The past, as many have said, is a nice place to visit, but most of us wouldn’t want to live there. While the world is by no means a wonderful place for women and is in many ways seemingly regressing its advances, one has to admit that many historical periods were much harder times to be female. Learning these lessons from the past helps us appreciate our present, and even potentially shape the future. One of the best ways to do this is via literature, which makes these lessons not just dry concepts, but fascinating and even fun. In this week’s book club, you’ll be transported back in time to three very different countries and time periods, and witness the evolution of rights, status, and conditions via these authors’ historical research and imaginings.
Similar to finding the best gifts for your sister, I've become a pro at finding things book lovers will cherish. "It takes one to know one" positively applies to this because I'm a bibliophile too. From keeping up with the latest book club picks to seeing what's being praised (or shredded) on BookTok, there's never a time I'm not engrossed in something reading-related.
On that note, prepare your fingers to take screenshots of these fun gifts for book lovers because someone in your inner circle will love them. And if you decide to snag a few of these for yourself, I won't judge you!
Keep reading for the best gifts for every kind of book lover.
- The Best Collector's Edition Book Gift: The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose (On shelves November 26, 2024)
- The Best Journal Gift: Book Lovers Journal
- The Best Drinkware Gift: Book Lovers Themed 16 Oz Glass Cup
- The Best Puzzle: 500 Piece Book Puzzle
- The Best Book Lovers Top: "I Have No Shelf Control" Sweatshirt
The best gift for the book lover who loves collector's editions of books:
Amazon
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose (November 26, 2024)
The Perfect Marriage follows a wild case involving a married couple and their fight for justice. Unfortunately, readers discover that not all is as it seems between Sarah Morgan and her husband Adam. When an affair and the murder of Adam's mistress rocks their marriage, Sarah will have to prove how good of an attorney she is while defending him.
This collector's edition book comes with detailed endpapers, red edges (as seen above), and a brand new chapter that features "courtroom illustrations!" Pre-order it today so it'll arrive in time for Christmas!
The best gift for book lovers who are serious about their 2025 reading goals:
Target
Book Lovers Journal
The rise of BookTok made room for readers whose strong opinions fueled a renewed interest in reading. Even retailers like Target, Walmart, and Barnes & Noble noticed how powerful it is!
If you know someone who needs a place to organize their books and share their unfiltered thoughts about them, don't be shy about slipping this journal into their curated gift bag.
The best gift for book lovers who always pour a glass of wine when reading:
Target
Wine Glass Set — Read Between The Wine
I absolutely love fun sayings that play on familiar ones we've grown up with. This cute glass set would be perfect to include with someone's new book journal because the two complement each other well. What's a good book review without a nice glass of wine?
The best gift for book lovers who love coffee as much as they do reading:
Amazon
Book Lovers Themed 16oz Glass Cup
Some book lovers may be on a sobriety journey so it's best to steer clear of anything that reminds them of alcohol. Instead, you can buy this cute glass cup for them as a way to acknowledge their love of reading. Although it's technically a coffee cup, the reader you know can put their drink of choice in it!
Between us, I see a lovely golden turmeric tea in my future!
The best puzzle for the book lover who wants to immortalize their bibliophile ways:
Target
500 Piece Book Puzzle
Inside of this seemingly massive book lies 500 pieces of pure fun that create the most beautiful puzzle your reader's ever seen. It's less than $15 so you won't go over budget, and will keep that special someone busy in-between their designated reading sessions.
The best book gift to keep a book lover's toes cozy during winter:
Target
Bookworm Low Cut Socks
One thing any book lover can agree on is that we love cute and silly nods to our reading habits. IMO, these socks bring the 'bookworm' title to life with its cute depiction of a worm sitting on a pile of books. The fact the worm is wearing glasses makes these socks even better!
The best gift for book lovers who love practical jokes and playing pranks on people:
Target
Bookie Cushion
Clearly I'm in a jolly (aka goofy) mood because I immediately laughed when I saw this bookmark. I grew up with a brother so I can spot a whoopie cushion from a mile away and this idea? Oh, it's such a delight for book lovers who have a unique sense of humor.
The best gift for book lovers whose bookshelves are happily overcrowded:
Etsy
"I Have No Shelf Control" Sweatshirt
I'd love to write an entire blurb about why this sweatshirt makes sense as one of the best gifts for book lovers, but it's self-explanatory. I already know there's someone in your life who won't stop buying books even though they've run out of space on their bookshelves. Yes, it's plural because I know they have two that are overflowing.
This sweatshirt is definitely for them.
The best book gift for book lovers who love buying themselves flowers:
Etsy
Personalized Eco-Friendly Book Vase
How gorgeous is this eco-friendly book vase? I've personally tried to convince myself that I don't need one, but I think I may add this to my list of Christmas demands, er, wants, so my fiancé has an idea of what to get me.
The personalization of this book vase is simple:
- Choose from two styles of vases
- Add 10 favorite titles to the personalization box in list form
The best gift for book lovers who still have their childhood library cards:
Etsy
Vintage Library Card Blanket
All book lovers know that falling in love with the library as a kid is like a rite of passage. It was the one place where any outside troubles seemed to fade away because you could pick up any book and be transported to another world. If you know someone who still cherishes those day, you should surprise them with this vintage library card blanket.
