Good Reads: Four Books On My Reading List in 2025

Here’s what I am reading this year for introspection and growth. 

To be a good writer, you need to be a good reader. I am paraphrasing there but it’s one of the core lessons from writer Stephen King in his non-fiction book “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.” It is one of my favorite books to pick up and read when I am in a rut. And it is also great advice and engaging stories. 

The past two years have been a cocoon phase for me. If you think in terms of a butterfly’s lifecycle, they start out as caterpillars, navigating their world on their many legs and doing some stumbling and dodging from predators. Then they move into their chrysalis period where they undergo their metamorphosis. Finally, they emerge as a butterfly, who then lays the eggs that start a new cycle. 

So, my cocoon phase is where I am performing a bit of leveling up and utilizing the knowledge and experiences I gained and seeking new knowledge and learning to be able to shine in my butterfly stage. I think all people go through this in their lives. Some in short cycles, some in longer cycles, but we all learn from experience and learn new skills. 

In 2024, I have been doing work around self-reflection, curiosity, and learning. In 2025, I am continuing that learning with recommended books that have come my way.

Here are four:

1. “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown

I discovered Brené Brown from a leadership program I was in at work. The presenter showed us a snippet of Brown’s TedTalk about vulnerability and I was hooked. I am an avid fan of her work, her writing and her podcast. The A

As a recovering perfectionist, I was drawn to this book for several reasons: 1. It’s a quick read at 167 pages. 2. Brown often provides workbooks so you can apply what you learn, and 3. The chapters, or guideposts, presented in the book have me quietly screaming YES! I NEED THIS! From “Letting Go of What People Think” to “Cultivating Meaningful Work”, I know I am in for some deep introspection here and I am all for it. 

2. “Come as You Are” by Emily Nagoski

I was working with a therapist for a bit in 2024 and she handed me this book. I have seen it come up in my Pinterest feed and on other book recommendation sites but had yet to dive into it myself. When my therapist handed it to me, I was still apprehensive. One of the most common things I hear from friends, or see repeatedly on internet forums, is frustration around sexual needs and imbalances in relationships. It’s not a topic I feel particularly excited to jump into. And as Brené Brown would say, shame is likely at the heart of why I am so averse to it. However, I have heard the author on a podcast with Brown and I loved Nagoski’s tone, humor and candor and it inspired me to make this book a priority read. 

3. “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily and Amelia Nagoski

Incidentally, a month after my therapist handed me “Come as you are”, my work peer and friend shared a link to a Brené Brown podcast interviewing the authors of this burnout book. My friend immediately thought to share it with me because I had been very open and transparent at work about my own struggles with chronic stress and she thought I would be interested. After listening to the interview, I knew I needed to read this book. I had not put “hyperfocus on burnout learning” on my 2025 bingo card, but here it is anyway so I will take it as the universe’s message to me that I need to do this work. 

4. “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt

Haidt popped up on the Dr. Becky podcast, “Good Inside”. As a parent, this topic around anxious kids, short attention spans and the connection to digital technology is a top concern of mine, and to the loathing of my child who still doesn’t have a smartphone or TikTok (here’s more on that). Almost every trip to Barnes & Noble, I end up staring at the cover of this book, wondering if I should pick it up. This is the year.   

There is my reading list for 2025 to level up my self-awareness and generally be a better partner, parent and human.

What is on your reading list this year? Tell me in the comments.