2025 Staff Picks for Adults

It’s finally here—and just in time to set your New Year’s goals and for our upcoming Cozy Reading Challenge (details coming soon!) We’re excited to announce our annual Staff Picks list full of our favorite things we’ve read this year. To say we enjoy putting it together would be an understatement. Of course, we are always happy to provide book //henricolibrary.org/recommendations (check out My Next Reads if you haven't already), but something about compiling them in one place makes our library hearts extra happy. We hope you find something new to add to your night stand, and if you’re looking for books for the younger readers in your life, be sure to check out our kids and teen lists too.

 

FICTION

• The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Lisa K. at Glen Allen
  • Retired pirate Amina is pushed back to the seas by a manipulative wealthy woman. The respect and camaraderie—and the weight of bad decisions—rekindle quickly once she and her crew are at sea. A gripping adventure that folds supernatural elements into a vivid portrayal of ancient mariners of the Indian Ocean.

• A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza – recommended by Aparna R. from Tuckahoe
  • A touching tale of an immigrant family's life told from different family members' points of view. The author captures the typical immigrant family's life in a foreign land trying to find a balance between two cultures.

• Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Barbra S. at North Park
  • If you want to escape everyday life for a grand adventure full of fantastical twists and conflict in which good will still prevail, this is a book for you. Blood Heiris a continuation of the Andrews' work in the Kate Daniels series, but this book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. 

• Bloody Scotland edited by James Crawford (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Julie S. at Glen Allen
  • A collection of short stories edited by James Crawford featuring tales of mystery and terror written by twelve of Scotland's best writers. Each story, different in style, share a common theme of being set in an historic Scottish building or site.

• The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Penelope F. at Twin Hickory
  • I'm always a fan of stories that lead readers to believe that the only way forward is either this or that, and then surprise them with a third alternative. You'll feel a bit off-kilter throughout the telling, and in this case, that's a plus; just like main character Cassie, you can't afford to get too comfortable, and yet you won't want to look away!

• Boys Weekend by Mattie Lubchansky – recommended by Lindsey H. at Libbie Mill

• The Burning Godby  F. Kuang (also available on Hoopla)– recommended by Naila P. at Tuckahoe
  • All three novels in The Poppy War series deserve attention and acclaim. The Burning God concludes the series in a stunning, devastating way, as a result of the power struggles and supernatural interventions faced by fierce protagonist Rin, her allies, her enemies, and the common folk caught in the crossfire. Kuang's prose is compelling, sharp, brilliant; readers will find themselves engrossed in this historical-based epic fantasy through the very last page.

• Can You Solve the Murder?: An Interactive Crime Novel  by Antony Johnston – recommended by Hannah T. at Fairfield
  • It's a game disguised as a book!

• Coda by Simon Spurrier (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Charlie H. at Libbie Mill

• The Compound by Aisling Rawle – recommended by Tracey B. at Fairfield
  • A dystopian novel for fans of reality TV. 

• Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes – recommended by Jordan R. at Tuckahoe
  • I do not usually read sci-fi or horror books, so I was not expecting a space horror tale to end up being one of my favorite books this year, and one I have thought a lot about since reading. Fast-paced and hard to put down, this was a surprising read and had me reaching for other titles by S.A. Barnes as well. 

• Death of the Author  by Nnedi Okorafor (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Kathleen T. at North Park

• The Dog Who Followed the Moon (also available on Hoopla) by James Norbury – recommended by Bunny H. at Twin Hickory

• Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada – recommended by Susan L. at Libbie Mill
  • This WWII novel is based on a true story and was written in just twenty-four days by a well-known German author who survived a Nazi insane asylum. I'm recommending this book because not only is it a page-turner, but it focuses on the lives of ordinary citizens upended by a regime that many saw as immoral, yet inescapable. It shows how one couple had the courage to risk their lives and speak truth to power.

• The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers  by Samuel Burr – recommended by Drew C. at Gayton
  • When twenty-something Clayton Stumper sets out to find the truth about his parentage, he discovers the amazing backstory of his adoptive mother and the commune of British geniuses and eccentrics who dedicated their lives to riddles, games, puzzles, and raising him. This is a warm-hearted story about the power of community and the good that comes from opening yourself up to others in the outside world. It’s also filled with many references to all sorts of puzzles. 🙂

• Harrow County by Cullen Bunn, illustrated by Tyler Crook, Hannah Lavender, and Jenn Manley Lee (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Chris M. at Sandston
  • Emmy is turning eighteen and learns that she and the rural county she lives in share a dark history.  The artwork is amazing and the story is full of folk horror, magic, and mystery.  The first half of the series is in our collection, and the full series and part of the sequel are available on Hoopla.

