Siddhartha By Hermann Hesse

 

Book Review: Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

I really enjoyed reading Siddhartha. At first, I was confused because I thought the book was about Buddha himself (Siddhartha Gautama). But as I read on, I realized it’s actually about an ordinary man named Siddhartha who is trying to follow Buddhism in his own way. He has so many questions about life and truth that he wants answered before he can truly follow any path.

I found myself identifying with Siddhartha and his search for meaning. His doubts and his journey made me reflect on my own questions. I couldn’t put the book down until I finished it. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who is even a little bit spiritual or curious about the search for inner peace and understanding.

“Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else... Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom.”

This quote captures Siddhartha’s struggle — that true understanding must be found within oneself, not simply taught by others. 

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

 

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a timeless story about courage and kindness. I like this book because it beautifully shows the resilience of a little girl, Sara Crewe, who stays strong and hopeful even when she loses everything. It also highlights how imagination can help create a safe haven during the hardest times. Sara’s dreams and stories protect her spirit and remind us that a brave heart and a vivid mind can turn the darkest moments into something magical.

“Whatever comes,” she said, “cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside.”

This line shows Sara’s resilience and how her imagination and inner strength help her create her own safe world, no matter how harsh reality gets.

The Old Man And The Sea by Ernest Hemingway

 The books takes you to the sea and makes you live the life of an old struggling but resilient fisherman. You cry with him, laugh with him, get tired with him and finally lose your dignity with him. Amazing book. Couldn’t put it down and finished it in 3 hours. 

The novel is the story of an old struggling Cuban fisherman Santiago. As the story begins, Santiago hasn’t caught a fish in 84 days and he is seen as the worst form of unluckiness. A young boy is his apprentice Marlin, whom he encourages to work on successful fishing vessels instead of him. What follows is an epic tale of an old fisherman going head to head with a huge marlin fish. Santiago is so determined to catch this fish and he puts all of his strength to make sure the fish doesn’t slip away from him.

Fahrenheit 451 Novel by Ray Bradbury

“We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?”

I initially read the book expecting it to be based on a completely different theme, so it caught me off guard at first. But as I continued, I began to understand it as a powerful symbol of blind, uneducated biases and how they can destroy the very foundation of a civilized and balanced society. I especially appreciated the ending—it offered a sense of hope for the future. Overall, it was a thought-provoking and engaging read.

Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

RECIPE FOR A  HIPPOPOTAMUS SANDWICH  

A hippo sandwich is easy to make.  

All you do is simply take  

One slice of bread,  One slice of cake,  Some mayonnaise,  One onion ring,  One hippopotamus,  One piece of string,  A dash of pepper—  That ought to do it.  

And now comes the problem...  Biting into it! 

I really enjoyed *Where the Sidewalk Ends* by Shel Silverstein because it’s a perfect blend of humor, whimsy, and intelligence. The poems have a fun, childlike quality, but they also carry clever, quirky insights that make them enjoyable for readers of all ages. Silverstein’s ability to balance playful imagination with deeper meaning is what makes this collection so special.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

 In the vast expanse of creation, we are but tiny specks, yet our souls are connected to the very fabric of existence.

I really liked how the book connected every little story and made its connection to the main plot while keeping that surprise element. 

Unbound By Ann E. Burg

Mama says we got two days 
before I leave for the Big House.
Says it’s no use
stampin our feet or cryin.
Says there’s things we can change 
n things we can’t.

You’s only goin up the hill,
she says, smilin.
But her voice quivers, 
n a sorrowin tear clings 
to her bottom lash.

Up the hill don’t seem far, 
but Master Allen lives
up the hill,
n if you cross Master Allen, 
he might send you away
like he sent away Uncle John.

It was the first book I read in 2025. I had originally gotten it for my 13-year-old daughter, but once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. The story was both realistic and perfectly suited for kids.

*Unbound* by Ann E. Burg is a poignant historical novel set during the period of slavery in the United States, specifically around the time of the Civil War. The story is told through free verse poetry and follows the journey of a young enslaved girl named Moth. After her family is torn apart by the brutal realities of slavery, Moth finds herself facing the harshest of circumstances, yet she remains determined to survive and reclaim her freedom. 

The novel delves into themes of resilience, hope, and the powerful bond of family, as well as the deep trauma of slavery and the fight for justice. It emphasizes the emotional toll that slavery took on its victims, and through Moth's eyes, readers witness both the horrors and the small moments of resistance and courage that kept the spirit of freedom alive. 

The poetic format of the book gives it a lyrical, emotional quality, amplifying the pain and hope experienced by Moth and others caught in the system of slavery. *Unbound* ultimately portrays the strength of the human spirit and the pursuit of freedom against all odds.