Must-Read Books from 2025

I read over 152 books in 2025; here are 10 most notable – fiction and nonfiction.

I recently logged into my library account via phone and was notified that, through the 2025 year, I have borrowed 152 books.

Not going to lie, I was pretty impressed with myself when I read that number. And then I remembered that the library count didn’t even include the books I was given by friends and family. In total, I probably read about 200 books in the past year or so.

I was so proud of myself. I tore through so many stories! I should get some kind of award, right?

Then I thought about how that high and mighty 152 count included all of the books that I checked out from the library. Even the ones I read or listened to the first chapter, then immediately returned to get a new one.

Looking back, the 152 count might be better titled ‘how many times Sam could not make up her mind’.

I’m okay with that.

So, this is me scrolling through my library log and telling you what I actually read and what actually captured my attention.

To keep this list from being endless, I’ve narrowed it down to five fiction and five nonfiction titles. Each title will come with a brief description, my take on the book, if I liked the narrator (audiobooks), and an Amazon affiliate link to buy the book if you feel inclined.

Who knows, maybe my wonderfully compiled book selection and summary will make you feel so passionate about some of the novels I mentioned that you want to go and purchase them right here and now.

For those of you who have very little impulse control when it comes to books, those links are for you.

Anyway… Back to the program.

Fiction List

1.Shield of Sparrows – Devney Perry

Perry’s book art promised a good story when I saw it on the digital library shelves. The writing did not disappoint.

If you are looking to escape into another world for a while, Shield of Sparrows is for you. Warriors, artists, and alchemists with a jungle backdrop? Yes, please!

Think romantacy + enemies to lovers + wild beast vibes.

Also, the audiobook voiceover actress has a really nice husky voice – very listenable.

2. You Float my Boat – Lulu Moore

I stumbled on the book while desperately trying to find something I could listen to while making cookies. I can’t tell you why, but I tend to correlate cozy romance novels and baking. As far as tame-ish romances go, this title is one of my favorites.

The setting is modern day Europe, which means that the audiobook voices were like honey to my American ears. The characters are sweet and relatable – making for a captivating read.

Think ‘girl next door’ romance.

3. Good Girl Complex – Elle Kennedy

I was on the hunt for a before-bedtime book when I came across this one. I had listened to one of Elle Kennedy’s books while baking before, so I thought I would give this one a go for a nighttime read.

While reading this book, it felt like the characters were going off script in their own story. They were complex and interesting, with enough humanity to make you feel as though you could pay them a visit on your next beach vacation.

Think bad boy + secrets + female fight for independence.

4. Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies – Catherine Mack

Alright, this one – this one – had me laughing so hard I nearly fell off the treadmill. Thanks to Catherine Mack, the gym bro running next to me probably thinks I’m some wacko who laughs at nothing.

I’m okay with that.

The main character is witty and sarcastic in the best ways possible. If you like hilarious mystery novels, you should give this one a go.

For audiobook listeners – the narrator has a deep, slightly nasally voice, a perfect match to the personality of the main character.

Think murder mystery + romance + humor.

5. A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches flew off the digital shelves to me at a time when I desperately wanted the real and magical worlds to collide.

The main character is an adult (something I am beginning to appreciate more and more in the books I read lately), well educated, and full of secretes she doesn’t even know about. It all makes for a world you just want to dive head-first into.

Think urban fantasy + romance.

Nonfiction List

1.Effortless – Greg McKeown

This title captured my attention when I was stressing out during the holiday season. You know how it is – so much to plan and not enough time. McKeown made me really stop and think about what I was overthinking, what really needed to be done, and how I could accomplish what I needed to in a fun way.

If you were wondering how to make life less tedious and more automatic, Effortless is for you.

Think self-help + business + productivity.

2. Ahead of the Curve: Two Years at Harvard Business School- Philip Delves Broughton

Funny enough, I scrolled past this title hundreds of times in my search of nonfiction audiobooks. It was when there was literally nothing else that piqued my interest that I finally gave it a go.

The book is written from a journalist’s perspective about his time at Harvard Business School.

Initially, I though this book was going to be dry as 9-grain toast. In a surprising turn of events, the read was like one of those fancy meals you get that looks plain but actually has a depth of flavor you would never have guessed was there.

Broughton peels back the glossy surface of HBS and reveals what its students actually gain by attending classes – and it may not be what you think.

The audiobook voice actor had an accent that clearly gave off university teacher vibes. Not to worry though, the narrator made sure to inflect his voice at the right times to keep your attention. Still, his melodic retelling may be enough to make you fall asleep in class if you are not carefull.

Think business + careers.

3. Linchpin, Are You Indispensable? – Seth Godin

Seth Godin has a habit of challenging my beliefs as a human in industrialized society.

Every time I read one of his books, I feel as though one of the characters from my fiction books (that looks an awful lot like Percy Jackson) just grabbed me off the sidewalk to tell me that I am the one living in the narrative written by some rogue author, not him.

The premise of this book in particular is the value of being human in a society that pushes you to become a machine.

Think business + culture + self-improvement.

4. Elon Musk – Walter Isaacson

No matter who you are or what you believe, it is widely known that Musk is one of those people who force their ideas to become reality. I wanted to know how he does it.

Through his writing, Isaacson reveals that Musk is more than what is posted about him on news sites. With his head in the stars and his feet on the ground, Musk pushes boundaries to make the impossible possible, and this biography conveys how.

Think biography.

5. The Expectation Effect – David Robson

The Expectation Effect could easily be written off as one of those nonfiction books you read without taking anything in.

But it isn’t.

When I chose this book, I was worried that it would be one of those texts that pushes the reader to simply wish away their troubles.

It wasn’t.

Robson uses data from research experiments and historical examples to push his point of how you view everything in the world connects with how the world treats you.

Think self-help + cognitive psychology.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, and if I think about it too long, there are probably scores more of books I can add to this post, but these are the ones that resonated with me the most.

Take a read, tell me what you think.

As always, thank you for reading.

xoxo – Samantha Montejano