Best Literary Fiction Books May 2025

The Rules of Magic

Susanna Owens knew her children were different from the moment they were born. Franny, with her blood-red hair and pale skin, could commune with birds. Jet, as dark and beautiful as her sister was fair, read people’s thoughts. And Vincent, their baby brother, was already displaying a dangerous fascination with candles and fire. Determined to shield them from their family’s cursed legacy of magic, Susanna set strict rules. But when the siblings visit their Aunt Isabelle in Massachusetts, they discover their true selves and the power that lies within. A spellbinding tale of love, loss, and the enduring bonds of family, “The Rules of Magic” weaves a captivating spell that will enchant readers long after the final page.

Malibu Rising

Malibu, 1983. Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of summer. By morning, their lives will be forever changed. Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; Jay, the championship surfer; Hud, the renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. The alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface. I was captivated by the Riva siblings’ complex relationships and the way their past intertwines with their present. A perfect beach read that’ll make you laugh, cry, and yearn for the California coast.

The Starless Sea

Zachary stumbles upon a mysterious book in his university library, unlocking a world of underground harbors, magic, and lost cities. As he delves deeper, he discovers his own story intertwined with ancient tales of pirates and star-crossed lovers. Morgenstern’s lyrical prose weaves a spellbinding tapestry of interconnected narratives, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. I found myself lost in the labyrinthine plot, savoring each twist and turn like a perfectly crafted cocktail. A love letter to storytelling that left me breathless and yearning for more.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

In a moment of desperation, Addie LaRue makes a Faustian bargain: immortality in exchange for being forgotten by everyone she meets. Thus begins her extraordinary journey through centuries, leaving no mark, until one day, she encounters a young man who remembers her name. Schwab’s prose is hauntingly beautiful, weaving a tale of love, loss, and the ache of loneliness that spans lifetimes. As Addie navigates the complexities of her curse, readers are drawn into a mesmerizing exploration of what it truly means to leave a lasting impression on the world.

Dreams of Joy

Lisa See’s “Dreams of Joy” is a captivating journey through 1950s China, following a young woman’s search for identity and belonging. As Joy flees to her ancestral homeland, she’s swept up in the tumultuous Great Leap Forward. See’s vivid prose brings to life the sights, sounds, and struggles of a nation in flux. I found myself completely immersed, feeling Joy’s hopes and fears as if they were my own. A poignant exploration of family, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Shanghai Girls

Pearl and May, two beautiful sisters from Shanghai, find their lives upended when their father’s gambling debts force them into arranged marriages. Fleeing war-torn China for America, they face a harrowing journey and struggle to adapt to a new life in Los Angeles. As they navigate love, loss, and cultural clashes, their bond is tested but never broken. See’s vivid prose brings 1930s Shanghai and immigrant life in America to life, weaving a poignant tale of sisterhood, sacrifice, and resilience that will linger long after the last page.

Everything I Never Told You

Lydia Lee is dead, but her family doesn’t know it yet. As the Lees grapple with their loss, long-buried secrets surface, revealing the complexities of love, identity, and belonging. Set in 1970s Ohio, this poignant tale explores the weight of expectations and the struggle to fit in. Ng’s masterful prose delves into the intricate dynamics of a mixed-race family, unraveling the threads that bind them together and the silences that tear them apart. A haunting, intimate portrait of family life that will linger in your thoughts long after the final page.

Silver Sparrow

Tayari Jones weaves a poignant tale of family secrets and sisterhood in “Silver Sparrow.” Set in 1980s Atlanta, the novel follows Dana and Chaurisse, two teenage girls linked by a shocking truth: they share the same father. As Dana grapples with her role as the “secret” daughter, Jones masterfully explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the complexities of love. With lyrical prose and deeply human characters, this heart-wrenching story will linger long after the final page.

The Mothers

In a tight-knit Black community in Southern California, three young lives intertwine in unexpected ways. Nadia, reeling from her mother’s suicide, finds solace in the arms of Luke, the pastor’s son. Their secret romance leads to consequences that echo through the years, touching the lives of Aubrey, Nadia’s best friend, and the church mothers who watch over them all. Bennett’s poignant debut explores the weight of secrets, the power of friendship, and the complexities of motherhood in a tale that’s both heartbreaking and hopeful.

The Girl with the Louding Voice

Adunni’s voice may be small, but her dreams are mighty. Growing up in a Nigerian village, she yearns for education and a chance to shape her own destiny. Despite facing crushing poverty and societal expectations, Adunni’s spirit remains unbroken. Her journey from child bride to domestic servant in Lagos is fraught with hardship, yet her determination to find her “louding voice” never wavers. Abi Daré’s debut novel is a poignant tale of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of education in the face of overwhelming odds.