Literary critics reveal their favorite books of 2025

Key Concepts

• Fiction Recommendations: "The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny" by Kiran Desai, "The Antidote" by Karen Russell, "Heart the Lover" by Lily King.
• Nonfiction Recommendations: "Mother Mary Comes to Me" by Arundhati Roy, "A Long Game: Notes on Writing Fiction" by Elizabeth McCracken, "Last Seen" by Judith Giesberg, "Bread of Angels" by Patti Smith.
• Children's Book Recommendations: "If We Were Dogs" by Sophie Blackall, "Norendy" series by Kate DiCamillo (illustrated by Sophie Blackall).
• Surprise/Hidden Gem: "Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife" (biography).
• Best Book of the Year: "Buckeye" by Patrick Ryan (Ann Patchett's pick), "The Antidote" by Karen Russell (Maureen Corrigan's pick).
• Literary Critics: Maureen Corrigan (NPR Book Critic, Professor at Georgetown University), Ann Patchett (Acclaimed Author, Owner of Parnassus Books).

Fiction Recommendations

Ann Patchett's Picks:

• "The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny" by Kiran Desai:
  • Description: A sweeping epic about two young people from the same small town in India who are living in the United States. They experience a sense of displacement, feeling too Indian in the US and too American in India. The novel explores their journey towards each other and potentially overcoming their loneliness.
  • Key Details: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Kiran Desai is described as a "brilliant, all-encompassing writer."

Maureen Corrigan's Picks:

• "The Antidote" by Karen Russell:
  • Description: This novel is set against the backdrop of two real historical events: an epic Dust Bowl storm and a major flood in Nebraska in 1935. The central character is a prairie witch known as "the Antidote," who possesses the ability to hold people's memories that they cannot otherwise contain.
  • Key Details: Karen Russell is praised for her unique portrayal of "old, weird America."
• "Heart the Lover" by Lily King:
  • Description: A follow-up to Lily King's previous novel, "Writers & Lovers." The book focuses on a love triangle at a college campus in the 1980s. The main character, nicknamed Jordan, is depicted as she attempts to bring her life together, with the narrative extending into subsequent decades.
  • Key Details: Ann Patchett notes that prior knowledge of "Writers & Lovers" is not necessary to enjoy this novel, highlighting Lily King's skill as a narrative designer.

Nonfiction Recommendations

Ann Patchett's Picks:

• "Mother Mary Comes to Me" by Arundhati Roy:
  • Description: This book centers on Arundhati Roy's relationship with her mother, Mary Roy, who is described as brilliant and difficult. While the mother-daughter relationship constitutes about 15% of the book, the majority focuses on Arundhati Roy's own life.
  • Key Details: Arundhati Roy first gained literary prominence in 1996 with her Booker Prize-winning novel "The God of Small Things," which sold over six million copies. Roy's past careers include architect, actress, and screenwriter, but she is primarily known as a political activist.
• "A Long Game: Notes on Writing Fiction" by Elizabeth McCracken:
  • Description: A book offering advice for aspiring writers.
  • Key Details: McCracken provides "wonderful, tough love, direct, and very funny advice" on how to develop one's writing aspirations. This is recommended for holiday gifting to individuals who wish to become writers.

Maureen Corrigan's Picks:

• "Last Seen" by Judith Giesberg:
  • Description: This book focuses on ten advertisements placed by formerly enslaved people searching for family members who were sold away.
  • Key Details: Judith Giesberg, a historian, initiated the "Last Seen" website in 2017 with her research graduate students. The website compiled every available advertisement from formerly enslaved individuals seeking lost relatives. The book aims to deepen the understanding of the lived experience of slavery.
• "Bread of Angels" by Patti Smith:
  • Description: Patti Smith's latest memoir.
  • Key Details: This memoir is released in the year celebrating the 50th anniversary of her landmark album, "Horses." Patti Smith is characterized as an "American original" whose prose combines poetry with "rough authenticity."

Children's Book Recommendations

Ann Patchett's Picks:

• "If We Were Dogs" by Sophie Blackall:
  • Description: A picture book featuring a conversation between two people exploring what their lives and relationship would be like if they were dogs. One of the individuals ultimately decides they do not want to be a dog.
  • Key Details: The book is highly popular, with both parents and children enjoying it. It is described as a book that "cannot be kept in the store." Sophie Blackall is both the writer and illustrator.
• "Norendy" series by Kate DiCamillo (illustrated by Sophie Blackall):
  • Description: A set of three very short novels presented in a box set.
  • Key Details: The books are described as having elements of fairy tales, being highly imaginative and beautiful, and each containing a complete narrative arc. Sophie Blackall is the illustrator for this series.

Surprise or Hidden Gem

Maureen Corrigan's Pick:

• "Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife" (Biography):
  • Description: A new biography of Gertrude Stein.
  • Key Details: Corrigan expresses surprise at finding new insights into Gertrude Stein's life, noting that biographers of Stein often exhibit an "obsessive investigatory zeal." The book delves into Stein's life in Paris, her relationship with Alice B. Toklas, and the construction and reconstruction of her reputation. Corrigan found it so engaging that she read it before sleep, comparing it to a detective novel.

Best Books of the Year

Ann Patchett's Pick:

• "Buckeye" by Patrick Ryan:
  • Description: A novel that spans from World War I through the Vietnam War, examining the impact of war and peace on a small town in Ohio.
  • Key Details: This book is recommended for a wide audience, including men and women, and even those who typically only read nonfiction. It is described as meeting "everyone's needs" and has been well-received by customers at Parnassus Books.

Maureen Corrigan's Pick:

• "The Antidote" by Karen Russell:
  • Description: (See detailed description in Fiction Recommendations section).
  • Key Details: Corrigan reiterates her strong positive feeling for this book, stating it is the one she will continue to think about long after the holiday season. She calls it an "amazing book."

Conclusion

The discussion highlights a diverse range of highly recommended books for the holiday season, spanning fiction, nonfiction, and children's literature. Critics Ann Patchett and Maureen Corrigan offer their curated selections, emphasizing literary merit, engaging narratives, and unique perspectives. The recommendations include both established authors and emerging voices, with specific attention paid to books that offer profound insights into human experience, history, and the creative process. The segment concludes with a strong endorsement of "Buckeye" by Patrick Ryan and "The Antidote" by Karen Russell as the standout "best books of the year" by Patchett and Corrigan, respectively.