Books for Every Season & Every Reason | Comfort Reads and Heartfelt Recommendations by Pinki Bakshi

“Books are your best friends.”
I must’ve read it somewhere as a child, but over time, I didn’t just read it, I lived it. As an ambivert with strong introvert tendencies, books became more than just a pastime. They turned into my little sanctuary, my safe bubble, my escape hatch when the world outside grew too loud, too fast, or simply too much.

Books don’t judge, and they are available in all shapes and shades one could ever imagine. All you need to give is your time and love, and a book opens up a world where you can either lose yourself or truly find yourself.

There’s something comforting about holding a book in your hand when your thoughts are racing or your heart feels full or fractured. Over the years, I’ve noticed how I gravitate toward different kinds of books depending on my emotional weather.

When the world outside is gloomy and my heart feels the same, I turn to warm, feel-good books. Comics, light fiction, or humorous reads are my pick-me-ups. I rely on books that offer a gentle hug in paper form.

• Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa is a gentle story of healing and second chances set in the cosy corners of a bookstore in Tokyo.
  
  
• Saturday Stories by Rashmi Bansal shows the quiet power of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
  
  
• The Finlay Donovan series brings suspense with humour, a perfect distraction when things feel heavy.
  
  
• The Couch Potato Who Said Ouch by Khyrunnisa A. brings some laughs amidst the gloom.
  
  
• Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman is a story of loneliness and healing that is tender, humorous, and deeply human.
  
  

When the world around me is obsessed with speed and modernity, I retreat into books steeped in tradition and wisdom. There’s beauty in slowness and depth, in ancient stories that still echo in our hearts.

• The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy reminds me to notice the beauty in details, in memories, in pain.
  
  
• The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni gives voice to Draupadi, a woman of strength and complexity.
  
  
• Amish Tripathi’s mythological retellings transport me to ancient lands filled with valor, philosophy, and human dilemmas.
  
  
• The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh makes me travel to the distant lands of the mysterious and hauntingly beautiful Sunderbans.
  
  
• 3000 Stitches by Sudha Murty narrates real-life stories that are simple yet powerful. It helps me see kindness, hope, and purpose in the ordinary.
  
  

When my heart breaks or I feel lost, I reach for nonfiction. Somehow, learning something new or reading real stories helps me glue the pieces back.

• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl is a reminder of human resilience.
  
  
• Life’s Amazing Secrets by Gaur Gopal Das is filled with relatable life lessons and spiritual insights.
  
  
• Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom teaches me how to live and how to say goodbye.
  
  
• The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy opens up the endless possibilities of human potential.
  
  
• Dharma: Decoding the Epics for a Meaningful Life by Amish and Bhavna Roy explores timeless Indian epics and helps instill the essence of dharma into everyday life.
  
  

And when love is in the air or in my heart, romance novels become my companions.

• Book Lovers by Emily Henry is witty, charming, and full of love: a predictable trope yet a cosy and heartwarming read.
  
  
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a love letter wrapped in magic and imagination.
  
  
• All the Love You Deserve by Preeti Shenoy brings romance with depth.
  
  
• The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak is a soulful blend of mysticism, poetry, and love that transcends time.
  
  
• It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover explores the darker sides of love and strength.
  
  

So, isn’t it true that there is a book for you in every mood and every situation?

The next time the world feels too loud, I’ll be right here, curled up with a book and a cup of tea, finding my peace in a book meant just for me.

“This blog is a guest post contributed as part of the Window Seat Stories collaboration by – Pinki Bakshi

She is a storyteller, blogger, and content writer whose work reflects deep empathy and themes of mindfulness, nostalgia, and life lessons. A mother and lifelong learner, she draws inspiration from the chaos and beauty of everyday life.