11 Oct

Posted at 14:27h in Reviews by

Plain Truth: A Novel by Jodi Picoult – A Journey Through Faith and Justice When I first picked up Plain Truth, I was drawn in by Jodi Picoult’s reputation for weaving complex narratives that challenge our perceptions of morality and humanity. A murder in a tranquil Amish community? That’s a premise promising depth and unexpected contrasts. Throughout my reading journey, I found myself grappling with questions of faith, familial loyalty, and the nuances of cultural disparity. The story revolves around Katie Fisher, an 18-year-old Amish woman accused of infanticide...

28 Sep

Posted at 16:39h in Reviews by

A Journey Through Displacement: My Take on Kiran Desai's The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny As a long-time fan of Kiran Desai’s evocative storytelling, I eagerly anticipated the release of The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. Nearly two decades after her Booker Prize win for The Inheritance of Loss, I was curious to see how her voice had evolved and what new insights she’d bring to the intricate tapestry of diaspora life. From the very first pages, I found myself drawn into the lives of Sonia and Sunny—two characters...

27 Sep

Posted at 16:27h in Reviews by

Book Review: We Don't Talk About Carol: A Novel by Kristin Berry From the moment I stumbled upon We Don't Talk About Carol, I knew I was in for a journey that was equal parts haunting and enlightening. Kristin Berry's debut novel explores the depths of family secrets and the complexities of grief, and I found myself completely captivated. The themes surrounding missing Black girls in the 1960s resonated with me deeply, drawing me into a narrative that feels both personal and universal. At the heart of the story is...

25 Sep

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Book Review: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson From the moment I stumbled upon the intriguing title of Benjamin Stevenson’s Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, I felt an irresistible pull—a mix of curiosity and trepidation. Who could resist a darkly humorous mystery that causes you to ponder your own family's skeletons? Here we find a clever blend of classic and modern murder mystery that keeps you guessing while eliciting hearty chuckles. Spoiler: it didn’t disappoint! At its heart, we meet Ern Cunningham, a lovable,...

07 Sep

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Book Review: Love Is an Open Book by Chandra Blumberg From the moment I picked up Love Is an Open Book, I felt an undeniable pull to its pages. Perhaps it was the promising title, hinting at the intricate dance of romance tropes, or the charming cover that called to my inner book lover. Whatever it was, I knew Chandra Blumberg was about to take me on a journey that celebrated love in all its messy, glorious forms—and oh, did she deliver! At its heart, Love Is an Open Book...

12 Aug

Posted at 11:24h in Reviews by

Much Ado About Margaret: A Final One-Star Farewell As the year winds down, I find myself reflecting on the literary journeys I've taken this year, and I must confess, the latest offering from Gina L. Maxwell, Much Ado About Margaret, has left me with enough questions to fill a novel of its own. After diving into the novel with high hopes, I now find myself wrestling with my disappointment, feeling that I quite unceremoniously ended the year with a one-star read. At its core, the story promises to explore Maggie’s...

30 Jul

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Book Review: Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by A. J. Sass When I first picked up Audre & Bash Are Just Friends, I didn't know I was in for such a delightful summer read. A. J. Sass has crafted a narrative that feels like a sun-drenched afternoon, filled with the excitement of first crushes and the complex realities of youth. This YA novel caught my attention with its promising premise: Audre hires the school’s hottest boy, Bash, to be her “fun consultant” over the summer. But of course,...

22 Jul

Posted at 03:21h in Reviews by

Title: The Untold Stories: Reflections on Lives of the Wives: Five Literary Marriages There are books that draw you in by the cover or the blurb, and then there are books that resonate with you on a deeply personal level—Lives of the Wives: Five Literary Marriages by Carmela Ciuraru falls squarely into the latter category. When I stumbled across its title, I couldn’t help but feel an irresistible pull. I mean, who wouldn’t find a dive into the often overlooked narratives behind famous literary figures’ marriages intriguing?...

21 Jul

Posted at 17:20h in Reviews by

Book Review: Seduction Theory by A.M. Homes When I first encountered Seduction Theory, I was instantly intrigued—not just by the title but by the promise of an academic setting peppered with complexities of infidelity, obsession, and emotional boundaries. As an admirer of nuanced narratives, particularly those that delve into fraught relationships, I found myself anticipating something similar to Susan Choi’s My Education, which beautifully weaves together academia and entangled lives. I was eager to dive into A.M. Homes’s world. From the get-go, we meet Robbie, a graduating student deep in...

19 Jul

Posted at 07:25h in Reviews by

Embracing the Whispers of Fate: A Review of About Grace by Anthony Doerr When I first stumbled upon Anthony Doerr’s About Grace, I was drawn in not just by the promising premise but also by the author’s reputation following his acclaimed works like All the Light We Cannot See. Notably, this novel marks his debut, and one cannot help but wonder how the seeds of brilliance in one’s later works often take root in their earliest endeavors. It was that curiosity, coupled with the prospect of diving into a...