The best books of 2025

This list is part of the best books of 2025.

Join 1,210 readers and share your 3 favorite reads of the year.

My favorite read in 2025

Book cover of The History of Sound

❤️ loved this book because...

The interconnected stories were thought provoking. Style of rhyming couplets was original and compelling.

  • Loved Most

    🥇 Writing 🥈 Originality
  • Writing style

    ❤️ Loved it
  • Pace

    🐕 Good, steady pace

By Ben Shattuck ,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The History of Sound as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Now a major movie starring Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor

'Triumphant' The Times
'Stellar' Daily Mail
'Exceptionally accomplished' The Scotsman
'Sublime' Observer
'Exquisite' Sunday Post

In twelve luminous stories set across three centuries, The History of Sound examines the unexpected ways the past returns to us and how love and loss are entwined and transformed over generations. In Ben Shattuck's ingenious collection, each story has a companion story, which contains a revelation about the previous, paired story. Mysteries and murders are revealed, history is refracted, and deep emotional connections are woven through characters and families.

The haunting title story recalls…


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My 2nd favorite read in 2025

Book cover of The Correspondent

❤️ loved this book because...

The epistolary format provided insights into the character(her emotions and life) Snippets/ showing instead of telling

  • Loved Most

    🥇 Character(s) 🥈 Emotions
  • Writing style

    ❤️ Loved it
  • Pace

    🐇 I couldn't put it down

By Virginia Evans ,

Why should I read it?

9 authors picked The Correspondent as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


My 3rd favorite read in 2025

Book cover of The Instrumentalist

❤️ loved this book because...

The depiction of Venice 1696 was atmospheric. Immersed in the world created by Constable.

  • Loved Most

    🥇 Immersion 🥈 Teach
  • Writing style

    ❤️ Loved it
  • Pace

    🐇 I couldn't put it down

By Harriet Constable ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Instrumentalist as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

**THE PHENOMENAL TOP TEN BESTSELLER**

'An absorbing story of musical rivalry and ambition' SUNDAY TIMES, Best historical fiction
'Enthralling, passionate, vivid. The Instrumentalist is a marvel' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE
'Historical fiction as it should be written' MAIL ON SUNDAY
'A captivating narrative as tightly tuned as a thriller' DAILY TELEGRAPH
'A compassionate coming-of-age tale ... Constable understands the power music has to sustain us' OBSERVER
_________________________________________

Anna Maria may have no name, no fortune, no family. But she has her ambition, and her talent.

Her best hope lies in her teacher, Antonio Vivaldi. Soon she is his star pupil.

But…


Book cover of The History of Sound
Book cover of The Correspondent
Book cover of The Instrumentalist

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