25 Best Books I Read in the Year 2025
Harry S. Truman once said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
You’ve no doubt seen a plethora of top 10 book lists published by Presidents, renowned CEOs, successful entrepreneurs & Officers.
I don’t believe it is a coincidence that so many great leaders prioritize reading.
No CEO wakes up one day with all the knowledge needed to become successful. Most great leaders are insatiable readers in constant pursuit of knowledge and personal development.
At any point of time I am reading 3-4 books and I love the Non-fiction books on my business subject of finance and money & the Self-help Genre.
The power of this genre is that they are personal accounts of real situations with tested solutions for others who are experiencing similar challenges.
The authors have done the hard work; they have tested, failed and triumphed, and they are gifting this knowledge to other for the cost of one or two specialty coffees and a few hours of reading time.
I am grateful for their willingness to share, and I will continue to prioritize reading, using the power of words to enhance my skills and grow.
For those who want to become better leaders & persons, and grow their
businesses, I recommend designating a reading “Power Hour” several times a week.
Put it on your calendar as you would a meeting, find a quiet space and turn off all electronic devices.
Using insights from ‘Atomic Habits,’ perhaps you can stack this activity with another routine.
If you work out for half an hour five days a week, then spend 30 minutes reading as soon as you are finished.
If you have a long commute to work, maybe an audiobook or podcast would be a good fit.
Regardless of when, how long or where you read, just be sure you are routinely consuming content that will make you a better person.
For me, Reading isn’t just a habit; it’s also a master key to unlocking a future brimming with boundless possibilities—a journey every page invites you to join.
Start your reading journey today.
Begin a paragraph, then a page, then a chapter & soon you will be completing the book.
As in earlier year, I am sharing the list of, 25 books out of the close to 50 books I read in 2025 (Yes, I try to read and finish one book every week). The collection is a collection is an electric collection of varied subjects I like.
Share your list of interesting books that you read in 2025 with us and let us spread a good read.
Read, Read, Read & stay blessed forever.
1. Gita for the CEO — Rashmi Bansal
Gita for the CEO brings the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita into the modern corporate world. Through relatable leadership dilemmas, the book explains how clarity of duty, detachment from outcomes, and ethical decision-making can help leaders navigate pressure, conflict, and uncertainty. The core theme is conscious leadership—acting with purpose rather than ego. You should read this book if you are leading people, businesses, or even your own life decisions. What you gain is calmness under pressure, sharper judgment, and a values-driven approach to success.
2.The 5 Types of Wealth — Sahil Bloom
This book challenges the traditional belief that wealth is only about money. Sahil Bloom introduces five forms of wealth—financial, time, social, physical, and mental—and shows how neglecting any one of them leads to an incomplete life. The theme revolves around holistic success and intentional living. You should read this book if you feel financially comfortable yet unfulfilled. What you get is a fresh framework to design a life that is rich in every sense, not just on paper.
3.The Art of Laziness — Kyrie Petrakis
The Art of Laziness flips the hustle narrative on its head. Instead of glorifying endless hard work, it emphasizes leverage, systems, and smart execution.
The book’s theme is efficiency over exhaustion—doing the right things instead of doing everything. You should read this if you feel constantly busy but see limited results. What you gain is a mindset shift toward strategic thinking, time freedom, and sustainable productivity.
4.How Not to Invest — Barry Ritholtz
Rather than telling you where to invest, this book focuses on the costly mistakes investors repeatedly make. Barry Ritholtz explores behavioral biases, emotional decisions, and flawed assumptions that destroy wealth. The theme centers on self-awareness and discipline in investing. You should read this book before making serious investment decisions. What you gain is protection from avoidable losses and a more rational, long-term investing mindset.
5.The Little Book of Indian Business — Finshots
I love the daily blogs by ‘Finshots’ for regular updates on topical business stories. This book captures the essence of doing business in the Indian context. Through real-life examples and practical insights, it explains how culture, relationships, resilience, and adaptability shape Indian enterprises. The theme is grounded entrepreneurship rooted in Indian realities. You should read this if you want to understand how businesses actually grow in India. What you get is practical wisdom that textbooks often miss.
6.The Art of Spending Money — Morgan Housel
A much sought after book after the two earliest bestsellers by Morgan on Money & behavior.This book explores the emotional and psychological side of spending. Morgan Housel explains how money decisions are deeply tied to values, upbringing, and behavior. The theme is mindful spending and intentional living. You should read this if you earn well but wonder where your money goes. What you gain is a healthier relationship with money and spending choices aligned with happiness.
7.Running Behind Lakshmi — Adil Rustomjee
This reflective book examines society’s endless chase for wealth and status. Using personal experiences and cultural references, it questions whether money alone can deliver fulfillment. The theme is balance—between ambition and peace. You should read this if success feels exhausting or hollow. What you gain is perspective on building wealth without losing yourself.
8.Money Markets & Myths — Dhirendra Kumar and Devina Mehra
This book dismantles popular misconceptions about markets, investing, and economic cycles. The theme is separating facts from narratives. You should read this if you rely heavily on market tips or headlines. What you gain is a clearer understanding of how markets truly behave and how to think independently as an investor.
