Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2025

January 06, 2026 | News about
• Maggie Stiefvater
, and
• Sam Wachman
, and
• Susan Orlean
, and
• CG Drews
, and
• Nicole Goux
, and
• Jules Bakes
, and
• ND Stevenson
, and
• Travis Jonker

Books by Maggie Stiefvater, Sam Wachman, Susan Orlean, CG Drews, Nicole Goux, Jules Bakes, ND Stevenson, and Travis Jonker are among Kirkus' best of 2025!

The honorees are:

• THE LISTENERS by Maggie Stiefvater – Best Historical Fiction
• THE SUNFLOWER BOYS by Sam Wachman – Best Debut
• JOYRIDE by Susan Orlean – Best Memoir
• HAZELTHORN by CG Drews – Best Teen & YA Horror
• THIS PLACE KILLS ME illustrated by Nicole Goux – Best YA Mystery & Thriller
• SEA LEGS by Jules Bakes – Best Middle Grade Book Exploring Social Themes
• SCARLET MORNING by ND Stevenson – Best Middle Grade Fantasy
• CABOOSE by Travis Jonker – Best Picture-Book Read-Alouds

See the full list here.