Looking for your next read? Top Shelf is an annual collection of book recommendations from OPL staff that spans genres, topics, and intended audiences. The common denominator? These books were all published in 2025. Explore more than 200 recently published titles that staff loved.
Want even more recommendations? Request a custom reading list from our librarians.
Check out our favorite books from previous years including 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
"This powerful novel serves as a reminder of the people who fought for the rights we have now." - Laura P.
"With elements of mystery, nature and survival in geographic isolation, ‘Wild Dark Shore’ is a climate change novel about grief and loss where the setting…
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"Baldacci gives us a wonderful stand-alone historical fiction based in London during WWII. You meet three characters from different walks of life who forge…
Read more of this comment about Strangers in Time
"Student and teacher constantly swap roles in St. James’ terrific debut novel. The only trans people either know in their small South Dakota town, the pair…
Read more of this comment about Woodworking"This powerful novel serves as a reminder of the people who fought for the rights we have now." - Laura P.
"With elements of mystery, nature and survival in geographic isolation, ‘Wild Dark Shore’ is a climate change novel about grief and loss where the setting…
Read more of this comment about Wild Dark Shore"Baldacci gives us a wonderful stand-alone historical fiction based in London during WWII. You meet three characters from different walks of life who forge…
Read more of this comment about Strangers in Time
"This attention-grabbing teen thriller is a mash-up of 'Gossip Girl' and 'The Sopranos' that had me racing to get to the end." - Kris C.
"This retelling of Swan Lake comes complete with a gothic atmosphere, slow-burn sapphic romance, and intrigue." - Cierra J.
"'Our Infinite Fates' hooks you right from the start! It is a magical tale of the power of love across lifetimes." - Laura P.
"In this coming-of-age story, Gonzales introduces us to a disgraced princess who falls in love with the unlikely new student at a boarding school. The…
Read more of this comment about Nobody in Particular"This attention-grabbing teen thriller is a mash-up of 'Gossip Girl' and 'The Sopranos' that had me racing to get to the end." - Kris C.
"This retelling of Swan Lake comes complete with a gothic atmosphere, slow-burn sapphic romance, and intrigue." - Cierra J.
"'Our Infinite Fates' hooks you right from the start! It is a magical tale of the power of love across lifetimes." - Laura P.
"In this coming-of-age story, Gonzales introduces us to a disgraced princess who falls in love with the unlikely new student at a boarding school. The…
Read more of this comment about Nobody in Particular
"One night, an 11-year-old girl saves an elderly lady from an accident and events are put in motion that will change both of their lives forever. Truly…
Read more of this comment about The Winter of the Dollhouse
"Hartman entertains with this heartwarming tale of loss and self-discovery. Clare the fox is meant to usher souls into their afterlives, but when a badger…
Read more of this comment about The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest…
"A must-read short chapter book for fans of the original 'Jasper Rabbit' series." - Kris C.
"Two young orphans try to find their way in Iran as World War II rages both far away and close to home. Nayeri weaves humor, heartbreak, life lessons and…
Read more of this comment about The Teacher of Nomad Land"One night, an 11-year-old girl saves an elderly lady from an accident and events are put in motion that will change both of their lives forever. Truly…
Read more of this comment about The Winter of the Dollhouse"Hartman entertains with this heartwarming tale of loss and self-discovery. Clare the fox is meant to usher souls into their afterlives, but when a badger…
Read more of this comment about The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest…"A must-read short chapter book for fans of the original 'Jasper Rabbit' series." - Kris C.
"Two young orphans try to find their way in Iran as World War II rages both far away and close to home. Nayeri weaves humor, heartbreak, life lessons and…
Read more of this comment about The Teacher of Nomad Land
"An inspiring collection of essays on horror fiction by many of the current great writers in the genre. If you are looking to begin reading horror, this…
Read more of this comment about Why I Love Horror
"A collection of sharp and hilarious personal essays about the decade between the dot-com bubble and the 2008 housing market collapse. A great look at…
Read more of this comment about Y2K
"Lazzarato strongly argues his case that imperialist war is a fundamental underpinning to American-led world capitalism." - Colby J.
