I’ve read 42 books in 2025- a number assigned by my Goodreads account to my recorded reads from the year! I usually manage to read 30 books a year. But this year, I moved countries, got access to a free library and was living a happy married life with someone who knows how to cook me warm meals. And hence, with all the time (& resources) in hand, I decided to indulge in this pleasurable activity of reading, for some extra hours. I read them slowly- between workdays, outdoors in summer, and in moments when my mind needed anchoring and a reset. Some books were just okay, some comforted me, and some gave me fresh perspectives on ambition, identity, creativity, and balance.
This blog isn’t about “the best books I read in 2025 and why you should read them too”, but about the books that met where I was and stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
I read this book early this year. And this wasn’t an easy read- emotionally or mentally. Anyway, I didn’t pick Kafka for that either. I picked this because it has been sitting in my TBR, and maybe I needed a reality check at the moment. Gregor Samsa’s transformation felt less about becoming an insect and more about becoming invisible. Well, I was in the same boat as I uprooted my “perfect” life in my home country and moved to a fast-paced country. What comes next with this move is an identity crisis, self-doubt, confusion, and a productivity slump. In the book, as soon as Gregor turned into an insect and stopped being productive and useful, the love, empathy and patience of people around him eroded. It made me think deeply about the modern work culture, burnout, and how easily people are reduced to functions. A disturbing book- yes! But an honest one? A thousand times yes!!
Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche
I am biased when it comes to classics- I lean on them the moment something goes wrong in my life. And so I picked this, another great read. This isn’t a book you read in one sitting or at one go. It is a book you wrestle with, as it holds a mirror and confronts the beliefs and values you hold. The only condition to like this book is — you should be okay with challenging your thought process. I didn’t agree with everything written, but I appreciated how it forced me to question moral certainty, conformity, and the fear of standing alone in thought. It didn’t comfort me, but it offered me clarity when I needed it the most.
Evolution Gone Wrong: The Curious Reasons Why Our Bodies Work by Alex Bezzerides
I love reading books on evolution. This was a random pick from the local library as I found the title interesting (Yes, I do judge a book by its cover and title). Books have this strange way of picking their readers. It somehow knows who wants to read what and at what time in their life. This random pick of mine was a lesson on how nature experiments, errs, and adapts as the environment demands. It reminded me that imperfection isn’t a failure; it’s a feature of growth. There was something strangely reassuring about understanding that even nature evolves at its own pace and over a period of time, not at once. It shifted how I think about human limitations and self-criticism.
Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott
This year was full of creativity blocks for me. I love to lean on nature, my best friend, and travel to deal with it. However, I wasn’t able to reach any of them in person this year. And hence, the universe sent this book to me in the form of a mentor. It talks about writing and all that comes with it- fear, the idea to write that perfect piece, and a lot of self-doubt. It validated my state of mind while guiding me to slow down, take a deep breath, and just start with where I stand with my thoughts. This book is an elaborated version of “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, and so your next book doesn’t have to be written in one sitting.
Wa: The Art of Balance by Kaki Okumara
I have been reading Kaki Okumara’s Medium blogs for more than a year now. It is one of those few blogs I have subscribed to that reach my mailbox. I picked up this book in December. It was another random find in my local library. As I said, the books pick their readers at the right time and at the right place- I found this book after an entire year of hustle and when I was taking a break from being overworked. This is a book on slow and intentional living, but with balance. The book talks about the Japanese philosophy of Wa- finding balance between work and rest, ambition and peace and individuality and community. What I loved about this book? It didn’t preach. It gently nudged. And yet again, another book that validated my thoughts with exactly what I needed.
Besides the above, I also read a few books that had such a lasting impact on me that I wrote complete blogs on them. In my defence, they deserve that attention! Here are links to those-
Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family by Mitch Albom
Looking back, these books mirror the year I had- introspective, questioning, creative, and quietly transformative. If you’re someone who reads not just for information but for perspective, I hope at least one of these finds its way to you at the right time.