Caroline

The story was well written. I found myself drawn to Bess's story more than to the adventure of Cy Bellman. Bess's wait, her longing for her fathers return and how she spends for days without him was heartwarming. As for the story of Bellman it read more to me like some child like adventure and was just okay for me.
Though, 65 to 70% of the book is slow paced, the remaining 20 to 25% did feel rushed as if the author sudden realised it was a short book.

Overall, this was a good read.

This was my first time reading a book by Author Wilkinson, and I was totally drawn in from the opening line.

Your Husband's Fault revolves around the Parkinson family, who move from the city to a small countryside village. Sarah convinces her husband, James, to relocate to the village where he grew up, hoping to give their son, Oliver, a better life and education. James is initially reluctant, but after an accident in the city nearly kills Oliver, he agrees to make the big move.

Sarah is thrilled to finally be living the quiet life she always dreamed of—but her very first day in the village is turned upside down. At the school gates, a woman asks about her husband and raises questions that make Sarah wonder: does she really know the man she married? What follows is the unraveling of James's past, layer by layer.

This book is fast-paced and atmospheric, keeping me on the edge of my seat and turning pages eagerly. The author dives straight into the action in the first chapter, without unnecessary buildup, which I really appreciated. The plot is progressive and twisty—every chapter delivers something new. Told in multiple POVs and alternating timelines between past and present, the narrative structure added depth and suspense. I've never read a book where every chapter ends on a cliffhanger! I was secretly hoping the entire book would end on one—and it did.

While I enjoyed much of the book, there were a few aspects that didn't work as well for me. I would've liked to hear James's point of view—more of his involvement in the story would have added extra dimension. Also, the last 30% of the book didn't quite live up to the strong buildup; it felt a bit flat in comparison.

Overall, this was an engaging, twist-filled read that kept me hooked—and I'll definitely be checking out more from this author!

I usually do not post about books i DNF. They either silently get kicked off my tbr or go into the list of books I DNF'ed. But I just wouldn't stop myself from writing my thoughts on why I had to dnf this book.

This book was such an anticipated read for me that it left me shocked and disappointed that I had to shut the book and call it quits.

The Last Color is a book written by world renowned Michelin star chef Vicky Khanna. The book is Khanna debut fictional story, highlighting the plight & struggles of Widows in India. The topic of the book was nothing new or unheard of, as the premise of the book was good, it was the writing and the pace of the book that was a great put off.

It shocks me to see something so amature and unpolished come out from someone so renowned. I would sense the authors struggle with the language in each of its paragraphs. I think, having this book written in his own language and later having it translated into English, the author would have published a more fine quality book rather then something so mediocre.
For me Indian books have an Indian-ish ring to its writing, but this was far from just that ring. I'm also not a fan of authors translating Hindi words to english and then adding them to a sentence where they just do not belong or fit in with the rest of the sentence. A preferred glossary at the end of the book or page would work wonders. The pace of the book was slow and inconsistent and the characters added more confusion to the book leaving me puzzled.

However, we do get to see glimpses of the chef in Vicky Khanna with the mention of mouthwatering dishes like masala Chai or Varanasi Aloo in the first chapter and I'm sure there must have been mentions of more such mouthwatering dishes throughout the rest of the book.
However, this book was later made into a motion picture and I think I will stick with watching the movie.

Although, these are just my thoughts on this book, I do not discourage anyone from seeking out this book. What wasn't for me, can be your next favourite.

I don't usually read books in the romance genre, but I added this one to my TBR solely because of its beautiful cover. It sat there for a while until I came across it on NetGalley and decided to request it. Even then, it remained unread until I finally set out to tick some titles out from my list. I had no idea what I was in for, but I'm so glad I finally got the chance to read this beautiful book.

Adelaide is a twenty-six-year-old woman living and working in London when she joins a dating app and steps into the dating scene, experiencing the usual date nights and casual sex. However, when she least expects it, she finds her soulmate and Disney prince in a handsome man named Rory Hughes. Rory is everything Adelaide ever wanted. But was Adelaide ever enough for Rory, or was he just in it for the perks that came with being in a relationship with her?

