Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Blog / en-US Sat, 24 May 2025 08:21:40 -0700 60 Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Blog / 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg /blog/show/2968-76-children-s-middle-grade-and-ya-books-to-keep-kids-reading-all-summe Sat, 24 May 2025 08:21:40 -0700 <![CDATA[76 Children's, Middle Grade, and YA Books to Keep Kids Reading All Summer Long]]> /blog/show/2968-76-children-s-middle-grade-and-ya-books-to-keep-kids-reading-all-summe




Adam Fites reads, writes, and makes his home in Seattle. He works in the library of a public school in nearby Kent, where he wasÌýthe 2023â€�2024 Paraeducator of the Year. When he’s not at school, you can find him in his kitchen or at his neighborhood café.



For summer break, we asked him to suggest some great books to keep kids and teens reading all season long.Ìý



It’s summer, which means instead of helping our librarian match kids with the right book at the elementary school where I work, I’m sleeping in, wearing linen, and maybe picking up a couple shifts at the neighborhood café. Mostly for the staff discount. I may even have rediscovered that I exist outside of caring for children.

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Which, whether it’s June or August, you get. Your kiddos are at home. All the time. Don’t worry, us educators will return to share the work sometime around Labor Day. In the meantime, though, you’re going to want to keep those kids reading, so I’m back with another list of over 70 of the best books for kids that I’ve read, recommended, repaired, and replaced this year.

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A few ideas on how to navigate it all:



1. Look for evocative artwork. I don’t (only) mean covers. Whether it’s spare, busy, or multilayered, choose illustrations that seem worth exploring and considering. Your kid’s eyes might alight on something unexpected. There’s your book.



2. Remember the power of serial stories. If you want your child to really dig in, consider manga, an early reader series, or even a beloved novel with a new sequel. You’ll find examples of each below.



3. Prioritize a few books that appeal to both of you. Not only will you read together more often, but you’ll talk about what you’ve read, which is, you should know, one of the best parts of my job.



OK. You’re ready. Happy summer. Happy reading!






Books for early readers (ages 0-4)

This year, we began to welcome our preschool students into the library. It’s the best decision we’ve made in a while, not least because I get to recommend old favorites like Brown Bear� or Nanette’s Baguette, along with gorgeous new work from Aram Kim or Alice B. McGinty and David Roberts.






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Books for primary grades (ages 5-8)

Our elementary readers don’t always have the stamina for longer picture books or graphic novels, but what they do have is the capacity for depth. Here, you’ll see a couple texts that will challenge your first or second grader, but mostly you’ll find books worth ruminating over and revisiting. Dig into Big. Get cozy with some Tea Dragons. Ask your child what all those pages of Rules of Summer or Sidewalk Flowers evoke.

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Books for middle grades (ages 9-11)

There are a few picture books and easier graphic novels here, but the real summer projects are long-running mangas, epic adventure series, and gripping early novels. If you’re looking for something to read together, try The Vanquishers.

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Books for young(er) YA (ages 12-14)

Young adult books are taking off in our fifth-grade classes, and not just because they deal frankly with topics like identity, romance, and horror. All those aesthetic muscles you’ve been encouraging are ready for big books about big things. If you want to keep your tween reading this summer, take a look at these, read a few reviews, and set them loose. Also read Creepy Cat because it’s just that cute.

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posted by Sharon on May, 24 ]]> /blog/show/2947-the-2025-goodreads-guide-to-summer-reading Mon, 02 Jun 2025 09:30:01 -0700 <![CDATA[The 2025 Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Guide to Summer Reading]]> /blog/show/2947-the-2025-goodreads-guide-to-summer-reading
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Guide to Summer Reading 2025







Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ' annual guide will help you find the perfectÌýbooks to read all season long.ÌýDiscover the season's hottestÌýnew books, pick the perfect setting for your next read, steal our co-workers' summer reading plans,Ìýand more!




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The Hit Books of the Year (So Far)


Check out blockbusters and breakout booksÌýfrom the first half of the year!






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The Most Read Books of the 2025 Reading Challenge

Supercharge your Reading Challenge with these unputdownable titles.Ìý















posted by Sharon on June, 02 ]]> /blog/show/2943-8-new-books-recommended-by-readers-this-week Sat, 24 May 2025 08:26:32 -0700 <![CDATA[8 New Books Recommended by Readers This Week]]> /blog/show/2943-8-new-books-recommended-by-readers-this-week
Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day,Ìýaccording toÌýearly data from your fellow readers.



To create our list, we focused on the booksÌýÅ·±¦ÓéÀÖ members can't wait to read, which we measure by how many times a book has been added toÌýWant to Read shelves. All these top titles are now available in the United States! Which ones catch your eye?

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Ìý Best books of the week:












You should read this book if you like: Historical fiction, NASA’s Space Shuttle program in the 1980s, ambitious female physics professors, astronaut training programs, interesting people in iconic settings, Taylor Jenkins Reid books in general



Read our interview with Jenkins Reid here!














