My Top Books of 2025: My Best Fiction Reads Of The Year
As many of you have told me how much you enjoy reading my book reviews, this article rounds up my top fiction books that I’ve read and reviewed in 2025.
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As the year comes to a close, I’ve enjoyed looking back on all the books I’ve read in 2025 - it’s been a bumper year! I always enjoy putting together this list of the top ten books for you, and you can find the full list of all the books I’ve read this year here.
I hope you enjoy browsing the list, and if you fancy treating yourself or a loved one to a new book then I’ve included the link to purchase them via Bookshop.com - an online bookshop that supports local independent bookshops (and for full disclosure I also get a few pence when you place an order as an affiliiate!) You can find the full list here
Top 10 Books of 2025
Here’s the top 10 novels I’ve read and reviewed in 2026, starting from the bottom (drum roll please)…
10. The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
If you’re in the mood for a book that surprises you at every turn and gets you chuckling out loud, The Husbands by Holly Gramazio is an absolute treat. Equal parts absurd and profound, it’s a story that challenges conventions, plays with perspective, and ultimately asks big questions about life, choice, and meaning—while keeping you thoroughly entertained.
The story begins with Alice, an ordinary woman living an ordinary life—until her husband ventures into the attic. What comes down is not old furniture or forgotten clutter but an entirely new husband. And this is just the beginning. Each trip to theattic adds another husband to her life, each with their own quirks and peculiarities, leaving Alice to navigate a situation that grows more absurd by the minute.While the setup is ridiculous, I think the book probes deeper into questions about choice, identity, and what it means to live a fulfilling life. There’s definitely a parallel to online dating, as Alice’s growing “collection” of husbands echoes the endless swiping in a modern dating app —and the way those options can complicate rather than clarify.
Yet, beneath the chaos and comedy I took away the main message: life is what you make it. The Husbands is a reminder that thepaths we take (or avoid taking) define us, and that life isn’t handed to us—it’s something we can choose for ourselves.
If you fancy an easy read that combines humour, originality, and a touch of existential pondering, The Husbands would be a perfect pick for you!
9. My Friends by Hisham Matur
My Friends by Hisham Matar
My Friends by Hisham Matur was definitely outside of my usual comfort zone - contemporary political fiction isn’t what I would normally reach for! At first I did wonder if it might be a bit too “high brow” for me. However, after a few chapters I found myself completely absorbed, reading late into the night. Not because it’s a fast-paced page-turner, but because it’s beautifully written, with well-chosen language, London landscapes and gentle storytelling that quietly pulls you in.
The story follows Khaled, a Libyan student in London whose life changes irrevocably after he chooses to attend a political demonstration outside the embassy. I hadn’t known much about this real historical event beforehand, and found it fascinating to learn more about it and to see how one day’s events rippled through Khaled’s entire life, shaping not only his path but also the wider Libyan community.
While the novel does explore friendship, as the title suggests, I was struck most by the themes of belonging and identity, and how these can influence the choices we make - or prevent us from making them. It’s reflective, moving, and thought-provoking.
If I had one criticism, it’s that at times the prose feels as though it’s written with a literary award in mind, with style taking precedence over storytelling. But then again, it has won several awards, so perhaps that’s exactly what it was aiming for! Either way, I’m glad I stuck with it, and I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something powerful, quietly intense, and beautifully crafted.
8. How To Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley
How To Age Disgracefully By Clare Pooley
This isn’t a book I’d have naturally picked up (the cover gives off slightly trashy vibes), but it was on my book club list so I dutifully gave it a go - and I’m so glad I did. How ToAge Disgracefully is an unexpected gem: warm, witty, and packed with brilliant characters who had me laughing out loud more than once.
The story centres around a group of pensioners who find themselves drawn together under rather unconventional circumstances. What begins as a seemingly ordinary community quickly reveals secrets, schemes, and unlikely friendships that make for a thoroughly entertaining read. Think The Thursday Murder Club - minus the murders - with the same mischievous charm, different yet still sharply observed characters, and delightfully British humour.
Clare Pooley does a brilliant job with characterisation; each feels real and endearing (even when they're up to no good). The story strikes a lovely balance between heart and hilarity, and the character development gives real depth to what could have been a light read.