• Heart the Lover by Lily King – recommended by Logan F. at Gayton

• The High Desert by James Spooner – recommended by Chris M. at Sandston
  • James Spooner tells the story of his teenage years as an African-American punk in the early 90's.  Young James has to deal with divorced parents, crushes, troubled friends and navigating racism in the punk rock scene.

• I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kenney – recommended by Mike B. at Tuckahoe and Brian B. at Twin Hickory
  • Why? I laughed at the beginning of a sentence and cried at the end of the same sentence. Great writing, thought provoking, and a really weird premise make for a good day to call in dead! – Mike B.

• It's Elementary by Elise Bryant – recommended by Kareemah H. at Varina

• James (también desponible en español en Hoopla) by Percival Everett – recommended by Jamie C. at Library Administration

• The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi – recommended by Gina F. at Gayton

• King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Lauren M. at Libbie Mill

• The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig – recommended by Ashby C. at Gayton

• The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros – recommended by Bridget O. at Gayton

• Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber – recommended by Jodi H. at Glen Allen

• My Friends: A Novel by Fredrik Backman – recommended by Courtney M. at North Park

• My Husband by Maud Ventura (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Dena Z. at Tuckahoe
  • Dark psychological fiction with an unexpected twist at the end.  

• Mỹ Documents: A Novel by Kevin Nguyen – recommended by Victoria H. at Tuckahoe

• One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune – recommended by Tori N. at Tuckahoe
  • One Golden Summer shines with Carley Fortune's gift for crafting rich, emotionally-layered characters who feel achingly real and impossible to forget. Her storytelling pulls you in with tender nostalgia and heartfelt depth, leaving you deeply invested long after the final page.

• Oregon Hill by Howard Owen – recommended by Tiffany A. at Libbie Mill
  • Start of a new series to me, and this introduction was a good one. I enjoyed that it was set in Richmond and all of the Richmond landmarks were mentioned. It had a film noir vibe and was also a little sad to read about the newspaper publication market, which was even struggling back then. 

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Antonella J. at Outreach & Mobile Library Services
  • I recently read it again because it's one of my favorite books of all time. It beautifully combines romance and humor, and it shows how love and understanding can grow beyond first impressions.

• Quicksilver by Callie Hart – recommended by Genevieve H. at Gayton

• Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera – recommended by Barbie B. at Libbie Mill

• The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson – recommended by Kendall H. at Library Administration and Rachel S. at Fairfield

• Record of a Spaceborn Few  by Becky Chambers (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Benjamin O. at Gayton
  • This is my favorite book in the Wayfarer series (though they're all excellent and choosing a favorite is really splitting hairs). This book also has one of the most affecting funerary rites I've ever come across. I cry every time I read it.

• The Reformatory by Tananarive Due – recommended by Aimee H. at Glen Allen

• The Reluctant Sheriff by Chris Offutt (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Fritz D. at North Park

• Revolve by Bal Khabra – recommended by Marie R. at Gayton
  • Since the 2026 Winter Olympics are right around the corner, this hockey and ice-skating romance is the perfect way to get excited about the upcoming games. 

• Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Amy C. at Tuckahoe
  • Road trip, quirky characters, found family—great combo!

• Saint Catherine by Anna Meyer – recommended by Amanda S. at Library Administration

• Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Heather K. at Library Administration
  • This coming-of-age saga chronicles life in the '80s and '90s in Glasgow, Scotland. Beautifully tragic, this story is well-written and ultimately unforgettable. Fair warning though, this novel revolves around abuse, poverty, and addiction.

• So Far Gone by Jess Walter – recommended by John M. at Twin Hickory
  • Rhys Kinnick has been living off the grid, hiding from the world and his old life as a journalist.  This quiet routine is disrupted when his grandkids show up at his door, dragging him into a risky rescue mission.  Kinnick finds himself back in the environment he thought he escaped. The story combines family drama with political chaos.  Jess Walter’s So Far Gone marks his long‑awaited return, arriving thirteen years after Beautiful Ruins.

