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NPR Books We Love 2025

NPR Books We Love 2025 names 384 books. 71 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

  1. A Book of Maps for You by Lourdes Heuer and Maxwell Eaton IIIsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Feast for the Eyes by Alex Cresposource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Flower Traveled in My Blood: The Incredible True Story of the Grandmothers Who Fought to Find a Stolen Generation of Children by Haley Cohen Gillilandsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdarsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck by Sophie Elmhirstsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. A New New Me by Helen Oyeyemisource (opens in a new tab)
  7. A Rare Find by Joanna Lowellsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. A Silent Treatment: A Memoir by Jeannie Vanascosource (opens in a new tab)
  9. A Truce That Is Not Peace by Miriam Toewssource (opens in a new tab)
  10. A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandannasource (opens in a new tab)
  11. A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, a Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out by Nicholas Day and Yas Imamurasource (opens in a new tab)
  12. A/S/L by Jeanne Thorntonsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success by Jeff Hillersource (opens in a new tab)
  15. After Life by Gayle Formansource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Alabama Village: Faith, Hope, and Survival in a Southern Town by J. Malcolm Garciasource (opens in a new tab)
  17. All of Us Murderers by KJ Charlessource (opens in a new tab)
  18. All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harmansource (opens in a new tab)
  19. American Grammar: Race, Education, and the Building of a Nation by Jarvis R. Givenssource (opens in a new tab)
  20. American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback by Seth Wickershamsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Among Friends by Hal Ebbottsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. An Oral History of Atlantis: Stories by Ed Parksource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Animal Instinct by Amy Shearnsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Archipelago of the Sun by Yoko Tawada, translated by Margaret Mitsutanisource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Atavists: Stories by Lydia Milletsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Atmosphere: A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reidsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Audition by Katie Kitamurasource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Audition for the Fox by Martin Cahillsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. August Lane by Regina Blacksource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggssource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Beasts of Carnaval by Rosália Rodrigosource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeneysource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Becoming Ghost: Poetry by Cathy Linh Chesource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey and Ruth Hulbertsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People by Imani Perrysource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Blessings and Disasters: A Story of Alabama by Alexis Okeowosource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Brave by Weshoyot Alvitresource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Bread of Angels: A Memoir by Patti Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Breadcrumbs: Coming of Age in Post-Soviet Poland by Kasia Babissource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wangsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runciesource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Broken by X. Fangsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Buckeye by Patrick Ryansource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwabsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. By Heart: Recipes to Hold Near and Dear by Hailee Catalanosource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryansource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Cannon by Lee Laisource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Casanova 20: Or, Hot World by Davey Davissource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Casualties of Truth by Lauren Francis-Sharmasource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Celebrate: Joyful Baking All Year Round by Paul Hollywoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Change the Recipe: Because You Can't Build a Better World Without Breaking Some Eggs by José Andrés and Richard Wolffesource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Changeover: A Young Rivalry and a New Era of Men's Tennis by Giri Nathansource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare by Edward Fishmansource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free by Elizabeth Evitts Dickinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Clown Town by Mick Herronsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Coded Justice: A Thriller by Stacey Abramssource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Courtroom Drama by Neely Tubati Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Crumble by Meredith McClaren and Andrea Bellsource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Cry for Me, Argentina: My Life as a Failed Child Star by Tamara Yajiasource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Culpability by Bruce Holsingersource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Culture Creep: Notes on the Pop Apocalypse by Alice Bolinsource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaitesource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Daikon by Samuel Hawleysource (opens in a new tab)
  67. Dark Renaissance: The Dangerous Times and Fatal Genius of Shakespeare's Greatest Rival by Stephen Greenblattsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Darkenbloom by Eva Menasse, translated by Charlotte Collinssource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Daughters of the Bamboo Grove: From China to America, a True Story of Abduction, Adoption, and Separated Twins by Barbara Demicksource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Dealing with the Dead by Alain Mabanckousource (opens in a new tab)
  71. Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life by Maggie Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. Death of the Author by Nnedi Okoraforsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Deep House: The Gayest Love Story Ever Told by Jeremy Atherton Linsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls by Rob Edwards, Sean Damien Hill, Alex Paterson and Nikolas Draper-Iveysource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television by Todd S. Purdumsource (opens in a new tab)
  76. Dinner: 120 Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes for the Most Important Meal of the Day by Meera Sodhasource (opens in a new tab)
  77. Discontent by Beatriz Serrano, translated by Mara Faye Lethemsource (opens in a new tab)
  78. Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson and Dan Santatsource (opens in a new tab)
  79. Dorie's Anytime Cakes by Dorie Greenspan and Nancy Pappassource (opens in a new tab)
  80. Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichiesource (opens in a new tab)
  81. Dream On by Shannon Hale and Marcela Cespedessource (opens in a new tab)
  82. Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You by Jeffrey Selingosource (opens in a new tab)
  83. Dream State by Eric Puchnersource (opens in a new tab)
  84. Dwelling by Emily Hunt Kivelsource (opens in a new tab)
  85. El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbottsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. Elita by Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrumsource (opens in a new tab)
  87. Endling by Maria Revasource (opens in a new tab)
  88. Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awansource (opens in a new tab)
  89. Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Greensource (opens in a new tab)
  90. Fair Play by Louise Hegartysource (opens in a new tab)
  91. Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty by Kaila Yusource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Fireblooms by Alexandra Villasantesource (opens in a new tab)
  93. Fireworks by Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chiensource (opens in a new tab)
  94. First-Time Caller by B.K. Borisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Flashlight by Susan Choisource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Flesh by David Szalaysource (opens in a new tab)
  97. Florenzer by Phil Melansonsource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakelysource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younissource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Ginseng Roots: A Memoir by Craig Thompsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  101. Girl Dinner by Olivie Blakesource (opens in a new tab)
  102. Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves by Sophie Gilbertsource (opens in a new tab)
  103. Glitz, Glam, and a Damn Good Time: How Mamie Fish, Queen of the Gilded Age, Partied Her Way to Power by Jennifer Wrightsource (opens in a new tab)
  104. Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  105. Good Movies as Old Books: Films Reimagined as Vintage Book Covers by Matt Stevenssource (opens in a new tab)
  106. Good and Evil and Other Stories by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowellsource (opens in a new tab)
  107. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henrysource (opens in a new tab)
  108. Great Black Hope by Rob Franklinsource (opens in a new tab)
  109. Great Disasters by Grady Chamberssource (opens in a new tab)
  110. Greyhound: A Memoir by Joanna Pococksource (opens in a new tab)
  111. Hansel and Gretel by Stephen King and Maurice Sendaksource (opens in a new tab)
