Book News

Your weekly digest of book industry trends and reader insights

Week 2025-W49 · Monday, December 1, 2025

This Week's Trending Books & Bestsellers

The top trending books this week include a mix of romance, fantasy, mystery, and literary fiction, with several titles highlighted by librarians and major book retailers. Many of the most popular releases feature strong female leads, immersive historical settings, and highly anticipated sequels or series finales.

The Bodyguard Affair

by Amy Lea

trending for its steamy romance and high ratings among December releases

The Mating Game

by Lana Ferguson

popular for its shifter romance and strong reader engagement

The Rest of Our Lives

by Ben Markovits

drawing attention as a Booker Prize finalist with praise from notable authors

The Book of Azrael

by Sarah A. Parker

viral hit on BookTok, praised for its epic romantasy and villainous heroine

Best Offer Wins

by unknown

featured as a mystery/thriller pick by multiple book clubs and media outlets

Crowntide

by Alex Aster

highly anticipated finale in the bestselling Lightlark Saga

BookTok & Social Trends

What's buzzing on social media this week

Romance, fantasy, and thriller genres continue to dominate BookTok and book social media, with viral trends focusing on genre hybrids, interactive narratives, and visually striking book aesthetics. Holiday-themed releases and cinematic marketing are driving engagement, especially as winter reading picks gain momentum.

#BookTok

Community-driven book recommendations and viral reviews fuel rapid book sales and visibility

#Enemies-to-lovers romance

Tropes like fake dating and holiday-themed plots are trending, especially in winter releases

#Fantasy hybridization

Books blending fantasy with gothic, cyberpunk, or dark academia elements are highly popular

#Thriller crossovers

Titles merging historical drama with modern suspense or morally ambiguous characters are gaining traction

#Cinematic book trailers

Authors and publishers are using high-quality visual teasers to boost engagement and virality

#Sprayed edges and embossed covers

Visually appealing book designs are trending for their shareability on social media

#Interactive narratives

Stories featuring morally complex choices or reader-driven outcomes are resonating with audiences

#Holiday-themed reads

Winter and festive books, especially those with cozy or romantic plots, are being promoted heavily

Industry Analysis

Market insights and key developments

The book industry is experiencing a notable shift toward digital formats and direct-to-reader models, with print sales in the US showing a slight decline. Reader behavior is increasingly influenced by digital accessibility, subscription services, and AI-driven content, while publishers and authors are adapting through new technologies and alternative revenue streams. Industry trends highlight the convergence of traditional and independent publishing, rising costs due to tariffs, and the growing importance of audience engagement and niche genres.

Key Takeaways

US print book sales declined

Digital publishing, especially eBooks and audiobooks, is growing rapidly, driven

Subscription services and direct sales are gaining traction, with authors and publishers offering profit-sharing models and collectible editions to build loyal audiences.

AI is unlocking new opportunities in licensing, IP innovation, and audiobook production, making it easier and more affordable for authors to reach global markets.

Tariffs on imported books from China are raising costs for publishers, especially for illustrated and specialty books, leading to more selective publishing and higher consumer prices.

Genre trends show sustained popularity for YA, LGBTQ+ fiction, horror, and romance hybrids, while poetry and niche subgenres are also gaining ground.

Emerging Genres

New trends in book categories

This week, book genres reflecting social, environmental, and technological themes are gaining popularity, with a notable rise in climate fiction (cli-fi), romantasy, and cozy fantasy. Additionally, genres blending romance with other categories, diverse narratives, and AI-focused literature are emerging strongly, reflecting evolving reader interests and societal concerns.

Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi)

Focuses on environmental crises and climate change, blending scientific realism with speculative futures. Its rise is driven by growing global awareness of ecological issues.

Romantasy

A blend of romance and fantasy featuring steamy relationships in otherworldly settings, gaining traction due to readers’ appetite for escapism combined with emotional depth.

Cozy Fantasy

Low-stakes, comforting fantasy adventures that provide readers with feel-good, stress-relieving stories, increasingly popular in uncertain times.

Romance-Infused Genres

Romance elements are being integrated into thrillers, sci-fi, historical fiction, and mysteries, creating hybrid genres that appeal to fans of both romance and other genres.

Grounded Speculative Fiction

Combines speculative or fantastical elements with realistic settings and relatable characters, offering "what if" scenarios that feel plausible and emotionally resonant.

AI-Focused Literature

Stories exploring artificial intelligence as characters or themes, reflecting contemporary technological advances and ethical questions.

New Weird

A genre blending fantasy, sci-fi, and horror with surreal, unsettling atmospheres that challenge conventional storytelling norms.

Research Sources

originalwritersgroup.co.uk alyssamatesic.com draft2book.com shewrites.com panmacmillan.com hylosis.pub

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Additional research sources available

goodreads.com parade.com flyleafbooks.com