This book comes with trigger warnings for mental health struggles, suicidal tendencies, and heartbreak. However, in my opinion, the real trigger warnings should be:
* If you've ever been on a dating app and had someone ghost you, this book might not be for you.* If you've ever fallen in love, thinking you found “the one,” only to realize they didn't feel the same way, this book might not be for you.* If you've ever been asked for nudes, this book might not be for you.* If you live in your own bubble, hoping things will change if you just give a little more of yourself instead of letting go, this book might not be for you.

But if you've been through all of this, trust me—this book will hit you right in the face. You'll find yourself screaming, feeling every emotion, and living through its pages.

I found this book incredibly relatable—I felt every emotion Adelaide went through. I think we've all experienced what I call the “Adelaide phase”—falling deeply in love with someone we believed was our soulmate, only to face rejection over and over, yet still struggling to let go. I appreciate that Genevieve Wheeler explored this topic so honestly.

While there is a love story that ends in heartbreak and a meltdown, I wouldn't classify this book as a romance. To me, it leans more toward women's fiction, infused with raw realism that many millennials can relate to today. This book is unfiltered and deeply authentic—I truly believe everyone, both women and men, should read it at least once.

Although this book was beautifully written and deeply touching, I still rated it only 4 stars. There were parts that I felt were exaggerated, which made the book drag—for example, the entire section related to the death of Nathalie Alban. Grief when over done in a story turns boring and to me the author just stretched it too much.

I also disliked that the whole story boiled down to mental illness. In my view, Adelaide wasn't mentally ill and didn't need a psychiatrist—time would have been the best healer in this situation. Additionally, Adelaide didn't need to come from a broken family with a bipolar sister. Even people from happy family backgrounds can go through an “Adelaide phase.” The last 20-25% of the book also could have been shortened by a couple of pages.

The characters were also not likable and far from perfect. The protagonist, Adelaide, was a character you want to scream at. Rory Hughes was selfish—he wanted all the perks that came with having a girlfriend but didn't want to invest himself in any kind of commitment. He simply used Adelaide for his convenience. The other characters, Adelaide's friends, were too sugar-coated and overly sweet. They failed to show Adelaide the reality of her situation and burst her bubble.

If it wasn't for these short comings this book would be a perfect 5 stars for me. However, this book is not an easy read but definitely one you won't be able to put down and a one that will stay with you for a long time.

Thanks to netgalley, the publishers Aria & Aries and author Genevieve Wheeler for this Arc.

Everyone in my family has killed someone is not your regular murder mystery”, I'm sure you have heard this line before but honestly this is a different kind of mystery novel.

In this book, we meet Ernest Cunningham, our MC and narrator, as he writes about the events that took place during a family reunion at a snow-covered Australian ski resort. We also meet other members of the Cunningham family, related by blood, marriage, or step. And then there are the people who will die over the weekend, a family secret, and a big revelation at the end.

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone came with a lot of highs and lows for me. The title of the book seemed intriguing, and all the hype around it made me pick it up. But did it live up to my expectations? I'd say not quite. I finished this book out of mere curiosity—wanting to see how the mystery would unfold in the end and who the murderer would be.

The book definitely started off on a high note, but around the 40-50% mark, it became confusing and dropped significantly. Characters seemed to pop up from everywhere, and the family's backstory wasn't even clear. The author breaks the fourth wall, directly communicating with us, the readers, and keeping us in the loop about everything happening in the story. For example, we know when and in which chapter someone is going to die or be murdered. However, that wasn't the problem for me. My issue was that when these deaths or murders occurred, they weren't shocking, didn't surprise me, and felt very predictable as a reader. If there is such a revelation at the beginning, the author ought to make it exciting enough to fully engage the reader. The book does end on a high note with big revelations and each family member coming clean. However, the ending felt a bit repetitive and slightly too long.

Another tiny aspect that didn't sit right with me was the author's inconsistency in addressing his characters. In some chapters, he used their real names, while in others, he referred to them by their relation to the MC, which became a bit confusing. I personally didn't find this book humorous; however, I did manage a chuckle here and there.

All in all, I wouldn't say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. However, it was a different and cleverly written one.

Yet another wonderful read by Keegan

This book was pick up for the BOTM at the bookclub I host here on Goodreads. I have to admit that this book was not for me. I'm not much into classic reads. This book reminded me of an Bollywood film named Mr. India, where the actor turns invisible and can be seen only through something red.

