Which books are special for you?

Has this ever happened to you? When someone is reading a book you have already read and it makes you think ‘Oh wow that book is amazing and I loved it but don’t ask me about the plot, because I only remember how it made me feel?’ - very specific, I know! (Also, just to be clear I still know what the book is about but not in detail.)

I may not always remember the whole story however I remember how it made me feel.

They say the right book comes into your life at just the right moment. A good book chat or a blog post could lead to a book recommendation with the story you might need at a specific time in your life. Some of you might have even noticed that I don’t leave ratings on books.

I don’t like to rate books because I feel that our connection to the story is very personal, our life experiences are different, and therefore I’m not placed to judge someone's work just because they are not a fit for me or perhaps I’m not the intended audience for it. Rating books are subjective. My reviews consist of how I feel about the book in general and are more bookish thoughts. I also don’t want to discourage anybody from reading a book they might be interested in just because I did not like it.

What one person will love, another will not. Sharing reading experiences is something I strongly believe in.

Reading can help us in so many ways. There are a few books that left a significant impact on my life when I read them for the first time and change something in me. You might look at the list and wonder why is that? You might not even like those books. The feelings might differ if I were to re-read them, but looking back on them fills my heart with happiness. You never know, I might even pick them up again soon.

I read the first one in my early 20s and the rest over time.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

May your reading journey evolve with every page you read.

Sincerely,

Diana