New York Public Library reveals best books of 2025, with unlimited e-book access for some titles

The New York Public Library has unveiled its Best Books of 2025, its annual roundup of the year’s top reads. Expertly curated by librarians, this year’s list features 225 titles across multiple genres for adults, teens, and children—and for the first time, the library is offering unlimited e-book access to 26 selected titles. NYPL cardholders can borrow these titles electronically through the Libby app until December 31.

The library is also giving away physical copies of its top books of the year at three flagship branches: the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library in Midtown Manhattan, the Bronx Library Center, and the St. George Library Center in Staten Island.

“I’m thrilled to announce the launch of our Best Books of 2025—a reflection of our commitment to representing the incredible diversity and creativity in literature today,” Brian Bannon, Merryl and James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries and Education & Chief Librarian, said.

“This year, we are building on our mission of expanding access to knowledge by making some of the most in-demand books immediately available for free download for all card holders, as well as offering book giveaways in branches. I can’t wait for New Yorkers to get their hands on these books, and hope they return to the Library time and again for their next book too.”

The yearly list continues the NYPL’s century-old tradition of recommending the best titles to New Yorkers of all ages, reflecting the city’s diverse readership. Each year, more than 80 dedicated librarians curate the list, selecting books for their literary excellence, originality, and broad appeal to New Yorkers.

You can check out the recommended books at branches across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

View the full list of the Best Books of 2025 here.

Best books for adults:

• “Audition” by Katie Kitamura
• “Black Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance” by Ben Passmore
• “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” by Stephen Graham Jones
• “Dead Girl Cameo: A Love Song in Poems” by M. Mick Powell
• “Death of the Author” by Nnedi Okorafor
• “Heartwood” by Amity Gaige
• “King of Ashes” by S.A. Cosby
• “One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This” by Omar El Akkad
• “A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke” by Adriana Herrera
• “Stone Yard Devotional” by Charlotte Wood
• “Turning to Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing” by Lili Taylor

Best books for teens:

• “Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown” by Candace Fleming
• “Hello Sunshine” by Keezy Young
• “Loudmouth: Emma Goldman vs. America (A Love Story) by Deborah Heiligman
• “One of the Boys” by Victoria Zeller
• “Say a Little Prayer” by Jenna Voris
• “The Secret Astronomers” by Jessica Walker
• “Spacewalking with You, Vol. 1” by Inuhiko Doronoda
• “The Moth Saw Brightness” by A. A. Vacharat
• “When Devils Sing” by Xan Kaur
• “White Lies: How the South Lost the Civil War then Rewrote the History” by Ann Bausum

Best books for kids:

• “Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship” by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel
• “The Black Mambas: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit” by Kelly Crull
• “Carousel Summer” by Kathleen Gros
• “Faith Takes the Train” by Kesi Augustine, illustrated by Mokshini
• “The Interpreter” by Olivia Abtahi, illustrated by Monica Arnaldo
• “I Want You to Know” by Mona Damluji, illustrated by Ishtar Bäcklund Dakhil
• “Ratnip: Lost and Found in the City” by Cam Higgins, illustrated by Allison Steinfeld
• “Return to Sender” by Vera Brosgol
• “Schoolbot 9000” by Sam Hepburn
• “The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest” by Aubrey Hartman

Best books for kids in Spanish:

• “Angélica y la güira” by Angie Cruz, illustrated by Luz Batista, translated by Kianny N. Antigua
• “Buscando a Ahmed” by Jesús Ballaz, illustrated by Ed Oner
• “La charla” by Alicia D. Williams, illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu, translated by Alison Ridley
• “Cosas pequeñas y extraordinarias” by Daniela Arroio and Micaela Gramajo, illustrated by Nono Pautasso
• “Instante” by Roger Ycaza
• “¡Es mío!” by Klara Persson, illustrated by Charlotte Ramel, translated by Amanda Eda Monjonell Mansten
• “El mejor mal día de mi vida” by Marianna Coppo, translated by Laura Lecuona
• “Ochún y yo: una historia de amor y trenzas” by Adiba Nelson, illustrated by Alleanna Harris, translated by Issa M. Mas
• “Tíos y primos” by Jacqueline Alcántara, translated by Yanitzia Canetti
• “Los viernes comemos churros” by Jenny Alvarado, translated by Ana Izquierdo

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