Australia’s most-read books of 2025
Before we roll into the holidays and the final days of the year, we thought it was the perfect moment to look back at what readers have been absolutely devouring in 2025 so far (for free on the Libby app, of course!). From blockbuster fantasy to twisty thrillers to the most popular book club picks, this year’s new releases have kept Libby users very, very busy. For this list, we looked only at books published in 2025 and ranked them by total checkouts across Australia in Libby. What rose to the top? A mix of big names, breakout hits, and one particular author who has basically taken over everyone’s TBR pile.
Freida McFadden is Occupying Half Your Loan History
If you feel like every second person you know is reading a Freida McFadden thriller right now or preparing for The Housemaid to hit cinemas… you’re not imagining it. With The Crash, The Tenant, The Housemaid, The Housemaid’s Secret, and The Housemaid Is Watching all surging up the charts, she came dangerously close to claiming half the top 15 on her own.
But plenty of others made their way to the top of 2025’s most read books so let’s have a look at what else everyone was reading this year.
Onyx Storm
by Rebecca Yarros
It may seem like Rebecca Yarros’ long-awaited sequel came out years ago because it was released way back in January and you speed read it in a weekend, but this title topped the chart completely as the most checked out title among Aussies in 2025!
Lyrebird
by Jane Caro
Jane Caro’s latest mystery novel was one of Ben’s Book Club’s featured picks in July – and for good reason. Readers across Australia couldn’t get enough of this thrilling mystery about the key witness to a murder being a… bird? A must-read, especially for a group discussion.
Nightshade
by Michael Connelly
Another thrilling mystery that kept readers up way too late guessing what was coming next. Michael Connelly’s Nightshade rose to the top of the chart.
Sunrise on the Reaping
by Suzanne Collins
Panem is back – need I say more? The YA prequel by Suzanne Collins had readers of all ages and around the globe eager to get back into the Hunger Games universe.
The Bluff
by Joanna Jenkins
Another Ben’s Book Club pick, The Bluff by Joanna Jenkins, was an atmospheric, addictive thriller that made for a brilliant shared read.
The Burrow
by Melanie Cheng
No surprise to see The Burrow in the top reads of the year as it was shortlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize, along with other nominations from the ABIAs, Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, and Miles Franklin Award (among others!). This was an unforgettable story about love, grief and family.
Want to see what else everyone was reading this year? Here’s the full list of the top 50 new releases among readers on Libby across Australia!
💌 And be sure to subscribe to Libby Life so you can come back to see what books released in the last quarter of 2025 make their way into the top spots by next year.
Published Dec 09, 2025
