Some Books I Read and Loved in 2025

As always, I would like to share some of the books I read last year in January. I have been doing this for some time now. If you want to see the ones from past years, they are always on my blog.

To tell you the truth, 2025 was not a big book-reading year for me. I had a very rough first six months, then I wanted to finish my own book that has been going on for years, so that took the place of my nighttime reading.

Here are some I enjoyed, though.

I have to start with Any Dumb Ass Can Do It by Garry Ridge , since I have been waiting for his book for a while so that I can have almost everything I heard from him over the years in a book I can keep close by. I probably knew many of the pieces of his story, but now I can gift it to anyone who does not believe leaders like him exist. I will say the same here: if your plan and dream is to be one of the best leaders of our time—not only because of traditional success, but also to show your humanity and care about others’ success—he is the one to follow and read. A brilliant book about leadership from a very humble perspective. Do not believe the title of the book! We wish anyone could do it, but we all know many don’t.

Brave Leadership from Kimberly Davis is her second edition of the same book, with great updates. She is always in so much integrity with her work that she had to go back, revise sections of the book, and add some of her magic to make sure she is aligned with every word she says as everything keeps changing around us. Kimberly also launched an amazing tool called SuperObjective that goes with the theme of the book to help you find your impact statement. Make sure you try that one too. It is a very sophisticated tool that has already been helping me serve my clients better.

Rites of Passage from another dear friend ❤️🔥 Dennis Pitocco is an inspiring story about their journey on the Camino with his wife, Ali. What a profound story about an inner journey they took while taking on a very brave outer one. If anyone is willing to stretch their limits and grow as a person, make sure you read this story. So much to unpack in there.

Awaken Your Genius from Ozan Varol was introduced to me by a Daniel Pink post on LinkedIn. When I recognized the Turkish name, it intrigued me even more to buy and dive right in. I love these types of books where you learn more about being yourself and living in alignment. Really a powerful one—and a powerful story he has that inspired me. I added a little bit of his story and learnings to my new book too.

Build the Life You Want by Dr. Arthur Brooks was a gift from my dear husband, knowing how much I care about these topics and also how close it was to the title of my first book, Create a Life You Love. It is about the science of happiness, and I never get tired of reading books like that. They also put me into a more positive mental state.

The Next Day from Melinda French Gates was a book to hear more about a powerful woman who is using her wealth for the right causes. I was curious to hear what a very visible, powerful name had to say to all of us. I believe we need more women voices and more women's wealth going to the betterment of other women. So it was interesting to hear more of what she is putting out there. 

Never Enough by Andrew Wilkinson was recommended to me as I got more curious about the billionaire mindset, as we witness how they rule the world in many cases. This was a great and unexpectedly honest story of his life, how he built wealth, and what the mindset of many billionaires is: never enough, even when they have billions. That makes you stop and think. It is not usually the amount of money you have—it is about the never-ending comparison game and not knowing what really matters to us.

UnF--k Your Worth by Dr Faith G Harper is another recommended book. She writes bluntly about the system we created that makes us feel unworthy when worth is tied to money. She writes about how to untangle ourselves from the system that creates unworthiness. Very good short book.

To be a little selfish, as I write this I am excited about my new book coming up in February. It is called More Than a Paycheck: A Step-by-Step Guide to Clarity, Alignment, and Purpose to Find and Do Work We Love. Writing a book is such a labor of love and takes so much effort. I hope the readers who need it will take a lot from it and enjoy it. I may add that one to my books of 2026 next January. 😀

I have always been a book person, a library person, a bookstore person—and I am sure I will continue to be. I am grateful for everyone who writes and reads books to expand our world.

Have a wonderful, book-full year 📚

Ozlem Brooke Erol