If you’re not sure where to start with our 2025 SVWC Reading List, take a look at our guide below. This can help lead you to your next favorite book!

I want to hear from a voice that’s been on the front lines.

Jonathan Blitzer – Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here
Paola Ramos – Defectors
Theodore Schwartz – Gray Matters
Evan Osnos – The Haves and Have-Yachts

I’m interested in reading an iconic literary voice.

Colum McCann – Twist
Ocean Vuong – The Emperor of Gladness
Claire Keegan – Small Things Like These

Introduce me to a fresh voice with something new to say.

Rachel Eliza Griffiths – Promise
Yael van der Wouden – The Safekeep
Nayantara Roy – The Magnificent Ruins
Paola Ramos – Defectors

Life is hard. Give me something fun to read!

Carl Hiaasen – Fever Beach
Ruth Reichl – The Paris Novel

Tell me a story I’ll love (even if it breaks my heart).

Claire Keegan – Small Things Like These
Rachel Eliza Griffiths – Promise
Sloane Crosley – Grief Is for People
Colum McCann – Twist
Abraham Verghese – The Covenant of Water

I want to read a book everyone is (still) talking about.

Vivek Murthy, M.D. – Together
Doris Kearns Goodwin – An Unfinished Love Story
Wright Thompson – The Barn
Griffin Dunne – The Friday Afternoon Club
Liz Moore – The God of the Woods

I’m all about a propulsive plot; I like a good story well told.

Liz Moore – The God of the Woods
Colum McCann – Twist
James Stavridis – The Restless Wave

I want a book that is full of heart and humanity.

Ocean Vuong – The Emperor of Gladness
Vivek Murthy, M.D. – Together
Safiya Sinclair – How to Say Babylon
Sloane Crosley – Grief Is for People
Andre Dubus III – Ghost Dogs

Give me a family saga that will keep me turning the pages.

Griffin Dunne – The Friday Afternoon Club
Yael van der Wouden – The Safekeep
Nayantara Roy – The Magnificent Ruins
Safiya Sinclair – How to Say Babylon
Liz Moore – The God of the Woods

Take me away from it all (preferably to a foreign country).

Ruth Reichl – The Paris Novel
Erling Kagge – After the North Pole
James Stavridis – The Restless Wave
Carl Hiaasen – Fever Beach
Abraham Verghese – The Covenant of Water

I’d like to be wowed by a historical masterpiece.

Yael van der Wouden – The Safekeep
Doris Kearns Goodwin – An Unfinished Love Story
Max Boot – Reagan
Clara Bingham – The Movement

Teach me something I didn’t know.

Theodore Schwartz – Gray Matters
Jonathan Blitzer – Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here
Wright Thompson – The Barn
Meena Ahamed – Indian Genius

Tell me about a forgotten/misunderstood chapter in American history.

Clara Bingham – The Movement
Wright Thompson – The Barn
Todd Purdum – Desi Arnaz

I’d like a dramatic history that reads like a novel. Or maybe a dramatic novel that teaches me about history.

Dan Jones – Henry V
Sonia Purnell – Kingmaker
James Stavridis – The Restless Wave

I can’t get enough of politics, history, and global economics.

Oren Cass – The Once and Future Worker
Ed Luce – Zbig
Clara Bingham – The Movement
Evan Osnos – The Haves and Have-Yachts
Sonia Purnell – Kingmaker
Paola Ramos – Defectors
Jonathan Blitzer – Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here

Whether in poetry or prose, make my heart sing.

Ocean Vuong – The Emperor of Gladness
Safiya Sinclair – How to Say Babylon
Rachel Eliza Griffiths – Promise

Real people’s stories are the best stories.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Safiya Sinclair – How to Say Babylon
Andre Dubus III – Ghost Dogs
Erling Kagge – After the North Pole
Doris Kearns Goodwin – An Unfinished Love Story
Meena Ahamed – Indian Genius

SOMEONE ELSE’S STORY

Todd Purdum – Desi Arnaz
Dan Jones – Henry V
Sonia Purnell – Kingmaker
Max Boot – Reagan

Audiobooks are where it’s at.

Griffin Dunne – The Friday Afternoon Club
Doris Kearns Goodwin – An Unfinished Love Story
Liz Moore – The God of the Woods
Ruth Reichl – The Paris Novel
Vivek Murthy, M.D. – Together
Dan Jones – Henry V

I’d like a short book I can read in a day, but make it a great one.

Claire Keegan – Small Things Like These

Photo Credit: Ray gadd