2025 is coming to an end – closing another chapter in our lives. I’m happy to have read some great books this year and would like to share them with you. I’ll divide them into two categories: non-fiction and stories.
Nonfiction Favorites
Quiet by Susan Cain
This book is about the power of introverts and clarifies that introversion if not a weakness. It breaks down how our society is built around extroverts and how introversion is generally seen as a problem. To combat that assumption, Cain highlights the advantages of being an introvert and makes you overall feel understood and seen if you ever felt like being quiet is not okay.
The Year of Less by Cait Flanders
The Year of Less is the memoir of Flanders who did a no-buy year before it was popular. Flanders writes about the emotional and mental impact the shopping ban had on her life and compares it to her sobriety journey, since both take away a coping mechanism to not feel your emotions fully when it’s hard to. Highly recommend the book, I devoured it within two days!
Die With Zero by Bill Perkins
Especially in the personal finance space it can sometimes feel like delayed gratification is the ultimate goal. In Die With Zero, Perkins writes that on the contrary, it is more important to make the memories when they will be most enjoyable instead of delaying everything until retirement when you might actually just want to relax and your body won’t allow for much adventure anymore. Perkins introduces the concept of time buckets, which divides your life into different sections in which you will get the most enjoyment out of specific things you do. A different perspective on finances and saving, especially for the F.I.R.E community.
Stories
What You are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
The most comforting and gentle yet hope inducing book I have read in a long time. Aoyama’s style of writing makes you feel like life is friendly and the world out there is a good place. Instead of judging characters by their achievements, the book showcases everyone’s struggles and makes you as the reader feel empathy and understanding. One of the rare books I actually wanted to buy the hard copy of after reading it electronically. If you need a gentle reminder that everybody struggles and that people are good, please read this book.
Into Thin Air – Jon Krakauer
Into Thin Air was a shocking and devastating read. I knew Krakauer from “Into The Wild” and appreciate his work for tackling hard stories. I had no idea whatsoever how the climbing niche in the Himalayas is like or how the highest mountain on earth is actually climbed but do now after all the info in the book. A gripping and harrowing story about ambition, human minds and the Himalayas.
The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr
Have you ever read a book and wanted to be friends with the protagonist, rooted for them and crossed your fingers for them to succeed? The Sleeping Car Porter was that for me. An important story about class, race, work, and gay oppression. While touching on all these heavier topics, the book is written in a gentle and sophisticated voice that invokes empathy in the reader. It has some graphic sex scenes so if you mind those, skip this one.
Everyday I Read by Bo-reum Hwang
A book with very short chapters that is about the love for reading and books. Hwang gives you lots of little incentives and ideas how to get closer to books and read more and just gets you excited to grab your next read! An easy yet deep read that is sweet for days when you want a cozy but informative short read.
Have you read any cool books this year? If not, what are your all time favourites? Let me know, and happy 2026!