Best Books of the Year
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New York Public Library Best Books 2025

New York Public Library Best Books 2025 names 225 books across 3 categories. 17 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Best Books for Adults

  1. A Flower Traveled in My Blood by Haley Cohen Gillilandsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrerasource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Audition by Katie Kitamurasource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Black Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance by Ben Passmoresource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna van Veensource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Children of Radium: A Buried Inheritance by Joe Dunthornesource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Dead Girl Cameo: A Love Song in Poems by m. mick powellsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Death of the Author by Nnedi Okoraforsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Drome by Jesse Lonergansource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Dwelling by Emily Hunt Kivelsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Fair Play by Louise Hegartysource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Fresh, Green Life by Sebastian Castillosource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love by Samin Nosratsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Groceries by Nora Claire Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Heartwood by Amity Gaigesource (opens in a new tab)
  16. I Gave You Eyes and You Looked Toward Darkness by Irene Solà, translated by Mara Faye Lethemsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. I Imagine I Been Science Fiction Always by Douglas Kearneysource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Integrated: How American Schools Failed Black Children by Noliwe Rookssource (opens in a new tab)
  19. King of Ashes by S. A. Cosbysource (opens in a new tab)
  20. No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harrissource (opens in a new tab)
  21. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkadsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico, translated by Sophie Hughessource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Precious Rubbish by Kayla E.source (opens in a new tab)
  24. Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastonesource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Woodsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Terrestrial History by Joe Mungo Reedsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. The Afterlife of Malcolm X by Mark Whitakersource (opens in a new tab)
  28. The Appalachian Sea by Steve Scafidisource (opens in a new tab)
  29. The Art Spy by Michelle Youngsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. The Beast in the Clouds by Nathalia Holtsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. The Book of Records by Madeleine Thiensource (opens in a new tab)
  32. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  33. The Burial Tide by Neil Sharpsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. The City Changes Its Face by Eimear McBridesource (opens in a new tab)
  35. The Confessional by Paige Hendersource (opens in a new tab)
  36. The Country Under Heaven by Frederic S. Durbinsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. The Devils by Joe Abercrombiesource (opens in a new tab)
  38. The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated by Ross Benjaminsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. The End Is the Beginning: A Personal History of My Mother by Jill Bialoskysource (opens in a new tab)
  40. The Forgotten Sense by Jonas Olofssonsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. The Jailhouse Lawyer by Calvin Duncan and Sophie Cullsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. The Jamaica Kollection of the Shante Dream Arkive by Marcia Douglassource (opens in a new tab)
  43. The Last Guy on Earth by Sarina Bowensource (opens in a new tab)
  44. The Living and the Rest by José Eduardo Agualusa, translated by Daniel Hahnsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. The Trouble with Anna by Rachel Griffithssource (opens in a new tab)
  46. The True Happiness Company by Veena Dinavahisource (opens in a new tab)
  47. The Wilderness by Angela Flournoysource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Turning to Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing by Lili Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Valley of Forgetting by Jennie Erin Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Vantage Point by Sara Sligarsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books for Kids