"This gripping true-crime deep dive bridges the gap between literary history and a chilling real-life murder, uncovering the dark inspiration behind one…
Read more of this comment about The Sinners All Bow"An inspiring collection of essays on horror fiction by many of the current great writers in the genre. If you are looking to begin reading horror, this…
Read more of this comment about Why I Love Horror"A collection of sharp and hilarious personal essays about the decade between the dot-com bubble and the 2008 housing market collapse. A great look at…
Read more of this comment about Y2K"Lazzarato strongly argues his case that imperialist war is a fundamental underpinning to American-led world capitalism." - Colby J.
"This gripping true-crime deep dive bridges the gap between literary history and a chilling real-life murder, uncovering the dark inspiration behind one…
Read more of this comment about The Sinners All Bow
"Follow a pile of bison poo through the seasons as it becomes home to many different kinds of life. Kids will love the dung humor while parents will love…
Read more of this comment about Poo Pile on the Prairie
"Perfect for kids who like mysteries and/or finding out the truth. 'The Loch Ness Monster' features the stories and facts surrounding several different…
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"Bearzi details the exciting and dangerous journey of sea turtles. Very well explained and illustrated." - Aura S.
"This charming story explains the water cycle, what cells are, and how humans are filled with water in a very approachable way with delightful illustrations."…
Read more of this comment about Sea in My Cells"Follow a pile of bison poo through the seasons as it becomes home to many different kinds of life. Kids will love the dung humor while parents will love…
Read more of this comment about Poo Pile on the Prairie"Perfect for kids who like mysteries and/or finding out the truth. 'The Loch Ness Monster' features the stories and facts surrounding several different…
Read more of this comment about The Loch Ness Monster"Bearzi details the exciting and dangerous journey of sea turtles. Very well explained and illustrated." - Aura S.
"This charming story explains the water cycle, what cells are, and how humans are filled with water in a very approachable way with delightful illustrations."…
Read more of this comment about Sea in My Cells"'Our Infinite Fates' hooks you right from the start! It is a magical tale of the power of love across lifetimes." - Laura P.
"Looking for a chilling read with a vampire secret agent, an eldritch horror and a small crew of unknowing humans all trapped on a boat in the middle of…
Read more of this comment about Hunger's Bite
"Reid has built a dystopian world in the not-so-distant future where debts are paid in a game of blood. Perfect for fans of 'The Hunger Games.'" - Chloe…
Read more of this comment about Fable for the End of the World
"An action-packed romantasy for older teens that reminds me of 'Game of Thrones' with werewolves." - Kris C.
"'Our Infinite Fates' hooks you right from the start! It is a magical tale of the power of love across lifetimes." - Laura P.
"Looking for a chilling read with a vampire secret agent, an eldritch horror and a small crew of unknowing humans all trapped on a boat in the middle of…
Read more of this comment about Hunger's Bite"Reid has built a dystopian world in the not-so-distant future where debts are paid in a game of blood. Perfect for fans of 'The Hunger Games.'" - Chloe…
Read more of this comment about Fable for the End of the World"An action-packed romantasy for older teens that reminds me of 'Game of Thrones' with werewolves." - Kris C.
