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best new books

There is nothing like cracking a new book, it’s the ultimate surge of literary energy.

Whether it’s a haunting memoir, game-changing nonfiction, or gripping thriller, the anticipation of what lies ahead of you as you turn a fresh page is unparalleled.

As 2025 unfolds, we’re in for an exhilarating literary journey. Here are the standout new releases of the year so far.

celebrity reading

 

The house of my mother – Shari Franke

The world watched, captivated, as the Franke family’s YouTube channel 8 Passengers became a viral sensation, boasting over 2.5 million subscribers. But behind the seemingly perfect facade lay a dark and devastating truth.

In her powerful memoir, Shari Franke, the family’s eldest daughter, pulls back the curtain on the abuse she endured at the hands of her mother, Ruby Franke, and the horrific regime imposed by Ruby and her accomplice, relationship coach Jodi Hildebrandt.

With sharp insight and heartbreaking clarity, Shari exposes the toxic underbelly of influencer culture, detailing the severe control and manipulation she faced while her family’s distorted moral code played out for millions.

When Ruby and Jodi were arrested in 2023 on charges of child abuse, Shari’s one-word caption – “Finally” – marked the painful yet necessary end of her struggle. This memoir is not just a chilling look at the horrors of the 8 Passengers saga; it’s a story of survival, healing, and finding freedom.

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best new books 2025 - the house of my mother
THE HOUSE OF MY MOTHER
SHARI FRANKE

 

501 Essential Albums Of The 90s – Gary Graff

‘501 Essential Albums of the ’90s,’ curated by veteran music journalist Gary Graff and his team, serves as a comprehensive time capsule of this transformative decade in music history.

From the raw energy of grunge to the golden age of hip-hop, from the rise of alternative rock to the mainstream explosion of electronic dance music, each entry provides intimate details about the albums that shaped a generation.

The book doesn’t just catalog music; it captures the zeitgeist of the ’90s through album artwork and artist imagery, painting a complete picture of an era where musical diversity flourished. 

Whether it’s Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind,’ Dr. Dre’s ‘The Chronic,’ or Radiohead’s ‘OK Computer,’ each album tells its own story within the larger narrative of a decade that forever changed how we experience music.

For both music enthusiasts and casual listeners, this collection serves as both a reference guide and a reminder of the last pre-digital decade in music history.

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best new books 2024 - 501 Essential Albums of the 90s
501 ESSENTIAL ALBUMS OF THE 90s
GARY GRAFF

 

The Harder I Fight The More I Love You – Neko Case

Neko Case has never done things by the book, and her memoir The Harder I Fight The More I Love You is no exception. In sharp, no-bullshit prose, she traces her journey from a dirt-poor childhood in rural Washington—where she was “raised by two dogs and a space heater”—to becoming one of music’s most revered voices.

Case peels back the layers of her life with the same raw intensity that fuels her songwriting, weaving together tales of loneliness, obsession, and the friendships that saved her. She captures the grit of growing up in “slummy, one-horse towns,” the escape she found in music and nature, and the battles fought to carve out space in a world that rarely makes room for outsiders.

Brutally honest and darkly funny, The Harder I Fight The More I Love You is a rallying cry for misfits, dreamers, and anyone who refuses to play by the rules.

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neko case memoir
THE HARDER I FIGHT THE MORE I LOVE YOU
NEKO CASE

 

Mood Machine – Liz Pelly

Spotify’s impact on music is put under the microscope in Mood Machine, a gripping investigation by music journalist Liz Pelly. Drawing on over 100 interviews with industry insiders and artists, Pelly unveils how streaming has transformed the way we listen to and value music.

From playlists packed with cheap stock tunes to the rise of payola 2.0, she exposes the cracks in Spotify’s two-sided marketplace, where listeners pay with data and musicians power the machine. Yet, amidst the chaos, Mood Machine spotlights artist-led movements fighting for fairer models—an urgent call to rethink the industry and reclaim music’s worth.

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mood machine - best new books of 2025
MOOD MACHINE
LIZ PELLY

 

Nobody’s Empire – Stuart Murdoch

Kickstart your reading list in 2025 with a debut novel from Belle & Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch. Set in early 1990s Glasgow, the story follows Stephen, a music-loving romantic newly diagnosed with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. As he struggles to navigate his illness, he meets others in similar straits, and together they form a support group that helps them face the world’s indifference.

Slowly, Stephen begins to write songs, awakening to a new possibility for his life. In search of something more, he and his friend Richard leave Glasgow for California, hoping the warmth and freedom of the West Coast will offer a fresh start.

With a poignant blend of melancholic beauty and hopeful optimism, Murdoch’s novel mirrors the emotional depth of his music. It’s a heartfelt exploration of friendship, struggle, and the pursuit of a life that makes sense, perfect for fans of his band and literary newcomers alike.

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nobodys empire by belle and sebastion frontman sturat murdoch
NOBODY’S EMPIRE
STUART MURDOCH

 

The Sunbird- Sara Haddad

Sara Haddad’s new indie bestseller is a testimony to the human spirit, both sincere and unforgiving in its approach to storytelling. Her hunger for words is never satisfied and you can truly feel this whenever you start a new page.

From malign weaponry and politics to catastrophe. Sara’s portrayal of deep loss and dispossession is second to none. The novel is a triumphant literary achievement and is a fit read for the ages.

To-the point, honest and sincere, it is truly a work of deep emotional connection. Both a heartbreaking story of loss and a stunning portrayal of exile all in one.

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THE SUNBIRD
SARA HADDAD