Favorite Books of 2025: My Top Reads That Changed My Perspective
- Jared Hottle
- Jan 2
- 3 min read
2025 was an incredible year for reading. Here are some of my favorite books of 2025. I dove into books that challenged my thinking, expanded my perspective, and offered practical wisdom I continue to apply in daily life. Here are my six favorite reads from the year, along with the key takeaways that resonated most.
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
In a world designed for maximum convenience, Easter makes a compelling case for seeking out discomfort. This book explores how modern life has eliminated most physical and mental challenges, and why that might be making us weaker, both physically and psychologically.
Key Takeaway: Do hard things — or at least get comfortable being uncomfortable. Growth rarely lives in convenience. Whether it's a challenging workout, a difficult conversation, or stepping outside your routine, discomfort is where transformation happens.
Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
Cal Newport challenges the hustle culture narrative with a refreshing alternative. Instead of cramming more tasks into every moment, he advocates for doing fewer things, at a natural pace, with obsessive attention to quality. It's about sustainable excellence rather than frantic busyness.
Key Takeaway: Less screen time, more deep work. You don't have to constantly chase productivity to be productive. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is slow down, focus deeply on what matters, and let everything else fall away.
American Buffalo by Steven Rinella
This book is part memoir, part natural history, and entirely captivating. Rinella weaves together his hunt for a buffalo with the species' dramatic history in America. It's a masterclass in storytelling that makes you appreciate both the animal and the land it once dominated.
Key Takeaway: Steve Rinella is awesome, and the buffalo might be the coolest animal ever. Beyond that, the book reminds us of the importance of conservation and our connection to the natural world. The near-extinction and subsequent recovery of the buffalo is a powerful story of resilience and second chances.
Cabin by Patrick Hutchison
Hutchison chronicles building a wilderness cabin with friends, turning what could be a simple construction story into a meditation on friendship, craftsmanship, and creating meaningful experiences. It's about the journey as much as the destination, and how shared projects build lasting memories.
Key Takeaway: Fun reminder of what happens when someone tries something new — and how shared projects build real memories with friends. There's something powerful about creating with your hands alongside people you care about. The imperfections and challenges become part of the story.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
This isn't your typical personal finance book. Housel focuses on the behavioral aspects of money — why we make irrational decisions, how our past shapes our present financial choices, and why doing well with money has less to do with intelligence and more to do with behavior. Each chapter offers a memorable insight that changes how you think about wealth.
Key Takeaway: Timeless money advice and tons of small insights that stick with you long after you finish. Understanding that wealth is what you don't see, that time is your greatest financial asset, and that you need less than you think are just a few of the lessons that continue to influence my financial decisions.
Makeshift Metropolis by Witold Rybczynski
An exploration of urban planning and city design that somehow manages to be both educational and entertaining. Rybczynski examines how cities evolve, what makes some urban spaces work while others fail, and how we might build better cities for the future. Even if you're not an architecture buff, this book makes you look at your own city with fresh eyes.
Key Takeaway: Came for urbanism and city design, stayed because it was genuinely a fun and engaging read. The way we design our cities shapes how we live our lives, and understanding this connection opens up a whole new way of thinking about community, transportation, and public spaces.
What's Next: Favorite Books of 2025 and Beyond!
These six books represent some of the best reading I did in 2025. Each offered something different — practical advice, new perspectives, compelling stories — but all left a lasting impact on how I think and live.
Now I'm looking ahead to 2026 and building my reading list. Always open to recommendations — what should be on the list for next year? Drop your suggestions in the comments below!
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