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I came across some advice this week that stuck with me: “Do what makes mornings exciting and nights peaceful.” I couldn’t agree more, and it also sums up exactly how I choose what books to read. In the mornings, I always spend a few minutes reading some nonfiction to propel me into the day with good energy. At night, I wind down with fiction—a good story never fails to help me step out of my head and stop ruminating on whatever problems I need to solve. Honestly, a captivating novel is, hands down, the best cure for insomnia I’ve ever found.

Even though I don’t get to spend hours reading every day, these morning and evening micro-habits have added up to a lot of reading over the course of this year. So, since we’re halfway through 2025, I thought I’d share the best books I’ve read this year so far. Some are new, others are just new-to-me—but they’re all books I thoroughly enjoyed.

Keep reading on Substack for my full list of the best books of 2025—including can’t-miss fiction, standout nonfiction, and the titles that truly lived up to the hype. When you subscribe, you’ll get weekly letters like this from me, and join a community of thoughtful readers.

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