Book Break: Our 2025 preview of Books We Want to Read!

GPL Book Break

Librarians Claire and Meghan talk about some of the 2025 releases that they are excited to add to their “To Be Read” piles this year!

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson. Publishes January 28, 2025 (Claire)

The daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom in this moving novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake.

All Shall Mourn by Ellie Marney – Publishes February 5, 2025 (Meghan)

The third and final book in the None Shall Sleep Sequence – about teenagers and serial killers.

Babylonia by Costanza Casati. Publishes January 14, 2025 (Claire)

From the author of the bestselling Clytemnestra comes another intoxicating excursion into ancient history, as Casati reimagines the rise to power of the Assyrian empire's only female ruler, Semiramis.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney. Publishes January 14, 2025. (Meghan)

The million-copy bestselling Queen of Twists Alice Feeney returns with a gripping and deliciously dark thriller about marriage. . .and revenge.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. Publishes March 4, 2025 (Claire)

In a time of climate change, a family that lives on a remote island research center prepare for a monster storm when a mysterious woman washes ashore.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. Publishes April 22, 2025. (Meghan)

Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel .

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man by Jesse Q. Sutanto. Publishes April 1, 2025. (Claire)

Vera Wong is back and as meddling as ever in this follow-up to the hit Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

Matchmaking for Psychopaths by Tasha Coryell. Publishes July 17, 2025 (Meghan)

Alex's now ex turns up dead, then more people around her seem to be dropping like flies. And she can't help but wonder if this new friendship is a match made in hell.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart. Publishes April 1, 2025. (Claire)

A breathtaking tale of female resilience, The Sirens is an extraordinary novel that captures the sheer power of sisterhood and the indefinable magic of the sea.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez. Publishes April 1, 2025. (Meghan)

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Just for the Summer comes a new playful yet deeply emotional contemporary romance.

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna. Publishes April 29, 2025 (Claire)

A whimsical and heartwarming novel about a witch who has a second chance to get her magical powers—and her life—back on track, from the national bestselling author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams. Publishes January 7, 2025. (Meghan)

Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this rivals-to-lovers romance by the New York Times bestselling author of The Rule Book and Practice Makes Perfect.

King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby. Publishes June 10, 2025 (Claire)

Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author S. A. Cosby returns with King of Ashes, a Godfather-inspired Southern crime epic and dazzling family drama.

The Woman in the Wallpaper by Lora Jones. Publishes February 4, 2025 (Meghan)

Set against the backdrop of pre-revolutionary Paris, two young women working at a wallpaper factory and the young, aristocratic fiancé of the factory owner’s son struggle with changes in life, and the mystery of the woman in the wallpaper design.

Isola by Allegra Goodman. Publishes February 4, 2025 (Claire)

An unforgettable epic saga of a French noblewoman deserted on an island where her survival will depend on the power of her faith and love—from the New York Times bestselling author of Sam.

The Geographer’s Map to Romance by India Holton. Publishes April 8, 2025 (Meghan)

Geography professors in a failed marriage of convenience inconveniently reconnect for an emergency mission in this swoony historical-fantasy rom-com.

Have thoughts about our picks? What books are you looking forward to reading in 2025? Connect with us at [e-mail]. We love hearing from our listeners and getting your suggestions for our “To Be Read” pile!