You have the option of personalizing it for them or you can let the designer choose which dates or authors to place on it!
The best gift for book lovers who are curating their at-home libraries full of banned books:
Etsy
Personalized Library Sign
Take things a step further and buy a book lover their own library sign, especially if they're buying as many banned books as possible. Reading can be seen as a form of resistance to the idea that books are causing people to think and live in a harmful way. Book lovers know that's not quite it.
The best gift for book lovers who'd rather be reading:
Etsy
Funny Bookish Mug
There may be a pile of laundry on the bed or things to pack if you're moving, but nothing comes before reading. Well, that's probably what you've been telling yourself and I partially agree. At least shower and brush your teeth before you descend into your undisturbed reading time.
The best gift for book lovers who can't stop reading spicy titles:
Etsy
Fantasy Book Lover Candle
I'm going to hold your hand when I say this: We know you or your bestie can't get enough of reading spicy romance books. I'm privy to this insider's information because I can't stop reading them either. They've actually made date night more fun and that's as far as I'll go.
Even if you or your bestie aren't in a relationship with anyone, the very act of reading smutty things can be a fun form of escapism from the dumpster fire that's been going on since 2020.
The best gift for book lovers who swear they're going to bed after reading one more chapter:
Etsy
Book Lover Candle
You may have heard your best friend or younger sibling say this before: "I'm seriously putting this book down after I read one more chapter." You may have said it to yourself before realizing it's 3:00 in the morning and you haven't slept yet.
Do yourself or another book lover a favor by gifting them this realistic candle. You can choose from the following scents:
- Rose + Patchouli
- Mimosa + Pineapple
- White Tea + Jasmine
- Coconut + Orange
Stop by Brit + Co's Amazon Storefront for our top 2024 book recommendations!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.
Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.
Marvel Studios/YouTube
Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!
We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.
Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios
And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”
What is the plot of Thunderbolts?
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Thunderbolts* Plot
Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.
Thunderbolts* Release Date
Jesse Grant/Disney
Thunderbolts* Release Date
Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.
Who's on the Thunderbolts team?
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Thunderbolts* Cast
Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.
This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"
Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”
Jesse Grant/Disney
The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”
“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”
Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.
Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
This post has been updated.
I'm not trying to rush into a new year, but 2025 is looking incredibly promising based on the new books coming our way. At this point, I'm going to need more bookshelves to keep up with the influx of electrifying novels I keep adding to my growing TBR pile. So, here's the inside scoop on all the most-anticipated books for next year that you'll want to start thinking about — and even pre-order!
You know I love being your book bestie, so let's jump into these juicy titles and plots that have me buzzing with excitement!
The Most-Anticipated New Book Of 2025:
Amazon
Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley (February 25, 2024)
During the fall of 2000 at Berkeley University, Percy Marks and Joe Morrow have a chance encounter that changes the course of their lives forever. Instead of finding Percy's ability to deep dive into the meanings of songs, Joe thinks she's fascinating and has the makings of something great. So when he asks her to give her opinion about songs he's written, Percy doesn't hesitate.
It's the very thing that leads to a long collaboration where they begin writing songs together. However, Joe is the only one who's thrust into the spotlight. As such, Percy feels the rising fury of being in his shadows and longs for more. At this point, she knows she's more than capable of introducing the world to the songs in her heart.
Amazon
Bearer of Bad News by Elisabeth Dini (April 29, 2025)
The Most-Anticipated Rom-Com Books Of 2025
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For One Night Only by Jessica James (January 7, 2025)
Valerie Quinn's show is on the verge of being canceled because of her wild choices, and she's not ready for that to happen. In a hasty attempt to save it, she decides to put her band Glitter Bats back together. It's just the thing she thinks her public image needs. That and a certain bassist — Caleb Sloane.
Sadly, Valerie and Caleb aren't on speaking turns due to an icky breakup that didn't fare well for the latter. But, Caleb's always found it hard to resist Valerie's charm so he decides to give their reunion and faux relationship another chance. It seems like a good ideas, but they'll have to figure out to avoid all the pitfalls that led to their demise if they want things to work in their favor.
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Accidentally Amyby Lynn Painter (January 14, 2025)
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Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis (January 21, 2025)
Nothing shakes up your life quite like the disappearance of your parents and the fact your ex is the only person you trust to help you find out what happened to them. Reaching out to Noah Turner isn't at the top of Olivia Porter's to-do list, but she doesn't have a choice because he was a special investigative agent for the National Park Service. Of course he was good at his job and terrible at maintaining a relationship — at least that's what Olivia seems to think.
When they're forced to be in each other's orbit again, old feelings start to come up as the race to find Olivia's parents gets underway. But, Noah and Olivia will have to decide if they trust each other to stop living in their heads so they can have give love a real chance.
