Will 2025 finally be the year we all meet our Goodreads reading challenge goals? Will we, at last, succeed in finishing all the unread books lying around on our shelves before we purchase new ones? The answer, in all likelihood, is probably a no—but that doesn’t mean we can’t try. With a new year comes new books to add to the reading list, and newfound determination, of course, to check a few titles off the pile. Be it upcoming releases that have been long-anticipated or classics that we are finally getting around to reading, there’s plenty to look forward to.
As we settle into the grind of the new year, the Vogue Singapore team each shares the book they are most excited to start on in 2025. Expect a mixed bag, from memoirs like Jhumpa Lahiri’s striking In Other Words, to Pulitzer Prize-winning novels like Andrew Sean Greer’s thought-provoking Less. Fantasy is also a favourite. There’s Emily Tesh’s upcoming The Incandescent, told from the perspective a high-ranking professor at a magical boarding school, as well as Simon Jimenez’s The Spear Cuts Through Water, which combines mythology, science fiction and queer romance all in one. Below, see all the titles from the Vogue Singapore team’s reading list for 2025.
1 / 11
Jesslyn Lye, lifestyle writer: 'The Lamb' by Lucy Rose
“It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited about an upcoming release, but The Lamb rose to the very top of my list the moment I read its synopsis. Margot lives a quiet life with Mama in a cottage hidden deep within the English countryside, waiting for strangers to knock on their door. Mama feeds the strays wine, takes care of them, then satisfies her burning hunger by picking their bodies apart. Then comes Eden, who turns up in the middle of a snowstorm—forcing young Margot to confront the changing dynamics of her family, untangle her own wants and make her own bid for freedom. A queer, coming-of-age horror story that is as magical as it is horrifying—it’s everything I could possibly want in a book.”
2 / 11
Emily Heng, associate beauty editor: 'The Incandescent' by Emily Tesh
“There’s something about the dark academia genre that I find immensely fascinating, so I was thrilled to hear that Emily Tesh—winner of the 2024 Hugo Award for Best Novel—is releasing a new book set in a wizarding academy. Told from the perspective of a high-ranking professor, Tesh cleverly weaves in magical themes in the vein of demonic incursions and supernatural entities to talk about pressing real-life issues concerning the state of her country’s education system, law enforcement, and more.”
3 / 11
Desmond Lim, editor-in-chief: 'Less' by Andrew Sean Greer
“Winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Greer’s novel explores the vibrant yet challenging journey of a gay man approaching the much-dreaded milestone of 50. As the realities of life set in, he grapples with the fleeting nature of time—torn between embracing life with reckless abandon or carefully reflecting on every connection he’s made. This thought-provoking book is likely to resonate with many mature gay men working in the creative industry, especially in Asia, where the ideals of youth and vitality often feel like an unrelenting standard.”
4 / 11
Chandreyee Ray, associate lifestyle editor: 'In Other Words' by Jhumpa Lahiri
“As someone who loudly claims Jhumpa Lahiri as one of my favourite writers of all time, I’m a little embarrassed to admit that some of her non-fiction work is still a mystery to me. I recently tore through Roman Stories, Lahiri’s first short story collection written in her adopted language of Italian, translated to English in 2024. Now, I’m keen to go back a little bit and delve into the Indian-American writer’s 2017 memoir, In Other Words, where she chronicles the journey of moving to Rome and learning to express herself in Italian, and more importantly—offers a striking portrait of the writing life like few others can.”
5 / 11
Ting Shing Koh, lifestyle intern: 'Madonna in a Fur Coat' by Sabahattin Ali
“When I came across this title on X (yes, the app formerly known as Twitter is where I got this recommendation), the title immediately drew me in. Then seeing that it was published in 1943 and originally written in Turkish, I couldn’t help but be intrigued. Described as a coming-of-age story, the novel tells a classic tale of love and alienation in a changing world. My first venture into Turkish literature, all I’ve heard is that this book will guarantee to make you feel things—and I can’t wait.”
6 / 11
Gladys Yeo, digital intern: ‘Babel’ by R.F. Kuang
“A speculative fiction novel set in early Victorian England at Oxford University, R.F. Kuang’s Babel confronts the complex and violent nature of decolonising language, student revolution and imperialism. Widely considered the award-winning author’s most challenging and contentious work yet, I look forward to a meditative, thought-provoking experience with Babel.”
7 / 11
Nicholas See, fashion stylist: 'Camera Lucida' by Roland Barthes
“Philosopher Roland Barthes once again theorises on the emotional literary effect of photographs, this time with deeply personal anecdotes of his own life experiences. It’s a must-read to reframe the perception of visual semiotics—not just for image-makers, but anyone who views images on a daily basis.”
8 / 11
Gordon Ng, watches and jewellery editor: 'In Search of Lost Time' series by Marcel Proust
“I am as much excited as I am afraid to embark on this behemoth of a seven-volume novel. I’m going to take my time with it and hope to see it through.”
9 / 11
Azrin Tan, senior digital writer: 'The Spear Cuts Through Water' by Simon Jimenez
“The plot: a pair of warriors, Jun and Keema, have their work cut out for them as they aid an ancient god who has been trapped and bled of her powers for centuries. A lush epic folk fantasy that combines mythology, science fiction and queer romance all in one, The Spear Cuts Through Water certainly widens the scope of a genre that is dear to me. Judging from early reviews, the initial set-up is gratifyingly drawn out—but what draws me in most is how unpredictable it already promises to be.”
10 / 11
Dominique Yohanes, contributing beauty writer: 'City of Night Birds' by Juhea Kim
“This year, Juhea Kim’s new novel City of Night Birds is top of my to-read pile. A completely different setting from her acclaimed first novel, Beasts of a Little Land, which was set in Korea, this novel explores the dark intricacies of the Russian ballet world through the eyes of a once-famous prima ballerina returning to St. Petersburg. Broodiness, passion and cut-throat artistic ambition abound, and I can’t wait to get stuck in it.”
11 / 11
David Bay, producer: 'The Poppy War' series by R.F. Kuang
“This series draws inspiration from mystical Chinese legends, blending fantasy with the tale of a peasant girl who rises to prominence. Shamans, gods, wars, and colonialism—what more could you ask for?”
