2025’s Must-Read Fiction: Fantasy, Thrillers, and True Crime You Can’t Miss
As we step into 2025, it’s time to refresh your bookshelf with captivating stories that offer thrilling adventures, suspenseful twists, and jaw-dropping real-life mysteries. From fantastical realms to courtroom dramas and chilling true crime cases, these books promise to keep you hooked from start to finish.
At I Was Today Years Old, we’ve curated a list of must-reads for every book lover looking to escape into the pages of an unforgettable story.
Fantasy Favorites
1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Why It’s a Must-Read: A fresh and thrilling take on fantasy with dragons, romance, and high-stakes battles.
Plot Overview: Violet Sorrengail enters a brutal dragon-riding school where survival is anything but guaranteed.
Perfect For: Fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses and The Hunger Games.
2. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Why It’s a Must-Read: A cozy, low-stakes fantasy that warms your heart and offers a fresh take on the genre.
Plot Overview: A retired orc adventurer opens a coffee shop, proving that life’s simplest pleasures can be magical.
Perfect For: Readers seeking feel-good fantasy with rich world-building.
Thrillers That Keep You Guessing
3. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Why It’s a Must-Read: A haunting and mind-bending thriller that keeps you guessing until the final page.
Plot Overview: A missing child case intertwines with the lives of a reclusive man, his cat, and their secrets.
Perfect For: Fans of psychological suspense and gothic twists.
4. The Chain by Adrian McKinty
Why It’s a Must-Read: A high-octane thriller where a parent’s worst nightmare becomes a relentless game of survival.
Plot Overview: A mother must kidnap another child to save her own, caught in a terrifying criminal network.
Perfect For: Readers who love edge-of-your-seat suspense.
True Crime That Rivals Fiction
5. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
Why It’s a Must-Read: A gripping, in-depth investigation of the Golden State Killer that is as chilling as it is fascinating.
Plot Overview: Journalist Michelle McNamara delves into one of the most infamous unsolved crime sprees in California.
Perfect For: True crime fans who appreciate meticulous research and compelling storytelling.
6. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Why It’s a Must-Read: A timeless classic that pioneered the true crime genre with its literary narrative.
Plot Overview: The true story of the Clutter family murder and the two men responsible.
Perfect For: Readers who want a deep dive into the psychology of crime.
Why These Genres Are Perfect for 2025
Fantasy: Explore new worlds filled with wonder and excitement.
Thrillers: Keep your mind racing with unexpected twists and turns.
True Crime: Dive into real-life mysteries that challenge your perceptions.
Recommended Reading Accessories
Blue Light Blocking Glasses: Protect your eyes during long reading sessions.
Recommended Product: TIJN Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Book Light: Read anywhere, anytime.
Recommended Product: Vekkia LED Book Light
E-Reader: Keep all your favorite reads in one place.
Recommended Product: Kindle Paperwhite
Final Thoughts
2025 is the perfect year to immerse yourself in stories that inspire, thrill, and captivate. Whether you’re escaping into fantastical realms, solving a suspenseful mystery, or uncovering real-life crimes, these books will keep you turning the pages.
At I Was Today Years Old, we believe in the power of storytelling to transform and uplift. Which book will you dive into first? Let us know in the comments below! 📚✨
Here’s to a year of unforgettable reads and thrilling adventures!