Cover Summer reading recommendations from the Pulitzer Prize 2025 (Photo stylised by Celine Dabao)
Summer reading recommendations from the Pulitzer Prize 2025 (Photo stylised by Celine Dabao)
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From a retelling of Huckleberry Finn to a graphic novel spanning China to Antarctica, you’ll want these Pulitzer Prize winners on your summer reading list
As summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to unwind by the pool with a compelling book. With the recent release of the winners and finalists of the Pulitzer Prize, a prestigious award recognising excellence in journalism and the arts and letters, you don’t have to look far for a new recommendation.
The books range from poetry collections to graphic novels, historical retellings to time-hopping memoirs. Whether you are looking for something electrifying or introspective, Tatler has rounded up some selections sure to engage and inspire.
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‘James’ by Percival Everett (Winner, Fiction)
Above ‘James’ by Percival Everett (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in the Fiction Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
‘James’ by Percival Everett (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in the Fiction Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
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A reimagining of the American classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Percival Everett shifts the story into the perspective of the enslaved Jim. Upon hearing he will be sold to a man in New Orleans, Jim escapes until he can find a plan to stay with his family. Huckleberry Finn, the original book’s main character, has faked his death and fled from his abusive father. Together, the two unlikely companions travel down the Mississippi River, hoping to find the Free States.
In the original novel, Jim’s character was filtered through the eyes of a young white boy. Here, Everett equips the reader with a broader view of Jim as an intelligent man struggling under the visceral weight of racial inequality. Jim has secretly taught himself to read and write, but hides his erudition to stay safe. This unique twist has made the story even more relevant and moving to 21st-century readers who want to enrich their minds this summer.
‘Headshot’ by Rita Bullwinkel (Finalist, Fiction)
Above ‘Headshot’ by Rita Bullwinkel (Finalist of the Pulitzer Prize in the Fiction Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
‘Headshot’ by Rita Bullwinkel (Finalist of the Pulitzer Prize in the Fiction Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
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In her debut novel, Bullwinkel dives into the lives of eight teenage girl boxers competing in Reno, Nevada. Some of them are escaping unexpected tragedies, others are navigating parental expectations. Each of them has a reason to win, brought to life by Bullwinkel’s electric, imaginative prose. With short sections the length of a boxing match, this book features an intuitive, raw understanding of the teenage experience.
‘Every Living Thing’ by Jason Roberts (Winner, Biography)
Above ‘Every Living Thing’ by Jason Roberts (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in the Biography Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
‘Every Living Thing’ by Jason Roberts (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in the Biography Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
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Students often gloss over such terms as ‘mammal’ and ‘homo sapiens’ today. But in the 18th century, these terms were earth-shattering discoveries waiting to happen. Roberts delves into the story of two scientific rivals racing to identify all forms of life on Earth. Swedish doctor Carl Linnaeus takes a more methodical approach with the help of his ‘apostles,’ while French aristocrat Georges-Louis de Buffon is fascinated by the vivid, nebulous nature of different species.
Roberts doesn’t shy away from the imperfections of each man and their approach. Meanwhile, he braids in appearances from historical figures like Voltaire and Charles Darwin. Here, Roberts explores the complex legacies and discoveries that paved the way for our understanding of biology.
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‘Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir’ by Tessa Hulls (Winner, Memoir/Autobiography)
Above ‘Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir’ by Tessa Hulls (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in the Memoir/Autobiography Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
‘Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir’ by Tessa Hulls (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in the Memoir/Autobiography Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
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This graphic memoir bends the boundaries of time and genre, exploring the loves and griefs experienced by Chinese women over three generations. Hulls begins with the story of her grandmother, a journalist named Sun Yi, struggling against Communist China in 1949. After fleeing to Hong Kong with her daughter Rose, she is committed to a mental institution. Rose is sent to boarding school before eventually moving to the United States with her mother.
All the while, Rose’s daughter Tessa watches the pair navigate Sun Yi’s unresolved trauma and mental illness, a helplessness that trickles down into Rose’s parenting style. To escape, Tessa leaves home and travels to Antarctica. But while there, Hulls finds the courage to dive headfirst into her family’s history. The graphic novel features exquisite illustrations and accessible yet elegant language, making it essential for your summer reading list.
‘I Heard Her Call My Name: A Memoir of Transition’ by Lucy Sante (Finalist, Memoir/Autobiography)
Above ‘I Heard Her Call My Name: A Memoir of Transition’ by Lucy Sante (Finalist of the Pulitzer Prize in the Memoir/Autobiography Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
‘I Heard Her Call My Name: A Memoir of Transition’ by Lucy Sante (Finalist of the Pulitzer Prize in the Memoir/Autobiography Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
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Born in Belgium to working-class Catholics who eventually emigrated to the United States, Lucy Sante never felt like she fully belonged anywhere. When she moved to New York City in the 1970s, she joined a band of bohemians. Some of her friends would pass on early, while others reached the heights of fame. Even here, Sante still felt like her life was a performance she put on even for herself.
Eventually, her introspection led to her transitioning from a man to a woman at 67. She gives herself grace for the period of unlearning patriarchal stereotypes. The book is both an exploration of her gender identity and a tribute to the people she’s met throughout her life.
‘New and Selected Poems’ by Marie Howe (Winner, Poetry)
Above ‘New and Selected Poems’ by Marie Howe (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in the Poetry Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
‘New and Selected Poems’ by Marie Howe (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in the Poetry Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
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This collection covers three decades of work by acclaimed poet Marie Howe. Each poem explores everyday life, elevating simple experiences through Howe’s magnetic, illuminating prose. The volume includes selections from previous works, including the National Book Award-longlisted Magdalene (2017). There are also fifteen new poems to inspire readers to live a slower, more intentional life, creating a perfect selection for the summer.
‘Bluff’ by Danez Smith (Finalist, Poetry)
Above ‘Bluff’ by Danez Smith (Finalist of the Pulitzer Prize in the Poetry Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
‘Bluff’ by Danez Smith (Finalist of the Pulitzer Prize in the Poetry Category) (Photo: Goodreads)
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Written in the wake of Covid-19 and the murder of George Floyd, Smith explores the deep sense of guilt and frustration that permeates life in Minneapolis. He wonders how society can move towards a more equitable future, despite the violent grief and confusion of the present. Through this poetry collection, Smith explores different forms and visual elements, pushing his artistic resilience past the boundaries of his own understanding.
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About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