  112. Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdezsource (opens in a new tab)
  113. Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murraysource (opens in a new tab)
  114. Heart Lamp: Selected Stories by Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthisource (opens in a new tab)
  115. Heart the Lover by Lily Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  116. Heartwood by Amity Gaigesource (opens in a new tab)
  117. Helen of Troy, 1993: Poems by Maria Zoccolasource (opens in a new tab)
  118. Helm by Sarah Hallsource (opens in a new tab)
  119. Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfishersource (opens in a new tab)
  120. History Matters by David McCullough, Dorie McCullough Lawson and Michael Hillsource (opens in a new tab)
  121. How to Dodge a Cannonball by Dennard Daylesource (opens in a new tab)
  122. How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyaressource (opens in a new tab)
  123. How to Share an Egg: A True Story of Hunger, Love, and Plenty by Bonny Reichertsource (opens in a new tab)
  124. Hungerstone by Kat Dunnsource (opens in a new tab)
  125. I Regret Almost Everything: A Memoir by Keith McNallysource (opens in a new tab)
  126. I See You've Called in Dead by John Kenneysource (opens in a new tab)
  127. I'll Tell You When I'm Home: A Memoir by Hala Alyansource (opens in a new tab)
  128. I, Medusa by Ayana Graysource (opens in a new tab)
  129. If You Love It, Let It Kill You by Hannah Pittardsource (opens in a new tab)
  130. Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huangsource (opens in a new tab)
  131. Indignity: A Life Reimagined by Lea Ypisource (opens in a new tab)
  132. Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlanesource (opens in a new tab)
  133. Island Storm by Brian Floca and Sydney Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  134. Isola by Allegra Goodmansource (opens in a new tab)
  135. J vs. K by Jerry Craft and Kwame Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)
  136. John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Lesliesource (opens in a new tab)
  137. Joyride: A Memoir by Susan Orleansource (opens in a new tab)
  138. Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhangsource (opens in a new tab)
  139. Kakigori Summer by Emily Itamisource (opens in a new tab)
  140. Katabasis by R.F. Kuangsource (opens in a new tab)
  141. Killer Potential by Hannah Deitchsource (opens in a new tab)
  142. Killing Stella by Marlen Haushofer, translated by Shaun Whitesidesource (opens in a new tab)
  143. King of Ashes by S.A. Cosbysource (opens in a new tab)
  144. Kirby's Lessons for Falling (in Love) by Laura Gaosource (opens in a new tab)
  145. Kwéyòl / Creole: Recipes, Stories, and Tings from a St. Lucian Chef's Journey by Nina Compton and Osayi Endolynsource (opens in a new tab)
  146. Last Chance Live! by Helena Haywoode Henrysource (opens in a new tab)
  147. Last Seen: The Enduring Search by Formerly Enslaved People to Find Their Lost Families by Judith Giesbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  148. Lay Your Armor Down by Michael Farris Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  149. Let's Party: Recipes and Menus for Celebrating Every Day by Dan Pelosisource (opens in a new tab)
  150. Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist by Daniel Pollack-Pelznersource (opens in a new tab)
  151. Liquid: A Love Story by Mariam Rahmanisource (opens in a new tab)
  152. Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America by Bridget Readsource (opens in a new tab)
  153. Long Day? Cook This. Easy East Asian Recipes with a Twist by Justin Tsangsource (opens in a new tab)
  154. Looking at Women Looking at War: A War and Justice Diary by Victoria Amelinasource (opens in a new tab)
  155. Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live by Susan Morrisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  156. Love Forms by Claire Adamsource (opens in a new tab)
  157. Loved One by Aisha Muharrarsource (opens in a new tab)
  158. Make Sure You Die Screaming by Zee Carlstromsource (opens in a new tab)
  159. Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  160. Medicine River: A Story of Survival and the Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools by Mary Annette Pembersource (opens in a new tab)
  161. Meet Me at the Crossroads by Megan Giddingssource (opens in a new tab)
  162. Memorial Days: A Memoir by Geraldine Brookssource (opens in a new tab)
  163. Mercy by Joan Silbersource (opens in a new tab)
  164. Milk Street Backroads Italy: Finding Italy's Forgotten Recipes by Christopher Kimball and J.M. Hirschsource (opens in a new tab)
  165. Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  166. Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pellysource (opens in a new tab)
  167. Mother Emanuel: Two Centuries of Race, Resistance, and Forgiveness in One Charleston Church by Kevin Sacksource (opens in a new tab)
  168. Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roysource (opens in a new tab)
  169. Murder Ballads: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore by Katy Horansource (opens in a new tab)
