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Fiction

The Dressmaker of Paris

The Dressmaker of Paris

  • Fiction

I liked the cover and title, and I started fantasising about the story before reading it (I don’t recommend doing this because it sets up expectations that are clearly going to be disappointed!). That’s why I picked it up. However, I read it right after DNFing a Murakami book because I wasn’t in the mood for violence, and just a few pages in, I hit a very disturbing rape scene (and I had a déjà vu moment thinking back to when I read Magpie). I… Read More »The Dressmaker of Paris

Kafka on the Shore

  • Fiction

Sorry Haruki, it’s not you, it’s me. When I started reading this book, I was immediately hooked by the richness of the scene descriptions. I usually don’t like long descriptions, but Murakami is magnetic in this. I still remember details of scenes from 1Q84, which I read a very long time ago, and this is not typical for me. It was getting absorbing. I was even enjoying reading in a methodical way because there are two stories, so I was reading two episodes of each… Read More »Kafka on the Shore

Pages for You

Pages for You

This is one of those books that you cannot spoil because the prologue, and even the back cover, tell you how it ends. I felt robbed of my sense of discovery and wondered: I already know the plot, why read it, then? Driven by curiosity, it was only at the end, after reflecting on my read, that I thought perhaps the point isn’t discovery. Instead, it’s a reflection on how the protagonist writes about her past to show who she was and who she has… Read More »Pages for You

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)