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The StyleBlueprint Team’s Favorite Books of 2025

Need a great book recommendation? We asked the StyleBlueprint team to share the reads that stuck with them most in 2025 — from buzzy new releases to “how did I miss this?” favorites worth adding to your list immediately.

· By Brianna Goebel
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Three book covers—"Shark Heart," "The Women," and "Your Hidden Genius"—are displayed side by side against a pink background, showcasing StyleBlueprint's Favorite Books of 2025.Pin

If your “To Be Read” pile is looking a little thin, we’re here to help. While 2025 brought us plenty of new trends to track, it has also been a banner year for literature — both for new releases and the “how did I miss this?” backlist gems. Whether you’re a true crime junkie or a fan of sweeping historical fiction, consider this your curated guide to the best books of 2025, straight from StyleBlueprint team members.

RedHanded by Suruthi Bala & Hannah Maguire

“I’m a big true crime fan. Huge. If you are, too (and if you’ve ever wondered why killers, cults, and cannibals fascinate us just enough to ruin our sleep), RedHanded is your next obsession. Gifted to me last Christmas (thank you, enabler), this book from the hosts of my favorite true-crime podcast digs into what actually makes a killer tick, minus the “monsters in the shadows” clichés. Suruthi and Hannah deliver sharp research, dark humor, and all the British moxy you could want.” — Jenna Bratcher, Associate Editor & Lead Nashville Writer

Book cover for "Redhanded" by Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire, featuring illustrations of crime-related objects and two partially visible faces. A true-crime favorite read and one of our StyleBlueprint team picks: crimes, cults, and killers.Pin
A smart, darkly funny deep dive into why killers, cults, and criminals captivate us. Image: Amazon

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

“Yes, I know — I’m late to the party. But wow. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a gorgeous, gut-wrenching novel that follows Sam and Sadie, childhood friends who reconnect in college and go on to create a wildly successful video game together. Spanning 30 years, the book explores love, friendship, grief, creativity, and the aching, tender work of being truly known by someone. It broke me quietly, beautifully, and completely. It was my first read of 2025, and it was by far my favorite.” — Brianna Goebel, Associate Editor & Sponsored Content Manager

Book cover of "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin, a 2025 Reads pick on StyleBlueprint, featuring stylized text over a wave pattern inspired by traditional Japanese art.Pin
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a sweeping story of art, grief, and friendship that is tender and unforgettable. Image: Amazon

The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel

“This is one of the most down-to-earth and practical books about money and budgeting, and it’s also a fun read (things that don’t normally go together).” — Jay Graves, COO

Book cover of "The Art of Spending Money" by Morgan Housel, a StyleBlueprint favorite for 2025 Reads, featuring an origami bird made from currency and the subtitle "Simple Choices for a Richer Life.Pin
The Art of Spending Money is a roadmap for spending money in a way that makes life better. Image: Amazon

Truly by Lionel Richie

“I’m a huge fan of memoirs, and a huge lifelong Lionel Richie fan, so this one didn’t disappoint! Lionel truly (pardon the pun!) had an incredible journey to fame — and his journey through long-term stardom is equally fascinating. His stories from the early days are especially incredible. If you’re a fan of Richie or American Idol, you will really enjoy this book!” — Melissa Thompson, Account Executive

Close-up portrait of Lionel Richie with his hand near his chin, set against a teal background, with the text "LIONEL RICHIE" above and "TRULY" below—perfect for StyleBlueprint’s 2025 Reads or anyone seeking inspiration from favorite books.Pin
Lionel Richie takes readers behind the songs and the fame in his inspiring and entertaining memoir. Image: Amazon

Your Hidden Genius by Betsy Wills & Alex Ellison

“I started out 2025 reading Your Hidden Genius, and it’s one of those books that makes you look at yourself differently. I think I’ll reread it for January 2026! It’s about discovering the natural talents you’ve always had, but maybe never named or claimed. The authors break down how to identify your innate strengths and actually use them, instead of constantly trying to fix your weaknesses. It’s practical, not preachy, and honestly made me think about how I approach both work and life. Quick read, big impact.” — Liza Graves, CEO & Founder

