Notes from the Underground — A Dark Dive into the Human Psyche

Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first time reading Fyodor Dostoevsky, and now I’m curious to explore more of his work. Notes from Underground is intense, raw, and deeply human. Half of it feels like a deep philosophical rant, the other half like a personal confession, all from a narrator who’s bitter, self-aware, and full of contradictions.

The Underground Man challenges the idea that humans are purely logical, saying we actually crave freedom, even if it means choosing to suffer. Not gonna lie, this was a bit hard for me to grasp at first 😅, but it’s totally worth it. By the end, it made me want to read more of Dostoevsky’s work.

And TBH, I found myself relating to him more than I expected... his overthinking, self-awareness, wanting connection but also craving solitude, and questioning life’s meaning felt so human.

The Silent Patient — A Psychological Thriller That Hooks You

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the book that pulled me out of a reading slump and I think it’s because psychological thrillers are my comfort genre. From the very beginning, the story hooked me with its eerie atmosphere and sense of mystery. What I liked most was how the tension slowly builds, keeping you second-guessing everyone’s motives without ever feeling dragged out.

It’s one of those books that makes you want to keep turning pages just to piece together the truth. If you’re into dark, psychological stories that play with your mind, this is definitely worth picking up.

The Stranger — Life, Meaning, and the Absurd

The Stranger by Albert Camus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There’s something striking about The Stranger, its brevity and depth working hand in hand. Meursault doesn’t live his life like most of us expect people to. Detached, observant, and indifferent, he moves through life without illusions. The story isn’t just about what he does; it’s about how little meaning he assigns to life and how society reacts to that.

Camus writes plainly, almost sparingly, yet every sentence carries weight. The book lingers not because of a dramatic plot, but because of the questions it leaves behind. For me, it wasn’t just a read, it was an experience that made me question existence itself.

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!” 👊🏻😴

The Prophet — Timeless Words on Life and Love

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was actually recommended to me by a Lebanese friend, and I think it was such a good pick. It is different from my usual reads, but I found it refreshing and deeply meaningful. It’s a collection of poetic essays that reflect on life, love, freedom, work, and death, all delivered through the voice of a prophet preparing to leave a city he’s lived in for years.

What I liked most is how timeless it feels. Gibran’s words are simple yet poetic, almost like wisdom that could apply to any generation. It’s not just a book, this feels more like a spiritual guide, offering reflections that you can return to again and again. For me, it was a beautiful change of pace and a reminder that sometimes stepping into a different genre can be surprisingly rewarding.