Best Literary Fiction Books May 2025

The Light Between Oceans

Tom Sherbourne, a lighthouse keeper haunted by his wartime past, finds solace in the isolated beauty of Janus Rock. His wife Isabel’s longing for a child seems answered when a boat washes ashore with a dead man and a living baby. Their decision to keep her sets off a chain of heart-wrenching events, testing the limits of love and morality. Stedman’s prose shimmers like the ocean, drawing you into a world where right and wrong blur like the horizon at dusk. A deeply moving tale that will linger in your thoughts long after the last page.

The Remains of the Day

Stevens, a devoted English butler, reflects on his decades of service at Darlington Hall as he embarks on a countryside journey. His memories intertwine with the present, revealing a life of unwavering dedication and missed opportunities. As he grapples with his past choices and the changing world around him, Stevens discovers that true dignity might mean more than perfect service. A poignant tale of loyalty, regret, and the search for meaning in a rapidly fading era.

Never Let Me Go

Haunting and deeply moving, “Never Let Me Go” follows Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy through their seemingly idyllic childhood at Hailsham. As they grow, they uncover the chilling truth about their purpose in life. Ishiguro’s masterful prose weaves a tale of love, friendship, and the human spirit in the face of an unthinkable fate. I found myself utterly captivated, unable to shake the lingering questions about what it truly means to be human. A poignant exploration of memory and mortality that will stay with you long after the final page.

Station Eleven

In this haunting tale of survival and hope, Mandel weaves together the lives of a traveling Shakespearean troupe in a post-apocalyptic world. As civilization crumbles after a devastating flu pandemic, art and human connection become lifelines. The story jumps between timelines, exploring the before and after of societal collapse through richly drawn characters. I found myself captivated by Mandel’s lyrical prose and her ability to find beauty in the darkest of circumstances. A thought-provoking exploration of what truly matters when everything falls apart.

Conversations with Friends

Frances, a sharp-tongued college student, navigates the complexities of love and friendship in Dublin. Her witty banter with best friend Bobbi catches the eye of an older couple, drawing them into a world of intellectual discourse and forbidden desires. As boundaries blur and loyalties shift, Frances grapples with her own insecurities and the messiness of human connection. Rooney’s debut novel is a raw, honest exploration of modern relationships, filled with razor-sharp observations and moments of quiet devastation.

A Little Life

Haunting and deeply moving, “A Little Life” follows four college friends as they navigate the complexities of adulthood in New York City. At its heart is Jude, a brilliant but tormented lawyer whose past trauma casts a long shadow. Yanagihara’s prose is both beautiful and brutal, exploring the depths of human suffering and the redemptive power of friendship. This novel will break your heart and stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

The Overstory

Rooted in the interconnected lives of nine strangers, “The Overstory” weaves a tapestry of human experience and the natural world. Powers’ prose is a love letter to trees, exploring their hidden lives and the profound impact they have on our own. As the characters’ paths intertwine, we’re drawn into a mesmerizing tale of activism, science, and the delicate balance between progress and preservation. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel will forever change how you see the forest for the trees.

The Sympathizer

Gripping and darkly humorous, “The Sympathizer” follows a conflicted Vietnamese spy as he navigates the fall of Saigon and his subsequent exile in America. Nguyen’s prose is both lyrical and sharp, offering a unique perspective on the Vietnam War and its aftermath. As our narrator grapples with divided loyalties and cultural identity, I found myself captivated by his sardonic observations and moral ambiguity. A thought-provoking exploration of war, politics, and the immigrant experience that lingered with me long after the final page.

Americanah

Ifemelu’s journey from Nigeria to America is a vibrant tapestry of love, identity, and self-discovery. As she navigates the complexities of race in her new home, memories of her first love, Obinze, linger. Adichie’s prose sparkles with wit and warmth, painting a vivid portrait of immigrant life. I found myself completely absorbed, laughing and aching alongside Ifemelu as she grapples with what it means to be “American” and “African.” A powerful, unforgettable exploration of the human heart.