NYPL's Best Books of 2025: A Conversation with Brian Bannon

NYPL's Best Books of 2025 List

• 📚 The New York Public Library has released its "Best Books of 2025" list, featuring over 225 titles across categories for adults, teens, and children.
• 💡 The selection process involves over 80 librarians who consider books released in 2025, drawing on their expertise and community interactions.
• 🎯 The list aims to cater to a broad range of readers, covering genres from horror and thrillers to biographies and cookbooks, reflecting the diverse reading habits of New Yorkers.

Enhanced Access to Books

• 🎁 This year, the NYPL is offering free no-wait ebook access for 25 selected titles through the end of the year, a new initiative inspired by the show's book club.
• 🎁 Additionally, the library is conducting book giveaways, providing great options for holiday gifts.
• 🗓️ These initiatives aim to address the high demand and long wait times often associated with popular book lists.

Featured Selections and Genres

• 🔪 "King of Ashes" by S.A. Cosby is highlighted for its spectacular writing and storytelling, even for those hesitant about thrillers, with a discussion on its setting in Jefferson Run, Virginia.
• 👻 "The Buffalo Hunter" by Stephen Graham Jones is described as a beautifully written indigenous horror story set across time and place, featuring elements of suspense and immersive storytelling.
• 📜 "The Scrapbook" by Heather Clark and "Red Comet" by Heather Clark are mentioned, with a comparison of Sylvia Plath to Taylor Swift.
• 🚗 "Run for the Hills" by Kevin Wilson is noted for its surprising, humane, and fun narrative about family members discovering they share the same father.
• 🐦 "Turning to Birds" by Lily Taylor, an actor and birder, explores the joy of birdwatching, with much of the book taking place in New York City.
• 🗣️ "Hello Sunshine" by Kiza Young, a graphic novel, is recommended for teens as an engaging and immersive way to foster reading for pleasure.
• ✊ "Loudmouth: Emma Goldman Versus America: A Love Story" is presented as a biography of an activist, relevant to discussions about youth voices and finding one's own voice amidst controversy.
• 👧 "The Interpreter" by Olivia Abtahi focuses on a young girl who acts as an interpreter for her parents, highlighting the challenges and experiences of young people in such roles.
• 💇 "Oano Una Historias" is a Spanish and English bilingual book featuring a young girl in a wheelchair, emphasizing representation and the importance of books where disability is present but not the sole focus.

Library's Role and Data

• 📊 While checkout data is considered for future "top checkout" lists, the "Best Books" list is curated with a focus on identifying the best of the year across genres.
• 💬 Librarians act as experts, tracking genres closely and surfacing the best selections for readers, encouraging exploration of new genres or deepening engagement with favorites.
• 🏛️ The NYPL continues its long-standing practice of curating these lists to guide readers, especially during the holiday season.