If you know me at all, you know I love to read. My personal record is 60 books in a year (both 2020 and 2024). Last year, I read 55 books—21,247 pages in total. Even more surprising: only one of those books was about software. Here are the top three books I read in 2025.
Dead Wake by Erik Larson. This was my introduction to Larson’s work and I’ve since picked up 4 of his other books. With its meticulous research and cinematic storytelling, Dead Wake is a riveting account of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters. Larson’s ability to blend historical detail with human drama makes this book an excellent choice for both history enthusiasts and readers who simply enjoy a well-told story. Whether you’re new to World War I history or a seasoned reader of naval sagas, Dead Wake offers an unforgettable voyage into the past.
Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic by Lindsay Chervinsky. I find John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams completely fascinating. John Adams is rightly celebrated as one of the leading voices of the American Revolution, yet his presidency is often overlooked or dismissed as the low point of his public career. Even respected biographers like David McCullough and John Ferling devote relatively little attention to his time in office. Due in large part to the efforts of rivals like Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, Adams’s legacy has been overshadowed by portrayals of him as irritable, vain, and impulsive—traits repeated in early accounts that often relied on Hamilton’s own language. Lindsay Chervinsky’s book aims to change that narrative. In her telling, while George Washington may have created the presidency, John Adams defined it. Through careful historical analysis and compelling storytelling, Chervinsky restores Adams to his rightful place as a pivotal figure in the development of the American executive.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Andy Weir delivers another imaginative and high-stakes work of hard science fiction. The science feels grounded and plausible, with problems and solutions rooted in real-world logic. The novel is packed with suspense and enough well-timed humor to lighten the tone without undermining the stakes. Most surprising, though, is the deeply compelling relationship Grace forms during his journey—one that becomes the emotional core of the book. It’s an unlikely friendship, forged under extraordinary circumstances, that will stick with readers long after the last page.
