Every January, I like to pick a few series to explore over the course of the new year. I personally prefer series over standalone books (especially when it comes to fantasy) because I love being able to dive into another world and see characters change and grow over time.

Picking a few series that I want to tackle each year also gives my reading some direction without being too prescriptive and helps me from getting into reading slumps.

Whether you prefer duologies or lengthy series that span huge universes, here are 13 recommendations I think you should check out on the Libby app this year.

Series with new releases in 2025

If you want to experience the hype of a series before the next installment hits shelves this year, here are three ongoing series that are worth diving into in 2025:

The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros

Onyx Storm, one of the most anticipated books of the year and the third installment in The Empyrean series, is launching in just a few weeks, making this the perfect time to dive into this fictional universe!

The series currently has two books out—Fourth Wing and Iron Flame—which have won multiple awards and have a huge following across the romantasy community.

Fourth Wing kicks off the series and follows Violet Sorrengail, a 20-year-old who is thrust into Basgiath War College at the general’s command—also known as her mother—to become a dragon rider. As the war outside escalates and the kingdom’s wards begin to fail, Violet uncovers a dangerous secret that could change everything.

The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

With a handful of blockbuster movies, you probably know a thing or two about The Hunger Games series. But if you haven’t read the books yet (and yes, the books are better than the movies), now is the perfect time.

The second prequel in the Hunger Games world, Sunrise on the Reaping, is launching in March of this year, giving you a few months to catch up on the original trilogy and the first prequel that came out in 2020, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. I'd recommend starting with the original trilogy and then diving into the prequels.

Dream Harbor series by Laurie Gilmore

If you’re a romance lover looking for a lighthearted series set in an adorable New England small town, I highly recommend checking out the BookTok sensation Dream Harbor series.

The best part is, there are TWO new books coming out this year! The series does have a chronological order, but if you’re a seasonal reader, I'd recommend reading each book in the season it’s set in.

If you’re still holding onto the Christmas spirit, start with the most recent release, The Christmas Tree Farm. The next book, The Strawberry Patch Pancake House, comes out in March just in time for warmer weather. Follow that up with The Cinnamon Bun Book Store in late summer, The Pumpkin Spice Café in fall, and finally, The Gingerbread Bakery, which comes out in fall of 2025.

A whole year of romance and HEAs await!

Ruinous Love Trilogy by Brynne Weaver

Scythe & Sparrow, which comes out in February, is the final book in the Ruinous Love Trilogy, a serial killer romance that has been all over BookTok.

The trilogy starts with Butcher & Blackbird. When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, they find something elusive—the friendship of two like-minded, pitch-black souls who just happen to enjoy killing other serial killers.

Iconic series

If you want to dive into an iconic series, here are some bestsellers that will transport you to a different world:

Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown

If you’re drawn to coming-of-age stories, check out Red Rising. This gripping science fiction series delves into a dystopian future, reflecting real-world issues of discrimination and classism.

Society is divided into color-coded castes, each with distinct roles and privileges. At the story's core is Darrow, a young Red miner whose arduous journey of rebellion and redemption holds the power to reshape humanity's destiny.

The Mistborn Saga by Brandon Sanderson

This series is at the top of my TBR for 2025. The Mistborn Saga series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action. The first book in this epic fantasy trilogy, The Final Empire, is where Sanderson recommends fantasy lovers start with his impressive backlog of books.

The story exists within Sanderson’s Cosmere, a fictional universe that consists of several worlds that share a magic system and origin story. If you decide to dive into the Cosmere, there are 24 books across four series, five standalone novels, and a collection of novellas and short stories that await you.

Pro tip from the author himself: If you’re not really a fantasy reader but the thought of a huge fictional universe intrigues you, Sanderson recommends checking out Elantris, a standalone book in the Cosmere.

The Lord of the Rings series by J. R. R. Tolkien

There’s a reason this series has stood the test of time and amassed a cult following. The Lord of the Rings transports you to Middle-earth for adventure and an iconic battle between good and evil. If you love fantasy and don’t mind complex characters and a lot of descriptive text, The Lord of the Rings is one classic series that should definitely have a place on your TBR.