• The Strawberry Patch Pancake House  by Laurie Gilmore (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Beth C. at Fairfield
  • If you like a little bit of spice, Gilmore’s Dream Harbor series is for you. Also, we love a man who knows how to cook!!!

• The Summer War by Naomi Novik – recommended by Kristyn H. at Fairfield

• Swordheart by T. Kingfisher – recommended by Savannah C. at Library Administration

• Too Old For This by Samantha Downing – recommended by Kelsey C. at Libbie Mill

• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Sydney P. at Twin Hickory

• • They are great because they feel like spending time with a friend.

• Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Martin L. at Fairfield

• What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher – recommended by Kristina C. at Library Administration
  • I am a big fan of Kingfisher’s Sworn Soldier series and this newest entry is delightfully weird and creepy. A good mix of horror, humor, and adventure.

• Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson – recommended by Levi C. at Fairfield

 

NON-FICTION

• A Change of Habit: Leaving Behind My Husband, Career, and Everything I Owned to Become a Nun by Sister Monica Clare – recommended by Lauren M. at Libbie Mill

• Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language by Adam Aleksic – recommended by John M. at Twin Hickory
  • Adam Aleksic, a linguist, examines how social media algorithms shape the language we use and the clever strategies people develop to navigate online restrictions. His book provides an engaging exploration of the meeting point between technology and communication. It reveals how digital culture is actively reshaping the patterns and rules of everyday speech.

• All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Bethany W. at Twin Hickory
  • This has become one of my new favorite books! James Herriot is a wonderfully descriptive writer, and I felt like I was right there in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in England. The book is both heartwarming and comical with a variety of characters and veterinarian stories, and I cried and laughed out loud throughout.

• A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck by Sophie Elmhirst – recommended by Martin L. at Fairfield and Victoria H. at Tuckahoe

• An African History of Africa by Zeinab Badawi (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Kendall H. at Library Administration

• Awake: A Memoir by Jen Hatmaker – recommended by Tracey B. at Fairfield
  • A story of overcoming heartbreak and reinventing one's self after divorce.

• Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America by Elie Mystal (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Susan L. at Libbie Mill
  • Intrigued by the title, I picked up this book on a whim. Not only did I learn a lot, but I often found myself laughing out loud due to Mystal's frank and humorous explanations.

• The Book of Boundaries: Set the Limits That Will Set You Free by Melissa Urban – recommended by Gina F. at Gayton
  • For the people-pleasers and confrontation-avoidant, this book is invaluable. Urban walks you through a wide variety of situations and gives practical, actionable steps to protect your peace.

• Daughter of Daring: The Trick-Riding, Train-Leaping, Road-Racing Life of Helen Gibson, Hollywood's First Stuntwoman by Mallory O'Meara (also available on Hoopla) – Recommended by Aimee H. at Glen Allen

• Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik - recommended by Lindsey H. at Libbie Mill
  • This was so fun... dishy, artful, smart, and full of storytelling worthy of the writers depicted. 

• Down with the System: A Memoir (of Sorts) by Serj Tankian (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Barbra S. at North Park
  • This book is much more than just a story about System of a Down singer/songwriter Serj Tankian's experiences in a band. In fact, it shines most brightly in the many chapters about the Armenian genocide and Tankian's efforts to lead a meaningful, impactful life while struggling with generational trauma. 

• Edgar Allan Poe's Richmond: The Raven in the River City by Christopher P. Semtner – recommended by Tiffany A. at Libbie Mill

• Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age by Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough – recommended by Kareemah H. at Varina

• Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green – recommended by Courtney M. at North Park

• Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell About the End of the World by Dorian Lynskey – recommended by Savannah C. at Library Administration

• Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be by Timothy P. Carney. (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Amy C. at Tuckahoe
  • Serious food for thought...

• Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoirby Tessa Hulls – recommended by Amanda S. at Library Administration

• The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us by Rachelle Bergstein – recommended by Jordan R. at Tuckahoe
  • A fun and informative stroll down memory lane that explores the popular and lesser-known works of one of the authors that helped turn kids and teens into readers. 

