The Best Books I've Read This Year (So Far)

The novel I couldn't put down, an anxiety reframe, and the unexpectedly great cookbook of the year.

I came across some advice this week that stuck with me: "Do what makes mornings exciting and nights peaceful." I couldn’t agree more, and it also sums up exactly how I choose what books to read. In the mornings, I always spend a few minutes reading some nonfiction to propel me into the day with good energy. At night, I wind down with fiction—a good story never fails to help me step out of my head and stop ruminating on whatever problems I need to solve. Honestly, a captivating novel is, hands down, the best cure for insomnia I’ve ever found.

Even though I don't get to spend hours reading every day, these morning and evening micro-habits have added up to a lot of reading over the course of this year. So, since we're halfway through 2025, I thought I'd share the best books I've read this year so far. Some are new, others are just new-to-me—but they’re all books I thoroughly enjoyed.

I'd love to hear your reading recos in the comments section. It’s open to our paid subscribers, and if you’re not yet, consider this your personal invitation to join this community. You’ll unlock my top 10 books of the year so far, plus full access to my entire archives, our subscriber chat, and more. If reading is your happy place, you’ll feel right at home.