My 11 Favorite Books Of 2025
Every year, I synthesize the books I read into my list of favorites. After reading 60+ books in 2025, here are my top 11 suggestions:
10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People by David Yeager, PhD
A great read for anyone who has influence over 10–25 year olds (parents, managers, business owners, etc).
The author compiles studies on the distinct shifts that happen in the brain between these years to help us think differently about how to motivate, manage, and see the best in this age group.
I'd argue that what you learn is applicable at most ages, too, which makes it a more compelling read.
Are You Mad at Me? by Meg Josephson, LCSW
Probably my favorite and most impactful read of the year.
Many are familiar with 'fight, flight, or freeze'. This is a deep dive into the 4th F: Fawn (when someone habitually tries to please others or avoid conflict in order to feel safe).
Unlike many books that could have been an article, this one is rich with tools and eye-opening ideas and opportunities for self-reflection.
At the outset, I thought I was reading this for clients and didn't relate to people pleasing. I was wrong. And I'm grateful this unlocked what it did for me.
Definitely worth a read.
PS If you loved The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control, this is a great companion to that.
Ask Your Spirit by Christine Lang
If you could have access to an unlimited supply of guidance, direction, and answers to your hairiest questions, would you do what it takes to get that?
If 'yes', you should consider reading this book. Written by an acclaimed medical intuitive, the author starts the book by teaching you her favorite meditation techniques to connect with your guidance.
Then, she breaks down some of the most common life challenges and questions we face/pose, how they often show up in the body, and how to use the tools she offers to help you understand the lesson and guidance in it.
I'm all for healers who empower us to know that we have what we need within and don't need to go to outside sources (we can, but don't need to).
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams
This is the memoir of a former Facebook/Meta employee who ran their global policy/governance division (that's likely wrongly titled by me).
She went in wide-eyed and hopeful and left horrified.
The book is a page-turner. It will make you question (more deeply) the unchecked power of Mark Zuckerberg, the hypocrisy of Sheryl Sandberg, and the general power of the platforms they run.
That said, it's one person's perspective and the author doesn't do enough, in my opinion, to also hold herself accountable.
Still worth a read.
Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks
It feels odd to say you enjoyed reading a memoir about a writer who unexpectedly becomes a widow (yet, I did).
This book is simple and elegant. It draws you in with its honesty and prose.
It also makes you stare mortality in the face, from the obvious heart-wrenching parts, to the daily, mundane task-related elements.
A very detailed history of the start, rise, and decline of Victoria's Secret and the man who bought it and made it a multi-billion dollar market leader, Les Wexner.
It feels more like investigative journalism or a documentary in written form than a novel. In some ways, it's also like a history of American retail and market trends for fashion.
It covers nooks and crannies of the business that you didn't know about as well as headlines like the relationship of Wexner with Jeffrey Epstein.
A few business points to consider from it:
Sometimes the best way to build and grow a business is to buy an existing one
Bring data and strategy to creative businesses
What got you here won't always get you there — don't become blinded by past success.
Sociopath by Patric Gagne, PhD
A memoir of a sociopathic woman with a seemingly 'normal' life from the outside. It's a fascinating deep-dive into the psychology and daily life of someone with this disorder.
It's unique not only to get this perspective, to read about her bad deeds and lack of remorse, and yet want to root for her. She puts a face and a story to something we'd typically condemn or write off.
After glancing at some of the reviews, some readers found a lot of faults, but what stood out to me is the brutal honesty and lack of trying to make herself look good or be liked (thanks to her sociopathic mind).
This book is full of useful and tactical advice for leaders (derived from Brené Brown's research and corporate consulting company).
I found it to be a great gut check for my executive coaching work and took some tools and language from it to support my clients.
It has Brené Brown's beloved stamps on it: storytelling, metaphors, vulnerability, and human centeredness. That said, it's not what you're used to from her books inasmuch as it's more dense, leans very heavily on the work of other thought leaders, and frequently references back to her past books. Go in knowing that and it will help.
Despite feeling longer than necessary, and even in need of some pruning, I really enjoyed it and read it carefully for the golden nuggets within.
The Art Of Living by Thich Nhat Hanh
I studied the author, Thich Nhat Hanh, in college and this was my first foray back since then.
I even read this book twice in a row this go-round because there's so much to soak in.
Like with most truths, they're simple, but not easy. This is a beautiful book to help you live with more peace and happiness, in its truest sense.
*There has been some recent controversy over the plausibility of this story. Not knowing the truth about that, I'll share my initial review:
Both heart-wrenching and heart-opening, the author details her journey to discovering that she was sexually abused as a child (I hope that's not a spoiler given how much press this book got) and her healing after said discovery.
It's raw, relatable (whether or not you've experienced the same), and worth a read.
There Is No Place For Us by Brian Goldstone
This is equally as heartbreaking and eye-opening as it is important to read. It chronicles real-life stories of individuals and families living with housing instability / who are homeless, despite working one or more jobs and 'doing all the right things'.
Literally millions of Americans are finding themselves in positions where they don't qualify for support programs or philanthropic dollars, where rentals won't accept them, and are at the mercy of predatory markets (rent-to-own furniture, application fees for apartments that won't consider them, 4x higher interest rates on car loans, etc), let alone the challenges of childcare, and emotional and physical stress.
This book happens to be set in Atlanta, where I know many of you are also based (like I am). It sheds so much light on residents of our city who you may interact with in retail environments, call centers, or otherwise, but have no idea of their struggles to keep their lights on, a roof over their head, or are living in their cars.
I'd like to learn more about how to help. If it's an area in which you have expertise, I'd love to hear from you.
In the meantime, I encourage you to read this book.
There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift by Kevin Evers
This Harvard Business Review book is a fascinating long-form case study of the business strategy of Taylor Swift's career (mixed with her career history, laid out chronologically).
I already had respect for her talent. Now I have even more respect for her business acumen.
If you like Taylor and you like business, this is for you.
To your literary pursuits, Darrah
PS If you're looking for more recommendations, here are my top lists from 2024, 2023, and 2022.