Amazon
The Matchmaker by Aisha Saeed (February 4, 2025)
Nura Khan's following in her family's footsteps by continuing in the matchmaking business. She's super successful and has an amazing clientele due to how hard she works. Sadly, she's yet to put her skills to good use in her own romantic life. But, her childhood best friend decides to step in when she needs him the most. He's her childhood best friend who conjures up deep feelings in her even if he doesn't know it yet.
However, someone seems to have it out for her when a curated wedding crashes and burns among other odd occurrences. The more her work is sabotaged, the more Nura becomes convinced someone has it our for her. With the help of Azar and her team, she'll try to solve the mystery of who's toying with her before people get hurt.
Amazon
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison (February 11, 2025)
Aiden Valentine's become jaded by love even though he's hosting Baltimore's romance hotline, Heartstrings. He's tired of giving everyone else advice while his romantic life is all over the place, but he can't escape it after an interview with a young girl about her mom's dating life becomes popularized. That mom happens to be Lucie Stone.
In her eyes, she's doing a great job at work and has the support of her family. She never questioned things until her daughter called into Heartstrings and it makes her become open to love. Enter a collaboration with Aiden.
Though they're supposed to be helping Lucie's love life, there's a magnetic connection between them that's undeniable. Lucie knows this little "find romance" thing is meant for her, but she can't but wonder if it's closer than she or Aiden are willing to admit.
Amazon
Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley (March 11, 2025)
Jane and Dan's 19-year-old marriage has reached a crossroads that's threatening to send them in different directions. Well, it's mostly Jane who's become disenchanted with her life. She feels lost in motherhood, her career, and believes she's not the only person Dan has been with. Still, the couple decide to head to the luxurious restaurant La Fin du Monde in celebration of their anniversary. It's just Dan isn't suspecting Jane wants to drop a bombshell on him.
However, her plans are slashed into pieces when a climate activist group takes over the dining area. It's not just that, it seems like they've taken pages from book she wrote. She thought it was a failure, but apparently someone has been drawing inspiration from it.
Jane and Dan must rely on each other since they're privy to how this hostage situation will unfold. Although it's not what she had in mind, maybe it could be the very thing to put the spark back into their marriage.
Amazon
Early Thirties by Josh Duboff (March 18, 2025)
Amazon
Swept Away by Beth O'Leary (April 1, 2025)
One night stands are meant to be a "hit it and quit it" sort of thing, but running into a former fling is inevitable sometimes. What makes things awkward is when you become stranded with the person you didn't think you'd see again after a fun rump. That's exactly what happens to Zeke and Lexi when their sexy time overshadows logic.
While on Zeke's father's houseboat, neither of them make sure it's connected to the dock so they drift out and realize it much too late. Surrounded by a large body of water and minimal resources, Zeke and Lexi go from a one night stand to a mini version of Gilligan's Island, except they're not exactly laughing at their predicament at first.
But, their long talks begin to develop into much more and it proves that disasters are the best way to see what someone is made of.
Amazon
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (April 22, 2025)
Emily Henry's gearing up for the release of a new Spring 2025 read and it has all the makings of a juicy rom-com, according to People.
When two writers find themselves on Little Crescent Island for a chance of a lifetime, a hilarious chase ensues as they rush to be chosen to write the biography of the mysterious Margaret Ives. Whereas Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning success, Alice Scott has been looking to make her mark as a writer. Though Alice doesn't want to think of it this way, she's pulled into the competitive nature of receiving Margaret's blessing because Hayden isn't letting up.
The problem is that Margaret isn't sharing everything she knows and the NDA the two have signed are making it difficult to decide what's worth adding to her story or not. The closer Alice and Hayden get to the finish line, the more their competition pulls them closer together for a steamy tale that'll leave your jaw on the floor by the time you read the last page.
Amazon
One Golden Summerby Carley Fortune (May 6, 2025)
She's a decent photographer who spends time making other people look good, but she wonders if this is how she'll spend the rest of her life. No sooner than she has that thought, something happens to Nan that makes Alice want to take them back to Barry's Bay.
As soon as they arrive, someone familiar comes roaring by on the lake — Charlie Florek — and she feels like a giddy teen all over again. Though they're both adults, Charlie has a way of making her feel carefree, but she's afraid to open her heart. Could the change she's been looking for live in Barry's Bay?
Amazon
Can't Get Enoughby Kennedy Ryan (May 13, 2025)
Hendrix Barry is the single, carefree, and sexy 'auntie' out of her friends — not that she's complaining. From the outside looking in, it seems like she doesn't have room to worry about anything. I mean, she's literally #careergoals in the flesh! But aside from the glitz and glamour of her life, Hendrix has to learn how to deal with being a caregiver for a parent.The last thing she needs is to add a man to her busy schedule — or so she thinks.
Her world bursts into a beautiful explosion of color when she meets sexy tech mogul Maverick Bell. He's as charming as as he is business savvy and seems to know how to knock Hendrix off her carefully planted feet. But, Maverick is the last person she's supposed to be with. The problem is that she can't seem to stay away from him.
Can't Get Enough is the final book of the Skyland series so make sure you read Before I Let Go and This Could Be Us to get introduced to the friends at the heart of each moving book!
