Every summer, the Booker Prize longlist introduces 13 works of literary fiction that spark conversation, push boundaries, and often end up defining the reading year. From reimagined classics to experimental narratives and sweeping family sagas, this year’s crop has something for every kind of literary fiction reader.

If you’ve ever wanted to dip your toes into the Booker buzz, here are the must-reads from recent winners and the 2025 Booker Prize longlist — complete with links to grab your copy.

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Standouts from 2024

James by Percival Everett

Literary Fiction | Audio ✅
A brilliant reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, told from Jim’s perspective. Smart, sharp, and deeply moving — James is a masterclass in retelling a classic through a new lens.

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Orbital by Samantha Harvey

Literary Fiction / Speculative | Audio ✅
Winner of the 2024 Booker Prize, this short novel takes place aboard a space station. More meditative than sci-fi, it contemplates humanity, connection, and existence against the backdrop of the cosmos.

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My Friends by Hisham Matar

Literary Fiction | Audio ✅
A tender exploration of friendship, exile, and belonging. Matar weaves an intimate story about identity and the ties that shape us.

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The Safe Keep by Yael van der Wouden

Literary Fiction | Audio ✅
Winner of the Women’s Prize and one of the spicier entries into the Booker canon. Dark, sensual, and richly atmospheric, it’s a perfect crossover pick for romance readers curious about literary fiction.

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Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel

Literary Fiction | Audio ✅
Inventive and bold, this Pulitzer Prize–winning novel examines power and violence through an experimental narrative style.

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Held by Anne Michaels

Literary Fiction | Audio ✅
A poetic and profound novel that rewards rereading. Michaels explores grief, art, and human connection in prose that feels like verse.

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Playground by Richard Powers

Literary Fiction | Audio ✅
From the author of The Overstory, this novel examines memory, play, and what makes us human. Many readers consider it Powers’ most emotionally resonant work yet.

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Booker Prize 2025 Longlist

Audition by Katie Kitamura

Experimental Literary Fiction | Audio ✅
A slim, haunting novel structured in two conflicting parts. It’s deliberately ambiguous — the kind of book that’s made for deep discussion.

This book was also recommended by Jason from the Gays Reading Podcast.

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Flashlight by Susan Choi

Literary Fiction | Audio ✅
From the National Book Award–winning author of Trust Exercise, Flashlight pushes boundaries with its layered storytelling. Polarizing, bold, and unforgettable.

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The Loneliness of Sonia and Sonny by Kiran Desai

Family Saga / Literary | Audio ✅
At nearly 700 pages, this is a sweeping story of family, love, and diaspora. Desai, a previous Booker winner, returns with a multigenerational novel that blends intimacy and scale.

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Flesh by David Szalay

Literary Fiction | Audio ✅
Szalay, known for sharp insights into modern life, delivers another striking exploration of human relationships.

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Endling by Maria Reva

Literary Fiction | Audio ✅
Witty and inventive, Reva’s latest blends satire with poignant reflection on survival and identity.

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Universality by Natasha Brown

Literary Fiction | Audio ✅
Brown (author of Assembly) returns with a polarizing, razor-sharp novel that interrogates power, society, and what it means to belong.

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Join Booker of the Month Book Club

The Booker longlist can feel intimidating — 13 books, many of them cerebral, experimental, or chunky. That’s exactly why @deedireads created Booker of the Month, a friendly online book club that’s been running since 2020.

Here’s how it works:

• One book per month — the longlist is 13 books, so you’ll double up just once.
  
• Meetings on Zoom — readers from around the world join to chat, analyze, and connect.
  
• Come as you are — some members read every book, others just dip into the ones that call to them. Either way, you’ll have a thoughtful conversation waiting for you.
  
• Community vibes — dogs, knitting, and cozy energy welcome. This isn’t a stuffy academic seminar; it’s a group of intelligent, curious readers who love books and each other’s company.
  

Why It Works

Reading the longlist together turns what could feel like a homework assignment into a shared adventure. It’s easier to tackle challenging books when you know you’ll have people to talk them over with — and the discussions often help you get more out of each story.

If you’ve ever wanted to give the Booker longlist a shot but felt overwhelmed, Booker of the Month is the best place to start.

Learn more & sign up here: https://deedireads.com/booker-of-the-month

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Final Thoughts

Whether you’re aiming to read the entire Booker longlist this year or just want to dip into a few buzzy titles, these novels offer a wide spectrum of literary experiences — from experimental form to sweeping family epics.

👉 Tell me in the comments: Which Booker Prize book is going on your TBR first?

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