My 2025 Reading Challenge - March & April
- Shruthi Jothsana
- 5 minutes ago
- 5 min read
“The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.” ―Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
March and April have been a whirlwind for me in terms of adulting. I usually make it a point to complete my reading goals, or at least catch up if I fall behind. Unfortunately, when professional and personal responsibilities pile up in the same month, my routine gets disrupted.
I don't know how Lewis Hamilton manages it. With a major team switch, constant daily learning, and still managing to nail his look at the MET GALA 2025 as a co-chair, it's impressive. Balancing professional and personal goals, both of which he is passionate about, requires incredible determination and discipline. Inspired by his example and Stephen's quote above, I managed to put together this blog post, which was meant to be a two-part series (as I set out to write a monthly update). However, as you can see from the title, I've decided to merge it this time.
In March, I couldn't finish any book I picked up from my shelves (I won't name them here as I plan to return to them in the coming months). I ended up DNF-ing, or rather DNC-ing (Did Not Continue), after just 10-20 pages.
I admit, I didn't want to lose my streak. I craved the dopamine rush I get every time I finish a book. So, I did what any reader would do: I looked for filler books, short stories that pack a punch.
I picked up "Eleven Numbers" by Lee Child from Kindle Prime Reading recommendations and did not regret. Now mind you, I have never read any of his works before and I totally loved the pace of this book! I can only imagine how fast I can read his full-length novels.
This book is about Nathan Tyler, one who might seem like your average mathematician -bookish, curious, and a little obsessive about numbers but beneath that quiet exterior lies a man on a government mission. Tyler travels to Moscow under the guise of attending a math conference, brushing off clear government warnings. From the start, there's a sense that this trip isn't just about equations. As the layers peel back, we learn that Tyler is part of a U.S. espionage operation, sanctioned all the way up to the President. His goal? To make contact with Arkady Suslov, a reclusive Russian math genius believed to hold the key to the Kindansky Numbers, a fictional mathematical code that could unlock Russia's nuclear secrets. But things don't go as smoothly as planned. Duh! When has it, for the MC? Despite careful preparation, and a failed attempt, Tyler meets Suslov and the tension builds. The following moments throws Tyler and the reader into a fast-paced web of betrayal, politics, and a deft and rapt mind could change the fate of the world, and Tyler's.
After all that rush, I wanted to read something mellow; something I can take all in; feel. Gosh, did I pick the right book!! The first book in April. This book needs no introduction for those who have been Fredrick Backman'd before. For those who haven't, Fredrick's narration style and the storyline will leave you wanting for more. The Swede is known for creating some gem-of-a-read books.
Ove - The main male character of the story might be someone you relate to or dislike right away, wondering why he's such a hostile neighbor. However, there's a reason for his curmudgeonly nature. He's a man of firm principles and a lifestyle he refuses to deviate from.
Parvaneh is robably my second favorite character in the book after Ove. She's the new foreign neighbor who persistently tries to stop Ove from isolating himself, disrupting his plans to reconnect with his wife. Her positive attitude in conversations with him gradually thaws Ove's tough exterior, revealing the kindness he holds within.
Sonya was the ideal person to have loved Ove; a true embodiment of sunshine. I can't elaborate further without giving away too much. It's intriguing to consider how someone like her could love Ove. However, her outlook on life makes her love for Ove seem destined, which is truly perfect.
What I loved about the story:
This is a story of a man whose steadfast principles are challenged throughout his life. His determined efforts to seek justice for past events prove futile, and his unwavering plans to love his wife forever take an unexpected turn. It's a sweet and endearing story with parallel timelines of his youthful past and his present life, similar to the highs and lows you encounter on a swing. That's the feeling this book evokes. His unique way of living leads him to find family among strangers he never imagined he would speak to, let alone befriend, all thanks to Parvaneh.
Another love-hate relationship in this book that left me wanting for more is how gradually the shabby stray cat How can I not talk about the shabby cat in this book whom Ove ends up in a love-hate parenting relationship. Sassy and adorable.
His past reveals his relationship with his father and meeting his late wife, Sonya. Their story is both incredible and heartbreaking.In the current timeline, the moments where Ove's tough exterior gradually melts and his humanity begins to surface, albeit reluctantly, are where the story truly shines. You end up smiling-sobbing throughout the book. Do I mean you? No, I mean me. If you're looking for a light-hearted read that also immerses you in a wave of emotions: joy, loss, admiration, laughter, and an incredibly adorable love story that might seem impossible in real life-then this is the book for you.
The 2nd book I read in April is a bookclub read. I have always been a fan of Japanese literature. Especially their slice-of-life fiction. But this one is a mix of slice-of-life sprinkled with fantasy elements.
Lonely Castle In The Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura
What I loved most was the simplicity of the writing. It doesn't try too hard to be poetic or overly dramatic. Instead, it lets the emotions of each character breathe. Each of the seven teenagers in the story, all dealing with different shades of loneliness and pain, are given equal space to grow and speak. Kokoro, the main female character, stands out not just because the story begins with her, but because she becomes the emotional anchor in a way that feels honest and earned.
The pacing is slow but purposefully so. As each character slowly steps out of their shell, we're drawn closer, not only to them but to their unspoken struggles. When one character makes a drastic choice, the story shifts, becoming gripping and emotionally intense. Kokoro is left with a single, painful decision and in making it, she speaks to the very heart of what this book is about: saving each other, even when it's hard.
There are moments in this book that genuinely tightened my chest. The exploration of mental health is handled with care: it's intimate, strong, and most importantly, normal. There's no romanticizing or dramatizing. Just truth, and empathy.
It reminds us that healing doesn't always come in big gestures. Sometimes, it begins with simply being seen.
Well, well, well. That's all folks! 14/35 books done. :)) My May reading has kicked off well, so I will come back with a banger of a post soon! Until then, Shruthi Jothsana
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