My 2025 reading list

A new year means a new reading list! With a seemingly infinite list of titles to choose from, it was tough to narrow it down to a manageable short list for the year. Much like last year, I am drawn to books that will help me grow both personally and professionally. I also really enjoy variety in my reading, so I always have a mix of fiction and non-fiction on my nightstand.

So, without further ado – I’m excited to share my curated short-list for reading in 2025:

1. Jonathan Haidt has been getting a lot of praise for his book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. In today’s hyperconnected and overstimulated world, children and adolescents face unprecedented challenges with connection, belonging and sense of worth. This book dives deep into the interplay between technology, parenting styles, and mental health. Haidt discusses the macro socio-emotional issues facing our kids today and offers practical solutions to cultivate resilience and emotional well-being.
2. Dr. Becky Kennedy has been writing, speaking and teaching about practical parenting for years. Her book Good Inside is a couple years old, but it has been recommended to me by several parents, so it is on my list this year. Her approach is all about positive and firm parenting – empowering kids to take ownership of their feelings and behaviors and giving parents permission to give themselves some grace. Her methods are practical and applicable to parents of children of all ages.
3. Generative AI and Copilots are a norm at Microsoft, but I also find it’s good to get a sense of an outside perspective. Wharton professor, Ethan Mollick’s book Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI offers his perspective on the use of AI to augment human intelligence, challenging us to utilize the power of AI without losing our creativity and identity, and to learn from it without being misled.
4. Inspired by the real-life friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune, Marie Benedict’s First Ladies is a historical novel delving into their efforts to champion civil rights and women’s equality. It provides a deeply moving portrayal of their bond and its transformative impact on American history.
5. I love a good mystery story and I love art – so I am particularly excited to read The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar. This is a dual-timeline story intertwining an art mystery and personal discovery, this novel reveals the hidden legacy of a sunflower painting. It explores themes of love, passion, and resilience, tying together past and present in a richly emotional narrative.

Each of these books offers something unique—whether it’s a deeper understanding of modern challenges, a perspective on the future of applied AI, or a beautifully woven tale of resilience. I’m looking forward to diving into these stories and lessons, and I hope they inspire you as well.

What’s on your reading list for 2025? What would you recommend I add to my future reading list? Share your recommendations or thoughts in the comments. ????????????

?