This year, I managed to read 16 books—something I’m quite proud of given how life tends to get in the way. From those, there are five that really stood out to me, books I absolutely loved and would recommend to anyone looking for their next great read. Here’s why they made such an impression on me:
1. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
What a lovely book. Set in Russia after the revolution, it’s the story of Count Alexander Rostov, who’s sentenced to live under house arrest in the grand Metropol Hotel. While confined to the hotel’s walls, he somehow creates a rich, meaningful life—and one of the highlights for me was his relationship with a young girl named Sofia, who is entrusted to his guardianship. Watching their bond grow over the years, from her calling him “Uncle” to “Papa,” was deeply touching.
The way Towles writes about their connection, the way their lives intertwine, is nothing short of beautiful. I also watched the serialized adaptation, but I have to say it felt lacking in parts—perhaps because it couldn’t fully capture the nuances of the relationships or the Count’s quiet strength of character.
2. The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson
This book covers just one year of WWII, from Winston Churchill becoming Prime Minister to 1941, when Germany finally halted its Blitz campaign against Britain. It offers an intimate glimpse into Churchill’s leadership during one of the darkest times in British history.
Reading his speeches in the book—even though I’d already heard some of them before—still gave me goosebumps. It’s incredible to imagine the effect they must have had on people back then. Churchill’s refusal to give in, and his ability to inspire an entire nation not to, is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Now, I’m fully aware of the controversy surrounding Churchill, especially his role in the Bengal famine, and I’m not overlooking that. But this book focuses purely on his leadership during the war, and in that context, it’s hard to deny his impact. His sheer force of will helped ensure that Hitler didn’t have his way.
3. An Elegant Defense by Matt Richtel
This one’s a deep dive into the immune system, and while it does get a bit detailed at times, it’s fascinating. The story of Jason, in particular, stayed with me—his battle with cancer, his resilience, and the way his journey is tied to the broader themes of the book.
One quote that really struck me was this: “The more active you stay, body and brain, the more you signal your internal systems that you continue to play a vital role in your own survival and the survival of the species.”
It’s such a powerful reminder to stay engaged, physically and mentally. The book paints the immune system as this incredible balancing act, fighting for us while also knowing when to let go. It left me thinking a lot about life, death, and how much control we actually have over either.
4. A Small Bachelor by P.G. Wodehouse
I kicked off my reading year with a Wodehouse novel and ended it with one too. A Small Bachelor was an absolute riot, as Wodehouse always is. His humor is timeless, and his ability to create absurdly funny situations never fails to make me laugh out loud.
One scene that had me in splits was when Sigsbee tries to convince Galloway to buy dud shares. The whole setup, the dialogue, and the sheer absurdity of it all were brilliant. Wodehouse’s books are my go-to whenever I need a pick-me-up—they’re light, hilarious, and endlessly entertaining.
5. The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
This book tells the story of three individuals during the Great Migration and sheds light on what life was like for Black Americans after the Civil Rights Movement. Wilkerson’s writing is deeply moving—she brings history to life through the eyes of her subjects.
The stories are heartbreaking and hopeful all at once, and they stayed with me even after I finished reading.
If you’re searching for something to read, I can’t recommend them enough. And if you’ve come across books this year that moved or inspired you, I’d love to hear about them!
While these five books were the standouts for me, I also wanted to mention one that didn’t quite live up to my expectations—The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. I had high hopes for it, especially given the glowing reviews it’s received, but I found it a bit basic. Perhaps that’s because a lot of the principles Housel discusses—like the importance of staying the course, understanding risk, and managing emotions around money—are things I’ve come across before in other contexts.
That said, I can see why it’s so popular. It’s an easy read, and for someone new to the subject, it does a great job of breaking down financial behavior in a relatable way. For me, though, it just didn’t offer the depth or new insights I was hoping for.