Top 2025 Book Selections by Ron Charles
In 2025, readers were treated to an array of remarkable literary works. To enrich your reading list, we highlight five exceptional titles from the past year.
Top 2025 Book Selections by Ron Charles
1. The Slip by Lucas Schaefer
Published by Simon & Schuster, Lucas Schaefer’s debut novel, The Slip, won the Kirkus Prize for Fiction. Set around a boxing gym in Austin, Texas, it follows two lonely teenagers seeking to redefine themselves. This comic narrative addresses significant social issues while delivering a compelling story.
- Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audio
- Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org
2. Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent
Susie Dent’s debut, Guilty by Definition, published by Sourcebooks Landmark, features a dictionary editor in Oxford. She begins receiving eerie messages about her sister’s long-ago disappearance. As she unravels clues, the story immerses readers in literary enigmas and her unresolved past.
- Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audio
- Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org
3. Black Moses by Caleb Gayle
In Black Moses: A Saga of Ambition and the Fight for a Black State, published by Riverhead Books, Caleb Gayle recounts the story of Edward McCabe during the Jim Crow era. It explores the struggles of Black migrants in Kansas and the Oklahoma Territory, illuminating a crucial chapter in the quest for freedom.
- Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audio
- Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org
4. The Antidote by Karen Russell
Karen Russell’s The Antidote, released by Knopf, weaves a tale that seamlessly blends fable and history. Set in Depression-era Nebraska, it follows a prairie witch and a young girl entangled in an epic journey that reflects the complexities of Manifest Destiny.
- Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audio
- Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org
5. The Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson
Rick Atkinson’s The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, published by Crown, is the second installment of his trilogy on the American Revolution. It combines battle narratives with diplomatic insights, bringing historical figures like Washington and Franklin to life. This illuminating account precedes the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.
- Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audio
- Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org
These captivating selections reflect a vibrant year in literature. They promise to engage readers with rich narratives and diverse themes. For more recommendations, keep an eye on El-Balad’s future literary features.
