03 Sep

Posted at 05:43h in Reviews by

A Taste of Adventure: My Review of The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl Just when I thought I'd indulge in fiction to escape the grind of day-to-day life, The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl beckoned me like a siren, promising not only escapism but also a plateful of delectable morsels of art, history, and personal growth. As a longtime fan of Reichl's work, her ability to entwine food and narrative seamlessly always sparks my curiosity. This novel, set against the enchanting backdrop of 1980s Paris, intrigued me from the...

01 Sep

Posted at 08:34h in Reviews by

Write Away: One Writer's Approach to the Novel – A Journey into the Craft of Writing As a writer who often finds myself standing at the crossroads between inspiration and frustration, Elizabeth George’s Write Away: One Writer's Approach to the Novel felt like a gift waiting to be opened. With a reputation as a New York Times bestselling author, George's insights on the writing process are not just theoretical; they’re steeped in the rich experience of crafting compelling stories. Upon picking up this book, I was drawn into a...

31 Aug

Posted at 05:30h in Reviews by

The Women of Arlington Hall: A Novel – A Codebreaker’s Heart From the moment I stumbled upon The Women of Arlington Hall: A Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini, I was captivated. Perhaps it was the promise of strong female characters navigating the treacherous waters of post-World War II espionage, or maybe it was the magnetic allure of a love story set against a backdrop of cold-war intrigue. Whatever it was, this book quickly became a top priority on my reading list, and I was eager to dive in. Set in 1947,...

29 Aug

Posted at 08:23h in Reviews by

Unleashing Creativity with Time to Write: A Personal Journey Ever felt that familiar tug in your heart, the whisper of an untold story waiting to take shape? That’s exactly what drew me to Time to Write: Inspiring lessons and practical skills for writing the novel you’ve always wanted by Emily Winslow. As a long-time aspirant author constantly juggling myriad distractions, I found this book to be a warm and compelling invitation to finally put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!). Emily Winslow, an acclaimed author and educator at Cambridge...

27 Aug

Posted at 11:10h in Reviews by

A Deep Dive into "The Survivors: A Novel" by Jane Harper There’s something captivating about the way Jane Harper weaves together the elements of mystery, landscape, and emotional depth in her novels. When I picked up The Survivors, it wasn’t just curiosity about a story tied to Australia’s rugged coastline that drew me in—it was the promise of buried secrets waiting to resurface, a premise that felt like a whisper pulling me closer to the narrative’s heart. The Survivors introduces us to Kieran Elliott, a man grappling with guilt from...

21 Aug

Posted at 10:36h in Reviews by

Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel by Shelby Van Pelt – A Heartfelt Dive into Life’s Complexities When I first picked up Remarkably Bright Creatures, I was captivated by the intriguing premise: a widow forming an unexpected bond with a giant Pacific octopus. The title alone piqued my curiosity, and after reading about Shelby Van Pelt’s acclaimed debut, I couldn’t resist diving into a tale that promised to be as heartwarming as it is profound. At its core, this novel is a gentle exploration of loneliness, the human condition, and...

19 Aug

Posted at 04:25h in Reviews by

Write Your Novel From The Middle: A Game-Changer for Every Writer As an avid reader and an aspiring writer, I’ve often found myself lost in the labyrinth of storytelling. Whether I’m plotting meticulously or letting the words flow freely (like a true "pantser"), there’s always a point where I feel my narrative slips through my fingers. Enter James Scott Bell’s Write Your Novel From The Middle: A New Approach for Plotters, Pantsers, and Everyone in Between. This book instantly caught my attention with its revolutionary approach to novel writing—starting...

18 Aug

Posted at 01:17h in Reviews by

Book Review: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Sometimes, a book finds you in moments of fleeting curiosity, and for me, Great Expectations came along during a rainy afternoon, when the shadows stretched long and I longed for a captivating escape. The name Charles Dickens has always resonated with me, an author whose narratives sparkle with life and emotion. I grasped this classic beloved by many and tucked into its pages, ready to embark on a journey through the trials and tribulations of a young boy named Pip. From the very...

17 Aug

Posted at 07:14h in Reviews by

How Not to Write a Novel: Laughing Through the Literary Minefield As an aspiring novelist, I often find myself knee-deep in various writing guides, searching for that elusive secret to success. It was during one of those moments of desperate scrolling that "How Not to Write a Novel: 200 Classic Mistakes and How to Avoid Them" by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman caught my eye. With a title that was both humorous and intriguingly candid, I couldn't resist picking it up. From the very first page, it became clear that...

15 Aug

Posted at 10:07h in Reviews by

Discovering Family Threads in The Fourth Daughter: A Novel When I first stumbled upon Lyn Liao Butler's The Fourth Daughter, the promise of a culinary journey interwoven with family secrets felt like a perfect escape. As a lover of both food and familial tales, the synopsis beckoned me into a world steeped in love, loss, and the rich tapestry of Taiwanese culture. What I found was not just a story but a heartfelt exploration of healing across generations, evoking nostalgia and stirring deeply personal reflections within me. At the heart...