Books I'm Reading in 2025 & What I'm Learning From Them

I've been very intentional with the books I'm reading this year.

I've read many books over the last years and even though you can't know if a book is good for you or not until you read it, you can have some requirements. I require from my books to inspire me, entertain me or teach me something. This is my method for choosing good books this year.

We only have one life. In my opinion, that is very little time to read all the books I would want to.

I want to share with you some books I've enjoyed in this year and what I have actually learned from them . This article will be regularly updated so stop by when you have time. Maybe you will find an amazing book just for you or someone you know.

1. How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie

   In his book Dale gives us many ways in which to treat people. The ones that stuck the most with me are: - We need to listen a lot more. We all listen in order to answer. We interrupt people while they're speaking and don't care about words and feelings coming from the other side. I have realized that I do not interrupt people, but I need to listen a lot better. I need to have my focus completely directed to the speaker. Dale advises us further to be genuinely interested in people and remember people's name. These two small things can make significant changes. - Encourage others to talk about themselves. He says that people will think you're a great conversationalist if you let people talk more about their life, points of view and problems. This one surprised me, but once tested, gave great results. - To win people to your way of thinking he advises to show respect for other person's opinion. and to avoid ever saying you're wrong directly to their face. On the other side, if you're wrong, he says to admit it quickly and emphatically.

   There are many more. I suggest highly you read the book and see which ones you can use in your life.

2. The seven husbands of Eveline Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

   When I exited the bookshop holding this book I expected to hear about many situations in which these terrible men broke Evelyn's heart but she decided to move on and not give up. Since this book has a spoiler of a lifetime I won't say it here and I beg you not look it up online but buy a book and read it, because it's an incredibly t interesting one.

   The book teaches you that there are different kinds of love and that the kind of love that fits someone's life, doesn't mean it's going to fit yours. The writer shows you that some love stories and marriages are built on passion (or at least start that way) and then there are others that are love and friendship and don't have the crazy consuming passion. The most important thing is to find the side that fits your life.

   I truly hope you take the time and read this book. It's the beginning of 2025 and I already know that I will be recommending this book till the rest of the year.

   
   

3. Hej, nisam ti to pričala (Hey, I still haven't told you about a thing) by Momo Kapor

   Momo's books are my go-to when traveling. I spent the first two weeks of March in Suzhou, China having the best time ever. This book has been a great companion on that adventure.

   It's about a girl expressing her thoughts about her life, people and the world around her. I have learned and read many funny things about Belgradians.

   I would highly recommend this book to anyone who truly wants to understand Serbian peoples' way of thinking and feeling. It explains to the smallest, liveliest detail how we live.

   No writer could have done it better.

4. The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett

   The Diary of a CEO is not a book just about strategies on building your company. I would even go as far as saying that it's not at all about that. It's much more than that. It's a book with practical ways to better your life.

   In January I have started working on something that is very much new and unfamiliar to me. While doing it, I have been making a lot of mistakes. I have been forgiving myself easily those mistakes under the excuse - "I'm still learning" - but actually I haven't been focused on my work well enough. Steven says how he asks from his team to sweat the small stuff and pay attention more. He explains that this has influenced the great success his company and team has been having. This chapter was a slap to my face! It took me just a few paragraphs to realize that I simply wasn't doing my job well. I have been checking everything a lot more, being detailed and patient since I read that chapter and it has all improved now.

   There are many more advice like this, simple, yet very effective.

   If you have always wanted to start making changes, but didn't know where to start, why not this book?

   
   

5. The Wealthy Gardener by John Soforic

   Over the Easter holidays I got obsessed with "The Wealthy Gardener". If you have ever felt stuck, uninspired or you simply need something to change your perspective, then it's the right time to read this one. It talks about time management, setting your goals, achieving them, being satisfied with your life's choices and creating incredible wealth and abundance. There is one another thing that the Wealthy Gardener teaches more than the rest and that is how to undeniably believe in the attainment of your goals and yourself. With this book it got confirmed once again that the biggest power we have is believing that everything is possible for us. If we take that belief and back it up by plans and loads of action, we can achieve and have it all.

   Now this book is about creating wealth, but it is not written in the motivational language only. It tells you a life story of the Wealthy Gardener, his friends, students and his family. It's a novel, a financial and self-help book, all in one. Truly amazing!

6. A Journal of my Father by Jiro Taniguchi This book has once again reminded me to visit my parents more. It's a beautifully written and drawn manga about a man who learns many things about his father after he dies from his father's friends and other family members. It touched me deeply, since I don't live with my parents, actually far away from them in a different country. I highly recommend this manga, even if you're not into mangas, or have never before read a manga, this can be your first one.

7. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath This is one of those books that I forced myself to finish and simply didn't understand it. It is a story about a girl living for some time in New York. Main character's life ends up being a very difficult one, with many heart-breaking experiences. It left me feeling confused. Simply not my cup of tea, someone else might enjoy it deeply.

8. Honjok by Silvia Lazzaris and Jade An This is the explanation of "honjok" that I have found online: Honjok (혼족) is a South Korean term for people who choose to do activities alone, a growing cultural trend reflecting independence and self-focus, combining "hon" (alone) and "jok" (tribe/group) to signify a "tribe of one" enjoying solo pursuits like eating (honbap), drinking (honsul), or traveling (honyeo). It's a conscious embrace of solitude, moving away from traditional collectivist expectations and finding happiness in one's own company, not out of loneliness but as a deliberate lifestyle choice. The book has many beautiful pictograms and pictures. If you think of yourself as a honjok, or maybe simply introverted and always wanted to explore and learn more, you may really enjoy this book.

9. The One Hour China Book by Towson and Woetzell The name of this book just asks for attention, doesn't it? When I first heard about it I thought, there is no way you can put everything I have learn for four years in the University in just one hour. It took me actually two hours to read it and I loved it. Let's say that you are suddenly attending a party where there may be many Chinese, or have recently started working for a Chinese company, and need to get yourself acquainted with China, this is an incredible choice.

10. Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker This is a book to inspire you on saving and earning money that doesn't talk about complicated systems. It is practical, easy to understand and motivating. If you have always had problems with understanding anything about finances, this book can be your very good start. It has a little over 100 pages and it's a great companion for bus rides, long waites and times when you simply want something refreshing.
    

11. 不上班咖啡馆 by 古典著 This year I have given myself a very specific goal when it comes to reading. It was to read 12 books in twelve months, ideally a book monthly and for one of those to be in Chinese. 不上班咖啡馆 by 古典著 is my first book that I have read and understood, fully in Chinese. It talks about a coffee shop that only the people who want to change their professional lives. I have always loved self-help books, but this one is with the most interesting creative twist and many practical advice. It is separated into three parts, which represent three perspectives: one is about a guy who has well-matured in his profession and needs change; one is about a mum coming back to the business world; one is about two people finding jobs after being laid off. I am satisfied and grateful for finding this book, while traveling in Suzhou and very proud on myself for reading it.
    

12. Hour of the Heart by Irivin Yalom If you're currently going to therapy you will absolutely love this one. It's about a retired therapist who gives just one one-hour session for one person. Therapy as we all know, can be a long process because it simply takes time to open yourself up. This book is a very brave try to do it in just 60 minutes and help the other person as mush as possible. I am absolutely impressed with this one. Big recommendation.

What can I say in the end?

This has been an incredible experience. It is the first time that I have read 12 books in one year. I have mostly been very impressed and happy with my choices, especially with the one in Chinese.

I am not sure I will be able to do this in the next year, but I will read as much as I can.

I am very proud on this!