At some point, we’ve all said it: I should really start reading again. But between work, doomscrolling, and that ever-growing Netflix watchlist, picking up a book often gets pushed aside. If you’re looking for a sign to dive back into the world of fiction, this is it.
From family dramas to heart-wrenching literary fiction and imaginative fantasy worlds, these fiction books will remind you why you fell in love with reading in the first place. Whether you’re easing back in with a binge-worthy page-turner or looking for something more thought-provoking, there’s something here to reignite your bookish obsession this year.
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Jojo Moyes is back to toy with our emotions – because apparently, she thrives on making us laugh and cry in the same breath. If Me Before You had you sobbing into your kopi, We All Live Here will hit just as hard.
This novel takes a funny yet gut-punching look at post-divorce life, navigating the messy, chaotic, and sometimes beautiful reality of blended families. It’s about figuring out where you belong when everything feels like it’s been flipped upside down. Luckily, we’ve got Moyes’ signature warmth and wit to keep things from getting too tragic.
Purchase We All Live Here on Amazon
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For mythology retellings with a rebellious streak, Sister Snake is one to add to your list. Written by Singaporean author Amanda Lee Koe – who gave us the boundary-pushing Ministry of Moral Panic – this novel takes The Legend of the White Snake and gives it a fresh and queer reinvention.
The story follows 2 shape-shifting snake spirits, now living human lives in vastly different worlds. Su is the picture-perfect wife of a conservative politician in Singapore, carefully maintaining her polished existence. Emerald, meanwhile, is a sugar baby in New York, who recklessly follows her urges. But beneath their human facades, they share an ancient bond – and a secret that could shatter their carefully constructed lives.
Torn between the past and present, Sister Snake is an electrifying novel about identity, rebellion, and what it means to be truly free.
Purchase Sister Snake on Amazon
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If you’ve been anywhere near BookTok lately, you already know that Onyx Storm is the fantasy release of the year. The 3rd instalment in The Empyrean series – following Fourth Wing and Iron Flame – this book continues Rebecca Yarros’ reign over the fantasy fiction scene. And yes, there are even more dragons.
Recently released on 21st January 2025, Onyx Storm picks up with Violet as she fights for survival at Basgiath War College, where training to be a dragon rider is a life-or-death game. This time, the stakes are even higher, with new threats, unexpected alliances, and lore that deepens the world-building in ways fans have been craving. Expect high-intensity battles, betrayals, and characters who’ll wreck your emotions.
This book is fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with heart – perfect for both fantasy die-hards and casual readers looking for an addictive escape. With the Fourth Wing series already dominating the bestseller lists and social media, Onyx Storm is cementing its place as the fantasy event of the year. If you haven’t started this series yet, now’s the time.
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From the bestselling author behind Shadow and Bone – yes, the one that became a Netflix series – comes a historical fantasy set in 16th-century Spain. The Familiar is packed with intrigue, alchemy, and a touch of the supernatural.
Meet Luzia Cotado, a lowly scullion who uses scraps of magic to get through her days – until her talent is discovered and exploited by her ambitious mistress. What starts as parlour tricks for the nobility soon lands Luzia in the crosshairs of Antonio Pérez, a disgraced noble desperate to regain the king’s favour.
But Spain in the Golden Age is no place for a Jewish girl with magic, and as whispers of the Inquisition grow louder, Luzia must outwit spies, alchemists, and her past to survive.
Purchase The Familiar on Amazon
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Here’s another Chinese folklore-inspired fantasy. Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan deserves a spot on your 2025 TBR if you love epic worldbuilding, celestial politics, and a sprinkle of romance. Freshly released in January, this standalone fantasy romance delivers high-stakes diplomacy, mysterious creatures, and an enemies-to-allies dynamic with the brooding God of War.
At the heart of it is Liyen, a young ruler trying to renegotiate her kingdom’s alliance with the powerful Immortal Realm. But when creatures from the shadows attack, she realises politics won’t be enough – she’ll have to forge an uneasy partnership with the God of War himself. With war looming and betrayal on the horizon, Liyen must decide whom to trust and what she’s willing to sacrifice.
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R.F. Kuang is back, and this time, she’s taking us straight to Hell – literally. Katabasis is a dark academia fantasy set in Cambridge. Expect high-stakes academia, morally grey characters, and a descent into the underworld – both metaphorical and very, very real.
