Year 29 Reflection

6 min read

It’s my birthday! Big life milestones completed, planning and execution of the wedding freed up a lot of time in year 29. I enjoyed getting back into watercolor painting, creating some art here and there, and most importantly, finding a system with the blog.

This post is about books. The heart of the blog. If I don’t read, what will I talk to you about? 

I tracked how I came upon a book: This year the split was 68/62 Personal/Commitment. I read 25 indie books and reread 7 books. I did a lot of discovering within and outside. Here is a snapshot of the books that filled my journals and thoughts.


Year 29: Reading

There are books through which I discovered Canada.

year 29 - books through which I discovered Canada
the sleeping car porter
closer by sea
 valley of the birdtail

The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr | Scotiabank Giller Prize 2022 Finalist & Winner | Goodreads | Review | I had not pondered the perspective of a queer Black man in Canada before.

Closer by Sea by Perry Chafe | Goodreads | Review | The first book I have read about Newfoundland.

Valley of the Birdtail by Andrew Stobo Sniderman, Douglas Sanderson | Goodreads | Review | A book I can’t rave about enough if you are interested in generational family history intertwined with history, politics and hope.


These are books that helped in my self-work. They have each been a great teacher.

Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky | Goodreads

Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff | Goodreads

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown | Goodreads

Feeling Seen: Reconnecting in a Disconnected World by Jody Carrington | Goodreads

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius | Goodreads | Martin Hammond (Translator)

year 29 - books in whome I found great teachers
the creative act
the book of boundaries
your writing matters
radical acceptance
how to keep house while drowing

The Book of Boundaries by Melissa Urban | Goodreads | Review

How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by K.C. Davis | Goodreads | Review

Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha by Tara Brach | Goodreads | Review

Your Writing Matters: 34 Quick Essays to Get Unstuck and Stay Inspired by Keiko O’Leary | Goodreads | Review

The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin | Goodreads | Review


These books were great buddy reads with friends. I found some new friends to read with as well as continued to share books with whom I regularly read.


These books connected me to my culture.

year 29 - books that connected me to my culture
the bandit queens
the museum of failures
the liberation of sita
a history of burning

I continued to read about India and immigration through these books. I also dived into history from Africa.


Through these books I experienced awe and wonder.

year 29 - books of awe and wonder
a whole song and dance
babel
the empress of time
the light pirate
this is how you lose the time war

These books were masterful writing

If an Egyptian cannot speak English by Noor Naga | Goodreads | Review

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield | Goodreads

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone | Goodreads | Review

The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton | Goodreads | Review


Through these books I learned about the world


These books helped me in my grief

As I write this, I realize that Abu will never wish me another happy birthday. I am glad I got to celebrate my 29th with her. Since her passing in December, I have found many books to help me with my grief and remember her.

Grief is Love by Marisa Renee Lee | Goodreads

I borrowed many sentences from this one to help me come to terms with her death.

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano | Goodreads

This book portrays strong family ties and. I was reminded of the fierce love that can exist between an aunt and niece.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers | Goodread | Review

This book helped me ponder the simplicity of life, to get lost in a world with a monk and robot, discovering what it means to live.

We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies by Tsering Yangzom Lama | Goodreads | Review

This book had a strong aunt-niece as well as sisterly bond. I loved it so much!


These books became my new favorites, added to the books I would stay up till midnight reading

year 29 - books id dino't want to finish
hello beautiful
a psalm for the wild built
tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
we measure the earth with our bodies

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano | Goodreads

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin | Goodreads

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers | Goodreads | Review

We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies by Tsering Yangzom Lama | Goodreads | Review


Do you see any favorites? What is a memorable book from your 20s? I am officially in my 30s now and I want some wisdom from you. Tell me a life lesson, a way of being or thinking, that has helped you as you get older.

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Kriti K Written by:

I am Kriti, an avid reader and collector of books. I bring you my thoughts on known and hidden gems of the book world and creators in all domains.

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