With the holiday shopping season upon us, many readers are stocking their carts with new additions to their TBR lists. And since bookworms love nothing more than a recommendation from someone who shares their reading taste — throwback to those kindly librarians of our youth, perhaps? — we’ve asked some popular book world influencers which books they’re most excited about in 2025.
Preordering books that aren’t coming out for weeks or even months isn’t just a good way to treat your future self. It also helps the authors, because ordering a book before it comes out signals to bestseller lists and award committees that readers are clamoring to read. So click away — you’re not just setting yourself up for a pleasant surprise delivery down the line, you’re also being a good literary citizen.
Below, check out the hot 2025 reads nine Bookstagram and Booktok influencers recommend. Happy reading!
Jordan Moblo of Jordy’s Book Club recommends ‘The King of Ashes’ by S.A. CosbyJordan Moblo, Jordy’s Book Club recommends The King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
The book I’m most excited for is S.A. Cosby’s The King of Ashes. Nobody writes crime thrillers like Cosby — one of the most brilliant authors working today — and I can’t wait for his latest. Set against the backdrop of an Atlanta crematorium, this dark family drama is classic Cosby: brutal action, finely-crafted characters, jaw-dropping twists. A blockbuster of a book guaranteed to get you through the dog days of summer, and perfect for fans of Ozark, Breaking Bad, and Six Feet Under. — Jordan Moblo, Jordy’s Book Club
Kevin T. Norman recommends ‘Black Salt Queen’ by Samantha Bansil
Filled with passion, romance, betrayal and divine magic, Black Salt Queen journeys to a gorgeous precolonial island nation where women — and secrets — reign. I am so excited because it’s everything I love in a book. Action, betrayal, secrets, romance and powerful women fighting for a throne all against the backdrop of a precolonial Philippine nation! — Kevin T. Norman
Brooke Miccio recommends ‘Say You’ll Remember Me’ by Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez has a remarkable talent for transforming seemingly clichéd romance tropes into beautifully crafted, unforgettable stories that readers can’t put down. Her highly anticipated 2025 release, Say You’ll Remember Me, promises to be an emotional rollercoaster, sure to leave us all once again falling for a fictional character. — Brooke Miccio
Hannah Lohr recommends ‘Well, Actually’ by Mazey Eddings
One of my most anticipated-reads of 2025, is Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings — Perfect for those who endlessly watch Chicken Shop Date to relive the banter of Amelia and Andrew. This book’s main character runs a celebrity interview show, while chowing down on hot dogs, and when she calls out her ex and it goes viral, the public wants more. Maybe because he’s internet famous for being a podcaster who deconstructs toxic masculinity and teaches other men how to be better partners?
I just KNOW the banter will be 10/10, because Mazey always delivers. Every book of hers has made me feel like the characters are my best friends, and left me in stitches. I need this book in my hands, STAT!” — Hannah Lohr
Salma Rafaf of Salma’s Library recommends ‘The Charmer’ by Ava Rani
One of the things I love most about romance books is when a rich man falls in love with his fake wife after telling himself it was just business. I’ve been patiently waiting for Xander’s story and I cannot wait to see his strictly business arrangement with Penelope turn into more. Ava Rani has quickly become one of my favorite authors and I love how she creates the perfect mix of romance and drama! I’m sure this highly anticipated finale will be one for the books! — Salma Rafaf, Salma’s Library
Traci Thomas of Traci at The Stacks recommends ‘Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People’ by Imani Perry
Imani Perry is one of the most talented writers writing today, and her newest book — an exploration of the color blue and Black culture — sounds like a uniquely complicated and thoughtful project that only she could pull off. Black in Blues ties the experiences of Black Americans to the color through things like blues music, indigo dye and the term “blue Black” to describe dark-skinned people. I can’t wait to see how she weaves the historical, cultural and emotional elements together to tell this story. — Traci Thomas, Traci at The Stacks
Christine Severin of The Roomie Digest recommends ‘Once Smitten, Twice Shy’ by Chloe Liese
If you haven’t yet heard of Chloe Liese, let me introduce you to one of my favorite romance authors and the champion of neurodivergent characters! Coming in early 2025, Liese’s Once Smitten, Twice Shy is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and promises a story filled with banter, a bit of spice and a deeply healing, soft love. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry’s emotional storytelling, Once Smitten, Twice Shy is a romance you won’t want to miss!” — Christine Severin, The Roomie Digest
Monique Richburg of The Roomie Digest recommends ‘Death of The Author’ by Nnedi Okarafor
Fans of masterful storytelling should definitely check out Death of The Author by Nnedi Okarafor. It blends genres in the most perfect way to be a suspenseful, timely and heartfelt read. I can’t wait for everyone to read this book and the best part is, it’s coming out first thing in 2025!” — Monique Richburg, The Roomie Digest
Pauline Juan of The Books I’ve Loved, recommends ‘Story of My Life’ by Lucy Score
I can’t wait for Story of My Life to release because Lucy always delivers on the romance and tension paired with humor and I just know this will check all of my boxes! It’s a small-town romance with a little bit of fake dating your grouchy contractor that will spark your next romance novel. It’s impossible to not be excited about this!! — Pauline Juan, The Books I’ve Loved
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