Breathing Space

The Best Books I’ve Read This Year (So Far)

The novel I couldn’t put down, an anxiety reframe, and the unexpectedly great cookbook of the year.

By Camille Styles
woman reading and drinking coffee

If you haven’t yet subscribed to my Substack, it’s where I get a little more personal—writing from the heart about self-care, motherhood, wellness, and all things in between.

I came across some advice this week that stuck with me: “Do what makes mornings exciting and nights peaceful.” I couldn’t agree more, and it also sums up exactly how I choose what books to read. In the mornings, I always spend a few minutes reading some nonfiction to propel me into the day with good energy. At night, I wind down with fiction—a good story never fails to help me step out of my head and stop ruminating on whatever problems I need to solve. Honestly, a captivating novel is, hands down, the best cure for insomnia I’ve ever found.

Even though I don’t get to spend hours reading every day, these morning and evening micro-habits have added up to a lot of reading over the course of this year. So, since we’re halfway through 2025, I thought I’d share the best books I’ve read this year so far. Some are new, others are just new-to-me—but they’re all books I thoroughly enjoyed.

Pin it radhi shetty reading in bed_favorite books 2025

Keep reading on Substack for my full list of the best books of 2025—including can’t-miss fiction, standout nonfiction, and the titles that truly lived up to the hype. When you subscribe, you’ll get weekly letters like this from me, and join a community of thoughtful readers.

Unlock the full post by subscribing here.