Book 1: Every Day I Read by Hwang Bo-Reum

Before I even opened this book, I was already in love with the cover. It’s absolutely gorgeous. The kind of cover that makes you want to buy the book and hang a print of it on your wall.
Inside, Every Day I Read is a collection of short, thoughtful essays that are easy to dip into and surprisingly comforting. Hwang Bo-Reum’s passion for reading shines through every page, and her reflections on books, reading habits, and choosing what to read feel both personal and relatable.
One section that particularly stayed with me was her discussion about forgetting what we’ve read. As someone who occasionally panics after realizing I can barely remember the plot of a book I enjoyed six months ago, I found her perspective reassuring. Bo-Reum argues that books change us while we’re reading them, and that their impact remains even when the details fade. I needed that reminder.
At first, some of the advice felt almost too simple. After all, if you’re picking up a book about reading, chances are you don’t need much encouragement to read more. But as the essays build upon one another, they gradually create a thoughtful exploration of how books shape us intellectually, emotionally, and socially.
What resonated most was the belief that stories help us make sense of the world and ourselves. Fiction can bring order to internal and external chaos in ways that is difficult to explain.
A warm, reflective read for anyone who loves books and occasionally wonders why they matter so much.

Every Day I Read on Amazon

Book 2: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

You read it once and remember for a lifetime.
Maya Angelou’s memoir is heartbreaking, powerful, beautiful, and deeply human all at once. With remarkable honesty and grace, she recounts her childhood experiences, transforming personal pain into a story of resilience, identity, and self-discovery.
What amazed me most was Angelou’s voice. Even when writing about difficult and traumatic experiences, her prose remains lyrical, insightful, and filled with compassion. She has an extraordinary ability to make readers feel every emotion while never losing sight of hope.
I found myself pausing to reflect, and rereading sentences simply because they were so beautifully written. Few books manage to be both emotionally devastating and profoundly uplifting, but Angelou accomplishes exactly that.
An unforgettable classic that reminds us why Maya Angelou remains one of the most important literary voices of our time.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings on Amazon

Book 3: Gather Together in My Name by Maya Angelou

Gather Together in My Name completely captivated me. Maya Angelou has an extraordinary ability to write about hardship, mistakes, resilience, and survival with such honesty that you can’t help but be drawn into her world. This memoir follows her young adulthood, and what unfolds is a journey that is often messy, heartbreaking, surprising, and deeply human.
What struck me most was Angelou’s refusal to present herself as flawless. She shares her experiences with remarkable candor, allowing readers to witness not only her struggles but also her growth. No matter what challenges life throws at her, Angelou moves forward with courage, curiosity, and determination. Even in her darkest moments, there is a sense of hope and resilience that shines through the pages.
Her writing is, unsurprisingly, magnificent. Every chapter feels alive with emotion, observation, and wisdom. Few authors can make everyday experiences feel so profound, but Angelou does it effortlessly.
An unforgettable memoir from one of the greatest voices in literature. Five stars on paper, ten stars in my heart.

Gather Together in My Name on Amazon

Other reviews that you may like:

Book 1: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

The Body Keeps the Score was a more challenging read than I expected.

There’s no denying the depth of research that went into this book, particularly its examination of PTSD among war veterans and the systemic failures that often leave trauma survivors without adequate support. Those sections were informative, even if they sometimes left me feeling frustrated by the realities being described.

At the same time, the book’s textbook-like style and the weight of the subject matter made it a dense read. Many of the case studies felt longer than necessary, and I found myself thinking that a significant portion could have been condensed without losing the core message.

I also struggled with some of the framing around certain patient stories, particularly where responses to trauma seemed to be presented in ways that I wasn’t entirely comfortable with.

What kept me reading was the discussion of trauma treatment and recovery. The sections on EMDR were especially intriguing, though I wished the book had explored the therapy in greater depth given how promising it appeared.

An important and influential book with valuable insights, but one that didn’t completely work for me as a reading experience.

Amazon

Book 2: The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest

The Mountain Is You was a mixed reading experience for me.

The central idea of transforming self-sabotage into self-mastery is an interesting one, and there were a few practical tools and reflective exercises that I found genuinely useful.

That said, much of the book felt repetitive, with many points echoing the kind of advice you might hear in self-improvement podcasts. I also found myself wishing for more research-backed discussion and clearer references to the psychological concepts being explored.

It’s not a bad book, but I wouldn’t recommend it as the only book someone reads on the topic. As part of a broader reading list on habits, mindset, and personal growth, it has value. On its own, it didn’t quite deliver the depth I was hoping for.

Amazon

Book 3: What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo

What My Bones Know is one of those memoirs that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.

Stephanie Foo writes with remarkable honesty about trauma, healing, identity, and the lifelong work of understanding yourself. What makes this book so powerful is its balance between vulnerability and curiosity. It doesn’t offer easy answers or neat conclusions, but instead explores what recovery can look like when the path forward is complicated and deeply personal.

Heartbreaking, insightful, and ultimately hopeful, this is a memoir that invites both empathy and reflection.

Amazon