Readers are leaders goes an old saying and we couldn’t agree more here at WORD EMPIRE. So, we’ve put together a fantastic list of 25 must-read non-fiction books in 2025. It is a great challenge for any reader. If you can’t read all 25 books in 2025, then even five will do. These are truly AMAZING books that can inspire, empower, and even change your outlook in life. Many of them have even been featured at BOOK EMPIRE, our monthly book club. Let’s dive right in and explore all 25 books!
Why You Should Read Non-Fiction Books
Before we present our list of 25 books, we just wanted to quickly discuss the benefits of reading non-fiction books. Don’t get us wrong- we have nothing against fiction, and we read a lot of fiction books, but when it comes to learning and just inspiring you to create the best version of yourself in life and business, non-fiction takes out the award every time over fiction. That’s why Sandra, the woman behind WORD EMPIRE established BOOK EMPIRE, a non-fiction monthly book club in Melbourne where a group of book enthusiasts get together in person to discuss key learnings from non-fiction books like:
- Self development and overall self improvement
- Proven strategies from leaders and innovators to implement in life
- Practical tools to navigate challenges
- Actionable insights and tips to apply to your life
- Stories that inspire real personal and professional change
So, if you’re ready to fuel your mind in 2025, here are 25 must- read non-fiction books in 2025 to read from different categories. No worries, if you are reading this later in the year, or even in 2026 or beyond as these books are still relevant as they are timeless!
Mindset, Psychology & Personal Development
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
This modern best selling classic is still a go-to for building habits that actually stick. Clear’s science-based research on identity-based habits and daily improvements of just 1% should be taught in all schools.
2. Grit by Angela Duckworth
Talent matters—but GRIT matters more. Duckworth’s research helps readers understand how passion and perseverance are what give you long-term success not just talent!
3. The Mountain is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery
By extracting crucial insight from our most damaging habits, building emotional intelligence, understanding our brains and bodies, releasing past experiences at a cellular level, and learning to act as our highest potential future selves, this book shows us that we can step out of our own way and into our potential.
4. Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
In his groundbreaking bestseller, Daniel Goleman argues that our view of traditional human intelligence is far too narrow. According to Goleman it is your EQ (emotional intelligence), not your IQ that determines so much of how your life turns out. He presents a framework of how to cultivate emotional intelligence.
5. Your Dream Life Starts Here: Essential and Simple Steps to Creating the Life of Your Dreams by Kristina Karlsson
Founder of the Kikki. K brand Kristina will ignite in you the inspiration to DREAM BIG with powerful ideas, tips and prompts to apply to your life in this inspirational book so you can make your dreams a reality.
Business, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
6. The ONE THING: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller
This book is a revolution in thinking about how you approach your work life and just life in general by getting you to focus on your ONE THING daily, weekly and monthly. It is Sandra Di Francesco’s favourite all-time book as it has completely transformed the way she works and approaches each single day!
7. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Carl Newport
‘Deep work’ is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. Coined by author Carl Newport on his popular blog Study Habits deep work is both a habit and way of life to increase your productivity by achieving more in less time.
8. $100M Leads: How to Get Strangers To Want To Buy Your Stuff by Alex Hormozi
For anyone serious about growing a business in 2025 and beyond, Hormozi’s highly practical, no-fluff frameworks on lead generation and customer acquisition are a goldmine.
9. The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan Housel
This book explores how your overall psychology and behavior is what drives financial success. It is packed with in-depth insights that can change the way you look and approach money.
10. Show Me The Money: for those Screaming for Profit: The Ultimate Step by Step Guide to Making Money by Somebody Who Has Done it by Mary Philippou
A direct and honest step- by- step guide to making money in business without the fluff and big promises and get rich quick schemes. This is the real deal of what’s involved in business by someone who has done it and isn’t afraid to speak the truth – Melbourne Entrepreneur, Sales Specialist, and Business Mentor Mary Philippou.
Self-Help, Spirituality & Wellness
11. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Timeless and relevant as ever in today’s fast paced world Tolle’s book is a great reminder for mindfulness and living in the moment and not in the past or future where most people seem to reside.
12. You Become What You Think by Shubham Kumar Singh
This book is a practical guide to personal growth that draws on Buddhist wisdom and philosophy. It is packed with actionable insights to help you transform your perspective on life and the world around you. It all starts with your thoughts!
13. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay
An international sensation for decades (first published in 1984) that’s sold over 50 million copies, many consider it to be the definitive guide on self-healing, wellness, affirmations and the power of the mind to heal the body.
14. Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia (with Bill Gifford)
With a rising interest in longevity and healthspan optimisation in this decade, this science-backed guide explores how to not just live longer but better in order to truly enjoy a life well lived.
15. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
An essential read for understanding trauma, healing, and the mind-body connection. It is transformative reading for therapists, coaches, and anyone on a healing journey.
Society, Culture & Big Ideas
16. Nudge: The Final Edition by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein
One of the most influential books of the 21st century, Nudge shares a wealth of new insights on topics like COVID-19, money, medical care, organ donation, climate change and more.
17. The Obstacle Is The Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday
Unpacking lessons from the lives of historical icons, and reframing them for today’s world, this book shows you how to turn your toughest trials into triumphs leaving you feeling inspired and determined.
18. Future Steading: Live like Tomorrow Matters: Practical Skills, Recipes and Rituals for a Simpler life by Jade Miles
A practical and inspirational guide to living in a way that values tomorrow: a slower, simpler, steadier existence that is healthier for you, your home and the environment through the power of ritual, home-cooked foods, time in nature, sharing community and more. Packed with actionable tips and recipes.
19. Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era by James Barrat
First published ten years ago, Our Final Invention predicted much of the artificial ‘intelligence explosion’ that’s taking place now. It is a thought-provoking book that looks at the impact of AI and questions if human beings can coexist with artificial intelligence.
20. Sapiens A Brief History of Humankind: By Yuval Noah Harari
A bold and provocative book, that explores our human history of how we came to be, how we got here and where we’re going.
Memoir, Biography & Real-Life Inspiration
21. Becoming by Michelle Obama
With over 17 million copies sold worldwide, Obama’s memoir inspires readers navigating gender, identity, ambition, and impact.
22. FREE: My Search for Meaning by Amanda Knox
Amanda Knox spent nearly four years in an Italian prison and eight years on trial for a murder she didn’t commit. The Italian tabloids sensationalised her story portraying her as a sex obsessed murderer. Though she was exonerated, it’s taken more than a decade for her to reclaim her identity and feel free. This is her story!
23. Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins
Part memoir, part motivational masterclass. Goggins’s story of getting through extreme mental and physical limits continues to spark resilience worldwide.
24. The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward by Melinda French Gates
The Next Day offers guidance to anyone – young or old who is navigating change, finding their bearings, or just trying to move forward when the ground beneath you is shifting.
25. Chicken Soup For The Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen
The Chicken Soup for the Soul phenomena continue to inspire millions around the world after twenty years with its real-life stories of hope, thinking positive, overcoming challenges, and more. It has been made into a television series in America.
How to Choose the Right Non-Fiction Book for You
There are just so many non-fiction books to choose from with the numerous categories available and then not to mention the countless books available in each category. So, how do you choose the right non-fiction book for you? Start with the following:
- Know your current challenge or curiosity. Are you seeking growth, clarity, strategy, or healing?
- Follow energy, not trends. A book that feels like it’s calling you probably is. Remember a book comes to you when you need it the most. It doesn’t have to be the latest book. It can be an old book.
- Sample before committing. Read the introduction, the blurb, check reviews, or listen to a chapter on Audible.
- Use audiobooks if you’re time-poor or just prefer them to hard copy: Apps like Audible and Blinkist can help you absorb ideas on the go.
Keep Reading and Learning
Have you read some of these books that have made it onto our 25 must-read non-fiction books in 2025 list? It is never too late to start. Even if you don’t manage to read all 25 books in 2025, you can still read some. Just aim for five books. It is more than doable no matter how busy you are. Remember busy is often just a by-product of poor time management and just lack of proper planning.
You can always make the time to read. It is just making it a priority and then just doing it as you would anything else!
Come Down to Book Empire: a WORD EMPIRE® book club
If you enjoy books that sharpen thinking, strategy and communication, explore the WORD EMPIRE® Book Club for curated reading inspiration.
Come on down to Book Empire, our monthly book club held at the beautiful Brunetti Classico Cafe in Carlton. For more information just visit our book club page and feel free to email sandra@wordempire.com.au to ask any questions. With Readings Bookstore just across the road, it is a haven for book lovers. You’ll find us sitting at a table at the back. Ask the waiters if you’re unsure.
Sandra Di Francesco is the Founder & Director of WORD EMPIRE®, a specialist Melbourne-based SEO, and AI search agency that works exclusively with high-trust industries like law, finance and aviation. With a detailed and forensic approach, she develops human-led, AI-enhanced strategies designed to increase visibility, authority, and revenue for clients.
