2025 Reading Goals
Butterfly wings mural by GAPE ONE @gapeone in front of Chicago Public Library’s West Lawn Branch
You’ll never regret a moment spent reading! Here are the books that made it off my TBR (“To Be Read”) pile from 2024, featuring — no books from 2024. Haha! I’ll work on keeping atop more recent publications this New Year. I’m mostly proud of finally getting my groove back when it comes to reading for fun post-grad school. IYKYK — it’s a commonly shared experience that grad schools sucks the life out of you to the point where you don’t have it in you to leisure read for a while. I’m glad to say I have recovered (lol) and loved reflecting upon how what I read this past year helped me learn, recharge, and heal.
What are my 2025 reading goals? I want to diversify my reading! More on that below.
Reads of 2024
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory (2022)— Romance
A modernized fairytale treat! Isabelle "Izzy" Marlowe is a 21st century "Beauty" working in publishing–and a secret writer. The plot turns into a "tale as old as time" when Izzy takes on editing "bad boy" Beau Towers' memoir. This quick, easy read gives a taste of enemies to lovers and all the beach vibes in Santa Barbara when not in the concrete jungle of New York. A great summer or vacation read! For the reader who wants cozy writer-romance feels over a more energized action-driven romance, this is the book for you.
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears (2023) — Memoir
The reader wary of celebrity memoirs may want to take a chance on The Woman in Me. Beyond the account of a celebrity, it is the account of a woman affected by generational trauma passed down from her grandparents to her parents to her and, eventually, onto her own sons as she is kept from them against her will. The memoir is a natural hit for Spears' fans, I'm sure, but as someone who didn't know much about her to begin with, I found the audiobook listen a refreshing reintroduction to the "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" singer. Actress Michelle Williams narrates Spears' audiobook outside of an introduction by Spears herself and, even so, the word choice used in the memoir evokes the writer's voice so clearly it feels as if Britney herself was reading at times. This is the perfect read for an individual looking to revitalize their own power within, able to do so alongside Britney's tragic journey from a girl in Louisiana to an exploited teen pop star to a controlled Vegas headliner to a freed woman.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy (2022) — Memoir
I'm Glad My Mom Died is a shining oxymoron: a comedic requiem. Jenette McCurdy's memoir is a detailed exploration of complicated grief, the grieving of what society would view as another oxymoron: a destructive mother. The dry humor, in both text on the page and delivery in her self-narrated audiobook, displays the wit McCurdy holds which foils the slapstick comedy she portrayed on Nickelodeon. Through prose that is frank and quippy, McCurdy unpacks the push and pull of loving a hard to love mother, the cost of fame, eating disorders, codependent relationships, and the discovery of "the self" in the midst of it all.
Finding Me by Viola Davis (2022) — Memoir
Davis' self-narrated audiobook memoir is more than "just another celebrity memoir." Finding Me is an honest and detailed exploration of "the one-two punch that is Blackness and poverty." Davis invites the reader in with vivid scene work from her youth, her studies in acting, and her journey of healing the eight-year-old little girl inside of her in order to live a richer and happier adult life. Davis offers commentary on misogynoir through the lens of film work, how trauma and poverty exacerbate each other, the lasting effects of sexual abuse, the cognitive dissonance actors can experience when a film does not fully successfully represent the communities conveyed like in The Help, and, of course, what it means to "find oneself." Memoir readers, this is one you don't want to miss.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (2021) — Memoir
Michelle Zauner's Crying in H Mart memoir audiobook is a part-food essay, part-account of taking on the role of caretaker for a dying parent. Tracing the thread of her relationship with her mother through troubled teenage years to mending in young adulthood to wanting to be more like her mother following her mother's passing, Zauner details the stages of grief in an honest and raw way. Zauner captures the changing experience of her understanding of being biracial–Korean and Caucasian–from childhood to adulthood and the Korean food culture beautifully. More for the mood the writing evokes than the craft, a reader looking to immerse oneself in a story of a mother's end of life stages through a daughter's viewpoint interwoven with the rich cultural traditions of Korean food dishes will enjoy this read.
Thicker than Water by Kerry Washington (2023) — Memoir
Kerry Washington's memoir covers her performances on the small and big screen but, more importantly, how performing perfection was a requirement in her family. The KW Foundation founder details her life events spanning from family lineage secrets, her concealed struggles with food and workout and substance addictions, how sacrificing boundaries in the name of people-pleasing can cause life-altering effects, and the discovery of her true self instead of disassociating through the characters she portrays on television and film. This memoir is sure to enthrall Washington fans as well as readers who may not follow the actress' work but are interested in the story of the author becoming the main character of her own life. A compelling, soul-baring read centered on the true meaning of "family," Thicker Than Water is sure to wash upon the TBR of the reader who favors stories of empowerment and enlightenment of the self.