You should read this book if you like: Historical fiction, magical realism, espionage stories, 1940s West Virginia, luxury hotels, FBI agents, Axis diplomats, local girls, mountain magic, popular YA authors making their adult fiction debut














You should read this book if you like: Thrillers, mysteries, out-of-work writers accepting dubious employment propositions, the memoirs of world-famous horror novelists, father-daughter dynamics, The Last Flight














You should read this book if you like: Nonfiction, memoirs, nature writing, adventure writing, whitewater rafting, stories of overcoming trauma through the healing power of nature, debut novels, Wild, Educated














You should read this book if you like: Historical fiction, fantasy, magical realism, dual timelines, Shanghai during World War II, ancient Chinese magic, intergenerational drama, family secrets, epistolary formatting, debut novels














You should read this book if you like: Literary fiction, historical fiction, multigenerational family sagas, Japanese heritage, Korean bloodlines, shifting POV chapters, flashback sequences, gradually revealed details on That One Tragic Night, Trust Exercise














You should read this book if you like: Historical fiction with mystery-thriller elements, awful family secrets, moving from rural Montana to downtown San Francisco in the mid-1990s, being at ground zero for the initial flickers of the internet, Pretty Things














You should read this book if you like: Contemporary fiction, historical fiction, dual timelines, queer love affairs, social justice issues, life, loss, custody disputes, 21st-century improvements to public policy, buzzy debut novels












posted by Cybil on May, 24 ]]> /blog/show/2942-20-new-june-books-goodreads-editors-can-t-wait-to-read Sun, 25 May 2025 02:54:44 -0700 <![CDATA[20 New June Books Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Editors Can't Wait to Read]]> /blog/show/2942-20-new-june-books-goodreads-editors-can-t-wait-to-read

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Here at Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ World Headquarters, we sort throughÌýa lotÌýof books each month. Our monthlyÌýReaders' Most Anticipated BooksÌýfeature is exactly that—selections based on the data about the books that Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ members are placing on theirÌýWant to ReadÌýshelves. Essentially, these are the books that your fellow Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ regulars are excited about.

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Of course, the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ editorial staff gets excited about books, too. And we regularly come across specific new releases that we can’t wait to read—or “won’t shut up about,â€� to borrow a phrase from the colleagues who sit right next to us.

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As to be expected, there are always way more great books each month than we have time to read, so we're passing our findings along to you, complete with genre tags, our unhinged commentary, and general enthusiasm. Think of this list as our intel on the books you might not be hearing about absolutely everywhere else, from two people who really, really want to help you find a great read.

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Some of the intriguing story leads on tap for June: World War II espionage in Shanghai, maverick biologists in Ukraine, and dystopian reality shows in the future. Bonus pick: blonde sausage dogs!












CybilÌýcan't wait to read this book because: In this debut novel, a reclusive young woman finds that a bit of magic (in the shape of a simple pencil) can help her solve the mysteries within her own family. It's told in dual timelines between the present and World War IIÌýShanghai, and readers can expect magical realism, a sweeping family epic, and a sprinkling ofÌýespionage.ÌýThe past, it seems, cannot be easily erased.Ìý



Genre: Fantasy














CybilÌýcan't wait to read this book because: After the unexpected death of his college roommate, an upper-class Black Stanford graduate's life is thrown into further chaos when he'sÌýarrested for cocaine possession. I've been hearing about this debut novel since last year, and I'm so excited to get my hands on it. Early reviewers are calling it "the book so the year" and "a magical experience."



Genre:ÌýLiterary fictionÌý














Sharon can't wait to read this book because: Followers of our Editors' Picks series know I love a premise with A Lot Going On in it. Here's the pitch for this book: A Ukrainian maverick biologist attempting to save the country's endangered snail population scams Western men by posing as a hopeful bride, with her sister as her translator, all while searching for their missing mother. See?!ÌýA Lot Going On! I love it!



Genre: Contemporary fiction














Cybil can't wait to read this book because: In 1960s Georgia, a shelteredÌýteen travels to Atlanta for an illegal abortion. During her weekendÌýin the city, she experiences a world she has never known—full of celebrities and civil rightsÌýleaders—opening up a future of new possibilities beyond her small-town roots.Ìý



Genre:ÌýHistoricalÌýfiction














CybilÌýcan't wait to read this book because: In this literary debut, longtime friends meet up for a 52nd birthday celebration when an unexpected event makes them question their 30-year relationship.ÌýWe're talking simmering envies, unspeakable acts, accusations, denials…oh, and beautiful writing? This should keep me turning the pages long past bedtime.Ìý



Genre: Literary fictionÌý














Sharon can't wait to read this book because: Was I initially drawn to this book because of the quirky cover? Well, yes. Who is this sausage dog? Where is he going?! Then I read the blurb, which promises a satirical take on the world of advertising via the world's oldest ad agency, where ghosts control the boardroom A/C and there are bones in the wall. I'm always up for this brand of weird. (And also, I really gotta find out more about this dog!)



