Recommended Books: November 2025

November 2025 books

This took a little longer to come together than we would have liked. Still, we hope this rundown of notable November books gives readers some ideas for a post-cold snap reading session. There’s a lot of ground covered here, from deftly reported nonfiction to essential fiction in translation. Read on for a look at what’s piqued our interest this month.

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Recommended Books: August 2025

August 2025 Books

At the best of times, August is a weird month. (Ask our managing editor to tell you about his childhood experience of insomnia, which could also be described as an allergy to the month in question.) When looking at books due out this month, you’ll see an unexpected assemblage of titles: surreal fiction juxtaposed with incisive sociopolitical commentary; harrowing memoir abuting existential horror. Read on for ten books we’re looking forward to this month.

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Recommended Books: July 2025

Covers of July 2025 books

According to the weather apps, the world outside of our window feels like 108 degrees with a severe thunderstorm warning also on the horizon. If ever there was a time to find somewhere air-conditioned and crack open a book, we’re pretty sure this is it. Our recommended books for the month of July include a couple of names that will be familiar to longtime Vol. 1 Brooklyn readers, along with some intriguing forays into subjects ranging from Kafka to tradwives.

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Recommended Books: June 2025

June 2025 Books

We’re still a few weeks from the equinox, but it sure seems like summer is upon us. Does that mean beach reads are in season? We mean…it might, if beach reads are your thing. Maybe beach reads aren’t your thing, though; that’s okay, too. We’ve got some June book recommendations for you here; hopefully you’ll find something enlightening, entertaining, or energizing on this very list.

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