Best Books
November 26, 2025

4 Lavin Speakers’ Books Named to The New York Times 100 Notable Books of the Year

Congratulations to Lavin Exclusive Speakers Derek Thompson, Caleb Gayle, Margaret Atwood, and Karen Hao, whose powerful new books were named this week to the New York Times list of the 100 Notable Books of 2025! Their books illuminate topics as varied as the path to the future of abundance and the true story behind OpenAI and the greatest tech arms race in history. We’re proud to exclusively represent these brilliant thinkers for speaking engagements, keynote talks, and fireside chats. Learn more about their vital books below, and get in touch to book them to speak at your event!

Abundance, by Derek Thompson

We have everything we need to create the future we want. But we need to start building. In his #1 New York Times bestselling book, Abundance (co-authored with Ezra Klein), Lavin Exclusive Speaker Derek Thompson argues that we live in a world of scarcity: not enough housing, workers, or innovation. But there’s a way out—and into a future of plenty. He shares a hopeful vision of a future where we have more than enough, and a practical roadmap for how to get there. Abundance was named a best book of the year by The New York Times, Kirkus, Financial Times, and more.

Black Moses, by Caleb Gayle

Caleb Gayle is a contributing writer to The New York Times Magazine and the author of We Refuse to Forget. In Black Moses, named a best book of the year by Kirkus, The Washington Post, and more, he tells the story of Edward McCabe, who attempted to achieve self-determination for his fellow Black people by establishing a Black state. With this sweeping tale, Caleb “skillfully uncovers a history that feels at once wildly alive, scarcely visible, and integral to the United States we inhabit now” (Ilyon Woo, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Master Slave Husband Wife).

Book of Lives, by Margaret Atwood

“One of the leading voices of modern literature” (New York Magazine), Margaret Atwood is the acclaimed storyteller behind The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments, and Oryx and Crake, among many others. In her anticipated memoir, Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts, this Lavin Exclusive Speaker pulls back the curtain on her own life, offering what The Boston Globe calls “the most spectacular, hilarious, and generous autobiography of the last quarter century—or ever.” Book of Lives was named a best book of the year by The New York Times, Kirkus, The Washington Post, and more.

Empire of AI, by Karen Hao

A long-time Silicon Valley insider and 2025 TIME100 AI honoree, Karen Hao is the author of Empire of AI: a thrilling look behind the scenes of OpenAI and the biggest tech arms race in history. TIME calls it a “page-turner that has made waves not just in Silicon Valley but around the world,” and writes that Karen “is fundamentally shaping many people’s perceptions and understanding of the company at the center of the AI revolution.” Empire of AI was named a best book of 2025 by The New York Times, The Economist, and Financial Times.

Abundance, by Derek Thompson

We have everything we need to create the future we want. But we need to start building. In his #1 New York Times bestselling book, Abundance (co-authored with Ezra Klein), Lavin Exclusive Speaker Derek Thompson argues that we live in a world of scarcity: not enough housing, workers, or innovation. But there's a way out—and into a future of plenty. He shares a hopeful vision of a future where we have more than enough, and a practical roadmap for how to get there. Abundance was named a best book of the year by The New York Times, Kirkus, Financial Times, and more.

Black Moses, by Caleb Gayle

Caleb Gayle is a contributing writer to The New York Times Magazine and the author of We Refuse to Forget. In Black Moses, named a best book of the year by Kirkus, The Washington Post, and more, he tells the story of Edward McCabe, who attempted to achieve self-determination for his fellow Black people by establishing a Black state. With this sweeping tale, Caleb "skillfully uncovers a history that feels at once wildly alive, scarcely visible, and integral to the United States we inhabit now" (Ilyon Woo, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Master Slave Husband Wife).

Book of Lives, by Margaret Atwood

"One of the leading voices of modern literature" (New York Magazine), Margaret Atwood is the acclaimed storyteller behind The Handmaid's Tale, The Testaments, and Oryx and Crake, among many others. In her anticipated memoir, Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts, this Lavin Exclusive Speaker pulls back the curtain on her own life, offering what The Boston Globe calls "the most spectacular, hilarious, and generous autobiography of the last quarter century—or ever." Book of Lives was named a best book of the year by The New York Times, Kirkus, The Washington Post, and more.

Empire of AI, by Karen Hao

A long-time Silicon Valley insider and 2025 TIME100 AI honoree, Karen Hao is the author of Empire of AI: a thrilling look behind the scenes of OpenAI and the biggest tech arms race in history. TIME calls it a "page-turner that has made waves not just in Silicon Valley but around the world," and writes that Karen "is fundamentally shaping many people’s perceptions and understanding of the company at the center of the AI revolution." Empire of AI was named a best book of 2025 by The New York Times, The Economist, and Financial Times.