Squiz Picks for 2025 - Reading

December 31, 2025

The things Team Squiz enjoyed reading in 2025…

The last of our recommendations from the best of 2025 are the things we enjoyed reading this year. We have a bookmark on our computer for the best of what we come across online, and this is a very refined selection. And there’s a book or 2 to boot…

Long reads

Growing Up Murdoch
The Atlantic

The media family was in the news a lot this year, and ahead of a settlement that put Lachlan Murdoch in charge of the empire, there was this article… Usually quiet on family dynamics, James talked very candidly about his dad Rupert and how he exercised power, including with his offspring. Worth the sub to read/listen to this one…

Pulled together by ABC TV’s now 7.30 political editor Jacob Greber, it’s an unflinching look at how the Coalition turned in a poor result in the federal election. Can you believe that was just 7 months ago? Yikes…

The article that started a hoo-haa or significant proportions... The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg’s piece detailing his inclusion in a group chat with the most senior leaders in US national security is epic. The scale of the slip-up was jaw-dropping, and Goldberg’s masterful storytelling makes it a winning read. It’s worth the signup (for the free trial, at least…)

The story behind how A-Ha’s song Take On Me became the earworm wreaking havoc in supermarkets and dancefloors alike. The Washington Post has done an incredible infographic story covering the Norwegian band’s formation, the iconic music video, and what’s made the song so sticky 40 years on. It’s behind a paywall, but it’s worth a sub for a month if the song or compelling storytelling are your things…

Wife of US Vice President JD Vance, she’s described her as the “most impressive person” to fill the role of America’s Second Lady (shortened to the unforgiving acronym SLOTUS…) in the last century. For a job that is just meant to “poll well and be invisible”, she’s going to continue to be in the news for a while to come...

This piece from The New Yorker about the 92yo comedy legend Carol Burnett, one of America's most beloved entertainers. She continues to influence and collaborate with today's top comedic talents, who consider her a vital predecessor. It’s a beautifully written piece, and it’s long, so settle in and enjoy.

Sweet dreams are made of this

If sleeping better is a New Year’s resolution, you might be interested to know that Sleep Republic is a top choice for comfort and support. Recommended by CHOICE and backed by the Australian Spinal Research Foundation, their award-winning 'mattress-in-a-box' is all about comfort. Experience the Sleep Republic difference with a 100-night trial, and get ready to dream.

Books

Lonely Mouth
Jacqueline Maley

It’s the second novel by Jacqueline Maley, who is an award-winning journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald/The Age. She usually writes about politics, but this is about women and the conflict many experience about their wants and needs.

The Mushroom Tapes 
Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper and Sarah Krasnostein

It chronicles the trial of triple murderer Erin Patterson as the 3 women travel back and forth from Melbourne to Morwell, taping their conversations as they go. You can also listen to the trio read it if that’s better for you…

Lists and tips…

And it was a festival for book lovers over on the ABC’s Radio National on the weekend, with the station’s Top 100 Books of the 21st Century countdown. In the end, local boy (and Squiz interviewee) Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe took the win. The people have spoken…

We reckon 2025 is the year to be informed and not overwhelmed, so we were interested in reading this piece on tips to avoid the doomscroll but still keep yourself across what's happening in the world. We'll even forgive that 'read/listen to the Squiz' isn't one of the tips…

And we’re recommended out…

Thanks for coming on this gallop through the stuff we liked in 2025. Up next - we’ll be back in your inbox on Monday, 5 January for another year of doing what we do best - being your shortcut to being informed. We can’t wait - speak to you then…