Announcing Our 2025 Book of the Year

By BN Editors, Margarita Polkowska / November 13, 2025 at 8:00 am

After nearly a year of thoughtful deliberation, our booksellers from over 700 stores across the country have spoken. We are delighted to announce that our 2025 Book of the Year is Mona’s Eyes, the international sensation by Thomas Schlessler. Beautiful inside and out, with its fifty-two featured masterpieces showcased inside the fold-out dust jacket and leaping off the page, this moving novel about a brave young girl’s Paris museum adventures with her grandfather celebrates imagination and the bonds between generations.

Originally published in French, the touching tale of courage, love and family is sure to capture readers’ hearts for generations to come.

Book of the Year

Hardcover $30.00

Mona's Eyes (2025 B&N Book of the Year)

By Thomas Schlesser
Translator Hildegarde Serle

In Stock Online

Hardcover $30.00

Faced with the possibility of losing her eyesight forever, Mona joins her beloved grandfather on an unforgettable journey shaped by art and love. Along their path, Mona takes in each iconic masterpiece they encounter, committing them to memory while learning to see beauty in all things and making the most of every moment.

Listen to Thomas Schlesser as he joins us on Poured Over: The B&N Podcast to talk about the creative process behind Mona’s Eyes with guest host Brenda Allison:

“More than a tribute to artists and museums, Mona’s Eyes is a love letter to the world itself — and the way we learn to see it.” — Alex S.

But that’s not all. Because the finalists impressed our booksellers so much this year, we simply couldn’t choose just one winner. We are excited to share that Good Things by Samin Nosrat is our Gift Book of the Year, while I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery and Growing Home by Beth Ferry and The Fan Brothers are our Children’s Books of the Year. Keep reading to get to know our 2025 Book of the Year winners.

Gift Book of the Year

Hardcover $40.00 ~~$45.00~~

Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love (2025 B&N Gift Book of the Year): A Cookbook

By Samin Nosrat
Photographer Aya Brackett

In Stock Online

Hardcover $40.00 ~~$45.00~~

If you’ve trusted Samin Nosrat for her delicious recipes, get ready to bring some of her own favorites into your kitchen. It’s not just a cookbook, but a unique guide to forming a deeper sense of connection through food. Paired with gorgeous photos and heartwarming anecdotes, it’s a gift book that keeps on giving.

“Samin’s joy is felt on every page. These are beloved and tested recipes you will want to make again and again.” — Kat S.

The winner of our 2025 Gift Book of the Year was gracious enough to share with us her favorite golden, chewy focaccia recipe which she originally developed for the Salt Fat Acid Heat documentary series. Find Samin Nosrat’s recipe and the story of how it came together here.

Children’s Books of the Year

Paperback $9.99

I Am Rebel (B&N Exclusive Edition) (2025 B&N Children's Book of the Year)

By Ross Montgomery

In Stock Online

Paperback $9.99

Prepare for an extraordinary adventure. Following one brave pooch’s unforgettable journey across battlefields in search of his beloved human companion, I Am Rebel is a heartwarming story that inspires hope against all odds. Best of all? The dog lives to tell the tale.

This young reader favorite about the bonds that bind people and their pets is not only entertaining, but has all the makings of a modern classic.

“Animal lovers of all ages will root for Rebel every step of the way as he demonstrates the truly unbreakable bond between dogs and their favorite people.” — Stephanie P.

Hardcover $17.99

Growing Home (B&N Exclusive Edition) (2025 B&N Children's Book of the Year)

By Beth Ferry
Illustrator Terry Fan , Eric Fan

In Stock Online

Hardcover $17.99

The author of Prunella and The Scarecrow brings us Growing Home, an endearing story about the importance of friendship and family featuring lovable, chatty houseplants, magical pets and a pesky man in purple shoes.

Brimming with joy and whimsy, this timeless illustrated tale is the perfect choice for younger readers who are just getting started on their chapter book journey.

“Such a quirky, cute story with fun illustrations on every few pages… and it makes me crave cheese puffs!” — Anna F.

We hope these Books of the Year delight and inspire you as much as they did us. Celebrate the joy of reading with these spectacular titles that Barnes & Noble booksellers wholeheartedly voted for.