When I thought about my reading goal for 2025 I thought that 30 might be it. Between family and friends, Church and work I thought 30 to be ambitious. But then I reached that goal by October so I increased it to 35 and at the end of the year it is 45.
The seems to be some common threads through this years reading which include solitude, ADHD (and yes, I have unofficially diagnosed some authors as having it), and in the fiction was so much about relationships.
I am also struck with how much I read of recent publications. I put this down to listening to three podcasts consistently, and recommendations from my colleagues and Goodreads feed.
The podcasts are:
- Chat 10 Looks 3 🇦🇺
- The Rest Is Entertainment (Goalhanger) 🇬🇧
- The Book Show (ABC) 🇦🇺
From all of this reading in 2025 some themes have shone through:
- Seek healing and reconciliation – do your best not to allow grudges, offenses and hurt to shape your future.
- Have adventures – live your life in all the different ways that matter to you.
- There are things worth fighting for – Whether that been relationships, love, your future, Earth and even the truth.
I gathered some stats at the end of this blog as I was surprised when I took a few minutes to see the balance between non-fiction and fiction, author’s gender and where I sourced the books.
Standout non-fiction:
When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck DeGroat 🇺🇸 (2020)
Standout fiction:
It is hard to narrow it down to just one, so I am giving two:
Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico 🇮🇹 (2025), and
On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle 🇩🇰 (2020)
Below I have listed the titles with author’s name and the publishing date. Followed by some remarks, star rating out of five, the genre, format and where the book was sourced from.
Hyperlinks for the books and reviews go to Goodreads.
October – November – December
December
On the Calculation of Volume I (About calculating volume #1) by Solvej Balle 🇩🇰 (Translator: Barbara J. Haveland) (2020)
Simply an excellent read and I have six more to go in the series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Paperback / Borrowed from the library
No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings 🇺🇸 and Erin Meyer 🇺🇸 (Narrators: Jason Culp and Allyson Ryan) (2020)
Any leader starting out will be well advised to read this book and for anyone leading today this will give you some great topics to think about. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates 🇺🇸 (2024)
Coates is at his finest in this book. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
The Waste Land And Other Poems by T.S. Eliot 🇬🇧 (1962 – 1st published 1922)
Life is better when you take time to sit with poetry.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Hardback / Borrowed from the library
November
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker 🇺🇸 (2018)
A great book to help anyone looking to make their gatherings amazing, memorable, and impacting.
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Non-fiction / Paperback / Personal copy
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 🇺🇸 (Narrator: Cassandra Campbell) (2018)
This will go on to become a classic. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
The Greatest Story Ever Told by Bear Grylls 🇬🇧 (2025)
Never wanted to like a book so much but haven’t in the end. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Hardback / Borrowed from the library
Yes Please by Amy Poehler 🇺🇸 (2014)
If you know Poehler you really appreciate her memoir as an audiobook over print. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
Average at Best: A memoir from the creator of Pub Choir® by Astrid Jorgensen 🇦🇺 (2025)
A joy to listen to Jorgensen’s story so far. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel 🇺🇸 (2020)
This was a very helpful resource even with the focus being on the US. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Non-fiction / Paperback / Personal copy
October
Clown Town (Slough House #9) by Mick Herron 🇬🇧 (Narrator: Gerard Doyle) (2025)
Classic Herron! Great interwoven stories and mysteries. A pleasure.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait Flanders 🇺🇸 (2018)
This really does take you for a ride. I am curious how the next 10 years will be for Flanders.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
Five on a Treasure Island (The Famous Five #1) by Enid Blyton 🇬🇧 (Illustrator: Eileen A. Soper) (1997 – 1st published 1942)
Read this with my son and captivated both of us with the adventures the five have.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Fiction / Paperback / Personal copy
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham 🇬🇧 (2006 – 1st published 1925)
Sadness, hope, and back to sadness. Don’t rush your way through this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Hardback / Borrowed from the library
Animal Farm by George Orwell 🇬🇧 (Narrator: Ralph Cosham) (2007 – 1st published 1945)
Haven’t read it? Then read it in 2026.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
July – August – September
September
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf 🇬🇧 (Narrator: Juliet Stevenson) (2010- 1st published 1925)
There is a strength in this book. It is hard to describe but every character has it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 🇺🇸 (1990 – 1st published 1925)
Classic and happy I read it.
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Fiction / Paperback / Personal copy
August
Slaughterhouse-Five, or the Children’s Crusade: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 🇺🇸 (Adapted by: Ryan North, Illustrator: Albert Monteys) (2019 – 1st published 1969)
Fun read, but I am looking forward actually reading the novel now.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Paperback / Borrowed from the library
The Honorary Consul by Graham Greene 🇬🇧 (Narrator: Tim Pigott-Smith) (2025 – 1st published 1973)
The right measure. Excellent storytelling with great characters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
Room 606: The SAS House and the Work of Arne Jacobsen by Michael Sheridan 🇮🇪 (2023 – 1st published 2003) 2nd edition
Loved this book. Espescially as a 2nd edition. So well done. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Hardback / Borrowed from the library
When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse by Chuck DeGroat 🇺🇸 (2020)
Such a helpful book. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Non-fiction / Paperback / Personal copy
Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico 🇮🇹 (Narrator: Sophie Roberts, Translator: Sophie Hughes) (2025)
This is a great read and I recommend it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
Scandinavian Modern Houses 3: The Spirit of Nordic Light by Vibe Udsen 🇩🇰
Very inspirational when it comes to creating beautiful spaces.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Hardback / Borrowed from the library
July
That Sounds Fun: The Joys of Being an Amateur, the Power of Falling in Love, and Why You Need a Hobby by Annie F. Downs 🇺🇸 (2021)
Highly recommended but not by me. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
Butter by Asako Yuzuki 🇯🇵 (Translator: Polly Barton) (2025 – 1st published 2017)
I definitely increased my butter consumption reading this book and what a story it is.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Paperback / Borrowed from the library
Now It All Makes Sense: How an ADHD Diagnosis Brought Clarity to My Life by Alex Partridge 🇬🇧 (2025)
Very thankful that Partridge has been able to capture stories to share to help those with ADHD and those around them. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Paperback / Borrowed from the library
Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 🇺🇸 (1961)
Short, but so well written.
