It’s 2025, and if you’re still unsure of what Labubus are, then you must be living in a cave somewhere, and how do you have access to the internet? But for the uninitiated, Labubus are the #1 trending accessory, as seen on celebrities such as Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, and BLACKPINK members Lisa and Rosé.
The cute little Where The Wild Things Are-esque characters were created by artist Kasing Lung. Lung was raised in the Netherlands and based his fuzzy little creatures on Nordic folklore. They were first introduced in 2015, and since then the Blind Box pendant versions of Labubus sold by POPMART have gone completely viral.
To know Labubus is to be obsessed with them. And since Labubus are dictating everything in our lives at the moment, why shouldn’t they also be choosing what we read? So here you are. Based on your favorite Labubu, here’s the new 2025 novel you should check out!
Exciting Macaron Labubus
If you love the Exciting Macaron drop from POPMART, you’re a classy reader who loves a good character-driven literary novel or a contemporary fiction read that reflects the plights of our current society. You’re a little more grounded, a little more interested in realism, and you love a book that makes you think. Here’s what you should read based on your favorite Exciting Macaron Labubu.
Soymilk — Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson is the book for you as a fan of Soymilk. Your vibe is a sweeping, multi-generational story that explores love, generational trauma, and social justice.
Lychee Berry — The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner is the perfect novel for you. As someone who is intrigued by beauty and fame (why else would you pick Rihanna’s favorite Labubu?), you’ll love this story of three pop star sisters.
Green Grape — The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong, because you love a critical darling (clearly, because Green Grape is a fave), and you value chosen family and friendship.
Sea Salt Coconut — The Favorites by Layne Fargo, because your favorite Labubu says you love a character-driven love story almost as much as you love gossip (and this icy blue color is giving us figure skating vibes).
Toffee — We Could Be Rats by Emily R. Austin. Austin’s novels are quirky and full of character, so if you’re a big fan of Toffee, you’ll fall hard for this 2025 release about two sisters finding their way back to each other.
Sesame Bean — Vera, or Faith by Gary Shteyngart, because just like Sesame Bean herself, this author is a well-established favorite. Shteyngart’s latest is told from the perspective of a ten-year-old girl, so expect deep thoughts and child-like wonder, kind of like what you get from your adorable Sesame Bean.
Chestnut Cocoa — The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai, because as a fan of the secret Labubu, you love complex family dramas that span continents. And let’s be for real. You’re going to love showing off this cover as much as you love showing off your special friend.
Have A Seat Labubus
Have A Seat Labubus are chill. They’re literally, as the name suggests, sitting at all times. If you’re down with a Have A Seat Labubu, you’re looking to relax with a good book. You reach for comfort reads. Maybe it’s books from an author you already know and love. Maybe it’s a novel that’ll make you smile. Here’s what 2025 book you should pick up based on your Have A Seat Labubu fave.
Sisi — The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, because, like Sisi, you’re here to chill and have a good time. And this second-chance romance about a writer and a reality TV star is exactly what you need to read this summer!
Hehe — When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa, because you’re the type of person who hates everyone your bestie dates. This romance story is going to make you smile (just look at that Hehe face).
Zizi — Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston is the perfect book for a Zizi fan who’s looking for the ultimate, relaxing rom-com comfort read. You will fall for this love story between a songwriter and a musician.
Baba — Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood will speak to your Baba-loving heart from the moment you see these two characters lounging on the cover. Also, you know Baba loves a problematic age-gap rom-com. Look at those eyes.
Ququ — Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, because you have a lot of heart, and you’ll read this highly anticipated sapphic astronaut romance novel in one sitting (with your seated Ququ by your side).
Dada — Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry, because with that pink fur and cute little heart eyes, you’re dying to read a love story and are optimistic about the world and its opportunities.
Duoduo— The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware, because you like a secret and a challenge. So why not pick up the second novel in Ruth Ware’s Lo Blacklock mystery series? You already loved The Woman in Cabin 10.
Big Into Energy Labubus
Big Into Energy Labubus are fun! They’re loud! They’re not afraid to take risks. Big Into Energy Labubu fans are the type of readers who love experimental books, speculative novels, and genre reads. Sound like your vibe? Then make sure you reach for your favorite Big Into Energy Labubu and read one of these books with your fuzzy companion by your side.
Love — Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven, because it’s giving Addie La Rue meets This is How You Lose the Time War: books that are big on thrills, high concepts, and most importantly LOVE stories.
Happiness — Hungerstone by Kat Dunn is a sapphic retelling of Carmilla. But it’s also perfect for Happiness Labubu lovers because they understand the importance of finding your true happiness, even if it means going against societal “norms.”
Loyalty — Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng, because who is more loyal than a sister who will stop at nothing to uncover her sister’s killer, even if it means confronting scary bats and actual ghosts?
Serenity — Katabasis by R.F. Kuang, because as a Serenity Labubu lover, you crave excitement and adventure and aren’t afraid to go to the depths of Hell to find it. And look at how nice that green cover looks next to Serenity’s fur.
Hope — Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao delivers all the magic, coziness, and, yes, HOPE that Hope Labubu fans crave.
Luck — The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami, because as a fan of Luck, you understand that so much of our fates are out of our control, much like the dreams in this novel that end up getting these characters in trouble.
Id — Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix, because Id is magical and hard-to-find, much like the enigmatic witchy characters in Hendrix’s latest horror story.
Still want to stay on top of trends, but you’re not a Labubu person? No judgment here. Check out the most popular new books of 2025 (so far), according to Goodreads. Happy reading to all the Labubu lovers (and haters)!
The following comes to you from the Editorial Desk.
This week, we’re highlighting a post that asks: Are reading parties the next big thing? People—especially readers—are clearly looking for community. Are reading parties the answer? Read on for an excerpt and become an All Access member to unlock the full post.
Reading communities are everywhere online. From Storygraph to Fable to BookTube to BookTok, the growth of online reading buddies feels exponential. The problem with social media as it exists online, however, is that it’s a stand-in for the true connections we all seek over the things we love. As much as reading roundups and reading tracking can be fun, meeting up with in-person book lovers is a great book lover community event. With that in mind, reading parties could be the next big thing.
A reading party is distinct from a book club because everyone shows up to read instead of having read something to discuss. At a reading party, you can make time to discuss what you are reading, but it doesn’t all need to be the same book. It’s more of a reading vibe check than a book discussion.
Sign up to become an All Access member for only $6/month and then click here to read the full, unlocked article. Level up your reading life with All Access membership and explore a full library of exclusive bonus content, including must-reads, deep dives, and reading challenge recommendations.