  170. Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers by Caroline Frasersource (opens in a new tab)
  171. Muybridge by Guy Delisle, translated by Helge Dascher and Rob Aspinallsource (opens in a new tab)
  172. My Friends by Fredrik Backman, translated by Neil Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  173. My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende, translated by Frances Riddlesource (opens in a new tab)
  174. My Presentation Today Is About the Anaconda by Bibi Dumon Tak and Annemarie van Haeringen, translated by Nancy Forest-Fliersource (opens in a new tab)
  175. Necessary Fiction by Eloghosa Osundesource (opens in a new tab)
  176. Never Thought I'd End Up Here by Ann Liangsource (opens in a new tab)
  177. Night People: How to Be a DJ in '90s New York City by Mark Ronsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  178. No Fault: A Memoir of Romance and Divorce by Haley Mloteksource (opens in a new tab)
  179. Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President by E. Jean Carrollsource (opens in a new tab)
  180. Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  181. Notes to John by Joan Didionsource (opens in a new tab)
  182. Nothing More of This Land: Community, Power, and the Search for Indigenous Identity by Joseph Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  183. Oasis by Guojingsource (opens in a new tab)
  184. Oceans of Time: The Musical Autobiography of Billy Hart by Billy Hart and Ethan Iversonsource (opens in a new tab)
  185. Old Soul by Susan Barkersource (opens in a new tab)
  186. On Guard! by Cassidy Wassermansource (opens in a new tab)
  187. On Muscle: The Stuff That Moves Us and Why It Matters by Bonnie Tsuisource (opens in a new tab)
  188. Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordansource (opens in a new tab)
  189. One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel by Rita Williams-Garcia and Sharee Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  190. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkadsource (opens in a new tab)
  191. Only Son by Kevin Moffettsource (opens in a new tab)
  192. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarrossource (opens in a new tab)
  193. Origin Stories by Corinna Vallianatossource (opens in a new tab)
  194. Our Lake by Angie Kangsource (opens in a new tab)
  195. Pakistan: Recipes and Stories from Home Kitchens, Restaurants, and Roadside Stands by Maryam Jillanisource (opens in a new tab)
  196. Paradise Logic by Sophie Kempsource (opens in a new tab)
  197. Patchwork: A Graphic Biography of Jane Austen by Kate Evanssource (opens in a new tab)
  198. Patchwork: A Sewist's Diary by Maddie Ballardsource (opens in a new tab)
  199. People of Means by Nancy Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  200. Perfect Victims: And the Politics of Appeal by Mohammed El-Kurdsource (opens in a new tab)
  201. Persiana Easy by Sabrina Ghayoursource (opens in a new tab)
  202. Photographic Memory: William Henry Jackson and the American West by Bill Griffithsource (opens in a new tab)
  203. Picks and Shovels by Cory Doctorowsource (opens in a new tab)
  204. Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour and Emmanuel Valtierra, translated by Carlos Rodríguez Cortezsource (opens in a new tab)
  205. Poets Square: A Memoir in Thirty Cats by Courtney Gustafsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  206. Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastonesource (opens in a new tab)
  207. Psychopomp & Circumstance by Eden Roycesource (opens in a new tab)
  208. Raising Hare: A Memoir by Chloe Daltonsource (opens in a new tab)
  209. Recipes from the American South by Michael W. Twittysource (opens in a new tab)
  210. Remember Us to Life: A Graphic Memoir by Joanna Rubin Drangersource (opens in a new tab)
  211. Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthewssource (opens in a new tab)
  212. Saint of the Narrows Street by William Boylesource (opens in a new tab)
  213. Salsa Daddy: A Cookbook: Dip Your Way Into Mexican Cooking by Rick Martínezsource (opens in a new tab)
  214. Save Me, Stranger: Stories by Erika Krousesource (opens in a new tab)
  215. Scarlet Morning by ND Stevensonsource (opens in a new tab)
  216. Secret Lives of the Dead by Tim Lebbonsource (opens in a new tab)
  217. Self-Sabotage: And Other Ways I've Spent My Time by Jeffery Selfsource (opens in a new tab)
  218. Sex of the Midwest: A Novel in Stories by Robyn Rylesource (opens in a new tab)
  219. Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia by Sam Dalrymplesource (opens in a new tab)
  220. She's Under Here: A Memoir by Karen Palmersource (opens in a new tab)
  221. Simplicity by Mattie Lubchanskysource (opens in a new tab)
  222. So Far Gone by Jess Waltersource (opens in a new tab)
  223. Something Rotten by Andrew Lipsteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  224. Something from Nothing: A Cookbook by Alison Romansource (opens in a new tab)
  225. Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezisource (opens in a new tab)