Genre: Literary fiction/Satire














Sharon can't wait to read this book because:ÌýSeven years after he threw away his smartphone and retreated to a remote cabin in the woods (a deeply relatable desire, in my opinion), Rhys Kinnick finds himself called out of his reclusivity by his grandchildren.ÌýTheir mother has disappeared. Their father has joined the local Christian Nationalist militia. Don't worry, kids. Grandpa's got this.



Genre: Contemporary fiction














Cybil can't wait to read this book because: This debut novelÌýis billed as Lord of the Flies meets Love Island, so I was immediately intrigued. In a near-dystopian future,Ìýa group of women wakes up in a camera-filled compound toÌýfind themselves the unwitting competitors on a mysterious TV show. This one promises to be an addictive page-turner, so add it to your beach bag now!Ìý



Genre:ÌýThriller/Dystopia














Cybil can't wait to read this book because: Singer-songwriter Amerie’s satirical novel tells the story of a man who becomes an instant celebrity for being the first visible and verifiable ghost.ÌýAs he struggles to find his way back to his peaceful afterlife, he wrestles with mystics, publicists, and being famous in Los Angeles.Ìý



Genre: Speculative fictionÌý














Sharon can't wait to read this book because:ÌýFirst of all, I Gave You Eyes and You Looked Toward DarknessÌýis an absolute banger of a title. In this novel, a family gathers at the deathbed of an impossibly old woman, and 400 years of stories unspool. Turns out the family's matriarch, Joana,Ìýonce struck a deal with the devil, exchanging her soul for theÌýperfect man. But wait, she's found a loophole! He's missing a toe (it was eaten by wolves). Good for you, Joana.



Genre: Fiction/Speculative fiction














Sharon can't wait to read this book because: How about a Heracles retelling where Heracles is a himbo who's deeply devoted to the goddess Hera and keeps doing adorable things like bonding with the monsters she sends him to slay? I think we could all use an extra dose of John Wiswell's particular brand of bighearted fantasy right now.



Genre: Fantasy/Retelling














Sharon can't wait to read this book because: Kathryn, Olivia, and Elle have just discoveredÌýthey've all been unknowingly dating the same dude, Tucker. That leads them to one conclusion: Tucker must die! Unfortunately, someone else seems to have beaten them to the punch. With their DNA all over the crime scene and motive (x3!), the women must band together to clear their names.



Genre: Mystery














CybilÌýcan't wait to read this book because: Ivy Pochoda’s fifth novel, after her L.A. Times Book Prize–winning Sing Her Down, is a dark horror reimagining of the Greek tragedy The Bacchae. Here,ÌýLena has outlived her wealthy, controllingÌýhusband, but still has to contendÌýwith her wealthy, controllingÌýson. When she arrives inÌýNaxos for the opening of her son's newÌýluxurious hotel, she finds herself drawn to a group of wild women on the beach…who may be dancing to the beat of an ancient god.Ìý



Genre:ÌýHorror/Retelling














CybilÌýcan't wait to read this book because: Scams and get-rich-quick schemes targeting women seem to be a great place to set a suspense novel, and I can think of no better author to tackle this than Abbott (You Will Know Me). Here, a woman moves in with her newly divorced sister to find that her sibling seems to have mysteriously financially rebounded from her disastrous separation. Then she's introduced to the Wheel, an organization that promises female empowerment and wealth. What could go wrong?



Genre: Mystery/Suspense














CybilÌýcan't wait to read this book because: I find it very odd when people aren't obsessed with the weather (I claim this is aÌýMidwestern attitude, but also I could be making that up). In addition, IÌýlove a well-researched science book. So this new look at the science of predicting the weather is anÌýobvious and immediate add to my ever-growingÌýWant to Read shelf!ÌýÌýÌýÌý



Genre: Nonfiction/ScienceÌýÌý














Sharon can't wait to read this book because:ÌýIf you, like me, are an elder millennial who's been waiting for the book that will describe how it's not our generation's love of avocado toast butÌýactually private equity that's ruined everything, I've got good news! Here it is! Journalist Megan Greenwell reports on the human impact of the private equity industry through stories of four American workers: a Toys R Us supervisor, a rural doctor, a local newspaper journalist, and an affordable-housing organizer.



Genre: Nonfiction














CybilÌýcan't wait to read this book because: How about a risqué and riotous read? ThisÌýnew essay and short story collectionÌýon Black humor features some of today'sÌýmost acclaimed authors, including Hanif Abdurraqib, Nicola Yoon, Kiese Laymon, and Mateo Askaripour, as well as comedians such as Roy Wood Jr., Wyatt Cenac, and many more.



Genre:ÌýHumor/Essays/Short storiesÌý














Sharon can't wait to read this book because: You've heard of "clamming up" under duress, but how about "clamming down"? That's the typo'd advice Anelise Chen's mother keeps giving herÌýduring her divorce, which Chen then uses as a springboard for examining the human impulse to retreat and close up in a crisis. What might we learn about resilience from the mollusk? Read along and find out!



