If you’re not a natural non-fiction lover but still want to grow, nurture and make 2025 your year of becoming a wiser, sharper and more than that, a better version of yourself, this list is for you.
Non-fiction doesn’t always have to feel heavy or academic; sometimes, it’s just the nudge you need to understand your world a little better, or understand yourself a lot more.
These five books are engaging, honest, sharply written, and perfect for anyone navigating their 20s and early adulthood with curiosity.
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
A powerful, conversation-starting book on how modern digital life shapes our mental well-being. Haidt explores how a “phone-based childhood” has created a wave of anxiety and how adults can break out of patterns that keep them overwhelmed. It’s structured, smart, and surprisingly soothing.
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Call Me Indian by Fred Sasakamoose
Part memoir, part survival story, this book traces the journey of the first Indigenous player in the NHL. It’s a heartfelt read about identity, courage, and rebuilding yourself after life’s blows—perfect for days when you need perspective and inner strength.
The Outsider: A Memoir for Misfits by Vir Das
Funny, rebellious, vulnerable, and disarmingly honest: Vir Das writes about identity, ambition, and the strange, thrilling life of being a global comedian, and still being a misfit to everything. It’s a book that makes you laugh at your own chaos and rethink how you build a life that’s truly yours.
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The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Artistic, meditative, and beautifully calming. Rubin writes not just about creativity, but about the way we show up to life. Even if you don’t consider yourself creative, this book gently teaches you how to live with intention.
Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away by Annie Duke
A life-changing book for anyone who struggles to let go. Duke explains how quitting is not failure sometimes; it is the smartest and most strategic choice you can make.
In the end, non-fiction is less about “being productive” and more about picking up ideas that open you up.
These books do exactly that. Before 2025 ends, gift yourself a deeper understanding of who you are and who you’re becoming.