I literally skimmed through this book. For me it was just an experiment gonna wrong and the book didn't have much purpose.

It was January 2022 when I read my first book by Alice Feeney, Rock, Paper, Scissors, and here I am two years later (2025), starting my year with another Alice Feeney book, Beautiful Ugly.

Beautiful Ugly is the story of Grady, who is on the phone with his wife, sharing the most exciting news of his life—that his new novel is a New York Times bestseller. But everything changes when his wife, Abby, mysteriously goes missing on her way home.A year later, Grady is still consumed with grief and desperate to uncover what happened to his wife. Unable to write since her disappearance, he feels lost and broken. When his agent suggests he travel to the Island of Amberly to find peace and rediscover his creativity, Grady reluctantly agrees. However, when he arrives on the island, he finds himself surrounded by eerie mysteries and a sense that something is deeply wrong with both the place and its inhabitants. Then, one day, he sees the impossible—his missing wife.

This is the second book I've read by Alice Feeney, and I've noticed several similarities in her writing style. Her stories often revolve around a couple whose marriage has soured over time, are set in remote parts of Scotland, and deliver major twists and turns at the end—many of which are hard to see coming. That said, I have to admit that Alice Feeney writes beautifully. Her words and quotes are so captivating that they kept me hooked till the end, regardless of how strong or weak the plot was.

Beautiful Ugly is a slow burner, even though the chapters are short. The book offers a good amount of eerie moments, and, true to Feeney's style, most of the major twists and turns arrive at the end. However, some of these twists felt quite predictable. The characters weren't exceptionally compelling, and there were parts of the story that didn't sit quite right with me—such as the subplot involving the baby and the history of the island's mystery, which felt disjointed. Even the central plot of Abby's disappearance seemed unresolved, as if the author wasn't entirely certain who to pin the blame on.

The conclusion of the book didn't leave a strong impression on me either. It wasn't exceptional enough to elevate the mystery, especially having read other books of a similar kind. However, I still give this book 3 stars, mainly for the incredible quotes it contains. Alice Feeney has a way with words that never fails to impress.
The cover of Beautiful Ugly is stunning and could be a good reason to pick up the book on its own.

Will I recommend this book?

Yes, if you're looking for:
* A slow burner with short chapters.
* A book filled with beautiful quotes.
* A gorgeous cover.
* Stories with major twists that come at the end.

The unwanted guest and other short thriller is a 5 story anthology by author Timothy Baldwin. The 5 stories are mostly focused towards the young generations. The stories started off very well and were thrilling enough to help me read on.

However, I didn't like how each story ended. The story usually ended abruptly or felt incomplete, due to which the stories ended up making little to no sense to me and fell flat.

The stories that I liked were Locked in, The unwanted guest and Tainted summer. These three stories were thrilling.

I will recommend this book, if you're looking for a quick or short read.

MoneyWise Mabel's Bursting Bank is a picture book by Kalee Boisvert. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book for mainly two reasons: first, because it was witty, and second, because it was informative and educational.

The character of Mabel brought a smile to my face because she was full of life, excitement, and moreover very wise. Along with being a fun book to read, this book shed a good amount of light on the need to save money and be moneywise. It gives children an understanding on the working and functioning of a bank. This book also answers some questions that commonly arise in a child's mind like, “Where does all the money go?”

There are some things that especially stood out for me in this book. The beautiful and bright illustrations in the book stood out to me as an adult. I loved how the pictures were drawn. The characters, especially Mabel, looked so beautiful, and I liked the way the author described the line that was formed outside the bank. The author put the words “snaking line” in a curve-like fashion to show that the line was long and curvy like a snake. I personally liked that the author highlighted the way Mabel dressed up in professional attire to go to the bank. It teaches children when to take things seriously and when to look smart. Also, the creative name given to the savings account, SALLY THE SHEEP SAVINGS ACCOUNT, is sure to grab a child's attention instantly. I hope banks adopt such creative names, so children may be excited about saving up even more.

Lastly, the book served as a good educational and teaching resource for children, parents, and teachers to highlight the value of saving money and the role the bank plays in ensuring that your money is safe.
Overall, this is a great book and a good addition to a child's library.

