The Best Books of 2025

KQED's Forum

KQED

News Commentary, News, Politics

4.2 • 727 Ratings

🗓️ 30 December 2025

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

We take a look back at our favorite books of 2025. This year's best seller lists and critic choices were scattered with no clear big hits but there were still many excellent titles, says Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast. We'll hear from critics, local authors and our bookworm listeners about what's worth reading in the new year. What was your best read of 2025? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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1:02.5	Yeah. From KQED. From KQED in San Francisco, I'm Alexis Madrigal.
1:06.4	2024 in the book world was by common assent the year of James by Percival Everett, which won prizes and was a runaway bestseller.
1:16.1	This year hasn't seen one title dominate. For whatever reason, it's been a more complex, multifaceted year.
1:22.8	We're going to talk about your favorite books of 2025. We're going to hear from writers, Lela Motley, and Kate Shats,
1:30.0	and we're going to get some expert opinions from Carr Johnson of Green Apple Books and Tracy
1:34.6	Thomas of the Stacks podcast.
1:36.7	That's all coming up next, right after this news. Welcome to Forum.
1:54.8	I'm Alexis Madrigal.
1:56.5	Good morning.
1:57.2	We are talking about your favorite books of the year.
	...

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