If you're in the mood for something feel-good, smart, and full of personality, this might be your next favourite. It’s a celebration of second (and third) chances, the importance of community, and living life boldly - no matter your age. Would thoroughly recommend.
7. You Are Here by David Nicholls
You Are Here by David Nicholls
I really enjoyed this charming love story set in the British countryside, where an unlikely group of thirty-somethings (each with their own personal baggage) come together for a walk. It’s a romcom at heart - very readable, not too cheesy, and with characters who feel more real than the usual glossy types you often find in romance novels.
I particularly liked the slow build between the main characters. There's no grand declarations or sweeping drama, just two people quietly getting to know each other. It feels honest and a bit awkward in all the right ways. There’s a lovely warmth and wit to Nicholls’ writing - you've likely read his most famous novel "One Day" (or seen the TV series) and his style carries through.
You Are Here made me laugh and even brought a little tear to my eye at one point (could be the pregnancy hormones, but still!). I’d give it a solid 4/5 and definitely recommend it as a great holiday read – light, funny, and feel-good.
6. Culpabilty by Bruce Holsinger
Culpability by Bruce Holsinger
This book is easily one of my top reads of the year. Culpability feels so culturally relevant - and, if I’m honest, a little terrifying - in the way it explores the growing impact of artificial intelligence on our lives. Holsinger manages to weave together a gripping family drama with a sharp, thought-provoking look at technology, responsibility, and the grey areas in between.
The story centres around a family involved in a road traffic accident in an autonomous vehicle, and the aftermath that unfolds. What begins as a horrifying event quickly spirals into a tense, layered exploration of accountability - who (or what) is to blame when something goes wrong in a world increasingly run by algorithms?
It’s part tech-thriller, part moral mystery, and entirely absorbing. I loved the way the narrative is structured, including excerpts from the wife Lorelei’s book throughout - it adds another dimension to the story and gives you space to reflect as you read. The portrayal of the family, especially teenage daughter Alice, brings a real human side to the technology theme, showing how AI is shaping not just society, but also the lives and identities of young people growing up with it.
Intense in places, beautifully written, and frighteningly plausible, Culpability is a smart, timely read that lingers long after the final page. Not my usual type of book but one I thoroughly recommend!!
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5. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah’s Winter Garden is a deeply moving novel that weaves together past and present, exploring the complexities of family relationships and the weight of untold stories.
At the heart of the book is the strained relationship between two sisters, Meredith and Nina, and their distant, enigmatic mother, Anya. When their father passes away, they are left to unravel the mystery of Anya’s past, which she reveals through a haunting Russian fairy tale that slowly unfolds into a shocking truth.
At the beginning of the novel, I found it difficult to connect with the characters. Their personalities felt somewhat distant, and I struggled to empathise with their family tensions. However, as the story progressed, I realised how deliberately Kristin Hannah had crafted these dynamics.
The novel moves between present-day America and the harrowing experiences of Leningrad during World War II. The depiction of the Siege of Leningrad is heartbreaking. We often read about Nazi Germany or Britain’s wartime struggles, but this novel offers a poignant perspective on the immense suffering endured by Russian civilians during this period.
While I anticipated some aspects of the novel’s twist, there were certain revelations that took me by surprise, making for an emotional and satisfying conclusion. Overall, Winter Garden is a compelling read that blends historical fiction with an intimate family drama. Kristin Hannah masterfully explores themes of grief, identity, and reconciliation, making this novel both heartbreaking and hopeful.
4. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
I absolutely loved Pachinko by Min Jin Lee! I went into it knowing almost nothing about Korean history or how Koreans were treated in Japan, and I came away completely absorbed, educated, and emotionally invested.
Pachinko is an epic, multi-generational story following one Korean family through the twentieth century as they navigate love, loss, identity, and survival against the backdrop of war, occupation, and discrimination. It begins in a small fishing village in Korea and spans decades, following the family’s move to Japan and the challenges they face building a life in a society that doesn’t fully accept them.
The storytelling is beautiful - you’re drawn into the characters’ lives so completely that you feel their hopes, heartbreaks, and resilience as if they were your own. I loved how each character forged their own path, and how the book explored the complexities of family, faith, belonging, and ambition.
It’s one of those rare novels that feels both deeply personal and sweeping in scope... eye-opening, moving, and utterly engrossing. I won’t tell you what "pachinko" actually is (you’ll discover that halfway through!), but it’s such a fitting metaphor for the twists of fate the characters experience.
