As 2025 approaches, bringing crisp air, snow for some of us, and cozy winter nights, there's plenty to look forward to. Whether you're eagerly anticipating the new year or feeling a mix of emotions, one thing is certain: The joy of discovering fresh new books to share with readers is always a delight. Here’s a wintry mix of 18 books we’re looking forward to recommending and reading during the next few months.

Get lit(erary) this winter

There’s plenty to intrigue literary fiction readers during the coming months, including: 

  • The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami
  • Rental House by Weike Wang
  • Time of the Child by Niall Williams (which is set during Christmastime)

Celebrity scoops

Biography and memoir readers who relish the stories behind famous faces can look forward to books by:

  • Keke Palmer (Master of Me)
  • Josh Brolin (From Under the Truck)
  • Jaleel White (Growing Up Urkel)

From pop culture to philosophy 

Alt-rock devotees can explore deep thoughts and behind-the-scenes info from:

  • The Name of This Band Is R.E.M. by Peter Ames Carlin 
  • How to Think Like Socrates by Donald Robertson

Speculative fiction

Those who prefer escapism will want a taste of buzzy books such as:

  • Freya Marske’s Swordcrossed
  • Rivers Solomon’s Model Home
  • Jeff VanderMeer’s Absolution (a prequel to the Southern Reach trilogy)

Thrills for winter’s chill

Lovers of thrillers, mysteries, and suspense novels will want to explore with:

  • Locked In, Jussi Adler-Olsen's latest Department Q novel
  • Asia Mackay’s A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage
  • Been Wrong So Long It Feels Like Right, the third in Walter Mosley’s King Oliver series

Big names for little readers

Check out new picture books from beloved creators with:

  • Your Farm, Your Island, and Your Forest, a trilogy from Jon Klassen
  • Lefty, a collaboration between Mo Willems and Dan Santat  

Graphic novels for middle graders

Grab older kids who power through graphic novels faster than you can suggest them with:

  • Fresh Start by Gale Galligan 
  • The Snips 1: A Bad Buzz Day by Raul the Third  

All the titles on this list will be included in upcoming NextReads newsletters. 

NextReads is an easy, customizable, and dependable way to provide your patrons with librarian-curated, direct-to-email reading recommendations. They're also a handy tool for library workers, always there to help you stay up-to-date or pull together a quick display. And they’re included in every LibraryAware subscription. 
Learn about NextReads newsletters

Rebecca Honeycutt is Senior Readers' Advisory Librarian for NoveList. She is currently reading Madness by Sam Sax.

Category:
Articles
Tags:
Readers' advisory NextReads Genres