Lester is a cute lion who wakes up in the morning and is thrilled to get ready for school. When at breakfast, his mother reminds him that it's Fire Prevention Week at school. Lester is overjoyed to be a part of it and meet real firefighters. At school, Lester is met by two firefighters who at assembly teach the students to use safety measures during an emergency like stop, drop, and roll. The firefighters then teach the students the use of calling 911 in an emergency and that everyone from children to adults can use 911 if in an emergency situation. They also put special emphasis on the fact that 911 shouldn't be used if there is no emergency situation.

With all this in mind, Lester gets home that day and is excited to recreate an emergency kind of situation with toys, setting them up like firefighters. But soon Lester realizes that he has made a mistake while recreating this pretend emergency situation and has ignored the most valuable information he had learned at school that day. What has Lester done and will he learn from his mistake? Come find out in this beautiful book by Donna M. Cramer.

Lester Lion Calls 911 is a beautiful and well-illustrated children's book by Donna M. Cramer. This book is easy for children learning to read, and it also serves as a great learning tool to learn about services like 911 and how and when to dial it.

I like the fact that the author has used animals as the characters rather than human figures as this helps attract a child's mind and also helps inculcate reading habits. The author places emphasis on the value of owning up to one's mistakes and learning valuable lessons from them. This book also teaches parents how to be understanding and helpful toward their children rather than being resentful when their child has made a mistake and done something wrong.

The illustrations of this book are beautiful with large attractive figures and bright bold colors. A child just learning to flip the pages of a book will also stop to look at these well-illustrated pictures.

Additionally, this book also serves as a great teaching resource for teachers looking to teach their children about fire prevention emergencies. When to use 911 is a very unique topic which not many authors write about. I liked that the author not only emphasized when to dial 911 but also when not the dial 911. The helpful tips at the end of the book also add value to this book.

A great book for children looking to learn while reading and for parents and teachers looking to teach their class, this book serves as a great resource and will make a good addition to your children's library.

Star rating: 3.5
The Ibbur's Tale by Lenny Cavallaro is one of the most unique historical fiction books I have read to date. It combines the backdrop of World War I with elements of Jewish paranormal folklore, creating a rare and fascinating blend.

Miriam, who recently passed away, appears to her former professor, Benjamin, in the form of an Ibbur to help overcome a curse that her family is unaware of. The professor is shocked to see his former student, but as Miriam explains that she has been sent to complete the mission of her deceased uncle, Benjamin becomes intrigued. Drawn into this mysterious family saga, he finds himself compelled to help his former, now deceased, student.

Ibbur? To be honest, I had never heard of an Ibbur before reading this book. In simple terms, an Ibbur is a ghost or spirit that temporarily possesses a living person's body.

The story is short and to the point, with the author clearly having thoroughly researched every aspect of the book, from World War I history to Jewish folklore. The characters are lovable, witty, and full of emotion—even Miriam, the Ibbur(ghost), felt remarkably human.

However, I found the characters a bit confusing toward the end. Additionally, the book might be a little hard to follow if, like me, you're not familiar with or don't speak Yiddish.

Though a rare combination, it was overall an interesting read.

Santa's Simon is a beautiful, Christmas-themed picture book written by Terry Ligla. With Christmas fast approaching, this book is perfect for getting children into the Christmas spirit.

In the land of Glee, Simon, the favorite elf, is chosen by Santa to embark on a journey to rescue the Crystal Queen and all the poor, lean children who were forced to work and captured by the mayor of the Land of Mean, after a dragon destroyed all the toys in the factory. Will Simon become a victorious warrior, defeat the dragon, and bring joy to everyone?

This book teaches children to be leaders, emphasizing the virtues of forgiveness and selflessness. It also encourages bravery and spreading joy to others in times of trouble.

To top it off, the bright red illustrations are sure to captivate a child's eye instantly. The book is written in a rhyming, sing-song style, making it perfect for kindergarten-aged children.
Highly recommended for parents and teachers looking to spread Christmas cheer in their children's lives this holiday season.

I started this book around mid-May, and here I am, three months later, writing this review. This is the first book I've read by Lucy Foley, and I picked it up solely because of all the hype surrounding her work. However, in all honesty, my first impression of her writing did not live up to the hype.

