7 must-read books you might have missed from 2025
MANILA, Philippines — So many good books and inspiring stories to read, yet so little time to actually sit down and read them. But with every opportunity that you get, you still want to catch the best of them.
Why not head for the bookstore and browse through what is available so you can get a few pages in every time you find the chance to? Books are a treasure trove of life’s lessons to learn from, so do not miss the wisdom that they bring.
Fully Booked highlights standout reads released in late 2025 that may have slipped under your radar:
"The Summer War" by Naomi Novik
Genre: Fantasy/Fairytale
Publication date: September 16, 2025
When you’re in the mood for a classic fairytale filled with curses, kidnapped ladies, and swordfights, this is the book that will feed your vivid imagination.
"The Summer War" follows Celia, a young witch and the youngest child of a grand duke, who accidentally curses her brother never to find love. As she grows from a girl to a woman, Celia tries to undo the curse, only to learn a terrifying truth about her own people and their centuries-old war against immortal beings called the summerlings.
Clocking in at only 144 pages, "The Summer War" is a poignant and lyrical tale that packs a powerful punch, brought to you by the bestselling author of the "Scholomance" and "Temeraire" series.
"Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World" by Mark Waddell
Genre: Literary Fiction/Corporate Satire
Publication date: October 7, 2025
"Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World" is a fun and delightfully witty corporate satire — and the author’s debut novel — about a low-level employee working in literal corporate hell.
Dark Enterprises is a shady organization where monsters freely lurk, with boardrooms overlooking Hell’s sulfuric terrains and other portals. When Colin, who was about to be terminated (and here, “terminated” means his last day on earth), strikes a deal with a shadowy figure — a promotion in exchange for a small favor — he has no idea the bargain will cause all hell to break loose.
"Tom’s Crossing" by Mark Z Danielweski
Genre: Literary Fiction/Western
Publication date: October 28, 2025
Twenty-five years after the success of "House of Leaves," author Mark Z. Danielewski returns with a sprawling western set in the 1980s.
The story follows talented horse rider Kalin, who befriends a terminally ill boy named Tom. On his deathbed, Tom asks Kalin to promise to save two horses from being slaughtered by their wealthy, ruthless owner, Orwin “Old” Porch, who runs a meat processing plant. What follows is a tense cat-and-mouse chase as Kalin journeys to take the horses to safety in the wilderness, with Old Porch hot on his heels.
Stephen King has raved about this book, saying, “This is an amazing work of fiction. Have never read anything like it.”
"The Seven Rules of Trust" by Jimmy Wales
Genre: Business/Leadership
Publication date: October 28, 2025
Created in 2001, Wikipedia revolutionized information access by enabling open-collaboration projects. Now its creator, Jimmy Wales, together with Dan Gardner, tells all in this insightful and practical guide to building trust in organizations, communities, and the digital age. It is a sweeping reflection on the global crisis of credibility and knowledge, and a timely read in a world where trust is increasingly scarce.
"The Secret Astronomers" by Jessica Walker
Genre: YA Fiction
Publication date: November 4, 2025
"The Secret Astronomers" is about two lonely, alienated kids who find the oldest textbook in the library and start a correspondence through notes and drawings.
As their friendship blossoms, they discover a decades-old mystery in their small Western Virginia town. Filled with notes, Post-Its, doodles, and collages, "The Secret Astronomers" is a compelling, stirring, coming-of-age tale about people finding connection across any divide.
"The Age of Extraction" by Tim Wu
Genre: Business/Economics
Publication date: November 4, 2025
Tech platforms run our lives — and our wallets.
In "The Age of Extraction," author Tim Wu shows how a few dominant tech platforms, driven by AI, siphon money, data, and attention from all of us — and what we can do to reclaim control. Sharp, clear, and full of real-world solutions, this is an essential guide to understanding the rules of the digital economy and imagining a fairer, more balanced future.
"You Won’t See Me: When The Beatles Ghosted Imelda" by David Guerrero
Genre: Music/History
Publication date: December 12, 2025
Perhaps one of the most infamous stories about our beloved nation is that time when The Beatles hastily fled the Philippines, fearful for their lives. This notorious episode led the band to end their touring days and vow never to return, following a successful concert and their refusal to meet then First Lady Imelda Marcos and the Presidential family.
What really happened?
This book brings to life an event that has long intrigued and captivated music fans; it explores one of the band's most controversial moments. Published by Penguin SEA, "You Won’t See Me" was authored by advertising veteran and Beatles fan himself, David Guerrero.
RELATED: 'Son of a Dead ‘80s Bold Star,' 15 other books to read this 2026
