This has been one of my strongest reading years so far. New releases in 2025 delivered an incredible lineup of standout titles. Although being a junior made it difficult to read as much as I would’ve liked, every book I read this year was highly anticipated – and each earned a place among my top reads.
These five books span a wide range of themes: emotionally charged postwar portrayals infused with fantasy and romance, to complex introductions to philosophical thoughts. My absolute favorite read of 2025, however, was Alchemised by SenLinYu. Widely hyped on social media from the moment of release, the novel exceeded my expectations. It explores the psychological aftermath of war while weaving in magical elements, with a writing style and plot that work seamlessly together to fully immerse the reader.