In The Rest of Our Lives, the narrator drops his daughter off to college — then keeps on driving, leaving his marriage behind. Ben Markovits’ novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
fiction
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Hunker down with these 13 mysteries and thrillers from 2025
Mysteries and thrillers are enjoyable no matter the season, but there’s something extra satisfying about curling up in the winter with a warm drink and an all-engrossing read. Here’s what we suggest.
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From toddlers to teens, here’s your one-stop shop for young readers
If you have kids in your life who are ready to broaden their book horizons we have recommendations for you! Here you’ll find tried-and-true picture books, chapter books, and YA, all published in 2025.
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New books coming in December tell tales of the sea, colonialism and midlife
As the year wraps up, we bring you some final notable titles — including The Sea Captain’s Wife and The Rest of Our Lives — publishing before 2025 comes to a close.
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Maureen Corrigan’s 10 favorite books of 2025 — with plenty for nonfiction lovers
Fresh Air’s book critic says her picks tilt a bit to nonfiction, but the novels that made the cut redress the imbalance by their sweep and intensity. Karen Russell’s The Antidote was her favorite.
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Here are 8 novels NPR staff and critics loved in 2025
Every year, we ask NPR staff and book critics to share their favorite titles in our annual Books We Love guide. Here are 8 fiction picks that were standout stars.
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A dying woman chooses friends over her husband in ‘Some Bright Nowhere’
A woman with a terminal diagnosis asks her husband to leave the house in Ann Packer’s new novel. Some Bright Nowhere is an absorbing book about end-of-life care and what the living owe the dying.
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Books out this week come from Nobel winners and independent presses
Nobel winners Olga Tokarczuk and Peter Handke bring us a reissue and a new book respectively this week. Also, a story from a fictional African country and a commentary on beauty.
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New books this week: A tome on capitalism, a deep dive on crosswords and more
Capitalism: A Global History comes in at 1,000 pages before the footnotes. Across the Universe explores the past, present and future of crossword puzzles. Plus, a Mitford sister biography and more.
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Here are the Books We Love: 380+ great 2025 reads recommended by NPR
Our annual reading guide returns with 380+ new titles handpicked by NPR staff and trusted critics. Find 13 years of recommendations all in one place — that’s more than 4,000 great reads.
