This list is compiled of some of the best reads as far back as the 60s all the way up to December of 2024. Whether you like to get through a book a week, or can only find the time to sit with something every other month — this compilation of novels, self-help, memoirs, and inside looks into the lives of our favorite celebrities — is packed with incredible stories and lots of advice. So get cozy or sit by your pool and see which books on Gazette Gal's list you can get through in 2025!
This poignant and deeply personal memoir by artist and writer Annamarie Tendler is a powerful exploration of womanhood, mental health, and reclaiming one’s narrative. Through lyrical prose, Tendler invites readers into her experiences of heartbreak, healing, and the societal pressures women face. The book’s title nods to the age-old tendency to dismiss women’s emotions and experiences, and Tendler’s storytelling makes it clear just how wrong that narrative is. Perfect for anyone seeking to validate their emotions and find strength in vulnerability, this book is a must-read for starting 2025 on a reflective and empowering note.
If you love to read Vogue, or just want to be a media mogul, this is an amazing read. Odell’s biography highlights Wintour’s journey from a small fashion boutique in London to her trip to New York to break into the editorial industry where she found her place. The book delves into many niche qualities of the legend and her journey to becoming the icon she is today, by calling on many of her close friends and allies in the media world.
With a follow-up title of “doormat to dreamgirl” you could only imagine the things that fill these pages. Argov does an amazing and attentive job in explaining why taking charge as a woman makes you more attractive and appealing to your significant other. With a tone of humor, and the integration of real-life scenarios, this book is sure to keep you on your feet, and immediately turning pages. This is a perfect guide for the “nice girl” who feels the needs to make a change and put her foot down under any circumstance.
Self-help books tend to be stigmatized, but this national bestseller turned into a Hulu series — proving just how many readers could not put it down. Drawing on her own experiences, author Cheryl Strayed is real with her audience which is what makes the themes of discovery, honesty, and empathy to make you the best version of yourself. This advice driven book shows pain, love, desperation, and vulnerability. If you are looking for some compassionate insight into the different factors of life that make you feel the depth of life's greatest ups and downs, this is a must read for you, and we assure you it's a page turner.
Julia Fox’s personal memoir is nothing short of amazing. We get to delve deeper into the upbringing that made her the person she is today. She highlights her rise to fame, various relationships, addiction, and recovery that have shaped her into being self-empowering in the face of adversity, while staying true to her unapologetic self. Not only does she reflect on who she is, but the beautiful flaws and truths of life, as well as the cultural phenomenons she is intimate with. If you are looking for something raw and real to start off the new year, check this out!
Many of us have already watched the book's accompanying TV series, but this novel was something I truly couldn't put down. In fact, it was named one of the top books of the year by various publications and college reviews. This is a story about love and friendship featuring two teenagers both growing up in the same small town in Ireland, only to wind up at the same college. The difference is that the one of the is popular, and the other is lonely. Their contrasting backgrounds socially and economically lead the two to deal with various things when it comes to different anxieties, attraction, and thrives off the emotional complexity of the writing. You'll have to read the book to find out the nitty gritty details — you might read it in one sitting.
Model and activist Emily Ratajkowski’s collection of essays delves into the complexities of beauty, identity, and power. In My Body, Ratajkowski examines the intersections of femininity, commodification, and self-worth with stunning honesty. She doesn’t shy away from hard questions about societal expectations and the objectification of women, but she also explores what it means to take back control of your own narrative. If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of how the world views women and how you can push back, this book is a thought-provoking and vital read.
This classic from 1967 was brought back to our screens through #booktok, and every page is well worth it. De Beauvoir goes into three different stories about three different women, all of whom have been affected by something different. However, each woman is clearly trying to rebuild their life whether they are heroic or stoic, as all three are years past their youth. Whether there's an affair, abandonment, or pure shock — these women are witty and complex, making the book all the more interesting. If you're looking for a book to burry your head in this year, this classic could be for you.
Part memoir, part guide to navigating adulthood, Dolly Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love is a relatable and heartwarming exploration of friendships, romance, and self-discovery. Alderton’s witty and candid writing resonates with anyone who has ever struggled with growing pains or the fear of not having it all figured out. Her reflections on love — in all its forms — serve as a reminder that the relationships we build with ourselves and others are what truly matter. If 2025 is your year to embrace connection and personal growth, Alderton’s words will guide you with warmth and humor.
Though originally published decades ago, Naomi Wolf’s The Beauty Myth remains a timeless examination of how beauty standards are used as a form of control over women. Wolf’s insights feel as relevant as ever in today’s world of curated social media feeds and endless comparisons. This book challenges readers to reflect on their relationship with beauty, self-image, and societal expectations. As you move into 2025, let Wolf’s words inspire you to reclaim your sense of self beyond the mirror.