Book cover of "Your Hidden Genius" by Betsy Wills and Alex Ellison, featuring a colorful cloud and text about uncovering and harnessing innate talents—a standout among 2025’s favorite books and perfect for your StyleBlueprint books collection.Pin
Using science-backed assessments, Your Hidden Genius helps you uncover opportunities that match your strengths, passions, and personality. Image: Amazon

The Women by Kristin Hannah

“I loved reading The Women because the characters felt real, and I quickly became invested in their friendships and personal struggles. The book highlights the often overlooked sacrifices of American nurses in the Vietnam War in a way that feels human, emotional, and deeply engaging.” — Hailey Cunningham, Account Executive

The cover of the novel "The Women" by Kristin Hannah, a standout pick for 2025 reads, features gold text on a red background with a black helicopter and palm tree silhouettes.Pin
The Women tells a vivid, heart-wrenching tale of the sacrifices and resilience of women in wartime. Image: Amazon

The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden

“Everyone’s talking about The Housemaid because the movie adaptation just hit theaters, but I only recently learned that it’s a trilogy. In my opinion, the second installment, The Housemaid’s Secret, is better than the first. I have a nasty habit of guessing the twist before I get to it, but this is a GOOD one — right up to the very last chapter. (And if you prefer to multitask, this genre is great for audio!)” — Alissa Harb, Managing Editor

Book cover for "The Housemaid’s Secret" by Freida McFadden, one of the best books of 2025, featuring a keyhole with a human eye looking through it on a red wooden background.Pin
A fast, addictive thriller with a twist worth the hype. Image: Amazon

Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino

Beautyland is a coming-of-age story about a girl who believes she’s an alien sent to Earth to report to her superiors on what it means to be human. Depicting the absurdity and mundaneness of life with humor and empathy, it’s a wonderful read.” — Madison Huskey, Digital Account Coordinator

Book cover of "Beautyland" by Marie-Helene Bertino, featuring a city skyline at night with beams of light in a triangular shape, notable book award mentions, and highlighted as one of StyleBlueprint's 2025 Reads Favorite Books.Pin
Beautyland follows a woman who sees Earth through the eyes of someone … not quite from here. Image: Amazon

Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

“The subject of this one is a very intriguing person … which made for an interesting read. This book was written before Musk went all-in on his political activities and became such a polarizing figure. It was most interesting to see examples of well-meaning behind some of his previous endeavors and how much of that seems to have gotten lost in the execution.” — Travis Graham, Operations Manager — Lifestage Marketing

Book cover featuring a close-up of a man's face with hands under chin, titled "Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson," labeled "#1 New York Times Bestseller" in the corner—a standout pick for your 2025 Reads or StyleBlueprint Favorite Books list.Pin
In this biography, Walter Isaacson gives an intimate look at Elon Musk’s triumphs, controversies, and relentless drive. Image: Amazon

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

“The book I enjoyed the most this year is Shark Heart by Emily Habeck. It’s about a young couple, and the husband discovers that he is slowly turning into a shark. So, it’s actually an incredibly moving story about grief and letting go.” — Sarah Finklea, Sales Operations Manager

Book cover of "Shark Heart: A Love Story" by Emily Habeck, a StyleBlueprint favorite for book recommendations, featuring a shark silhouette filled with sunflowers and other flowers on a purple background with green leaves at the bottom.Pin
Shark Heart turns a fantastical premise into a deeply human story about loss, joy, and creating a meaningful life. Image: Amazon

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

This book comes in a refreshingly unique format. It’s comprised of letters and email correspondence between an old-school aging woman Sybil and a cast and friends, family, and strangers who weave together a touching narrative of her legacy. It’s so clever. Read it!” — Zoe Yarborough, Staff Writer

Book cover of "The Correspondent" by Virginia Evans, one of the best books of 2025, featuring two robins perched on a wooden fence with a light background.Pin
Told entirely through letters and emails, The Correspondent explores a woman’s legacy in the most unexpected way. Image: Amazon

Happy reading!

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Brianna Goebel

Brianna Goebel

Brianna is StyleBlueprint’s Associate Editor and Sponsored Content Manager. She is an avid fan of iced coffee and spends her free time reading romance novels.

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