Books to inspire the new year in 2025

Marina Keegan

"The Opposite of Loneliness" is a posthumous collection of essays and stories by Marina Keegan, a talented writer who tragically died in a car crash shortly after graduating from Yale. Her writing captures the hope, uncertainty, and possibility of her generation, resonating with millions of readers. Keegan's work, including the title essay and the short story "Cold Pastoral," reflects on the universal struggle of finding purpose and making an impact. Her writing has been praised for its talent, humanity, and youthful perspective, offering a poignant reminder of the endless possibilities of youth.

John Green

John Green, known for his bestselling novels, delves into the contradictions and wonders of humanity in his debut non-fiction book. Reflecting on diverse topics from Super Mario Kart to the concept of the Anthropocene, Green's insightful and humorous essays celebrate humanity's capacity to find beauty in the world. Exploring the era where humans have reshaped the planet, Green evaluates the complexities of human nature with a personal touch. Written during the global pandemic, this collection offers a hopeful perspective on navigating the uncertainties of the modern world, emphasizing that we may not know the path ahead, but we are not alone.

Joan Didion

A poignant and honest exploration of marriage, love, loss, and resilience, this book delves into the personal and universal experiences of a family facing tragedy. After their daughter falls critically ill, the author recounts the sudden loss of her husband and the subsequent challenges they endure. Through raw emotion and introspection, the author grapples with the fragility of life, the complexities of relationships, and the depths of human resilience in the face of overwhelming circumstances.

Paul Kalanithi

"At 36 years old, after a decade of training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Before I Go tells the story of Kalanithi's transformation from a medical student seeking the meaning of life to a respected neurosurgeon. Suddenly becoming a patient himself, he grapples with his mortality, fatherhood, and the desire to live. Despite his untimely death while writing this deeply moving book, Kalanithi's love for literature and medicine shines through as he shares his vulnerabilities and fears, leaving behind a poignant and extraordinary reflection on the human condition."

Katherine Boo

"Behind the Beautiful Forevers" by Katherine Boo is a powerful narrative that delves into the lives of families in the Annawadi settlement near the Mumbai airport, amidst a backdrop of global change and inequality in India. Through the stories of individuals like Abdul and Asha, the book explores themes of hope, ambition, tragedy, and resilience in the face of economic challenges and societal tensions. With deep insight and compelling storytelling, Boo sheds light on the human connections that endure in a rapidly changing world, making it a poignant exploration of life in the twenty-first century.

Claire Keegan

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan is a powerful novel set in 1985 in a small Irish town. Bill Furlong, a coal merchant, discovers a secret at a local convent that challenges his past and the town's complicit silence under the church's control. This tale of courage, love, and family is a deeply moving story of hope and empathy, showcasing the quiet heroism of everyday people. Keegan's writing transcends time and place, making this book a must-read that has garnered critical acclaim and international success.

Ocean Vuong

"Ocean Vuong's debut novel delves into the intimate and universal journey of self-discovery through a son's letter to his illiterate mother. Unearthing a family history rooted in Vietnam, the narrative explores love, race, class, and masculinity with brutal honesty. Amidst addiction and trauma, the novel emphasizes the power of storytelling and the struggle for survival. Vuong's urgent and graceful prose navigates the complexities of identity and connection, offering a poignant reflection on healing and resilience in a world marked by silence and disparity. This critically acclaimed work has been celebrated as a masterpiece, earning numerous accolades and recognition as a standout debut novel."

Samantha Harvey

"Orbital" by Samantha Harvey is a Booker Prize-winning novel that follows six astronauts on a space station mission circling the earth in 24 hours. Through glimpses into their lives and routines, the novel explores themes of solitude, human connection, and the beauty of Earth from space. The astronauts' experiences of sunrises, sunsets, and the galaxy's constellations offer a profound and contemplative reflection on our planet and environment. Harvey's writing has been praised as ravishingly beautiful, capturing both the awe-inspiring vastness of space and the intimate bonds formed by those in orbit.