For book lovers, 2025 has been a remarkable year so far. Acclaimed authors have released long-awaited titles, fresh voices have emerged, and many novels are already making their way into bestseller lists. If you’re wondering “Which new books should I read in 2025?”, here’s a curated list of the most talked-about international releases this year.
1. We Do Not Part – Han Kang
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📅 Release Date: February 2025
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🌍 Author: Nobel Prize-winning South Korean writer Han Kang
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📖 Why Read It: A moving exploration of grief, friendship, and memory from one of the most celebrated literary voices of our time.
2. The Emperor of Gladness – Ocean Vuong
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📅 Release Date: May 2025
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🌍 Author: Ocean Vuong, award-winning Vietnamese-American poet and novelist
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📖 Why Read It: A lyrical and emotional narrative that delves into intergenerational trauma and the power of resilience.
3. Atmosphere – Taylor Jenkins Reid
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📅 Release Date: June 2025
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🌍 Author: Bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Malibu Rising
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📖 Why Read It: A unique love story set against the backdrop of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program in the 1980s. Perfect for fans of romance with a historical twist.
4. Dream Count – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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📅 Release Date: March 2025
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🌍 Author: Nigerian writer known for Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun
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📖 Why Read It: A powerful novel following four Nigerian women navigating life, identity, and change in the aftermath of the global pandemic.
5. Hunchback – Saou Ichikawa
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📅 Release Date: March 2025 (English translation)
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🌍 Author: Japanese writer Saou Ichikawa
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📖 Why Read It: A striking and emotional story about difference, social exclusion, and the search for belonging.
6. Katabasis – R.F. Kuang
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📅 Release Date: August 2025
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🌍 Author: Known for Babel and The Poppy War trilogy
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📖 Why Read It: A bold and imaginative fantasy novel that reimagines academia as a descent into the underworld.
7. The Rose Field – Philip Pullman
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📅 Release Date: October 2025
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🌍 Author: Beloved creator of His Dark Materials
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📖 Why Read It: A highly anticipated return to Pullman’s rich fantasy universe, already one of the most awaited titles of the year.
✨ Final Thoughts
2025 is shaping up to be a year full of literary gems, from heart-wrenching dramas to ambitious works of fantasy and romance. Whether you’re a fan of world-class authors like Han Kang and Adichie, or excited for blockbuster names like Taylor Jenkins Reid and Philip Pullman, this list will help you keep your reading list fresh and up to date.
👉 Which of these new books are you most excited to read? Share your thoughts in the comments below!