42. The BEST books and essays I Read in 2025!

Published in 1956, 'Giovanni's Room' is a groundbreaking novel by James Baldwin that delves into the life of David, a young American expatriate in Paris. David is caught between his desire for Giovanni, an Italian bartender, and his engagement to Hella, an American woman. The novel explores themes of love, shame, guilt, and the internal conflicts that arise from societal expectations and personal identity. As David navigates his relationships and grapples with his sexuality, the story unfolds into a tragic confrontation with the consequences of his choices and the unspoken complexities of the human heart.

The Book of Longings is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of Ana, a young woman from a wealthy family in Sepphoris, Galilee. Ana is rebellious, ambitious, and intellectually curious, engaging in secret scholarly pursuits and writing about neglected and silenced women. Her life changes when she meets the eighteen-year-old Jesus, and they marry despite societal expectations. The novel follows their marriage, filled with love, conflict, humor, and pathos, set against the backdrop of the Roman occupation of Israel. Ana's journey is marked by her struggles to express herself and realize her potential in a patriarchal society, supported by strong women like her aunt Yaltha and friend Tabitha. The book is grounded in meticulous historical research and offers a reverential yet humanizing portrayal of Jesus' life.

This novel follows the life of Billy Pilgrim, a chaplain's assistant in the U.S. Army during World War II. Billy becomes 'unstuck in time' and experiences his life out of order, including his time as a prisoner of war in Dresden during the Allied firebombing. The book is a powerful anti-war statement, blending Vonnegut's own experiences with science fiction elements, such as Billy's abduction by aliens from Tralfamadore. It explores themes of post-traumatic stress, the absurdity of war, and the human condition, using Vonnegut's characteristic black humor and fatalistic tone.

Set in Nazi Germany from 1939 to 1943, 'The Book Thief' follows the life of Liesel Meminger, a nine-year-old girl who is sent to live with foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, after her brother dies and her mother is forced to give her up due to the dangers of the Nazi regime. Liesel develops a deep love for books and words, stealing them from various sources, including Nazi book-burnings. The story takes a dramatic turn when the Hubermanns hide a Jewish man, Max Vandenburg, in their basement. Narrated by Death, the novel explores themes of war, loss, friendship, and the human spirit, providing a unique and powerful perspective on life during World War II.