Books to read in 2025: From fantasy to thriller, fiction genres you should explore this year
But books are meant to be doors, not boxes. This year, why not twist that doorknob and peek into something new?
Different genres offer different experiences; some take you on magical quests, others pull you into high-stakes mysteries, or quiet emotional landscapes. Here's a walk-through of some fiction genres that might surprise you, move you, or keep you turning pages well past bedtime.
Fantasy: For the dreamers and the detail-lovers
Fantasy isn't just about dragons and wizards; it's about building entire worlds. Whether it's the
A Song of Ice and Fire
or the lyrical beauty of
The Name of the Wind
, fantasy invites you to live somewhere else entirely for a while. Magic systems, strange creatures, and epic destinies await. If you've never explored this genre, start with something like
Stardust
by Neil Gaiman or
The House in the Cerulean Sea
by T.J.
Klune.
Thriller: For the ones who crave adrenaline
Thrillers are for those who enjoy tension. They make your heart race and your mind spin. The best thrillers don't just rely on action, they build suspense by keeping you unsure of who to trust. If you liked
Gone Girl
or
The Girl on the Train
, there's a whole world of nail-biting reads out there. Try
Behind Closed Doors
by B.A. Paris or
The Silent Patient
by Alex Michaelides for an intense ride.
Historical fiction
: For time travelers without a machine
This genre is perfect if you love stories grounded in real-world events but with a human lens. Historical fiction brings the past to life sometimes through war, sometimes through quiet family dramas. Books like
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah or
Pachinko
by Min Jin Lee do more than just teach you history; they help you feel it.
It's a genre that blends emotion and education in a way few others can.
Science fiction
: For the curious and the big thinkers
Sci-fi isn't just for tech geeks; it's for anyone interested in what's possible. Whether it's exploring artificial intelligence, colonizing other planets, or imagining alternate timelines, sci-fi is about asking 'What if?' You can go hard and heady with authors like Isaac Asimov or more contemporary with
Project Hail
Mary
by Andy Weir. It's a genre that stretches your imagination and sometimes your beliefs.
Contemporary fiction
: For real-life stories with heart
If you want something rooted in everyday reality, contemporary fiction is a genre that often gets overlooked but delivers powerful emotional payoffs. These books reflect the world we live in, relationships, identity, mental health, loss, and love.
Think Normal People
by Sally Rooney or
Little Fires Everywhere
by Celeste Ng. It's like eavesdropping on lives that feel strikingly real.
Magical realism: For those who want wonder in the ordinary
This genre blends the everyday with the mystical, where magic quietly lives within the mundane. Think of books like
Like Water for Chocolate
or
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
.
Magical realism isn't flashy, it's emotional, often poetic, and deeply human. You don't need to suspend disbelief; you just need to be open to wonder.
Literary fiction: For the lovers of language and nuance
Literary fiction focuses less on plot and more on characters, writing style, and emotional depth. It's the genre that asks you to slow down and notice. Books in this category may not always be easy, but they stay with you. Try
A Little Life
by Hanya Yanagihara or
The Goldfinch
by Donna Tartt.
Expect to be moved, challenged, and maybe even changed.
This year, make your bookshelf a little more adventurous. Step out of your usual reading comfort zone. A good book in a new genre can do more than entertain; it can shift how you see the world. Whether you want escape, thrill, tears, or questions, there's a genre that's waiting to surprise you.
So go on take a chance. Your next favorite book might be one you'd never have picked before.
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