Picture this: after applying your favorite face mask or body oil, you've curled up in freshly made sheets with a book in hand. While your skin soaks in the nourishing ingredients, you savor every new page... The list of recommendations to complement your self-care ritual has been curated by our friend, journalist, and editor Jasmina Ubiparip.

 

I can read anytime and anywhere – in a café, while waiting in line at the bank, during lunch, while waiting for a friend, on a plane, or at the beach... I've read under the desk – both in school and at university. I've even read at work (I admit it!). I've read while someone was talking to me. There were moments when I didn't hear a question because my thoughts were somewhere else (I apologize for that to my husband, my daughters, my sister...).

 

I adore books, and I truly can't resist squeezing in 'a few lines' whenever and wherever I can throughout the day.

 

Over time, though, I’ve learned that the true pleasure of reading comes when I slow down. When I read slowly and mindfully. Reading then transforms into a process that is somewhere between meditation and a mental conversation with the author.

 

I love ending my day with a shower and a body soap bar that leaves a relaxing lavender scent on my skin. I slip into a soft bathrobe, put on a face mask, and finish the ritual with Shea butter hand cream for soft hands that smell of lime and palmarosa – all while turning the pages.

 

I’m sharing five book recommendations below that made a strong impression on me.

 

 

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

 

I am sure the Irish author Sally Rooney needs no introduction – it's highly likely that you've read the novel Normal People that brought her fame, or at least watched the TV series adaptation. Her new novel centers around themes of grief, complex family dynamics, and – characteristic of Rooney's writing – the search for love in unexpected places.

 

So, what's it about? The story follows two brothers – Iván, an introverted chess player, and Peter, a successful lawyer – whose lives are dramatically altered after the tragic loss of their father. What does the title of the novel mean? In chess, intermezzo refers to an unexpected move, and here it symbolizes the unpredictable turns the main characters’ lives take.

This one’s for you if... you enjoy powerful love stories, introspection, and reflections on relationships, morality, and the meaning of life.

 

 

Duž oštrog noža leti ptica by Tanja Stupar Trifunović

 

This is a novel where the harsh realities of war collide with the fairy-tale beauty of life, creating a striking contrast that will deeply shake you. The novel has been shortlisted for both the NIN Award and the Belgrade Winner, and in it, Tanja Stupar Trifunović delves deeply into themes of growing up in difficult times, family trauma, and the search for identity."

 

What’s it about? The story follows Vanja and Milena, two girls whose childhoods intertwine in a war-torn rural setting. Through their stories, the author explores the impact of war on both the individual and the community, as well as the complexity of female relationships and friendships.

 

This one’s for you if... you enjoy incredible, poetic sentences and expect a story that will leave a strong emotional impact.

 

 

Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel

 

This Mexican author is known for her sharp and introspective view of human psychology and social relationships, and Still Born tackles, in an intriguing way, the complex themes of motherhood, friendship, and the right to choose.

 

What is it about? The story follows three women: Laura and Alina, long-time friends who are dedicated to their careers and never imagined themselves as mothers, and Doris, a single mother of a child with behavioral challenges. Through their intertwined stories, Nettel explores different perspectives on motherhood and non-motherhood, the complexity of female friendships, questions of medical ethics and genetic disorders, and the impact of societal norms and expectations on women.

 

This one’s for you if... you enjoy a light and, at first glance, effortless style that nonetheless takes you deep into the psychological complexities of the characters and pressing social issues.

 

 

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

 

When I read this novel in 2018, I wrote the following: Neively, I expected little from this book thinking that behind the 'harmless' title The Vegetarian lay a story about a healthy lifestyle, a return to nature, and the right to make one's own choices. But this short novel is a multilayered, dark drama about madness, obsession, art... a horror that terrifies you, yet you can't put it down. The South Korean author Han Kang – who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2024 – in this novel explores themes of identity, freedom, violence, and the boundaries of the human body.

 

What’s it about? Jong-he, seemingly an ordinary woman, suddenly decides to stop eating meat, setting off a series of dramatic events that reveal deep psychological and emotional issues within her family.

 

This one’s for you if... you are ready to experience the protagonist's inner struggles, delve into the exploration of dark, taboo themes, and reflect on the boundaries of the human body and mind.

 

 

When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté

 

I decided to include a non-fiction work in this selection as well. In this book, the Canadian doctor of Hungarian descent known for his holistic approach to health, explores the profound connection between emotional stress and physical illness.

 

What is it about? Gabor Maté sheds light on how suppressed emotions and chronic stress can contribute to the development of serious illnesses, including autoimmune disorders, cancer, and other chronic health issues.

 

This one’s for you if... you want to better understand the impact of stress and traumatic events on physical health.

 

You can learn more about my skincare routine by following the link:

https://beautydesk.rs/iz-ugla-beauty-urednice-jutarnji-rituali-za-40/