The plot of the book is simple. The Midnight Feast follows the story of Francesca Meadows, who has recently inherited the Manor from her grandfather and transformed it into a luxurious wellness retreat. The retreat features seaside cabins, woodland hutches, and upcoming treehouses designed by her husband, Owen. To celebrate the opening, she decides to throw a lavish midnight feast, complete with a perfectly curated dinner and white flowing linen outfits for the guests.

However, deep in the woods lie secrets from Francesca's past. A rift with the locals and mysterious guests roaming the manor threaten to uncover her dark secrets and ruin her perfect solstice. Francesca has no other way out but to burn the place down and flee Dorset forever.

Initially, I found it very difficult to get into this book as the writing style was a bit confusing. Although the plot was simple, the author chose to complicate it by throwing in fantasy elements like folklore and the birds, which I think need not have been a part of this mystery.

The story is told from multiple POVs, which was interesting. The major story is uncovered through journal entries made by one of the characters 15 years ago, giving this book its dual timeline. However, despite the short chapters, the writing was very descriptive, making the transition from description back to the story a bit confusing and difficult to follow, further putting this book on the slow burner.

On the other hand, the characters were not very likable. The main character, Francesca Meadows, was too arrogant and corky. However, I did like the characters Bella and Eddy. Eddy was just cute, innocent, and the hero of this mystery. I also failed to connect with the story of the birds and the legend surrounding it.

Overall, I did like the mystery surrounding the story but not the entire book on the whole. I would recommend it to readers looking for a fantasy mystery book. As for me I did finish it after three months and would have to really think before picking up another Lucy Foley book.

Thanks to netgalley, the publishers HarperCollins uk and Author Lucy Foley for the arc.

Mila The Maker And The 200 Pieces Jigsaw Puzzle is a children's picture book by Rachel Loftspring.
This book follows the story of Mila, who loves making things and calls herself “Mila the Maker.” Mila loves arranging jigsaw puzzles and has a lot of them. She also knows exactly how to arrange them with her sorted plan. But when she receives a 200-piece jigsaw puzzle, her well-organized plan doesn't go as expected. This makes Mila really, really mad. Now, being mad and also on the verge of giving up, will Mila be able to arrange this 200-piece puzzle? Come find out.

This book is beautifully written, and the illustrations will attract any child's eye. The book is not only eye-catching and fun for children to browse through, but it also delivers a great message through Mila's struggle with the 200-piece jigsaw puzzle. Children can learn a lot from it.

Through Mila the Maker and the 200-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle, children can learn some valuable life lessons such as patience, a never-give-up attitude, taking a deep breath and calming down when things aren't going well, and applying Mila's method of sorting, arranging, and working their way from the outside in, step by step, even in their own lives. The book also tells parents especially mothers to be supportive of their kids just like Mila mother teaches her a valuable mantra of life.

Overall, a helpful book for children in their formative year of life. Recommended!

In Bulgaria, when you nod your head, it indicates a negative response and When you shake your head, left to right, it means you're replying with a ‘yes'.

And an ‘Yes' it is indeed! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was sad to see it end. I wish Ellis could continue his beautiful storytelling.

They say books help you travel the world from the comforts of your home and with Rakiya: Stories of Bulgaria this saying is totally achievable.

Rakiya is a collection of 12 stories set in Bulgaria. Each story takes readers on a journey through the country's history, politics, culture, traditions, architecture, landscapes, cuisine, and the citizens of Bulgaria. Some stories were narratives from the locals of Bulgaria, while others were experiences shared by visitor who had visited Bulgaria to either study, work, or to enjoy a vacation. Each story was well-researched, and the characters were engaging.

Initially, when I started reading this book, I felt some stories ended abruptly. However, as the chapters progressed, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the author interconnected each story and its characters, ultimately leaving me oohing and aahing throughout the book. Due to this interconnection, choosing my favorites wasn't possible, as each story was special in itself.

The little history lesson on the holocaust period in Bulgaria against the Jews were both beautiful and touching. The story “Forgiveness”does serve as a grand tribute to the 11,343 Jews of Thrace and Macedonia who were murdered during Holocaust.

I highly recommend this book if you are looking to travel around Bulgaria from the comforts of your home.

