Best of 2025
Bringing together the best of 2025. Explore our staff picks of the best and most popular books of the year.
Best of 2025 - so far!
Library staff picks for the best of the year
Sarah's best of 2025 so far
A heady blend of speculative sci-fi, mystery, thriller and contemporary fiction.
Favourite books of 2025 so far: Eamonn's picks
From Stag Dance to The Heart in Winter - Eamonn selects some of the year's best.
Best audiobooks of 2025 - so far!: Donna's picks
"I always have an audiobook on the go - walking and riding on the bus or pottering around at home. These are the ones I've enjoyed most."
Best watches of 2025 - so far!: Moata's picks
Favourite movies (and the occasional TV series) from the first six months of the 2025, listed alphabetically.
Best NZ book covers of 2025 - so far!: Donna's picks
"A selection of Aotearoa covers that have caught my eye. piqued my curiosity, and made me want to read the book."
Best book covers of 2025 - so far!: Donna's picks
"A selection of covers that have caught my eye. piqued my curiosity, & made me want to read the book. Typography, colour, clever effects."
Best of 2025 - so far!: Simone's picks
Simone picks favourite books from January to June 2025.
Best of 2025 - so far!: Hamish's picks
"Some highlights from the first half of the year."
The Best of 2025 - so far! 🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇: Mike's picks
"Horrifyingly good reads!"
Most Wanted 2025 - so far!
Who's asked for what? Find our most requested titles of 2025.
Best of 2025 - so far!: Troy's picks
"These are some of the books I have really enjoyed in 2025 so far,"
Best of 2025 - so far!: Jessie's picks
"My favourite books I have read so far this year."
Best of 2025 - so far!: Donna's picks
"These do "impress me much" - my top reads of 2025 so far, as picked in June."
Best of 2025 - so far!: Ray's picks
"Books I've loved and books that have hit me hard so far this year."
More Best of 2025 so far picks
- The best books of 2025 so far Book Riot
- These Are The Books on the Most “Best Books of 2025 So Far” Lists Book Riot
- The 12 best books of 2025 so far BBC
- The best books (so far) of 2025 - and those to look forward to New Zealand Listener
Best Reads from 2000 to today
Explore the best and most popular books. We have been recording the top books each year since 2000.