Genre: MemoirÌý














Sharon can't wait to read this book because: Sara Kehaulani Goo tells the story of the displacement of Native Hawaiians through this memoir about her own family's experience. Gifted 60 acres on Maui's coast byÌýKing Kamehameha IIIÌýin 1848, her family is faced with a crossroads whenÌýa property bill with a 500 percent increase arrives. Do they fight to keep their land, or will theyÌýbe forced to sell to yet another mainland millionaire, like so many Hawaiians before them?Ìý



Genre: Memoir














Sharon can't wait to read this book because:ÌýI've loved Hala Alyan's novels and poetry, so of course I'm seated and ready for her memoir. In this book, Alyan chronicles her own journey to motherhood via infertility and surrogacy, which in turns forces her to reckon with her family's past of exile and displacement. Early reviewers are calling this book a beautiful and poignant meditation.



Genre: Memoir












posted by Cybil on May, 25 ]]> /blog/show/2941-readers-most-anticipated-books-for-june Tue, 03 Jun 2025 08:24:50 -0700 <![CDATA[Readers' Most Anticipated Books for June ]]> /blog/show/2941-readers-most-anticipated-books-for-june

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At the beginning of each calendar month, Å·±¦ÓéÀÖâ€� crack editorial squad assembles a list of the hottest and most popular new books hitting shelves, actual and virtual. The list is generated by evaluating readersâ€� early reviews and tracking which titles are being added toÌýWant to ReadÌýshelves by Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ regulars.

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Each month’s curated preview features new books from across the genre spectrum: contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mysteries and thrillers, sci-fi and fantasy, romance, horror, young adult, nonfiction, and more. Think of it as a literary smorgasbord. Check out whatever looks delicious.

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New in June: V.E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, delivers a sapphic vampire riff on immortality dilemmas with the epic Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. Southern noir specialist S.A. Cosby explores the rural crematorium business with King of Ashes. And author Maggie Stiefvater mixes World War II espionage with Appalachian mountain magic in The Listeners.

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Also on tap this month: dark romance, whitewater rapids, and a highly anticipated new novel from acclaimed young author Leila Mottley.



Add the books that catch your eye to yourÌýWant to ReadÌýshelf.

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Author Taylor Jenkins Reid specializes in complex characters doing interesting things in iconic settings—think The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or . Her new book, set in the wide-open skies of NASA’s 1980s space shuttle program, follows the epic adventures of female astronaut Joan Goodwin. Romance! Adventure! Intrigue! Top gun pilots! Things get intense at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖâ€� early readers are loving it.



Read our interview with Jenkins Reid here.Ìý














British thriller specialistÌýLisa JewellÌý(None of This Is True) has been cheerfully blowingÌýreaders’Ìýminds with her plot twists for more than 25 years now. Her latest features three women in neighboring towns, and two men who are not who they say they are. In fact, the two men may not be two men at all. Throw in one mysterious death and you’ve got a recipe for state-of-the-art psychological suspense.














If you liked The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, you’ll want to check out the new one from veteran author Victoria E. Schwab, which explores the darker and sexier aspects of virtual immortality. Starting out in 16th-century Spain, the new novel delivers a multigenerational sapphic vampire story that passes through Victorian-era London and present-day Boston. Bonus trivia: The author herself has dropped a note for readers in the book page’s Community Reviews section. Ìý














The latest thriller from genre ace Riley Sager has a pretty delicious setup: Set in 1954, the new book follows an elaborate revenge scheme aboard a luxury passenger train headed to Chicago. But when a separate and (possibly) unrelated murder mystery breaks out, plans collapse, allegiances shift, and things get really interesting. You can safely anticipate Sager’s usual array of turns, twists, and deadly surprises. Train trips are always so fun.














Advance word on King of Ashes, the new one from Southern noir king S.A. Cosby (All the Sinners Bleed), suggests an epic family drama in the spirit of The Godfather. But instead of the mean streets of New York City, we’re invited to the dusty back roads of rural Virginia. The Carruthers family runs the town’s crematorium, but when clan patriarch is targeted by gangsters, events take a turn. Look for prodigal sons, sibling dynamics, and plenty of family, you know, business.



Read our interview with Cosby here.Ìý














This one looks like so much fun: In the early days of World War II, local girl June Hudson is manager of a West Virginia luxury resort currently hosting a curious clientele. It seems the State Department needs a place to stash captured Axis diplomats from the war. What June knows, and the Nazis don’t, is that there’s magic in them there hills. AuthorÌýMaggie Stiefvater, previous known for her YA fantasy books, blends romance, class conflict, and Appalachian mythology into a new kind of spy story.














With her 2022 novel The Measure, author Nikki Erlick delivered a unique kind of mortality fable by way of thoughtful, high-concept speculative fiction. Erlick rides a similar vibe with her second novel, which concerns a California research facility that offers a miraculous cure for grief and loss. When four strangers seek relief at the remote destination, they discover the downside of high-tech shortcuts. Expect some twists.














