Wicked

The first time I read this book a few years ago, I found it tough to get through. I enjoyed it, but it was a challenge—the themes mirrored so much of our own society and came packed with heavy subjects like racism, social injustice, systemic corruption, prejudice, moral ambiguity, rebellion, religion, forgiveness, and so much more. It felt much darker than the musical adaptation and was heavy to digest.

This time, I went with the audiobook. Since I already knew the content, I could focus more on the storytelling itself rather than being weighed down by all the social commentary. That shift allowed me to appreciate this novel in a way I hadn’t before.

It also turned out to be a surprisingly good companion while doing my daily morning routine, stretched out on my massage bed—an unexpected but cozy way to revisit such a weighty story.