Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy Claims Top Spot on Amazon's Best Books of 2025 So Far List
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) today revealed the Amazon Books Editors' Best Books of the Year So Far list, with Charlotte McConaghy's taut, psychological novel Wild Dark Shore earning the coveted No. 1 position. The Amazon Books Editors describe the novel as 'leaving you breathless, wide-eyed, and in awe of the extraordinary power of fiction.' Rounding out the top five selections are King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby, No More Tear s: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris, The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong, and Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.
The Amazon Books Editors recommend titles from the widest selection of books available to make it convenient for customers to discover new titles.
Share
The Amazon Books Editors recommend titles from the widest selection of books available to make it convenient for customers to discover new titles that will delight, inspire, and educate. The Editors read thousands of books annually across genres to inform their Best Books of the Month, Best Books of the Year So Far, and Best Books of the Year selections, as well as publishing themed round-ups and author interviews on the Amazon Book Review. The Best Books of the Year So Far list showcases their top 20 picks from January through June, along with the top 20 books in popular categories including literature and fiction, mystery and thrillers, romance, history, biographies and memoirs, cookbooks, and children's books. This year, the Amazon Editors also added the top 20 books in romantasy and discovery reads (debut novels).
Wild Dark Shore joins an illustrious lineup of previous Best Books of the Year So Far No. 1 selections, including James by Percival Everett, Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré, and Educated by Tara Westover. McConaghy's work is no stranger to the Amazon Editors. Her debut novel, Migrations, was named the Amazon Editors No. 1 Pick for the best fiction book in 2020.
Upon learning that her novel was named the Best Book of the Year So Far, Charlotte McConaghy remarked, 'I'm so grateful for this honor. It moves me deeply to think of my novel making its way into the hands of readers, and for encouraging that I'd like to thank the wonderful editorial team at Amazon.'
'Selecting the Best Books of the Year So Far is a tireless—and fun—process for the Amazon Books Editors. Over thousands of hours, we read across genres from authors both new and established, searching for the very best books that make us smile, think, cry, cringe, and pique our sense of wonder,' said Sarah Gelman, editorial director, Amazon Books. 'Our top pick of the year so far, Wild Dark Shore, is a novel that masterfully evoked each of these emotions in our team, and beautifully highlights the imperfections of human nature even when we have the best intentions.'
Below are the top 10 literary standouts of 2025 so far. To explore the complete Best Books of the Year So Far list, visit www.amazon.com/bestbookssofar and check out the Amazon Book Review for in-depth reviews of the books on our list. Book enthusiasts can also join an Amazon Live conversation with Charlotte McConaghy, author of the No. 1 selection Wild Dark Shore, on Tuesday, June 10 at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy: 'Shot from a cannon in the dark, Wild Dark Shore is a novel that hooks you from the start and doesn't let you go until the last page; it will leave you breathless, wide-eyed, and in awe of the extraordinary power of fiction. McConaghy's exquisite gift is that she creates characters that you know you shouldn't trust with your whole heart, but you do anyway. The result is a gutting, magnificent story of the things people will do—or won't do—for the people and things they care about.' —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby: 'In King of Ashes, S.A. Cosby conjures up a prodigal son tale with a little of The Godfather in its DNA, but this is S.A. Cosby we're talking about, so it's both business and personal, with all the family secrets, hubris, conflicts, brotherly love, lethal betrayals, and retribution that involves. He's firing on all cylinders here and we couldn't be happier to be along for another great ride.' —Vannessa Cronin, Amazon Editor
No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson by Gardiner Harris: 'This exposé into one of America's most trusted companies is mind-blowing. Just as you'll be appalled by the villains, you'll also be inspired by the brave whistleblowers who put their careers, and possibly lives, on the line to bring truth to light. A must-read.' —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong: ''Life is good when we do good things for each other.' This Dostoyevsky quote provides a powerful refrain for Vuong's moving sophomore novel. If he wasn't already referred to as 'the patron saint of the lonely,' this story would earn him that moniker.' —Erin Kodicek, Amazon Editor
Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel) by Suzanne Collins: ' Sunrise on the Reaping took me back to the thrill of reading The Hunger Games years ago. With the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy and the 50th Hunger Games, this action-packed popcorn read also has a dark kernel you'll chew on long after the shocking end.' —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley: 'This beautifully told novel about three teen moms in the Florida Panhandle is a banner example of what the best fiction can do: put us in other people's shoes, challenge our thinking, and expand our empathy.' —Erin Kodicek, Amazon Editor