This much anticipated second novel from author Leila Mottley profiles four teenage mothers in small-town Florida, cast out but sticking together through the most difficult year of their young lives. Mottley has earned critical praise and popular admiration for bringing new perspectives on insight and compassion to the literary fiction aisle. Her 2022 debut novel, Nightcrawling, was longlisted for the Booker Prize, making her the youngest author ever nominated for the prestigious award.














The new thriller from Julie Clark (The Last Flight) follows the fate of Olivia Dumont, an out-of-work author who reluctantly agrees to help write the memoirs of a very famous, very notorious horror novelist. The twist is that the horror writer in question is her own father, a fact that Olivia has been trying to hide her whole adult life. Also: Dad’s memory is fading fast and, well, he kinda-sorta-maybe killed all of his siblings this one time.














Louisa was just 10 years old when her father disappeared into the ocean. Only shards of memory remain: a nighttime walk on the beach, waking up in the sand, and the dizzying beam of a flashlight. Susan Choi (Trust Exercise) deploys multiple family POVs to tell a complex family story that flickers backward and forward in time and place—Japan, Korea, America—but keeps returning to that one night. What happened? Why?














Occupied France, 1942: Colette and her mother Annabel are crafty jewel thieves who ply their trade to help fund the French Resistance. But one night it all goes wrong. Flash forward 70 years and Colette, almost 90, has distributed millions to worthy organizations over the decades. But she must confront her past when a priceless bracelet shows up in a Boston museum exhibit. Historical fiction specialist Kristin Harmel (The Book of Lost Names) has the details. Ìý














You know that thing where you get a melody stuck in your head? L.A. songwriter Joni Lark, recently returned to her North Carolina hometown, has run into a variation on that. Her writer’s block has magically disappeared as a sexy voice starts humming melodies in her mind. As a bonus, the voice appears to belong to a handsome local musician. If you like your contemporary romance with a dash of magical realism, you might dig this latest love story from Ashley Poston (The Seven Year Slip).














A dark romance of seduction and obsession, Caught Up is the latest from Navessa Allen, author of the BookTok sensation Lights Out. The setup: Former shy girl Lauren Marchetti is now an online entrepreneur at an OnlyFans-style operation. When an old high school admirer enters the picture, this second-chance romance branches out to include voyeurism, play clubs, and mafia connections. Heads up that this is very dark romance.














This one is just flat-out fascinating: Billed as a nonfiction thriller, Murderland is essentially the publication of a years-long investigation from Pulitzer Prize–winning author Caroline Fraser (Prairie Fires). The book examines the history of Pacific Northwest serial killers in connection with the region’s legacy of severe environmental degradation. Did poisonous lead and arsenic smelters produce a generation of twisted minds in the 1970s and �80s?














On the other side of that coin, The River’s Daughter is a heartfelt memoir from whitewater rafting guide Bridget Crocker, which explores the notion that nature, in all its unchecked wildness, can nurture. Crocker’s book details her own difficult childhood and her gradual healing in the waters of the world’s great rivers, from Wyoming’s Snake River to Africa’s Zambezi River. Her vivid adventure writing should appeal to fans ofÌýCheryl Strayed’sÌýWildÌýorÌýTara Westover’sÌýEducated.












posted by Cybil on June, 03 ]]> /blog/show/2939-speculative-shorts-dip-into-30-great-sci-fi-fantasy-horror-story-col Mon, 28 Apr 2025 02:19:59 -0700 <![CDATA[Speculative Shorts: Dip into 30 Great Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Story Collections]]> /blog/show/2939-speculative-shorts-dip-into-30-great-sci-fi-fantasy-horror-story-col

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Kerine WintÌý(she/her) is a freelance writer, editor, and reviewer of speculative fiction for publications includingÌýÌýandÌýÅ·±¦ÓéÀÖ. She’s also writing media critique essays, recording podcasts, and designing (editorial and packaging) too!



As a fan of speculative fiction, I think it’s safe to say that you can’t be scared of a chunky 400-plus-word tome, but we deserve nice (shorter) things too and nothing’s better than a short story collection. Not only do you get a great range of stories—and a great way to get more from your favorite writers—but it's also an easier time investment to help your reading pace. Short stories can be just as immersive as full-length novels, with plenty of genre-bending and experimentation, and these authors certainly pull it off well.



To make sure this list leads you to your next favorite read, I decided to pass on the juggernauts of the genre and include as many amazing, slightly under-the-radar collections as possible. So, if you need a quick palate cleanser or a boost for your Reading Challenge, take a break from those thick novels and check out the collections below.

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Happy reading!












Before Chain-Gang All-Stars was everywhere in 2023 (on “Best of� and book award lists), Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah penned Friday Black, where dystopia and horror meet to illuminate the absurdities of American society, especially through capitalism and racism. This collection promises an unease you won’t be able to look away from.