Paris by Paris Hilton (2023) — Memoir
Paris Hilton's memoir covers more than the caricature she presents in pop culture. Paris covers the ever-changing waves of technology and influencer culture but, more importantly, the heart of the narrative comes front and center in the middle of the memoir. Hilton recounts traumatic events she endured at correctional institutes for teenagers and reveals the way corrupt businesses make a profit off of exploiting struggling youth with complicated familial relationships. Hilton's voice as a narrator who never takes herself too seriously coupled with scenes detailing serious traumatic events such as verbal, physical, and sexual abuse and night escapes makes for a read as addictive as night club lights and house music. For the reader looking for a memoir told from the perspective of someone with ADHD who finds humor even in the hardest of times, take a chance on this book–whether you think you know the heiress or not.
Unprotected by Billy Porter (2021) — Memoir
Unprotected by artist and activist Billy Porter is an emotional marvel. Porter's memoir traces his journey from humble beginnings performing in church choir to becoming an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner. A story of success through resilience and tenacity, Porter’s voice is honest and powerful—and at times laugh-out-loud funny—telling his story of “metabolizing his trauma,” and inviting the reader to “metabolize” their own, too. Also explored in the text are: the difference between being "a star or an artist,” the HIV/AIDS epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter Movement and LGBTQ+ Activism, and the importance of finding community in the arts, especially as a gay Black man—or as he puts it—finding "angels." A traceable thread of the piece is Porter noting the difference between spirituality and organized religion, unpacking the trauma of growing up a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the Black American church yet keeping his own personal relationship with faith. "Religion is man-made. Spirituality is divine," he states. Unprotected is a five-star read. Work!
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka (2011) — Historical Fiction
Julie Otsuka’s The Buddha in the Attic is historical fiction at its finest. The moving novel covers the collective traumatic events young Japanese women emigrants endured following their marriages to American men they did not meet beforehand. Tragic stories based on true events are told through a measured first-person plural narration, vivid, lyrical prose, and an often untold historical lens. Tackling topics such as xenophobia, dehumanization, sexism, classism, colorism, and assimilation, the protagonists of The Buddha in the Attic discover their “American Dream” turns out to be an “American Nightmare,” ultimately facing incarceration during World War II. Light in physical weight at 129 pages but heavy in emotional weight, I couldn’t put this impactful read down.
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson (2020) — Memoir-Manifesto
All Boys Aren't Blue is a Memoir Manifesto that explores identity and expression through the lenses of both gender and race, gender norms and expectations, brotherhood, family and found family, and Queer Black Joy. While categorized as a Young Adult novel, this empowering and informative book is required reading for all ages. All Boys Aren't Blue explores a wealth of topics from re-evaluating who one deems their American heroes and confronting how American history is taught, playing with self-expression through names and fashion, confronting childhood trauma, coming into oneself through found family in young adult years, and so much more. George M. Johnson's shared story demonstrates how the personal is truly political as this Memoir Manifesto continues to find itself on challenged and banned books lists, these lists often challenging Queer and Black narratives. All Boys Aren't Blue is certainly a title that will resonate with readers for years to come.
Becoming by Michelle Obama (2018) — Memoir
Michelle Obama's Becoming details her upbringing in Chicago's South Shore, her strong relationships with her family focusing on parents and her brother Craig, her experience as a young professional in law school and work experience thereafter, the not-so-"love at first sight" turned a romance viewed as so successful she is often asked how she maintains it with Barack Obama, her journey in motherhood, and, of course, her experience and influence as First Lady including her Let's Move! public health campaign. Mrs. Obama shares a variety of heartfelt narratives ranging from facing the media's hypercritical lens during her husband's presidential campaign trail and eight years in office to the work-life balance all mothers face and more. The writing in this memoir is honest and deep, provides a brief look into the history of Chicago, IL, and gives the reader a taste of how it felt to grow up there as a young Black girl. Becoming paints a vivid story of a Black woman who refused to accept what was expected of her, constantly pushing against systemic racism boundaries, and “the becoming” of the woman she is today.
We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union (2017) — Memoir
Gabrielle Union's We're Going to Need More Wine is candid and emotional while, more often than not, being laugh-out-loud hilarious. Union shares her own unique lived experiences using language that appeals to any reader who may pick up the memoir. Union shares scenes from her life exploring the following: understanding her relationship with her Blackness throughout the years, coming-of-age themes like dating, recounting her painful experience as a survivor of sexual assault, sharing the complexities of marriages and relationships, revealing to the world she was not always a "girl's girl" at the Black Women in Hollywood pre-Oscars luncheon, discourse on the dreaded "you're pretty for a Black girl" statement and further othering and tokenism in Hollywood, navigating her place in the life of her husband's child's life, and so much more. This book is dense with life lessons and captivating in its storytelling with heart, honesty, and humor.