• The Great Contradiction: The Tragic Side of the American Founding by Joseph J. Ellis – recommended by Fritz D. at North Park

• Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice by Maureen McCormick (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Bridget O. at Gayton

• The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke – recommended by Genevieve H. at Gayton

• How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question by Michael Schur (también desponible en español en Hoopla) – recommended by Penelope F. at Twin Hickory
  • A philosophy text might not be most readers' go-to for a leisurely read, but when the author also happens to be the mastermind behind The Good Place, you can rest assured that it will be a romp rather than a slog. 

• How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future by Maria Ressa (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Jamie C. at Library Administration

• Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World by Matt Parker – recommended by Hannah T. at Fairfield
  • Humble Pi has it all: comedy, tragedy, romance, drama...and mathematics!

• It Rhymes with Takei by George Takei (also available on Hoopla) – recommended by Marie R. at Gayton
  • This autobiographical graphic novel showed more about George's life outside of Star Trek and the journey of self-acceptance he had to go through.

• Jane Austen's Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector’s Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend by Rebecca Romney – recommended by Julie S. at Glen Allen
  • An in-depth and fascinating exploration of the women authors that preceded, influenced, and in some cases, were contemporaries of Jane Austen, written by a rare book dealer. These were all authors who Austen mentioned in letters and in her books. 

• The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About  by Mel Robbins – recommended by Beth C. at Fairfield
  • Easier said than done sometimes… but a book about letting others do their own thing so it doesn’t impact your mental health and wellbeing.

• Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen – recommended by Rick S. at Library Administration
  • Horror is one of my favorite genres. This isn’t horror, but it is the scariest book I have read in years.

• One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad – recommended by Ashby C. at Library Administration

• On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century  by Timothy Snyder – recommended by Charlie H. at Libbie Mill

• Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by Susana M. Morris – recommended by Naila P. at Tuckahoe
  • The dedication and persistence of Black science fiction author Octavia E. Butler is more than admirable. She was a trailblazer in a field where proper representation and recognition was scarce. Educate yourself and get acquainted with a clever, meritorious, exemplary writer with a remarkable oeuvre and plenty of valuable advice to share.

• Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne – recommended by Dena Z. at Tuckahoe
  • A fascinating memoir about the author's diagnosis of sociopathic personality disorder which also details her journey to help others as a therapist and writer. 

• Spectral Evidence: Poems by Gregory Pardlo – recommended by Barbie B. at Libbie Mill

• The Surrender Experiment: My Journey Into Life's Perfection by Michael A. Singer – recommended by Aparna R. at Tuckahoe
  • An intriguing life lesson of going with the flow! 

• Surviving Autocracy by Masha Gessen (también desponible en español en Hoopla) – recommended by Levi C. at Fairfield

• This Beautiful Ridiculous City: A Graphic Memoir by Kay Sohini – recommended by Lisa K. at Glen Allen
  • Writer and artist Sohini captures her love of New York City in this graphic memoir about leaving Kolkata for the city she knows so well from American pop culture. 

• Uncommon Favor: Basketball, North Philly, My Mother, and the Lessons I Learned From All Three by Dawn Staley – recommended by Kathleen T. at North Park

• The United States of Cryptids: A Tour of American Myths and Monsters by J.W. Ocker – recommended by Katie C. at Fairfield
  • The love of cryptids has grown wildly in the last ten years, and the towns that have been put on the map as a result of famous sightings have fully embraced the tourism they bring. This book not only has a list of locations with a museum or statues dedicated to their town cryptid but also cryptid festival months!

• The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original Meaning by A.J. Jacobs – recommended by Drew C. at Gayton and Beth M. at Library Administration
  • Reading an in-depth examination of the U.S. Constitution is not really my idea of a good time. But while reading about A.J. Jacobs’s quest to spend a year living his life as close to the Constitution’s original meaning as possible, I laughed out loud more times than I did for all of my other books combined this year (and I learned a ton too!). Really fun and really informative! – Drew. C

• • If you’re a fan of Jacobs, you know he goes “all in” exploring his topic. This time, he takes a subject that some may think is on the “dry” side and makes it incredibly engaging, humorous, and timely. – Beth M.

• You Didn't Hear This From Me: (Mostly) True Notes on Gossip by Kelsey McKinney – recommended by Kelsey C. at Libbie Mill

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