We asked the library staff to tell us what are their most anticipated reads of 2025.  From classics to fantasy, fiction to non-fiction here is the eclectic list of books we are excited to read in 2025. We hope they will inspire you to try something new this year.

Alison

A cover of Bunny Vs Monkey: Bunny Bonanza by Jamie Smart. An audiobook cover of Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens. A cover of Charlotte's Web by E. B. White.

By the time this blog post appears the most anticipated book in my list will have already been published and devoured by a previously reluctant reader who is 5 years old! Bunny vs Monkey: Bunny Bonanza is the latest in the insanely popular series by comic book artist and creator, Jamie Smart. It’s lovely to watch a book capture a young reader and encourage them to read independently. It’s harder for a parent/carer to read out loud and do a million different voices but that’s when we turn to BorrowBox for the audio version!

Also, on BorrowBox and to the great delight of a 9-year-old, is the Murder Most Unladylike series by Robin Stevens. So, we’ll be working our way through the series in book and print this year. There’s also a planned read-a-long of the classic Charlotte’s Web.

Carly

Mariana Enriquez © Ariel Grinberg

Somebody Is Walking on Your Grave: My Journeys to Cemeteries  by Mariana Enriquez,  translated by Megan McDowell (out in September 2025)

Having discovered Mariana Enriquez’ work a couple of years ago I have devoured everything I could find that has been translated into English. Called by The New York Times “Buenos Aires’s sorceress of horror” she has the uncanny knack to be able to conjure to feel of a place so completely that you really feel as though your there with the characters, for a horror author this can be exceptionally creepy! As far as I know this is her first foray into non-fiction that has been translated into English and what a subject to choose, I also have a fascination with cemeteries and different cultures rituals and approaches to death so I am looking forward to Enriquez taking me to some interesting places in 2025.

Evie

Cover of Persuasion by Jane Austen Cover of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen Cover of Mansfield Park by Jane Austen Cover of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

This year I’m hoping to get round to reading more Jane Austen. In early 2024 I read Pride & Prejudice and Emma, both of which I loved! Classics always take more focus and time than other books I read, but I think they are worth it, especially when they are as timeless as Austen’s works. Last year I was surprised by how funny her novels are, Mr Bennet will always be one of my all-time favourite characters and some of his interactions with Mrs Bennett made me laugh out loud. Up next is Persuasion, as recommended by one of my lovely Page Turners reading group members, and I’ll hopefully be buddy reading it so my friend and I can enjoy it together! Then perhaps Sense & Sensibility, Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey will keep me company for the rest of 2025…

Frankie

The Cover of The Door by Magda Szabo The cover of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Cover of Either/Or by Elif Batuman

The Door and/or The Fawn by Magda Szabó

I read Abigail and Iza’s Ballad a few years ago and loved them both, despite being very different from each other. Whatever the topic, she seems to so effortlessly braid sensitivity and humour with morbidity and tragedy.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

It’s predictable, I know! I read The Black Tulip in 2020 and thought it was brilliantly executed. His storytelling is just so satisfying! And I love an epic adventure.

Either/Or by Elif Batuman because The Idiot was hilarious and sadly very relatable.

Jasmine

Cover of Light Rains Sometimes Fall by Lev Parikian

The book I am most looking forward to reading in 2025 is Light Rains Sometimes Fall by Lev Parikian. It’s an analysis of British seasons through Japan’s traditional 72 short seasons, as a way to mindfully explore the beauty of nature throughout the year.

Jo

Cover of The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon

The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon (The Bone Season bk. 5)

I’m looking forward to diving back in to Samantha Shannon’s dystopian fantasy Bone Season series. Each instalment so far has been richly imagined and immersive thanks to carefully crafted characters, political intrigue, distinct and resonating themes and plenty of tension – plus, honestly they are delightfully bonkers!

Kate H

Cover of Fundamentally by Noussaibah Younis. Cover of The Vipers by Katy Hays.  Cover by Teh Artist by Lucy Steeds

There are so many books to read in 2025, so many exciting titles that it is hard to choose. But here are three of them.

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis -a debut novel about Nadia working for UN in Iraq, rehabilitating ISIS women. There, she forms a bond with a young Sara, who joined ISIS at fifteen. This is a funny and thoughtful book about religion and friendship, families and beliefs. Fun fact: the author in the past offered strategic advice to US government agencies on Iraq policy.

In March, we have The Vipers by Katy Hays, a thriller taking place on the fabulous island of Capri. There, faced with pressures and the weight of hidden secrets. the powerful Lindgen family begins to unravel. I really enjoyed Hayes’ debut, The Cloisters, so I am looking forward to reading this one as soon as possible.

Finally – I will cheat a bit. The Artist by Lucy Steeds is already out and I have actually read it, but cannot stop thinking about. It is story of a young aspiring journalist who arrives to the remote house in  Provence to interview a famous reclusive painter.  A story of art, passion and secrets,  it is full of vivid descriptions that transport a reader to the sweltering Provencal summer.

Kate O

A red photo with the title Katabasis by R.F. Kuang with a note cover to be revealed The cover of Bat Eater by Kylie Lee Baker

First book I’d choose is Katabasis by R.F. Kuang (out in August 2025) . I’m a really big fan of her other works, so this makes Katabasis a must-read for me! In addition, a journey through the underworld, regardless of the stakes, is always a very interesting and exciting setting.

The second book that I’m looking forward to is Bat Eater by Kylie Lee Baker, which looks at a crime scene cleaner who’s sister was murdered as part of a hate crime around the time of the pandemic. It sounds like it explores really interesting themes, and takes a turn towards a thriller as the protagonist is haunted by the things she has seen in her past. It sounds really gripping, I can’t wait.

Rachel

 

I’m trying to break out of a reading slump so I think I might focus on books with upcoming screen adaptations. I’m looking forward to reading Mickey7 by Edward Ashton which will be released in cinemas soon as Mickey 17 starring Robert Pattinson. And The Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells. And bonus points to the library service that the first book in that series, All Systems Red is available on BorrowBox.

Sally

Cover of the book Our evenings by Alan Hollinghurst Cover of the book Congo by David Reybrouck 

I am looking forward to reading Our Evenings, by Alan Hollinghurst, this year. I have enjoyed several of Hollinghurst’s novels since my brother bought The Line of Beauty for me years ago while he was studying English Literature at university. This was one of the books that got me back into reading! Hollinghurst constructs beautiful sentences and I always find his novels memorable.

I am also hoping to read Congo: the epic history of a people, by David van Reybrouck, this year. This is a bit ambitious as it’s a long book and I know it will require considerable concentration. Now that I have put the intention down in print maybe I will actually read, and absorb, this book this year. Let’s see! I would like to acquire greater knowledge of the history of various countries, because you can’t even begin to understand what is going on in the world today without knowing some of what has gone before, and Congo seems a good place to start.