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Business Wire
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy Claims Top Spot on Amazon's Best Books of 2025 So Far List
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- (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 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 and follow @AmazonNews.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Amazon reveals best books of the year so far: Suzanne Collins, S. A. Cosby make the list
Amazon reveals best books of the year so far: Suzanne Collins, S. A. Cosby make the list Amazon Books Editors have once again emerged from the literary battlefield, crowning "Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaghy the "Best Book of the Year So Far." Around the halfway point every year, the Amazon Books editorial team of eight gathers in Seattle to read, argue and craft a Top 20 list, advocating for their favorite titles published from January to June. They're looking for books that resonate, the ones 'you want to hand to everybody that you know,' says Al Woodworth, senior editor at Amazon Books. "Wild Dark Shore" was a clear example of the community-building power of books, Woodworth says – it was an "easy" winner for the team because they just couldn't stop talking about it. Amazon reveals Best Books of the Year (So Far) Unlike Amazon's bestseller list, this one is curated based on editorial judgment, not sales data. A team of former publishing reps, booksellers, writers, journalists and agents read hundreds of books to prepare. Their most beloved make it to the overall Top 20 list, and they create additional genre-specific lists with favorites in nonfiction, romance, history, sci-fi and more. 1. 'Wild Dark Shore' by Charlotte McConaghy What it's about: A family on a remote island fiercely protecting the land's seed bank encounters a mysterious woman who washes ashore. Why Amazon Books Editors loved it: 'Wild Dark Shore' has characters you feel 'emotionally, intellectually' invested in. "Her ability to build tension feels unparalleled," Woodworth says. 'This story made us all think a little bit differently about the planet that we live in and what we would do for our families." 2. 'King of Ashes' by S. A. Cosby What it's about: In the vein of 'The Godfather,' an eldest son returns home after his father's car accident to keep his family together and save his younger brother, indebted to dangerous criminals. Why Amazon Books Editors loved it: Cosby 'packs such a punch' in what Woodworth calls his 'most commercial, fast-paced book yet.' The story is "completely immersive," she adds. "It is so juicy, you can feel it kind of be a movie.' 3. 'No More Tears' by Gardiner Harris What it's about: An investigative journalist uncovers unethical sales practices, cover-ups and dangers behind the image of the trusted, child-friendly Johnson & Johnson. Why Amazon Books Editors loved it: 'No More Tears' is reminiscent of Patrick Radden Keefe's Sackler family exposé 'Empire of Pain,' Woodworth says. 'It's shocking, it's page-turning. You will have a visceral reaction to this company.' 4. 'The Emperor of Gladness' by Ocean Vuong What it's about: A 19-year-old finds unexpected community in small-town New England suburbia after an old woman saves him from attempting suicide. Why Amazon Books Editors loved it: Amazon Editors knew they were going to be in for a treat with Vuong's latest and, true to form, it swept them off their feet. 'It's a super emotional book, but I think there's also a lot of levity in it and this idea of the redemptive powers of humanity and the good things we could do for one another, and that people do do for one another,' Woodworth says. 5. 'Sunrise on the Reaping' by Suzanne Collins What it's about: 'The Hunger Games' returns with curmudgeonly mentor Haymitch Abernathy's perspective, set 25 years before the events of the series' first book. Why Amazon Books Editors loved it: Both a nostalgic and fresh read, the team devoured the prequel. '(Collins is) so good at weaving these tales, and I think too, that you can read this book without having read the Hunger Games, and feel like it's super satisfying,' Woodworth says. 6. 'The Girls Who Grew Big' by Leila Mottley What it's about: Three teenage mothers at the crossroads of girlhood and motherhood face complicated criticism from family and neighbors in the Florida panhandle. Why Amazon Books Editors loved it: Mottley's novel 'subverts your expectations about motherhood,' both funny and beautiful as well as empowering, Woodworth says. 'She has so much grace and wisdom and humor in her writing that defies most 23-year-olds' capacities, in my mind,' Woodworth says. 'To read this next one and realize (her debut 'Nightcrawling') was not a one-hit wonder – she is here to stay. She will, I think, probably change the course of literature, win really big awards.' 7. 'Memorial Days' by Geraldine Brooks What it's about: The author of 'Horse' catalogs the immediate shockwaves and later rebuilding after her partner of three decades, Pulitzer-winning Tony Horwitz, dies unexpectedly. Why Amazon Books Editors loved it: 'Memorial Days' is on par with literature's most famous grief books like 'The Year of Magical Thinking,' but is also a love story filled with light, Woodworth says. 'There are sentences in there that will make your heart stop. They are absolutely beautiful. And I think that this is a book that, if you are grieving, it gives you permission to.' 8. 'Dead Money' by Jakob Kerr What it's about: A 'problem solver' for Silicon Valley venture capitalists has to put on her detective hat when the company's chief investor is murdered. Why Amazon Books Editors loved it: 'Slick' and 'juicy,' this is the perfect book for the beach. 'What Jakob Kerr has done is thrust this really smart, really driven, really strategic woman at the center of this mystery, and it's another book that you can read in two days,' Woodworth says. 9. 'Atmosphere' by Taylor Jenkins Reid What it's about: A physics and astronomy professor finds passion, success and love when she becomes one of the first women scientists accepted to NASA's space shuttle program. Why Amazon Books Editors loved it: Woodworth found 'Atmosphere' to be a 'rocket ship of a love story,' a popcorn read but with a deep, complex kernel. 'The depth of this makes for such satisfying reading,' Woodworth says. 'That's the case with so many of these books – yes, they're (fiction), but actually it's looking at society and what we value. Where do we put our money, and where do we put our time? Where do we put our effort?' 10. 'Matriarch' by Tina Knowles What it's about: The mother of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles writes an ode to Black motherhood in her memoir of family, grief and creative risks. Why Amazon Books Editors loved it: 'Tina Knowles is a force of nature. I think so many people will come to this book thinking that they're going to get all these juicy stories about Beyoncé and yes, you get some of those. But what makes this memoir soar is Tina Knowles and her resiliency, her sense of family,' Woodworth says. Amazon's Top 20 Best Books of the Year So Far "Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaghy "King of Ashes" by S. A. Cosby "No More Tears" by Gardiner Harris "The Emperor of Gladness" by Ocean Vuong "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins "The Girls Who Grew Big" by Leila Mottley "Memorial Days" by Geraldine Brooks "Dead Money" by Jakob Kerr "Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid "Matriarch" by Tina Knowles "Lloyd McNeil's Last Ride" by Will Leitch "Waste Wars" by Alexander Clapp "When We Ride" by Rex Ogle 'Mark Twain" by Ron Chernow "Heartwood" by Amity Gaige "Careless People" by Sarah Wynn-Williams "The Names" by Florence Knapp "The Poppy Fields" by Nikki Erlick "Seeking Shelter" by Jeff Hobbs "One Golden Summer" by Carley Fortune Need a new book?: 10 new releases to read right now from romance to thriller Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY's Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you're reading at cmulroy@
