Best Contemporary Books May 2025

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

In “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” Stieg Larsson weaves a gripping tale of mystery and intrigue. Journalist Mikael Blomkvist, disgraced and desperate, teams up with the enigmatic hacker Lisbeth Salander to uncover the truth behind a decades-old disappearance. Set against the chilling backdrop of Sweden, their investigation unearths dark family secrets and sinister corruption. This novel kept me on the edge of my seat, blending suspense with deep, complex characters.

The Lovely Bones

“The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold is a hauntingly beautiful novel that lingers long after the last page. It tells the story of Susie Salmon, a young girl who watches from her personal heaven as her family and friends cope with her tragic death. Sebold’s writing is both poignant and gripping, capturing the raw emotions of loss and the enduring power of love. This book is a touching exploration of grief, healing, and the bonds that connect us all.

Holes

Stanley Yelnats is cursed—or so his family believes. When he’s wrongfully sent to a boys’ detention center, Camp Green Lake, for a crime he didn’t commit, Stanley’s life takes an unexpected turn. Instead of a lake, he finds a dry, desolate wasteland where the boys are forced to dig holes daily. As Stanley digs, he unearths more than just dirt; he discovers a hidden treasure and a family secret that could change everything. Louis Sachar’s “Holes” is a captivating tale of friendship, fate, and redemption that will leave you pondering long after the last page.

Bridge to Terabithia

“Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson is a poignant tale of friendship and imagination. Jess Aarons, a fifth-grader with dreams of being the fastest runner, finds an unexpected ally in Leslie Burke, the new girl in school. Together, they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where they reign as king and queen. This heartfelt story explores themes of loss, courage, and the transformative power of friendship. I remember reading it as a child and feeling deeply moved by its emotional depth and the bond between Jess and Leslie.

Life of Pi

“Life of Pi” by Yann Martel is a mesmerizing tale that weaves together adventure, spirituality, and survival. It follows Pi Patel, a young boy from India, who finds himself stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. As days turn into weeks, Pi’s ingenuity and faith are tested in unimaginable ways. This novel is a profound exploration of the human spirit, and it left me contemplating the boundaries of reality and belief long after I turned the last page.

Hatchet

Brian Robeson, a thirteen-year-old boy, finds himself stranded in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. Armed with only a hatchet, a gift from his mother, he must learn to survive on his own. As days turn into weeks, Brian discovers inner strength and resilience he never knew he had. “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen is a gripping tale of survival, self-discovery, and the raw power of nature.

Twilight

Bella Swan moves to the rainy town of Forks, Washington, expecting a quiet, uneventful life with her father. But then she meets Edward Cullen – strikingly handsome, enigmatic, and unmistakably otherworldly. He harbors a secret that draws Bella into a dangerous new world: he’s a vampire. Balancing high school drama with the intense allure of forbidden love, Bella’s tale is one of heart-pounding romance and haunting suspense. Twilight is a spellbinding journey into the unknown, capturing the essence of irrevocable love and monstrous intrigue.

The Love Hypothesis

Olive Smith, a third-year Ph.D. candidate, never believed in lasting romantic relationships. But when her best friend Anh starts dating her ex, Olive needs to prove she’s moved on. Enter Adam Carlsen, a young, hotshot professor with a reputation for being a tyrant. Their fake relationship is supposed to be a simple ruse, but as they spend more time together, Olive starts to wonder if there’s more to Adam than his gruff exterior. This charming, witty romance explores the complexities of love, science, and the unexpected connections that can change everything.

People We Meet on Vacation

Poppy and Alex have been best friends since college, despite being complete opposites. Every summer, they take a week-long vacation together, a tradition that has kept their bond strong. But two years ago, something happened on their trip that changed everything. Now, Poppy is determined to fix their friendship by convincing Alex to take one more vacation with her. As they revisit their favorite destinations, Poppy starts to wonder if their relationship could be more than just friendship. Emily Henry’s “People We Meet on Vacation” is a heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and the magic of travel.

Malibu Rising

“Malibu Rising” by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a captivating tale set against the backdrop of the sun-soaked California coast. The story revolves around the Riva siblings, each grappling with their own secrets and desires, as they prepare for their annual end-of-summer party. Reid masterfully weaves together past and present, exploring themes of family, fame, and the inevitable tides of change. It’s a poignant, beautifully written novel that lingers long after the final page.