In The Rock Eaters, Brenda Peynado crafts a dazzling collection of tales where the surreal (ghosts and virtual reality) meets the deeply personal. With each story, she reveals the uncharted spaces between human connection and alienation. Be forewarned, you’ll need to be up for wading through constant gloom and heartbreak.














Short story- and weird-fic-lovers are no strangers to Her Body and Other Parties. Carmen Maria Machado’s vivid and experimental narratives confront society’s fraught ideas about women’s bodies with equally surreal and profound musings that continue to capture readers.














I don’t think we’ll recover from Our Share of Night anytime soon, but if that’s your first Mariana Enríquez, lucky for you, she has many short story collections. Her penchant for the macabre while exploring Argentina’s sociopolitical climate runs through them all. At this point, it’s a matter of which book you choose to read first!














Poetic prose meets imaginative world-building and a great respect for the written form. Sofia Samatar's rich, evocative prose weaves stories that are indeed tender yet haunting, exploring themes of identity, immigration, connection, belonging, and the quiet power of human vulnerability.














Wole Talabi's 16 Africanfuturist stories blend mythology and technology, offering a playful yet profound exploration of belief, justice, and the search for meaning in shaping our future selves. I hope this release didn't fly under your radar last year, as it’s definitely not one to miss.














Gods of Want is a striking collection that blends surreal myths with everyday realities, exploring family, migration, queerness, and cultural identity. These stories, vivid and bold, center on the lives of Asian American women, their relationships, and their struggles against tradition and patriarchy.














Another release from last year, Andrea Kriz's debut collection fuses technology and genre to explore the future with sharp wit and raw emotion. It delivers satirical takes on modern issues and poignant reflections on human experience that bring the current state of the world into sharp focus.














This collection masterfully combines magic and horror, drawing on urban legends, Filipino folklore, and immigrant experiences to illuminate the lives of women and girls. With her lyrical and distinctive voice, Yap infuses her tales with love, pain, and an array of captivating SFF staples like ghosts, vampires, androids, and elementals.














Putting Silvia Moreno-Garcia and “gothic� in the same sentence is a given at this point. But her range in fantasy spans magical realism, Mexican folklore, paranormal, with sprinkles of horror and romance. So before you check out her upcoming novel, The Bewitching, check out her collection In This Strange Way of Dying to get an early rendition of her signature, hauntingly imaginative style.














This is a bold collection of tales about fierce women fighting for power and justice. Although Veronica Schanoes� dark fairy-tale style will lure you in, you’ll always be on edge with the collection’s themes of revolution, vengeance, and trauma.














I’m Waiting for You has a unique setup as it intertwines two compelling storylines. One follows a couple navigating synchronized space missions to reunite on Earth and marry, while the other explores godlike beings overseeing humanity and reflecting on existence and free will. A philosophical, sci-fi masterpiece.














Absurd is a bit of an understatement for Kate Folk's debut collection because Out There (aptly named) manages to reshape common human connections with a strange yet compassionate touch. Through humor and wit, it examines gender, self-alienation, and the search for identity amid societal pressures.














Following her breakthrough debut, Severance, Ling Ma’s sophomore effort is this collection of short fiction that delves into themes of otherness and disconnection. The interconnected stories form a unique framework that mirrors the passage of time, offering a richly unconventional and rewarding reading experience.














Another collection deserving much more attention, Yvette Lisa Ndlovu's debut presents a celebration of storytelling that immerses readers in richly imagined worlds where tradition meets the unexpected. The stories blend realism, fantasy, and African folklore to highlight the lives of African women at home and abroad, exploring themes of resilience and heritage.














Helen Oyeyemi is easily a subgenre unto herself with how she uses speculative fiction to disorient the reader. In What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours, she unlocks a series of enchanting, interwoven tales where secrets, keys, and doors reveal the mysteries of human longing and connection. This collection is a great introduction to her strange and whimsical signature.














I know you have at least one Tananarive Due on your WTR shelf right now, and if you’re on a “novel detour� this horror collection will keep you hooked in the meantime. This 14-story collection explores history, the present, and near futures. It's truly a standout in Black Horror and beyond, offering a stellar introduction to her work.














Eric LaRocca has taken the horror genre by storm (an understatement) and has a few collections to choose from, so to make it easier, check out his latest:ÌýThis Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances. Four haunting and visceral novellas delve into the horrors inflicted by loved ones. Blending the uncanny with the dark side of human nature, these stories unflinchingly explore themes of humanity, relationships, grief, and the longing for connection, all while delivering his signature chilling doses of blood and gore.














This debut collection offers a powerful and cohesive exploration of gender, Hawaiian and Japanese identity, and the challenges of navigatingÌýthe aftermath of colonization and generational trauma. Megan Kamalei Kakimoto's surreal prose delves into themes of autonomy, exploitation, and sexual freedom, making for an exceptional and thought-provoking choice.