  226. Song So Wild and Blue: A Life with the Music of Joni Mitchell by Paul Lisickysource (opens in a new tab)
  227. Sounds Like Love by Ashley Postonsource (opens in a new tab)
  228. Spent: A Comic Novel by Alison Bechdelsource (opens in a new tab)
  229. Spread Me by Sarah Gaileysource (opens in a new tab)
  230. Stag Dance: A Novel & Stories by Torrey Peterssource (opens in a new tab)
  231. Stay Dead by Natalie Shaperosource (opens in a new tab)
  232. Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Private Life by Tiffany Jenkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  233. Strata: Stories from Deep Time by Laura Poppicksource (opens in a new tab)
  234. Sundust by Zeke Peñasource (opens in a new tab)
  235. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collinssource (opens in a new tab)
  236. Tall Is Her Body by Robert de la Chevotièresource (opens in a new tab)
  237. The Antidote by Karen Russellsource (opens in a new tab)
  238. The Art of Jacques Pépin: Favorite Recipes and Paintings from My Life in the Kitchen by Jacques Pépinsource (opens in a new tab)
  239. The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon by Laurie Gwen Shapirosource (opens in a new tab)
  240. The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garciasource (opens in a new tab)
  241. The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouadsource (opens in a new tab)
  242. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  243. The CIA Book Club: The Secret Mission to Win the Cold War with Forbidden Literature by Charlie Englishsource (opens in a new tab)
  244. The Catch by Yrsa Daley-Wardsource (opens in a new tab)
  245. The Colony by Annika Norlin, translated by Alice E. Olssonsource (opens in a new tab)
  246. The Compound by Aisling Rawlesource (opens in a new tab)
  247. The Correspondent by Virginia Evanssource (opens in a new tab)
  248. The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb by Garrett M. Graffsource (opens in a new tab)
  249. The Door on the Sea by Caskey Russellsource (opens in a new tab)
  250. The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalamisource (opens in a new tab)
  251. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuongsource (opens in a new tab)
  252. The Ephemerata: Shaping the Exquisite Nature of Grief by Carol Tylersource (opens in a new tab)
  253. The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  254. The Experiment by Rebecca Steadsource (opens in a new tab)
  255. The Expert of Subtle Revisions by Kirsten Menger-Andersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  256. The Eyes of Gaza: A Diary of Resilience by Plestia Alaqadsource (opens in a new tab)
  257. The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780 by Rick Atkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  258. The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne by Chris Sweeneysource (opens in a new tab)
  259. The Ferryman and His Wife by Frode Grytten, translated by Alison McCulloughsource (opens in a new tab)
  260. The Finest Hotel in Kabul: A People's History of Afghanistan by Lyse Doucetsource (opens in a new tab)
  261. The Garden by Nick Newmansource (opens in a new tab)
  262. The Gathering Table by Antwan Eady and London Laddsource (opens in a new tab)
  263. The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World by William Dalrymplesource (opens in a new tab)
  264. The Harder I Fight the More I Love You: A Memoir by Neko Casesource (opens in a new tab)
  265. The Heart-Shaped Tin: Love, Loss, and Kitchen Objects by Bee Wilsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  266. The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O'Cloversource (opens in a new tab)
  267. The History of We by Nikkolas Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  268. The Hounding by Xenobe Purvissource (opens in a new tab)
  269. The Imagined Life by Andrew Portersource (opens in a new tab)
  270. The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osmansource (opens in a new tab)
  271. The Incandescent by Emily Teshsource (opens in a new tab)
  272. The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlechasource (opens in a new tab)
  273. The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems by Patricia Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  274. The Interpreter by Olivia Abtahi and Monica Arnaldosource (opens in a new tab)
  275. The Island of Last Things by Emma Sloleysource (opens in a new tab)
  276. The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Surisource (opens in a new tab)
  277. The Killing Fields of East New York: The First Subprime Mortgage Scandal, a White-Collar Crime Spree, and the Collapse of an American Neighborhood by Stacy Hornsource (opens in a new tab)
  278. The Land in Winter by Andrew Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  279. The Last Tiger by Julia Riew and Brad Riewsource (opens in a new tab)
  280. The Librarians by Sherry Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  281. The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knightsource (opens in a new tab)