The Most-Anticipated Thriller And Mystery Books Of 2025
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The Drowning Game by Barbara Nickless (January 1, 2025)
Nadia and Cass Brenner have inherited Ocean House along with everything that comes with it. This means they've been set up for success by way of a successful yacht business that had elite clientele from America to Europe and are on their way to securing even more funding with the commission of an even bigger build for a wealthy billionaire. But just as they're on the brink of securing things, Cass' life is abruptly cut short.
The police wave it off as a suicide, but Nadia's intuition and sleuthing help her uncover the dangerous things Cass was involved in before her death. Unfortunately, she doesn't do a good job of evading the same world her sister was involved in and becomes embroiled in the dark web that eventually caught up with her sister.
Amazon
The Perfect Home by Daniel Kenitz (January 7, 2025)
Dawn and Wyatt Decker are one of reality TV's beloved couples thanks to their show, The Perfect Home, but it seems like ego and fate have different plans for them. For starters, Dawn's never been keen to the idea of being a 'celebrity,' but Wyatt's always welcomed fame to the point he wants even more of it. One thing they agree on is the expansion of their family, but infertility issues have made it difficult for them to conceive due to Wyatt's medical issues.
However, his hunger to improve the situation turns sinister when he has an adverse reaction to fertility drugs. Though he and Dawn receive their miracle twins, Wyatt becomes a darker version of himself that Dawn can't recognize. When she decides to go on the run with their babies to protect them from her husband's new cruel nature, Wyatt convinces viewers and closed loved ones that Dawn is the one with the problem.
This mother will have to use her intellect and their past to put an end to the man she once knew. But it'll require her to trust allies in this fast-paced thriller.
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The Unbecoming of Margaret Wolf by Isa Arsén (January 7, 2025)
Before long, Wesley receives a prestigious invitation by director Vaughn Kline to take part in a new Shakespeare project in New Mexico and Margaret makes the decision to tag along. But, they both find salacious things in the desert which threaten their marriage and sanity.
Amazon
A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriageby Asia Mackay (January 14, 2025)
They decided to stop reaping the rewards of helping the world in their own twisted way to become a nuclear family and almost fooled themselves into thinking they'd put their pasts behind them. But Hazel can't stop thinking about the thrill of killing and it's really starting to bother her.
The slight problem is Fox is settling into the life they've built, especially where fatherhood is concerned. At the same time, he knows Hazel is struggling and completely understands her. There's no judgement from him until Hazel does the unthinkable and the police follow the breadcrumbs right to their front door.
Amazon
Dead Money by Jakob Kerr (January 28, 2025)
Mackenzie Clyde is so great at fixing the problems of the most successful (and "ruthless" venture capitalist in Silicon Valley that she doesn't even blink twice when given tasks. She knows she's capable of handling them and seems to do so with great ease.
But when the CEO of a hot new startup is found murdered and leaves behind 'dead money,' Mackenzie realizes she's never played this kind of game before. The huge problem is that Mackenzie's boss was a chief investor in the startup which means there's money and cops on standby.
As always, Mackenzie is expected to fix this problem. Even though she's never dealt with something so grand, she's prepared to go down the list of high-value suspects until she discovers the necessary information that grants her to opportunity to move ahead in life.
Amazon
You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego (February 11, 205)
Mila del Angél may have been an aspiring writer at one point, but her passion is reignited when famous author J.R. Alastor picks her to host a writing treat in Maine. No one knows Alastor's identity, but that's all a part of the fun. What's even more thrilling is the fact Mila isn't exactly best friends with one of the other guests that'll be attending.
Between the two of them, Alastor and Mila have created a week full of fun for the thriller authors, but no one knows that the latter is willing to kill the guest she's not a fan of. Before she can act, someone else is found dead and it has nothing to do with Mila.
Whoever is doing the killing knows every single trick there is to murder someone and disappear into obscurity which makes Mila wonder why she was truly chosen to host a retreat.
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Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn (March 11, 2025)
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Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi (March 11, 2025)
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All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman (March 11, 2025)
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Gothictown by Emily Carpenter (March 25, 2025)
Billie Hope's prayers are answered when she's given the chance to purchase a gorgeous Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia for $100. Anyone else wouldn't touch this offer with a 10-foot pole, but it's just the thing Billie's been waiting for. It'll give her a chance to leave bustling NYC behind and all of the pain that followed her family once she was forced to close her restaurant. And that's the other thing — the offer to buy the new home comes with the promise of a business grant to help her open a new eatery!
It doesn't take long for Billie, her husband Peter, and their young daughter Meredith to move to Juliana. They start to settle into their new life, oblivious to the tiny red flags that keep appearing. Over time, Billie begins having nightmares coupled with the hardships her marriage begins facing. Also, the town's elders continue to make their presence known in uncomfortable ways.
Despite the sugary sweet charm of the south, Billie begins wondering if she made a grave decision by moving her family to Juliana.
Amazon
This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead (March 25, 2025)
Convinced the police aren't telling the truth about what happened, Jane and her friends try to start solving the case themselves. But, nothing is as clear as they'd hope it would be and they're convinced that someone may be waiting until the right moment to trap them.
