As May 2025 unfolds, it brings with it a collection of captivating reads that promise to keep you hooked. Whether you’re into psychological thrillers, heartwarming love stories, or deep dives into history and society, there’s something for everyone. In this curated list of Best Books to Read in May 2025, we bring you titles that not only entertain but also provoke thought, spark conversation, and transport you to diverse worlds. Curated by Storizen, these books range from gripping narratives of crime and betrayal to insightful explorations of personal identity and history. Get ready to dive into these must-reads, handpicked to offer a blend of intrigue, inspiration, and unforgettable storytelling.
1. Goddess Complex by Sanjena Sathian
From the author of Gold Diggers comes Goddess Complex, a darkly comic and psychologically sharp novel about millennial identity, the tangled narratives around fertility, and the personal cost of choice. Sanjana Satyananda is reeling from a broken marriage, a stalled dissertation, and the relentless pressure of watching her peers “grow up” while she crashes at her sister’s house. After walking out on her aspiring actor husband, Killian, at a commune in India following a fight about parenthood, she now just wants to finalize her divorce—except Killian has gone missing. As she searches for him, strange women begin calling her for fertility advice, and Sanjana is forced to confront eerie versions of what her life could have been if she’d chosen motherhood. Twisting between satire and thriller, Goddess Complex takes aim at the self-optimization era, fertility tech, influencer culture, and the modern myths of womanhood with biting wit and haunting clarity.
2. Commanded by Destiny: A General’s Rise from Soldier to Statesman by General SM Shrinagesh
General Satyawant Mallana Shrinagesh: Soldier and Patriot is a compelling biography of one of independent India’s most distinguished military leaders—a man who helped shape the Indian Army during its most transformative years. As India’s second Chief of Army Staff, Shrinagesh firmly believed that true nationalism and unity were best exemplified by the armed forces. His career, spanning from colonial service to the leadership of a modern Indian army, included pivotal moments such as introducing tanks at Zoji La during the 1947–48 war with Pakistan—an audacious move that helped dismantle enemy defenses in treacherous terrain. The first military officer to serve as a state governor, his legacy extended beyond the battlefield into public service. Drawn from personal notes preserved by his family, this deeply researched and inspiring account offers a rare window into the life of a courageous patriot whose leadership redefined India’s military and national identity.
3. Stars Will Guide You Home by Stuti Changle
Stars Will Guide You Home is a heartwarming and contemporary tale of second chances, set against the backdrop of two continents and the complexities of digital love. Kiana and Nirvaan, once inseparable as teenagers, are brought back into each other’s lives by AILENA—a futuristic AI-powered dating app that matches them with uncanny precision, unaware of their shared past. As they fall for each other all over again behind digital veils, old wounds begin to heal—until the app unexpectedly declares them incompatible and severs their connection. Torn between trusting technology or following their hearts, the two must decide if love is a matter of code or courage. Tender, timely, and filled with emotional depth, this novel explores the fragile yet resilient nature of love in an age of algorithms, making it a perfect read for anyone who’s ever believed in serendipity, soulmates, or second chances.
4. Not All Angels Fly … You Could Be One by Joseph Annamkutty Jose
Not All Angels Fly is a deeply moving collection of real-life-inspired stories that celebrates the quiet courage and flawed beauty of ordinary people. From a life-saving conversation with a young priest to a mother’s fierce support for her daughter after a traumatic assault, from a dying girl’s miraculous gift from a security guard to a son discovering his mother anew, these poignant vignettes illuminate the heroism hidden in everyday moments. Translated from the Malayalam bestseller Daivathinte Charanmar, this powerful volume explores the delicate balance between sin and sainthood, asking whether true grace lies not in perfection but in embracing our imperfections with compassion, resilience, and humanity.
Also Read: 9 Must-Read Historical Fiction Books in 2025
5. The Penguin Book of Poems on The Indian City by Bilal Moin
The Penguin Book of Poems on the Indian City is a sweeping lyrical tribute to urban India, capturing the spirit, history, and contradictions of 37 cities through 375 evocative poems. Spanning centuries and languages, the anthology brings together classical voices like Valmiki and Kabir, colonial-era poets like Kipling and Tagore, and contemporary masters such as Gulzar, Vikram Seth, and Eunice de Souza. From Ghalib’s intimate portraits of Delhi to Agha Shahid Ali’s elegies for Srinagar and Kamala Das’s raw verses on Calcutta, this collection traces the evolving soul of Indian cities—seen as imperial centers, colonial relics, and dynamic modern spaces. Featuring poems written in English and translated from nearly twenty Indian languages, this rich anthology reveals the city not just as a setting, but as a living, breathing character shaped by—and shaping—the people who inhabit it. A must-read for anyone who has ever loved, loathed, or simply lived in an Indian city.
