May 2025 Edition
This month’s list is a blend of grit, mindset, focus, and meaning — with a couple books that helped me push through during school and clinicals. Some of these are intense, others reflective, but all of them left a lasting mark. If you’re trying to stay on track, deepen your thinking, or just want to read something that fires you up — this is your list.
1. Discipline is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
Okay, I loved this book. Ryan Holiday has this way of pulling in stories of historical figures and turning them into fuel for your everyday life. The chapter about Lou Gehrig? That one stopped me in my tracks. It’s not just about discipline in the “grind harder” sense — it’s about showing up with integrity, self-respect, and purpose, even when no one’s watching. The stories are unexpected, deeply human, and full of surprising facts that made me want to be a better version of myself. Definitely one I’ll come back to again and again.
2. How to Tell A Story by The Moth
I didn’t expect to feel so connected to strangers I’d never met — but these stories pulled me in, one after another. Some were so raw and funny I laughed out loud, and others were heartbreaking in that quiet way that stays with you. What I loved most was the reminder that everyone has a story worth sharing — even if it’s messy, ordinary, or unfinished. This one made me want to write more. Speak up more. And listen better.
3. How to Suffer Outside by Diana Helmuth
This book made me laugh out loud — like actual out-loud laughing. It’s part memoir, part how-to, and part “what not to do in the woods,” and I devoured it. I completely rethought ever wearing jeans on an adventure (seriously, don’t do it), and by the end, I was Googling backpacks and gear like I had a trip planned. Diana’s voice is hilarious and smart, and she makes the outdoors feel way more approachable — especially if you’ve ever felt like you were too late to the hiking game. Loved this one.
4. 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
This book is weird — and kind of hard to describe — but I could not put it down. The writing is beautiful and layered, and the whole story feels like it exists in its own world. It’s part history, part family saga, part surreal fever dream — and somehow it all works. I kept flipping back to remind myself who was who, but I was into it. Even when I wasn’t totally sure where it was going, I wanted to keep reading. It’s not light or easy, but it’s the kind of book that stays with you long after it’s over.
5. The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday
I’m on year four with this book, and I still get something new from it almost every day. It’s simple — just one page per day — but it’s packed with reminders that help you stay grounded: focus on what’s in your control, let go of what’s not, and keep showing up even when it’s hard. It’s helped me shift my mindset in really lasting ways. I’ve given out copies because I’ve found it so helpful — especially when someone’s feeling stuck or overwhelmed. If you want something small that can quietly change how you move through your day, this is it.
6. Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown
I listened to this one as an audiobook, and I’m so glad I did — hearing Brené read it herself felt like being coached through the hard stuff in the best possible way. Her voice brings so much warmth and honesty to the message. This book is all about true belonging, standing alone when you need to, and finding the courage to show up fully as yourself — even when it’s uncomfortable. It hit deep and stayed with me. One I’ll definitely return to.
7. The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer
This is a small book with a big impact. It’s quiet, gentle, and thoughtful — and it made me pause (literally and figuratively). I read it in a single sitting, but it’s the kind of book that lingers. Pico Iyer talks about stillness not as doing nothing, but as choosing to be fully present — to stop running, stop numbing, and just be. In a world that never stops moving, this book gave me permission to slow down, breathe, and pay attention. If you’re craving a little calm or a reset that doesn’t involve another productivity hack, this is a good place to start.
8. On Trails by Robert Moor
This book was way more than I expected. I thought it would just be about hiking trails — and it is — but it’s also about why we follow paths, how they’re made, and what they mean. Moor weaves in philosophy, history, and personal stories, and somehow it all connects. It made me think differently about everything from deer trails to life decisions — how we follow, how we lead, and when we decide to make our own way. If you love hiking or just enjoy getting into the deeper “why” behind simple things, this one’s worth wandering through.
9. Wintering by Katherine May
This book felt like an exhale. It’s about those seasons of life where things slow down — whether you want them to or not — and how to move through them with grace instead of guilt. Katherine May writes with so much honesty about rest, waiting, and letting go of the pressure to always be productive. It reminded me that quiet seasons aren’t wasted seasons. I read this one slowly, and it helped me stop fighting the pause and start learning from it. If you’ve been feeling a little off, stuck, or just tired in a deep kind of way — this book will feel like a soft place to land.
10. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
This book is short, sharp, and exactly what I needed when I was hitting resistance hard — in writing, creating, even just showing up for what matters. Pressfield doesn’t sugarcoat it: resistance is real, and it’s going to fight you every time you try to do something meaningful. But he also reminds you that you’re not alone in that fight — and that showing up anyway is the work. I’ve gone back to this one more than once, especially when I need that push to stop overthinking and just start. If you’re building, creating, or reinventing anything — this book is a kick in the pants in the best way.
Want to Go Deeper?
If one of these books sparked something in you — maybe a craving to journal, plan, or take the next step — I’ve created a few guided tools to help:
- Life Reinvention Planner & Workbook – Clarify what’s next and build a life that fits.
- Awaken Your Potential – Self-discovery in simple, powerful steps.
- Gratitude: A 90-Day Guided Journal – Anchor your days with intentional reflection.
You can grab them as printables or get them shipped to your door. Explore them here.