The 12 Best Books of 2025 (And the Biggest Ideas for 2026): Lavin Speakers’ Books on the TIME 100 Must-Read Books and More

2025 has been a banner year for books by Lavin Exclusive Speakers. They’ve reframed the national conversation around AI, abundance, economics, American history, and much more. We’re proud to have books by so many of our speakers on every year-end list! From Margaret Atwood’s funny, candid new memoir to a powerful call-to-action to build a future of abundance, our speakers are making headlines from The New York Times to The Economist and beyond. Read on to learn more about the 12 best books of the year, and get in touch to book these brilliant speakers for your event!

A photo of Margaret Atwood, a light-skinned woman with curly hair, and her book, Book of LivesBook of Lives​​​​​

Margaret Atwood

New York Times 100 Notable Books | TIME 100 Must-Read Books
Washington Post Best Nonfiction | Guardian Best Biography and Memoir | Amazon Best Biography and Memoir | Kirkus Best Nonfiction

“One of the leading voices of modern literature” (NY Magazine), the author of The Handmaid’s Tale pulls back the curtain on her amazing life. It’s “a humble look at greatness” (Washington Post) and “the most spectacular, hilarious, and generous autobiography of the last quarter century—or ever” (Boston Globe).

A photo of Derek Thompson, a light-skinned man with dark hair, and his book, AbundanceAbundance

Derek Thompson

New York Times 100 Notable Books
Financial Times Best Business Books | Kirkus Best Nonfiction | Guardian Best History and Politics | Amazon Best Nonfiction | NPR Books We Love

We live in a world of scarcity: not enough housing, energy, or innovation. But we can flip the script. In his #1 New York Times bestseller, co-written with Ezra Klein and called “a must-read” by Barack Obama, this brilliant speaker offers a hopeful path towards a future where we have more than enough.

A photo of Karen Hao, an East Asian woman with dark hair, and her book, Empire of AIEmpire of AI

Karen Hao

New York Times 100 Notable Books
The Economist Best Books | Financial Times Best Business Books

One of TIME‘s 100 most influential people in AI offers a thrilling look into the biggest tech arms race in history. TIME writes that her book “instantly struck a cultural nerve,” calling it a “page-turner that has made waves not just in Silicon Valley but around the world.”

A photo of Caleb Gayle, a Black man in a denim shirt, and his book, Black MosesBlack Moses

Caleb Gayle

New York Times 100 Notable Books
Washington Post Best Nonfiction | Kirkus Best Nonfiction | Publishers Weekly Best Nonfiction

An award-winning journalist reveals the story of one Black man who tried to establish an all-Black state, and what that shows us today about the true promise of freedom. It’s “an enthralling saga” (Publishers Weekly) and “a hidden history that Americans need to know” (Ilyon Woo).

A photo of Patti Smith, a light-skinned woman with gray hair, and her book, Bread of AngelsBread of Angels

Patti Smith

TIME 100 Must-Read Books
Guardian Best Biography and Memoir | NPR Books We Love

In her most intimate memoir yet, the punk rock legend behind Horses and Easter shares a powerful exploration of identity, love, and the quest for self-understanding. Rolling Stone calls it “radiant and intimate,” while the LA Times hails it as “mesmerizing.”

A photo of Jeff Chang, an East Asian man with dark hair, and his book, Water Mirror EchoWater Mirror Echo

Jeff Chang

Publishers Weekly 10 Best Books
Kirkus Best Nonfiction | NPR Books We Love

We’ve all heard of Bruce Lee. But do we really know him? This historian offers a sweeping new look at his life and the worlds he made possible—Publishers Weekly writes that “This definitive account cements Chang as a preeminent chronicler of Asian American history.”

A photo of Salman Rushdie, a light-skinned man with an eyepatch, and his book, The Eleventh HourThe Eleventh Hour

Salman Rushdie

The Economist Best Books | Financial Times Best Fiction

Hailed as “a legend” (Toni Morrison) and “a storyteller of prodigious powers” (The New York Times), the literary legend behind Midnight’s Children grapples with questions about life, legacy, identity, and freedom of speech in his powerful new short story collection.

A photo of Steven Pinker, a light-skinned man with curly hair, and his book, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…

Steven Pinker

The Economist Best Books | Amazon Best Business and Leadership

We think about each other’s thoughts about each other’s thoughts all the time, says this psychologist—and this “common knowledge” can help us understand our greatest enigmas, from financial bubbles to first dates. Bill Gates calls this book “one of the most insightful books I’ve read about what makes us human.”

A photo of Nicholas Thompson, a light-skinned man with dark hair, and his book, The Running GroundThe Running Ground

Nicholas Thompson

Kirkus Best Nonfiction

The CEO of The Atlantic and former editor in chief of Wired, this American record-holding distance runner offers a powerfully motivating exploration of life, work, family, resilience, and even what makes us human. Vogue‘s Anna Wintour calls it “an endlessly surprising, revelatory, and heart-rending read.”

A photo of Jelani Cobb, a Black man with a beard, and his book, Three or More Is a RiotThree or More Is a Riot

Jelani Cobb

Kirkus Best Nonfiction

In this collection of writing from his last decade of frontline reporting, the Dean of Columbia Journalism School looks back at one of the most consequential eras in American history, and forward to what lies ahead. Ta-Nehisi Coates calls it “an archive of a writer at the height of his powers—and his powers are many.”

A photo of Corinne Low, an East Asian woman with dark hair, and her book, Having It AllHaving It All

Corinne Low

Amazon Best Nonfiction

There’s a new way to win the war for talent—and it starts with the women already in your ranks. In her “passionate, provocative, evidence-based” book (Adam Grant), this Wharton economist shows how women can get the best from their working lives, and how companies can support their talent and gain a competitive edge.

A photo of Ethan Kross, a light-skinned man with dark hair, and his book, ShiftShift

Ethan Kross

Publishers Weekly Best Nonfiction

Emotions are information. And if you learn how to use them, they can become your superpower. This award-winning University of Michigan professor presents simple, science-based strategies for leveraging your emotions to gain an edge: Charles Duhigg calls it “a revolutionary guide to mastering your emotional life.”

Interested in these speakers?

Contact us today! We’d love to tell you more about them and help you bring them to speak at your 2026 event!

A photo of Margaret Atwood, a light-skinned woman with curly hair, and her book, Book of LivesBook of Lives​​​​​

Margaret Atwood New York Times 100 Notable Books | TIME 100 Must-Read Books Washington Post Best Nonfiction | Guardian Best Biography and Memoir | Amazon Best Biography and Memoir | Kirkus Best Nonfiction "One of the leading voices of modern literature" (NY Magazine), the author of The Handmaid's Tale pulls back the curtain on her amazing life. It's "a humble look at greatness" (Washington Post) and "the most spectacular, hilarious, and generous autobiography of the last quarter century—or ever" (Boston Globe).

A photo of Derek Thompson, a light-skinned man with dark hair, and his book, AbundanceAbundance

Derek Thompson New York Times 100 Notable Books Financial Times Best Business Books | Kirkus Best Nonfiction | Guardian Best History and Politics | Amazon Best Nonfiction | NPR Books We Love We live in a world of scarcity: not enough housing, energy, or innovation. But we can flip the script. In his #1 New York Times bestseller, co-written with Ezra Klein and called "a must-read" by Barack Obama, this brilliant speaker offers a hopeful path towards a future where we have more than enough.

A photo of Karen Hao, an East Asian woman with dark hair, and her book, Empire of AIEmpire of AI

Karen Hao New York Times 100 Notable Books The Economist Best Books | Financial Times Best Business Books One of TIME's 100 most influential people in AI offers a thrilling look into the biggest tech arms race in history. TIME writes that her book "instantly struck a cultural nerve," calling it a "page-turner that has made waves not just in Silicon Valley but around the world."

A photo of Caleb Gayle, a Black man in a denim shirt, and his book, Black MosesBlack Moses

Caleb Gayle New York Times 100 Notable Books Washington Post Best Nonfiction | Kirkus Best Nonfiction | Publishers Weekly Best Nonfiction An award-winning journalist reveals the story of one Black man who tried to establish an all-Black state, and what that shows us today about the true promise of freedom. It's "an enthralling saga" (Publishers Weekly) and "a hidden history that Americans need to know" (Ilyon Woo).

A photo of Patti Smith, a light-skinned woman with gray hair, and her book, Bread of AngelsBread of Angels

Patti Smith TIME 100 Must-Read Books Guardian Best Biography and Memoir | NPR Books We Love In her most intimate memoir yet, the punk rock legend behind Horses and Easter shares a powerful exploration of identity, love, and the quest for self-understanding. Rolling Stone calls it "radiant and intimate," while the LA Times hails it as "mesmerizing."

A photo of Jeff Chang, an East Asian man with dark hair, and his book, Water Mirror EchoWater Mirror Echo

Jeff Chang Publishers Weekly 10 Best Books Kirkus Best Nonfiction | NPR Books We Love We've all heard of Bruce Lee. But do we really know him? This historian offers a sweeping new look at his life and the worlds he made possible—Publishers Weekly writes that "This definitive account cements Chang as a preeminent chronicler of Asian American history."

A photo of Salman Rushdie, a light-skinned man with an eyepatch, and his book, The Eleventh HourThe Eleventh Hour

Salman Rushdie The Economist Best Books | Financial Times Best Fiction Hailed as "a legend" (Toni Morrison) and "a storyteller of prodigious powers" (The New York Times), the literary legend behind Midnight’s Children grapples with questions about life, legacy, identity, and freedom of speech in his powerful new short story collection.

A photo of Steven Pinker, a light-skinned man with curly hair, and his book, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...

Steven Pinker The Economist Best Books | Amazon Best Business and Leadership We think about each other’s thoughts about each other’s thoughts all the time, says this psychologist—and this "common knowledge" can help us understand our greatest enigmas, from financial bubbles to first dates. Bill Gates calls this book "one of the most insightful books I’ve read about what makes us human."

A photo of Nicholas Thompson, a light-skinned man with dark hair, and his book, The Running GroundThe Running Ground

Nicholas Thompson Kirkus Best Nonfiction The CEO of The Atlantic and former editor in chief of Wired, this American record-holding distance runner offers a powerfully motivating exploration of life, work, family, resilience, and even what makes us human. Vogue's Anna Wintour calls it "an endlessly surprising, revelatory, and heart-rending read."

A photo of Jelani Cobb, a Black man with a beard, and his book, Three or More Is a RiotThree or More Is a Riot

Jelani Cobb Kirkus Best Nonfiction In this collection of writing from his last decade of frontline reporting, the Dean of Columbia Journalism School looks back at one of the most consequential eras in American history, and forward to what lies ahead. Ta-Nehisi Coates calls it "an archive of a writer at the height of his powers—and his powers are many."

A photo of Corinne Low, an East Asian woman with dark hair, and her book, Having It AllHaving It All

Corinne Low Amazon Best Nonfiction There's a new way to win the war for talent—and it starts with the women already in your ranks. In her "passionate, provocative, evidence-based" book (Adam Grant), this Wharton economist shows how women can get the best from their working lives, and how companies can support their talent and gain a competitive edge.

A photo of Ethan Kross, a light-skinned man with dark hair, and his book, ShiftShift

Ethan Kross Publishers Weekly Best Nonfiction Emotions are information. And if you learn how to use them, they can become your superpower. This award-winning University of Michigan professor presents simple, science-based strategies for leveraging your emotions to gain an edge: Charles Duhigg calls it "a revolutionary guide to mastering your emotional life."

Interested in these speakers?

Contact us today! We'd love to tell you more about them and help you bring them to speak at your 2026 event!

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