  1. A Place for Us by James Ransomesource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez by María Dolores Águilasource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Skeleton in the Closet by Claire Hatcher-Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Ablaze: The Story of America's First Female Smokejumper by Jessica Lawsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Akeem Keeps Bees! by Kamal Eugene William Bellsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Algunos y los otros by Dipachosource (opens in a new tab)
  7. All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship by Shifa Saltagi Safadisource (opens in a new tab)
  9. And There Was Music by Marta Pantaleo, translated by Debbie Bibosource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Angélica y la güira by Angie Cruzsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Another Word for Neighbor by Angela Pham Kranssource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Are You a Friend of Dorothy? by Kyle Lukoffsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Beansprout by Sarah Lynne Reulsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Before I Lived Here by Stacy S. Jensensource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Benny on the Case by Wesley Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Bienvenida a casa, Esmerelda by Daniela Ramirezsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Billions to Burn by Taylor Bankssource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Brianna Banana, Helper of the Day by Lana Buttonsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Broken by X. Fangsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Buscando a Ahmed by Jesús Ballazsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Cabin Head and Tree Head by Scott Campbellsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Carousel Summer by Kathleen Grossource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Cat Nap by Brian Liessource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Cosas pequeñas y extraordinarios by Daniela Arroio y Micaela Gramajosource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Creaky Acres by Calista Brill and Nilah Magrudersource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Dad Rock Dragon Quest by Joan Reardonsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Dancing with Water by Gwendolyn Wallacesource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Deeply Dave by Michael Groversource (opens in a new tab)
  29. El Niño by Pam Muñoz Ryansource (opens in a new tab)
  30. El libro de magia de una joven bruja by Soledad Romerosource (opens in a new tab)
  31. El mejor mal día de mi vida by Marianna Copposource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awansource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Everybelly by Thao Lamsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Faith Takes the Train by Kesi Augustinesource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Filo's Butterflies by Litea Fuatasource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Firefly Song by Colleen Paeffsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Fireworks by Matthew Burgesssource (opens in a new tab)
  38. For a Girl Becoming by Joy Harjosource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Free Piano (Not Haunted) by Whitney Gardnersource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Freedom Celebration: A Juneteenth Party by Angela Daltonsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimientasource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Hermanas, llueva o truene by Nelly Buchetsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Higher Ground by Tull Suwannakitsource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Hilwa's Gifts by Safa Suleimansource (opens in a new tab)
  45. How Sweet the Sound by Kwame Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)
  46. How the Word Is Passed (Adapted for Young Readers) by Clint Smith and Sonja Cherry-Paulsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. I Dance by Diana Rañolasource (opens in a new tab)
  48. I Want You to Know by Mona Damlujisource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Instante by Roger Ycazasource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom by Allan Wolfsource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Kahoʻolawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People by Kamalani Hurleysource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Kickturn by Brie Spanglersource (opens in a new tab)
  53. La charla by Alicia D. Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Las plumas: no son sólo para volar by Melissa Stewartsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Lazos salvajes by Laura Camónsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Los pantalones de Luisa by Susanna Isernsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Los viernes comemos churros by Jenny Alvaradosource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Make a Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella Jenkins by Traci N. Toddsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Mariam's Dream by Leila Boukarimsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Martín Parlanchín by Carmen Mateosource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Masks by Margaret Rae and Brian Nathansonsource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Mi abuela es una bruja by Mayra Cuevassource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Millie of the Manor by Karina Evanssource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Miss Betti, What Is This? by Lela Nargisource (opens in a new tab)
