Are you on the hunt for your next book?

Reading a book from start to finish requires time and effort, so it’s essential to select one that captivates you at every turn.

Understanding your preferences is half the challenge. A novel that resonates with your colleagues may not necessarily appeal to you, and that’s perfectly okay. In our discussions on how to read more in 2025, an expert advised choosing a book that “meets you where you are” based on your current interests. Hence, we have compiled a list of 15 recent releases that cater to every reader.

What’s next on your reading list? Here are 15 new titles from January

You don’t have to delay in picking up these January releases – whether it’s romance, mystery, contemporary fiction, or fantasy, these stories are out now, waiting for your attention.

For a glimpse into the titles we’re most excited about in 2025, be sure to check out YSL News’s list of highly anticipated releases.

‘Witchcraft for Wayward Girls’ by Grady Hendrix

This horror fantasy is an instant YSL News bestseller that tells the tale of “wayward girls”—unmarried mothers sent to the Wellwood House in Florida by their families to secretly give birth and put their babies up for adoption. Fifteen-year-old Fern is one of those girls. Arriving at the facility in 1970, she faces oppressive adults who monitor every aspect of the girls’ lives. However, after meeting a librarian who introduces her to witchcraft, the girls realize they have power for the first time in their lives.

‘Homeseeking’ by Karissa Chen

In her powerful debut, Chen explores a sweeping family saga that chronicles the bond between Suchi and Haiwen; childhood friends who navigate love, loss, and reconnection across 60 years and continents. Their story begins in their Shanghai neighborhood as children, growing up in love until Haiwen enlists in the Nationalist army to protect his brother from conscription. It’s a poignant narrative of connections and sacrifices against the backdrop of the Chinese diaspora amidst war and displacement.

‘More or Less Maddy’ by Lisa Genova

In this latest work from the author of “Still Alice,” we meet Maddy, a college freshman recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is venturing into the world of stand-up comedy. As she juggles her studies, breakups, and feelings of being the odd one out in her seemingly perfect family, Maddy strives to create a new path for herself in light of her diagnosis and its ramifications on her identity and relationships.

‘Good Girl’ by Aria Aber

Aber’s debut contemporary coming-of-age novel follows Nila, the daughter of Afghan refugees, during a transformative year in Berlin. An artist and a young woman struggling with feeling like a disappointment to her family, she finds her place among the underground rave scene in Berlin. Here, she meets Marlowe, a captivating older American writer. However, as he draws her deeper into his influence, tension related to her race emerges within her family and community.

‘Good Dirt’ by Charmaine Wilkerson

From the bestselling author of “Black Cake,” this story delves into the life of an affluent Black New England family that becomes embroiled in public drama following a home invasion that results in the murder of their son, Baz. Years later, when daughter Ebby is left at the altar by another prominent New Englander, her past continues to haunt her as she escapes to France. “Good Dirt” is an enthralling family saga that traces the lives and tribulations of the Freeman family across generations.

‘Onyx Storm’ by Rebecca Yarros

Continuing the beloved romantasy series, “Onyx Storm” resumes the action right where “Iron Flame” concluded. Eighteen months into Violet Sorrengail’s journey at Basgiath War College, she is now drawn into a conflict that requires her to venture beyond familiar territories and seek allies for Navarre. This installment promises to resolve some lingering mysteries from the second book, but prepare for an intense conclusion that will leave readers yearning for more.

‘The Crash’ by Freida McFadden

This psychological thriller follows a pregnant woman in a desperate escape from an oppressive home just as a blizzard hits. Stranded with a dead car and a fractured ankle, she is taken in by a couple, only to find herself in an even more perilous situation than the one she fled.

‘The Three Lives of Cate Kay’ by Kate Fagan

This contemporary fiction piece, likened to “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” and “First Lie Wins,” has also earned a spot in Reese’s Book Club. Cate Kay is heralded as one of her generation’s most accomplished authors, yet her true identity remains a mystery—she avoids public appearances and interviews. A look back into her past reveals a challenging home life and a tragic event that befell her and her best friend just before they planned to flee to California.

‘Water Moon’ by Samantha Sotto Yambao

In “Water Moon,” a young woman inherits a magical pawnshop in Tokyo that seems to most as a quaint ramen restaurant. However, for the lost souls who wander in, it becomes a sanctuary to relinquish their past decisions and regrets. The story unfolds as Hana Ishikawa takes over the shop, only to discover her father and its most treasured item are missing.

‘We Could Be Rats’ by Emily Austin

This concise yet impactful contemporary story portrays two sisters rekindling their relationship. Sigrid, a high school dropout, is grappling with the grief of losing a childhood friend and fighting the pressures of adulthood. Meanwhile, Margit, the elder daughter, struggles under the burden of their family’s precarious situation. While tackling serious topics like suicide, addiction, and assault, “We Could Be Rats” is also infused with humor and offers a genuine depiction of sisterly bonds amidst life’s challenges.

‘The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus’ by Emma Knight

A selection from Jenna’s reading list, “The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus” pays tribute to womanhood, motherhood, and the power of female friendships. As Pen journeys to Scotland for her studies at the University of Edinburgh, she also seeks to uncover a family secret her divorced parents have long concealed. The key to this mystery may lie within the ancestral estate of Lord Lennox, her father’s old friend and a captivating British family that draws her into a web of love, discovery, and self-reliance for the very first time.

‘An Honored Vow’ by Melissa Blair

The concluding chapter of the Halfling Saga that has captivated BookTok readers arrives with “An Honored Vow.” In this finale, Keera fights for a brighter future and the liberation of Halflings as she contends against King Damien. While circumstances seem favorable now that she has released her latent Fae magic, she is also confronted by personal demons, including a shocking revelation about her lover and the abduction of a close ally.

‘The Favorites’ by Layne Fargo

This romance narrative follows two gifted figure skaters as they transition from childhood sweethearts to elite ice dancers. Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha might be a couple to admire both on the ice and beyond, but everything unravels at the Olympics. A decade later, a documentary brings their dramatic final performance back into public discussion, compelling Kat to share her perspective on what happened.

‘All the Missing Pieces’ by Catherine Cowles

In “All the Missing Pieces,” the latest romantic suspense from bestselling author Cowles, Ridley Sawyer is grappling with the tragic disappearance of her twin sister. Using her loss, she dives into cold case investigations through her true crime podcast. Her latest assignment brings her face-to-face with Sheriff Colter Brooks, who is adamant about keeping podcasters out of his cases. Yet, an undeniable chemistry simmers between them as they delve into the unresolved mysteries together.

‘The Stolen Queen’ by Fiona Davis

In this historical romance, the narrative alternates between lavish soirées in 1970s New York City and an archaeological dig in Egypt during 1936. A student delving into the legacy of an overlooked female pharaoh becomes consumed by her research, while a teenager in 1978 assists in planning the Met Gala. On the gala night, the disappearance of an important artifact entwines the two narratives’ timelines in a captivating way.

Clare Mulroy serves as News’s Books Reporter, where she highlights exciting new releases, interviews authors, and explores the culture of reading.