I didn’t read much in 2025, just a handful of books that really matched my interests. Most of them were non-fiction, even though I still have a deep love for fiction. One highlight I want to mention here is a book that a friend recommended to me three years ago, which I finally got around to reading it in 2025. Silly me, always plenty of excuses not to read.
Ikigai, The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, by Héctor García and Francesca Miralles, is the highlight of my reading takeaway.
This book introduces the Japanese concept of ikigai. It is often described as “a reason to live” or “a reason to wake up in the morning.” Drawing inspiration from the lives of people in Okinawa, if you’ve heard of one of the world’s Blue Zones, the term was first introduced by Dan Buettner at the beginning of the 2000s through his work with National Geographic. The phrase Blue Zone itself originally came from blue circles drawn on maps to mark regions with unusually high numbers of people living past 100 years old. Okinawa is one of the five Blue Zones on Earth.
What I really like about this book is that it is really practical and down-to-earth. Ikigai isn’t about chasing big success, popularity, or dramatic life changes. Instead, it focuses on small things and consistent habits, like doing what you love, staying active, eating mindfully, nurturing relationships, and continuing to feel useful, even as you grow older. Ikigai, which sits at the intersection of passion, skill, contribution, and livelihood, is explained in a way that feels accessible to everybody, and not overwhelming.
Overall, Ikigai is a gentle reminder to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters in our lives.
It made me reflect on my own routines, values, and what quietly gives my days meaning; as a teacher, a mother, a daughter of my mother, a sibling, a colleague, a friend, a neighbor, and a grandmother. For me, this book taught me to focus less on finding a brand-new purpose but more on appreciating the ones already there, which is why it stands out as one of my most meaningful reads of 2025.
What is your highlight reading of 2025?
"Having a purpose in life is so important that it can even extend your life".
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