  65. My Name Is Jem: A Tale of a Guide Dog Superstar by Olivia Muscatsource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Nearly Exactly Almost Like Me by Jennifer Bradburysource (opens in a new tab)
  67. Never Silent: A Hiroshima Survivor's Story by Setsuko Thurlow and Kathy Lowingersource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Nightmare Hunter (Maxwell Dark, Book 1) by Brady Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Nightsong by Sally Soweol Hansource (opens in a new tab)
  70. No más señora Mimí by Meg Medinasource (opens in a new tab)
  71. Nunu and the Sea by Isabella Kungsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. Ochún y yo: una historia de amor y trenzas by Adiba Nelsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Of the Sun: A Poem for the Land's First Peoples by Xelena Gonzálezsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Old Blue Is My Home by Lita Judgesource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Ollie in Between by Jess Callanssource (opens in a new tab)
  76. On Guard! by Cassidy Wassermansource (opens in a new tab)
  77. Para que tú llegaras by Claudio Aguilerasource (opens in a new tab)
  78. Pine Cone Regrown: How One Species Thrives After Fire by Elisa Boxersource (opens in a new tab)
  79. Please Pay Attention by Jamie Sumnersource (opens in a new tab)
  80. Ratnip: Lost and Found in the City by Cam Higginssource (opens in a new tab)
  81. Return to Sender by Vera Brosgolsource (opens in a new tab)
  82. Safe Crossing by Kari Percivalsource (opens in a new tab)
  83. Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! by Haleh Masseysource (opens in a new tab)
  84. Scarlet Morning by ND Stevensonsource (opens in a new tab)
  85. Schoolbot 9000 by Sam Hepburnsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. Seven Skies All at Once by Ted Koosersource (opens in a new tab)
  87. Shark Girl by Kate Beatonsource (opens in a new tab)
  88. Sleep Here, Wake There by Caio Zerosource (opens in a new tab)
  89. Smoke & Mirrors by Rosalyn Ransawsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. Speak Up, Santiago! by Julio Antasource (opens in a new tab)
  91. Squid in Pants by Kaz Windnesssource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Sword of the Champion (Dragonforged, Book 1) by Eric Lidesource (opens in a new tab)
  93. The Black Mambas: The World's First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit by Kelly Crullsource (opens in a new tab)
  94. The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a Shape by Amy Alznauersource (opens in a new tab)
  95. The Freedom Seeker by Ruchira Guptasource (opens in a new tab)
  96. The Grimmelings by Rachael Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  97. The Ink Witch by Steph Cherrywellsource (opens in a new tab)
  98. The Interpreter by Olivia Abtahisource (opens in a new tab)
  99. The Last Ember: The Aerimander Chronicles, Book 1 by Lily Berlin Doddsource (opens in a new tab)
  100. The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  101. The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls by Judith Rossellsource (opens in a new tab)
  102. The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glasersource (opens in a new tab)
  103. The Queen Bees of Tybee County by Kyle Casey Chusource (opens in a new tab)
  104. The Secret of Honeycake by Kimberly Newton Fuscosource (opens in a new tab)
  105. The Summer of the Bone Horses by Virginia Driving Hawk Snevesource (opens in a new tab)
  106. The Truth About the Tooth Fairy by Leah Cypesssource (opens in a new tab)
  107. The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartmansource (opens in a new tab)
  108. The Unlikely Aventuras of Ramón and El Cucuy by Donna Barba Higuerasource (opens in a new tab)
  109. The World Entire: A True Story of an Extraordinary WWII Rescue by Elizabeth Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  110. Tres tigres tiquismiquis by Edu Floressource (opens in a new tab)
  111. Turtles Heading Home! by Liza Ketchum and Phyllis Rootsource (opens in a new tab)
  112. Tíos y primos by Jacqueline Alcántarasource (opens in a new tab)
  113. Un cuento a medias by Luciana De Lucasource (opens in a new tab)
  114. Unboxing Libby by Steph Cherrywellsource (opens in a new tab)
  115. Valiant Vel: Vel Phillips and the Fight for Fairness and Equality by Jerrianne Hayslettsource (opens in a new tab)
  116. We Dig Fossils by Alliah L. Agostinisource (opens in a new tab)
  117. We Go Slow by Mariahadessa Ekere Talliesource (opens in a new tab)
  118. We Leap Together by Christopher Silas Nealsource (opens in a new tab)
  119. Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen by James Robinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  120. What if We... by Vivienne Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  121. Worm Makes a Sandwich by Brianne Farleysource (opens in a new tab)
  122. Xolo by Donna Barba Higuerasource (opens in a new tab)
  123. ¡Es mío! by Klara Perssonsource (opens in a new tab)
  124. ¡Viva el aguacate! by Taltal Levisource (opens in a new tab)
  125. ¡¿Ropa vieja para la cena?! by Nathalie Alonsosource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books for Teens

