It’s December, and my 2025 reading life has been a balancing act—part adrenaline-fueled page-turners, part professional growth fuel. What makes this year feel especially satisfying is that I’ve kept my reading streak alive while studying for the aPHR exam and starting my CMMA studies. It hasn’t always been easy to juggle coursework, test prep, and leisure reading, but books have always been my reward, my mental vacation, and sometimes even my secret study partner.
My Year in Two Worlds
On the fiction side, I’ve been pulled deep into psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, and horror—stories where the line between normal and dangerous blurs without warning. I’m hooked on the tension, the slow burn of secrets, and those “Wait—WHAT just happened?” moments. Even when I guess the twist early, I still love watching how the truth unravels. The Woman in the Cabin had me glued to my Kindle for two straight days. What Lies Between Us messed with my head in all the right ways. And Bad Games? Disturbing, twisted, and completely addictive.
On the nonfiction side, my stack has been filled with communication, leadership, and career growth—books that have been perfect companions to my certification studies. Start with Why has me looking at every project through a purpose-first lens. Nice Girls Still Don’t Get the Corner Office gave me a not-so-gentle reminder to stop downplaying my wins. The Coaching Habit helped me rethink how I ask questions, whether in a meeting or a casual conversation. These reads have sharpened my focus, helped me find my voice, and made me bolder about the kind of professional I want to be.
The Crossover Moments
Some of my favorite reading moments this year have been when my two worlds collided—when a business book read like a thriller, or a thriller taught me something about leadership. Spotting micro-expressions in Spot the Lie wasn’t that different from spotting a suspicious character in a suspense novel. And the mental resilience needed by characters in The Sleep Experiment felt a lot like the kind needed to push through exam prep… minus the sleep deprivation and psychological warfare, of course.
My 2025 Reading Superlatives
-
Most Likely to Keep Me Up All Night: The Exorcist House by Nick Roberts
-
Most Helpful for My Career Goals: Start with Why by Simon Sinek
-
Biggest “Didn’t See That Coming” Twist: What Lies Between Us by John Marrs
-
Most Disturbing (in the best way): Bad Games by Jeff Menapace
-
Book That Made Me Talk Back to the Pages: Nice Girls Still Don’t Get the Corner Office by Lois Frankel
-
Shortest but Still Stuck with Me: Test Town by Leigh Kenny
Lessons Between the Pages
Looking back, my 2025 reading list says a lot about me:
-
I’m drawn to complex people—whether fictional or real.
-
I thrive on clarity and purpose, chasing those moments of sudden insight.
-
I have an undeniable love for a good twist, whether it’s a plot reveal or a professional “lightbulb” moment.
If this year’s reading has taught me anything, it’s that learning happens everywhere—in textbooks, in business guides, and even in the pages of a thriller. Some stories push me to grow; others remind me to breathe, escape, and imagine. Together, they’ve kept me balanced while I chase my next big goals.
Looking Ahead
The rest of 2025 still holds plenty of reading time, and my “to-be-read” list is already daring me to keep the pace. Leaders Eat Last is waiting for its turn, and Find Your Why is queued up for a refresher. My stack of thrillers is ready to keep my pulse racing, because in my world, there’s always room for another twist—on the page or in life.
Looking back, this year’s books have taught me resilience, curiosity, and the joy of balancing learning with pure escapism. As 2026 approaches, I’m planning to dive deeper into leadership and organizational growth, while still savoring the suspense and thrill that make reading irresistible. I’m also challenging myself to explore new genres—perhaps a memoir, some historical fiction, or a sci-fi thriller that promises to bend reality.
And I’m curious—what are you excited to read as the new year approaches? Any thrillers or career growth books I should add to my list? Whatever the pages hold, I know the journey will be just as rewarding as the destination.
Add comment
Comments