Suzan Palumbo takes readers from Canada to Trinidad, guiding us through the lives of women and girls as they confront both the beauty and darkness within themselves. Rich with Trinidadian folklore, queer love, and deep familial ties, this collection captivates as it explores the full spectrum of horror.














This enchanting collection spans continents and centuries, blending reality with the supernatural through flash fiction and longer works. Ben Okri’s vivid depictions of violence and fear underscore the timeless power of storytelling.














Andrea L. Rogers� stories, while powerful individually, gain greater depth when arranged chronologically, creating a dialogue that enriches their themes. By focusing on familial experiences and providing a family tree for context, the collection reveals how the persecution of the Cherokee Nation shifts over generations with poignant clarity.














Gina Chung masterfully employs speculative elements to explore the multifaceted nature of desire—longing to recall, to forget, to change, and to be cherished. Her tales blend fantastical beings, heartfelt connections, and surreal scenarios into a mesmerizing study of human yearning.














Another 2024 gem, Pemi Aguda's debut offers a masterful blend of Nigerian myth and reality, unraveling tales of betrayal, regret, and lingering spirits. Her evocative and eerie stories craft a haunted, burdensome world that fascinates those bold enough to explore it.














Puloma Ghosh’s debut stands out as a dark, surreal, and sensually intricate addition to the weird SFF space. Absurdly intimate and genre-defying, it’s a compelling introduction to both Ghosh and the world of weird cross-genre storytelling.














Known for her haunting dystopia Tender Is the Flesh, Agustina Bazterrica demonstrates her range with this captivating collection of mini-stories. Her brand of shock might not be for every reader, but her exploration of themes like dark desires, violence against women, and death adds enough depth to make it worth the read.














In There Is a Rio Grande in Heaven, Ruben Reyes Jr. offers a touching collection of stories that examine identity, heritage, and belonging within the Mexican American experience. With vivid prose and heartfelt narratives, these tales explore the profound ties between land, history, and the human spirit.














Dark and surreal, this collection immerses human characters in bizarre, otherworldly scenarios. Blending brutality, tenderness, terror, and sweetness, Premee Mohamed maintains a poignant sense of humaneness throughout.














Ananda Lima's debut is an inventive collection of interconnected stories about a Brazilian American writer whose encounters with the devil ignite creativity and intrigue. Set against global crises, these layered tales explore humanity's struggles with warmth, wit, and artistry that will keep you turning the page.














Packed with 18Ìýhorror and dark fantasy stories, Tobi Ogundiran’s collection spans diverse settings while uniting themes of knowledge, identity, and impermanence. These modern parables wouldÌýbe a great gateway for his Guardians of the Gods series.
















posted by Sharon on April, 28 ]]> /blog/show/2938-goodreads-staffers-share-their-summer-reading-plans Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:15:31 -0700 <![CDATA[Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Staffers Share Their Summer Reading Plans ]]> /blog/show/2938-goodreads-staffers-share-their-summer-reading-plans



This year, as part of our Summer Reading celebration, we decidedÌýto open up some space for Å·±¦ÓéÀÖâ€� hardworking staffers to share the books that they plan to read over the summer.

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The rules are pretty simple: Name three books you have on your summer reading list. No restrictions—might be a new book, an old book, an upcoming book, or even a genre classic heist story set in an alternate-world Renaissance Italy. You know, stuff like that.



The idea is that anything goes, and you will find an amazing assortment of recommendations here from our thoughtful, widely read, and uncommonly good-looking staff members.

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Feel free to browse around. Click on the cover art images for more details about each book, and you can use the Want to Read button if a particular recommendation floats your summer reading boat.

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Sharon Hsu, Senior Editor

























Ciara Fogarty, Ads Account Manager


























Alana Lindner, Head of Design and User Research


























Haley Giangreco, Visual Designer


























Margo Throckmorton, SeniorÌýProgram Manager


























Jaclyn Woods, Program Manager


























Daniel Kessel, Social Media Program Manager


























Kevin Brotcke, Software Development Engineer


























Cybil Wallace, Managing Editor


























Julie De Lorenzo, Senior Software Development Engineer


























Suzanne Skyvara, VP Brand Marketing


























Dana Epstein, Senior Account Executive


























Stephanie Frey, Senior Software Engineer


























Tony Chan, Senior Software Development Engineer


























Chelsie Cooper, Product Manager


























Priscilla S. Guido, Account Manager


























Suhan Gui, Software Engineer


























Manju Abburi, Software Development Manager


























Katie Berk, Head of Product


























Aditi Sharma, Software Development Engineer


























Lauren Deyce, Learning Experience Designer


























Nate Taggart, Senior Policy Manager


























Gunjan Raghav, Senior Software Engineer


























Almas Gandhi, Senior Quality Assurance Manager


























Subi Sundaram, Principal Product Manager





















































posted by Cybil on April, 28 ]]> /blog/show/2937-the-144-most-read-books-of-the-2025-reading-challenge-so-far Sat, 24 May 2025 08:33:16 -0700 <![CDATA[The 144 Most Read Books of the 2025 Reading Challenge (So Far) ]]> /blog/show/2937-the-144-most-read-books-of-the-2025-reading-challenge-so-far







It's time once again for our summer status check on the annual Reading Challenge, in which both avid and casual bookworms pledge to read a certain number of books before the calendar year is out. If you’re not already on board, it’s easy enough: Click on over to theÌý2025 Reading Challenge page, enter the number of books you plan to devour, then get busy.

