Not Die by Tove Ditlevsen, translated by Sophia Hersi SmithJennifer Russellsource (opens in a new tab)
  275. This Kind of Trouble by Tochi Ezesource (opens in a new tab)
  276. Threads of Empire by Dorothy Armstrongsource (opens in a new tab)
  277. Tilt by Emma Patteesource (opens in a new tab)
  278. To Lose a War by Jon Lee Andersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  279. Tomorrow Is Yesterday by Hussein Agha and Robert Malleysource (opens in a new tab)
  280. Toni at Random by Dana A. Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  281. Too Soon by Betty Shamiehsource (opens in a new tab)
  282. Total Defense by Andrew Prestonsource (opens in a new tab)
  283. Troublemaker by Carla Kaplansource (opens in a new tab)
  284. True Nature by Lance Richardsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  285. Trying by Chloé Caldwellsource (opens in a new tab)
  286. Turning to Birds by Lili Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  287. Twelve Churches by Fergus Butler-Galliesource (opens in a new tab)
  288. Two Paths to Prosperity by Avner Greif, Joel Mokyr and Guido Tabellinisource (opens in a new tab)
  289. Unabridged by Stefan Fatsissource (opens in a new tab)
  290. Unforgiving Places by Jens Ludwigsource (opens in a new tab)
  291. Vaim by Jon Fosse, translated by Damion Searlssource (opens in a new tab)
  292. Valley of Forgetting by Jennie Erin Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  293. Venetian Vespers by John Banvillesource (opens in a new tab)
  294. Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feitosource (opens in a new tab)
  295. We Are Eating the Earth by Michael Grunwaldsource (opens in a new tab)
  296. We Did OK, Kid by Sir Anthony Hopkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  297. We Do Not Part by Han Kang, translated by e. yaewonPaige Morrissource (opens in a new tab)
  298. We Survived the Night by Julian Brave NoiseCatsource (opens in a new tab)
  299. What You Make of Me by Sophie Madeline Desssource (opens in a new tab)
  300. What a Time to Be Alive by Jade Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  301. When Caesar Was King by David Margolicksource (opens in a new tab)
  302. When It All Burns by Jordan Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  303. When the City Stopped by Robert W. Snydersource (opens in a new tab)
  304. When the Going Was Good by Graydon Cartersource (opens in a new tab)
  305. Whiskerology by Sarah Gold McBridesource (opens in a new tab)
  306. Who Knew by Barry Dillersource (opens in a new tab)
  307. Wild Thing by Sue Prideauxsource (opens in a new tab)
  308. William Blake and the Sea Monsters of Love by Philip Hoaresource (opens in a new tab)
  309. Women, Seated by Zhang Yueran, translated by Jeremy Tiangsource (opens in a new tab)
  310. World Pacific by Peter Mannsource (opens in a new tab)
  311. Your Steps on the Stairs by Antonio Muñoz Molina, translated by Curtis Bauersource (opens in a new tab)
  312. dd’s Umbrella by Hwang Jungeun, translated by e. yaewonsource (opens in a new tab)

Essential Reads

  1. A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirstsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Truce That Is Not Peace by Miriam Toewssource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Audition by Katie Kitamurasource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Buckley by Sam Tanenhaussource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Dead and Alive by Zadie Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Flashlight by Susan Choisource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Flesh by David Szalaysource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlanesource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Joy Is My Middle Name by Sasha Debevec-McKenneysource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Lorne by Susan Morrisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Melting Point by Rachel Cockerellsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Ocean of Clouds by Garrett Hongosource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico, translated by Sophie Hughessource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Strangers in the Land by Michael Luosource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Fort Bragg Cartel by Seth Harpsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desaisource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Sisters by Jonas Hassen Khemirisource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Wilderness by Angela Flournoysource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Zorg by Siddharth Karasource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Lisource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Trip: A Novel by Amie Barrodalesource (opens in a new tab)
  22. We the People by Jill Leporesource (opens in a new tab)
  23. What We Can Know by Ian McEwansource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Will There Ever Be Another You by Patricia Lockwoodsource (opens in a new tab)

About the The New Yorker Best Books of the Year

Two kinds of year-end list. 2022-2025: the magazine's Best Books of the Year page, chosen by its editors and critics, split into The Essential Reads (24 a year) and Also Recommended (the rest of the page, 310-333 a year); each is a category. 2018-2019: The Best Books of 2018 and 2019, chosen by staff writer Katy Waldman, the magazine's headline list those years (9 and 10 books). 2020-2021: The Best Books We Read in 2020 and 2021, contributors' picks; no editorial list ran those years, so these are kept, and they include older books the writers read that year. Missing years: 2006-2011 and 2015 have no year-end list on newyorker.com; 2009-2010 Book Bench ran only per-writer reading posts. 2012-2014, 2016 and 2017 are left out: the only lists are contributors' favorite-books essays (plus James Wood's personal column), prose with no per-book list and many older books. Also left out: More Books We Loved in 2018, James Wood's columns, and genre side lists such as the 2016 poetry list. Counts match the pages' own schema.org item lists for 2022-2025. No list is ranked.

Organization: The New Yorker. Official site (opens in a new tab)

The most recommended books of 2025