The best-written horror and political fiction of the year

The best-written horror fiction of the year: Not a Speck of Light by Laird Barron

June's literary prizes: the best-written books on the shortlists

The Women's Prize for Fiction 2025: The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji is the best-written book on the shortlist

The Women's Prize for Nonfiction 2025: What the Wild Sea Can Be by Helen Scales is the best-written book on the shortlist

The best-written historical novel of the year: The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry

May's literary prizes: the best-written books on the shortlists

The best-written Irish novel and political novel of the year

Writers under 40: the year's best-written work of fiction

Moderate to Poor, Occasionally Good by Eley Williams

The Republic of Consciousness Prize for innovative fiction: the best-written work on the shortlist

The best-written US memoir of the year: our pick from the National Book Critics Circle Award shortlist