Eighteen books authored by Princeton University professors have been recognized in various 2025 year-end “best of” book lists. The selections include works of fiction, memoirs, poetry, and nonfiction, with some titles appearing on multiple lists.
Among the most notable honors, Patricia Smith’s “The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems” received the 2025 National Book Award for poetry. Yiyun Li’s memoir “Things in Nature Merely Grow” was a finalist for the National Book Award for nonfiction.
Faculty members’ books were highlighted across several genres. In fiction, Joyce Carol Oates’ novel “Fox” was listed among Harper’s Bazaar’s 10 Best Books of 2025 and Publishers Weekly Best Books 2025: Fiction. Harper’s Bazaar described it as a novel that “opens a Pandora’s box of questions,” while Publishers Weekly called it “a captivating whodunnit” and stated: “Oates is at the top of her game.” Oates is the Roger S. Berlind ’52 Professor in the Humanities, Emeritus.
Ed Park’s “An Oral History of Atlantis: Stories” appeared in TIME’s 100 Must-Read Books of 2025 and NPR Books We Love 2025. Hamilton Cain from TIME wrote that Park presents “a delectable collection of linked stories,” mixing experimental language with pop-culture themes. Park serves as a lecturer in creative writing at Princeton.
Lynn Steger Strong’s novel “The Float Test” made The New Yorker Best Books of 2025 list. The New Yorker commented that Strong “explores the dynamics of siblinghood — alliances and grudges — and interrogates what it means to claim family stories as your own.” Strong is also a lecturer in creative writing at Princeton.
In poetry, Patricia Smith’s award-winning volume was featured on Publishers Weekly Best Books 2025: Poetry and NPR Books We Love 2025 lists. Publishers Weekly praised Smith’s work for revealing “memory to be an act of defiance and love.”
Yiyun Li’s memoir was recognized by The New York Times, The Washington Post, TIME, NPR, The Guardian, among others. According to The Washington Post: “In beautiful prose, acclaimed fiction writer Li quietly guides us through the devastation of living after the unfathomable deaths… This memoir is full of the boys’ presence as Li crafts an ethereal memorial to them.” Li holds positions as Robert F. Goheen Professor in the Humanities and professor at Princeton.
Edmund White’s memoir “The Loves of My Life: A Sex Memoir” was included in best-of lists from The Sunday Times and Vulture before his death earlier this year.
Nonfiction highlights include Anne Cheng’s contribution to MoMA’s exhibition catalog “Ruth Asawa: Retrospective,” which Hyperallergic included among its recommended art books; Fara Dabhoiwala’s “What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea,” cited by both The Guardian and History Today; Christopher L. Eisgruber’s “Terms of Respect: How Colleges Get Free Speech Right,” named one of Forbes’ Best Higher Education Books; Hal Foster’s essay collection featured by The Brooklyn Rail; Harry G. Frankfurt’s republished classic “On Bullshit,” selected by The Telegraph; Agustín Fuentes’ exploration on biological diversity recognized by Nature; Stephen Macedo and Frances Lee’s analysis on pandemic policy cited by outlets such as The Economist , The New Yorker , The Wall Street Journal; Elaine Pagels’ study on Jesus listed by The New Yorker , California Review of Books, History.com, as well as being noted locally at Princeton Public Library; Kenneth Roth’s human rights account acknowledged by The Economist; Kevin Sack’s chronicle on race relations making several major lists including The New York Times, NPR , Kirkus Reviews ; Judith Weisenfeld’s historical study featured by Science News; Julian E. Zelizer’s political history named among The New Yorker‘s best books.
University resources such as the Humanities Council Faculty Bookshelf provide additional recommendations for those interested in more faculty-authored works.
