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I read a ton of books! Reading books and talking about them is, quite literally, my reason for existence and why I am here today, and why I opened Sour Cherry Comics. If you come into the shop you can see my curated selection of comics, graphic novels, books and manga – and yes, I use “books” as a catch-all for all of that so when I say Top 10 books there WILL be manga on here, you best believe it.
Now, you might be wondering – what’s my criteria for a best book and are these all books released in 2025? For starters, I am including a couple books not published in 2025 (but most of them are pretty recent) so apologies if this should be a “top 10 books (that i read) of 2025” but that seemed too long for a post title. Secondly, I chose books that, not only did I love, but that I think most people would enjoy and/or should read for one reason or another. (Note on release dates: I realize that for manga and danmei titles the original release dates in Japan/China are likely earlier but I am going by official translation print release dates because I am reading them when they come out in print, not online.)
This isn’t necessarily a countdown, nor am I including them in a specific order for any particular reason, (but you can read it that way if you want.)
Empire of AI (2025)
This remains the most comprehensive and thorough piece of investigative journalism on the rise of AI. Karen Hao, an established journalist in tech, is incredibly knowledgeable and provides an insider’s perspective to the rise of Sam Altman/OpenAI. I recommend this book immensely to anyone who has any questions about the ethical/moral/environmental implications and consequences of using AI. As someone who immediately hated the rise of genAI, I read this to be a more informed hater.
GACHIAKUTA (2024-present)
As I do with a lot of these action-adventure series, I watched a couple episodes of the anime first and frankly, it was freakin’ awesome. So I immediately binge-read all of the volumes that were out (it was 7 at the time). This series is about finding value in everything, and everyone. It’s heartwarming, fast-paced, and it has compelling dystopic worldbuilding that will have you grasping for the next volume.
Rock is a Lady’s Modesty (2025)
This series is so so unbelievably charming – I absolutely loved the manga. I have to be specific here, because I didn’t actually love the anime… at first. Once the supporting characters started showing up I did get a little more interested, but something about the anime portrayal of the protag just didn’t grab me. However, the manga was a totally different experience and I really recommend giving the first volume a shot. It’s got a really cute art style, and all the character depth and background of the main character are much more fleshed out and relatable in the manga. Primarily, it’s about music, but it’s also about making friends, and a big fuck you to stuffed shirt rich people who think making rock music is a waste of time.
Love Bullet (2025)
Obviously I had to include the best yuri release of 2025. This is such a must read. The art, writing, concept… literally all of it is so cute and wonderful. You just gotta read it. It’s not the most-hyped yuri manga of this year for no reason, yknow.
Simplicity (2025)
Mattie Lubchansky’s new book Simplicity is a sci-fi dystopian exploration into the not-so far-flung future of hypersurveillance. It’s an interesting look at a commune that might be a cult and an astute commentary on billionaires reach, the obsession with “security” and the illusion of public safety, and a parody of the reality of surveillance tech taking over.
Enter Ghost (2024)
I’m not a big litfic person but this book was incredible and I have to recommend it to everyone I meet. Isabella Hammad is a literary genius and her prose is absolutely beautiful. She does a lot of interesting things in this book, but it’s mostly about a Palestinian actress living and working in London who comes back to Palestine to visit her sister and ends up in a West Bank production of Hamlet. Equal parts devastating and enraging, it encapsulates a lot of history and how life is for Palestinians in the West Bank. Highly recommend.
CALEXIT (2017)
A little bit on the older side but it’s making the list for this year because of a.) timeliness and b.) the continuation of this series booted back up this year. It’s exactly what the title might lead you to believe about its contents.
Abolish Rent (2024)
While there are many issues which plague us, one of the biggest which really is the root of a lot of other issues, is, quite simply, that the rent is too damn high. Or rather, as this book suggests, the fact that rent exists at all. I’m inclined to agree. I love this book for everything that it is, which is both a manifesto and detailed case studies on successful rent strikes organized with the LA Tenants Union. Read this, and share with friends.
Black Flame (2025)
Gretchen Felker-Martin is back with another banger, this time a psycho-sexual surreal novella which will have you wondering which parts are happening in reality and which are in the narrator’s head. It’s full of interesting and unlikeable people, and GFM’s prose is, as always, delectable and visceral. Easily my favorite fiction release of the year.
Perfect Victims (2025)
Rightfully placed at the no.1 spot, Mohammed el-Kurd’s Perfect Victims is, in my opinion, the most important book released last year. It is quite possibly also the most important book that you will ever read about Palestine. In this incredibly succinct and concise book, Mohammed el-Kurd cites historical events with clear-eyed analysis as well as his personal experience during the Sheikh-Jarrah expulsions. I think that everyone should read this book, especially now.
Honorable Mentions:
Riverbay Road: Men’s Dormitory (2025) – smutty yet heartwarming two-volume danmei about a group of men who live together
Enemy Feminisms (2025) – an important chronological, historical look at the use of feminism to assert imperialism and patriarchy in the name of “women’s” rights
Monster High: New Scaremester (2025) – cute and gay, very fun new comics from the Monster High characters!!