The Best Books of September 2025

Love and war, births and deaths, coming together and falling apart — this intimate portrait of small-town, midcentury America is a must-read. The writing is both straightforward and poetic, and the story is compelling, cathartic and expertly crafted.

The bestselling author of The Da Vinci Code is back with a mind-bending, globe-spanning maze of a story. Robert Langdon races against time to solve a groundbreaking mystery that could have world-changing outcomes.

Inspired by one of humanity’s greatest conundrums, Circle of Days is a sweeping historical feat from a beloved author. The creation of Stonehenge is brought to life in this expansive novel of perseverance and hope.

Legendary sheriff Cork O’Connor might be retired, but that doesn’t mean he won’t fight for justice. After learning of a decades-old case which sent an innocent man to prison, O’Connor seeks to uncover what really happened all those years ago.

Brené Brown returns with strategies to inspire and lead others who strive for greatness. By tapping into the resilience of the human spirit, Brown uses her renowned wisdom to provide an accessible template for navigating life’s uncertainties with confidence.

A triumphant memoir chronicling Arundhati Roy’s journey to becoming an award-winning author. Written after the death of her mother, Roy delicately pieces together how their powerful relationship helped shape her into the celebrated writer she is today.

There are few documents as storied as the Constitution of the United States, but who really understands it? Jill Lepore is here to help, digging into the history and legacy of the Constitution in all of its intricacies and hopes. This is sharp and necessary narrative nonfiction.

Covering the full spectrum from love and loss to hope and healing, Elizabeth Gilbert can always be trusted to deliver soul-searching personal narratives with invaluable and universal takeaways.

A vivid exploration of art through a young girl’s museum adventures with her beloved grandfather. This is a heartfelt tale that stirs the soul and feeds the imagination.

A small-town serial killer romance meets amateur sleuthing in this darkly funny, heart-racing first installment that flips the script on a traditional love story.

Right as your heart begins to heal from the aftermath of the Powerless Trilogy, we return to the kingdom for another battle. Set against the backdrop of Fearless, a beautiful and tragic tale tethering love, death and the price of power unfolds before our eyes.

Sam Heughan is the guide you need to cocktail creation. Whether pulling from his own collection or crafting inspiring takes on classics, get ready to level up your drink library.

Dinniman’s action-packed and emotionally charged adventure series returns amping up the hijinks and raising the stakes — and this time — dead means dead. Will Carl, Donut and Katia survive battle royale against all odds?

Fans of the Belladonna series, welcome back to Thorn Grove. This holiday tale is filled with the same dark romance and twisting suspense that you love so much.

The complete story of Lionel Richie, told by the man himself, with the signature charm that makes him such a treasure. This is a comprehensive look at the human behind the cultural icon.

Buried secrets. Healing. Reflection. When his business fails, Elijah returns home where past and present collide and a riveting family mystery unravels. Delving into generational trauma and Chicago’s dark history, this is a suspenseful and haunting read.

From the creator of Murdle comes a new set of challenges to test your spy abilities. Can you solve these word puzzles by using the cryptic clues? Be careful, they only get harder and harder as you continue your mission.

Gothic horror at its finest, this time Kingfisher invites us on a haunted rescue mission cloaked in the eerie decay of American coal mines.

Holly Black returns with a follow-up to her adult debut Book of Night. Charlie Hall is back in this compelling fantasy, rich with dark magic and deception.

A big-hearted tale from an award-winning author, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny follows the sweeping story of a novelist and a journalist grappling with love, home and culture. This is perfect for fans of Real Americans.

If you’ve trusted Samin Nosrat for sumptuous meals before, then get ready to bring some of her own favorite recipes into the kitchen.

A new story of self-discovery from Syou Ishida. The Kokoro Clinic is open for business— but only those who really need it can find it. The follow-up to We’ll Prescribe You a Cat follows a new group of souls who find solace in a charming group of cats.

Creepy, kooky and crackling with energy, We Love You, Bunny is the long-awaited return to the world of the sickeningly sweet (and maniacally maddening) clique — and this time, the Bunnies are taking center stage.

Mary Roach travels across the world to uncover the impact modern science has on the human body. From stem cell centers to a working iron lung, Roach shares relevant and informative examples of science in action.

If you shed tears over When Haru Was Here and You’ve Reached Sam, we hope you’ve recharged your tear ducts for You’ve Found Oliver, the latest and most satisfyingly heart-wrenching story from Dustin Thao.

Come for the gorgeous design, stay for the addictive story. This dual-perspective fantasy is a work of art inside and out.

Words to inspire hope and creativity from a Hollywood icon. The actor and author offers personal stories, poems and wisdom from years in and out of the spotlight.

Tahereh Mafi delivers another swirling romance in the Woven Kingdom series. Alizeh must prepare for battle while coming into her magical powers, and critical alliances will be tested as Tulan faces a reckoning.

A major 80s heartthrob. A charming 2000s TV dad. A pop culture icon who refused to follow the script. Charlie Sheen shares the peaks and valleys of his career and personal life in a candid memoir penned in his signature voice.

All hope seems lost for Helena, a prisoner of war grappling with a dreary world of death and dark magic — and an inexplicable case of amnesia. Epic and engrossing, Alchemised is the gritty and gothic read we’ve all been waiting for.

Herron’s relatable gang of misfit spies returns in a brand-new adventure with the Slow Horses crew. Quirky and suspenseful, this one will grip you from the start.

Richard Osman is back with the fifth installment in his beloved series, and this mystery is more puzzling than ever. Grab your favorite sleuthing gear — there’s another case to solve.

A young goddess must forge a path for herself — and her heart — in this enchanting romantasy from the author of Divine Rivals.

A hockey-centric heartthrob of a rom-com, complete with quippy dialogue, relatable characters and fake dating. This is a trope-tastic breeze of a read.

Ideal for fans of the series, but equally perfect for those who haven’t experienced it yet, this gorgeous collection of angsty romance and sparkling action belongs on every shelf. 

Beyond Graceland — Priscilla Presley’s story in her own words. Heartfelt, emotional and eye-opening, Priscilla shares behind-the-scenes moments from her troubled marriage to Elvis.