Past Reads

These are the books I’ve read since the beginning of October (in order):

1. The Alchemist
2. A Little Life
3. Tales from the Café
4. Man's Search for Meaning
5. No More Mr. Nice Guy
6. The Kite Runner
7. Godan (not in the photo)
8. A Thousand Splendid Suns
9. Animal Farm

Before this list, I was always drawn to thrillers and occasionally enjoyed a few self-help books like Mindset and Atomic Habits. But after reading A Little Life, I started exploring a completely different genre. It is not that I am specifically seeking sad novels. I am more interested in understanding how characters respond to pain, what keeps them moving forward, and the emotional depth behind their choices.

I have realised that fiction can teach as much as real-life experiences do, sometimes even more. Certain stories stay with you and shape how you see the world long after you finish them.

Here are some of the things I learned from these books(in no particular order):

1. Life is beautiful, so take time to enjoy small moments because they often give life its meaning.
2. Humor can carry you through even your darkest phases.
3. The journey often matters more than the destination.
4. Love freely, spread kindness, and expect nothing in return. Happiness follows.
5. Family is not always about blood. It is about the people who make you feel at home.
6. You are not always aware of the compromises someone makes to keep a relationship going. Be appreciative.
7. Stay humble when life gets tough and stay optimistic even when the world feels heavy.
8. Hope gives life meaning. Do not lose it, even when you feel at your lowest.
9. People are often willing to help. Sometimes you only need to ask.
10. There is joy hidden in chaos. You only need to show up and look for it.
11. Try not to judge others too quickly. You might act the same if you were in their place.
12. A mother’s willpower is unmatched.
13. You sometimes need to let go of certain boundaries and make compromises in order to give and receive love.
14. Put yourself first. Being true to who you are will not please everyone and that is fine.
15. Value the time you have with people. When they leave this life, cherish the joy they brought you rather than drowning in sorrow.
16. All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

This reading streak has helped me appreciate the beauty that exists even in stories filled with despair. These books have made me more curious about learning from experiences, both real and fictional.

Current read: Never Let Me Go
Next up: Intermezzo, Before the Memory Fades Away, All the Light We Cannot See

Feel free to recommend more books, would be happy to add them to my list.