As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve wrapped up the second half of my reading year. While my original goal was 30 books, I finished the year at 26 total—short of the target, but still a meaningful collection of ideas, history, and perspective.
This second-half list leaned heavily into behavioral economics, finance, leadership, and political thought, with a mix of fiction and biography along the way. Each book added something different—some reinforced core principles, others challenged assumptions, and a few simply reminded me why certain ideas endure over time.
Below are the books I read in the second half of 2025, along with brief summaries of each.
Books 14–26: Second Half of 2025
- Nudge – Richard Thaler
Explores how small changes in choice architecture can influence behavior without limiting freedom, laying the foundation for modern behavioral economics. - This Time Is Different – Carmen Reinhart(did not finish – access expired)
A historical examination of financial crises across centuries, emphasizing how recurring debt and banking failures often follow familiar patterns. - The Ascent of Money – Niall Ferguson
A sweeping history of money, credit, and financial systems, showing how finance has shaped civilizations and global power. - The Richest Man in Babylon – George Clason
A classic personal finance book that uses parables to teach timeless lessons on saving, investing, and wealth building. - How Countries Go Broke – Ray Dalio
Analyzes sovereign debt cycles and the warning signs that lead nations toward financial distress or restructuring. - A Calamity of Souls – David Baldacci
A legal thriller centered on justice, morality, and racial tension, blending courtroom drama with social commentary. - Propaganda & Persuasion – Dannagal Young
Examines how messaging, media framing, and persuasion shape public opinion in politics and society. - Law School for Everyone: Constitutional Law – Eric Berger
An accessible overview of constitutional principles, Supreme Court cases, and how constitutional law affects daily life. - The Supremes’ Greatest Hits – Michael G. Trachtman
A concise history of landmark Supreme Court decisions that have shaped modern American law. - Noise – Daniel Kahneman
Focuses on judgment errors caused by inconsistency and variability, complementing earlier work on cognitive bias and decision-making. - Taboo – Wilfred Reilly
Explores controversial topics in culture and politics, emphasizing the consequences of avoiding difficult conversations. - The Two FBI’s – Nicole Parker
A behind-the-scenes look at internal conflicts, leadership challenges, and cultural divides within the FBI. - How Leaders Learn – David Novak
Examines how effective leaders continue learning, adapting, and improving through feedback and experience.
Looking Ahead to 2026
While I didn’t quite hit my 30-book goal in 2025, the quality and variety of what I read made the year worthwhile. Once again, I’ll set the same goal for 2026: 30 books, knowing that consistent learning matters more than perfection.
If any of these titles catch your interest, I encourage you to add them to your own reading list. Books remain one of the best ways to gain perspective—whether in finance, leadership, history, or life itself.
Here’s to learning, reading, and improving in the year ahead.