Sekar Writes
A Collection of (Mostly Nonfiction) Books Review and Personal Notes
Welcome!
Take a look around my blog, where I bring you book reviews filled with knowledges and favorite quotes. Alongside my literary explorations, I share personal stories and some side projects.
Me, More or Less
These lists are pretty much describe me in a nutshell.
Latest Nonfiction Book Reviews
Check out my nonfiction book reviews, featuring thoughts, summaries, and favorite quotes.
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Review and Summary: 10 to 25
10 to 25 by David Yeager exposes why youth programs struggle and reveals the key to unlocking teens’ potential through smarter approaches.
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Review and Summary: Knead to Know
Explore the techniques, science, and cultural history of baking in Knead to Know, and discover baking’s evolution and impact.
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Review and Summary: Second Act
Second Act by Henry Oliver shows that it’s never too late for success, with inspiring stories and research about late bloomers.
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Review and Summary: The Science of Why We Exist
The Science of Why We Exist offers a solid understanding of why we’re here and what had to happen to make life possible.
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Review and Summary: The Gift of Anxiety
Learn to embrace anxiety with The Gift of Anxiety by Diante Fuchs, offering easy exercises and tips for better emotional well-being.
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Review and Summary: All It Takes Is a Goal
Whether you’re seeking your potential or just need a nudge in the right direction, find clarity and confidence in this book.
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Review: Abdi’s World
A book about life, running, and living that subtly fills you with inspiration, leaving you surprised at how quickly you’ve finished it.
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Review and Summary: Un-Glued
Un-glued explains sugar’s hidden dangers and the potential of stem cell therapy—a must-read on the diet-health connection.
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Review and Summary: The Status Game
The Status Game reveals why human seek status and change the way you see yourself and others, backed by thorough research.
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Review and Summary: Practical Optimism
Learn how to stay optimistic with Practical Optimism, a guide that offers practical advice through eight pillars of practical optimism.
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Review and Summary: Good Energy
Achieve better health with Good Energy’s tips on metabolism, simplified science explanations, fun quizzes, and energy-boosting recipes.
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Review: But What Will People Say?
A book that explores immigration challenges and multicultural identity, offering personal insights and healing reflections.
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Review and Summary: Everyday Rituals
Everyday Rituals is a great book for anyone who wants to understand why we follow routines and how they help us.
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Review and Summary: Less is More
Learn how simple living and fair wealth distribution can create a sustainable and happy life in Less is More by Jason Hickel.
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Review and Summary: Why Is This a Question?
A beginner-friendly book that explores the origins of language, blending history and linguistics for an engaging read.
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Review: The Canary Code
Create inclusive workplaces with The Canary Code. Get practical advice and key insights for fostering neurodiversity and belonging.
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Review and Summary: Being Mortal
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande highlights the importance of caring for the elderly and ensuring a good quality of life as they age.
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Review and Summary: Psychedelics
A comprehensive guide to psychedelics, perfect for beginners—engaging, informative, and easy to understand.
From Facts to Fiction
Nonfiction teaches me about the world, but fiction helps me feel it.
Every review comes with the quotes I saved.
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Review: The Bright Years
The Bright Years looks like a sweet love story at first, but it hides addiction, secrets, and a family falling apart underneath.
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Review: On Earth as it is Beneath
On Earth As It Is Beneath is set in a Brazilian prison built on hidden bones, where inmates are hunted each month in a brutal survival ritual.
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Review: Demon Copperhead
Demon Copperhead, forced to grow up too fast amid poverty, addiction, and a broken foster system. A rich retelling of a Dickens classic.
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Review: And Every Morning the way Home Gets Longer
A grandfather is forgetting his memory. His son and grandson are left holding onto what’s slipping away in this short, aching book by Backman.
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Review: The Answer Is No
Meet Lucas, a man happy in his own world, until a frying pan changes everything in The Answer is No, Fredrik Backman’s witty short book.
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Review: The Trouble with Happiness and Other Stories
Some people always want more from life than life will hand them. The Trouble with Happiness is about that ache, and the homes it wrecks.
Browse Nonfiction Books by Specific Genre
Have a specific book topic in mind?
You’ll likely find it in these categories!
- Biographies and Memoirs (33)
- Biology and Life Sciences (12)
- Child Development and Parenting (13)
- Climate Change (2)
- Cooking and Culinary (3)
- Critical Thinking and Research Skills (15)
- Data and Statistics (8)
- Economics (6)
- Education and Learning (10)
- Essays (27)
- Evolutionary Biology (6)
- Fitness and Human Performance (23)
- Health and Medicine (30)
- Leadership and Career (8)
- Life Transitions (11)
- Linguistics (4)
- Literature (2)
- Luck and Chance (3)
- Mathematics (2)
- Mindfulness (3)
- Nature (21)
- Neuroscience (13)
- Poetry (15)
- Politics and Society (41)
- Productivity (25)
- Psychology and Behavioral Science (49)
- Science (44)
- Self-Development (80)
- Technology and AI (10)
- UI/UX (2)
- Women's Studies (6)
- Writing (9)
Life in the Margins
Here’s what else you’ll find on this blog.
Reading Life
- Snapshots of my reading life: the habits, the tracking, and everything around books.
Journaling
- Writing is how I make sense of things. A look at my journaling practice: how I do it, why I do it, and what it’s given me.
Fresh Flower Care
- Looking after fresh flowers asks me to slow down and be present. Here are my personal notes on keeping them beautiful and alive for longer.
Home Gardening
- There’s something grounding about growing things at home. Follow along with my notes as I watch things grow, season by season.
Life in Helsinki, Finland
- Living in Helsinki has shaped how I read, think, and move through the world. A little window into my life in the north.
Hi, I am Sekar!
My passion for reading (at least) one book a week fuels my love for books and drives me to share the insights with others.
Medical science by training, curious about everything else. Here I share my hobbies and the things life teaches me.
Feel free to reach out and join me in celebrating books and all the small joys that make life fuller.
Books let us know we’re not the center of the universe; the universe has many centers.
Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie