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Fiction

Becoming Meg Dashwood

Becoming Meg Dashwood

  • Fiction

This was my first amazing experience with an audiobook and it has set the bar very high! Although I later realised not all audiobooks are the same, and that this was a “full cast” audiobook, which means multiple voices (one for each character), music (the chant of the den was simply the best!), sound effects, etc., a midway point between a book and a film. It’s an imaginary modern sequel to Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, who I think would have been delighted and proud to… Read More »Becoming Meg Dashwood

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Despite fantasy not typically being my cup of tea, it was easy for me to see why Harry Potter is so well-loved. It’s descriptive, immersive, and has a remarkable ability to ignite the imagination. As someone who usually finds it hard to engage with fantasy worlds, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself affected by this book. Once, in the period I was reading it, I even had dreams about magic! I don’t think I’ll read the rest of the series, but it was still… Read More »Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Daisy Jones & The Six

This book is about sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing is fantastic and makes it super easy to imagine everything in your mind as you read. She’s so good at making the characters feel real that the story is vivid. From start to finish, it’s like you’re watching a movie. Speaking of which, I think they’ve just released an adaptation of this book. But, even though the writing is clever, I didn’t get deeply into the story and unfortunately, I didn’t… Read More »Daisy Jones & The Six

Songbirds (by Christy Lefteri)

I read more non-fiction, and when I do read fiction, I expect the words to evoke emotions in me. I want to feel emotionally engaged. This didn’t happen right away when I started reading this book. In fact, it wasn’t until the last quarter of the story that the narrative truly gripped me, turning the reading experience into an emotional and reflective one. It’s a blend of sadness and empowerment. It isn’t merely a work of fiction; it brings to light the muted perspectives of… Read More »Songbirds (by Christy Lefteri)

Le braci (di Sándor Márai)

This is an introspective novel and the story is centred around two old friends, Henrik and Konrad, who have a reunion after 41 years. It is primarily a long and intense soliloquy by Henrik, exploring the meaning of life, love, and above all, friendship. The other character, Konrad, is allowed to speak only occasionally, which kept me frustrated. In fact, while Henrik’s monologue is eloquent and thought-provoking, it would have been intriguing to hear Konrad’s perspective and insights as well. Another aspect that disappointed me… Read More »Le braci (di Sándor Márai)

The Love Hypothesis (by Ali Hazelwood)

I’m glad I finally read this book given that there is so much hype about it. I loved getting into the head of the main character. The writing style is absolutely engaging and the dialogues are well developed. The author has done an excellent job of making the reader feel like they are right there with the characters, experiencing all of the ups and downs of their journey. However, rom-com novels are not my cup of tea so at times I found myself yawning and… Read More »The Love Hypothesis (by Ali Hazelwood)

Lucy by the Sea (by Elizabeth Strout)

If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be “meh“. What a shame, I really wanted to love this book because I picked it up as a birthday present for myself. At the bookstore, I didn’t even bother to look for its reviews online, so taken in was I by its hardcover’s beauty. I basically judged it by its cover. I felt the book lacked depth in its emotional exploration, as it remained on the superficial thoughts of Lucy, the protagonist. The… Read More »Lucy by the Sea (by Elizabeth Strout)

The Door (by Magda Szabó)

This is a beautifully written novel that explores the complex relationship between two women: Magda, a writer, and Emerence, her housekeeper. The most striking aspect of the novel is the character of Emerence, whom I struggled to connect with. On the other hand, I was invested in the thoughts and emotions of Magda. Her inner reflections on her relationship with Emerence were captivating. I loved the second half of the book as it explored the themes of shame and guilt felt by the two characters.… Read More »The Door (by Magda Szabó)

1982-2022 Book Challenge: Complete!

40 years, 40 books. To celebrate turning 40, I decided to read a book published in each year of my life, between 1982 and 2022. I love reading and the freedom it gives my mind to explore new ideas and places, so I was super excited to see what this challenge would bring. I discovered a lot about my own reading tastes and preferences. I read a mix of fiction and non-fiction, and found that while I tend to lean towards non-fiction, I also enjoy… Read More »1982-2022 Book Challenge: Complete!

The Alchemist

The Alchemist (by Paulo Coelho)

This is a story about a journey that conveys the message that if you really want something, the universe will help you to achieve it. The encouragement of following your dreams is very much in your face – there’s superficial philosophy that triggers some thoughts, but not deep ones, so I haven’t gained much from this book. Even though the story wasn’t intellectually challenging or inspiring, it was easy to read and very well-written. Overall, it was okay; however, I expected much more from this… Read More »The Alchemist (by Paulo Coelho)