Year in Books - 2025

This was definitely a year of change and challenge for me, and my 'book count' was just about cut in half compared to last year! I completed 16 books in 2025 (compared to 28 in 2024), and ELEVEN of them were re-reads!

Rereading books is something that I didn't really care for until a few years ago, but when you've found a book to be really life-changing you want to keep spending time with it to soak up as much as you possibly can.

I'm also noticing that I didn't reach much fiction😳 Which is surprising because I truly love fiction. I just think I didn't have enough time.

What about you!? Do any of these books overlap with what you read? Anything you read that I should get on my reading list? Let me know!

*Listed in random order. Expand for more my reflections.

2025 BOOK LIST:

Be Here Now, Ram Dass

Ram Dass is not my guru, but he's definitely the voice I try to hear in my head throughout the day. His gentle spirit and simple view of spirituality is so contagious and I try to keep him as part of my spiritual diet throughout the year. This is his most popular publication and it's really accessible because most of the books is filled with illustrations and art. The first section is auto-biographical, the second section (80% of the pages) are an illustrated discourse/lessson, and the third section is more discourse on various topics.

At the Feet of Bhagavan, T K Sundaresa Iyer

Biography of a jnana yogi (wisdom guru.) Out of print so I found a copy on etsy.

Be Love Now, Ram Dass

First time reading this book, it came out in 2011 after Ram Dass had experienced the stroke which left him less able to communicate. His long-time spiritual friend Rameshwar Das wrote most of the book based on earlier writings and conversations with Ram Dass. Really good. Will probably reread this year.

The Alchemist, Paul Coelho

I read this to the kids at night during the first half of the year. The Alchemist, though not very long, is almost like a spiritual epic, creating a story groundwork for talking about your own spiritual journey. Sarah and I regularly refer to concepts in this books, especially the idea that "when you are in pursuit of your personal legend, the universe conspires to help you." Highly recommend everyone read or reread this book.

Karma, Sadhguru

Second or third time reading this book about 'Karma Yoga', which is the Hindu concept of "pursuing enlightenment through living your life has responsibly as possible". In Hinduism there are various 'paths of practice' that one may choose to follow...the path of wisdom/knowledge, the path of love/devotion, the path of asceticism, or for many of us, the path of right-living. Sadhguru's book on Karma provides more context and understanding around what karma (action) is and how we can live more responsibly.

The Only Dance There Is, Ram Dass

My favorite Ram Dass publication, probabaly because it's just a handful of his talks transcribed as a book😁 Ram Dass wasn't primarily a writer--he primarily gave talks and led groups in meditation sessions. The beauty of Dass' talks was that he was so casual. He didn't use complicated spiritual jargon. To Dass, spirituality is simple, and if you can't communicate something simply and casually, it's probably to complicated to be of any relevance.

This book is full of metaphors and stories and anecotes that will stick with you for years. I'll read this book many more times in my lifetime.

The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran

I talk about Deida's other book, "The Way of the Superior Man" all the time and it's the book give out the most. This volume is a more comprehensive overview of his model of sexuality, and it spends more time talking through both the masculine and feminine energies.

Deida's model of human sexuality is one that I'll end up spending a lot of time talking about in the years to come--it's changed my life and I'm excited to share it with you🫶

Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation, Stephen Mitchell

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most underappreciated pieces of spiritual literature in the west. It's so short and this translation is so easy to read that I would recommend it to just about anyone.

Adiyogi, The Source of Yoga, Sadhguru 

First time reading this book. Great overview of this history of yoga (eg, the history of indian spirituality). I find the legends in Hindu spirituality to be super interesting and relevant. Many of these stories pre-date the Old Testament and point to how spiritually advanced many of these early people-groups were. Not necessarily recommending this book to everyone, but if you're interested in Sadhguru or indian spirituality, I think its great.

Courage, The Joy of Living Dangerously, Osho

First time reading Osho! Honesty, loved it. Already reading one of his books on creativity. Still don't have a good sense of his spirituality, but this book was definitely good enough for me to pick up another one.

The Heart of the Buddha's Teachings, Thich Nhat Hanh

I read this in early 2023 and it was one of the first in-depth views I got into Zen Buddhism. Part of the reason I lean toward indian spirituality is because it's less 'structured' and more poetic...where Buddhism will provide 'lists' to explain a topic, a Hindu will tell a story. That being said, Buddhism has a lot of structural insight into reality and consciousness, so I reread this book in early 2025. Thich Nhat Hanh is a wonderfully pastoral author and writes in a way that feels very encouraging and inspirirational. Despite this being a 'Zen Buddhism 101' book, it's still very grounded in spiritual growth over knowledge. If you're interested in Zen Buddhism this is probably a great book to start with. If you're not interested in zen, maybe give it a pass;)

Tao Te Ching, D. C. Lau

One of a few translations that I regularly read my way through. It may not be as readable as the Stephen Mitchell translation, but it flows well and is really 'memorable' in my opinion.

Tao Te Ching, Stephen Mitchell

If you're reading the Tao for the first time, this is probably a good place to start. Super readable, nice volume. Same guy that translates the version of the Bhagavad Gita above.

The Creative Act, Rick Rubin

This is a book I'll be spending more time with in 2026 as well. Some ideas you just gotta keep reading over and over again to fully absorb. Rick Rubin's understanding of the creative process is like Neil deGrasse Tyson's understanding of physics...these guys just know their subject so well. If you are any type of creative, you MUST READ THIS BOOK.

War and Peace, Book 1, Leo Tolstoy

First time reading Tolstoy. It's a slow roller but I'm committed at this point😅 Will let you know how books II and III go. Hoping to read Dostoevsky next.

The Essential Rumi, Rumi

My old trusty. I read this book every day.