Books can inspire for countless reasons, and determining what makes one exceptional can be subjective. For me, the best reads are those that deeply resonate, prompting introspection rather than mere distraction. They shape my understanding of existence and illuminate my personal journey.
This year, I didn't intentionally seek out a specific theme in my reading. However, it's fascinating how many of the titles that stood out share a common thread, weaving through history, memory, and the narratives we create to navigate life. These books investigate how our past influences the present, our selective memories, and the significance of carrying forward our experiences, whether through healing or reinvention.
You'll encounter family sagas, a thought-provoking exposé, a revealing memoir, imaginative acts of defiance, and narratives that blur personal and political boundaries. These works don't require agreement; they linger in your mind, not for their entertainment value, but for the weight they carry. These are the titles that reached across divides and captured my attention.
Feature image from our Wake Up Call with Radhi Devlukia.
10 Remarkable Books of 2025 So Far
While I enjoy an exciting page-turner, these selections linger for different reasons. They evoke humanity, whether through a gradual unfolding or emotional depth in each chapter. Sometimes, the goal isn't simply to tick off your reading list; it's about savoring a passage, revisiting it, and allowing its essence to resonate.
Isola by Allegra Goodman
From the moment I discovered The Cookbook Collector, I've been captivated by Goodman's storytelling. Isola draws from the true tale of Marguerite de la Rocque, a young noblewoman exiled to an isolated island due to forbidden love. With only her nurse and lover for company, Marguerite faces the trials of solitude, ultimately undergoing profound personal transformation through her struggles.
$21 at AmazonCareless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams
This nonfiction selection is a must-read, as it's generating significant conversation. Wynn-Williams, a former Facebook executive, presents a candid account of her experiences in Big Tech, exposing the real implications of disinformation. Blending memoir with an exposé and insights on burnout, she urges us to reflect on our roles within this system while envisioning a new path.
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams
$18.50 at AmazonFlashlight by Susan Choi
When her father mysteriously disappears during a beach outing, ten-year-old Louisa is left with unanswered questions. His body remains unaccounted for and, despite being present, she can't remember the events of that night. As the narrative unfolds, we trace her father's path from North Korea to Japan, then to America post-war, revealing a life filled with displacement. Louisa's father's disappearance continues to haunt her, shaping her identity and the stories she tells herself in her search for truth.
$26 at AmazonThe Antidote by Karen Russell
Russell, known for Swamplandia!, presents a uniquely surreal narrative set in Dust Bowl-era Nebraska. The story revolves around a prairie witch, known only as The Antidote, who retains her clients' painful memories to alleviate their burdens. After a devastating dust storm erases these memories, she grapples with the implications of forgetting. This book blends magical realism with sharp satire, exploring what we choose to remember and what we sacrifice by forgetting.
$17 at AmazonGood Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
Good Dirt immerses readers in a rich, multi-generational tale of the Freeman family and their matriarchal heritage. Beginning in 1803, Kandia is taken from her African village and enslaved in Barbados. Generations later, Ebby witnesses her brother's murder, shatters a treasured heirloom jar, and escapes to France to rebuild her life. The story interlaces the journeys of key women across time, highlighting how trauma can lead to growth and resilience.
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
$18 at AmazonThe Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
Vuong's debut novel is a lyrical exploration of life's delicate moments. The Emperor of Gladness follows Hai, a college dropout grappling with loss, and Grazina, an elderly woman with dementia in post-industrial East Gladness, Connecticut. Hai becomes her caregiver, and their intertwined stories reflect the complexities of hard work, overlooked lives, and the tenderness we show when we truly see one another.
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
$21 at AmazonDream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Set during the 2020 pandemic, Dream Count intricately follows the lives of four women—Chiamaka, Zikora, Kadiatou, and Omelogor—as they navigate loss, intimacy, and societal expectations. Although their storylines don't perfectly align, Adichie captures the essence of mid-life reflection and renewal, making each character irresistibly compelling.
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
$21 at AmazonThe Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater
Set against the backdrop of January 1942 at the opulent Avallon Hotel & Spa in rural West Virginia, The Listeners offers a close, atmospheric depiction of wartime America. When the hotel's upper-class owners agree to house Axis diplomats, tensions rise, particularly for general manager June and her staff, many of whom have loved ones on the battlefield. The hotel's mysterious spring adds another layer of intrigue, rumored to reveal hidden truths.
The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater
$19 at AmazonMemorial Days by Geraldine Brooks
Brooks' Memorial Days resonates in our culture, which often struggles with grief. Through the chaos following her husband's unexpected passing on Memorial Day in 2019, Brooks channels the turbulence into this poignant memoir, sharing her journey of mourning and rediscovery over the subsequent years.
Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks
$18 at AmazonThe Director by Daniel Kehlmann
Set during World War II, Kehlmann's fascinating novel The Director reimagines the life of Austrian filmmaker G. W. Pabst. Once celebrated for discovering legends like Greta Garbo, Pabst fled to Hollywood in the 1930s, only to return to Austria to care for his mother. Caught in the war, he finds himself creating propaganda under Nazi rule. Kehlmann expertly builds tension, prompting introspection on art and morality under oppressive regimes.
The Director by Daniel Kehlmann
$22 at Amazon