At the heart of it are Alice Law and Peter Murdoch, 2 grad students locked in a bitter academic rivalry. When their professor dies in a magical accident, as one does in fantasy academia, they only see one solution: journey to Hell to retrieve his soul. Not for some grand act of heroism, but because his recommendation could make or break their futures. Along the way, they’ll have to reckon with their past, their ambitions, and their tangled relationship, all while surviving the horrors of the underworld.
Set to be released in August 2025, Katabasis promises to be another Kuang classic – sharp, intense, and utterly unputdownable.
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Ocean Vuong’s first novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, left readers wrecked in the best way, and now, he’s back with The Emperor of Gladness. The highly anticipated novel is set to drop on 13th May 2025 – and if you’re bracing for another deeply emotional read, you’d be right.
This time, Vuong brings us to East Gladness in Connecticut, a post-industrial town where we meet Hai, a 19-year-old on the verge of ending his life. But just as he’s about to jump from a bridge, he’s interrupted by Grazina, an elderly widow with dementia, who convinces him to step back. What follows is an unexpected yet deeply moving friendship as Hai becomes her caretaker, shifting his perspective on life, love, and loss.
Through Vuong’s signature poetic prose, the novel explores labour, loneliness, and the connections that shape us, proving once again that he’s a master of turning heartbreak into something beautiful.
Preorder The Emperor of Gladness
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Deplorable Conversations with Cats and Other Distractions comes from Yeoh Jo-Ann, the Malaysian author behind Impractical Uses of Cake – aka, the novel that won the Epigram Books Fiction Prize in 2018 and even got translated into German. So yes, she knows how to tell a good story.
This time, she introduces us to Lucky Lee, a man who’s had everything handed to him – money, charm, good looks, and zero responsibilities. But when his high-flying celebrity chef sister dies suddenly, his cushy world crumbles. Just as he’s deep in grief and existential dread, something even weirder happens: her cat starts talking to him. And not just small talk – this cat has opinions, calling out Lucky’s life choices, hijacking the TV remote, and questioning his very sanity.
This novel is hilarious, sharp, and surprisingly moving. Together with Lucky, you’ll explore grief, self-discovery, and the unexpected ways we process loss – even if it means arguing with a feline philosopher.
Purchase Deplorable Conversations with Cats and Other Distractions on Amazon
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If you’re drawn to deeply introspective, character-driven fiction, Martyr by Kaveh Akbar is one to add to your reading list. Known for his lyrical poetry, the Iranian-American writer makes his fiction debut with this novel – a blend of humour and heartbreak that unpacks grief, addiction, and the weight of family history.
At its center is Cyrus Shams, a troubled poet haunted by the ghosts of his past – his mother’s tragic death, his father’s struggles, and the lingering shadows of his Iranian heritage. As he tries to make sense of his place in the world, he spirals into a journey of self-destruction, art, and unexpected revelations.
Much like Akbar’s poetry, Martyr is beautifully written, raw, and deeply affecting, offering an unflinching look at identity and the messy search for meaning. It’s a book that will stick with you long after the final page.
The author and her book.
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A speculative fiction thriller set in 1970s Singapore, The Dark We Know is a gripping tale of girl gangs, childhood trauma, and a lurking darkness that refuses to stay buried. This debut novel by Singaporean writer Lee Wen-yi has already made waves, landing a book deal with a top US publisher and Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn.
The story follows Isadora Chang, who fled her small town of Slater years ago – leaving behind its suffocating repression and the deaths of 2 childhood friends. But when she returns to claim her inheritance after her father’s passing, she’s forced to confront the past she tried so hard to escape. Her childhood friend Mason also delivers a chilling truth: their friends were murdered by an evil force that still haunts the town.
Purchase The Dark We Know on Epigram Books
We know, we know, it’s hard to find the motivation to read these days. But if you’re looking for an alternative to doomscrolling or endless Netflix binges, these 10 fiction books of 2025 are the best places to start. Whether you’re a Sing Lit lover or a fan of dark fantasy, one of these might just be your favourite book of all time.
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Cover image adapted from: @jessjustreading, @wenyilee_, @vikingbooksuk via Instagram
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