The Bell Jar — A look inside a fragile mind

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Done reading The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, and honestly, it left me with a lot to think about. I really loved her metaphor about the fig tree.

"I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked. ... I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet."

It’s such a powerful way to explain choices, possibilities, and the fear of missing out. At the same time, I found myself struggling with her thought process. Esther gives off a kind of “mean girl” energy at times, but I also can’t help pitying her because she’s clearly suffering mentally. It’s heartbreaking to realize how deeply her pain affected her life, and learning that Plath ended her own life in such a brutal way makes the book even heavier to process.

Overall, The Bell Jar is intense and raw. It’s poetic but unsettling, and it really makes you reflect on mental health, identity, and the pressures women face.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less — Simplify to Amplify

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Have you ever felt like you’re doing a hundred things but not really moving forward? That’s exactly what McKeown tackles. The biggest lesson I got from it is that if you really want something, you have to accept the "trade-offs", you can’t do it all. That hit me hard because I tend to stretch myself too thin, saying yes to too many things.

The book is simple and practical, though it does get a little repetitive at times. Still, the message is solid: doing less isn’t about missing out, it’s about focusing on what matters most and doing it better. A gentle reminder I know I will need every now and then.

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life — The Art of Living Well

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A gentle and uplifting read that explores the Japanese concept of ikigai, your reason for being, the thing that gives life meaning. I enjoyed how it blends stories from Okinawa with practical wellness habits and reflections on purpose. It’s not heavy or difficult, more like a friendly reminder to slow down, enjoy the little things, and live with intention. That said, some sections felt a bit surface-level, almost like they skimmed over deeper ideas. For me, this book is one you keep nearby to revisit whenever you need a reset.

Why We Sleep — Unlocking the Science of Rest

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I remember sharing this book with friends and family because it really opened my eyes to just how important sleep is, and yet here I am writing this review at 2 a.m., lol. Why We Sleep is genuinely one of the most informative books I’ve read about health and wellbeing.

Walker explains the different stages of sleep, the consequences of missing it, and the surprising ways it impacts memory, creativity, immunity, and emotional health, showing the sleep deprivation has serious long-term effects on our health. The book also challenges societal norms that undervalue sleep, urging readers to make rest a priority.

Walker’s style is clear and engaging, making complex science easy to understand without losing depth. For me, it was a wake-up call 👀 that made me want to rethink my own sleep habits.

“Make sleep great again!” 👊🏻😴