In recent years, model-off-duty has become a bona fide fashion genre—usually marked by oversize leather jackets, black sunglasses, and, perhaps unexpectedly, a book in hand. Kendall Jenner is always reading the latest contemporary fiction on a yacht. Kaia Gerber has a book club. But no one has mastered the it-girl-meets-lit-girl look like 20-time Vogue cover model Liya Kebede.
“Books have always been my safe space, my source of inspiration, and a way to make sense of the world when it feels overwhelming,” says the model and designer behind resort and swimwear brand Lemlem. “I really believe that the stories we read shape us.” Having long thrown her current read into the bottom of a handbag, Kebede spent the pandemic figuring out how to “lighten the load,” designing a single-purpose Book Bag that became the centerpiece of her new brand Liyabrarie. Two straps of leather and a strong spine encircle a book slung elegantly over the shoulder.
Heading into the new year, Kebede is already thinking about what she might strap into her crossbody. Here, she shares a reading list for 2025—a mix of new releases, well-worn classics, and personal favorites she can't wait to revisit. “These books are more than just stories to me,” she says. “They are windows into different worlds, mirrors for my own thoughts, and sources of growth.” Which will you be picking up this year?
1. The Seers (2023) by Sulaiman Addonia
What I love most about The Seers is how Sulaiman Addonia completely flips the script on traditional refugee narratives. Characters like Hannah are so much more than their displacement. They’re bold, free-spirited, and refreshingly complex. Addonia does not shy away from the messy, intimate parts of their lives, from sexuality to emotion to gender fluidity. Instead, these are just as central to the narrative as their survival story. It’s raw, beautiful, and so important. The first paragraph alone is everything.
2. Une enfance française (2024) by Farida Khelfa
Farida Khelfa’s memoir hit me right in the heart. Having grown up in France as the daughter of Algerian immigrants, Khelfa wrote a book that is honest and unfiltered. It reminded me how powerful it is to own your story, no matter how complicated or imperfect it might be. This book made me reflect on my own roots, my journey, and the courage it takes to embrace both.
3. Let the Light Pour in (2023) by Lemn Sissay
Lemn Sissay’s poetry has this way of speaking directly to your soul. His words are vivid, emotional, and unflinching. They make you stop and really feel. I find myself coming back to it whenever I need a reminder of something bigger than myself. It’s like a warm, comforting hug and a wake-up call all at once. Simple yet always deep.
4. Father, The More Loving One (2024) by Kiki Denis
Kiki Denis’s writing is such an honest and tender exploration of family, love, and everything in between. It left me thinking deeply about my own relationships, what it means to truly love, and the lasting impact families can have on us. It’s one of those stories that lingers past the last page.
5. Beloved (1987) by Toni Morrison
It's a cornerstone of American literature. This book is unforgettable. Toni Morrison’s writing is so poetic and haunting, it draws you into the story and doesn’t let you go. Beloved deals deeply with history, trauma, and resilience. It’s a hard read, but oh-so-necessary. It is a brutal reminder of how the past shapes us and the strength it takes to move forward.
6. The Three-Body Problem (2008) by Cixin Liu
If you’ve ever wanted a book that completely blows your mind, this is it. The Three-Body Problem takes science fiction to another level, blending philosophy, humanity, and the vast unknown. Reading it feels like my imagination expanding. It’s the kind of book that makes you wonder about the universe and our place in it.
7. The Covenant of Water (2023) by Abraham Verghese
This book has been on my mind for a while now. I gravitate toward multigenerational sagas, and this one, set in South India, offers a great opportunity to learn about the culture through the eyes of its characters.
8. Cutting for Stone (2009) by Abraham Verghese
Set in Ethiopia, and also written by Verghese, I’m excited to once again immerse myself in his captivating narratives and see how my own culture is reflected through his unique perspective.
9. Giovanni’s Room (1956) by James Baldwin
James Baldwin is a master at putting raw, complex emotions into words. Giovanni’s Room is heartbreakingly beautiful—full of love, longing, and heartbreak all at once. It’s one of the most tender and brave stories I’ve ever read about identity and relationships. I recommend it to everyone because it’s just that powerful. This is a book I keep rereading.
10. We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For (2024) by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
This book is a wake-up call, reminding us that leadership and change come from within. Drawing on thinkers like John Dewey, Baldwin, and Morrison, Eddie Glaude inspires us to find inner strength and imagine a kinder, more just world. His message, delivered with empathy, honesty, and urgency, encourages self-reinvention and collective transformation, reminding us that “the wings belong to us, still.”
11. Don’t Believe Everything You Think (2022) by Joseph Nguyen
This is one of the most practical books I’ve read, and it’s completely changed the way I see my own thoughts. It’s helped me understand how much power my mind has and how often I get stuck in unhelpful patterns without realizing it. It’s such an eye-opener. I can’t stop recommending it to people!
12. What’s Left of the Night (2015) by Ersi Sotiropoulos
This felt like stepping into the mind of a young Constantine Cavafy, full of passion, doubt, and creative energy. Ersi Sotiropoulos brings three days the poet spent in Paris in 1897 to life with such vivid, poetic prose, capturing the highs and lows of chasing your art and staying true to yourself. It’s a perfect read for anyone who’s ever dreamed big or felt the magnetic pull to create something meaningful.
13. The Year of Magical Thinking (2005) by Joan Didion
As a lover of beautifully crafted prose and deeply personal stories—particularly about loss and grief—I’m looking forward to reading this poignant memoir.
