From juicy celeb memoirs to mind-expanding wellness reads, these are the books worth making space for in your beach bag or bookshelf, because life’s too short (and holidays too rare) for a bad read.
There are few holiday tragedies more devastating than finding yourself at the airport – smoothie in hand, boarding pass at the ready – with nothing good to read. Sure, a beach towel and SPF are essential, but a brilliant page-turner? That’s what really makes the holiday when the in-laws are proving that little bit too much, and your social battery is that little bit too drained.
Whether you’re after a dose of self-discovery, a hit of motivation or a wellness deep-dive to reset your body and brain, we’ve done the heavy lifting so you don’t have to risk another forgettable paperback. This year’s best reads have range, too. From Amy Odell’s fascinating insight into the wellness queen that is Gwyneth Paltrow to, you’re sure to find yourself glued to the page. And for those who prefer inspiration with a side of sport, Searching for Novak unpacks the enigma that is Djokovic. Love him or loathe him, you won’t be able to put it down.
Whether you’re headed to the Amalfi Coast or the couch post-Christmas Day feast, these are the books guaranteed to make your out-of-office feel a little more soul-nourishing.
If you want steamy cliterature:
The third instalment in Rebecca Yarros’ blockbuster Empyrean series turns the temperature (and tension) all the way up. Having built an empire out of emotionally charged fantasy, Yarros delivers adventure, escapism, and steamy encounters you’ll sacrifice sleep for. It’s no surprise the entire BookTok universe is obsessed with this series; with dragons, danger, and slow-burn romances that transcend the page, you’ll be racing through the chapters. Blending heart with high-stakes storytelling, Yarros delivers an epic read that includes a heroine who knows exactly what and who she wants. Unapologetically sexy and endlessly readable, Onyx Storm is the perfect guilty pleasure for your holiday pack.
If you want to reset your relationship:
Poet, philosopher, and modern-day mindfulness icon, Yung Pueblo has built a global following for his ability to distil emotional growth into short, powerful truths. In How to Love Better, he takes that same accessible wisdom and applies it to the heart. Topping the New York Times bestseller list, the book has been praised for its honesty that will see you taking a highlighter to every second sentence. Far from just dishing out cliches about love, Yung Pueblo breaks down the real work of healing, the importance of healthy boundaries and communication, and why every successful relationship starts with self-awareness. Whether you’re single, coupled up, or somewhere in between, this is the book you’ll want to read for emotional recalibration.
If you want fun escapism:
The undisputed queen of summer reading, Emily Henry’s latest novel delivers the kind of witty, heartfelt escapism that will see you tear through the pages faster than your Aperol spritz. In Great Big Beautiful Life, Henry takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, second chances and the messy magic of figuring life out, all delivered with her trademark chemistry that crackles between characters. Yes, it’s romantic, but there’s also plenty of laugh-out-loud banter and emotional depth to make this the perfect beachside companion. Henry’s novels have become a cultural phenomenon for good reason. If you’re after a book that will sweep you away and remind you why reading feels so good, this one is your passport to pure joy.
If you want inspiration from a sporting legend:
With 24 Grand Slam singles titles to his name – more than any man in tennis history – there’s no denying that Novak Djokovic has rewritten the rules of what sporting greatness looks like. But it isn’t just his defensive skills that make him a fascinating character, it’s the psychology behind the champion. In Searching for Novak, acclaimed sportswriter Mark Hodgkinson digs into the mind of the player whose path from war-torn Belgrade to global dominance has been anything but conventional. Having won International Sports Book of the Year, this is more than a mere tennis biography. Whether you love him or loathe him, Hodgkinson’s portrait of Djokovic makes for a most compelling read.
If you want a tell-all of wellness mogul:
Just as comfortable on the red carpet as she is speaking at wellness summits and spruiking vagina candles, Gwyneth Paltrow commands a presence unlike any other. In this fascinating biography, Odell charts how the famous A-lister has managed to exert influence over entertainment, fashion, and the modern wellness industry through exclusive interviews with sources close to the actress. With plenty of juicy details and high-profile exes to keep you entertained, it reads like a Netflix drama of epic proportions. Whether you love her, loathe her, or religiously dry-brush because of her, there’s no denying Paltrow’s transformation is one of Hollywood’s great reinventions, and in this book, you’ll see just how extraordinary a transformation it has been.
If you want to transform your way of thinking:
Generating conversation at the communal office coffee machine and on social media, Mel Robbins’ The Let Them Theory became 2025’s new mantra. If you’ve ever lost sleep over what someone thinks of you, the mindset revolution explains why you should let people judge, drift, and do whatever they’re going to do, and instead focus on what you can control. Drawing on psychology, personal stories and her trademark tough love, Robbins delivers a masterclass in detachment that’s as freeing as it is empowering. A favourite book amongst A-listers and podcasters, The Let Them Theory is a cultural reset for anyone who finds themselves people-pleasing rather than tapping into their own emotional wellbeing. You’ll be left feeling calmer and more confident upon reading.
If you want a reality check on work-life balance:
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like inside the glossy, high-stakes world of big tech, former Meta executive Sarah Wynn-Williams takes you behind the scenes. This revealing account about life as a global policy director at Facebook will have you confronting burnout culture and questioning your own work-life balance. The book has proven to be one of 2025’s most popular, further fuelled by Meta’s attempt to block the book’s promotion. This is a story about ambition, purpose, and the cost of chasing success in a system designed to never let you log off. For anyone who has ever wondered if their dream job is really worth the burnout, it’s a must read.
If you want to crush your goals:
It was a feat that stunned the nation: Russ Cook (otherwise known as The Hardest Geezer) running more than 10,000 miles across 16 countries that spanned the length of Africa and the equivalent of 386 marathons. The running boom might be alive and well, but you don’t need to be an avid jogger to find this a motivational tale. Full of grit, resilience, and stories of hardships faced along the way, it’s an incredible tale of how Cook learned to thrive in the chaos and set his mind up for success. Packed with moments that will make you gasp, laugh, and question your own limits, it’s the perfect holiday read for those looking to crush their goals and a reminder that the biggest obstacle to our dreams is often the voice in our own heads.
