My Seven Favorite Books of 2025
To say I love to read would be an understatement. I belong to four book clubs:
one in my old neighborhood
one in my current neighborhood
one at church and
one at a local bookstore
When I don’t have my head in a book, I have AirPods in my ears listening to one (yes, this absolutely counts as reading, and no, I will not debate this with you). Below are the seven books that stuck with me enough to remember without checking my Goodreads “read” list—although I did consult Goodreads to remember the order. I’m honest like that. If you’re building a 2026 reading list, this might help.
“The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions” by Geoff Woods
This book completely shifted how I think about AI—from a glorified editor to a true thought partner. I’ve since named my ChatGPT Gabriel (patron saint of communicators), and hardly a day goes by when I don’t refer to Gabriel as my assistant. This book has a ton of specific examples of how to use AI in business. This one line sums it up: “Great strategic thinkers are masters of asking questions they don’t yet have the answer to and searching for those answers. Developing this skill on your own requires practice, but AI can collapse the learning curve.” Accurate—and mildly life-changing.
“In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote
I never cease to be amazed by authors who can take real events and make them gripping rather than clinical. Capote could make a grocery list interesting. For example: “Kenyon was a good shot and his friend a better one…” Anyone else (OK, me) would have written, “Kenyon and his friend were both good shots.” Boring. This true story of a brutal 1959 Kansas murder is chilling and a masterclass in language and psychological insight.
“Interior Freedom” by Jacques Philippe
I marked the heck out of this slim but mighty book. Philippe opens with a powerful reminder: “Every Christian needs to discover that even in the most unfavorable outward circumstances we possess within ourselves a space of freedom that nobody can take away, because God is its source and guarantee. Without this discovery…we will never taste true happiness.” The rest of the book builds beautifully on this idea through short, accessible chapters that invite reflection rather than overwhelm.
“The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins
When I first heard about this book, I thought—How on earth is she going to stretch “just let people do what they want” into an entire book? And yet…she does. With real-life examples, practical advice, and a surprising amount of wisdom, Robbins makes the case for letting go of what you can’t control so you have energy to do what actually matters, including deciding your next move.
“Retreat: A Novel” by Krysten Ritter
I love psychological thrillers because I enjoy stepping into someone else’s shoes and asking—What would I do if this got weird? I’m also endlessly fascinated by con artists, mostly because I’d be terrible at it. (I cannot lie. Or act.) In this novel, the main character pretends to be a wealthy socialite—and things unravel quickly in ways she never expected.
“Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come: One Introvert’s Year of Saying Yes” by Jessica Pan
This was my second time reading this essay collection. The first was years ago when I started teaching public speaking and wanted to better understand introverts. This time, I reread it to study essay writing. The result? Still funny. Still tender. Still relatable. Watching an introvert commit to extroverting for an entire year is both charming and surprisingly brave. It make me want to step out of my comfort zone more often.
“The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter—And How to Make the Most of Them Now” by Meg Jay
I bought this book for our three twenty-something children and figured I should probably read it myself before delivering any unsolicited life advice. (Too late.) Jay’s concept of “identity capital”—the assets we build through how we spend our time—really stuck with me. Although the focus is on your twenties, the lessons apply to every age, so I recommend this book even if you don’t have children in their 20s rolling their eyes at you.
These seven books challenged my thinking, stretched my faith, sharpened my leadership, and kept me turning pages late at night. What should I read next? Email to let me know: shannon@shannonganun.com.