Every year, I look forward to writing this post: part reflection, part recommendation list, and part celebration of the books that kept me company through long commutes, late-night reading sessions, and the busy rhythm of teaching, advising, speaking, and (gasp!) trying my hand at writing a book of my own. Read on for my own version of the best books of 2025.

This year, teaching about responsible innovation, disruptive technologies, and crisis management pushed me to read widely and intensely. My reading included books on AI ethics, organizational resilience, user-centered design, and the interplay between innovation and responsibility. These books shaped my thinking, enriched my classrooms, and influenced my writing.

I also noticed a shift: I’ve started reading with an author lens. As I’ve learned more about the publishing world — traditional and hybrid models, book coaches, developmental editors, literary agents, and the realities of bringing a book to life — I’ve grown even more appreciative of the craft and the courage required to write something meaningful. And so this year, reading books by people I know (or have gotten to know or now feel like I know!) became especially satisfying.

And, as always, I continued reading simply for the pure joy of getting lost in a story. I love the novels that pull you in, the audiobooks that make long drives melt away, the stories that transport you to new places and let you escape for a little while. These books kept me balanced. They reminded me that learning happens in many forms, including laughter, romance, time travel, mystery, and the small but profound details of human relationships.

Below are some of the best books of 2025, organized into three categories that reflect the themes of my reading life this year. If you’re curious about past favorites, you can find my earlier lists here: 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021.

1. Books That Fueled My Thinking, Teaching, and Writing

These books shaped my thinking about responsible innovation, crisis management, and the future of technology. They helped me connect dots across disciplines, identify patterns, and discover “ah-ha” stories and insights.

Ethics and Responsible Technology

• The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (by Luciano Floridi) – A foundational text on data ethics, information theory, and how to think systematically about the moral responsibilities of technologists.
• Mismatch (by Kat Holmes) – A compelling look at how exclusion happens unintentionally and how we can design for a wider range of human experiences.
• Not the End of the World (by Hannah Ritchie) – A clear, data-driven, optimistic perspective on climate progress.

Crises and Organizational Learning

• Careless People (by Sarah Wynn-Williams) – A candid memoir about the internal culture at Facebook in its early years.
• Revenge of the Tipping Point (by Malcolm Gladwell) – Twenty-five years after Gladwell’s first book, this revisits earlier lessons and explores more recent examples of social epidemics and tipping points.
• Right Kind of Wrong (by Amy Edmondson) – A thoughtful exploration of what it means to learn from failure, and how psychological safety leads to better decisions.

Innovation and Strategy

• Beyond Disruption (by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne) – A strategic look at nondisruptive innovation that offers leaders a high-level framework for creating new markets without causing unnecessary harm.
• Intended Consequences (by Hemant Taneja and Kevin Maney) – A hands-on guide to building companies that scale responsibly from day one.
• Move Fast and Fix Things (by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss) – A refreshing counterpoint to the “move fast and break things” ethos.

2. Books by Authors I Know (or Now Feel Like I Know)

As I’ve ventured deeper into the world of writing and publishing — taking courses, joining writing groups, talking with authors, learning from book coaches and agents — I’ve gained a profound appreciation for the work behind each book: the choices, the voice, the structure, the courage. These books felt personal not only because of their ideas, but because I’ve met or learned directly from their authors.

Personal and Professional Growth

• Inner Fire (by Lisa Wolfe) – A reflective and heartfelt book about resilience, authenticity, and leading with purpose. Lisa’s advice to “be water” has stuck with me.
• Having It All (by Corinne Low) – A research-informed perspective on navigating work, family, ambition, and the real trade-offs that shape modern life.
• Leading for Wellness (by Patricia Grabarek and Katina Sawyer) – An evidence-based look at leadership through the lens of well-being and long-term organizational sustainability.

Leadership and Relationships

• Coaching Power (by Tom Preston and Luciana Nunez) – A practical guide to becoming a more thoughtful and effective coach and mentor.
• Influence Is Your Superpower (by Zoe Chance) – A smart, generous exploration of persuasion rooted in empathy, clarity, and integrity.
• Never Lead Alone (by Keith Ferrazzi) – A compelling case for collaborative, high-trust leadership, especially in moments of uncertainty, emphasizing the power of collective problem-solving.

Innovation and Strategic Insight

• Both/And Thinking (by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis) – A powerful framework for navigating the paradoxes inherent in innovation, such as balancing speed with responsibility.
• Chief in Tech (by Anna Radulovski) – A practical and motivating leadership guide for women in technology.
• Go Big or Go Home (by Diana Kander) – A lively and accessible book that champions curiosity, experimentation, and asking better questions to drive better outcomes.

3. Books I Read Simply for Joy and Entertainment

For pure joy and escape, these novels were some of my best books of 2025. They are the ones I reach for when I want to disappear into another world, fall in love with a character, or just enjoy a story well told. These books reminded me how reading can replenish energy, spark imagination, or simply make a long commute feel shorter.

Romance, Rom-Coms, and Feel-Good Escapes

• Great Big Beautiful Life (by Emily Henry) – A lively story with memorable characters, a touch of mystery, and emotional warmth that stayed with me.
• It’s a Love Story (by Annabel Monaghan) – A charming, fast-moving romance about two people whose lives keep intersecting.
• PS: I Hate You (by Lauren Connolly) – A tender and engaging story about heartbreak, reconnection, and emotional growth.
• The Love Haters (by Katherine Center) – A witty and heartfelt novel about unexpected connection and personal courage, with moments that are genuinely smile-inducing.
• This Summer Will Be Different (by Carley Fortune) – A happily-ever-after love story set in Prince Edward Island full of charm and chemistry.

Modern Fiction and Magical Stories

• Atmosphere (by Taylor Jenkins Reid) – A suspenseful, emotionally layered novel told across timelines, with characters I found myself rooting for.
• How the Penguins Saved Veronica (by Hazel Prior) – A sweet and uplifting contemporary novel about an unlikely journey to Antarctica.
• The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits (by Jennifer Weiner) – A dual-timeline family story full of secrets, humor, and resilience.
• The Wedding People (by Alison Espach) – A thoughtful story exploring relationships, family, and self-discovery.
• Three Days in June (by Anne Tyler) – A gentle, beautifully observed novel about family, identity, and memory. Anne Tyler was one of my father’s favorite authors, and reading this made me think of him.

Historical Fiction, Mysteries, and Thrillers

• The Briar Club (by Kate Quinn) – A tense, atmospheric historical novel anchored by strong characters and suspense.
• The Last Bookshop in London (by Madeline Martin) – A moving story set during World War II about the power of books and community.
• The Lion Women of Tehran (by Marjan Kamali) – A beautifully written novel about friendship, identity, and history.
• Eruption (by Michael Crichton and James Patterson) – A cinematic, fast-paced thriller that blends science and suspense.
• Nightshade (by Michael Connelly) – A tightly plotted detective story with excellent pacing that introduces a new cast of characters. I enjoyed piecing together the clues.

Looking Ahead

As I look back at this year’s reading, I’m struck by how deeply these books have shaped the way I think, teach, and create. They’ve helped me build new courses, deepen my understanding of innovation and leadership, explore new perspectives, and find delightful moments of escape and joy.

I’m grateful to the authors who share their insights and imagination with us all. I’m daunted — but also super excited — to continue working on my own book, which is being shaped in so many ways by the ideas and authors on this list.

Here’s to curiosity, learning, and great stories in the year ahead.