Podcast Summary: All Of It – The NYPL’s Best Books of 2025

Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Brian Bannon, Director of Branch Libraries and Education at NYPL
Date: November 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Alison Stewart and guest Brian Bannon discuss the New York Public Library’s (NYPL) highly anticipated list of the Best Books of 2025. The conversation covers how the list was curated, standout picks across genres and ages, and initiatives to increase book access for New Yorkers, including free ebook downloads and giveaways. The episode highlights community recommendations, brings in engaging calls from listeners, and emphasizes the joy and importance of reading.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

How the NYPL Picks Its Best Books (02:07)

• Scale & Curation: Over 80 librarians from different departments reviewed 2025 releases to select 225 titles across genres and age groups.
  • “We have over 80 librarians, from children’s librarians to young adult librarians … These are folks who are also talking to New Yorkers in their branches, in their communities.” (Brian Bannon, 02:14)
• Community Input & Data: While borrowing data helps, the process is curatorially driven, ensuring hidden gems and diverse genres are represented.
  • “It’s a combo of a little bit of what our patrons are saying. But also, ...the people who are reviewing this are ... really experts in these areas.” (Brian Bannon, 04:47)
• Diversity of Genres: List includes “horror, thriller, biography, cookbook”—not just literary fiction.

Making Books More Accessible (06:18)

• No-Wait Ebooks: This year, 25 featured titles are available for immediate download—no holds, no waits—through the end of the year.
  • “There’s going to be titles that you can check out right now with zero wait through the end of the calendar year.” (Brian Bannon, 06:48)
• Book Giveaways: NYPL hosted in-person book giveaways across New York, providing free holiday gifts.

Book Recommendations & Deep Dives

King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby (07:56)

• Why It Made the List: High-caliber suspense, complex characters, and rich Southern setting made this thriller a standout—even for those hesitant about crime fiction.
  • “For me, as someone who was dipping my toe in, it was a great read.” (Brian Bannon, 08:32)
• Author on Setting:
  • “The idea of Jefferson Run was to show this place that has the potential to be great or was once great. ...The corruption of the land represents the corruption of the soul.” (S.A. Cosby, 09:39)
• Themes: Family, returning home, economic decline, and the layers of Southern identity.

Caller Picks & Community Favorites

• The Scrapbook by Heather Clark (Historical Fiction/Romance): Praised for its Sylvia Plath-inspired storytelling. (Julie, 11:34)
• Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson: “Very unusual and deeply humane ... about family members discovering they share the same father, and their journey across America.” (Carrie, 12:49)
• The Buffalo Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones (Horror): Indigenous storytelling, spanning 1910s Montana to the present, praised for its immersive narrative and “creepy, beautiful” writing. (Brian Bannon, 14:21)
• Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson (History): Lauded for deep research and focus on the American Revolution’s personal impacts—not just battlefield action. (Robert, 15:49)
• The Boy from the North Country by Samantha Sussman: Touching mother-son relationship, appreciating life’s choices. (Listener text, 16:48)
• Parrot and the Igloo by David Litsky (Nonfiction): On climate change; blends hard truths with engaging humor. (Gina, 23:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |:----------|:----------------|:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:14 | Brian Bannon | “We have over 80 librarians ... talking to New Yorkers in their branches ... this list for us makes up what we see as the best sort of materials for young readers, little kids.” | | 06:48 | Brian Bannon | “There’s going to be titles that you can check out right now with zero wait through the end of the calendar year.” | | 09:39 | S.A. Cosby | “The curse of Southern gothic fiction is that the corruption of the land represents the corruption of the soul. ... I wanted to kind of talk about that in a way that would bring people into the conversation.” | | 14:29 | Brian Bannon | "...it feels like a sort of strange, immersive storytelling ... creepy, it’s scary, and it’s also beautiful.” | | 18:06 | Brian Bannon | “She really takes you on her own journey as someone who's fallen in love with birding ... what makes it particularly special for New Yorkers is much of the book takes place in New York City.” | | 19:16 | Lily Taylor | “You can just stand and a bird’s anywhere. ...In fact, it gives me moments of peace.” |

Highlights by Segment with Timestamps

• [02:07]: Curation process and librarian input
• [06:18]: Free, no-wait ebook initiative
• [07:56]: Discussion of King of Ashes and clip from S.A. Cosby
• [11:29] onward: Listener calls with personal top book picks
• [14:21]: The Buffalo Hunter overview
• [18:06]: Turning to Birds by Lily Taylor—birding, NYC, mindfulness
• [21:16]: YA pick: Hello Sunshine (graphic novel) on joy of reading for teens
• [22:24]: Loudmouth: Emma Goldman vs America—contemporary relevance of youth activism
• [24:44]: Interpreter—children as family interpreters, representation in children’s literature
• [25:53]: Spanish-language inclusion, Ocha Nillo, Una Historia de Amor y Trenzas, and the importance of diverse representation.
• [26:56]: Fun moment: Bruce Springsteen performs at the NYPL gala.

Teen, Children’s, and Spanish-Language Recommendations

Teen Picks

• Hello Sunshine by Kezi Young – Graphic novel: “Reading for joy and pleasure is ... most important” for persistent reading habits. (Brian Bannon, 21:16)
• Loudmouth: Emma Goldman vs America, A Love Story – A biography that connects youth activism past and present.

Children’s Picks

• Interpreter by Olivia Abtahi: Captures the experience of bilingual children interpreting for their families.

Spanish-Language

• Ocha Nillo, Una Historia de Amor y Trenzas: Bilingual story featuring visible disability without making the story about disability—celebrating representation.

Final Thoughts

Brian Bannon and Alison Stewart offer an enthusiastic, community-minded look at reading in 2025, from thrillers to graphic novels and from Indigenous horror to nuanced children’s books. Special programs (like the no-wait ebook collection) and a commitment to representation make this NYPL list a true celebration of literary life in New York City.

Find the full NYPL Best Books of 2025 list on the NYPL website.

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