Stars Go Blue by Laura Pritchett follows the story of Ben and Renny Cross, an elderly couple living on a ranch they have named “Hell's Bottom.” Ben and Renny have two daughters, Rachel and Carolyn, but the murder of one of their daughters forces the couple to live on opposite sides of the ranch to struggle with their grief alone. However, when Ben is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Renny is left with no option but to move Ben in with her because he barely remembers anything. Amidst the battle with his mind, Ben has to face his daughter's murderer, who has been recently released from jail. To save his family, Ben must act fast before his mind leaves him.

Though this book is around 150 pages, it feels complete and is packed with emotions, grief, sadness, and a history of happy lives lived before tragedy struck. The characters in this book are so lovable and will stick with you for a long time. On one hand, we see Ben, who, despite battling a mind disease, goes all out to protect his wife and family. On the other hand, we see Renny, who uses unkindness and rude behavior as a coping mechanism to drown the sorrow of losing a daughter and now her husband, whom she is on the cusp of losing to Alzheimer's. Apart from the main characters, you will come across other lovable characters like Jess (Ben and Renny's granddaughter), the pregnant waitress whose life Ben changed overnight, and a few other characters.

This book is written in four parts. In the first three parts, the chapters alternate between Ben and Renny, giving us the story from both characters' points of view. However, the last part, which I found to be the most touching, is told by Jess. The whole book just comes together in this last part.
Stars go Blue is not only a beautifully and well written but also a book that isn't going to leave my mind and heart anytime soon. This book just feels like a warm hug.

A highly recommended book in the short read category.

There was no better way for me to celebrate Pride month than by reading this emotional rollercoaster of a novel by debut author Daniel Hall.

Set against the backdrop of the 1980s, Eddy is seen recounting his life journey in front of a courtroom. He takes us on an emotional journey from his childhood, where he grew up on the violent and poverty-stricken streets of East London, bullied by his schoolmates and his domineering football hooligan father, to medical college, where he almost became a father. He then describes his experiences on the brutal front lines of the Falklands War, living his dream life as a gay man amid the struggle of keeping his job as a doctor, and battling the rejection of family and society. Finally, succumbing to the ravaging disease of AIDS in prison, where he was accused of killing a policeman during a protest against the poll tax.

Before I get on with my review, I want to take a moment and urge every father to read this book at least once. Stop living your dreams through the eyes of your son and start respecting him as an individual with his own dreams and aspirations. Give your son the approval, support, and love he deserves. And to all the lovely gay men out there, remember that rejection has been a part of society, so live your dream life openly but not recklessly.

It Was a Riot is such a beautifully written book that I felt there wasn't a single dull moment. From the opening chapter to the last, I found myself totally absorbed by Eddy's journey. The themes and important historical events that the author touches upon are so well-researched, and the transition from one event to another moves with such fluidity that it was impossible for me to put the book down. Even though the book focuses on the flaws of its characters, it serves as a good example of strong character development. This book showcases an intricate balance between personal, historical, and societal issues.

I have read other novels based on the LGBTQA+ community that highlight only the fun side of their lives. However, none of them show the true struggles and challenges that the members of this community really face. Therefore, I would like to applaud the author for his choice of topic for his debut novel. The story is so profoundly tragic that it made me want to feel and cry my heart out for the main character.

I have found my new favourite and I can't stop recommending it enough. I am grateful to Daniel Hall for giving me the opportunity for being an early reader of his excellent debut novel.

My Favourite Season is Spring is a beautifully illustrated picture book for children. With its bright blue background, children will instantly want to flip through its pages.

In this book, Susie takes us on a rhythmic journey when, in class, her teacher ask which is her favorite season. Smiling with confidence, Susie raises her hand and replies that spring is her favorite season. She then moves on to describe the season of spring through her imagination and interpretation.

This book also serves as a good teaching tool by which teachers can teach children about seasons. They can ask the children which is their favorite season and let them describe it through their own thoughts and imagination. This book also helps children to connect with nature and their outdoor as they come across beautiful bees, flowers and birds.

The illustrations are well-drawn, apart from Susie's eyes. But from a kid's point of view, I think they will love it.

Overall, this is a very attractive and highly recommended book for children who have just begun to flip through the pages of a storybook.