"A haunting and atmospheric epistalory horror novel set after the collapse of society. The narrator is an unnamed nun who must navigate both the danger…
Read more of this comment about The Unworthy
"Hallett's latest epistolary mystery novel revolves around a murder and the drama of a weekly pub trivia series. I love trying to piece together the primary…
Read more of this comment about The Killer Question
"This story creatively borders a bit of historical fiction set in the 1990s, highlighting nostalgic aspects of the time. It's part psychological thriller,…
Read more of this comment about What Kind of Paradise
"When Hailey Gelman becomes a suspect in her ex-husband's murder following a bitter custody battle, her tight-knit family must confront their own dark…
Read more of this comment about We Would Never"A haunting and atmospheric epistalory horror novel set after the collapse of society. The narrator is an unnamed nun who must navigate both the danger…
Read more of this comment about The Unworthy"Hallett's latest epistolary mystery novel revolves around a murder and the drama of a weekly pub trivia series. I love trying to piece together the primary…
Read more of this comment about The Killer Question"This story creatively borders a bit of historical fiction set in the 1990s, highlighting nostalgic aspects of the time. It's part psychological thriller,…
Read more of this comment about What Kind of Paradise"When Hailey Gelman becomes a suspect in her ex-husband's murder following a bitter custody battle, her tight-knit family must confront their own dark…
Read more of this comment about We Would Never
"The tender love and understanding between the two main characters is the kind where someone who has been treated badly by his parents finally gets treated…
Read more of this comment about Say You'll Remember Me
"Grieving the death of her best friend, Lenny meets Miles - who takes on the challenge of helping her complete her 'live again' list. Tender and sweet,…
Read more of this comment about Promise Me Sunshine
"'Passion Project' follows Bennet as she tries to rediscover what makes her love life while battling grief, joined by the epitome of a 'golden retriever…
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"Carley Fortune returns to Barry Bay in an interconnected standalone that follows the older Florek brother and a photographer who is trying to find her…
Read more of this comment about One Golden Summer"The tender love and understanding between the two main characters is the kind where someone who has been treated badly by his parents finally gets treated…
Read more of this comment about Say You'll Remember Me"Grieving the death of her best friend, Lenny meets Miles - who takes on the challenge of helping her complete her 'live again' list. Tender and sweet,…
Read more of this comment about Promise Me Sunshine"'Passion Project' follows Bennet as she tries to rediscover what makes her love life while battling grief, joined by the epitome of a 'golden retriever…
Read more of this comment about Passion Project"Carley Fortune returns to Barry Bay in an interconnected standalone that follows the older Florek brother and a photographer who is trying to find her…
Read more of this comment about One Golden Summer
"Cora Velasquez, a newly-turned vampire, seeks salvation in the arms of a priest who uncovers her secret. The beautiful Art Nouveau-inspired art supports…
Read more of this comment about The Confessional
"Persico combines whimsical illustrations and talking plants with heavy themes of grief and mental illness, creating a captivating coming-of-age graphic…
Read more of this comment about How to Talk to your Succulent"Looking for a chilling read with a vampire secret agent, an eldritch horror and a small crew of unknowing humans all trapped on a boat in the middle of…
Read more of this comment about Hunger's Bite
"Huda F. is back again with another super relatable, hilarious story -- this time, tackling the topic of divorce. Such a hard, underrepresented topic,…
Read more of this comment about Huda F Wants to Know?"Cora Velasquez, a newly-turned vampire, seeks salvation in the arms of a priest who uncovers her secret. The beautiful Art Nouveau-inspired art supports…
Read more of this comment about The Confessional"Persico combines whimsical illustrations and talking plants with heavy themes of grief and mental illness, creating a captivating coming-of-age graphic…
Read more of this comment about How to Talk to your Succulent"Looking for a chilling read with a vampire secret agent, an eldritch horror and a small crew of unknowing humans all trapped on a boat in the middle of…
Read more of this comment about Hunger's Bite"Huda F. is back again with another super relatable, hilarious story -- this time, tackling the topic of divorce. Such a hard, underrepresented topic,…
Read more of this comment about Huda F Wants to Know?
