My Favorite Reads of 2025

Shōgun by James Clavell

John Blackthorne, an English pilot, arrives in Japan in 1600 after his ship is wrecked, leaving only a handful of survivors. Separated from his crew, he is pulled into Japan’s feudal power struggles as rival lords edge toward civil war. Valued for his knowledge of European warfare and navigation, Blackthorne rises in status while navigating political intrigue, cultural conflict, and the competing influence of the Portuguese.

Here’s my review.

La cuadra by Gilmer Mesa

Mesa takes the reader through life in a violent, impoverished Medellín neighborhood during the rise of narcotrafficking. Through firsthand storytelling, it reveals how systemic corruption, social neglect, and desperation push young people toward crime — a survival strategy that often becomes a path to an early death.

Here’s more books on Latin America.

Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio

Hadrian Marlowe, heir to a prestigious family in a vast interstellar empire, is trained as both soldier and scholar to follow a life mapped out for him. But unwilling to accept a destiny he never chose, he sets out across war-torn worlds, uncovering secrets older than humanity itself. As Hadrian faces political conspiracies and alien threats, he is transformed into a figure capable of shaping the fate of entire civilizations across the galaxy.

Here’s my review.

The Will of the Many by James Islington

Vis, a young man hiding his identity, enters the prestigious Catenan Academy where political power is literally drawn from obedience. As he navigates brutal tests, hidden agendas, and rival students, he uncovers truths linking his past to the Empire’s most dangerous secrets. With rebellion simmering and loyalties uncertain, Vis must decide how much of himself he is willing to sacrifice.

On Writing by Stephen King

Part memoir, part masterclass, the book shares Stephen King’s experiences as a writer while offering practical advice on the craft. He reflects on his early struggles, the habits that shaped his career, and the importance of reading widely. Blending personal anecdotes with guidance, it’s both an inspiring and pragmatic look at the life of a professional.

Here’s my review.

Everyone Who Is Here Is Gone by Jonathan Blitzer

Blitzer examines how U.S. policies and regional violence have shaped Central American migration to the United States. Blitzer traces decades of political decisions, conflict, and displacement, revealing the human cost of policies that treat people as an afterthought. Through intimate stories and careful reporting, the book shows how those who survive carry the memory of a history too often forgotten.

Here’s my notes.

Piranesi by Susanna Clark

In an endless House of marble halls, sweeping tides, and towering statues, Piranesi lives a quiet life of wonder and ritual. His only companion, the Other, seems to hold secrets he refuses to share. As strange messages appear and memories shift, Piranesi begins unraveling a truth buried beneath the House’s beauty — one that threatens his identity, his past, and the world beyond.

Here’s my review.

The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

The Lions of Al-Rassan is set in a land of warring kingdoms and religious tensions reminiscent of medieval Spain. Warriors, poets, healers, and rulers navigate epic battles, forbidden love, and betrayal, as hearts and nations alike face choices that will shape the destiny of Al-Rassan.

Here’s my review.

A Massacre in Mexico by Anabel Hernández

A Massacre in Mexico is an account of the 2014 disappearance of forty-three students, exposing a web of corruption that reaches into the highest levels of the state. Hernandez writes, “In this official version, the Mexican government said that the army and the Federal Police didn’t know anything about what was happening. They got notice two or three hours after everything ends. What I have seen all these years — four years of the investigation — is that this official version is a lie.”

River Town by Peter Hessler

The book follows Hessler’s two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fuling, a city along the Yangtze River, where he teaches literature at a teachers’ college. Initially navigating misunderstandings and local bureaucracy, he gradually gains insight into the layers of Chinese society. Through his students’ writing and small exchanges, the story captures the discoveries of life in a rapidly changing, once-isolated China.

Here’s my review.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Angelou’s memoir traces her early years, describing the experiences growing up Black and female in the segregated American South and chronicling her struggles with trauma, racism, and displacement. Through vivid storytelling, the narrative explores the power of language, self-expression, and perseverance, showing how she finds a sense of belonging in a world that often seeks to silence her.

The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel

Housel argues that money is a tool, not the ultimate goal, and that true happiness comes from aligning spending with personal values rather than chasing societal expectations. He emphasizes that fulfillment looks different for everyone, making money more art than science. Through relatable stories, you see that happiness often depends more on expectations and purpose than on wealth itself.

Here’s my review.

On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder

On Tyranny draws lessons from history to show how democratic institutions can be weakened and freedoms eroded. Snyder presents twenty practical steps that citizens can take to recognize, resist, and prevent authoritarianism through everyday actions. With clear guidance and historical examples, it illustrates how ordinary people can protect democracy before oppression becomes entrenched.

Here’s my notes.

Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe

During Northern Ireland’s Troubles, violence between the IRA, loyalist groups, and British forces became part of daily life. In 1972, Jean McConville, a widowed mother of ten, was abducted from her home. Through investigative reporting and intimate portraits of IRA members, informants, and survivors, Keefe exposes the moral gray zones of rebellion and the lingering wounds of conflict.

In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

Australia, dubbed the driest, flattest, and hottest continent, has an incredible abundance of life. However, much of that life can kill you — more than anywhere else in the world. From the cheerful and hospitable people to the safety of its cities and the culinary delights, Bryson recounts his experiences in a land where life is embraced wholeheartedly under the ever-shining sun.

In The Shadow of Man by Jane Goodall

At 26, Jane Goodall ventured into the Tanzanian wilderness to study chimpanzees. Immersed in their world, she documented complex social hierarchies, playful behaviors, and acts of aggression. Most famously, she observed chimpanzees using tools, discoveries that challenged assumptions about animal intelligence and reshaped the scientific understanding of what it meant to be human.

Here’s my review.

The Burning Plain and Other Stories by Juan Rulfo

Rulfo’s collection of short fiction weaves together stories of love, loss, and regret set across rural Mexico. Through sparse prose, the book captures both the beauty and harshness of humanity, revealing how cultural landscapes shape the lives of those caught in its currents.

Here’s the best stories from the collection.

Reasons Not to Worry by Brigid Delaney

Reasons Not to Worry draws on Stoic philosophy to navigate fear, grief, and life’s uncertainties, blending ancient wisdom with personal reflection. Using her own experiences, Delaney guides readers toward living with greater intention, resilience, and acceptance in a world that often feels unpredictable and overwhelming.

Here’s my notes.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Reeling from grief and personal upheaval, Strayed sets out alone to hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. Along the way, blisters, black bears, and her own doubts test her resolve. Her story is a raw reminder that sometimes nature — unforgiving as it is — offers the space we need to piece ourselves back together.

The Quest of the Simple Life by William James Dawson

In the early 1900s, Dawson chronicled his move from a mundane London clerk job to a simpler, rural existence, exploring the pursuit of a more intentional way of living and focusing on finding satisfaction in everyday experiences. Through reflections on work, leisure, community, and personal values, it examines how modern life’s complexities can distract from true contentment.

Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

Goggins’s memoir follows his journey from a childhood of abuse, poverty, and fear to a life of extreme discipline. After hitting rock bottom as an adult, he transforms himself through grueling challenges, deliberately embracing suffering. His story illustrates a relentless cycle of pushing limits, showing how toughness of mind can reshape one’s life.

Here’s my review.