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To get a sense of how things are going so far, we’ve gathered up the most popular books chosen by Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ regulars in this year’s challenge, sorted by genre. Indeed, each category below lists the top 12 books marked asÌýReadÌýby participants. So, for instance, Kristin Hannah’s The Women is currently the most read Historical Fiction book among those taking the 2025 Reading Challenge.

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It all makes for some extremely interesting browsing and clicking. The collection below suggests the vast range of books that Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ members are reading just now: You’ll find Pulitzer Prize winners like Percival Everett’s James alongside perennially relevant science fiction such as Margaret Atwood’s 1985 classic, The Handmaid's Tale.

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You’ll also find a good cross-section ofÌýÅ·±¦ÓéÀÖ Choice AwardÌýwinners, such asÌýEmily Henry’sÌýHappy Place,ÌýNita Prose’sÌýThe Maid, andÌýGabrielle Zevin’sÌýTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. Plus: international time-travel classics, high school English class artifacts, scary stories, acclaimed memoirs, and the occasional warning siren.

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Click on the book cover images for more information about each title, and use the Want to Read button to add books to your digital shelf.



You can also click the link directly below to check in on your own Reading Challenge progress—or to sign up if you haven’t already. And, pro tip, you can edit your yearly goal at any time. Need more inspiration? Check out the Challenge for special limited-time reading achievements throughout the year!



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Fiction












Historical Fiction









Mystery & Thriller









Fantasy









Romantasy









Science FictionÌý









Horror









Romance









Young Adult









Memoirs










History & Biography










General Nonfiction













posted by Cybil on May, 24 ]]> /blog/show/2936-99-new-romance-and-romantasy-books-to-heat-up-summer Sun, 27 Apr 2025 23:46:52 -0700 <![CDATA[99 New Romance and Romantasy Books to Heat Up Summer]]> /blog/show/2936-99-new-romance-and-romantasy-books-to-heat-up-summer



Good news, romance and romantasy fans. This summer? It’s going to be goooooood.

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As part of our annual Summer Reading extravaganza, we’ve sorted out 99 highly anticipatedÌýromance and romantasy novels coming between May and the end of August, according to your fellow Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ members. As you shall see, there’s a ton of good stuff on the summery horizon. We’ve sorted the books below by month, according to each title’s U.S. release date.

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Some starting points for clicking around, in no particular order: A streetwise urchin meets a good-hearted swindler in Joanna Shupe’s historical romance The Gilded Heiress. Old college sweethearts stumble into an odd second chance in Mia Sosa’s contemporary rom-com When Javi Dumped Mari. And a deathly ill assassin falls for a morally upright healer in Brigitte Knightley’s romantasy The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy.

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Also in the Book People Make the Best DetectivesÌýcolumn: Earlier this spring, readers on social media sleuthed out a surprise, previously unannouncedÌýnewÌýAli Hazelwood book publishing in May. Theories abounded, tea leaves were read, and lo, the people rejoiced when Hazelwood finally revealed the on her Instagram a month before the book's release.

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Click on the cover art images for more details about each book, and use the Want to Read button to add any good leads to your digital shelf.

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Publishing in May
















































































































































































































































posted by Sharon on April, 27 ]]> /blog/show/2935-72-of-summer-s-hottest-new-mysteries-thrillers Sun, 27 Apr 2025 23:43:04 -0700 <![CDATA[72 of Summer's Hottest New Mysteries & Thrillers]]> /blog/show/2935-72-of-summer-s-hottest-new-mysteries-thrillers





A Virginia crime family that operates out of a small-town crematorium. A new housemate who brings with her a curious graveyard smell. Two mysterious men who aren’t who they say they are—who might not even be two men at all.

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Those are just a few of the story hooks on offer from books publishing this summer—an especially busy one for mysteries and thrillers.

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To help with your summertime reading schedule, we’ve dug deep into the stacks to sort out 72 of the summer’s most popular mystery-thrillers, according to readersâ€� Want to Read shelves. These are the books that have caught the collective eye of Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ regulars.

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The books are sorted by U.S. publication monthÌýfrom May to the end of August. You’ll find many of the usual suspects (Carl Hiaasen, Ruth Ware, Riley Sager) plus a generous assortment of subgenre types (the cozy mystery, the private eye story, the modern gothic). Adventurous readers will also find some historical mystery and metafiction fun.

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Click on the cover art images for more details about each book, and use the Want to Read button to add any good leads to your digital shelf.



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Mysteries Publishing in May:
































posted by Cybil on April, 27 ]]>