latest read: eleanor oliphant is completely fine

This book beautifully describes via the experience and thoughts of Miss Oliphant what and how a child of abusive parents will end up being.

The premise of the storyline is easy enough - how a recluse and slightly awkward adult finds herself integrated back into regular society with a little kindness from strangers and also the willingness to open oneself to change.

latest read: the guest list

Why why why did it take me so long to just dive into this book? 

It's so good! 

No wonder it got such rave review.

A great murder mystery.

The name Aoife really struck me, and it did all the way to the end of the mystery,

latest read: the midnight library

I had such high hopes for this book after reading rave reviews on it.

It is supposed to be a profound deep and meaningful book that will enlighten you and bring perspective to your life.

I didn't hit me at all. 

To me, it was not dissimilar to several other books that try to explain the need for us 
to appreciate what we have and the life we are living, 

to not question so much of what could, would and should happen 

but to realize that you are here and now based on the choices that you made, be it good or not, 

because realize that the good choices that you thought were good may not be that good 

or that the bad choices made may be the better choice at that moment in time. 

Every decision made leads to a certain outcome and the only outcome that you know are the one you are currently living in. 

So, just live and learn.

Yes, we've heard this many times.

latest read: because of you

 

Practically finished this book in one sitting.

The language used is simple and the story line is easy to follow. There are not many characters introduced along the way so you don't get lost navigating what is happening to whom. 

As described by Dawn, this is a glimpse of nature versus nurture and how one or both influences a person to becoming who they are.

The ending caught me by surprise but yeah, at the moment I am not too sure if I like the ending - on one hand yes, it is the ultimate sacrifice as a mother but one the other hand, it's putting another burden on the stolen child. 

latest read: where the crawdads sing

 

I love, love, love this story.

A book that again made me lose sleep.

Not only that, this book made me cry so much. 

I was pretty much literally sobbing; snorting and all. 

The language used and the way Delia wrote on the feelings and suffering as well as the beauty that Kya experienced, I could see it playing in my mind's eyes and I could really feel completely.

And I love the ending.

latest read: home stretch

 

I love Graham Norton; as a talk show host and as an author.

 Lost sleep finishing this book because I really wanted to know the end of the story.

The story of not belonging because of your difference and your feeling that you just do not fit where you are, is one that I absolutely understand. 

Time seems to be the healer of a lot of things but with time you gain some and lose quite a lot as well.

latest read: becoming

 

I love this book!

I sacrificed sleep to finish this book.

However, honestly, the parts that I found most interesting is just before her becoming the 44th FLOTUS. The point after that is less exciting for me.

latest read: the thursday murder club

 

Got to know this from the Graham Norton show. 

The concept that retirees at a retirement home are investigating a murder is interesting.

Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron worked together and used their previous experiences to help with the investigation.

What I find puzzling and took me out of disbelief is that there some "manipulating" situation that these retirees are able to obtain some information from some people that seems a little too far fetched.

latest read: the woman in the window

 

A thriller twist at the end of the story on the roof of the house which feels very typical of a thriller story.

A story about a reclusive Anna Fox who is agoraphobic; a crippling inability to leave her house.

A thriller demonstrating that no man should be an island; the dangers of it when no one really knows you. 

latest read: a keeper

I  deprived myself from sleep to ensure that I get this book through as it was very compelling; a true page-turner.

Graham Norton's first novel, The Holding, was such an enjoyable read and this new one is just as wonderful. In fact, I think this second novel is much better in the story line and the way it is written.

There are so many twists and turns I did not see coming. It was one surprise after another. Excellent! 

I am so glad to have read this and thoroughly enjoyed the story albeit now I have a hangover from lack of sleep.

latest read: going solo

What an unbelievable adventure Roald Dahl when through as a young adult during the second world war.

He clearly was also blessed with such great luck since I believe God planned to give him such a life to produce many amazing story-telling books to be enjoyed by the world. 

latest read: the subtle art of not giving a f*ck

A book that needs rereading several times in ones lifetime.

Use it as reminder about what you should focus your time and energy and efforts towards.

