20 books I read in 2025

After a few very busy years, it had been a long time since I’d actually finished a book — and somehow this year I got through twenty. Some physical, mostly audio. These are just my personal opinions, so they might not match yours, but I love reading and I love writing, so I figured… why not talk about what I’ve been reading? Hopefully you enjoy it, and maybe you’ll find something you love as much as I did.

The Let Them Theory — Mel Robbins

Mel’s latest book is all about changing how you react to other people’s actions and opinions.

A bunch of my friends recommended it, so I gave it a go — even though I’ve always thought self help books were absolute rubbish. This one actually surprised me. Mel is a great storyteller and the method is genuinely useful. It is repetitive, but that’s on purpose to make the idea stick. That was probably the only thing I didn’t enjoy. Otherwise, highly recommend.

The 5 Second Rule — Mel Robbins

One of Mel’s earlier books, focused on getting started and taking action.

After finishing The Let Them Theory, I figured I’d check out more of her stuff. This was the one I got the least out of personally, but the research behind it helped reinforce the other theories I’ve been using.

The High 5 Habit — Mel Robbins

This one is about celebrating yourself and your achievements.

I found it more useful than The 5 Second Rule, but not quite as good as The Let Them Theory. Still, all three books work well together, and the combination has definitely helped me get through my day to day. Lots of research, lots of stories, and plenty of practical bits.

Badass Habits — Jen Sincero

A 21 day plan for breaking and making habits.

A decent read with lots of stories. I listened to it as an audiobook, but it definitely feels like something designed to be read physically. It leans into daily mantras and manifesting — not really my thing, but if it’s yours, it’s a solid book.

Four Thousand Weeks — Oliver Burkeman

Based on the idea that the average human lifespan is roughly four thousand weeks.

This book was humbling and eye opening. The skills it talks about are simple but backed by great stories. It helped me be more productive without falling into my usual habit of overdoing everything. One of the better self help books I read this year.

A Court of Thorns and Roses — Sarah J. Maas

A fantasy romance following Feyre as she’s taken into the faerie land of Prythian.

This felt like an adult version of Beauty and the Beast, but with way more violence and cruelty — which, as someone who leans more toward horror than romance, actually kept me interested. I put this series off for ages, but I ended up enjoying it more than expected. I can see why the fandom is huge.

A Court of Mist and Fury — Sarah J. Maas

The world expands, the stakes rise, and the emotional depth ramps up.

This was a big step up from the first book. The character development felt intentional, the romance got darker and more complex, and the found family vibes were great. Still not my usual genre, but I was much more invested.

A Court of Wings and Ruin — Sarah J. Maas

War, alliances, and consequences.

A solid conclusion to the main arc. There was a lot going on — sometimes too much — but the payoff was satisfying. The political manoeuvring and large scale conflict kept me engaged even when the romance wasn’t my main draw.

Manhattan Transfer — John Dos Passos

A fragmented portrait of early 20th century New York.

This was a challenging read and not something I’d recommend casually. The style is deliberately disjointed, which creates a strong sense of chaos, but it’s not easy to follow. I listened to it as an audiobook, which was a mistake — it’s definitely meant to be read physically. Interesting for my experimental writing class, but not something I’d suggest for fun.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close — Jonathan Safran Foer

A young boy navigating grief after losing his father in 9/11.

This was emotionally heavy and beautifully written. At times it was overwhelming, but in a meaningful way. Again, I listened to it as an audiobook, but the experimental style would be better appreciated in print. A powerful read that showed a side of the 9/11 aftermath I hadn’t considered before.

Difficult People — Dr Rebecca Ray

Why people behave in difficult ways, and how to protect your boundaries.

A practical and validating read. It reframed difficult interactions without blame and offered realistic strategies instead of quick fixes. Grounded, compassionate, and very relatable.

So Emotional — Dr Rebecca Ray

A gentle look at emotional sensitivity and regulation.

This felt like a companion to Difficult People. Reassuring, normalising, and comforting. Some parts felt familiar, but still very helpful for anyone prone to emotional burnout.

How to Dungeon Master Parenting — Shelly Mazzanoble

Parenting advice through the lens of tabletop role playing games.

A fun, creative concept. Even without deep D&D knowledge, it’s accessible and entertaining. More playful than practical, but enjoyable. Definitely better as a physical book.

Slow Productivity — Cal Newport

A case for slowing down and rejecting constant busyness.

This book felt like permission to stop glorifying burnout. Simple ideas, well supported. Some overlap with his earlier work, but still a good reinforcement of healthier habits.

Everything Is F*cked — Mark Manson

A philosophical look at hope, values, and meaning.

Less practical than The Subtle Art, more philosophical, sometimes repetitive, sometimes thought provoking. I didn’t connect with all of it, but it raised interesting questions. I’d still recommend it — I found it very thought provoking.

Dungeon Crawler Carl — Matt Dinniman

Earth becomes a deadly dungeon crawl game show.

Far more entertaining than I expected. Brutal, funny, fast paced, and surprisingly emotional. A very addictive read.

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario — Matt Dinniman

Higher stakes, darker consequences, expanded world building.

I jumped straight into this after book one. It kept the humour, escalated the action, and continued developing the characters. Still very fun.

The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook — Matt Dinniman

Rebellion, strategy, and survival take centre stage.

More intense and emotionally heavy than the earlier books, with sharper satire and deeper moral complexity. I’ll definitely be continuing the series next year.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes — Suzanne Collins

A prequel exploring the early life of Coriolanus Snow.

Unsettling in all the right ways. Slower than the original trilogy, but psychologically rich and compelling.

1984 — George Orwell

A dystopian classic about surveillance and authoritarian control.

Uncomfortable, important, and disturbingly relevant. Not enjoyable in the traditional sense, but incredibly powerful. Especially impressive considering it was written in 1949.

My Top Picks

Self Help

• The Let Them Theory

• Four Thousand Weeks

• Everything Is F*cked

Fiction

• Dungeon Crawler Carl

• A Court of Thorns and Roses

Best Standalones

• 1984

• Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

I hope you found something here that sparks your interest. I’m hoping to get through even more books next year.