Summer 2025 Reading List: 14 Books That Shifted My Perspective
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Time to read 4 min
Summer is the perfect time to slow down, soak up the sun, and dive into stories that nourish the soul. Whether you’re journaling on your porch, lounging in the shade, or traveling somewhere new, this summer 2025 reading list is curated to support your personal expansion.
Each of these personal growth books shifted my perspective in a meaningful way and taught me lessons worth holding onto. They’ve helped me reconnect with my creativity, explore emotional healing, and deepen my relationship with myself and the world around me. If you’re looking for life-changing books to read this season, these titles are a powerful place to begin.
Diving into the Summer 2025 Reading List:
1. Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés 3. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer 4. Journey to the Heart by Melody Beattie 5. Willpower by Roy F. Baumeister & John Tierney 6. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill 7. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown 8. The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman 9. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran 10. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki 11. Beautiful Thinking: A Well Mind by Juliana Yasmine (Moon Flower Child Edition) 12. The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin Bonus Reads for Deeper Exploration Products Featured In This Journal Entry Related Readings
1. Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Why it matters: A sacred guide to reclaiming your wildness.
What you'll gain: This book reawakened my connection to ancient feminine wisdom. Through myth, storytelling, and psychology, I learned to trust my inner rhythms. It’s a foundational read for any woman walking a creative or healing path.
3. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Why it matters: A lyrical bridge between science and spirit.
What you'll gain: This book reshaped how I relate to the Earth. It’s a gentle call to live in reciprocity with nature and remember that everything we take deserves gratitude in return.
4. Journey to the Heart by Melody Beattie
Why it matters: A companion for inner clarity.
What you'll gain: These daily reflections helped me navigate uncertainty with grace. It reminded me that transformation doesn’t have to be loud—it can unfold one quiet step at a time.
5. Willpower by Roy F. Baumeister & John Tierney
Why it matters: A research-based look at self-control.
What you'll gain: I discovered that willpower can be strengthened over time. Understanding how decision fatigue works helped me structure my life with more ease and intention.
6. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Why it matters: A mindset-shifting classic.
What you'll gain: While this book focuses on wealth, its real power lies in unlocking belief. It helped me treat my goals as non-negotiable and clarified how focus and faith work together.
7. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
Why it matters: A map for vulnerability.
What you'll gain: I learned to reframe shame and perfectionism as universal experiences. This book reminded me that being seen—truly seen—is the first step to meaningful connection.
8. The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Why it matters: A guide to relational harmony.
What you'll gain: This one reshaped how I give and receive love. Understanding love languages brought more compassion into my partnerships, parenting, and even my friendships.
9. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Why it matters: Soulful, poetic guidance for all of life.
What you'll gain: This book feels like a sacred whisper. The reflections on children, work, and letting go are among the most beautiful I’ve read. It's a timeless reminder that every season has purpose.
10. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Why it matters: A re-education on money and mindset.
What you'll gain: I stopped seeing money as taboo and started seeing it as a tool for creative freedom. This book shifted how I think about ownership, investing, and long-term abundance.
11. Beautiful Thinking: A Well Mind by Juliana Yasmine (Moon Flower Child Edition)
Why it matters: Mental clarity begins with intention.
What you'll gain: This book invited me to cultivate beauty from the inside out. It’s both a reflection tool and a reminder that our thoughts create our reality.
12. The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Why it matters: A poetic philosophy on creativity.
What you'll gain: Rubin’s wisdom softened my relationship with output. He reminded me that simply being in a creative state is enough—and that receiving ideas is part of the sacred act of making.
Bonus Reads for Deeper Exploration
13. The Healing Power of the Sacred Woman by Christine R. Page, M.D.
14. The Wim Hof Method by Wim Hof
Why it matters: Reclaiming the body as sacred.
What you'll gain: This book deepened my understanding of womb wisdom and the energetic body. It’s an empowering read for any woman seeking holistic healing and reconnection to feminine cycles.
Why it matters: The body holds infinite strength.
What you'll gain: Through cold immersion and breathwork, I discovered a level of resilience I didn’t know existed. This book is a gateway to physical vitality and mental clarity.
“Some books don’t just teach you something new— they remind you who you’ve always been becoming.”
This summer 2025 reading list is filled with books that changed my life—each one offering something unique to the journey of self-discovery, healing, and creative expression. Whether you're seeking clarity, courage, or calm, I hope these titles guide you toward your next breakthrough.
Which one are you most excited to read? Share it in the comments below or pass this journal entry along to a friend looking for some good reads this summer!
Juliana Yasmine
as a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and lifelong learner, I have a love for non-fiction reads that spark self-reflection and growth. Although I'm probably the world's slowest reader, I believe the right book always finds you at the right time. I'm drawn to stories rooted in lived experience, and always open to expanding my worldview through fresh perspectives and mind-shifting insights.
