While Hollywood celebrates the best in film, TV, and music at the 2025 Oscars, the book and publishing world honors the best in books with the Libby Book Awards aka The Libbys.
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, OverDrive and Libby announced the finalists of the 2025 Libby Awards,to honor the best books that were published in 2024 as chosen by an expert panel of librarians and library staff members across North America.
A panel of librarians have meticulously chosen five finalists in each of the 20 categories, spanning genres, formats, and age groups. Across North America, librarians and library workers will then cast their votes to determine the year’s best books that will be revealed on March 5.
Here are nominees in select categories, available to borrow with your Livingston Library card. You are sure to find your next great read from these picks.
Finalists in Adult Fiction
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
James by Percival Everett
Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Playground by Richard Powers
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Finalists in Adult Nonfiction
By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham
The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson
Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering by Malcolm Gladwell
There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib
Finalists for Debut Author of the Year
Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
Martyr! By Kaveh Akbar
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Swift River by Essie Chambers
Finalists for Best Business Book
The Art of Small Business Social Media : A Blueprint for Marketing Success by Peg Fitzpatrick
Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why that’s a Good Thing) by Salman Khan
Cultures of Growth : How the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Individuals, Teams, and Organizations by Mary C. Murphy
When We Are Seen : How to Come Into Your Power–and Empower Others Along the Way by Denise Young
Finalists for Best Book Club Book
Colored Television by Danzy Senna
Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
The Mighty Red by Louise Erdich
Real Americans by Rachel Khong
Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner
Finalists for Best Cookbook
Amrikan : 125 Recipes from the Indian American Diaspora by Khushbu Shah
Anything’s Pastable : 81 Inventive Pasta Recipes for Saucy People by Dan Pashman
The Bean Book : 100 Recipes for Cooking With All Kinds of Beans, from the Rancho Gordo Kitchen by Steve Sando
Finalists for Best Historical Fiction
Clear by Carys Davies
The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry
James by Percival Everett
The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud
Finalists for Best Memoir & Autobiography
Another Word for Love : A Memoir by Carvell Wallace
Grief Is for People by Sloane Crosely
Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie
We Loved it All: A Memory of Life by Lydia Millet
Whiskey Tender : A Memoir by Deborah Jackson Taffa
Finalists for Best Mystery
Bright Objects by Ruby Todd
Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford
The Hunter by Tana French
Smoke Kings by Jahmal Mayfield
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
Finalists for Best Science Fiction
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino
Hum by Helen Phillips
The Mercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei
—Archana, ASA Librarian