The Best Northwest/local Books of 2025 for Adults | Multnomah County LibraryLike this list

16 items

• Tilt

  a Novel

  Pattee, Emma,

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  This one hits close to home, literally. If you ever wonder what might happen if "the Big One" hits Portland, this nail biting account of a heavily pregnant woman during the immediate aftermath provides a realistic vision of our possible future. -…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• House of Rayne

  Laroux, Harley,

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  This is the sapphic gothic horrormance of my dreams… or is it my nightmares? I stayed up way too late reading and couldn’t sleep after that climactic ending! - Liza D.

• Hole in the Sky

  a Novel

  Wilson, Daniel H. (Daniel Howard), 1978-

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  This suspenseful page-turner manages to be at once chilling, touching, and even phantasmagoric at times. There's gore, but there's also a family story - you get it all! - Erika B.

• A Field Guide to the Subterranean

  Reclaiming the Deep Earth and Our Deepest Selves : a Memoir

  Hocking, Justin,

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  Gorgeous and educational, braids together a myriad of subjects that, while at first may seem disconnected, fall into place like puzzle pieces. - Jessica G.

• REDress

  Art, Action, and the Power of Presence

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  A compelling anthology featuring many unique and powerful Indigenous perspectives on the tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people(MMIWG2S) demonstrating the power of art as activism (and activism as art). -…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Shamanism for the Rest of Us

  Violante, Sara,

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  A funny and accessible intro to meditation. Tess T.

• Deciding to See

  the View From Nathan's Bus

  Vass, Nathan,

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  This might be the best book you never heard of! Nathan is a real Seattle bus driver (and artist) whose interactions with his guests on the bus filled me with hope, and joy of our shared humanity in troubled and all other times. He changed my…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Love in a F*cked-up World

  How to Build Relationships, Hook Up, and Raise Hell Together

  Spade, Dean, 1977-

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  Soooo many good prompts and worksheets to think about and discuss. And lots of practical tools and advice! Read it aloud as a group, or on your own, this book has left me inspired and one that I'll definitely come back to! - Emily L.

• The Injustice of Property

  Homeless Encampments and the Limits of Liberalism

  Przybylinski, Stephen, 1986-

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  There aren't many books that cover the on the ground reality of houseless people in the US. This book leans on Stephen's time in Portland and our local solutions to deal with this challenge. - Grant S.

• Coffin Moon

  a Novel

  Rosson, Keith (Novelist),

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  The perfect book for Halloween time or any spooky season. Set in 1970s Portland, this vampire novel is filled with action, dread, and nostalgia, sometimes all at once. - Ralph T.

• One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This

  El Akkad, Omar, 1982-

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  Be ready to cry, face the reckoning, and feel compelled to take action. A better world is possible, "This is the book for our time." - Emily L.

• The Pygmy-owls of Forest Park

  Deshler, John

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  You will be caught up in the engaging adventures of these tiny, feisty creatures as well as those of their fellow park denizens (random porcupine! giant salamander! and even humans). - Erika B.

• So Far Gone

  a Novel

  Walter, Jess, 1965-

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  You ever try to live alone in the woods in northeast Washington? But then family troubles force you out? Great characters, engrossing story, loss and redemption. - Mark F.

• Murderland

  Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers

  Fraser, Caroline,

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  Horrifying and compelling. Highly recommended for those who already are familiar with the true crime genre, or those who enjoy shocking environmental exposés. - Willa M.

• Deep Cuts

  a Novel

  Brickley, Holly,

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  Do the early 2000s count as historical fiction? I was deep in my elder millennial feelings over the to detail given to era's indie music scene along with the strong characterization of Percy and Joe. - Kady F.

• Best Books of 2025, chosen by Multnomah County Library staff

  View on bibliocommons.com

  There's something for everyone in our lists for preschoolers, kids, tweens, teens and adults.