The Everygirls are in their reading era. We started the year with Onyx Storm, the much-anticipated third book in The Empyrean series (fourth book when, Rebeca Yarros?), had our hearts absolutely shattered by Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere in the summer, and are closing the year having been fed all year long by our favorite authors (looking at you, Ali Hazelwood with your six new books this year?!). To say the least, 2025 was good to the book girlies, and we can’t wait to see what the new year brings to our shelves.
After sharing book recommendations, reviews, and rankings with you all year long, we wanted to hear from you. What were the books that kept you up reading late into the night? The ones you told all your friends about? The ones so good you’re still thinking about them months later? As we plan our 2026 reading resolutions, we’re eager to find vetted books worthy of making their way onto our TBRs—and into our hearts—this year. We asked The Everygirl readers to share the best books they read in 2025. Collectively, responders read more than 4,000 (!!!) books this year. As you’re spending your Barnes and Noble gift cards and adding holds to your Libby, these are the 10 books that should be on your radar, ordered from least to most votes, so make sure you scroll to the end for readers’ number one favorite book of the year.
10. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat over 30 years ago. Tova becomes acquainted with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared, and now he must unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.
Remarkably Bright Creatures is proof that the best books have staying power. An instant New York Times bestseller and soon to be a Netflix film, it’s not hard to understand how Remarkably Bright Creatures is still weaving its way into readers’ hearts, several years after it was released. If you still haven’t picked it up, or are due for a re-read, let this be your sign.
9. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Sybil Van Antwerp—mother, grandmother, wife, divorcee, distinguished lawyer—has lived a very full life. Now, she spends her mornings writing letters—to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to audit a class, to Joan Didion, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter. When letters from someone in her past start arriving, she’s forced to examine one of the most painful periods of her life, and realizes she might finally have to send the letter she’s been avoiding all these years.
Popular among both The Everygirl readers and our editorial staff, The Correspondent is one of the most memorable books you’ll ever read. The entire story takes place in letters and emails sent or received by Sybil, which makes for such a gripping reading experience. Carrie, who said it was her favorite book of the year, described it as “a welcome sentiment of dealing with grief and making close friends later in life.”
8. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
When Haymitch’s name is called at the reaping, on his birthday no less, he can feel all his dreams shatter. He knows he’s been set up to fail, but there’s something in him that wants to fight… and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.
If there’s a new book in The Hunger Games series, you can bet it’ll make its way onto reader-favorite lists everywhere, and Sunrise on the Reaping is no exception. This time around, Suzanne Collins takes us back to the fiftieth annual Hunger Games—the event Haymitch Abernathy, Katniss and Peeta’s eventual mentor, won. There was so much hype surrounding this release, and for Haylee, 28, it completely exceeded her expectations. “I loved everything about this [book],” she said. “It was so genius, sad, and overall mind-blowing.”
7. The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
People travel across the kingdom to visit Sybil Delling and her sister Diviners. In their dreams, they receive visions from six unearthly figures known as Omens. When they’re not divining for the masses, Sybil and her sisters spend their days fantasizing about what they’ll do once their years of service are up. Luckily for them, that day is just around the corner. But shortly after a mysterious and infuriating knight arrives at the cathedral, Sybil’s fellow Diviners begin to vanish and only the gods have the answers she seeks.
I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I was for The Knight and the Moth to appear as a reader favorite this year—it also made its way into my top reads of 2025. For fans of fantasy romance, Rachel Gillig is one of the best in the business, and her latest is no exception. The Everygirls particularly loved the gorgeous writing, the complex characters, and the novel’s originality.
6. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers—and the final inhabitants—of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. During the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore, leaving the Salts to nurse the woman, Rowan, back to strength. Over time, it seems the Salts and Rowan fill a missing void for each other. But Rowan isn’t telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own secrets.
Readers loved that Wild Dark Shore had a little bit of everything—mystery, sci-fi, romance, thriller—making it an easy rec for every kind of reader. Plus, it’s the kind of book that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. I’m going to be honest, this book wasn’t on my radar, but after these glowing reviews, it’s shot straight to the top of my TBR.
5. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was 17—it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life. When Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat and the gorgeous man driving it.
One reader said One Golden Summer felt like reading a movie. Its vivid storytelling and nostalgic vibes made for an unputdownable summer beach read for many Everygirl readers. Carley Fortune fans had been waiting for ages for Charlie Florek’s story, and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
4. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
After nearly 18 months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust. Now, Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves―her dragons, her family, her home, and him.
Did you really think Onyx Storm wouldn’t appear here? We’ve been Fourth Wing fans from the very beginning, and Onyx Storm was an epic reminder of why we fell in love with this series in the first place. It’ll still be some time before there’s a fourth book in our hands, but at least we have Onyx Storm to read (and re-read) until then.
3. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
Beth is happily married. But her relationship relies on the past staying buried. When Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, it alters the course of all of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Beth’s first love, Gabriel Wolfe, who has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident. Tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences.
Broken Country made its way onto a lot of readers’ best books of 2025 lists. Described as having a sweeping, life-altering romance, it’s not hard to see why. Aimee, 34, said she would recommend the book to anyone and everyone.
2. The Women by Kristen Hannah
When 20-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears the words “women can be heroes,” it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always taken pride in doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.
The Women appearing as a reader favorite more than a year after its original release just proves Kristin Hannah’s staying power. She consistently pops up as a favorite author among The Everygirl readers, with The Women often cited as one of her best works. Readers said they found the novel impossible to put down, and they deeply identified with the strong female lead throughout the book.
1. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. She is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy and as an aunt to her niece. Until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program. Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants, Joan begins training alongside her fellow candidates. She starts questioning everything she thinks she knows about her place in the universe. Then, on mission STS-LR9, it all changes in an instant.
And, drum roll please… Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid was far and away The Everygirl readers’ favorite book of 2025. Described as a powerful reminder of the importance of finding wonder in the world, Atmosphere is both deeply hopeful and emotionally devastating. One reader said she has listened to the last 20 minutes of the audiobook six times since it came out. If you want a strong start to your 2026 reading goals, Atmosphere is sure to be an excellent choice.
Other books readers loved in 2025
Garri Chaverst, Senior Managing Editor
As Senior Managing Editor of The Everygirl, Garri oversees the pitching, planning, and creation of all content. Garri has experience writing and researching across many different niches, including news, beauty, fashion, history, sports, and pop culture. Garri has been writing about fantasy books on The Everygirl since 2021.
Feature graphic image credited to: Sonja Knežević | Dupe. Products featured in graphics linked within article.
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