Though she survived what happened in Delphine, Jane's never talked about it until now.
Amazon
The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose (April 15, 2025)
Attorney Sarah Morgan's life has moved forward after she successfully proved her ex-husband Adam didn't kill the woman he had an affair with. With her new husband Bob Miller, all that matters is the bright future she's envisioned for herself. Unfortunately, Bob follows in Adam's footsteps by cheating and this angers Sarah.
It seems that her decision to file for divorce from him creates a ricochet effect that results in her ex-husband's case being reopened. Not only will Sarah have to deal with getting divorced, she'll also have to face the fact that some things don't stay buried.
Amazon
The Murder Show by Matt Goldman (April 15, 2025)
Ethan Harris was once a popular showrunner whose series The Murder Show used to bring in high ratings. Following a private detective who solved hard cases, it was a fan favorite until the network decides Ethan's latest pitch isn't cutting it for them.
This sends him on a journey back home to Minnesota where he runs into his former classmate Ro Greeman. As luck would have it, she's a police officer who's recently started looking into the death of the friend Ricky. Though he was killed one summer, nothing truly was uncovered about his murder until now.
Ro feels that it'll be a great idea for Ethan to help figure out what really happened, encouraging him to pitch the hit and run death for The Murder Show. Ethan feels there's more to Ricky's death, but he agrees to the idea so their friend can receive the justice he never got.
But, Ethan and Ro have no idea what they've signed up.
Amazon
You Can't Hurt Meby Emma Cook (November 5, 2025)
The Most-Anticipated Family-Themed Books Of 2025
Amazon
The Rules of Fortune by Danielle Prescod (February 1, 2025)
Written by veteran journalist Danielle Prescod, The Rules of Fortune follows the lives of the Carter Family. True to tradition, they gather for a moment of celebration in Martha's Vineyard and expect nothing out of the ordinary to happen. But when the patriarch dies, the media quickly swoops in with questions about the family's booming business. At the center of it all is Kennedy Carter.
She planned to debut a documentary she'd been working on prior to her father's death, but her plans shift when she begins wondering about who her father was. She's never cared for the niceties of coming from a wealthy family or the ruthless nature it takes to have the things they've been afforded.
The more she digs into her father's past, the more she realizes how little she knew about her family's empire and will be faced with a moral task that will follow her for the rest of her life.
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The Motherload: Episodes from the Brink of Motherhood by Sarah Hoover (January 14, 2025)
She stopped feeling sure of herself and began to push everyone away as she grappled with everything from anxiety to shame. It didn't help that one of doctors traumatized her either. And when she gave birth? She didn't feel the flood of emotions other mothers did and it was confusing because she couldn't understand what was wrong with her.
Amazon
We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes (February 11, 2025)
Lila Kennedy's suffering in the wake of having an unhappy marriage, daughters who won't listen, and more. She doesn't even know what's going on with her career anymore and feels like everything is in limbo.
Life seems to think she needs more hiccups when her dad decides to enter her life again. The wound he left when he decided to pursue a life in Hollywood over three decades ago is reopened, leaving Lila on the brink of exploding. Instead of doing that, her father's presence begins to crack the wall around her heart and teach everyone the most important lessons about having a family you love.
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Tiltby Emma Pattee (March 4, 2025)
Annie is looking forward to the end of her nine-month pregnancy and is almost at the finish line when a detrimental earthquake shocks her town in Portland, Oregon. Having been at IKEA when it struck, she's left without a means to contact anyone which forces her to try to walk through destruction.She comes across others who are in need of help and even experiences the care of people she's never met before. The more Annie walks, the more she begins unpacking thinks about her marriage and her thoughts surrounding motherhood in a way that makes her want to approach life differently.
Amazon
The Californians by Brian Castleberry (March 11, 2025)
In between Tobey and Klaus' story lies that of the latter's granddaughter. Diane "Di" Stiegl began to make a career for herself as an artist in NYC during the 80s who manages to use art to paint a tale of the American presidency and pop culture at the time. Somehow this garners her the things her grandfather tried to hold onto.
Amazon
Rabbit Moon by Jennifer Haigh (April 8, 2025)
Claire and Aaron Litvak's horrible divorce seems to be the least of their concern when their young daughter Lindsey is involved in a terrible car accident. They rush to her side at the hospital and wait with bated breath to see if their daughter will survive or not. Somehow this begins to not only unravel what caused Claire and Aaron to get divorced, but the former couple will begin to look at why Lindsey stopped talking to them. The only person who knows everything about Lindsey is her sister Grace.
Deciding to stay in Shanghai, Claire and Aaron struggle to adjust. Over time, they deal with the fact Lindsey's life may end along with the idea that she may have been hiding much bigger secrets.
Amazon
The Bright Yearsby Sarah Damoff (April 22, 2025)
Ryan and Lillian Bright are in love with each other as well as the fact their young infant Georgette has been born. Everything seems great aside from the fact Lillian and Ryan are hiding things from each other. One has a secret son while the other grapples with a terrible alcohol addiction that manifests in huge ways as Georgette grows.