The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama (2022) — Memoir
Michelle Obama’s The Light We Carry is a follow-up memoir to her first book, Becoming. With a “self-help” kind of feel woven into the narratives, Mrs. Obama shares scenes from her life that either didn’t fit into the overall messaging of her first book or hadn’t happened yet. The follow-up is a needed support to the first as it answers the question: “What does one do when they feel too burnt out to fully participate in their 'becoming?’” The book opens up with Mrs. Obama taking on a surprising pastime: knitting. Surprising because for perhaps one of the first times in her life, although due to a tragic global pandemic, the world, and her world, felt still enough to focus more on a time-consuming hobby as well as mental health tools and rituals. From sharing more on how she is asked about her love life to watching her daughters grow into self-sufficient young adults, The Light We Carry is another Michelle Obama memoir that showcases how her and her family, although previously "the first family," may not be so different from the average American family.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama (2020) — Memoir
Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States, reflects on the beginning of his presidency in A Promised Land, reveling in “wins” and owning up to “losses.” One passage summarizes his approach to his leadership: Obama poses the question if firefighters ask how a caller’s fire started before sending help or if they simply send help to put out the fire. Obama recounts how various periods of American history impacted demographics differently and how the effects of those unfortunate histories are still seen today, for example, the lack of Black equity when it comes to home ownership. The political discourse in the 768-page book cannot be fully encapsulated in one review, but there are similar nuggets found throughout. In addition to his political leadership, there are brief moments in which the curtain is drawn back to see a glimpse of the man behind the gargantuan title. There is a particularly humanizing scene in which Obama dreams of waking into a day in which he does not have the hypervisible title of “President of the United States.” Detailed and eloquent, if presidential memoirs are your thing, pick up A Promised Land.
More Myself by Alicia Keys (2020) — Memoir
Alicia Keys’ memoir More Myself explores the music artists’ challenging journey of self-discovery, made even more challenging as she entered the music industry at a young age. The memoir focuses on feminine confidence and expression, covering the way women are exploited, both in Hollywood and at large, and the ways Keys changed her outward appearance to express her inner throughout her career. The “Girl on Fire” singer also speaks to the importance of using music for political activism, particularly using her platform to speak up for the rights of women and the Black community. She also details her beloved marriage to producer Swizz Beatz, becoming a mother, and navigating life as a blended family. Keys shares a scene of her and Beatz’s choice to parent children to not use the “n”-word out of respect for Black heritage. More Myself depicts the evolution of a woman stepping into her “fire” — and if you listen to the audiobook, you will hear interludes of her talented piano playing.
The Vegetarian by Han Kang (2007) — Psychological
The Vegetarian by Han Kang follows Yeong-hye, a married woman, who fights against what is expected of her by choosing to stop eating meat after having a dream. This novel is representative of how, in Korean culture, and many other cultures, women are viewed as strange outsiders, or "untouchables," when they do not confirm to societal and gender norms. This intriguing, dark, unsettling read is short in length but has depth in its messaging. The lyrical writing remains a constant, shining attribute in all three parts of the narrative.
Currently Reading:
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (1937) — Classic, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire (1995) — Fantasy, The Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams (2021) — Romance, Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday (2024) — Romance, and re-reading Citizen by Claudia Rankine (2014) — Prose Poetry for the third time for my upcoming Social Justice Book Club!
2025 Reading Goals
2025 will be a time to escape through Fiction when needed and bury myself into helpful Non-Fiction studies. In 2025, I wanna FINALLY fall in love with Sci-Fi as I’ve been admiring it from afar for a while, explore Mystery, and add a dash of Horror (what my scaredy-cat self can take! lol) into my fiction reading. All the while, I’m sure I’ll continue with more Romance reads and Classics. (Yes, I’m catching up on many Classics — I attended a rural public American school system K—12, y’all. Ha!) As for Non-Fiction, I bet I’ll continue to find my way towards a few memoirs here and there but mostly focus on feeding my mind materials that will help me advocate for my communities and the communities I stand with, like The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein (2017), The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander (2010), and Disability Visibility by Alice Wong (2020), all of which I’ve meant to finish reading for a while.
I’m looking forward to continuing my love for reading in the New Year, and I’ve already finished two books: There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib (2024) — Memoir and Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney (2021) — Thriller.
Comment below your reading goals or a book I should definitely read in 2025 — and don’t forget to support your public library by signing up for a library card!