6. Our Living Constitution: A Concise Introduction & Commentary by Shashi Tharoor
In Our Living Constitution, Shashi Tharoor offers an illuminating and accessible guide to the foundational document that shapes the lives of every Indian—the Constitution of India. With clarity, depth, and insight, Tharoor traces the Constitution’s origins, explores its core principles of civic nationalism, pluralism, and liberalism, and explains the structures it establishes—legislature, executive, and judiciary—along with the rights and responsibilities it enshrines for citizens and state alike. While celebrating its resilience against authoritarian pressures, he warns of growing threats from sectarianism and illiberalism that challenge its spirit. Through compelling narrative and scholarly precision, this essential book empowers readers to understand and uphold the living ideals of India’s democracy, and urges constant vigilance to preserve the inclusive, progressive vision envisioned by its framers.
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7. Blueprints: How Mathematics Shapes Creativity by Marcus du Sautoy
In Blueprints, celebrated mathematician Marcus du Sautoy masterfully bridges the often-perceived divide between mathematics and the arts, revealing the hidden patterns and structures that bind them. From ancient monuments to modernist design, classical symphonies to experimental rock, and Shakespeare’s poetic meters to the abstract chaos of Dada, he uncovers how symmetry, fractals, prime numbers, and other mathematical principles shape both human creativity and the natural world. Drawing from diverse cultures and time periods, du Sautoy shows that far from being opposites, math and art are deeply intertwined languages that reflect our instinct to find meaning, beauty, and order. A fascinating and mind-expanding read, Blueprints is a compelling testament to the shared blueprint underlying both logic and imagination.
8. Police Affairs by Amit Lodha
In The Saffron Conspiracy, IPS officer Arjun Kumar’s life of discipline and honor unravels the moment he crosses a forbidden line—an affair with the alluring singer Madhushree. What begins as a secret romance quickly spirals into chaos when a sudden death threatens to expose him as a suspect, dragging him into a dark web of deceit, manipulation, and murder. As a corrupt Godman rises, a shadowy figure watches his every move, and his wife’s suspicions deepen, Arjun finds himself battling not only to salvage his reputation but also to survive a sinister plot that could topple the very institution he vowed to uphold. A taut, emotionally charged thriller, this is a story of choices, consequences, and the razor-thin divide between duty and downfall.
9. The Trojan Horse by Sanjukta Nandy with Rupali Sebastian
The Trojan Horse pits Isha Srivas Tava, a determined Special Agent, against the ruthless criminal mastermind Bishen Rao, in a high-stakes battle for justice. In the heart of the dense Abujmarh forest lies LalTara, a deadly criminal empire led by Rao, whose reign was once challenged by Isha’s father, Rakesh Srivastava. Now, Isha has inherited his vendetta, and with the help of Rao’s niece, Sangha, she embarks on a daring mission to infiltrate the empire using a strategy as old as time—the Trojan Horse. But as she delves deeper into the criminal underworld, she uncovers terrifying secrets that could lead to global catastrophe. A tale of treachery, high risk, and unwavering courage, this electrifying thriller keeps readers on the edge of their seats as Isha races against time to stop the impending doom. Will she succeed, or will the Devil’s Den claim her too?
Also Read: 9 Best YA Books to Read in 2025
In conclusion, the Best Books to Read in May 2025 offer an exciting array of genres, ensuring that there is something for every reader. From the complex psychological insights of Goddess Complex to the historical depth of Commanded by Destiny, each book on this list invites readers to explore new worlds, unravel mysteries, and connect with diverse perspectives. As you immerse yourself in these captivating stories, you’re bound to find thought-provoking narratives and unforgettable characters. Curated by Storizen, this selection guarantees that May 2025 will be a month filled with inspiring and engaging literary experiences. Happy reading!
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