Things eventually reach a boiling point, leaving Georgette feeling jaded by the parents she thought she knew. It's around this time her half-brother begins searching for the his true family that pulls Georgette back. Somehow, they'll have to ask themselves if family is worth forgiving or not.
Old School Indian by Aaron John Curtis (May 6, 2025)
Abe Jacobs' unexpected diagnoses rattles him, but it also leads him back home to the Mohawk Reservation. It's the same place he was born and decided to leave once he became an adult. Somehow his healing journey, aided by his great uncle, exposes the parts of himself he's buried and allows him to see there's still much to look forward to in life.
The Most-Anticipated Fantasy Books Of 2025
Amazon
The Outcast Mage by Annabel Campbell (January 28. 2025)
Amazon
Ambessa: Chosen of the Wolf by C. L. Clark (February 18, 2025)
Ambessa Medarda is one of the most fearless women. Not only is she a mother, but she's proven herself ten times over as a general and warrior. It's to the point where everyone knows the Medardas can be ruthless when they're on a mission. In Ambessa's case, this has allowed her to reach the level of leading the Noxian empire. But, there's one person that stands in her way: her cousin and former friend, Ta'Fik.
He alone knows everything about Ambessa and doesn't believe she should be afforded such a powerful opportunity. This causes a split in the Medarda clan as family members because choosing sides. Among those who remain loyal to Ambessa is her daughter Mel. She's able to soften anyone's heart except her own mother. Ambessa doesn't think Mel has what it takes to fight for her right to rule, but that doesn't stop Mel from trying.
It's the reason why she's so willing to thrust herself in harm's way to prove her and her mother's worth...
The Most-Anticipated Self-Improvement & Spiritual Books Of 2025
Amazon
Happy to Help by Amy Wilson (January 7, 2025)
This caused her to question why she'd allow herself to become a people-pleaser and she sought to delegate her tasks to others. Fed up with the way no one seemed to want to help, she decided that maybe she wasn't the only one with a problem.
Amazon
Intention Obession: Rituals and Witchcraft for Every Season by Erica Feldmann (January 14, 2025)
Feldmann takes great care to prioritize Intention Obsession by the zodiac so we're able to learn about each's archetypal powers. There's also a host of "DIY projects" that range from starting your own garden to hosting an epic dinner party!
Amazon
Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose by Martha Beck (January 7, 2025)
Amazon
Go Higher: Five Practices for Purpose, Success, and Inner Peace by Big Sean (January 21, 2025)
You may know him as the successful rapper Big Sean, but Sean Anderson proves there's more to him than meets the eye in Go Higher: Five Practices for Purpose, Success, and Inner Peace. Despite his success, he's still experienced highs and lows like everyone else, even going as far to name his anxiety and depression.
He introduces readers to key moments that shaped his life — from signing with Kanye West to learning how to cultivate healthy relationships with others. Along the way, Sean has learned how to self-reflect and do the work to become a better person which is why he decided to write Go Higher: Five Practices for Purpose, Success, and Inner Peace.
Outlined as accepting, strategizing, trying, trusting, and manifesting, these five practices will help you work out your day to day life in a way that feels practical.
Amazon
Single: Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms by Nicola Slawson (February 11, 2025)
Amazon
Me, But Betterby Olga Khazan (March 11, 2025)
Olga Khazan couldn't figure out why she was unhappy despite having a beautiful relationship and the career she'd always wanted. She's always known she's been an overachiever, but she started to fear that it was getting in the way of her enjoying the fruits of her labor. Thus began an experiment that lasted 365 days.
She wanted to know if it's possible to completely change your personality so she dived into the five traits that make it up — extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness, and neuroticism. Based on the research she looked at, Olga realized that consistency plays a role in shaping or changing our personalities — except she had to do a ton of faking to even remotely see a change.
What she found is everything she's willing to share in Me, But Better, but it doesn't end the way you think it does.
Amazon
Renegade Grief: A Guide to the Wild Ride of Life After Loss by Carla Fernandez (March 11, 2025)
Experiencing loss and the subsequent grief that often follows in inevitable, but what happens when time seems to move on in the midst of your heartache? Carla Fernandez explores this in Renegade Grief by sharing how she navigated life once her father passed. She helped found The Dinner Party to help teens and kids face death head-on instead of pretending it's something that shouldn't be discussed.
You'll find stories of people who experienced true grief and what they learned in the process. In turn, it'll serve as a guide that none of us are as alone as we think when suffering from loss. Even more, you'll be inspired to find ways to learn how to start living again.
Amazon
How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriouslyby Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo (April 15, 2025)
The Most-Anticipated Historical Books Of 2025
Amazon
Give Her Credit by Grace L. Williams (January 1, 2025)
Grace L. Williams dives into that and more in Give Her Credit, shining a light on how women like B. LaRae Orullian, Carol Green, Judi Foster, and more changed the way the world looked at women's finances. They dared to break barriers in Denver so that marginalized communities would have the resources to do the unthinkable — kind of like how we've been doing ever since.