Use it to aline your life to what matters most, be more appreciative what you have instead of dwelling on what could be or should be.

Use it as a reference book.

latest read: a place for us

As a Muslim Asian who at times, questions and personal ideology about my faith, this book to a certain degree is a reflection of my own life and thoughts. 

I am awestruck by how much the characters in this book reflects the people, the way they think and behave and react, who are so very similar to my own. 

At times, it feels like their thoughts are my own and that can be quite jarring to see on a page written for public viewing. 

The dynamics between father and sons, mothers and daughters, mother and son and father and daughters, are so true to real life - my own life - that it is amazing and sometimes baffling to see it on the page described perfectly; the inner thoughts, the conflicts, the guilt, the joy, the sadness.

And as with real life, there is no resolution, just a retrospect on what life decisions and actions, and even inaction, resulted in what life is today, for better or for worse.

latest read: boy

Roahl Dahl, the amazing writer of children books, is just as amazing in telling us about his life.

LOVE this!

latest read: turtles all the way down

John Green's earlier bestseller, The Fault in Our Stars, did not impress me. So I had second thoughts when picking up this book. Nonetheless, I did and I was not disappointed.
I like the way it is written and to a certain degree, can relate to the inner voice of the main character who is suffering extreme OCD. The story line itself is pretty simple but the intertwining of characters is what is interesting with this book to me.
Ultimately, it is a story about relationship - between fathers and sons, mother and daughter, between friends and also between a boy and a girl.

latest read: thirteen reasons why

I am always amazed by the varied ways writers of novels tell a story. 

This book is pretty interesting in its story-telling method.

The story line of this book is rather direct, but what sets it apart is the way that the story is told.

Though I am impressed by how the story is being told i.e. via a set of cassette tapes listened to one of the "Thirteen Reasons Why", the conversation played out is written rather childishly. But then again, this were words from a teenager which then explains why the author wrote it that way.

All in all, it was a good read and a page turner.

latest reading: holding

I know of the author since I have been following his chat show for the pass, possibly, 5 to 6 years. Since it does not air where I live, I catch him exclusive on Youtube, and I must say I absolutely adore him as a host. He is charming and funny and watching his shows makes my day.

So learning that he has written a book, I just had to get a hold of it. (Pun intended).

And it has not disappoint.

I LOVE THIS BOOK.

Reading it, I feel like I have him telling me the story rather than me reading the words. I can hear his voice narrating the story to me and his writing style and tone to me at least, sounds exactly like him talking in one of this chat shows.

The story is interesting and has many twists and turns.

My only criticism is that I felt the plunging into the sea end was a bit over-dramatic for such a story that was kept secret for years and years.

latest read: the beginning of the world in the middle of the night

The book cover artwork is just stunning and also disturbing at the same time; precisely the reason that attracted me to the book at first glance.

Buying it, I did not notice that it's a book which compiles several unrelated stories together. So as I was reading the first story and not getting a conclusion or a continuation of the story, it was a letdown.

The other short stories were just as open-ended as the first and instead of being engrossed in a story, it kept my mind wondering, which to me is quite disconcerting while reading a book.

latest read: the fourteenth goldfish

A rather peculiar little book and interesting concept.

It's a good book for children which I believe is who it is intended for.

The concept of reversing time and seeing your family member as their younger selves rather than knowing them at their older current age.

latest read: how to stop time

It was an interesting read until somewhere mid-book where it began to be quite obvious what the story is all about and what the conclusion would be.

latest read: moone boy: the fish detective

lastest read: moone boy: the blunder years

lastest read: men without women

latest read: fear and loathing in las vegas

WHOA!

Not ever on drugs or even been drunk before, the writing and vivid detail of story-telling gives a little glimpse on what people high on drugs experience in their stupor of a daily life.

I imagine the reality of what they actually see, feel and touch may not have any words to describe them accurately.

latest read: hum if you don't know the words

I love the fact that the story is narrated  by the two main characters - Robin (a 9 year old white girl) and Beauty (a 50 year old black lady).