elcome to a brand-new year of reading! 2025 is already shaping up to be one of the biggest years for fiction and I am so excited to share some of my favorites with you. This list includes a blend of bookish things I enjoy, beloved authors, and authors I met at their debuts who now have a second novel.
Since her popular debut, Prep, Curtis Sittenfeld has gone on to write favorites such as Eligible, American Wife, Romantic Comedy, and coming your way on February 25 is her second collection of stories, Show Don’t Tell. In this witty and heartfelt collection, Sittenfeld explores marriage, friendship, fame, and artistic ambition with her signature humor and insight. From a woman revisiting old friends after a divorce to an artist challenging the “Mike Pence Rule,” each story is a deep dive into the complexities of life and relationships.
I have been reading Mirvis’ books since 1999’s The Ladies Auxiliary. On February 11, We Would Never hits the shelves. In this page-turner, family peacemaker Hailey Gelman is shocked when she’s suspected of murdering her soon-to-be ex-husband, Jonah. As tensions rise during a bitter divorce and custody battle over their daughter Maya, Hailey’s family steps in to protect her at any cost. Her mother Sherry will go to extreme lengths, brother Nate can’t stay away, and their father Solomon hides a dangerous secret.
From the treasured author who brought us unforgettable novels such as Still Alice, Inside the O’Briens, Love Anthony, and Left Neglected comes Lisa Genova’s greatly anticipated novel, More or Less Maddy on January 14. In Genova’s latest, a stressed-out NYU freshman is diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a devastating low and a wild manic spiral. Instead of choosing a “normal” life, she embarks on a career in stand-up comedy, grappling with her mental health, identity, and dreams.
Charmaine Wilkerson’s Black Cake was a stunning debut that went on to become an acclaimed Hulu series. Readers can look forward to the January 28 release of Good Dirt. Ebby Freeman’s life is forever altered when she witnesses her brother’s shooting, the crime still unsolved and tied to a cherished family heirloom. Growing up in a wealthy New England neighborhood, the Freeman family’s story has always been under public scrutiny. As she uncovers the secrets of her family’s history, she discovers that the heirloom jar may hold the key to her future.
The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson is a book that has stayed with me largely because of the well-drawn characters. In People of Means, out February 11, Freda and her daughter Tulip navigate pivotal moments in history while chasing justice and equality. In 1959, Freda faces the harsh realities of the Jim Crow South while balancing love and activism. Decades later, in 1992, Tulip, a rising PR star in Chicago, must confront workplace discrimination and a powerful call to action.
It’s hard to believe that Take My Hand was Dolen Perkins-Valdez’ debut; she follows it up with Happy Land, which comes out April 8. Inspired by true events, Happy Land tells the tale of Nikki, who embarks on a journey to uncover her family’s mysterious past when her estranged grandmother calls with a shocking request. What begins as a search for answers turns into a mind-blowing tale of a hidden kingdom in the hills of North Carolina, ruled by Nikki’s great-great-great-grandmother.
January 11: Join Robin Kall and publishing coach Lisa Tener for the Seaside Writing Retreat for Creative Flow, promising lively discussion, a delicious lunch, writing prompts, a Q&A, writerly swag, and more. Narragansett, LisaTener.com
January 15: Join NYT Bestselling author Fiona Davis for an evening of wine and charcuterie at Newport Art Club, followed by conversation and book signing. Ticket includes a copy of The Stolen Queen and a book club Zoom chat with Davis on February 26. Newport, RobinKall.com
January 22: A conversation and book signing with NYT Bestselling author Lisa Genova includes a copy of More or Less Maddie and a sweet treat from Sweenor’s Chocolates. Westerly, RobinKall.com
February 13: National bestselling author Tova Mirvis presents We Would Never. Location is TBD; enroll in the RWR email list for updates. RobinKall.com
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