A truly remarkable read - one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
3. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
A Gentleman in Moscow swept me up from the very first page and held me captive - rather like the main character! Towles' 2016 novel focuses on Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov who is stripped of his title and material wealth, and confined within the walls of the luxury Hotel Metropol.
The Count is a truly brilliant character: witty, endlessly charming, and very human. Despite being under house arrest for decades, he manages to create a full and meaningful life, filled with rich relationships and adventures - big and small! Plus his skills at social etiquette really come into their own in the hotel.
Set against the backdrop of post-revolutionary Russia, the novel also subtly and skilfully weaves in the political and historical changes unfolding outside the Metropol’s grand walls. The hotel becomes a kind of microcosm of Soviet life, with power, ideology and fate all playing out inits corridors and dining rooms.
Towles masterfully brings to life a cast of characters who each add their own colour to the Count’s world, from the staff withinthe hotel to the curious and clever Nina to the gentle and musical Sofia. I particularly enjoyed the "geese incident" (if you know, you know!).
These connections, often formed in the most unlikely circumstances, are what give this novel its heart. The storytelling is great, even though you're essentially following the daily life in the hotel, it's a compelling read. And the twist at the end completely blindsided me!
I loved this book. It's a novel that restores your faith in humanity. I'm looking forward to watching the TV series that stars Ewan McGregor as the Count (it's on my list but haven't managed to catch it yet!) An absolute five stars from me.
2.The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Every once in a while, a book comes along that wraps around you like a warm, cozy blanket - and The House in the CeruleanSea by TJ Klune did exactly that for me. It’s charming, heartfelt, and quietly revolutionary with an underlying message about inclusivity.
The story follows Linus Baker, a by-the-book caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, who leads a quiet, rule-abiding life- until he's unexpectedly sent on a secret mission to assess an orphanage on a remote island. But this isn’t just any orphanage. The children here are... different. Magical. Potentially dangerous. And as Linus begins to uncover the truth about this place, and about himself, he’s discovers a world full of friendship, self-discovery, and love.
Reading this novel reminded me of the joy I felt discovering Harry Potter for the first time. The characters are so wonderfully strange and endearing - from a garden gnome with a temper to a sprite who protects the island whilst being a chef. But don't be put off by the fantastical elements, at its core, this is a story about acceptance, found family, and the bravery it takes to live authentically.
If you’re looking for a book that will make you smile, tear up a little, and feel like theworld might not be so bad after all - this is the one. I absolutely LOVED it, 5 stars from me!
1. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
This is, without question, one of the best books I’ve read in a long time - and it had to be my top book of this year. The Covenantof Water is a big book (both in length and in heart) but absolutely worth every page.
Set in a small community in Kerala, South India, the novel spans much of the 20th century, following three generations of one remarkable family bound by a mysterious affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning.
We begin with a young girl, known simply as Big Ammachi, who is married off at just 12 years old and grows into the heart of this sweeping story. Through her eyes, and those of other unforgettable characters - like Mariamma, a brilliant medical student determined to uncover the roots of her family’s curse, and Digby, a Scottish surgeon navigating life and loss in colonial India - we witness a world of love, grief, faith, and enduring hope.
There is a medical thread running through the book, particularly in the second half, but at its core this is a deeply human story about connection, identity, and the legacies we inherit and pass on. Verghese’s writing is so evocative – you can almost feel the sticky heat, hear the birdsong, and smell the spices drifting from the kitchen.
It reminded me of The God of Small Things(another Indian-set novel I adored and studied at A Level). It's different in style but similar in the way it made me feel. I laughed, I cried, and I finished it far quicker than I expected.
In my opinion this book is a modern classic. So if you’re looking for a moving, immersive read to get lost in - this is the one!
This is my top book recommendation from my 2025 reviews! If you read it I'd love to know what you think!
Conclusion
So that brings us to the end of my top books of 2025 round up - I hope you enjoyed the big reveal! Perhaps are inspired to read one of them, or perhaps to buy one for a loved one for Christmas. To view and purchase the full list you can visit my Top 2025 Fiction Books page.
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If you’ve got a book (fiction or non-fiction) that you think I should review in 2026 then please drop me a line at hannah@workerbeeyoga.co.uk - I would love to hear from you!