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Fiction / Paperback / Personal copy
April – May – June
June
Can I Say That? by Poornima Luthra 🇸🇬 (2025)
A great book and it worth every HR leader to read. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Non-fiction / Paperback / Personal copy
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears 🇺🇸 (2023)
This read like Spears was finally able to live, breath and needed to say a lot of things.
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Non-fiction / Hardback / Personal copy
Travels with My Aunt by Graham Greene 🇬🇧 (Narrator: Tim Pigott-Smith) (2024 – 1st published 1969)
You can trust Greene to write an interesting story that moves from the ordinary to the fantastic with such fluidity.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin 🇺🇸 (2007 – 1st published 1956)
A classic for a reason – great writing.
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Paperback / Personal copy
The Pastor: A Memoir by Eugene H. Peterson 🇺🇸 (2012)
A must read for anyone who is in pastoral ministry no matter it’s expression. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Paperback / Personal copy
May
Hermit: A Memoir of Finding Freedom in a Wild Place by Jade Angeles Fitton 🇬🇧 (2023)
The power of solitude is beautifully captured in this book.
⭐️⭐⭐️
Non-fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear 🇺🇸 (2018)
This book go it’s own blog post – Atomic Habits: A 2025 Reflection.
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Non-fiction / Paperback / Personal copy
The 1980s: Image of a Decade by Henry Carroll 🇬🇧 (2024)
This book reminded me of the many things from my childhood but also gave me insight into the topics and issues my parents were dealing with. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Non-fiction / Hardback / Borrowed from the library
Rogue Heroes: The History of the SAS, Britain’s Secret Special Forces Unit That Sabotaged the Nazis and Changed the Nature of War by Ben Macintyre 🇬🇧 (2016)
It is amazing to read about the various characters turned heroes that make up the history of the SAS.
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Non-fiction / Paperback / Borrowed from the library
April
STEPS: Finding Freedom from unhelpful patterns by Lars Due-Christensen 🇩🇰 (2021)
Not always does a book that goes with a course match well, but this one does and is excellent. See review on Goodreads.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Non-fiction / Paperback / Personal copy
Not the End of the World: Surprising facts, dangerous myths and hopeful solutions for our future on planet Earth by Hannah Ritchie 🏴 (2024)
Lean into this book. Ritchies research and perspective is fantastic. See review on Goodreads.
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Non-fiction / Paperback / Borrowed from the library
January – February – March
March
Stay True: A Memoir by Hua Hsu 🇺🇸 (2022)
Hsu has captured some amazing stories from his life and proficiently told them.
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Paperback / Borrowed from the library
Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst 🇬🇧 (2024)
Simply a thrilling, beautiful and remarkable story. I am so glad to have read it.
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Hardback / Borrowed from the library
A Meal with Jesus: Discovering Grace, Community and Mission Around the Table by Tim Chester 🇬🇧 (2011)
A great treatment on the power of gathering around the table to to share food, faith and life.
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Paperback / Borrowed
February
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman 🇬🇧 (2024)
Solid good read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiction / Paperback / Personal copy
January
The Place of Tides by James Rebanks 🇬🇧 (2024)
What a story and no one better than Rebanks to tell it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Hardback / Personal copy
The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears by Mark Batterson 🇺🇸 (2011)
I found this book lacking in many areas. It read like a ‘publishing deal’ book. ⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Hardback / Personal copy
Cloistered: My Years as a Nun by Catherine Coldstream 🇬🇧 (2024)
A powerful story of seeking, learning, growing and faith.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Audiobook / Borrowed from the library
Did not finish
A Thousand Feasts by Nigel Slater (2024)
Life in Three Dimensions by Shigehiro Oishi (2025)
The Long Drop by Denise Mina (2017)
Broken Threads: My Family From Empire to Independence by Mishal Husain (2024)
It’s a Battlefield by Graham Greene (2025 – 1st publish 1934)
The Marlow Murder Club (The Marlow Murder Club #1) by Robert Thorogood (2021)
Christianity and Critical Race Theory: A Faithful and Constructive Conversation by Robert Chao Romero and Jeff M. Liou (2023)
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (2014)
No One Gets to Fall Apart: A Memoir by Sarah LaBrie (2024)
Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace by John Mark Comer (2021)
Stats
| Genre | Non-fiction: 26 Fiction: 19 |
| Author gender | Male: 28 Female: 18 |
| Format | Hardback: 10 Paperback: 20 Audio: 15 |
Andrew Mina 
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