The long gap in my blog postings marks a hiatus. I’ve been busy, or perhaps more accurately, I’ve been diligently focusing on my life. Additional responsibilities have taken up most of my time. I had long forgotten that I was once an avid reader—I used to devour around 20-30 books a year, diligently reviewing and posting them on my blog. Ah, another phase of my life.
As I find myself moving along a different trajectory now, I have some spare time to rekindle those habits and don my blogger cap once again.
It wouldn’t be entirely accurate to say I haven’t been reading at all these years, but the number of books has certainly decreased compared to earlier years. Since relocating to the UAE, buying books would put a significant dent in my pocket, so I turned to subscriptions and libraries. I subscribed to an audiobook platform, Storytel, to experience the charisma of listening to stories. And I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The UAE boasts amazing libraries scattered across all the Emirates. I often borrow one or two books, though, let me be honest here—I’ve struggled to finish them. In contrast, audiobooks have been an anchor, keeping the reader in me afloat. Allow me to share a small review, or rather, a small rant, on the books I absolutely loved from the years 2022 to 2024.
During these years, I delved into some exceptional Japanese and Korean literature that captured my heart. While I’ve read Murakami’s books, I realized it wasn’t enough to explore the Asian side of the literary world. The beauty of Japanese culture intrigued me to delve deeper into its literature. Unlike many Gen Z kids, I couldn’t quite get into Korean dramas. Despite trying a couple of times with popular Korean shows on Netflix, I realized they weren’t my cup of tea.
Let’s talk about some of the books I read. First up is “Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee. It’s a beautifully written and meticulously researched novel that chronicles the story of a Korean family living in Japan from the early 1900s to the late 1980s. The book spans four generations of the family, delving into their struggles with identity, belonging, and discrimination in a country that doesn’t fully embrace them.
Lee paints a vivid portrait of Korean culture and history, shining a light on the often overlooked experiences of Koreans living in Japan. It’s a gripping and poignant novel that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. I highly recommend it—it’s a must-read.
Another favorite of mine is “If Cats Disappeared from The World” by Genki Kawamura. As a self-proclaimed cat lover, this book resonated with me in the most delightful way. It transported me to a world where the bond between humans and cats is beautifully explored. Each page had me reflecting on life, love, and the things that truly matter. Whether you’re a fellow cat person or simply appreciate heartwarming stories, this book is for you.
Next up is a childhood favorite of mine, a Malayalam novel titled “Unnikuttante Lokham” by Nandhanar. I picked up this book out of nostalgia, longing for my homeland Kerala. I missed it terribly at one point and wanted to reconnect with that old warmth and familiarity. This book took me down memory lane, offering a glimpse into 1960s Kerala, where the innocence of a boy’s life unfolds against a backdrop of lush landscapes. It’s an absolute must-read, though I recommend reading it in Malayalam itself to truly feel the subtlety, rawness, and nostalgia.
There are other books I listened to that I’d like to mention— “The Strange Library” by Haruki Murakami, “Normal People” by Sally Rooney (a word about this book: it’s over-hyped, in my opinion), “The Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo, “How to Live your Life” by Ruskin Bond, “Art Matters” by Neil Gaiman, “Turtles All The Way Down” by John Green, “Mary Ventura and the Ninth Kingdom” by Sylvia Plath, and “Letters to a Young Muslim” by Omar Saif Ghobash.
In conclusion, you can expect more blogs from me covering not only book reviews but also series and movies I’ve watched and enjoyed. I assure you, they will amaze you. I’d love to hear from you in the comments section, and you can also connect with me on social media—Instagram and Facebook.
Until next time, goodbye.
