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It’s time! Liz Hein and I are here with our annual Best Books of the Year (so far) episode and this one is FUN. The literary landscape looks different and 2025, and we are reveling in it. Last year, a few exceptional books dominated the conversation—and both Liz and my favorite books of the year. This year, our lists have much more variety, and while we’re both still looking for our under-the-radar gem of the year, it was a treat to be surprised by each other’s list and to have favorites that felt like our favorites rather than everyone’s favorites.

Free subscribers, you’ll find a 20 minute preview of this episode in your inbox, app, or browser. If you love listening to Liz and me chat about books, considering upgrading your subscription to get our book discussion episodes every month!

Because of travel and busy summer schedules, this Best Books episode is our June This Month in Books, but we’ll be back to share all of our thoughts on June and July reading next month! After listening, please do head to the comments to tell us all about your best books of the year (so far). New and shiny or backlist gems, I want to hear about the best things you've been reading in 2025!

***As a reminder, you can find the transcript and closed captions for this episode by listening in a browser. You can also find this episode by searching for FictionMatters on Spotify. Thanks for listening!

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