"Journalist Jonathan Capehart talks about his journey so far. I love him from 'PBS News Hour,' and it was fascinating to read more about his experiences."…
Read more of this comment about Yet Here I Am
"Anyone who has ever loved an animal that brought chaos into their lives will feel a strong affinity with Zusak and his beloved pets. Trigger warning,…
Read more of this comment about Three Wild Dogs (and the Truth)…
"A collection of essays tackling unexpected motherhood after being raised religious. These essays are written as an interaction with Bailey's reader who…
Read more of this comment about Thank You for Staying With Me
"Gradvall, a respected Swedish music journalist, has written a history of both ABBA, the band, and Swedish music history since World War II. Although the…
Read more of this comment about The Story of ABBA"Journalist Jonathan Capehart talks about his journey so far. I love him from 'PBS News Hour,' and it was fascinating to read more about his experiences."…
Read more of this comment about Yet Here I Am"Anyone who has ever loved an animal that brought chaos into their lives will feel a strong affinity with Zusak and his beloved pets. Trigger warning,…
Read more of this comment about Three Wild Dogs (and the Truth)…"A collection of essays tackling unexpected motherhood after being raised religious. These essays are written as an interaction with Bailey's reader who…
Read more of this comment about Thank You for Staying With Me"Gradvall, a respected Swedish music journalist, has written a history of both ABBA, the band, and Swedish music history since World War II. Although the…
Read more of this comment about The Story of ABBA
"Rhythmic text and scratchboard illustrations detail various woodland creatures as they slip through the hedge and over the stone wall onto the farmyard…
Read more of this comment about Where the Deer Slip Through
"A poetic and thoughtful picture book following a child and her grandfather as they move through their city, stopping to appreciate their surroundings.…
Read more of this comment about We Go Slow
"A young girl instructs the reader on how to catch a ghost (because you need to impress your classmates at show and tell, of course) - but maybe some things…
Read more of this comment about To Catch A Ghost
"A fun, colorful, delightful book that celebrates a child’s desire to collect and proudly display treasured items. This engaging book is imaginative and…
Read more of this comment about These Are My Rocks"Rhythmic text and scratchboard illustrations detail various woodland creatures as they slip through the hedge and over the stone wall onto the farmyard…
Read more of this comment about Where the Deer Slip Through"A poetic and thoughtful picture book following a child and her grandfather as they move through their city, stopping to appreciate their surroundings.…
Read more of this comment about We Go Slow"A young girl instructs the reader on how to catch a ghost (because you need to impress your classmates at show and tell, of course) - but maybe some things…
Read more of this comment about To Catch A Ghost"A fun, colorful, delightful book that celebrates a child’s desire to collect and proudly display treasured items. This engaging book is imaginative and…
Read more of this comment about These Are My Rocks
“Una inquietante y atmosférica novela de terror epistolar ambientada tras el colapso de la sociedad. La narradora es una monja sin nombre quien debe enfrentarse…
Read more of this comment about Las indignas
"El querido perro de Nana, Popo, la acompaña a través de los nueve niveles de Mictlán (el inframundo indÃgena Mexicano) en esta agridulce representación del…
Read more of this comment about Popo El Xolo (Spanish Edition)
"Desde los barcos de convictos de Irlanda en los años 1800s hasta la costa de Australia actual, Hart crea un cuento de dos pares de hermanas dedicadas al…
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"Esta nueva entrega de la serie Los juegos del hambre sigue a Haymitch, un adolescente del Distrito 12 en su camino a los Juegos del hambre. Haymitch necesita…
Read more of this comment about Amanecer en la cosecha“Una inquietante y atmosférica novela de terror epistolar ambientada tras el colapso de la sociedad. La narradora es una monja sin nombre quien debe enfrentarse…
Read more of this comment about Las indignas"El querido perro de Nana, Popo, la acompaña a través de los nueve niveles de Mictlán (el inframundo indÃgena Mexicano) en esta agridulce representación del…
Read more of this comment about Popo El Xolo (Spanish Edition)"Desde los barcos de convictos de Irlanda en los años 1800s hasta la costa de Australia actual, Hart crea un cuento de dos pares de hermanas dedicadas al…
Read more of this comment about Las sirenas"Esta nueva entrega de la serie Los juegos del hambre sigue a Haymitch, un adolescente del Distrito 12 en su camino a los Juegos del hambre. Haymitch necesita…
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Woodworking
"Student and teacher constantly swap roles in St. James’ terrific debut novel. The only trans people either know in their small South Dakota town, the pair…
Read more of this comment about Woodworking