9.The Hour Between Dog and Wolf — John M. Coates
John Coates explains how biology—hormones, stress, and fear—shapes decision-making under risk. The book’s theme is the thin psychological line between confidence and catastrophe. You should read this if you operate in high-pressure environments like finance or leadership. What you gain is awareness of how emotions influence decisions and how to manage them better.
10.India Reborn — Prasenjit K. Basu
India Reborn offers a compelling narrative of India’s economic transformation. Blending history, data, and storytelling, it explains why
India’s future holds immense promise. The theme is national resurgence and long-term optimism. You should read this to understand India beyond daily news. What you gain is context, confidence, and a broader vision of India’s growth story.
11.The Mountain Is You — Brianna Wiest
This book focuses on self-sabotage and emotional blocks that prevent growth. The central theme is inner transformation. You should read this if you feel stuck despite having potential. What you gain is emotional clarity, self-awareness, and tools to overcome internal resistance.
12.Mondays @ 7 — Aseem Dhru
I used to follow and love his blog Monday @7 and the book offers a collection of his best blogs. Through real conversations and experiences, this book shares leadership and life lessons that unfold outside classrooms. The theme is mentorship, values, and learning through dialogue. You should read this if you enjoy learning from lived experiences. What you gain is practical wisdom that resonates deeply and stays with you.
13. Make Your Bed — Admiral William H. McRaven
Drawing lessons from military life, this book shows how small habits build discipline and resilience. The theme is personal responsibility. You should read this if you want structure and motivation. What you gain is a reminder that small actions create big life changes.
14. Numbers Don’t Lie — Vaclav Smil
Vaclav Smil uses data to explain global realities—from energy to economics. The theme is evidence-based thinking. You should read this if you value facts over opinions. What you gain is sharper reasoning and a grounded worldview.
15.Why Business People Speak Like Idiots — Brian Fugere, Chelsea Hardaway, and Jon Warshawsky
I kicked it up after getting fascinated by the tittle. This book exposes how jargon-filled communication damages clarity and leadership. The theme is simplicity in communication. You should read this if meetings feel unproductive. What you gain is the ability to communicate clearly, persuasively, and effectively.
16.The Hard Thing About Hard Things — Ben Horowitz
This book offers brutally honest lessons about building companies during chaos. The theme is real leadership when there are no easy answers. You should read this if you face tough decisions. What you gain is courage, realism, and leadership resilience.
17. Story Rules — Ravishankar Iyer
Story Rules explains why stories matter more than facts in communication. The theme is storytelling as strategy. You should read this if you want to influence and connect. What you gain is the ability to craft messages that people remember and act on.
18. The Gift of Failure — Jessica Lahey
‘Failure is the biggest teacher’ this philosophical book reframes failure as an essential teacher. The theme is growth through setbacks. You should read this after experiencing failure. What you gain is resilience, perspective, and renewed confidence.
19. Confessions of Stock Market Wizards — Safir Anand
Through interviews with legendary investors, this book reveals how top performers think. The theme is mindset, discipline, and risk control. You should read this to learn from the best. What you gain is timeless investing wisdom.
20. Give and Take — Adam Grant
Adam Grant explores how generosity shapes success. The theme is reciprocity and collaboration. You should read this if you want sustainable success. What you gain is insight into building strong relationships and long- term influence.
21. Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life — Roxie Nafousi
This book blends mindset, clarity, and action to help readers design the life they want. The theme is intentional living—aligning thoughts, beliefs, and daily actions. You should read this if you feel directionless or stuck despite having ambition. What you gain is confidence, focus, and momentum to move steadily toward your personal and professional goals.
22. Spreading Joy — Joy Alukkas
Spreading Joy is an inspiring account of leadership, values, and purpose beyond profits. Joy Alukkas shares how empathy, integrity, and social responsibility can build not just a successful business, but a meaningful legacy. You should read this if you believe success is measured by impact as much as income. What you gain is inspiration to lead with compassion and create value that truly lasts.
23. Unseen — Deepinder Goyal
The founder of zomato has revealed his secrets in this book ‘Unseen’ shines a light on the invisible struggles people carry behind apparent success and normalcy. The theme is mental health, empathy, and inner resilience. You should read this book to better understand yourself and others beyond surface appearances. What you gain is compassion, awareness, and a deeper appreciation of emotional well-being.
24. The Not-To-Do List — Rolf Dobelli
After ‘The art of Thinking Clearly’ this one is another must read. This book argues that success often comes not from doing more, but from deliberately avoiding the wrong things. The theme is clarity through subtraction— eliminating distractions, bad habits, and cognitive errors. You should read this if you feel overwhelmed by endless tasks and information. What you gain is sharper focus, better decision-making, and mental clarity by knowing what to ignore.
25. Focus on What Matters - Darius Foroux
Focus on What Matters is a practical guide to cutting through noise and directing your time and energy toward what truly counts. Darius Foroux shows that success isn’t about doing more, but about focusing on fewer,
meaningful priorities. You should read this if you feel busy yet unfulfilled or constantly distracted. What you gain is clarity, stronger focus, and the discipline to work on what genuinely moves your life forward.
