5 books to help you break from your reading slump

Remember the joy of getting lost in a good book? Yeah, me too. Lately, my "to be read" pile has become more of a "to be avoided" mountain. Sound familiar? We've all been there—that reading slump where even the most enticing titles can't pull us away from our endless social media scroll. But fear not, fellow bookworms (or aspiring ones!), 2025 is our year to reclaim the pleasure of reading!

Whether you're a former bookworm struggling to get past page one or a newbie ready to dive in, we've got the motivation you need. Ditch the distractions, rediscover the magic of books, and become a bibliophile this year! Tune in to our book recommendations to reignite your zeal for reading, or take it up as a new leisure activity and become a bibliophile!

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

A Japanese bestseller, this one will take you on a journey to experience coming of age. This comforting read centres around Takako, a young woman in her mid-twenties who isn’t very fond of reading. She falls into despair when her cheating boyfriend dumps her and decides to marry another woman. She also loses her job and her work acquaintances. Feeling hopeless, she gets a call from a distant uncle who runs a secondhand bookshop and leads a rather unconventional life. Being polar opposites, their interaction brings both characters together as they develop an understanding and help each other in ways they never imagined.

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

This is a chiller thriller that will keep you glued until the last page. Millie Calloway is a domestic housemaid who was recently released from prison. She gets hired by Nina, the matriarch of the Winchester family, as a live-in housemaid. While cleaning, she stumbles upon family secrets and sees what she shouldn’t have. Filled with plot twists, this fast-paced read will keep you guessing until the final word.

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

A much-talked-about book these days is The Vegetarian by Nobel Prize winner Han Kang. The popularity of this book made Koreans flock to their local bookstores! The story revolves around sensitive themes of desire, isolation, and obliviousness. The protagonist, Yeong-hye, and her husband are leading a very ordinary married life. One day, she decides to become a vegetarian, provoked by having nightmares. Being a vegetarian in Korea was unheard of, and her husband and family took it as an act of defiance. As the plot thickens, she struggles with mental health, and her behaviour becomes more bizarre. Beautiful and poignant, The Vegetarian highlights the complicated lives of inhabitants of modern-day Seoul, where inability to understand each other, lack of communication, and isolation have become societal norms.

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

If you've had enough of realistic fiction, step into fantasy by entering the magical world of two estranged sisters created by Emma Törzs. In her debut novel, Ink Blood Sister Scribe, Esther and Joanna are given the responsibility of guarding the family library of magical books after the unexpected death of their father. A lethal secret also lies at the heart of the magical collection. With no other option left, the sisters set aside their differences and join forces to protect their family legacy. This fantasy novel has everything from betrayal, greed, and power dynamics to romance and sacrifice.

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

This is one of the funniest books of 2024 and an excellent choice when it comes to humour and satire. With a male perspective, this sharp-toned comedy chronicles the challenges of modern relationships, dating, and adult friendships—something we all navigate in our hectic lives. It follows Andy Dawson, a comedian whose girlfriend suddenly breaks up with him. Devastated, he looks for support from his male friends, only to be disappointed. Andy’s emotional journey teaches him the important life lesson of self-love, a subtle reminder to all of us.

Lead image credit: IMDb

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