I’ve been getting back to reading since last year, and the journey has been pretty rewarding.
In 2025, I decided to start small and slow. I signed up at a nearby library and slowly found my way back to a habit I had lost over time. Last year, I didn’t manage to cover a lot of books, but I did manage something more important—I got myself back into the groove of reading.
Over time, reading started to blend seamlessly into my everyday life. I didn’t set goals like reading a certain number of books per month or year. I didn’t challenge myself at all. And yet, January surprised me. I happened to complete three books this month.
This isn’t about showing off the number of books I read. It’s about sharing the quiet joy of how consistency—without deliberate pressure—naturally translated into results. So I thought I’d share my takeaways, what I liked, and what I learned from the books I read.
First Bite
Written by Bee Wilson, this book caught my attention while I was casually scrolling through the library shelves looking for something interesting. The title intrigued me, the synopsis drew me in, and I started reading almost immediately.
The book explores how our food preferences are shaped—by culture, early exposure, and experiences. What stood out to me the most was how strongly memory influences our relationship with food.
A warm bowl of rasam with potatoes instantly reminds me of my mother’s care, especially during sick days. Hot samosas and puffs from a local bakery take me right back to my school days. These associations quietly shape what feels comforting and familiar to us.
The book also helped explain why siblings—despite growing up eating almost the same food—can have very different tastes and preferences. If food excites you, understanding why it excites you is even more fascinating.
Roar
Roar by Stacy Sims felt like a book written by a woman, for women.
It takes us through the entire female health cycle—menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause—while covering topics like exercise, nutrition, hydration, supplements, training schedules, body load, recovery, sleep, and hormonal fluctuations.
What I appreciated most was how the book builds awareness. I’ve often wondered why on some days I feel unstoppable, while on others I struggle to push through even familiar routines. This book helped me understand that these fluctuations aren’t random or personal failures—they’re physiological.
Although the book is written with women athletes in mind, much of the information applies to every woman. It encourages us to work with our bodies instead of constantly fighting them.
This book is definitely for women who want to build awareness, act intentionally, and learn to be kinder to themselves.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
This well-known bestseller by Mark Manson doesn’t offer grand philosophies or conventional life advice. Instead, it draws from real experiences to make a simple but powerful point: accept life as it is, and choose what you care about—intentionally.
It’s not about being indifferent. It’s about being selective.
We’ve had many conversations about this at home, especially during moments when one of us feels overwhelmed. A lot of our worries revolve around what we think of ourselves, what others might think, and whether they see us the way we want to be seen. These battles show up in different forms across different areas of life.
If we take everything seriously, we drain ourselves very quickly.
My biggest takeaway from this book was this combination: acceptance, awareness, and action. When we choose our struggles and act with intention, life feels lighter—and happier.
Books have now become an integral part of my daily life. They give me space to think more, reflect more, share more, and apply what I learn to everyday living.
I’m excited to read more this year, and I hope to keep this momentum going—sharing my reading journey, recommendations, and insights here along the way.
Yourstrulyme 
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