Memorial Days: A Memoir by Geraldine Brooks: 'Emotional, pragmatic, and filled with the keen observations of a literary luminary's broken heart, Geraldine Brooks' memoir is a euphoric love story, and a meditation on grief and curiosity…Incandescent and necessary.' —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
Dead Money by Jakob Kerr: 'So much fun. Set among Silicon Valley's tech bros, this twisty closed-door mystery follows Mackenzie as she races to solve a CEO's murder. Is she in over her head, or does she know more than she lets on? This is a one-sitting read that's slick, cynical, and surprising, with an absolutely delicious last line.' —Abby Abell, Amazon Editor
Atmosphere: A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid: 'This heart-wrenching and exhilarating journey to the cosmos masterfully captures both the thrill of space exploration and the complexities of human connection. Atmosphere is a testament to resilience and how far we'll go to chase our dreams, even when those dreams seem as distant as the stars.' —Kami Tei, Amazon Editor
Matriarch: A Memoir by Tina Knowles: 'Come for Beyoncé, but—trust me—you'll stay for Tina. Tina Knowles is a force of a nature, which is why we devoured this memoir in one sitting, and discovered why it was almost inevitable that this driven, creative, and savvy businesswoman would raise two girls who would reshape American music—and culture.' —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor
About Amazon Books Editors
The Amazon Books Editors are a group of literary experts with extensive experience spanning publishing, journalism, and communications. They read thousands of books every year across genres to help customers discover their next favorite read, and put together Best Books of the Month, Best Books of the Year So Far, and Best Books of the Year lists on Amazon. To read Editor reviews, discover recommendations of new books in popular categories, and explore author interviews, visit the Amazon Book Review. You can also follow the Amazon Books Editors' recommendations and conversations @amazonbooks on Instagram and Facebook.
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dakota Johnson Opens Up About Who's To Blame For Marvel's ‘Madame Web' Failure
Dakota Johnson has no regrets about 'Madame Web,' despite the 2024 Marvel superhero film being deemed a critical and commercial flop. In an interview with The Los Angeles Times this week, Johnson said the film's failure 'wasn't my fault' and was, instead, due to 'a lot of creative decisions' made by 'people who don't have a creative bone in their body.' 'It's really hard to make art that way. Or to make something entertaining that way,' she explained. 'And I think unfortunately with 'Madame Web,' it started out as something and turned into something else. And I was just sort of along for the ride at that point. But that happens. Bigger-budget movies fail all the time.' Directed by S.J. Clarkson, 'Madame Web' stars Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic whose brush with death awakens dormant psychic powers. In addition to Johnson, the film features an all-star supporting cast, which includes Emma Roberts, Adam Scott and Sydney Sweeney. Reviews for 'Madame Web' were largely negative, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it 'an airless and stilted endeavor driven by a mechanical screenplay.' The film reportedly cost about $80 million to produce but raked in a measly $25.8 million in its opening week, making it the lowest box office opening in the history of Sony's 'Spider-Man' franchise. Johnson, who returns to the big screen in the romantic comedy 'The Materialists,' has previously hinted at her frustrations with 'Madame Web.' 'Unfortunately, I'm not surprised that this has gone down the way it has,' she told Bustle in March of last year, shortly after the film was released. 'I had never done anything like it before. I probably will never do anything like it again because I don't make sense in that world. And I know that now.' 'But sometimes in this industry, you sign on to something, and it's one thing and then as you're making it, it becomes a completely different thing, and you're like, Wait, what?' she added at the time. 'But it was a real learning experience, and of course it's not nice to be a part of something that's ripped to shreds, but I can't say that I don't understand.' Johnson offered a more pragmatic take on the situation in her Los Angeles Times chat, telling the outlet: 'There's no part of me that's like, 'Oh, I'll never do that again' to anything. I've done even tiny movies that didn't do well. Who cares?' Fortunately for Johnson, early buzz on 'The Materialists' ― which also stars Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal ― has been positive. Critics who have screened the movie thus far have called it 'a brutally realistic and beautiful examination of love,' while praising Johnson as 'a perfect imperfect protagonist.' Lea Michele Debunks Rumor She Can't Read Once Again, This Time On Camera Dakota Johnson Says She Pulled Disgusting Prank — And Polygraph Confirms It Vanessa Bryant Channels Rihanna To Address Pregnancy Rumors Like A Boss
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dakota Johnson Says ‘Madame Web' Flop ‘Wasn't My Fault': Decisions Are Made in Hollywood by ‘People Who Don't Have a Creative Bone in Their Body'
