The Ten Best Books I Read in 2025
(In No Particular Order)
I read a lot of great books this year. These are some of the ones that stayed with me long after I finished the last page.
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1. Jerusalem: The Biography: A History of the City from Biblical Times to the Present Day
— Simon Sebag Montefiore
What makes this book sobering is how much of what we argue about today traces directly back to this place. Jerusalem isn’t about geography. It’s a history of the birth of our narrative, faith, and meaning - forces that still incredibly unite and divide us. If more people understood this history, accurately and in full, we might have a better chance of resolving some of the conflicts that have endured for centuries. But I’m not holding my breath.
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2. There Are Rivers in the Sky: A Novel
— Elif Shafak
Thank you to Dave for this recommendation. This is a work of fiction that reads like a symphony. It was the most beautifully written book I read all year, and I don’t know why more people aren’t talking about it.
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3. The Last Pirate of New York: A Ghost Ship, a Killer, and the Birth of a Gangster Nation
— Rich Cohen
I read a few pirate books this year. I’m not sure why I went down that rabbit hole, but they were all great. And WOW, this one was incredible. The fact that it actually happened, right here on my doorstep in New York City, made it even more fascinating.
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4. The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music
— Victor L. Wooten
I found this in a small bookstore while my daughter and I were taking shelter from a brutal storm on a drive back from North Carolina. It was a gift that jumped off the shelf at me. How did I miss this when it first came out?
Victor Wooten is one of the most influential musicians and bass players of his generation, and his perspective on the creative process and inspiration gets to the essence of what it truly means to be an artist. This is a must-read for all artists.
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5. Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Went from Climbing Bum to Outdoor Visionary
— David Gelles
Half the clothes in my ski drawer are Patagonia, and I’ll have a deeper appreciation for them this season. This is one of the most inspirational business books I’ve ever read.
Yvon Chouinard wasn’t just an entrepreneur. He has lived his beliefs through his company and his actions. So rare. In a world that often rewards excess, his example proves that values and success don’t have to be at odds. The world is genuinely better because he built his company the way he did.
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6. Patriot: A Memoir
— Alexei Navalny
We don’t hear about many modern day heroes. They do exist, but they don’t get enough airtime. This is one of the most inspiring stories I’ve ever read. Navalny’s courage and refusal to compromise are extraordinary. It’s a sobering reminder that real bravery isn’t performative. It’s steady, principled, and very rare.
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7. When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Coordination of Norms
— Steven Pinker
Steven Pinker is one of my favorite authors, and this was a fun and thought provoking read. He covers game theory, culture, and human nature in a way that’s both accessible and deeply insightful.
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8. The Women: A Novel
— Kristin Hannah
Set during the Vietnam War, this book shines a light on the women whose roles and sacrifices were largely undocumented, and whose heroism went unrecognized for decades.
What stayed with me is how essential these women were, and how quietly they returned home.
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9. Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World
— Irene Vallejo
This was a year where I tried to journal every day, and this book played a big role in deepening my appreciation for the simple act of putting pen to paper. It made me more mindful of the ritual of writing, and grateful for the fragile way ideas endure.
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10. The Let Them Theory: A Life Changing Tool That Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About
— Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins is an amazing communicator and something of a modern day stoic. This book is a simple but powerful reminder that not everything deserves your energy.
At its core, it echoes many of the same principles that have guided mindfulness for thousands of years.
“Focus on what you can control, and let go of the rest”.
Let’s do this.
Shaun