The Brooklyn Public Library has released a list of its 100 favorite books of the year, a wide-ranging collection of fiction and nonfiction, short stories, poetry, and graphic novels for all ages.
Curated by BPL’s well-read librarians and staff, the list features the best books those librarians read this year — including new releases and old classics. Whether you’re looking for something to pass the time over the holiday break or preparing for a New Year’s Resolution to read more, BPL’s librarians have the best recommendations in the city. Here’s just a small selection of their favorite reads!
Some of BPL’s favorite adult titles:
“Woodworking” by Emily St. James. This 2025 debut novel follows Erica, a recently-divorced transgender schoolteacher who forges an unlikely friendship with a student, Abigail, the only transgender girl in the school.
BPL says: “These characters feel so real, messy, and complicated. I would’ve gladly spent more time with them.”
“Ms. Palfrey at the Claremont” by Elizabeth Taylor: Set in 1960s London, this historical novel tells the story of the recently-widowed Mrs. Palfrey as she moves into a hotel filled with aging residents and seeks to make a new kind of life for herself.
BPL says: “An absolutely wonderful, funny-sad novel about elderly hotel residents.”
“Run for the Hills” by Kevin Wilson: In Wilson’s newest novel, protagonist Madeline Rube receives an unexpected visitor: a man who says he’s her half-brother, left behind — like Madeline was – by their absentee father. The pair pile into the car for a zany and heartfelt cross-country road trip in an effort to find their other siblings and their father.
BPL says: “This book is both riotously funny and deeply moving.”
“Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist” by Liz Pelly: This nonfiction book takes a deep dive into Spotify’s origins and its influence on music and culture. Pelly interviewed more than 100 industry insiders, former Spotify employees, musicians and more to find out just how much Spotify and its algorithms have changed things for artists and listeners alike.
BPL says: This book totally changed how I thought about music and the way big tech changes our consciousness.”
“The Man That Nobody Killed: Life, Death and Art in Michael Stewart’s New York” by Elon Green: Written by Elon Green, the award-winning author of “Last Call,” “The Man That Nobody Killed” tells the story of Michael Stewart, a young Black artist who died after a police altercation in 1983. The book details the impact of Stewart’s life and death on his family, the arts community, and New York City at large.
BPL says: “A vivid examination of an important New York City story that continues to resonate today.”
Some of BPL’s favorite YA and children’s books:
“Scarlet Morning” by N.D. Stevenson: The first installment in a mythical illustrated duology, “Scarlet Morning” follows two orphans, Viola and Wilmur, as they flee their home for a life on the seas with a notorious pirate captain. As their adventure unfolds, the best friends find themselves racing to save the world.
BPL says: “Pirates adventures! Art by Nate Stevenson! Every moment of this was so much fun.”
“Fireworks” by Matthew Burgesss & Catia Chen: This poetic, charming picture book depicts a summer day in the life of two siblings impatiently waiting for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show. After a day of summer snacks and staying cool, the pair gather with their neighbors to watch the spectacular display over the NYC skyline.
BPL says: “The most perfectly New Yorky book, full of color, sounds, and the magic of fireworks.”
“Remember Us” by Jacqueline Woodson: A perfectly local middle-grade read, “Remember Us” takes place in Bushwick, where rising seventh grader Sage is trying to find her place in the world — and among her friends — as her neighborhood deals with catastrophe.
BPL says: “The narrator was so believable—a perfect glimpse of early adolescence as a young woman.”
“All the Way Around the Sun” by XiXi Tan: Described as “evocative” and “achingly romantic,” this YA new release sees Stella struggling with new surroundings and old friends after an intercontinental move and the death of her brother. On a road trip, Stella navigates winding coastlines and her fraught history as she reconnects with a long-lost friend.
BPL says: “It is a beautiful novel about grief, reconnection and identity.”
“Ash’s Cabin” by Jen Wang: In this moving graphic novel, Ash — grappling with loneliness after the death of their grandfather — attempts to make it on their own, fording a new life in a remote cabin. Out in the woods, Ash learns more about their self and the need for connection.
BPL says: “A stunning survival story that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt alone and misunderstood.”
The full list of BPL’s Favorite Books from 2025 is available online, and each book is — of course — available to borrow from at least one of BPL’s 62 branches.
