Best Literary Fiction Books May 2025

The Underground Railroad

Cora’s life as a slave on a Georgia plantation is a living nightmare. When Caesar, a fellow slave, whispers of the Underground Railroad, she sees a glimmer of hope. Together, they embark on a perilous journey through an actual subterranean network of tracks and tunnels. As Cora flees from state to state, she encounters both unexpected allies and ruthless enemies. Whitehead’s powerful prose brings to life the brutal realities of slavery and the resilience of the human spirit, leaving readers haunted and inspired long after the final page.

Homegoing

Spanning centuries and continents, “Homegoing” weaves a tapestry of love, loss, and resilience. Yaa Gyasi’s debut novel follows two half-sisters born in 18th-century Ghana, their lives diverging dramatically. One marries a British slaver, the other is sold into bondage. Through their descendants’ stories, Gyasi explores the lingering effects of slavery on both sides of the Atlantic. Her prose is haunting, her characters unforgettable. I found myself deeply moved, pondering my own family’s history long after turning the final page.

The Nickel Boys

Elwood Curtis, a bright and idealistic black teenager in 1960s Florida, finds his dreams shattered when a single mistake lands him in the Nickel Academy, a brutal reform school. There, he befriends the streetwise Turner, whose cynicism challenges Elwood’s faith in humanity. As they navigate the horrors of institutional racism and abuse, their friendship becomes a lifeline. Whitehead’s haunting prose exposes a dark chapter of American history, leaving readers both heartbroken and inspired by the resilience of the human spirit.

The Water Dancer

Hiram Walker’s life as a slave on a Virginia plantation is shattered when he discovers an extraordinary power: the ability to transport himself across vast distances through water. This gift, passed down from his mother, becomes both a blessing and a curse as Hiram navigates the treacherous world of the Underground Railroad. Coates weaves a spellbinding tale of love, loss, and the unbreakable bonds of family, painting a vivid portrait of antebellum America that will haunt you long after the last page. A stunning debut novel that blends historical fiction with magical realism, leaving readers breathless and yearning for more.

The Name of the Wind

Kvothe’s tale unfolds like a tapestry of magic and music, woven with threads of love, loss, and adventure. As a young boy, he witnesses unspeakable tragedy, igniting a quest for answers that leads him to the legendary University. There, he grapples with poverty, rivalry, and his own brilliance, all while unraveling the mysteries of sympathy magic. Rothfuss’s prose sings, painting a world so vivid you can almost feel the lute strings beneath your fingers. It’s a story that lingers, like the last notes of a haunting melody.

Such a Fun Age

Emira Tucker, a young Black woman, is accused of kidnapping while babysitting her white employer’s child. This incident sparks a chain of events that intertwines the lives of Emira and her well-intentioned but misguided boss, Alix. As their relationship deepens, uncomfortable truths about race, class, and privilege bubble to the surface. Reid’s debut novel is a witty, thought-provoking exploration of modern relationships, identity, and the messy realities of growing up in today’s America. It’s a page-turner that will leave you questioning your own biases and assumptions.

Daisy Jones & The Six

Daisy Jones & The Six is a raw, electrifying journey through the 1970s music scene. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel pulses with the energy of a live concert, chronicling the rise and fall of a fictional rock band. Through intimate interviews, we witness the magnetic pull between lead singers Daisy and Billy, their creative sparks, and the tensions that ultimately tear them apart. It’s a vivid, nostalgic ride that left me yearning for an era I never knew, complete with sex, drugs, and unforgettable melodies. A must-read for music lovers and anyone who’s ever dreamed of stardom.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

I was hesitant to read another Holocaust story, but this one captivated me. Based on true events, it follows Lale, a Jewish prisoner forced to tattoo numbers on fellow inmates at Auschwitz. Amidst unimaginable horror, he finds love with Gita, a young woman he tattoos. Morris’s restrained prose lets the raw power of their story shine through. It’s a testament to human resilience and the enduring strength of love, even in humanity’s darkest hour.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Evelyn Hugo, a reclusive Hollywood icon, finally decides to tell her scandalous life story. She chooses unknown journalist Monique Grant for the task, leaving everyone puzzled. As Evelyn recounts her rise to stardom and her seven marriages, Monique finds herself drawn into a world of glamour, ambition, and unexpected love. But as the story unfolds, a shocking connection between them emerges, forcing Monique to confront her own past and redefine her future. This captivating tale of old Hollywood will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

The Great Alone

Leni Allbright’s world turns upside down when her father, a volatile Vietnam vet, uproots the family to the wilds of Alaska. At thirteen, she’s thrust into a harsh, unforgiving landscape where survival is a daily challenge. As winter descends and her father’s demons resurface, Leni finds solace in the rugged beauty of her surroundings and the tight-knit community. But when darkness threatens to consume them all, she must find the strength to forge her own path. A gripping tale of resilience, love, and the indomitable human spirit against nature’s raw power.