Booklists' November 2025 issue has its annual and always popular Spotlight on First Novels. While the 2025 Top 10 lists are a great option for reader suggestions, displays, and of course, collection development, I also wanted to use this opportunity to link to the last few years of Booklist debut lists as well. The backlist of Booklist Top 10s is always a treasure trove resource of sure bet suggestions, but when you look back at the older first novel titles in these lists, you also reveal some authors who have released more titles and even have become library patrons favorites. 

It is like a fun trip down memory lane. And it is a great way to find books your patrons may have missed.

Spotlight on First Novels, November 2025 Booklist

Top 10 First Novels (2025)Backlist Access: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020Top 10 First Novels on Audio

Trend Alert: Adult Debuts from YA AuthorsI love this trend because it is something I always talk about in my programs. Our teens are the next Adult readers, so it makes sense for some of the YA authors to follow their fans into Adult. Not included but worth mentioning--  by Kylie Lee BakerTrend Alert: Youth Debuts from Adult AuthorsA fun flip on the above, and a trend you need to be aware of. Make sure you share with your youth services counterparts so they know about these books by authors that your adult readers already love.