Books provide comfort and peace, not only to avid readers but to anyone who chooses to sit down and start a new journey. In a new year comes a new time, and that time provides the perfect opportunity to read. For anyone hoping to expand their horizons or vocabulary, a reading list can stand as a helpful tool to stay on top of reading goals for the year. With genres ranging from political fantasy to realistic fiction, without further ado: five books to read in 2025.
“I feel like I get to see glimpses of another life. Life is so short and there is only so much you can do. Books make me think differently than how I usually would in my day-to-day life. Reading is helpful because it reveals an underlying truth to the world and provides people from all backgrounds the chance to experience the same thing,” sophomore Jasmine Kihara said.
“Babel” by R. F. Kuang
“Babel,” a unique and captivating historical fantasy that follows the story of four Oxford students, contains themes similar to “The Poppy War,” Kuang’s first series. Without spoiling an exceptional amount of the plot, the book provides commentary on British imperialism and the effect of capitalism on societies and cultures. Following the students through challenges and worldview-shattering revelations, Kuang fully immerses readers into a beautifully built fantasy world of knowledge and deception. Boasting a four-star rating on Goodreads, the book receives a multitude of shining reviews. So, for fans of historical fantasy, or readers hoping to expand their horizons, “Babel” hits the mark.
“The Odyssey” by Homer
A timeless classic with the oldest manuscripts dating back to the third century still gains popularity 17 centuries later. The story follows Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, and his various trials as he attempts to return home after the Trojan War. The book technically falls under the genre of narrative poem, originally intended for expression orally. However, the classic nonetheless captivates readers with a series of fantastical and unfortunate events. All in all, the epic narrative provides intellectual and creative stimulation, providing an exhilarating read for those who so choose.
“Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros
A thrilling romantasy journey paired with intense political scheming sums up the contents of “Fourth Wing.” The main character, Cadet Sorrengail, faces the daunting trials of the rider quadrant in order to, one day, bond with a dragon. She finds herself in a love triangle, on the brink of death multiple times and fighting for her life against her fellow cadets. Yarros builds a wynorrific fantasy world and provides dynamic characters and relationships to advance the plot, allowing readers to lose themselves in intricate storytelling and intense action scenes. However, the book does contain scenes fit for mature audiences, reader discretion is advised.
“Who Fears Death” by Nnedi Okorafor
Drawing inspiration from Nigerian folklore and myth, this novel illustrates the struggles of Onyesonwu, a young girl struggling to survive in post-apocalyptic Africa. The story follows her journey of learning magic and facing discrimination from the people of her town. Eventually leading to a striking revelation that furthers her through the world of magic and death, the story places her in a key position to save society from the rule of a corrupt and power-hungry man named Daib. Okorafor immerses readers in passion and loss as the heartbreaking story unfolds, using graphic violence and an intimate scene to further captivate her audience. While this devastatingly beautiful story contains strong scenes of violence and three rather graphic scenes, Okoraforhe tells an enchanting story, albeit not for the faint of heart. “Who Fears Death” provides meaningful insight into current issues and poses powerful implications as to what comes next for the world. As a dystopian-esque novel and a must-read for 2025, “Who Fears Death” holds strong against the tide of time and continues breaking hearts yearly.
“Alicia” by Alicia Appleman-Jurman
Pivoting away from fantasy and science fiction, this novel follows the life of a young girl named Alicia as she survives the Holocaust through her own wit and perseverance. After the events of the Holocaust, Alicia grew up to eventually publish her story. With jaw-dropping first-hand accounts of the various horrors and indignities she lived through, “Alicia” stands as an unforgettable and inspiring novel. As the story progresses she falls into a rhythm, eventually escaping a concentration camp and surviving by posing as a Polish girl and working on various farms. With a satisfying and relieving ending, “Alicia” touches the hearts of all readers.
“Honestly [reading] puts my head in a quiet, calm space. It helps me clear my mind and just relax. Having time to myself to just relax and read is a much better alternative than sitting around on my phone,” sophomore Alexandra Cervantes said.
With a multitude of options, the selection of a perfect book may become stressful; hopefully, this article helps provide five intriguing reads. Reading serves as a productive activity to keep the mind working but also to let loose and enjoy the fresh year. To start the year off strong, reading provides the perfect way to relax during free time.
