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A Mid-Year Selection of Must-Reads Spanning History, Politics, Fiction, Technology, and the Human Experience
As 2025 unfolds, the sheer volume of new book releases can feel overwhelming. To help readers navigate this rich literary landscape, CEOWORLD Magazine’s editors and critics have thoughtfully curated a list of standout nonfiction and fiction titles that have captivated us in different ways. This wide-ranging selection includes works that are timely, profound, provocative, and beautifully written—books that promise to resonate long beyond this year.
While reading is an inherently personal journey, the titles below reflect a collective endeavor to spotlight works that illuminate our world and challenge our thinking. Whether your interests lie in geopolitical intrigue, scientific exposés, AI revolutions, or lyrical novels, this list has something remarkable for everyone.
HISTORY & GEOPOLITICS
38 Londres Street by Philippe Sands A riveting mix of travelogue, legal drama, and detective story exploring connections between Pinochet and a Nazi officer.
The CIA Book Club by Charlie English Unveils a Cold War operation where 10 million banned books were smuggled into the Eastern bloc to promote free thought.
The Einstein Vendetta by Thomas Harding A gripping investigation into the murder of Einstein’s relatives, probing whether Hitler ordered it in retaliation.
Jesus Wept by Philip Shenon A critical and immersive chronicle of the Catholic Church’s decline through the reigns of seven popes.
The Last Days of Budapest by Adam LeBor A poignant account of how World War II destroyed one of Europe’s most vibrant and intellectual cities.
The Party’s Interests Come First by Joseph Torigian An insightful biography of Xi Jinping’s father, Xi Zhongxun, shedding light on China’s most powerful figure today.
Russia’s Man of War by Cathy Scott-Clark A meticulously researched biography of arms dealer Viktor Bout, exploring one of the most controversial prisoner swaps in history.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY
Doctored by Charles Piller A journalistic deep dive into the flawed science behind Alzheimer’s research. Reads like a scientific thriller.
Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane Blends storytelling and philosophical inquiry to argue for rivers as legal, living entities.
Waste Wars by Alexander Clapp Exposes the dark side of global waste management and the hidden afterlife of our trash.
More and More and More by Jean-Baptiste Fressoz An urgent deconstruction of the misunderstood concept of energy transition, newly translated from French.
The Optimist by Keach Hagey A compelling profile of OpenAI’s Sam Altman and his role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Source Code by Bill Gates Gates’ origin story, tracing his early years and the foundational days of Microsoft.
The Thinking Machine by Stephen Witt Charts the rise of Nvidia and its mastermind Jensen Huang in a world increasingly reliant on AI.
Apple in China by Patrick McGee Explores Apple’s dependency on China and the complex geopolitics threatening its global future.
Empire of AI by Karen Hao Peels back the curtain on OpenAI, revealing internal tensions and the deeper cultural fissures within Silicon Valley.
House of Huawei by Eva Dou A detailed chronicle of Huawei’s rise and its founder’s journey from poverty to power.
ECONOMICS, BUSINESS & PHILOSOPHY
Righting Wrongs by Kenneth Roth The longtime head of Human Rights Watch distills three decades of lessons battling oppressive regimes.
Chokepoints by Edward Fishman An insider’s view of modern economic warfare and the nuanced machinery of sanctions.
The Corporation in the 21st Century by John Kay Offers a fresh, cogent look at the true purpose of corporations in today’s capitalist society.
The Art of Uncertainty by David Spiegelhalter A lucid and accessible guide to risk, randomness, and the unknown.
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams A former Meta executive delivers a gripping corporate exposé that critiques big tech’s culture and leadership.
Buckley by Sam Tanenhaus An exhaustive yet captivating biography of William Buckley, who transformed American conservatism.
CULTURE, LANGUAGE & HUMAN EXPERIENCE
The Third Reich of Dreams by Charlotte Beradt A newly translated classic that captures how authoritarianism penetrates the subconscious mind.
Strangers and Intimates by Tiffany Jenkins An elegant history of private life across religion, sexuality, and digital culture.
Adventures in the Louvre by Elaine Sciolino A whimsical and insightful guide to falling in love with the world’s most famous museum.
Bye Bye I Love You by Michael Erard A touching linguistic and psychological study of first and last words.
Fatherhood by Augustine Sedgewick A sweeping and sometimes dark exploration of the myths, truths, and shifting narratives around fatherhood.
Pronoun Trouble by John McWhorter An engaging linguistic study of personal pronouns and what they reveal about identity and society.
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton A meditative memoir about healing and connection through caring for a wild animal.
FICTION: LITERARY & CONTEMPORARY
Among Friends by Hal Ebbott A masterful debut exploring betrayal and family dysfunction in an elite country house setting.
Beartooth by Callan Wink An atmospheric thriller set in Montana, where two brothers are lured into a dangerous scheme.
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami A dystopian novel that critiques digital dependency through inventive narrative forms.
Flesh by David Szalay Chronicles a man’s life through deeply human, transformative episodes. Profound and haunting.
Let Me Go Mad in My Own Way by Elaine Feeney A deeply moving story of caregiving, memory, and the ghosts of the past in rural Ireland.
Ripeness by Sarah Moss A dual narrative of family ties across generations and geographies, elegantly told.
Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah A tightly woven tale of coming of age, friendship, and betrayal in Tanzania.
Twist by Colum McCann Blends journalistic pace with lyrical prose in a story of loss, truth, and discovery at sea.
We Do Not Part by Han Kang A beautifully constructed novel exploring historical trauma and healing through archival material and lyrical depth.
Conclusion
This list is not exhaustive, but it offers a robust portrait of 2025’s most compelling reading. Whether you’re seeking bold nonfiction that confronts today’s challenges or fiction that captures the intimate threads of the human condition, these books are worth adding to your shelf. As the year progresses, we look forward to seeing how these titles endure and which others emerge to join their ranks.
