NPR's Book of the Day A Claire McCardell biography and an AI sci-fi are among NPR’s top book picks of 2025
Nov 28, 2025
Discover the highlights from NPR’s yearly picks of beloved books, featuring a biography of fashion pioneer Claire McCardell that uncovers her innovative designs. Dive into fiction with Nnedi Okorafor's compelling sci-fi narrative, which explores themes of fame within a dual storyline. Explore poignant titles like Mary Annette Pember's Medicine River, reflecting on the dark legacy of Indian boarding schools, and unravel family dynamics in Among Friends just in time for the holidays.
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Massive, Democratic Book Curation
- NPR's Books We Love curates about 380 staff-recommended titles across departments and roles.
- The list uses tags to help readers filter by interests and find personalized suggestions.
Filter The List With Tags
- Use the interactive tags on the Books We Love site to narrow the 380 entries by mood, genre, or reader.
- Mix and stack tags to pinpoint books suited for specific readers or occasions.
Claire McCardell’s Practical Revolution
- Claire McCardell redesigned American womenswear in the 1930s–40s, prioritizing sporty, practical designs like pockets.
- Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson's biography reframes McCardell's work as part of America's search for an aesthetic identity.
