Book News
Your weekly digest of book industry trends and reader insights
Week 2025-W36 · Monday, September 1, 2025
This Week's Trending Books & Bestsellers
This week’s trending books and bestsellers reflect a strong interest in historical fiction, dark academia fantasy, and gripping mysteries, with several titles by repeat bestselling authors gaining attention. Themes of personal struggle, family secrets, and supernatural elements are prominent, appealing to readers looking for both emotional depth and thrilling narratives.
Katabasis
by R. F. Kuang
trending for its dark academia fantasy blending Dante’s Inferno with a modern academic setting, from a #1 New York Times bestselling author.
Buckeye
by Patrick Ryan
gaining popularity as a historical novel set around WWII, exploring family secrets and the impact of war on small-town America.
The Hallmarked Man
by Robert Galbraith
the latest in the popular Cormoran Strike detective series, noted for its complex mystery and character development.
American Rapture
by CJ Leede
a fresh take on apocalyptic horror praised for its emotional intensity and bleak atmosphere.
Wild Reverence
by Rebecca Ross
a sweeping adult fantasy novel with tension and romance, from a #1 New York Times bestselling author.
The Author's Guide to Murder
by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, Karen White
a collaborative mystery novel attracting fans of historical and cozy mysteries.
BookTok & Social Trends
What's buzzing on social media this week
BookTok in 2025 continues to be a powerful force in the book industry, driving sales and reviving backlist titles with a strong emphasis on emotional, cinematic content. Romance, fantasy, and thrillers remain dominant genres, while dark academia, horror, and speculative thrillers are gaining momentum. Indie authors and adult fiction are increasingly thriving on the platform, supported by high-quality book trailers and visual marketing.
##FourthWing and backlist revivals
Older titles are resurging in popularity due to viral BookTok videos, turning forgotten books into bestsellers.
#Cinematic book trailers
Authors and publishers are investing in high-quality visual teasers to capture attention and boost engagement.
#Genre diversification
While romance and fantasy dominate, dark academia, horror, and speculative thrillers are trending upward.
#Indie author spotlight
Self-published and indie authors are outselling traditional publishers, expanding BookTok’s reach beyond YA.
##BookHauls
Sharing large book purchases or gifts remains a popular trend, fueling community excitement and discovery.
#September 2025 book releases
September is noted as a peak month for new book drops, generating buzz and anticipation on BookTok.
#Trope-based marketing discussions
There is ongoing conversation about how social media-driven trope trends might affect book quality and publishing.
#Adult fiction and memoirs
These genres are gaining traction on BookTok, reflecting a broadening audience beyond young adult readers.
Industry Analysis
Market insights and key developments
ANALYSIS:
The book industry in 2025 is experiencing significant shifts driven by evolving reader preferences, technological advances, and changing publishing models. Genre fiction, especially romantasy, continues to dominate reader interest, fueling both digital and physical book sales. Meanwhile, traditional publishing is adapting by embracing profit-sharing deals and acquiring successful self-published works, reflecting a more fluid relationship between indie and mainstream markets. Audiobooks and collectible physical editions are also growing, highlighting diverse consumer demands in formats and experiences.
Key Takeaways
The book industry in 2025 is experiencing significant shifts driven
Genre fiction, particularly romantasy, remains the fastest-growing segment**, captivating a broadening audience including former literary-only readers, with related genres like romantic suspense and thrillers also gaining traction.
Profit-sharing agreements are increasingly replacing traditional advances**, offering authors a larger share of sales revenue and attracting those who might otherwise self-publish.
Independent publishing and direct-to-consumer sales are rising**, with authors leveraging platforms like Substack and Kickstarter to maintain creative control and financial benefits.
Traditional publishers are actively acquiring rights to successful self-published books**, signaling a hybrid ecosystem where indie success can lead to mainstream deals.
Collectible physical editions with exclusive features are booming**, as publishers invest in special editions to appeal to dedicated fans amid the digital book surge.
Audiobooks and accessibility-focused formats continue to expand**, driven
Emerging Genres
New trends in book categories
Emerging book genres in 2025 reflect a growing interest in niche and cross-genre storytelling, with strong emphasis on climate-related themes and diverse perspectives. Subgenres like climate fiction (cli-fi) and romantasy continue to gain traction, while new narrative styles such as puzzle box narratives and literary horror are also rising in popularity.
Climate Fiction
Focuses on the impact of climate change, often portraying environmental crises and future scenarios, reflecting urgent ecological concerns and sometimes offering hopeful visions like solarpunk.
Romantasy
A blend of romance and fantasy, featuring otherworldly settings with strong romantic plots, currently very popular especially on platforms like BookTok.
New Weird
Combines fantasy, science fiction, and horror with surreal, unsettling elements that challenge conventional storytelling.
Literary Horror
Emphasizes psychological depth, atmosphere, and elegant prose to create unsettling narratives beyond typical horror tropes.
Puzzle Box Narratives
Complex, often non-linear or metafictional stories that engage readers in solving mysteries embedded within the narrative structure.
Young Adult
Continues to dominate with diverse subgenres including YA thrillers, fantasy, and romance, appealing to both teen and adult audiences.
LGBTQ+ Fiction
Increasingly sought after for its diverse and inclusive representation of identities and experiences, often featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists and authors.
