The Book Review: The books our readers are most excited about
Plus: “Mrs. Dalloway” turns 100.
Books
June 27, 2025
The illustration shows a small black-and-white bug sitting against a large red apple with a big bite taken out of it and reading a book.
Hatty Staniforth

Dear readers,

If you peeked at the New York Times homepage at all this week, you probably saw a mammoth cultural project: the best movies of the 21st century. It was curiously satisfying to tick off all that I’d seen or that I want to see, and it was also impossible not to feel a teensy bit of wistful nostalgia for our 21st century books project from last summer.

On a somewhat related note, I also thoroughly enjoyed perusing the list of books that Times readers are most excited about right now. We’ve compiled the titles, both fiction and non, that people have saved to their personal reading lists the most. (As a reminder, you can keep track of your reading list on this page.)

Please feel free to tell us what you’re reading now, or what you have slated to read later this season. You can reach me and my colleagues by emailing books@nytimes.com. See you next week.

P.S.: We’ve announced our pick for next month’s Book Club — it is “The Catch,” by Yrsa Daley-Ward! Here’s all the information you need.

Like this email?
Sign-up here or forward it to your friends. Have a suggestion or two on how we can improve it? Let us know at books@nytimes.com. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT READ?

The cover of “Ira Gershwin: A Life in Words” has the title and author’s name in white type, sitting under a black-and-white photo of Gershwin, wearing a suit, with an open book on the desk in front of him. His glasses are pushed up onto his brow and he touches his left temple with a finger of that hand.

editors’ choice

5 New Books We Recommend This Week

Suggested reading from critics and editors at The New York Times.

Let Us Help You Find Your Next Thriller

Whether you're looking for a classic or the latest and greatest, start here.

By The New York Times Books Staff

The illustration shows a small black-and-white bug sitting against a large red apple with a big bite taken out of it and reading a book.

The Books Times Readers Are Most Excited About This Summer

Thrillers, literary fiction, history, speculative true crime, memoirs and more: Here are the books you’ve saved most to your reading lists.

The illustration features portions of 10 book covers and one black-and-white author photo on a bright teal background.

Want to Escape Reality? Try One of These Books.

The science fiction and fantasy author Martha Wells recommends her favorite novels that will transport you to other worlds.

By Martha Wells

We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times.

THIS WEEK IN THE BOOK REVIEW

THE BOOK REVIEW PODCAST

Four books, one yellow, one orange, one brown and one blue, standing, each separate from the others, on a light yellow surface against a darker yellow wall. "The Book Review" is written in white on the top left, and a "T" logo for the The New York Times is on the bottom.

The Book Review

Book Club: Let’s Talk About ‘Mrs. Dalloway’

Virginia Woolf’s classic novel, celebrating its 100th anniversary, is the topic of this month’s discussion.

play button

44 MIN LISTEN

ETC.

This is an illustration of V.E. Schwab.

Rebecca Clarke

By the Book

V.E. Schwab’s Desert Island Book Is ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’

“No matter how many times I revisit it, I find new lines to appreciate,” says the fantasy writer, whose new book is “Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil.”

Article Image

Ben Hickey

Fill In the Blank: Which World Cities Are in These Book Titles?

Try this short literary geography quiz that takes you around the globe.

By J. D. Biersdorfer

BEST SELLERS

If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this email because you signed up for Books from The New York Times.

To stop receiving Books, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

xwhatsapp

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018