Amazon
Jane Austen's Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney (February 18, 2025)
Book dealer Rebecca Romney has always loved reading Jane Austen's work because she appreciates how the author has always centered women, but she always wondered about other writers who dared to do the unthinkable during a time where women weren't taken as seriously.
Though she knew Jane Austen had to have been influenced by them, Romney wanted to know more about them. To her surprise, it was hard to find information on the other great literary minds of during that time that weren't men. So, Romney decided to write Jane Austen's Bookshelf to uncover where these women went by highlighting names like Ann Radcliffe, Elizabeth Inchbald, and Maria Edgeworth.
By the time you finish reading this insightful novel, you may feel compelled to do a bit of research yourself!
Amazon
Smother by Rachel Richardson (February 18, 2025)
Rachel Richardson's new poetry collection examines a question we've all asked ourselves: "Can children be raised in a world plagued with climate control issues?" As a mother who's grieving the loss of a dear friend, Richardson lyrically documents the Californian fires via poems filled with despair and other heavy emotions. She also finds a way to connect the world's burning to the injustices and changes women's bodies experience in a lifetime.
Smother is beautifully written and invites us to find ways to answer tough questions while sitting with emotions we'd rather run from.
Most Anticipated Cookbooks
Amazon
Eat What Elephants Eat: Vegan Recipes for a Strong Body and a Gentle Spirit by Dominick Thompson (January 7, 2025)
Kick off the new year with a very promising cookbook full of the yummiest vegan recipes I've ever seen! You'll find 80 meals you can easily recreate at home from Saturday Morning Nostalgia Pancakes to Jackfruit Tacos with Mango-Corn Salsa and Avocado "Cream." My mouth is already watering thinking about how amazing these recipes will taste.
Amazon
The Fishwife Cookbook: Delightful Tinned Fish Recipes for Every Occasion by Becca Millstein & Vilda Gonzalez (February 25, 2025)
Think you can't create a ton of meals based on tinned fish? Think again because The Fishwife Cookbook wants to debunk that myth. These recipe are for the busy soul who can't be bothered to thaw out fish and want to spend more time binge watching Sullivan's Crossing like they've never seen it. You'll find everything from Tinned Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs (OMG!) to Lamb Bolognese with Cantabrian Anchovies! If you ask us, these recipes sound like the best thing to eat while sipping a nice glass of wine!
Visit out Amazone Storefront to read our top fall 2024 book picks before pre-ordering these 2025 finds!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated.
Gladiator 2 isn't even in theaters yet (mark your calendars for November 22!) and star Paul Mescal is already thinking about doing a threequel. Although, after raving about director Ridley Scott, and sharing the screen with Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Joseph Quinn, who could blame him?! So if you're wondering 'Is there going to be a Gladiator 3?' then you've come to the right place.
Keep reading for all the latest Gladiator 3 news — and to see what Paul Mescal and Ridley Scott have said about returning.
Is there going to be a Gladiator 3?
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures hasn't confirmed whether we're getting a Gladiator 3 quite yet, but director Ridley Scott is definitely on board. "I’ve already got eight pages. I’ve got the beginning of a very good footprint," he says. But he also mentions he'd like to make one huge change from the first two movies. "If there’s a Gladiator 3, I don’t think you’d ever go back into the arena. But I had to go back into the arena…"
And as for whether Paul Mescal would return? Well that's a resounding yes. “If there's going to be a Gladiator III, I hope I'm in it," he told Peopleat the LA premiere of Gladiator 2 on November 18, while adding to Variety that he'd be “massively down” for a third movie.
“I don’t think it will be [24] years — but I have no idea when it will be.”
But Paul's comments on a Gladiator 3 weren't the only reason he made headlines last night! He brought GF Gracie Abrams (who just broke the internet in her own right when she performed with Taylor Swift). And while they didn't make a red carpet appearance together, it seems like Gladiator's official TikTok account just hard launched their relationship.
"THEY HIT THE PENTAGON," one user commented, while another said, "I just fell to my knees." If you can't tell from the drama, fans are going crazy. (It's me, I'm fans).
Is Russell Crowe in the new Gladiator?
No, sadly, Russell Crowe doesn't make an appearance in Gladiator 2 (well, apart from Gladiator flashbacks, that is). And if you're wondering 'Is Maximus alive in Gladiator 2?' you'll just have to watch the first one!
Do you want to see Paul Mescal return for Gladiator 3? Check out the 10 New November Movies We've Been Waiting All Year For before the month ends!
Working from home is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it's great that you can get sh*t done virtually anywhere with WiFi, but on the other, you're constantly summoned to your couch (or in more severe cases, your bed) to take a "break" (a nap) that can impact your productivity. Having cute desk accessories and organization solutions on deck at all times is a must for anyone seeking to dial in and simply feel good about the whole 'working from home' thing. Whether you know the beauty of WFH life or not, these gifts for people who work from home will certainly liven up any workspace.
Our fave WFH gifts in this post:
- Papier Joy Weekly Desk Planner ($20)
- Kawaii Animals Erasable Gel Pen Set ($6, was $10)
- Tech Taffy Desk Duster ($12)
- Umbra Montage Wall Shelf ($65)
- Ergonomic Computer Mouse Pad ($10)
- Electric Coffee Mug Warmer ($25)
- Line Friends Cable Management Holder ($18)
- The Work Wellness Deck ($20)
Scroll on for more of the best WFH gifts to give in 2024!
