by ABFRLadmin | April 23, 2025
Ah, books- the original influencers, long before social media and viral hashtags made everything clickable. And today, on World Book Day 2025, we’re not just celebrating ink and paper; we’re honouring the infinite worlds, words, and wisdom tucked between the pages.
A brief page in history, World Book Day began in 1995 as a UNESCO initiative to celebrate books and promote reading. Observed globally on 23rd April, the theme for 2025 is “Read Your Way”, a reminder that reading is deeply personal, joyfully diverse, and delightfully unstructured (like your Sunday reading schedule that goes from The Alchemist to memes).
Meet the bookworms at ABFRL, we’re fashion-forward, but also fiction-forward. From magical realism to real-life lessons, our team members have shelves (and minds) full of stories.
Here’s a peek into the literary loves of our team:
Russel Fernandes, Brand Manager – Corporate Communication, ABFRL, was swept away by Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. “The book combines philosophy and mystery and made me question what it means to live a meaningful life.”
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice struck a deep chord with Shuchi Pandit, Sourcing Executive from Pantaloons. “Elizabeth Bennet’s character, especially her sense of self-respect and independence, inspires me every time I revisit the story.”
For Trisha Shah, an ABFRL Corporate Communications Intern, Little Women was life-changing. “It helped me understand the complexity and beauty of growing up, especially as a girl with ambition,” she shares.
The same novel resonated strongly with Ifrah Ansari, Executive – Corporate Communication, ABFRL. “It’s classic for a reason. The commentary on class, character, and the power of perception is still so relevant.”
Gautam Agrawal, an Intern, Human Resources from Madura Fashion and Lifestyle, found a new way to think about money and responsibility after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad. “It gave me a fresh perspective on life, assets, and liabilities,” he says.
Neha Agarwal, SDM – Visual Merchandising Manager from Pantaloons, recalls To Kill a Mockingbird as a turning point. “It taught me to understand people by walking in their shoes. That changed the way I see the world.”
For Priyanka Sawant, Assistant Manager – ABFRL Corporate Communication, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People offered a renewed sense of clarity and balance. “It helped me navigate both my personal and professional life with greater clarity.”
A deeper appreciation for human history came to Sonal Grover, Manager – Visual Merchandising from Pantaloons, through Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. “It gave me a broader perspective on where we come from and how far we’ve come.”
And finally, Priya R Jasmin, a Human Resources Intern from Madura Fashion and Lifestyle, was emotionally transformed by The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. “It gave me chills. The innocence and tragedy stayed with me long after I finished the last page.”
Reading Recommendations, Straight from Our Shelves
Looking for your next great read? Our team has you covered.
Many Lives, Many Masters is a go-to for reflecting on life’s bigger picture. Animal Farm cuts through the noise of everyday life with its allegorical insights. Ikigai gently nudges you toward mindful living. Fans of history and evolution will find Sapiens a fascinating deep dive, while Crime & Punishment challenges notions of morality and justice. For something more lyrical, authors like Khalil Gibran and Haruki Murakami offer emotional resonance that lingers. And when in need of structure, 7 Habits remains a timeless guide.
What We Love to Read (And Why It Matters)
Genres reveal more than preferences—they reveal perspectives.
Some of us gravitate toward marketing and finance to align reading with career goals. Others love YA and fantasy for the escapism and hidden wisdom they offer. Psychological thrillers, autobiographies, and bildungsroman (coming-of-age tales) are favourites too—each genre helping us better understand ourselves and others.
From fiction that carries quiet truths to nonfiction that fuels growth, our reading choices mirror our personalities, passions, and even our paths.
If Our Careers Were Books…
Ever wondered what your career would be titled if it were a book?
Our team came up with everything from Struggles Build Great Humans to Chronicles of a Writer, from Pick a Lane to The Stepping Stones of Shuchi. Some went introspective (Price Tag), others humorous (The Art of Surviving Meetings), and a few stayed rooted in style (Stuck in Style). Whether their paths are linear or experimental, each title reflected a story in progress—just like real life.
Over Coffee with a Literary Legend
If we could meet any author, living or gone, who would we choose?
Names like Robert Kiyosaki, Arundhati Roy, and Jane Austen came up quickly. Others would love to chat with Harari about humankind, or Shakespeare about, well, everything. From the philosophical to the fantastical, from J.K. Rowling to Virginia Woolf, these dream coffee conversations reflect just how deeply stories and their creators shape our lives.
There’s No Right Way to Read – Just Your Way
At ABFRL, we believe in originality, self-expression, and pushing the boundaries of convention. And reading? It’s all of that and more.
Whether you devour five books a month or revisit the same one every year, your way of reading is the right way. So, this World Book Day, we hope you find a moment to turn a page. Because you never know- which one might just turn you around.
Happy World Book Day!