  282. The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desaisource (opens in a new tab)
  283. The Manor of Dreams by Christina Lisource (opens in a new tab)
  284. The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls by Judith Rossellsource (opens in a new tab)
  285. The Migrant Rain Falls in Reverse: A Memory of Vietnam by Vinh Nguyensource (opens in a new tab)
  286. The Naming of the Birds by Paraic O'Donnellsource (opens in a new tab)
  287. The New Economy by Gabrielle Calvocoressisource (opens in a new tab)
  288. The Night Birds by Christopher Goldensource (opens in a new tab)
  289. The Note by Alafair Burkesource (opens in a new tab)
  290. The Other Love: Poems by Henri Colesource (opens in a new tab)
  291. The Other Wife by Jackie Thomas-Kennedysource (opens in a new tab)
  292. The Paris Express by Emma Donoghuesource (opens in a new tab)
  293. The Payback by Kashana Cauleysource (opens in a new tab)
  294. The Pelican Child: Stories by Joy Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  295. The Place of Tides by James Rebankssource (opens in a new tab)
  296. The Poems of Seamus Heaney by Seamus Heaney, Rosie Lavan, Bernard O'Donoghue and Matthew Hollissource (opens in a new tab)
  297. The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañassource (opens in a new tab)
  298. The Pretender by Jo Harkinsource (opens in a new tab)
  299. The Princess and the P.I. by Nikki Paynesource (opens in a new tab)
  300. The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  301. The Rest of Our Lives by Benjamin Markovitssource (opens in a new tab)
  302. The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnettsource (opens in a new tab)
  303. The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne by Ron Curriesource (opens in a new tab)
  304. The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story by Pagan Kennedysource (opens in a new tab)
  305. The Secret Room by Jane Caseysource (opens in a new tab)
  306. The Seeds by Cecily Parkssource (opens in a new tab)
  307. The Seers by Sulaiman Addoniasource (opens in a new tab)
  308. The Slip by Lucas Schaefersource (opens in a new tab)
  309. The South by Tash Awsource (opens in a new tab)
  310. The Stalker by Paula Bomersource (opens in a new tab)
  311. The Summer of the Bone Horses by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve and Steph Littlebirdsource (opens in a new tab)
  312. The Survivor Wants to Die at the End by Adam Silverasource (opens in a new tab)
  313. The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story by Daniel Nayerisource (opens in a new tab)
  314. The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West by Alexander C. Karp and Nicholas W. Zamiskasource (opens in a new tab)
  315. The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somerssource (opens in a new tab)
  316. The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagansource (opens in a new tab)
  317. The Tokyo Suite by Giovana Madalosso, translated by Bruna Dantas Lobatosource (opens in a new tab)
  318. The Tragedy of True Crime: Four Guilty Men and the Stories That Define Us by John J. Lennonsource (opens in a new tab)
  319. The Trouble Up North by Travis Mulhausersource (opens in a new tab)
  320. The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) by Rabih Alameddinesource (opens in a new tab)
  321. The Uncool: A Memoir by Cameron Crowesource (opens in a new tab)
  322. The Very Heart of It: New York Diaries, 1983-1994 by Thomas Mallonsource (opens in a new tab)
  323. The Village Beyond the Mist by Sachiko Kashiwaba and Miho Satake, translated by Avery Fischer Udagawasource (opens in a new tab)
  324. The Voice of Blood by Gabriela Rábago Palafox, translated by M. Elizabeth Ginway and Enrique Muñoz-Mantassource (opens in a new tab)
  325. The War of Art: A History of Artists' Protest In America by Lauren O'Neill-Butlersource (opens in a new tab)
  326. The Waterbearers: A Memoir of Mothers and Daughters by Sasha Bonétsource (opens in a new tab)
  327. The Wayfinder by Adam Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  328. The Weight by Melissa Mendessource (opens in a new tab)
  329. The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudessource (opens in a new tab)
  330. The Wilderness by Angela Flournoysource (opens in a new tab)
  331. Theater Kid: A Broadway Memoir by Jeffrey Sellersource (opens in a new tab)
  332. There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America by Brian Goldstonesource (opens in a new tab)
  333. There's Something About Mira by Sonali Devsource (opens in a new tab)
  334. These Days by Lucy Caldwellsource (opens in a new tab)
  335. These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLeansource (opens in a new tab)
  336. They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Transource (opens in a new tab)
  337. Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Lisource (opens in a new tab)
  338. This Beautiful, Ridiculous City: A Graphic Memoir by Kay Sohinisource (opens in a new tab)
