Fiction books

Top Fiction Books to Ignite Your Imagination in 2025

Published on March 17, 2025
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4 Min read time

Quick Summary

  • Fiction books have the unique ability to transport us to different worlds and introduce us to unforgettable characters.
  • They allow us to experience the thrill of adventure, the depths of human emotion, and the complexities of life through the eyes of diverse protagonists.
  • These stories not only provide an escape from the everyday but also offer new perspectives and insights that can resonate with readers long after the final page is turned.

In the ever-evolving world of literature, fiction books continue to captivate readers with their imaginative storytelling and compelling characters. These books offer an escape from reality, allowing us to explore new worlds, experience different lives, and embark on thrilling adventures from our homes. Whether you’re a seasoned bookworm who devours novels by the dozen or a casual reader looking for your next great read, there’s always a new story waiting to whisk you away.

best fiction books to read

The Best Fiction Books of 2025

The year 2025 promises to be exciting for fiction lovers, with many new releases spanning various genres. From enchanting fantasies and gripping thrillers to heartwarming romances and thought-provoking science fiction, this year’s selection of fiction books has something for everyone.

Let’s explore some of the best fiction books of 2025 that promise to ignite your imagination and keep you hooked from the first page to the last.

1. Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Discover four women’s searing, exquisite new story and their loves, longings, and desires. A trenchant reflection on our choices and those made for us, on daughters and mothers, on our interconnected world, Dream Count pulses with emotional urgency and poignant, unflinching observations of the human heart, in language that soars with beauty and power.

2. Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

A new Anne Tyler novel destined to be an instant classic: A socially awkward mother of the bride navigates the days before and after her daughter’s wedding. Told with deep sensitivity and a tart sense of humor, full of the joys and heartbreaks of love and marriage and family life, Three Days in June is a triumph, and gives us the perennially bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer at the height of her powers.

3. We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes

Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate. A broken marriage, two wayward daughters, a house that is falling apart, and an elderly stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. Her career is in freefall, and her love life is complicated. So when her real dad, a man she has barely seen since he ran off to Hollywood thirty-five years ago, suddenly appears on her doorstep, it feels like the final straw. But it turns out even the family you thought you could never forgive might have something to teach you: About love, and what it actually means to be family.

4. Homeseeking: A GMA Book Club Pick by Karissa Chen

It is an epic and intimate tale of one couple across 60 years as world events pull them together and apart, illuminating the Chinese diaspora and exploring what it means to find a home far from your homeland.

5. Isola: Reese’s Book Club by Allegra Goodman

A young woman and her lover are marooned on an island in this breathtaking saga, an epic story of love, faith, and defiance. Inspired by the real life of a 16th-century heroine, Isola is the timeless story of a woman fighting for survival.

6. Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

The daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom. In this sweeping, evocative novel, Charmaine Wilkerson brings to life a multi-generational epic that examines how the past informs our present.

7. Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

In 1919, a high school teacher from Washington, D.C arrives in Harlem excited to realize her lifelong dream. Jessie Redmon Fauset has been named the literary editor of The Crisis. The first Black woman to hold this position at a preeminent Negro magazine, Jessie is poised to achieve literary greatness. But she holds a secret that jeopardizes it all. Discover the extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance.

8. Hombrecito by Santiago Jose Sanchez

In this groundbreaking novel, we dive into the life of a young boy uprooted from Colombia to America by his mother. In Miami, she works as a waitress, a stark contrast to her past as a doctor. The boy embraces his queer identity and new home yet grapples with a profound sense of loss. His bond with his mother is intense and complicated, influencing every choice he makes. In  New York, he seeks fulfillment while navigating fleeting relationships. A trip to Colombia with his mother forces him to confront his past and unravel her complex love. Hombrecito is a poignant exploration of identity and belonging, told with stunning beauty and intensity.

9. This Is a Love Story: A Read with Jenna Pick by Jessica Soffer

An intimate and lyrical celebration of great love, great art, and the sacrifices we make for both. An homage to New York City, to romance, and even to loss, This Is a Love Story tenderly and suspensefully captures deep truths about life and marriage in radiant prose. It is about love that endures despite what life throws at us, or perhaps even because of it.

10. Gliff by Ali Smith

Gliff explores how and why we endeavor to make a mark on the world from a Scottish word meaning a transient moment, a shock, a faint glimpse. In a time when Western industry wants to reduce us to algorithms and data, something easily categorizable and predictable, Smith shows us why our humanity and complexities matter more than ever.

best fiction books to read

Benefits of Reading Fiction Books

  • Fiction books have the unique ability to transport us to different worlds and introduce us to unforgettable characters. 
  • They allow us to experience the thrill of adventure, the depths of human emotion, and the complexities of life through the eyes of diverse protagonists.
  • These stories not only provide an escape from the every day but also offer new perspectives and insights that can resonate with readers long after the final page is turned.

Wrapping up

Whether you’re looking for a thrilling mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, a heartwarming romance that tugs at your heartstrings, or an epic fantasy that immerses you in a richly detailed world, there’s something for everyone in this year’s selection of fiction books.

As you explore these fiction books, you’ll be transported to enchanted forests, bustling cities, and distant realms. You’ll meet characters who face challenges, uncover secrets, and embark on transformative journeys. Each book is a testament to the power of storytelling and the boundless creativity of authors who craft these compelling narratives.

The books listed above are just a few of the many incredible fiction books available in 2025, each offering a unique journey that can inspire, entertain, and enlighten. So, whether you’re curling up with a book on a rainy day, reading by the beach, or enjoying a quiet evening at home, let these fiction books guide you to new adventures and unforgettable experiences. Dive into the pages of these novels and let your imagination soar. Happy reading!

Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor

Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.

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