Dakota Johnson recently told the Los Angeles Times on her 'Materialists' press tour that 'Madame Web' flopping with critics and audiences wasn't her fault. The Sony-backed comic book movie was a notorious punching bag in winter 2024, earning a dismal $43 million at the domestic box office and an 11% on Rotten Tomatoes. Johnson headlined the film as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic who gains the ability to see the future after a near-death experience. 'It wasn't my fault,' Johnson said about the movie. 'There's this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. Or made by people who don't have a creative bone in their body. And it's really hard to make art that way. Or to make something entertaining that way. And I think unfortunately with 'Madame Web,' it started out as something and turned into something else. And I was just sort of along for the ride at that point. But that happens. Bigger-budget movies fail all the time.' More from Variety Dakota Johnson and Michael Angelo Covino's Open Marriage Comedy 'Splitsville' Cracks Up Cannes, Earning 6-Minute Standing Ovation 'Splitsville' Review: Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona Play the Field in an Exhausting Knockabout Romcom Topic Studios' Ryan Heller Returns to Cannes with Open Marriage Comedy 'Splitsville' starring Dakota Johnson Not that Johnson feels burned by the movie's reception. As she explained: 'I don't have a Band-Aid over it. There's no part of me that's like, 'Oh, I'll never do that again' to anything. I've done even tiny movies that didn't do well. Who cares?' The actor told Bustle last year a few weeks after 'Madame Web' nosedived in theaters that 'films are made by a filmmaker and a team of artists around them. You cannot make art based on numbers and algorithms. My feeling has been for a long time that audiences are extremely smart, and executives have started to believe that they're not. Audiences will always be able to sniff out bullshit.' Johnson is currently out on a press tour for 'Materialists,' the new A24 film from 'Past Lives' Oscar nominee Celine Song. Johnson stars opposite Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans in the movie, which both embraces and subverts the romantic-comedy genre. It's Johnson's first rom-com since 2016's 'How to Be Single,' although that's not for lack of trying. 'They're not good,' Johnson said about all the rom-com scripts that came her way over the years. 'Sorry. I think a lot of what I read these days is void of soul and heart. And Celine is all soul and heart. I really love a rom-com if it feels like I can connect to the people in it. And I think I've found it hard to connect to the people in some of the ones that I've been offered.' 'Materialists' felt different for Johnson because of 'the complexities of all of the characters. The paradox. Everyone being confused about what the fuck they're supposed to do with their hearts. And what's the right move? I found that very honest and I found it just so relatable.' 'Materialists' opens in theaters June 10 from A24. Head over to the Los Angeles Times' website to read more from Johnson's latest interview. Best of Variety Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?' What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
San Francisco Chronicle
6 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Dakota Johnson says ‘Madame Web' tanking wasn't her fault: ‘Who cares?'
Dakota Johnson has freed herself from the ' Madame Web ' debacle. The actress says the tanking of the 2024 superhero movie she starred in 'wasn't my fault,' and put the blame on the decision-makers at Sony Pictures. 'There's this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. Or made by people who don't have a creative bone in their body,' Johnson told the Los Angeles Times in an interview published Wednesday, June 4. 'It's really hard to make art that way. Or to make something entertaining that way. And I think unfortunately with 'Madame Web,' it started out as something and turned into something else. And I was just sort of along for the ride at that point.' ' Madame Web,' released in February 2024, starred Johnson as the Marvel Comics title character, an offshoot of Sony's ' Spider-Man ' series. The movie cost $100 million to make, and took in just about that in the global box-office; typically a movie needs to gross about three times its budget to break even theatrically. The movie also got terrible reviews — it currently holds a dismal 11% positive rating on aggregate — and sparked some intense social media reactions. 'But that happens,' Johnson said. 'Bigger-budget movies fail all the time. I don't have a Band-Aid over it. There's no part of me that's like, 'Oh, I'll never do that again' to anything. I've done even tiny movies that didn't do well. Who cares?' But that's not the only news Johnson has made this week. Reports say her eight-year relationship with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has ended; she had a near wardrobe malfunction on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' and, in perhaps the weirdest moment, confessed she once sent a gallon of gorilla poop to a friend's ex-boyfriend. The latter confession came on Vanity Fair magazine's famous lie detector test, posted Thursday, June 5. 'Yes, I did do that,' Johnson admitted. 'It's been quite a while, it's been some years. … I'm not a monster.' Johnson, 35, who was raised in San Francisco while her father, actor Don Johnson, was filming the TV series ' Nash Bridges ' in the city, is currently starring in 'Materialists.' The rom-com co-starring Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal and directed by Celine Song (' Past Lives ') opens in San Francisco theaters on Friday, June 13.