“Ever imagined if things started to disappear from the world—like your favorite gadget or something precious to you? What impact would that have on your life? And what if you disappeared from this world—what impact would that have on the world?”

This is precisely the plot of If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura. It's been a while since I finished reading this book, but I found it extremely difficult to write a review without giving away too much of the story.

The book centers around a man (our main character, who remains unnamed throughout the book) who has just discovered that he is dying. He is seen writing a letter to someone about all that has happened to him in the past week. The story unfolds over an entire week, during which our main character is flooded with memories of his childhood, his parents, his friends, his love interest, and, most poignantly, his relationship with his cat.

This book offers a little of everything—silly, quirky, emotional, and thought-provoking. The narrative primarily focuses on various dynamics such as the relationship between a mother and son, the silent distance between a father and son, the companionship between a master and his pet, and the interplay between a human and the world.

If Cats Disappeared from the World makes one introspect on whether we are living a life worth living and what impact we are leaving on this world. It serves as a vehicle to pause, think, and reflect on our lives as we are granted each new day and how meaningful we are making it. A quote that resonated deeply with me is from the MC's mother, who often says, “If you've gained something, it means that someone, somewhere, has lost something. Even happiness is built on someone else's misfortune.” This stands so true because everything I win or gain, someone lost something for my gain.

The translation is simple, fun, and easy to read. While there are not many characters, apart from our unnamed MC, there is a Devil—a character you will love as much as you want to hate—and the cat, Cabbage, who starts to talk with a royal accent.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.

Lyrical Revelations is a personal collection of poems by Thomas McRae. This brief 22-page poetry collection is packed with emotions, spirituality, and rage. McRae's poems provide insights into the complexities of human life and delve deeply into an array of topics. While some poems may feel familiar to the reader, others are tender and soul-captivating.

The author has divided this collection of poetry into three topics and one additional miscellaneous collection —
Love: The first collection of poems is dedicated to love, where the author takes us on a journey from finding love to being in love, and finally to experiencing heartbreak. Through this collection, the author conveys the message that love and heartbreak are inseparable.

Religion: In this second collection of poetry's, the author showcases his strong spiritual Christian values and his faith in Jesus Christ. The poems in this collection takes his readers on a journey filled with gratitude towards his creator culminating in a peaceful embrace of death.

Politics: In this third collection of poetry's, the author expresses his strong opinion on racism in an open and brave manner. Though some poems in this collection may be controversial, the author freely pours out his thoughts, delivering a powerful message that, as humans, we do not all possess the same civil rights.

Miscellaneous: In this collection of poetry, the author has dedicated poems to his parents, friends, famous personalities and on societal issues.

This book, though small has the author expressing his strong views and opinions in a brave manner. A highly recommended book to poetry lovers looking for something quick and impactful.

Not only did I enjoy reading this book but I also had an opportunity to converse with the author in an interview which you can read on my blog

https://chapterchatswithcaroline.wordpress.com/2024/05/26/in-conversation-with-thomas-mcrae-author-of-lyrical-revelations/

The Paper Palace had been sitting on my TBR ever since this book came out and was hyped.

The story follows Elle, who is vacationing in Cape Cod at her grandfather's family home called the Paper Palace, along with her family and long-time best friend. When she is met with an unexpected situation, she must choose between her long-awaited love or the life she has with her loving husband and three children.

The book is certainly beautifully written, but there wasn't anything that wowed me much about it. I felt the author played it safe. However, it was a story that kept me hooked because I wanted to see how it would end and who Elle would ultimately choose. That curiosity was a good enough reason to keep me engaged.

The book was a slow burner, and some chapters dragged on. The dual timeline also got confusing at times, making it difficult to distinguish between past and present, especially since 80% of the book is written in flashbacks. Additionally, dividing the book into five parts with three parts named after the main characters seemed unnecessary, as the story continued in the same style and was told from Elle's point of view. If the story had been told from multiple points of view, this division might have made more sense.

The characters were okay, not much to love or hate; they all had their own secrets, lies, and burdens to carry. The book is full of trigger warnings and explicit sex scenes that readers should watch out for when picking this one up.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, especially if you're not in a hurry and looking for a slow-burn, character-driven book.

