2025's BEST Books REVEALED! You Won't Believe What's Coming!

Hello bookworms! Erica Ezeifedi here, your friendly neighborhood Associate Editor, fresh from Nashville and now braving the sometimes-chaotic Northeast. I've got my coffee, my snack planning notebook, and a fresh batch of new releases to dive into. Before we get to the juicy bits, though, a note of sadness: this month, the literary world lost Alice Wong, a true force of nature. A disability activist, author, and MacArthur Genius Fellow, her work was vital and inspiring. If you're not familiar, please, please visit the Disability Project website and explore her books. You won't regret it.

2025's BEST Books REVEALED! You Won't Believe What...

Okay, moving on – and onward! – to the good stuff. This week's new book drop is looking *chef's kiss* good. We've got a little something for everyone, from the intellectually curious to those seeking pure escapism. Nonfiction lovers, get ready to geek out! Natan Last's "Across the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of the Crossword Puzzle" promises to be a fascinating deep dive into the world of wordplay (and trust me, as a writer, I appreciate a good crossword!). And for those who want a more macro perspective, Sven Beckert's "Capitalism: A Global History" sounds like a weighty but worthwhile read.

For those who prefer their literature with a side of mystery (and maybe some pancit), Mia P. Manansala is back with the sixth installment of her "Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mysteries," "Death and Dinuguan." I've been following this series, and let me tell you, the food descriptions alone are worth the price of admission. And if you want to get *really* involved in your mystery solving, check out "Murder Among the Stacks" by Rosie A. Point – an interactive whodunit perfect for cozy autumn evenings. I'm picturing it now: a mug of tea, a crackling fire, and a good old-fashioned puzzling session.

But maybe you're in the mood for something a little…spicier. Romantasy readers, rejoice! Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, the dynamic duo behind the "Zodiac Academy" series, are back with "Hollow." I haven't had a chance to peek at this one yet, but considering their previous work, I'm expecting plenty of magic, romance, and maybe a demon or two. This week also features a collection of stories exploring the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. These ten narratives, spanning diverse locations and time periods, offer perspectives on our fractured world. It follows a near-future Seoul grapples encased in a biodome, a disillusioned NYC painter seeking solace in France, and a boy struggling to survive on a landfill island rises to fame through K-pop-inspired dances.

And for those seeking even more, All Access members can continue reading below for a curated list of even *more* new releases! Don't forget to stay up-to-date with the New Release Index, Book Riot’s database of new books organized by genre and release date. It's now included with All Access membership, so sign up here today! Happy reading, everyone!