I want to start by telling you something: I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions, but I do believe in experiments. Therefore, this 2026 I am going to let go of my reading goal on Goodreads, because although marking a book as ‘read’ gives a good injection of dopamine, I feel that the challenge ends up turning reading into a job, instead of that refuge to forget about our problems by fantasizing about the adventures of others.
In 2026, I will read again without the rewards of an app for recognition addicts from an algorithm, just as we were before the wraps of digital platforms. Maybe I will read more, maybe less, but I predict that I will enjoy the process more than the end.
And, although my goal of 20 books by 2025 was not huge, nor does it give me an ‘avid reader’ badge, it does fit me to share with you, with a mini synopsis and the link to your previous review (in most cases), of the books that moved me the most this year:
1.-” margo’s Got money Troubles” (2024) Rufi Thorpe:
This was my favorite read of the year, I think the author manages to capture a perfect balance between wit and lightness, making it unavoidable to empathize with Margo and the roller coaster of emotions resulting from her decision making.
Here is an excerpt from my review: “…Broadly speaking, this novel does social work by teaching us millenials In this case, I dare say that of all ages, the path to adulthood of Generation Z, through Margo our protagonist, who at 20 years old and still not having a fully developed frontal lobe, becomes a single mother of Bodhi, conceived with her now absent university professor named Mark. Until then, the story is a bit cliché but what follows, I could not imagine, not even in my most violent dreams of creativity.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/lauracastillo/p/margo-got-money-troubles-rufi-thorpe
The Unexpected Gifts of a Slowed-Down Life
We live in a culture obsessed with speed. Faster internet,faster food,faster everything. We’re told that busyness equals importance, and downtime is something to be “hacked” or eliminated. But what if slowing down isn’t a sign of weakness,but a pathway to a richer,more meaningful life?
For years,I operated under the assumption that more was always better. More projects, more commitments, more striving. I wore my packed schedule like a badge of honor, convinced it proved my worth. then, life threw a curveball – a health challenge that forced me to drastically reduce my pace.
initially, it felt like a punishment. I mourned the loss of my “productive” self. I worried about falling behind. But as the weeks turned into months, something unexpected began to happen.
In the quiet spaces that emerged, I rediscovered the joy of simple things. A leisurely walk in the woods became a meditation.Reading for pleasure, not for information, nourished my soul.I reconnected with friends and family on a deeper level, truly present in our conversations.
Slowing down wasn’t just about doing less; it was about being more. More attuned to my body, my emotions, and my surroundings. More grateful for the small moments that frequently enough get lost in the rush. More intentional about how I spent my energy.
This isn’t to say we should all abandon ambition or reject progress.But perhaps we need to redefine what “progress” means. Is it always about climbing the ladder, or can it also be about cultivating inner peace, nurturing relationships, and savoring the journey?
I’ve learned that true fulfillment doesn’t come from constantly chasing the next goal, but from appreciating the present moment. And sometimes, the greatest gift we can give ourselves is the permission to simply…slow down.
Related reading