Bibliophiles unite; our favorite time of the year is upon us, book club time! The girlies (and some guys) have worked hard this year to compile a dozen books to help you level up your 2025.

January:

Captivate The Science of Succeeding with People

Do you feel awkward at networking events? Do you wonder what your date really thinks of you? Do you wish you could decode people? You need to learn the science of people.

As a human behavior hacker, Vanessa Van Edwards created a research lab to study the hidden forces that drive us. And she's cracked the code. In Captivate, she shares shortcuts, systems, and secrets for taking charge of your interactions at work, at home, and in any social situation. These aren't the people skills you learned in school. This is the first comprehensive, science backed, real life manual on how to captivate anyone--and a completely new approach to building connections.

February:

What Makes Love Last: How to Build Trust and Avoid Betrayal -John Gottman Ph.D and Nan Silver

In this insightful book, celebrated research psychologist and couples counselor John Gottman plumbs the mysteries of love and shares the results of his famous “Love Lab”: Where does love come from? Why does some love last, and why does some fade? And how can we keep it alive? Based on laboratory findings, this book shows readers how to identify signs, behaviors, and attitudes that indicate a fraying relationship and provides strategies for repairing what may seem lost or broken.

March:

Master Your Emotions: A Practical Guide to Overcome Negativity and Better Manage Your Feelings

-Thibaut Meurisse

Have you ever thought
… about your thoughts?
Do you have a bias toward the negative?
Understanding how negative feelings and emotions work is the first step. Then we must learn how to reprogram those emotions and turn them around. A happier life is possible if you follow the steps.

April:

Killing Jesus -Bill O’Reilly + Martin Dugard

Now the iconic anchor of The O'Reilly Factor details the events leading up to the murder of the most influential man in history: Jesus of Nazareth. Nearly two thousand years after this beloved and controversial young revolutionary was brutally killed by Roman soldiers, more than 2.2 billion human beings attempt to follow his teachings and believe he is God. Killing Jesus will take readers inside Jesus's life, recounting the seismic political and historical events that made his death inevitable - and changed the world forever.

May:

Quiet -Susan Cain

What are the advantages of being an introvert? They make up at least one-third of the people we know. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts—Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak—that we owe many of the great contributions to society.

In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture. She also introduces us to successful introverts—from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Passionately argued, impeccably researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet has the power to permanently change how you see yourself.

June:

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk -Adele Faber + Elaine Mazlish

From #1 New York Times bestselling authors, the ultimate “parenting bible” (The Boston Globe)—a timeless, beloved book on how to effectively communicate with your child.

This bestselling classic by internationally acclaimed experts on communication between parents and children includes fresh insights and suggestions, as well as the author’s time-tested methods to solve common problems and build foundations for lasting relationships, including innovative ways to:

· Cope with your child’s negative feelings, such as frustration, anger, and disappointment
· Express your strong feelings without being hurtful
· Engage your child’s willing cooperation
· Set firm limits and maintain goodwill
· Use alternatives to punishment that promote self-discipline
· Understand the difference between helpful and unhelpful praise
· Resolve family conflicts peacefully

Enthusiastically praised by parents and professionals around the world, Faber and Mazlish’s down-to-earth, respectful approach makes relationships with children of all ages less stressful and more rewarding.

July:

The Well-Watered Woman: Rooted in Truth, Growing in Grace, Flourishing in Faith -Gretchen Saffles

Gretchen Saffles knows what it's like to feel overwhelmed and unable to flourish. In The Well-Watered Woman, Gretchen leads us to the Well of fullness, the Word of freedom, and the Way of fruitfulness. She teaches that God's Word will satisfy us for all eternity.

Using Scripture and her own personal story of surrender, Gretchen offers spiritually hungry women tangible tools to not only know Jesus more but to live a life that thoroughly enjoys Him, seeks Him, and follows Him into freedom.

August:

The Whole Man: Praying Over Spirit, Soul & Body -Luke St. Clair

In The Whole Man, Pastor St.Clair breaks down how Scripture serves as our cornerstone for understanding prayer's holistic nature—and invites the reader on a journey that addresses every facet from head to toe. Inspired by 1 Thessalonians 5:23, which recognizes man's three integral parts—spirit, soul, and body—we embark on a focused exploration.

The Whole Man is not just about discussing prayer but urges us to actively participate in this transformative dialogue with the Divine by lifting up and aligning ourselves with God's Word during our prayer time. In this prayer book, you will learn the spiritual significance of praying the scripture over your whole body and how to do so.

September:

Jesus Over Everything: Uncomplicating the Daily Struggle to Put Jesus First -Lisa Whittle

Discover the joy of choosing:

Commitment over mood
Real over pretty
Steady over hype
Holiness over freedom
Service over spotlight
Wisdom over knowledge
Honesty over hiding

Jesus Over Everything is a practical, compelling picture of what we crave and yet struggle to define as we seek to give God his rightful place in our everyday lives. Packed with tools to equip and motivate you, the Jesus-over-everything journey will help you reprioritize your faith first in order to reprioritize your daily life.

October:

Collaborating With the Enemy: How to Work With People You Don’t Agree With, Like, or Trust -Adam Kahane

Often, to get something done that really matters to us, we need to work with people we don’t agree with or like or trust. Adam Kahane has faced this challenge many times, working on big issues like democracy and jobs and climate change and on everyday issues in organizations and families. He has learned that our conventional understanding of collaboration—that it requires a harmonious team that agrees on where it’s going, how it’s going to get there, and who needs to do what—is wrong. Instead, we need a new approach to collaboration that embraces discord, experimentation, and genuine cocreation—which is exactly what Kahane provides in this groundbreaking and timely book.

November:

The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) -Philippa Perry

In this instant Sunday Times bestseller, leading psychotherapist Philippa Perry reveals the vital do's and don'ts of relationships. This is a book for us all. Whether you are interested in understanding how your upbringing has shaped you, looking to handle your child's feelings or wishing to support your partner, you will find indispensable information and realistic tips in these pages. Philippa Perry's sane, sage and judgement-free advice is an essential resource on how to have the best possible relationships with the people who matter to you most.

December:

Necessary Endings -Henry Cloud

Henry Cloud, the bestselling author of Integrity and The One-Life Solution, offers this mindset-altering method for proactively correcting the bad and the broken in our businesses and our lives. Cloud challenges readers to achieve the personal and professional growth they both desire and deserve—and gives crucial insight on how to make those tough decisions that are standing in the way of a more successful business and, ultimately, a better life.