As we arrive at the midpoint of the year, 2025 has already proved itself to be a momentous one. From the tail end of a global pandemic to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, we’ve certainly had our fair share of unexpected events as of late.
In times of chaos, we all search for ways to escape, be it booking an impulsive getaway or cuing up some trashy but hypnotic reality TV. Personally, I turn to books in search of a refuge, whether it’s an engrossing work of fiction or an inspiring and informative memoir. There is no doubt the world is changing rapidly, and with the consistent information overload, it can be overwhelming trying to find one’s footing. So how do we maintain a sense of hope in volatile times?
Truthfully, there isn’t a singular solution. As much as we’d love a quick fix, the reality is there simply isn’t. But one thing to take comfort in knowing is that we are not alone. Humanity alike has grappled with sentiments of loss, despair, and radical hope since the beginning of humanity—and artists have worked relentlessly to find the answers.
Insightful reflections and heartfelt narratives course through these deeply personal stories, from a woman grappling with seismic personal loss to a trailblazer fearlessly standing up to systemic oppression. Whether you’re aspiring for change, seeking to understand or simply need a little dose of comfort as the days seem to dim, look no further as we round up a list of empowering and hopeful titles to help guide you through turbulent times below.
1 / 7
'The Year of Magical Thinking' by Joan Didion
A touching memoir by renowned author and journalist Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking chronicles a year of her life following the sudden death of her husband. The fatal loss came mere days after her daughter Quintana was hospitalised for pneumonia, which she swiftly fell unconscious from. An intensely personal examination of grief and mourning, the book explores a universal sentiment more pertinent than ever: trying to make sense of life when life seems to make no sense at all.
2 / 7
'Mornings in Jenin' by Susan Abulhawa
Born in a refugee camp in Jenin, Amal’s life began with loss—of her home, country, and heritage. In 1948, her Palestinian family was driven out of their ancestral village, with Amal’s older brother kidnapped by an Israeli soldier. From Jenin to Jerusalem, Lebanon and the foreign land of America, the novel follows one family over four generations, each grappling with their own struggles. A haunting modern classic, Mornings in Jenin is a story of faith, forgiveness, and hope.
3 / 7
'What If We Get It Right?' by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Marine biologist and conservation activist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s latest book charts an inspiring outlook of possible climate futures. Combining thoughtful discussions and interviews with evocative poetry and art, the book integrates a hopeful perspective with concrete action. In a day and age where the fear of getting things wrong often paralyses action, Johnson instead asks: what if we get it right?
4 / 7
'Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here' by Jonathan Blitzer
An epic, heartbreaking, and deeply honest recounting of lives that ebb and flow across the US-Mexico border, this book is told through the perspectives of real migrants who in spite of the risks, persist in their search for safety and a brighter future. An unprecedented reporting by Jonathan Blitzer of The New Yorker, the book paints a layered picture of the humanitarian crisis at the forefront of cultural conversation now.
5 / 7
'Reading Lolita in Tehran' by Azar Nafisi
Every Thursday morning for two years in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Azar Nafisi secretly gathered seven female students in her living room to study forbidden classics of Western literature. This bold and inspiring memoir charts Nafisi’s experiences during the Iranian revolution in 1980s, from refusing to wear a veil and her subsequent expulsion from the University of Tehran to the formation of her renegade book club. Her stories come in dialogue with the ones they review as Reading Lolita in Tehran underlines resilience in the face of political oppression and celebrates the liberating power of literature.
6 / 7
'Hope in the Dark' by Rebecca Solnit
Hope is a gift you need not surrender. The idea of hope lies at the crux of Solnit’s stirring opus, first published in 2003 against the despair of the Bush administration and the war in Iraq. While the specific geopolitical context has since passed, the propensity for defeatism and cynicism persists, as we face a world more turbulent than ever. Drawing on decades of activism, the best-selling author of Men Explain Things to Me makes a radical case for hope, as hope is more than a belief—it’s a power.
7 / 7
'The Light We Carry' by Michelle Obama
In this spirited memoir, the former First Lady shares practical wisdom and personal beliefs on how to stay hopeful and equilibrated during uncertain times. Written during the COVID-19 pandemic and dipping into her past as an African American undergraduate at Princeton in the 1980s, the book implores readers to look inward when feeling afraid or helpless, to find strength within themselves and their community.
