2025 - Another year has quietly gone by, and this time I read nine
beautiful books. It was a slower reading year for me. An injured right arm
meant I couldn’t even carry half a cup of water for a while. For someone who
swears by reading a physical copy - who believes books must be held, felt, and
turned page by page - shifting to any other format just didn’t feel right. So a
reading slump followed.
I’m still finding my way back into rhythm, back into the comfort of
getting lost in the stories and lingering with characters long after the last
page. Here is a quick recap of what I read last year.
The School for Good Mothers: A powerful fictional exploration by Jessamine Chan on modern motherhood and the weight of the societal judgement. It made me sit with uncomfortable questions about what it means to be a “good” mother in a world that watches women closely and rarely forgives their mistakes. You can read the full review in this link.
The Fury: I really enjoyed The Silent Patient, Alex
Michaelides’s debut novel, so perhaps I picked up The Fury with
similar expectations.The Fury is a psychological thriller set on a
private Greek island. Twisty, dramatic, and filled with unreliable narration,
it’s a quick and gripping read - even if it didn’t quite match the impact of
his first novel for me.
Sandwich: Yet another story that touches on motherhood - told
in a tender, witty, and deeply reflective voice. In this book, Catherine Newman
beautifully captures midlife, the shifting dynamics of parenting, and the
emotional “sandwich” phase of caring for the generations both before and after
us. Check this link for full review.
How to Stop Trying: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book
of thoughtful reflection by Kate Williams, primarily because it felt
as though she had read my mind through this book. She examines burnout culture
and the constant pressure we feel to keep striving. The book gently questions
ambition, productivity, and the quiet sacrifices we make in pursuit of what the
world defines as success. Click here to check out my full review, where I’ve
shared the striking similarities I found between my own experiences and her
narrative.
The Perfumist of Paris: Another author who had impressed me
with an earlier read, Alka Joshi, did not disappoint with The
Perfumist of Paris, the final book in The Jaipur Trilogy. Rich
with scent, identity, reinvention, and belonging, it feels especially
meaningful for anyone navigating cultural duality.
The Explosive Child: A thorough practical, compassionate,
and eye-opening book on parenting by Ross W. Greene. This book reshapes
how we view challenging behaviour in children - shifting from punishment to
understanding lagging skills and unmet needs. A must read for every parent.
Geographies of the Heart - Stories from Newcomers to Canada: A moving collection
of stories detailing the journey, sacrifices and hardships of people who
immigrated to Canada due to various reasons. It is an emotional, quietly
powerful and motivational read - especially resonant with anyone building a
life in a new country.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop: This book authored by Satoshi Yagisawa
in Japanese and translated by Eric Ozawa to English, seemed to be the perfect
choice for me last year given the light reading my hand could handle . It is
gentle, comforting, and book-lover centric. A story about healing through
second hand books and quiet Tokyo streets, will surely make you fall in love
with this author.
More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop: After
reading Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, I couldn’t wait to read this sequel –
More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, it’s a warm continuation that lingers in the
same soft world - about belonging, bookstores, and small emotional awakenings.
After enjoying Japanese authors like Satoshi and Toshikazu Kawaguchi, I now
look forward to reading more works by Japanese authors. There is
something very comforting and gentle in the stories they tell.
Reading felt different this year. It was less about quantity and racing
through pages - more about sitting with sentences. I’m still rebuilding my
reading rhythm, still reaching for physical copies and still loving the weight of
a book in my hands. But this year reminded me that even in slowness, stories
find us. And maybe that’s enough.
Here’s to turning more pages in 2026 - gently, mindfully, and at my own
pace.
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