  1. After We Burned by Marieke Nijkampsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. American Spirits by Barb Rosenstocksource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Angelica and the Bear Prince by Trung Le Nguyensource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Ban This! by Christina Ellis and Renee Ellissource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Breath of the Dragon by Shannon Lee and Fonda Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Brewed with Love by Shelly Pagesource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Deadstream by Mar Romasco-Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Death in the Jungle by Candace Flemingsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Devils Like Us by L.T. Thompsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Exceptional X-Men, Vol. 1: Duty Calls by Eve L. Ewingsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Fight AIDS! by Michael G. Longsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. First Love Language by Stefany Valentinesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Flip by Ngozi Ukazusource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Get Real, Chloe Torres by Crystal Maldonadosource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Hello Sunshine by Keezy Youngsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Honeysuckle and Bone by Trisha Tobiassource (opens in a new tab)
  17. How We Play the Game by Alexis Neddsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. How to Survive a Slasher by Justine Pucella Winanssource (opens in a new tab)
  19. I Wanna Be Your Girl, Vol. 1 by Umi Takasesource (opens in a new tab)
  20. If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamalsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. I’ll Pretend You’re Mine by Tashie Bhuiyansource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Knucklehead: Poems by Tony Keithsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories by Cynthia Leitich Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Loudmouth: Emma Goldman vs. America (A Love Story) by Deborah Heiligmansource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamourssource (opens in a new tab)
  26. On the Wings of La Noche by Vanessa L. Torressource (opens in a new tab)
  27. One of the Boys by Victoria Zellersource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Our Infinite Fates by Laura Stevensource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Ours to Tell: Reclaiming Indigenous Stories by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowingersource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Rebis: Born and Reborn by Irene Marchesini, translated by Carla Roncalli Di Montoriosource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Vorissource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide by Pablo Leonsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Somadina by Akwaeke Emezisource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Spacewalking with You, Vol. 1 by Inuhiko Doronodasource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Tall Water by SJ Sindusource (opens in a new tab)
  36. That Devil, Ambition by Linsey Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  37. The House No One Sees by Adina Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. The Invisible Wild by Nikki Van De Carsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. The Red Car to Hollywood by Jennie Liusource (opens in a new tab)
  40. The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. The Secret Astronomers by Jessica Walkersource (opens in a new tab)
  42. The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults) by Karen Valbysource (opens in a new tab)
  43. The Unexpected Consequence of Bleeding on a Tuesday by Kelsey B. Toneysource (opens in a new tab)
  44. They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Transource (opens in a new tab)
  45. This Moth Saw Brightness by A.A. Vacharatsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Tiger Slayer by Ruby Lalsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Truth Is by Hannah V. Sawyerrsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. When Devils Sing by Xan Kaursource (opens in a new tab)
  49. White Lies by Ann Bausumsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. You and Me on Repeat by Mary Shynesource (opens in a new tab)

About the New York Public Library Best Books

The New York Public Library's annual Best Books lists, chosen by NYPL librarians: Best Books for Kids and Best Books for Teens from 2014 (the earliest year NYPL's best-books app carried), Best Books for Adults from 2019 (NYPL's 2018 adults page is empty). 2018-2025 are read from NYPL's current best-books pages, one per audience and year. 2014-2017 come from NYPL's earlier best-books app, read through Wayback Machine snapshots of its kids and teens pages (each sourceUrl is the snapshot). Earlier NYPL lists (100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, Stuff for the Teen Age) were not in that app and are left out. Year is the list year NYPL uses (books published that year). Category is the audience list. Every entry is a Selection. Author is the byline NYPL prints, with illustrator and translator credits split off. Where NYPL truncates a long byline with an ellipsis, the cut-off name is dropped. Five cards print no byline; their authors are taken from the book itself (Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta, Great Carrier Reef, Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock, A Work in Progress, Man Made Monsters). Expected counts are the 'N Books Found' totals NYPL prints on each page.

Organization: The New York Public Library. Official site (opens in a new tab)

The most recommended books of 2025