How has 2025 been for you so far? Have you ticked off everything on your checklist? If you have, congratulations! Feel free to share the ways you were able to achieve your goals in the comments.
Reading books is an important part of our self development journey. It imparts you with knowledge and teach you things you didn’t know before, making you better at your craft, better with relationships and a better person. As the saying goes, readers are leaders.
As part of the resolutions for a new year, people usually plan to read more books. They either set a general goal like “cultivate a reading habit this year”, “read more”, “get back into reading”, or specific goals like “read 3o books this year.“ So if you’ve nowhere near your reading goals, if you’ve surpassed them or even if you haven’t made the decision to read any book this year, here are 7 books you can finish in a week or less.
Please note that the links to the books are not affiliate links, neither are we sponsored by any of the companies mentioned.
1) The Richest Man In Babylon by George S. Clason
Pages: 156.
If you are not where you want to be financially, read this insightful book. Here is the summary from Jumia :
“ As a young man, I came across George Samuel Clason’s classic 1926 book The Richest Man in Babylon, which offered commonsense financial advice told through ancient parables. I recommend it to everyone.” –Tony Robbins, Money: Master the Game
The ancient Babylonians were the first people to discover the universal laws of prosperity. In his classic bestseller, “The Richest Man in Babylon,” George S. Clason reveals their secrets for creating, growing, and preserving wealth.
Through these entertaining tales of merchants, tradesmen, and herdsmen, you’ll learn how to keep more out what you earn; get out of debt; put your money to work; attract good luck; choose wise investments; and safeguard a lasting fortune.”
2) Make Today Count by John C Maxwell.
Pages: 160.
As 2025 comes to a close, we need to revisit our goals in order to ensure that we don’t waste our time and to make sure that our daily actions align with our greater goals. This book could be the wake up call you need to get back on track.
Here’s a summary of the book from Jumia :
“ Drawing from the text of the Business Week bestseller Today Matters, this condensed, revised edition boils down John C. Maxwell’s 12 daily practices to their very essence, giving maximum impact in minimal time. Presented in a quick-read format, this version is designed to be read cover to cover in one sitting or taken in as brief lessons in a few spare minutes each day. It covers such topics as:
— Priorities
— Health
— Family
— Finances
— Values
— Growth. “
3) You Have A Brain: A Teens Guide to T.H.I.N.K B.I.G. by Ben Carson.
Pages: 240.
This is a helpful resource for school. Whether you are excelling or struggling with your academics or life in general, you can surely take something away from “You have a Brain.” Dr. Ben Carson struggled without a father, battled with poverty and did very poorly in school but he ended up doing so well in school that he became a world renowned neurosurgeon. So, he is definitely someone worth listening to.
This is the blurb of the book from Amazon:
“ Eight proven principles to help you overcome your self-doubt, conquer your fear of the future, reverse negative thoughts about yourself, and hurdle any other obstacles standing between you and your dreams.
Instead of letting his circumstances control him, Dr. Carson took control of his attitude and actions, leading to his discovery of eight straightforward but revolutionary principles that helped shape his future.
In You Have a Brain, Dr. Carson unpacks the eight important parts of T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G.—Talent, Honesty, Insight, Being Nice, Knowledge, Books, In-Depth Learning, and God—and presents the stories of people who demonstrated those things in his life.
Through the advice and real-world examples laid out in these pages, you will learn how to incorporate these T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. principles into your own life so that you, like Dr. Carson, can embrace an amazing future filled with incredible success.”
4) Helen Keller: A Light For the Blind by Kathleen Kudlinski.
Pages: 64.
Self development is not only achieved by reading self help books alone. You can learn from the stories of others. Reading about their resilience in difficult times may just be the encouragement you need to keep going.
Helen Keller was a notable figure known for her women’s and disabilities rights advocacy as a person with special needs herself. This short book is ideal for young readers but is useful to anyone who wants to get a glimpse into her life and experiences.
5) Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.
Pages: 336.
This book is a staple when it comes to finances. It teaches what the rich teach their kids about money that the poor and middle class do not. Learn how to make your money work for you, sources of passive income, the difference between assets and liabilities and other factors to consider when building wealth and avoiding losses.
6) Animal Farm by George Orwell.
Pages: 140.
This book is great if you’re new to stories that deal with socio-political issues. It uses a farm to represent a political climate where deception and gradual erosion of human rights takes place. The book is short, engaging and doesn’t read like a news article.
7) Holes by Louis Sachar.
Pages: 233.
Reading fiction can also help you have a good 2025. It can help you relax in a constructive way and enhance your creativity which can help you become better at your craft. Storytelling can be incorporated into many fields and reading stories can help you hone that skill. Reading stories can also increase your emotional quotient and your inter personal skills as it helps you understand people and their motives.
Holes is about an unlucky young boy that was sent to an unconventional detention camp for a crime that he did not commit.
Improve your self, your work, your finances and every area of your life with these books. Here’s to a successful 2025. What books have shaped you over the years?
