The Best Books of May 2025

A moving tale about art and friendship, My Friends is a testament to love and the mysteries of life from the author of A Man Called Ove.

Dive deep into the life of one of America’s literary geniuses through the eyes of a master biographer. New sources and a critical lens shed light on Twain’s works and world.

There are the books you read and then there are the books you experience, like this one by poet, photographer and bestselling writer Ocean Vuong, whose novels are spun from gorgeous prose and vibrant, original imagery.

Rachel Gillig (One Dark Window) weaves together romance, magic and folklore into an intoxicating fairytale. This is perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Ava Reid.

You’ve heard their songs, now it’s time to hear their story. Packed with interviews and insights from the Gallagher brothers, you can’t get any closer to Oasis than this book.

Living in the sweet spot of delicious and straightforward, this guide to a tastier kitchen is for anyone who wants to spice up their daily meals. With a wide range of recipes and insightful commentary, it’s like having a chef in your kitchen, mentoring you every step of the way.

The king of horror has returned — along with a few old friends. Holly Gibney is back to investigate a terrifying threat and serve as a bodyguard to an activist with a target on her back. Taut, immersive and chilling, this is Stephen King at his best.

Packed with all the themes and tropes you’ve loved in the series so far, the third installment offers up two new characters to fall in love with as they grapple with their fate.

We Can Do Hard Things is a friendly — and necessary — reminder that we all need a helping hand through life’s tricky bits, from a beloved trio of remarkable women.

Gothic horror meets historical fiction in The Spirit Bears Its Teeth, an unflinching tale shining a light on the often overlooked experience of transgender and autistic people throughout history.

A stunning story about the power of language and lineage, The Names follows the life and legacy of a mother and son through alternating timelines.

With laugh-out-loud life stories, comedian Nate Bargatze shows he’s just as funny on the page as he is on the stage.

A distinctly modern romance with unconventional hooks that blend together to create a steamy, spicy and satisfying story of love and growth.

In a world this unforgiving, falling in love is strictly off limits — especially when it’s with your commanding officer. For fans of Fourth Wing’s vivid world-building and Jennifer L. Armentrout’s slow-burn romance comes a post-apocalyptic tale with an enemies-to-lovers twist.

The timeless meditations of Marcus Aurelius, curated alongside vibrant illustrations, making them more accessible and resonant than ever before.

From exploring wild and wacky recipes on TikTok to the page, B. Dylan Hollis has done it all — and now he’s taking us along for the ride across the United States.

The author of the Lincoln Lawyer series is back with an action-packed thriller following an exiled detective who stumbles across a case that could change everything.

Travel writing, ecological reporting and history flow together in a portrait of one of nature’s most powerful features.

Who do we become without the people we love? This is a thriller with secrets and plot twists to keep you guessing.

Dark, decadent and delicious, Aftertaste is a haunting romance — in more ways than one. Dine in New York’s finest restaurants and savor the flavor of this big-hearted read.

Families are messy — especially when your half siblings are scattered across the U.S. Kevin Wilson’s witty and wry voice is back in this hilarious and hopeful novel that takes us along on a cross-country adventure.

Haunting, heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful, Sleep explores the nuances of parenthood and childhood through one remarkable character.

The Doorman explores humanity’s elite at their lowest under the careful watch of one man. Witty, sharp and twisty, this is perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building.

Anthony Horowitz brought along a few old friends. Three deaths, two detectives and one puzzling manuscript — this mystery is a joy to solve.