I'd start with The Hobbit, which is a prequel to The Lord of the Rings, and then dive into the original trilogy. If this series feels a little daunting, you could also start by listening to the abridged dramatized version of The Fellowship of the Ring, and then dive into the full-length books.

Hercule Poirot series by Agatha Christie

If you like crime and mystery, I highly recommend checking out one of the most iconic fictional detectives of all time, Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. These novels have inspired over a dozen films (including Death on the Nile, available to stream on Kanopy) and several TV shows.

Most of the books in this series can be read in any order, but it’s recommended to start with The Mysterious Affair at Styles, which is Poirot’s first case.

These books have captivated readers for over a century now for good reason. These books are relatively short, with most books under 300 pages (some even under 200) and the audiobooks tend to be under 10 hours, making it a great choice if you’re someone who likes to fly through mysteries.

Duologies

If super long series aren’t your thing, don’t worry. Here are a few duologies you can dive into:

Shepherd King duology by Rachel Gillig

If you’re on BookTok you’ve probably heard the hype around One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns. These dark, gothic fantasy books make up the Shepherd King duology.

If you like fantasy books, but you’re looking for something a little different than the same old same old, you’ll love this duology for its unique magic system and mysterious gothic setting.

The duology follows Elspeth, a maiden who must unleash the monster within to save her kingdom—but the monster in her head isn't the only threat lurking.

The Wilderwood duology by Hannah Whitten

This dark fantasy duology is comprised of For the Wolf and For the Throne. The First Daughter is for the Throne. The Second Daughter is for the Wolf. As the only Second Daughter born in centuries, Red has one purpose—to be sacrificed to the Wolf in the Wood in the hope he'll return the world's captured gods. But the Wolf isn’t the only danger lurking in the Wilderwood, and Red’s sister will stop at nothing to get her back.

Elements of Cadence duology by Rebecca Ross

If you swoon at the thought of getting swept away to an enchanted world inspired by Scottish folklore and mythology, you need to read A River Enchanted and A Fire Endless, preferably as audiobooks in Libby. Ruth Urquhart’s beautiful narration adds even more magic to this stunning series.

After years of living on the mainland becoming a bard, Jack Tamerlaine must return to the Isle of Cadence where young girls have started to go missing. The elemental spirits that dwell in every breath of air, splash of water, blade of grass, and flicker of fire find mirth in the lives of the humans, and a bard's music is the only way to summon them and ask that the girls be returned. When Jack arrives, he realizes its his childhood nemesis Adaira who has summoned his help, leading to an epic love story amidst chaos and tragedy.

My personal favorites

As someone who truly loves book series, this list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t include my personal favorites:

The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan

I’ve recommended this series to anyone who would listen since it came out nearly 15 years ago, and I won’t stop now.

This series builds on the universe Rick Riordan created in his bestselling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. While this could be read a standalone series, The Heroes of Olympus follows the events of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and is best read after completing the original Percy Jackson series.

After saving Olympus from the evil Titan lord, Kronos, the demigods have rebuilt Camp Half-Blood, where the next generation of demigods must now prepare for a chilling prophecy of their own:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call
To storm or fire the world must fall
An oath to keep with a final breath
and foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass tells the story of Celaena Sardothien, a skilled assassin who is imprisoned in the slave camp Endovier for her crimes. When offered a chance to compete in a deadly tournament to become the King's Champion, she must fight against other assassins and thieves to win her freedom.

This series does include a prequel, The Assassin’s Blade, and there is some contention on the reading order. I recommend reading The Assassin’s Blade third (after Queen of Shadows, before Heir of Fire) which is how Maas herself has said the series should be read.

This series consists of eight books total and when you’re finished, if you haven’t already read Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses or Crescent City series (two more of my personal favorites), you’ll have eight more books to explore, with more on the way.

If anything on this list caught your eye, don’t forget to check out your library and the Libby app to borrow these awesome books!

*Title availability may vary by library & region.