  339. This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winsteadsource (opens in a new tab)
  340. This Might Surprise You: A Breast Cancer Story by Hayley Gullensource (opens in a new tab)
  341. Three Days in June by Anne Tylersource (opens in a new tab)
  342. Tilt by Emma Patteesource (opens in a new tab)
  343. Time Loops & Meet Cutes by Jackie Lausource (opens in a new tab)
  344. Tomorrow Is Yesterday: Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine by Hussein Agha and Robert Malleysource (opens in a new tab)
  345. Tongues by Anders Nilsensource (opens in a new tab)
  346. Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer's Legendary Editorship by Dana A. Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  347. Too Soon by Betty Shamiehsource (opens in a new tab)
  348. Tuck Me In! A Science Bedtime Story by Nathan W. Pylesource (opens in a new tab)
  349. Twelve Post-War Tales by Graham Swiftsource (opens in a new tab)
  350. Umma: A Korean Mom's Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes by Sarah Ahn and Nam Soon Ahnsource (opens in a new tab)
  351. Unfit Parent: A Disabled Mother Challenges an Inaccessible World by Jessica Slicesource (opens in a new tab)
  352. Universality by Natasha Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  353. Unpacking My Father's Bookstore by Laurence Rothsource (opens in a new tab)
  354. Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance by Laura Delanosource (opens in a new tab)
  355. Vantage Point by Sara Sligarsource (opens in a new tab)
  356. Vera, or Faith by Gary Shteyngartsource (opens in a new tab)
  357. Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feitosource (opens in a new tab)
  358. Vulture by Phoebe Greenwoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  359. Waiting on the Moon: Artists, Poets, Drifters, Grifters, and Goddesses by Peter Wolfsource (opens in a new tab)
  360. Wanting by Claire Jiasource (opens in a new tab)
  361. Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America by Jeff Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  362. We Computers by Hamid Ismailov, translated by Shelley Fairweather-Vegasource (opens in a new tab)
  363. We Survived the Night by Julian Brave NoiseCatsource (opens in a new tab)
  364. We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution by Jill Leporesource (opens in a new tab)
  365. Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen by James Robinson and Brian Reasource (opens in a new tab)
  366. What Debt Demands: Family, Betrayal, and Precarity in a Broken System by Kristin Colliersource (opens in a new tab)
  367. What We Can Know by Ian McEwansource (opens in a new tab)
  368. When They Burned the Butterfly by Wen-yi Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  369. When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines by Graydon Carter and James Foxsource (opens in a new tab)
  370. When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzisource (opens in a new tab)
  371. When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidysource (opens in a new tab)
  372. Where Are You Really From: Stories by Elaine Hsieh Chousource (opens in a new tab)
  373. Where You're Planted by Melanie Sweeneysource (opens in a new tab)
  374. Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service by Michael Lewissource (opens in a new tab)
  375. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghysource (opens in a new tab)
  376. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrixsource (opens in a new tab)
  377. Wolf Bells by Leni Zumassource (opens in a new tab)
  378. Woodworking by Emily St. Jamessource (opens in a new tab)
  379. Words for My Comrades: A Political History of Tupac Shakur by Dean Van Nguyensource (opens in a new tab)
  380. Wreck by Catherine Newmansource (opens in a new tab)
  381. You Didn't Hear This From Me: (Mostly) True Notes on Gossip by Kelsey McKinneysource (opens in a new tab)
  382. You Must Take Part In Revolution by Badiucao and Melissa Chansource (opens in a new tab)
  383. Your Steps on the Stairs by Antonio Muñoz Molina, translated by Curtis Bauersource (opens in a new tab)
  384. elseship: an unrequited affair by Tree Abrahamsource (opens in a new tab)

About the NPR Books We Love

NPR's Books We Love (the Book Concierge), 2013-2025: every book NPR staff and critics picked each year, stored as one category, Books We Love. The Concierge's tags (fiction, nonfiction, staff picks, and so on) are not split out. Rows come from the Concierge's own year data (apps.npr.org/best-books/<year>.json); counts match the books shown for each year. Translators named in NPR's credit are stored as translator; illustrators, editors, photographers and co-writers stay in author. 2006-2012 are left out: before the Concierge, NPR's year-end coverage was 15-20 separate critic and staff columns a year (e.g. mysteries, heroines, music books), with themes that change every year and some backlist picks, so there is no consistent list to count. No list is ranked.

Organization: NPR. Official site (opens in a new tab)

The most recommended books of 2025