While not explicitly targeted toward women, James Clear’s Atomic Habits is a transformative guide to building the life you want through small, actionable changes. Clear’s science-backed strategies for habit formation and personal growth make this book a practical addition to any wellness toolkit. If your 2025 goals include improving your routines, boosting productivity, or finding balance, this book offers tangible steps to make those aspirations a reality. It’s the perfect blend of reflection and action, helping you lay the foundation for lasting change.
This book is broken up into four parts — you should read every single one, through and through. If you are in the mood to make a change to your life, this is a book you shouldn't live without. You can gain the potential and learn how to unlock the different pieces to a magnetic life, where you can put the things you desire into your reality and create joy. This combines clear mindset, courage, happiness, and fear to unlock the keys to the ways in which you can attract an ultimate positivity for your life by aligning your behaviors with your dreams. If you're on the manifestation wave like I am this new year, this is a no-brainer.
Although this book was released over a decade ago, Tina Fey is a timeless gal! This was perfectly hilarious to kick back and relax with whether on the couch or in the bath! Fey delves into female success on SNL and 30 Rock as well as her experience with motherhood. You will not stop laughing out loud, yet learning meaningful life lessons about women in the industry, advice, and the ins and outs of her incredible career. Between recurring stress dreams and college romances, you cannot escape this light hearted classic that you won't be able to put down.
This psychological thriller is full of dark and twisted family secrets. Protagonist Demi wants to be freed from her captor, and willingly applies for a job with a wealthy family who invites her to their estate to work. After getting the position — she becomes increasingly aware that this is no coincidence, and the Ivory family leads with an estate full of deadly secrets where Demi comes to terms with the fact that she is taking part in a human experiment that she did not consent to. If you're interested in a nail-biter, definitely pick this up.
This novel is part of the Big Little Lies series by Moriarty, and I could not put it down after the first chapter! The suspenseful story, character development, and the protagonist being a woman that has it all...but doesn't really makes cultivates an unexpected grip that does not disappoint. When Celia finds a life shattering letter from her husband that is only meant to be read after he is dead, she has a million obstacles to overturn considering her husband is alive and well. This book should come flying off the shelves and into your hands if you are looking for a thrilling piece with the highest of reviews.
This best seller encompasses the ultimate tales of true old Hollywood glamour in the 1950s. Movie icon Evelyn Hugo was never allowed to talk about the true love of her life, but entrusts a reporter to finally dish out her scandalous history of relationships. Hugo's story delves into the subjects of life, love, intimacy, wealth, and reputation alongside an ambitious journalist who is determined to report her truths to the best of their ability. This novel was packed with suspense and the characters are extremely intriguing. The genuine and heartfelt tale will take you mere days to get through, will get you thinking, and is certainly an acquired taste.
This on the rise self-motivating podcaster and New York Times Bestselling Author has provided their readers with the ultimate tool and guide to stepping into your happiest self, with a focus on being you. She writes about how it's important to let go of the little things, stop comparing yourself to others, and packs this book full to the brim with life changing information on how to achieve your greatest self and reach your ultimate life goals in the most effective ways. Included are other lessons about the importance of solid friendships and love to help you define your path to fulfillment. If you're looking to really get in line this 2025, this new read can serve as a guide to help you achieve personal and professional successes.
If you are feeling emotionally drained from 2024, step into a new perspective with this incredible book. Released in 2022, this book assists readers to tap into the dangers of emotional harm and teaches us how to end this in order to become unaffected by negative emotions. The wording alone is standout among any other books of the sort, and Ngyuen harps on the idea that preventing darkness is the best way to let the light in — acknowledging the importance and direct link of positivity and successful life experiences. This is a perfect book to open yourself to light and hit the reset button on your emotions at any point.
What is now noticed as Palm Royale on AppleTV+, this bittersweet and hilarious tale of divorced Maxine and her ex-husband trying to fit into higher society is an unbelievable read. She is a former beauty queen just looking for some validation has her eyes on a new prize as a Mrs. American Pie pagent contestant looking to present herself as the best mother and woman possible to regain societal trust. This story set in the Nixon 60s is an instant classic and you will finish this before you know it! Maxine's messy life frames her as the ultimate woman and heroine.
With nothing to lose, fear or hide — Al Pacino, better known as The Godfather is finally his own storyteller. His inspiring story about his first role, and The Godfather franchise provides perspective on his upbringing which gives reason for his niche and craft. He tells the story behind his family providing reason as to why he saw acting as such a lifeline, where he used his art to build both himself and his community up with a mentally unstable, yet loving mother. This heartfelt story is inspiring by taking on a raw inside look into the soul and mind of one of the century's greatest actors.
