Books I Can't Wait to Read in 2025
Because the internet definitely needed another most anticipated books list!
For me, 2024 was the Year of the Great Reading Slump. I set a reading goal of 50 books this year and so far am only at 20 because life just happens like that sometimes. On the bright side, it hopefully can only go up from here for me, and there are lots of upcoming 2025 releases that I can’t wait to get my grubby little fingers on.
So without further ado, let’s get into it. I’ve sorted them by release date!
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros | 21 Jan 2025
This will be surprising to no one if you read my previous post. Very grateful that I waited to read Iron Flame until this one was almost out!
Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli | 18 Feb 2025
Look, I’m getting old. There are a lot of young adult books that I come across and feel like I would have enjoyed a lot a few years ago but am simply growing out of now (more on that later in this list). But 2024’s Crimson Moth had me GRIPPED, giggling and kicking my feet, etc. etc. I cannot wait for the final installment of this witch x witch hunter duology.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry | 22 April 2025
Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry. Rereading Beach Read recently reminded me of how easily Emily Henry can tear my heart out and stomp on it, so I’m naturally excited for her next endeavor.
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab | 10 June 2025
Have I actually mentioned yet on this Substack that V.E. Schwab is my favorite author of all time? No? Well, here it goes: V.E. Schwab, please take all of my money. And while you’re at it you might as well step on me. Most people who have encountered her work know her for The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, but I’m just as enamored with the Shades of Magic series. She’s been describing this book as a sort of anti-Addie in that Addie is about hope and Bones is about hunger. Not sold yet? She’s also been pitching it on her social media in three short words: TOXIC LESBIAN VAMPIRES.
The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia | 15 July 2025
This feels a little bit like cheating because I was offered and advance copy of this and have already started it, but as I’m only a couple of chapters in I still can’t wait to see where it goes! She’s one of my go-to authors of Spooky and Slightly Weird Stories and I’m here for this one. It follows 3 different women throughout the 20th century and the witchcraft that connects their lives!
For the Record by Emma Lord | 12 August 2025
I’ve enjoyed 2 of the 3 Emma Lord books that I’ve read so far, and since the only one I wasn’t super keen on was YA I’m still optimistic for her next adult romance. (And to be clear, I think she’s an absolute queen of writing cute YA rom-coms, but as a gal in her mid twenties I’m simply starting to grow out of those.) It definitely doesn’t hurt that this next one is described as An electrifying rom com of rivalry and redemption, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Daisy Jones and the Six.
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang | 28 August 2025 | Cover TBD
The official blurb for this is Two graduate students must put aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save their professor’s soul—perhaps at the cost of their own. I think that alone says more than enough for me to be hyped for it, but it doesn’t hurt that I’ve loved all of her previous novels—and maybe even consider her the greatest writer of my generation.
Thief of Night by Holly Black | 23 September 2025 | Cover TBD
This is the sequel to her adult fantasy debut Book of Night, which was released in May 2022. It’s been a slightly lengthy wait for this one while she wrote her Stolen Heir duology, but I have my fingers crossed that it’ll be worth the wait. This series takes place in a modern fantasy world of shadowy thieves and secret societies.
Are any of these books on your list? TBH I feel like I’m probably forgetting about some upcoming releases from authors I love, but this feels like a good start. What else should I add to my TBR?
VE Schwab, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and RF Kuang are all on my tbr next year!!
your taste is truly top tier