Thrilling debuts to big-name authors: 40 of the most exciting books to read in 2025

A lot has happened since then ShimaManda Ngozi Adichie Her last novel, Americana, was published more than a decade ago — including by the author It was sampled from Beyoncé’s song Flawless. Its long-awaited return to fantasy shelves in March is sure to be one of the publishing events of the year Number of dreams Exploring the lives of four Nigerian women during the pandemic.

Taylor Jenkins Reid – Six-time bestselling author of Daisy Jones – loves to revisit decades past in her books, and in her next ones, Atmospherewhich will be released in June, is set against the backdrop of the space shuttle program in the 1980s. He is likely to be spotted on many sun loungers this summer. It will also be the latest Emily HenryHer romance novels have sold more than 10 million copies. her latest, Great beautiful lifewill be released in April.

Stephen King He’s known for writing every day, and that’s certainly paying off — he’s published more than 70 books. His latest works, Never hesitatescheduled for release in May, is a crime thriller featuring his recurring character Holly Gibney. Another prolific writer, Anne Tylerher 25th novel, comes out in February. Three days in June It follows one woman through the weekend of her daughter’s wedding. Richard Osman is also creating a rapid catalog – in the fall he returns with the fifth part (in five years) of the Thursday Murder Club series.

Expected follow-ups

This year will see new titles from many authors who have made a big impression with their recent books. Those hoping they can follow this success include Natasha BrownFor the first time, the association topped many of the best lists in 2021. And its second, Universality The film “Mars”, which explores the consequences of long reading by a journalist, seems to be equally celebrated. Also out this month Tori Peters Stag dancethe follow-up to Detransition, Baby — which won the 2021 PEN/Hemingway Award for First Novel. Her new book explores transgender lives past, present, and future in four interconnected stories.

Ocean VuongEarth’s 2019 debut We’re Briefly Cool was a hit with both critics and on TikTok. Returns this spring with Emperor of joy (May) The story of an unlikely friendship between a 19-year-old and an elderly widow.

In the summer there is another sequel to Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting. While the 2001 film Porno followed Renton, Spud, Sickboy and Bigby 10 years after the original book, and the 2018 film Dead Men’s Trousers in the period after that (a prequel, Skagboys, was also published in 2012), Men In Love goes back in time Flashbacks to pick events immediately after the end of the 1993 cult classic. The boys do their best to give up drugs and find romance instead. Don’t expect a sentimental romance from Wells. Speaking of sequences, AvatarSister L.’s novel Ali SmithDystopia novel 2024 GlyphIt will be out in the fall.

New address from Curtis Sittenfeldauthor of The American Wife and Prep and the romantic comedy, is always something to look forward to, and this year she’s bringing us a new collection of short stories called Show don’t tell (February).