Books in December - Book recommendations

The Little Bookshop
4 days ago
4 min read

Because December is the Holiday season we don’t have a selection of new books for you. However… We were wondering what we could do for this list of books. So we’ve asked awesome authors & booksellers to share their favorite read(s) of 2025 with you! So let’s take a look at what they advise you :)

Authors

Anna February, author of The Hive

“If I were forced to pick just one book of the year, it would be this one. There's so much to like about it! It's a gorgeously written epic fantasy with loads of twists and turns, a fascinating and immersive world, and brilliant characters. I can't wait for the next book in the series.”

“I found this a really interesting way to tell a story. It's focused on a young woman who's accused of murder, but narrated entirely from the perspective of the various men in her life. So it's as if her own truth is stripped away, to be replaced by the men's perceptions of her.”

“It's set in a near-future world that's a realistic balance of bleak and hopeful. There's some beautiful writing and a wonderfully fierce female protagonist, along with themes of grief, choice and medical ethics.”

Carlos Sánchez, author of Rune

“I think that The Premonition by Banana Yoshimoto was the winner this year!”

“Followed by Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge.”

“And the prettiest comic was A song for you and I by K. O'Neil.”

Megan Lally, author of That's Not My Name

“My favorite book I’ve read in 2025? Hmm. I actually read a TON of romance to offset the dark and creepy stuff I write so my favorite 2025 read is probably Wild Card by Elsie Silver!”

Elizabeth O'Connor, author of Whale Fall

“I loved Enright's insightful, sharp, and often dry-humoured essays on life, books, and women's bodies. The essays are open-handed and think aloud. They feel like taking a walk with a brilliant and interesting friend.”

“I appropriately read this in repetitive spurts, at 4pm every day with my cat on my lap, trying to stop my cat from drinking my tea, watching the days get shorter outside, listening to the cycles of rain and dark winter cloud. It's a beautiful, meditative, and very odd book - the best kind!”

Mimi Deb, author of The Accidental Holiday

"My favourite read of the year, I’d say The Safekeep."

"...and (a re-read) The Nickel Boys!"

James L. Sutter, author of The Ghost of Us

Horror + dark academia + summoning a dragon

A funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger’s life twenty-five years later…

A bold, funny, and heartwarming story about one young woman’s attempt to navigate adulthood, new motherhood, and her meager bank account in our increasingly online world.

And the rest of the list

Titanium Noir By Nick Harkaway

Empire Of The Dawn By Jay Kristoff

Clean Sweep By Ilona Andrews

The Pairing By Casey Mcquiston

Rules For Vanishing By Kate Alice Marshall

The Goldfinch By Donna Tartt

The Wedding People By Alison Espach

These Summer Storms By Sarah Maclean

A Drop Of Corruption By Robert Jackson Bennett

Melissa Welliver, author of The Undying Tower

"My fave read of 2025 was Sunrise on the Reaping. As a dystopian girly raised on 2010s YA, the return of The Hunger Games was always something to be celebrated! But SotR really brought something fresh and new to the dystopian genre as it stands now, 17 years after the original book came out. It had elements of the political standing of today’s world, pulling out celebrity culture in politics in a way I hope I’ve achieved in my next book, TO THE DEATH, out March 2026. And I cannot WAIT for the movie next year to break my heart all over again!"

Shanen Ricci, author of Sugar and Sorcery

“Gothic fantasy pick”

“Favorite Read (trilogy) 2025”

“Currently reading and enjoying”

And the rest of the list Fantasy: A forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

Cozy fantasy: The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

Fairytale vibe: The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon

Romcom fantasy: That time I got drunk and saved a demon by Kimberly Lemming

Clare Helen Welsh, author of Moon Bear

"Independence, growth, positive, playful, inspiring! (EYFS) A hilarious celebration of children learning how to do things independently and how giving it a go is as important as getting it right the first time."

"Clever, witty, thought-provoking, unexpected, adventure. (Ks1) Full of cheeky humour and lots fairy tale details for readers to spot, this ‘before the story’ flips the traditional narrative. It encourages readers to think how reputations are made and whether someone really is as bad as they seem - or if there’s more to the story.

"Powerful, timely, important, resilience, hope. (Ks2) A beautifully illustrated book and an important read, perfect for opening up conversations about conflict and war, encouraging empathy and understanding."

Booksellers

Jerry, The Bookshop Mons

“Of course it is an older book, but it is my best read of the year.”

Fiona, Damn Fine Bookstore

“I never pick a favourite it's so haaaaaaard. I always say the last great book I've read, so you can say that mine is Heart the Lover by Lily King ! It's FANTASTIC !”