As we enter a new year, I’m focusing on personal and professional growth as a developer. The tech industry evolves at breakneck speed, and staying ahead requires more than mastering the latest tools and frameworks. To truly excel, developers must dive deep into their craft, exploring timeless programming principles, leadership, collaboration, and personal development. With their ability to distill the wisdom of experienced professionals, books remain one of the best ways to gain these insights. That’s why I’ve set a personal goal for 2025: to read one transformative book each month.
This isn’t just a list of technical books—it’s a comprehensive journey to becoming a well-rounded developer. From understanding the art of writing clean code to enhancing my communication skills and reflecting on philosophical ideas that shape how we approach technology, each book represents a unique facet of my growth. By this time next year, I hope to be a better coder and a stronger leader, collaborator, and thinker. Here’s my diverse reading plan for 2025, designed to challenge and inspire me throughout the year.
I asked ChatGPT about each book and why I should read it. I asked to say it in my voice to make it personal.
Technical Mastery
Programming Rust
If there’s one book that will help me wrap my head around Rust, it’s Programming Rust. This language is all about safe, fast, and fearless coding, and this book dives straight into the “how” with practicality, clarity and depth. 2025 is the year I conquered Rust, and this is the guide I’ll trust to get me there.
Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big Ideas Behind Reliable, Scalable, and Maintainable Systems
Designing Data-Intensive Applications is an absolute must-read because it’s a masterclass on handling data at scale—my favorite thing. It breaks down the big ideas behind building reliable, scalable, and just plain smart systems. If you love data as much as I do, this book is like candy for your brain.
Communication & Writing
The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century
The Sense of Style is my go-to for leveling up my writing game—it’s bright, modern, and actually fun to read. Pinker explains how to write clearly and make your ideas shine, which is a game-changer for documents, blogs, or anything else I need to communicate. This book is a no-brainer if you care about being understood (and who doesn’t?).
On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction
On Writing Well is a timeless classic for anyone who wants to write clearly and with impact, whether for work or just life in general. It’s packed with practical tips to cut the fluff and make your words resonate. If writing feels like a chore, this book will inspire and motivate you, changing your approach and transforming your writing.
Philosophy of Success & Critical Thinking
A Philosophy of Software Design, 2nd Edition
A Philosophy of Software Design is a book that makes you stop and think about how you approach building software. It’s all about reducing complexity and, more importantly, promoting joy in coding. The book’s principles can transform your codebase from a tangled mess into a work of art, making your work more enjoyable and inspiring.
Think Smarter
Think Smarter is like a workout for your brain—it’s all about boosting critical thinking skills so you can tackle problems more effectively. It’s packed with practical tips that actually make decision-making and problem-solving easier (and less stressful). If you want to level up how you approach challenges, this book is a total game-changer.
Leadership & Team Dynamics
Agile Conversations
Agile Conversations is all about fixing the one thing that trips up most teams: communication. It dives into having the right kinds of conversations to build trust, tackle tough topics, and actually work better together. If you’ve ever felt like your team could do more if they just talked things through better, this book’s for you.
Future Looking
The Singularity Is Nearer: When We Merge with AI
The Singularity Is Nearer is a wild ride into the future where AI and humans might actually merge—it’s like sci-fi, but with legit science. It’s packed with mind-blowing ideas about what’s coming next in tech and how it could change everything. If you’ve ever wondered where we’re heading with AI, this book will have you both excited and a little freaked out (in the best way).
Dancing with Qubits: From qubits to algorithms, embark on the quantum computing journey shaping our future
Dancing with Qubits is the perfect way to dip your toes into the mind-bending world of quantum computing without feeling totally lost. It breaks down the crazy concepts behind qubits and quantum algorithms in a way that actually makes sense. If you’re curious about the tech that’s going to shape the future, this book is your backstage pass.
Personal Improvement
Building a Second Brain
Building a Second Brain is all about organizing your thoughts and ideas so you can actually use them when you need them. It’s like creating your personal system for never forgetting great ideas, tasks, or random inspiration. If your brain ever feels like it’s on overload, this book is the ultimate life hack.
The Improv Mindset
The Improv Mindset is all about rolling with the punches and thinking on your feet—skills every developer (and human) could use more of. It shows how the principles of improv can help you collaborate better, handle surprises, and just have more fun. If you’ve ever wanted to say “yes, and” to life, this book is a total game-changer.
Deep Work
Deep work is all about cutting through the noise and actually focusing on what matters, which is something I know I need more of. It’s packed with strategies to get into that flow state where the best ideas and work happen. If you’re tired of feeling distracted all the time, this book is the reset button you didn’t know you needed.
Initial Monthly Plan (I may change this based on future needs)
- January — Building a Second Brain
- February — A Philosophy of Software Design
- March —On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction
- April — Think Smarter
- May — Deep Work
- June — Programming Rust
- July — The Improv Mindset
- August — Agile Conversations
- September — The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century
- October — Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big Ideas Behind Reliable, Scalable, and Maintainable Systems
- November — Dancing with Qubits – Second Edition: From qubits to algorithms, embark on the quantum computing journey shaping our future
- December — The Singularity Is Nearer: When We Merge with AI
By tackling one book a month, I’ll embark on a profoundly personal journey of exploration, from technical mastery to leadership strategies and personal growth. I’m excited to share this journey and reflect on what I’ve learned as the year unfolds. Here’s to a 2025 filled with transformative learning and development!