I read 52 books this year. These are the ones worth talking about.
book recommendation superlatives incoming…
We are all addicts in one way or another. For me, I read to chase a specific high.
A five-star book means that at some point while reading, my jaw organically dropped open from surprise. I’ve only experienced this a handful of times. Like, fewer than five fingers.
The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn—sophomore year winter break, sitting in my bed. Flipping through the pages like a madman until boom! Jaw dropped.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley—my college townhome, summer break. Midnight. Jaw dropped.
1984 by George Orwell—high school, senior year reading assignment. Permanent brain alteration. Jaw hanging a degree lower—forever.
That’s it. That’s the list. Like I said, only a handful of times. So, whether you’re chasing the same feeling as I am, or you simply like to read for one of the million other reasons, these were the closest to making my jaw drop in 2025.
Overall pick of the year not because of the plot or characters, but because of the author’s writing style. Choppy and entertaining, I quickly became obsessed. \ Most likely to inspire you to start over
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler
Best Book for Book Clubs
Best book if you need to believe in love again because Charlie Florek is the man of your dreams (and the man of mine). Will also entice you to figure out how to spend a summer on a lake. // Worst book to read if you’re going through a breakup
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
Best Fiction Romance
Anything Suzanne Collins writes, I will consume. Does anyone have a copy of her grocery list? \ Book that lives rent-free in my head
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Best YA Dystopian Novel
Best book if you believe (like I do) that the ocean is a motif and want a reason to pick up and move to a beach town. (As if anyone needs an actual reason to do this. Just do it.) \ Best book I was late to reading
Best Romance Suspense Novel
Most likely to help an aspiring writer skip a few drafts and save a few months (or years) when writing their book. \ Book that changed how I write
Best Writing Craft Book
Most likely to become your new favorite poet even if you’re like me and not a connoisseur of poetry. \ Book that made me trust the author forever
Best Poetry Book for Beginners
Most poignant for anyone feeling lost or currently stumbling through life to find their purpose, i.e. me. // Most likely to start a personality shift
Best Inspirational Book
Most likely to make you second-guess if it would be a good thing to win a $100 million dollar lottery. \ Worst emotional whiplash
Best Literary Fiction Book
Most likely to help you enter your boss girl era because corporate America just isn’t for you. // Best book if you want to be a solopreneur
Secrets to a Successful Startup by Trevor Blake
Best Book for Business
I recommend starting with the Netflix show and then transitioning to the book. (I know, I know, sacrilegious in the reading community.) But the cinematography paints a vivid picture for the over 500 page book. // Book I didn’t expect to love this much
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Best Fiction Novel
Best book if you didn’t go to school for business and need a crash course but in a ~fun~ way. \ Best book I finished in 24 hours
The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett
Book Recommendation for Personal Growth
Best audiobook (and this is only a recommendation if you listen to it). \ Best book to believe in humanity again
My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner
Most Recommended Audiobook
One of these days, my own book will be on one of these lists, but until then, happy reading! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