The Book Review: The best books of 2025 (so far)

Plus: a damning portrait of an enfeebled Biden campaigning for a second term.

View in browser|nytimes.com May 13, 2025 The New York Times By Joumana Khatib Dear readers, Now that we're over a third of the way through 2025 — alas, you read that correctly — it seems only appropriate that we at the Book Review share a look at the books we've loved so far this year. Here is a list of the novels and nonfiction we can't stop thinking about. We will update this list throughout the year, so be sure to check back for new additions. With that in mind, I will tell you that we can't promise that any of the titles we include will end up as one of the 10 Best Books or 100 Notable Books of 2025 — there are so many more books to come this year. On a similar note, on last week's podcast I spoke with our editor, Gilbert Cruz, about some noteworthy books coming this summer. Time to fire up your library reservations! The New York Times The Best Books of the Year (So Far) The nonfiction and novels we can't stop thinking about. By The New York Times Books Staff In other news When Rachel Cockerell first heard about plans for an abandoned Jewish homeland in Texas, she had to know more. She couldn't have expected how her own family history would intersect with the hidden history of Zionism, but it resulted in an unusually crafted new book, "Melting Point." FIND YOUR NEXT BOOK TO READ Editors' Choice 8 New Books We Recommend This Week Suggested reading from critics and editors at The New York Times. Pablo Amargo New Crime Novels With Unexpected Twists Our columnist on the month's best releases. By Sarah Weinman Let Us Help You Find Your Next Thriller Whether you're looking for a classic or the latest and greatest, start here. By The New York Times Books Staff The New York Times 24 Books Coming in May Novels by Stephen King and Ocean Vuong, Ron Chernow's latest blockbuster biography, a new graphic novel by Alison Bechdel and more. RECENT BOOK REVIEWS Nonfiction A New Biography of Mark Twain Doesn't Have Much of What Made Him Great Ron Chernow traces the life of a profound, unpredictable and irascibly witty writer. By Dwight Garner Nonfiction A Damning Portrait of an Enfeebled Biden Protected by His Inner Circle "Original Sin," by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, depicts an aging president whose family and aides enabled his quixotic campaign for a second term. By Jennifer Szalai Fiction Odd Couple Roommates, Bonded by Pills and Precarity A college dropout becomes caretaker to a Lithuanian widow in Ocean Vuong's florid new novel, which seeks to find the dignity in dead-end jobs. By Alexandra Jacobs Nonfiction Putin's Shadow Armies Have Set Their Sights Beyond Ukraine As President Trump pushes to end the Russian invasion, two books look at the paramilitary Wagner Group and consider the shape of global conflict today. By Nicolas Niarchos Fiction Dark Money, White Power and Colorful Weirdos in Carl Hiaasen's Latest "Fever Beach" is a wacky blend of Floridian farce and the perverse politics of our time. By Justin Taylor Fiction These 4 People Had Never Met. Now They're on a Road Trip to Find Dad. In Kevin Wilson's novel "Run for the Hills," half siblings drive cross-country searching for the father who abandoned them. By Bobby Finger nonfiction Is the Trillion-Dollar Wellness Industry a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing? Amy Larocca's book "How to Be Well" dives deep into the global obsession with so-called health, and the companies that have profited from creating it. By Elisabeth Egan Love this email? Forward to a friend. Want this email? Sign-up here. Have a suggestion for this email? Then send us a note at books@nytimes.com. If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Books from The New York Times. To stop receiving Books, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018