The beautiful, bright blue cover of this book was so eye-catching that I couldn't resist requesting it. At the time, though, I wasn't expecting much beyond a few short stories set in Japan. However, as I delved into each story, I was glad I had made the right move in requesting it.

Takeout Sushiis a collection of 13 short stories showcasing the complexity of the city and interactions of an humans day-to-day life in Japan. The author, having lived in Japan for some time now, has precisely captured the essence of contemporary Japan and its people, penning each story in a witty manner along with a range of emotions. Each story was meaningful and carries a moral of some kind. The stories mainly focus on a variety of dynamics such as the relationship between husband and wife, boss and employee, the city and its citizens, etc. Additionally, the book includes 4 bonus stories from a different time and setting. This book also showcases some simple illustrations.

Though, I liked most of the stories, here is a glimpse into some of my favourites:

Swallow tells the story of a childless husband and wife who move into a new apartment, where swallows have built their nest. The wife finds comfort in seeing the swallows hatch and grow, but resistance from the husband brings the story to a practical end.

Burned was the most funniest story in the whole book and one of my favourites.This story teaches us never to iron clothes naked. Specially, if you're a man.

Spinning Wheels tells the story of a hardworking employee stripped of his managerial position and transferred to another department when the company decides to hire robots to improve efficiency. What happens next is a disaster, highlighting that robots can never truly replace humans.

Magpie Man is the story of a common office-goer who begins finding unique small lost objects on the road fallen from the pockets on commuters on their way to the station. Instead of returning the objects to the lost and found department, he ends up keeping it in a cookie box in his apartment, which eventually grows into a habit. But what happens in the end forces him to reflect on breaking this habit for good.

Henry Sparkles is another heart-touching story where an artist is called to serve at the Western Front and finds comfort in a sparrowhawk amidst the war.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to reading more from the author in future. Highly recommended if you like short stories and Japanese Lit.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers at Neem Tree Press and Author Christopher Green for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

To be honest they need to remove the laugh out aloud mention from this book tittle because none of the stories made me laugh let aside out aloud. There were some stories I enjoyed but the others I honestly just couldn't get through. The initial stories in the book were okay to read but not funny or witty. The writers definitely tried their best to be witty but it just didn't tickle the readers funny bone. I had some great expectations from this book but I m disappointed.

Thanks to netgalley, the publishers and the author's from this Arc.

Star rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

“Digging a grave is hard work.” is the opening line of Author Freida McFadden The Teacher & a line that i m sure will not leave my mind any time soon. It's this line that kept me on the edge of my seat & what kept me moving forward.

The Teacher follows a simple plot of an relationship between a teacher and his student, where the student is totally convinced that the connection she shares with her teacher is something out of this world & they are soulmate for life & that they are willing to do anything to be together. But all that is in jeopardy, when another teacher threatens to expose them & bring their affair to light, which in turn would ruin their lives & career forever, if they don't stop her from going to the principal.

The book is divided into 3 parts and the chapters alternate between the three main characters (Eve, Addie & Nate), telling us the story from 3 perspectives. The plot was intriguing, fast paced & managed to keep me hooked for majority of the books. Though, there were certain times in the book, where I thought the writing got a bit repetitive (with Kenzie‘s constant bullying and Eve's obsession with shoes). As for the suspense part, I found it to be very predictable. After 25 to 30 chapters in, I totally had a clue of who was behind all the façade and in which direction the story was headed.

The second part of the book though, was the part I enjoyed the most because it saw some major twists & turns & also kept me second guessing myself but this was all short lived because the third part was just so unrealistic (or should I say filmy) as compared to the rest of the book. Even the epilogue also kind of felt silly to me. The author also tried to throw in some horror aspects in the end which didn't do much for me atleast.

The book also sees some notorious characters who have hidden secrets, compulsive obsession with a certain hobby, bullying and mental illnesses.At the end, all I can say is that the story is full of sexual offenders and child predators. So be warned with its contents before you dive into this one because you are in for a lot of triggers.

There were also some elements in the book that went unanswered like, “was there really something between Mr. Tuttle and Addie? Or was it just a rumour?” And due to which the book felt a bit incomplete. According, to me the author should write up something like a prequel to this main story.

Overall, I did enjoy reading this book apart from all its shortcomings and will surely recommend this book to readers who love fast paced psychological thrillers.