Papier
1. Papier Joy Weekly Desk Planner
Seeing every to-do item in one place (that's not a computer screen) is a major game-changer for staying on-task, and the ultimate hack is this structured notepad.
Amazon
2. Personalized Acrylic Name Plate
This custom, made-to-order name plate would make any WFH-er feel more dignified.
Amazon
3. Rossie Home Premium Acacia Wood Lap Desk
This way, they can take their work anywhere, whether it be the sofa or bed. The finished wood gives this lap desk an upscale feel that means business!
Amazon
4. Cute Duck LED Lamp
This cute, squishy desk-sized lamp is sure to alleviate The Horrors (work stress).
Amazon
5. Kawaii Animals Erasable Gel Pen Set
These top-rated animal pens are the perfect little workday cheerleaders when they hang out at anyone's desk.
Uncommon Goods
6. Tech Taffy Desk Duster
This gooey glob helps get the grime (like dust and dirt) out from in between their keyboard, mouse, and headphones.
Amazon
7. Bose Noise-Cancelling Wireless Headphones
We're convinced that noise-cancelling headphones are a product directly from heaven. This pair does an excellent job at drowning out sonic distractions.
Amazon
8. Quartet Desktop Glass Monitor Riser for Computer with Dry-Erase Board
This desk riser with an attached dry-erase board helps eliminate papers from piling up on their desk. It's the perfect vehicle for meeting reminders, brainstorms, and other important work items.
Amazon
10. Waterproof Desk Mat
This desk mat can handle it all – keyboards, notebooks, cold drinks, and basically everything else needed for the 9 to 5 grind.
Amazon
11. Ergonomic Computer Mouse Pad
Having an ergonomic setup can help prevent that infamous WFH-induced back pain. Start small with this soothing mouse pad!
Amazon
12. 12-Sided Fidget Toy
If your working-from-home gift recipient is on the anxious side, a fidget cube can be a real game-changer when it comes to letting out stress and pent-up energy.
Urban Outfitters
13. Little Glass Table Lamp
Shed some light on their daily work routine with an adorable tiny lamp, shoppable in a variety of playful colors and patterns.
Amazon
14. Colorful Sticky Notes
For helping them jot down genius ideas, look no further than gifting a hearty pack of sticky notes. The colors in this set will make working a lot more fun.
Amazon
15. Speks Crags Ferrite Putty
This super-satisfying stress ball alternative will keep their anxious hands busy during meetings and email sweeps.
Amazon
16. Electric Coffee Mug Warmer
Coffee is life, so make sure their caffeinated cup stays fresh all morning long. This gift is especially thoughtful if you know they're a slow sipper!
Loam Candles
17. Loam Harvest Basket Candle
Having a cute candle lit during the workday instantly improves morale. We don't make the rules.
Amazon
18. Ergonomic Laptop Riser
For the on-the-go worker, a laptop without a laptop riser is criminal. This easy-to-set up one has almost 12,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, most notable for its durability.
Umbra
19. Umbra Montage Wall Shelf
This lightweight, design-forward wall shelf is perfect for stowing away joy-inspiring knick-knacks and work necessities alike.
Amazon
20. Line Friends Cable Management Holder
Let these cutie little bears take the reins – er, rather, the cords – and create more space for a clear head.
Amazon
21. Moleskine Classic Hard Cover Notebook
This bound notebook will withstand any weather, plus it's the perfect place to write down great ideas!
ban.do
22. ban.do Sticker Book
This lively, colorful sticker book will make those long meetings much more entertaining. These would pair super well with the notebook above for a cutie gift set.
Amazon
23. Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Don't let them fry their eyes all day – these blue light glasses work to filter out the harmful effects of [dun-dun-dunnn] computer screens.
Target
24. Owala Stainless Steel Tumbler
Hydration helps fuel a healthy mind, and that noggin is needed for making great things happen at work. This 40oz insulated tumbler keeps drinks ice-cold all throughout the day!
Urban Outfitters
25. Chromoeye Working From Home Art Print
This poster says what we're all thinking about WFH.
Amazon
26. Pomodoro Timer
The Pomodoro technique is a killer method for staying tuned-in. With this timer, the work time versus rest time is left up to the user.
Uncommon Goods
27. The Work Wellness Deck
This box o' cards comes ready with 60 different prompts that help your local worker at home destress and recharge before, during, or after the workday.
Day Designer
28. Day Designer 2025 Daily Planner
A planner is going to help facilitate the utmost organization and productivity for your giftee that works from home.
Uncommon Goods
29. Stay Cool Adjustable Laptop Desk
This lap desk makes it easy for them to slouch on the couch (we're guilty!) or laze in bed while still getting sh*t done while they work.
ban.do
30. Hot Stuff Ceramic Mug Book Person
If it's not being used for coffee, consider this the cutest catch-all for miscellaneous desk junk.
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated.