Discover the best books to read for Students in 2025! Want to boost your knowledge, productivity, and success? These life-changing books will sharpen your mind and set you up for a brighter future! Books are a valuable resource for pupils looking to develop their knowledge and self-awareness. There are more than simply words on paper in these best books to read for students.
They represent the wisdom of generations, portray history, and showcase the aspirations of authors. They motivate us to make plans for the future, shed light on the present, and inform us about the past. Every book takes you on a different adventure. In addition to expanding your knowledge, these books to read for students will help you develop your critical thinking skills and mold your personality. Let’s embrace a broader universe and use reading to build some strength.
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Popular Books to Read for Students: Self-Help Books
Students who read self-help books can get important life lessons and growth tactics that will help them better understand themselves and realize their potential, enabling them to face life’s problems and academic obstacles with greater confidence.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
- Author: James Clear
- Number of Pages: 319 pages
- Publisher: Avery
One of the books to read for students is written by renowned American habit researcher James Clear, it is a classic book about behavior modification and habit formation. This book gives readers a practical framework and a scientific method to help them understand how habits are formed. It also offers a series of simple strategies for changing harmful habits and forming good ones.
The book states that the four stages of habit building are cue, desire, reaction, and reward. Automated behaviors are the result of a neurofeedback loop formed by these four stages. The authors suggest “four laws” to assist individuals in creating positive habits: make the signal clear, make the habit appealing, make the activity simple, and make the reward enjoyable. You can also successfully break negative behaviors by reversing these four laws.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
- Author: Mark Manson
This book is an iconoclastic work of self-improvement by Mark Manson. According to the author, worry and discontent have increased in modern society as a result of the desire for fleeting enjoyment and other people’s praise. Selectively focusing on the important things is the path to true happiness, not avoiding challenges.
Manson came up with the idea of “selective care,” which states that people should focus their energy and attention only on things that are consistent with their basic beliefs. Additionally, rather than denying or avoiding bad feelings, the author promotes admitting their reality and confronting one’s limitations. People are able to better control their emotions in this way, which leads to a longer-lasting sense of fulfillment. This book is considered one of the best books to read for students in 2025.
How to Win Friends & Influence People
- Author: Dale Carnegie
- Number of Pages: 310 pages
- Publisher: SUDAMERICANA
The well-known American guru of human relations, Dale Carnegie, wrote this timeless self-help book, which was initially released in 1936. Numerous useful interpersonal skills and principles are presented in this book, which is regarded as one of the best books to read for students and classic in the field of interpersonal communication. There are four main sections that make up the book. The first covers the fundamentals of human connections, emphasizing how to truly respect other people and how to avoid criticism, accusations, and complaints.
The second section outlines six strategies for gaining someone’s affection, such as remembering their name, smiling, showing real concern for them, listening to them, and engaging in conversation about subjects that they find interesting. In the third section, twelve concepts are presented, including avoiding arguments respecting the viewpoints of others, and how influencing people. The book concludes with a section on leadership, outlining nine strategies for influencing others without upsetting them.
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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
- Author: Stephen R. Covey, Jim Collins
- Number of Pages: 558 pages
- Publisher: Mango Media
First released in 1989, Stephen R. Covey’s book is considered a classic and among the best books to read for students. 7 Habits that promote interpersonal and personal success are presented in this book. Three stages of habits are distinguished in the book: interdependence, independence, and dependence. Proactive, finishing first, and important things first are the first three habits that help people succeed personally and become independent.
Interdependence is facilitated by the public triumphs of the middle two habits (win-win thinking and mutual understanding) and the sixth habit (integrative effectiveness). The first six habits are built around the final habit, which is constant renewal, which emphasizes ongoing development in the four domains of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual growth.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
- Author: Charles Duhigg
- Number of Pages: 392 pages
- Publisher: Random House
Charles Duhigg’s best-selling book on habit formation and one of the best books to read for students is this one. Through scientific studies and striking examples, the book shows how habits have a significant impact on people, organizations, and even entire countries. Cue, routine, and reward are the three components that make up a “habit loop,” according to Duhigg.
The habit is triggered by the cue, the action is the routine, and the habit’s satisfaction is the reward. To change habits, it is essential to comprehend this pathway. The book highlights that while habits cannot be broken, they may be substituted by new ones. The authors also present the idea of “critical habits,” which are behaviors that cause other behaviors to change as a result of a chain reaction.
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
- Author: Miguel Ruiz, Janet Mills
- Number of Pages: 152 pages
- Publisher: Amber-Allen
Don Miguel Ruiz blends contemporary life philosophy with ancient Toltec wisdom in this book about self-improvement. Four straightforward procedures are presented in the book to assist readers in overcoming self-limiting ideas and achieving happiness and personal independence. The first agreement is to “keep your words unassailable.” The author promotes truthful and constructive communication, stresses the importance of language, and warns against using words to hurt oneself or other people.
“Don’t personalize anything” is the second protocol. By reminding readers that other people’s words and deeds are a projection of their own reality rather than of themselves, he helps to end needless suffering. The “avoid assumptions” protocol is the third one. In order to prevent misconceptions, the book promotes open conversation and questioning. Doing your best at all times is the fourth agreement. The author exhorts readers to not aim for perfection but to always give it their all. It is also one of the best books to read for students in 2025.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
- Author: Marie Kondō
- Number of Pages: 213 pages
- Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Marie Kondō, a master of Japanese tidying, wrote this best-selling book and one of the best books to read for students. This book presents a novel approach to organizing called the “Marie Heart organizing Method,” which encourages readers to reevaluate their lives and discover their inner joy via planning.
Putting forth the idea that “once organized, it will not be messy,” the book highlights that the “heartbeat principle” is at the heart of organizing only keep things that can thrill you and throw away things that are no longer necessary or provide you joy. Instead of classifying goods by room or location, the authors advise classifying them. You may, for instance, organize your home by sorting out your clutter, documents, books, and clothing. By using the decluttering techniques described in the book, people can achieve greater psychological freedom and happiness in addition to having a clean environment.
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The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
- Author: Eckhart Tolle
- Number of Pages: 229 pages
- Publisher: New World Library
The Power of Now is one of the books to read for students, the timeless work by Eckhart Tolley has been acclaimed as one of the most significant spiritual texts of our day. This book’s main message is to teach the reader how to live in the now, unencumbered by the mind, in order to attain inner peace and spiritual enlightenment.
Tolley made the point that genuine power and wisdom only exist in the present, whereas individuals are frequently plagued by regrets from the past and fears about the future.
The book presents the idea of “surrendering to the present” and highlights that finding inner peace requires embracing reality. The author also presents the idea of the “pain body,” which holds that our ideas and actions can be influenced by the emotional suffering we have acquired over time. We can progressively break free from these feelings’ shackles by acknowledging and embracing them.
Popular Books to Read for Students: Biographies
It is crucial for students to read biographies in order to gain a profound understanding of the development and spirit of achievement of these remarkable individuals. We can take inspiration from the example and motivate ourselves to overcome obstacles and strive for academic and personal greatness.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
- Author: Rebecca Skloot
- Number of Pages: 393 pages
- Publisher: Crown
One of the best books to read for students is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, the book recounts the real-life experiences of African American woman Henrietta Lacks. Although Lacks died of cervical cancer in 1951, her cancer cells were accidentally removed by medical professionals, producing Hela cells—the first “immortal” human cell in history. Medical research has benefited greatly from the use of Hela cells.
It has aided researchers in the creation of polio vaccinations, sparked discoveries in the fields of cancer, viruses, and genomes, and even significantly advanced the study of nuclear radiation. But it wasn’t until over 20 years after her passing that Lacks’ family found out about the cells’ existence. And since they have been unable to take advantage of the enormous earnings they have generated, they have been living in poverty.
The book examines complicated topics including medical ethics, racial issues, and the ownership of body tissues while also illustrating the Lack family’s bewilderment and struggle after discovering the truth through author Rebecca Skolut’s study. This work raises important questions regarding informed consent and the ethics of medical research in addition to illuminating the human side of scientific advancement.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
- Author: Laura Hillenbrand
- Number of Pages: 671 pages
- Publisher: Random House
One of the best books to read for students is Unbroken, this book is a compelling and accurate biography. The renowned life of Louis Zambellini is chronicled in the book. After being a rebellious adolescent, Zambellini’s sprinting prowess led to his Olympic success. He joined the US Army in the midst of World War II as a bombardier. He and two friends were left adrift on a life raft for 47 days after their plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean in 1943. The Japanese later take them all prisoner.
Because of his strong will and unwavering character, Zambellini survived the severe torture he endured in the prison camp until the end of the war. This book not only chronicles Zambellini’s hardships and tenacity throughout the conflict, but it also goes into great detail on how he recovered from psychological trauma following. Hillenbrand uses rich detail and vibrant brushstrokes to tell Zambellini’s story, encouraging readers to never give up and maintain their faith in the face of adversity.
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Into the Wild
- Author: Jon Krakauer
- Number of Pages: 228 pages
- Publisher: Anchor
Jon Krakauer’s book Into the Wild is based on a real-life incident and is among the best books to read for students. In addition to chronicling a young man’s journey toward independence, the book inspires deep reflection on society, family, and life’s purpose. Christopher McCandless, the main character, comes from a wealthy family and is an amazing graduate. After graduating, he decides to burn his money and donate all of his savings. After that, he adopts the moniker “Alexander Super Wanderer” and sets out on a quest to discover the purpose of existence.
Christopher traveled from the eastern United States to the west by hitchhiking. Among the many people he encountered were an elderly guy in his eighties and a laborer on a wheat farm. He came to Alaska to live in the bush in 1992. He hunts and gathers for a living and lives in abandoned buses. But summer floods prevented him from returning, and after consuming toxic seeds, he eventually perished from starvation.
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
- Author: Doris Kearns Goodwin
- Number of Pages: 945 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
The book Team of Rivals is one of the best books to read for students, written by American historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, is a biography of President Abraham Lincoln. In order to reconcile internal conflicts and work together to address the difficulties of the American Civil War, Lincoln used his exceptional political acumen and charisma to assemble a “team of rivals” of former political foes into his cabinet.
Goodwin depicts the difficulties Lincoln encountered throughout the Civil War, including dealing with ineffective generals, antagonistic congressmen, and internal inconsistencies in his cabinet, through colorful storytelling and rich historical detail. In addition to demonstrating Lincoln’s political acumen, the book also highlights his admirable character and outlook for the nation’s future.
The book offers a thorough analysis of that tumultuous time in addition to an informative account of President Lincoln. It received a Pulitzer Prize, was made into a movie, and is widely regarded as a classic study of Lincoln and his era.
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman
- Author: Robert K. Massie
- Number of Pages: 656 pages
In his biography Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman, eminent historian Robert K. Maysch describes the extraordinary life of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia. Sophia Frederica Augusta was born in Germany to noble parents. After getting married to Peter III of Russia, she started living in the Russian court. Through her political acumen and knowledge, she eventually gained the allegiance of the Russian military and nobility after her marriage. She went on to become king in 1762 after overthrowing her husband in a palace coup.
The reign of Catherine, who supported Enlightenment concepts and enlightened policies that advanced Russia’s modernization, is described in depth by Maysch in his book. She elevated Russia to one of Europe’s major nations by advancing science, education, and the arts. Her rule is referred to as Russia’s “Golden Age,” during which she used diplomacy and war to significantly increase the nation’s territory. This study is a fantastic portrayal of Russian history in the 18th century, in addition to being a comprehensive examination of Catherine the Great one of the books to read for students.
Popular Books to Read for Students: Non-Fiction
A vast array of subjects are covered in non-fiction literature, ranging from social culture to science and history. These books are the best books to read for students to read and can help them develop their critical analysis and logical thinking abilities.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
- Author: Yuval Noah Harari
- Number of Pages: 512 pages
- Publisher: Vintage
The Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari‘s book is a multidisciplinary bestseller. The book takes a broad view, beginning with the origin of humans, and examines how they gradually evolved from a common species living in a remote part of Africa to becoming the dominant species on Earth. The four sections of the book are separated. The tale of how Homo sapiens used language and imagination to create sophisticated social institutions about 70,000 years ago is told in the first section, “The Cognitive Revolution.”
Hunter-gatherer tribes’ transition to agricultural society is examined in Part 2, “The Agricultural Revolution.” In addition to causing urbanization and population increase, this has also resulted in environmental issues and socioeconomic inequity. In the third section, “The Unity of Mankind,” the role that religion, empire, and money play in fostering human society’s unity is examined.
The last part, “The Scientific Revolution,” explores how the last 500 years of scientific advancement have had a significant impact on both the environment and human society. The author uncovers the origins of human civilization, religion, law, and more by fusing history, biology, philosophy, and economics. He also provides insightful ideas about humanity’s future. The Sapiens is considered among the best books to read for students.
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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
- Author: Susan Cain
- Number of Pages: 364 pages
- Publisher: Crown
Among the best books to read for students is Susan Cain‘s best-selling book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking examines the benefits of introversion. The book examines the status and worth of introverts in contemporary society using a plethora of examples and scientific studies. The writers note that although introverts are sometimes undervalued, they possess special abilities like independence, creativity, deep thinking, and listening. There are four sections to the book. The dominance of the “extroverted ideal” in social culture is examined in the first section.
The biological distinctions between introversion and extroversion are examined in the second section. Different cultural perspectives on introverts are covered in the third section. The fourth section focuses on coping mechanisms used by introverts in interpersonal and professional settings. The book also notes that introverts have contributed to the creation of many famous works and innovations, including Google, relativity, and the law of gravitation. The author urges introverts to embrace who they are, make use of their advantages, and figure out how to live and work that suits them.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
- Author: James Clear
- Number of Pages: 319 pages
- Publisher: Avery
One of the best books to read for students is the best-selling self-help book Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones was written by habit researcher James Clear. To assist readers in forming positive habits and breaking negative ones, this book employs scientific methodologies and useful tactics.
Cue, Craving, Response, and Reward are the “four-step model of habit” that the book suggests, and it describes the “four laws” that should be followed to form positive habits. The cue must be clear, the habit must be appealing, the action must be simple, and the reward must be fulfilling. The writers also provide numerous examples of how these techniques might help people achieve success in their industries.
I’m Glad My Mom Died
- Author: Jennette McCurdy
- Number of Pages: 319 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
In her biography I’m Glad My Mom Died, Janet McCarty discusses her difficult relationship with her mother and her upbringing as a child actress. From the age of six, McCarty’s mother forced her into acting. However, once she rose to fame, her overbearing mother not only took charge of her life but also mistreated her physically and psychologically, forcing her to follow a diet, limiting her freedom, and performing unnecessary “physical examinations.”
The book offers a deep analysis of mother-daughter relationships, emotional abuse, and self-redemption in addition to reflecting on the experiences of child actors. McCarty has raised awareness of the suffering endured by child stars and the emotional anguish experienced by families by sharing her personal experiences.
Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
- Author: Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
- Number of Pages: 268 pages
- Publisher: William Morrow
This best-selling economics book was written by Stephen J. Dubner, a reporter for The New York Times, and Steven D. Levitt, an economist at the University of Chicago. Through a distinct viewpoint and abundant data, this book delves into the underlying reasoning of numerous events that appear to be unrelated to economics.
The book examines, for instance, whether firearms are more harmful than swimming pools, the similarities between sumo wrestlers and schoolteachers, and the reasons why drug dealers continue to live with their mothers. The study of incentives—how people obtain what they desire using a variety of methods, even if they appear unthinkable to the general public—is central to economics, the authors contend. It is one of the best books to read for students.
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Outliers: The Story of Success
- Author: Malcolm Gladwell
- Number of Pages: 321 pages
- Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Outliers: The Story of Success is among the best books to read for students. Gladwell uses a plethora of case studies and research in this book to show that success is influenced by a variety of outside influences and is not only dependent on personal skill and effort. The book puts out the well-known “10,000-hour rule,” which argues that at least 10,000 hours of focused practice are necessary for greatness in any area.
The writers also look at other important elements like socioeconomic opportunity, family history, cultural inheritance, and birth time. In addition, the book explores how cultural background affects achievement, citing Asian societies’ emphasis on hard labor as a means of developing mathematical abilities. Gladwell highlights that a variety of elements, like as skill, diligence, family dynamics, and opportunity, contribute to success.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
- Author: Erik Larson
- Number of Pages: 44 pages
- Publisher: Vintage
One of the best books to read for students is this nonfiction book by American author Erik Larson. The novel centers on two storylines and is set during the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. The first tells the story of how Daniel Burnham, the fair’s principal designer, overcame all obstacles to produce this amazing event. The second tells the story of how serial killer H.H. Holmes used the joy of the fair to entice numerous young women to perish. In addition to providing a detailed account of historical events, this book explores the reasons behind people’s wildly divergent life choices.
Best Novels to Read for Students
Students can gain a deeper understanding of the world by reading books that expose them to a variety of life experiences, cultural backgrounds, and social occurrences. The novel’s intricate plot and detailed character descriptions might also inspire pupils’ creativity and imagination. These are a few well-known English-language novels for students.
The Diary of a Young Girl
- Author: Anne Frank
- Number of Pages: 430 pages
- Publisher: Rustam Prakashan
The experiences of Anne Frank, a Jewish adolescent during World War II, are recounted firsthand. Anne, her family, and two other Jewish families cowered in a hidden room in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 1942 to avoid Nazi persecution. Anne kept a journal in which she documented the secret room over this more than a two-year period of living in hiding.
She accurately portrays the pleasures and pains of people in the secret room, as well as the conflicts and reconciliation between family and friends, from the fear of war and the yearning for freedom to the bewilderment and maturation of youth. Even though she lives in a very depressing environment, Anne continues to be positive and enthusiastic about the future, and her writings demonstrate the resilience of people in dire circumstances.
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The Book Thief
- Author: Markus Zusak
- Number of Pages: 177 pages
Australian author Markus Zusak’s book The Book Thief is one of the best books to read for students, takes place in Germany during World War II. After her parents disappear, nine-year-old Liesel Meminger and her brother are compelled to go to a foster home outside of Munich. My brother passed away en route Liesel gradually gets used to her new life while being cared for by her adopted parents, Hans and Rosa. She learned to read from her adoptive father Hans and developed a book obsession. She starts stealing books since they give her comfort despite her struggles.
Hans, Liesel’s adoptive father, takes in a Jewish man named Max and conceals him in the basement as Nazi persecution of Jews worsens. In the bomb bunker, Liesel and Max make friends and read stories to their neighbors to help them feel better. But the family was not immune to the brutality of war. Liesel survived in the basement after her foster parents were killed in an air raid. Max survived the war, and Liesel went on. The novel, which is told from the viewpoint of death, demonstrates how words can be used to both destroy and save lives during times of conflict.
The Catcher in the Rye
- Author: J.D. Salinger
- Number of Pages: 116 pages
The protagonist of the famous novel The Catcher in the Rye by American author J.D. Salinger is a sixteen-year-old boy named Holden Caulfield. This was Holden’s fourth expulsion from school due to poor academics, despite coming from a rich middle-class family. He had several difficulties over his two days and two nights of wandering around New York City by himself after school. He gets pummeled for not blackmailing prostitutes, splits from his girlfriend Sally over a phony social manner, and meets riffraff at a motel.
Holden longed to live a simple life in the West, away from the complexity and hypocrisy of the adult world, horrified by the hypocrisy of the world around him. He eventually abandoned the thought of leaving home, though, after speaking with his sister Fei Bi and realizing his duty to preserve the purity. Holden becomes ill and is admitted to a nursing home at the end of the book, illustrating his difficulties and bewilderment as he matures.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
- Author: Stephen Chbosky
- Number of Pages: 237 pages
One of the best books to read for students is The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The author of this bildungsroman is Stephen Chbosky, an American. Charlie, a sensitive and timid high school student, grows up during his first year of school, and the book chronicles his journey in an epistolary fashion. Charlie, who has become reclusive as a result of a family disaster and a close friend’s suicide, writes to a stranger about his difficulties and bewilderment.
Gradually, Charlie emerges from his self-imposed bubble and starts to experience high school life thanks to his new pals Sam and Patrick. He eventually learns about the trauma of his childhood maltreatment, though, and with the support of his friends and professors, he starts to confront his inner suffering. The significance of friendship, mental health, and growing up self-exploration are just a few of the topics that are thoroughly explored in the book.
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In summary, In 2025, students have access to a wealth of books that enhance knowledge, critical thinking, and personal growth. Whether you’re looking for self-improvement, academic success, or career guidance, the right books can shape your future. Classics like Atomic Habits and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People teach productivity, while Sapiens and Thinking, Fast and Slow expand intellectual horizons. Reading fosters creativity, problem-solving, and lifelong learning, essential for success in any field. Stay ahead by exploring the best books to read for students in 2025, and unlock your potential one page at a time!