2025 was a great year of reading. I finished the year with 21 books.
A few things made this year different from previous years. This was the first quarter where I only read fiction. I also finished every book either on my Kindle or through Audible, with the exception of a few paperbacks I revisited in sections. And for the first time ever, I reread the same book twice in one year – The Beginning of Infinity – because it kept pulling me back.
This year, I’m breaking my favorites into three categories:
- Books that made me think the most or changed my perspective
- Books that were the most fun
- Books that sparked the most action
Books That Made Me Think
1a / The Beginning of Infinity — David Deutsch
This was my favorite book of the year. I revisited sections later in the year and even gifted copies to friends and family. Some parts, like the multiverse section, stretched my limits, but chapters on optimism, creativity, and sustainability reshaped how I think about humanity’s place in the universe. Chapters 3, 9, and 17 feel like required reading.
1b / Crime and Punishment — Fyodor Dostoevsky
This book forced me to think deeply about how lies and wrongdoing eat away at a person’s soul from the inside.
1c / Slow Productivity — Cal Newport
A great read, especially for ambitious new parents. It rejects the idea that constant busyness equals accomplishment and offers a better way to build a meaningful career.
Books That Were the Most Fun
2a / Savage Son — Jack Carr
Part of the Terminal List series. Fast, fun, and hard to put down. I’m nearly through the whole series and have enjoyed it a lot.
2b / The Brothers Karamazov — Fyodor Dostoevsky
Incredible character development. At times it went over my head, but the court scenes at the end were some of the most engaging reading I’ve had in a long time.
2c / Born Fighting — Jim Webb
A history of Scots-Irish immigration to the United States and its cultural impact. As someone with Irish heritage, I loved it and ended up gifting it to my dad as well.
Books That Sparked Action
3a / Kettlebell AXE / The Quick and the Dead
These two books deepened my understanding of kettlebell training and helped me prepare for my StrongFirst Kettlebell certification in December.
3b / How to Win Friends and Influence People — Dale Carnegie
I revisit this every year or two. The advice remains practical, useful, and foundational for how we relate to others.
My Q4 Reading List
- Notes from the Underground — Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Crime and Punishment — Fyodor Dostoevsky
- In the Blood — Jack Carr
- Only the Dead — Jack Carr
- Honorable Mention: Reread certain chapters from The Beginning of Infinity & Poor Charlie’s Almanack
Previous Quarters:
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