January came and went in the blink of an eye, taking with it the last vestiges of 2024. What should have been an article on the Brussels Writers' Workshop's best reads of 2024 quickly turned into a list of books we plan to read in 2025. And since time never stands still, January is no more and here we are in February.
So, without further ado, here are the books that have caught the eye of our authors and now adorn their bedside tables, living rooms, desks, or shelves, waiting to be read. (Though, at the pace I am writing this, I would not be surprised if most have already been read...)
Nature’s Wisdom:
How to Read a Tree – Tristan Gooley. A guide to deciphering the silent language of forests, revealing the wisdom trees hold about the world around us.
History’s Weight:
The Collected Poems – Zbigniew Herbert. A powerful selection of poetry that weaves history, philosophy, and resistance into lyrical form.
Veiller sur elle – Jean-Baptiste Andrea. A poignant historical novel that intertwines art, legacy, and the passage of time.
Patriot – Navalny. A gripping memoir chronicling political activism, resistance, and the high cost of defiance in modern Russia.
Introspection:
The White Book – Han Kang. A haunting meditation on grief, memory, and the stark beauty of absence.
Orbital – Samantha Harvey. A poetic journey through time and space, offering a unique perspective on human existence.
Signor Hoffman – Eduardo Halfon. A deeply personal narrative exploring identity, migration, and heritage through a masterful blend of fiction and memory.
James: A Novel – A compelling story that delves into identity, relationships, and the fluid nature of selfhood.
Grandeur Nature – Erri De Luca. A collection of stories examining the complexities of parent-child relationships and existential questions.
The Bee Sting – A sweeping family saga that grapples with societal struggles, survival, and the ties that bind.
Tell Me Everything – Elizabeth Strout. A rich exploration of personal and relational dynamics told through Strout’s signature storytelling.
Which of these we will have read by next year remains to be seen, but if one thing is certain, it’s that books, like the passing of time, will continue to shape our stories and inspire us both within and beyond their pages.
Given the strong presence of introspective works on our list, 2025 promises to be year rich in self-exploration for our authors. I can’t wait to see, or rather read, how this deep engagement with identity, memory, and the human experience will translates into our writing.