10 Books I'm Reading in 2025

An Imperfect Offering:

Humanitarian work is fraught with disappointment and success, and I can think of no better time than now to read about the perspectives of aid across the world. Help can oftentimes be harmful, and it is important that we strip away the veneer of international relief and face the reality of how to be a support instead of a burden to those we serve. I am hoping this book showcases a bit of this lived experience for me.

Cobalt Red:

Batteries, rare earth minerals, and geopolitical competition are on the rise, and I am hoping this book can provide some perspective about what this looks like on the ground. I came across Siddharth Kara through a podcast, and his story of investigative journalism is a powerful reminder to balance against the dark side of ambition. Hopefully, this book lives up to my expectations.

Zhou Enlai:

What impact did Zhou Enlai have on the Chinese state? Could China’s trajectory been different if Enlai lived to see the aftermath of Mao’s China? These questions are more important today than ever as Xi Jinping seeks to cement his dominance over the Chinese state. I am not typically one to crack open a biography, but I find it important to see China’s history as one with nuance rather than as a rigid communist behemoth.

Knife:

How often does the publicized self become more ‘real’ than one’s lived experience? Rushdie is a living example of how dangerous the modern media landscape is becoming, and his story of survival, courage, and contemplation are all reasons why I want to crack open his book this year.

Co-Intelligence:

Like it or hate it AI is entering into modern conversation more and more. ChatGPT is beginning to replace Google as my go to for research and information synthesis, and it is only going to get more effective at consolidating information. I want to learn more about how to navigate the relationship between AI and humanity. Mollick seems to understand this relationship, and I hope this book allows me to navigate different approaches to AI in a way that respects both humanity and technology.

The Golem and the Jinni:

Reading cannot be all non-fiction! I danced around reading Wecker for years despite the heaping praise she’s received in the fantasy space. The premise of two mythical creatures interacting with the modern day seems like it could be a moving, contemplative piece of fiction. I am saving this book for when the weather is cold, my coffee is hot, and my need for a beautiful story is great.

Liar in a Crowded Theater:

It is common to discuss the importance of rights within 21st century America, especially around the area of free speech. Public discourse is filled with conversations about how much leeway to give social media platforms, political pundits, and American citizens when it comes to our ability to speak freely. Also, what does freedom of speech become in a world of Artificial Intelligence and deep fakes? I want to dig more into this topic and I hope that Kosseff is able to start me on this journey.

On the Incarnation:

Oftentimes I find that modern day Christian literature can be rather hollow in its approach to our relationship with divinity. I want to start digging into past voices in order to read more from church fathers who truly experienced suffering. St. Athanasius is one of these men, and I am looking forward to reading through his understanding of Christ and what that means for my relationship with God.

The Hollow Parties:

Our current American moment is rife with empty promises within our political party structure. I want to understand the origins of party weakness, and how Congressional power declines in relation to the executive. 21st century political life is a story of declining legislative influence, but rather with a degradation of national allegiance in exchange for presidential allegiance.

The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories:

Science fiction is best written in short story form, and Ken Liu is one of the best in this regard. Short stories need to immediately grab you while also simultaneously showcasing an important concept about human existence. I am looking forward to experiencing the contemplation that Liu brings to his writing, and I am hoping it will be a break from the other ‘heavy’ reads on my list.

Reading is meant to be a joyful, educational, and uniquely human experience. The relationship between the written word and the human mind is one of both beauty and mystery, and I hope these titles open my ability to understand this present moment with more maturity and respect.