We’ve spent so much time judging what other people created that we’ve created very, very little of our own. You see, Chuck casually drops such gems. I haven’t understood his writing process for a reader who goes through a book from two perspectives, one from the reader’s and then a writer’s perspective. Reading books from two perspectives helps you understand the works in depth. I started this exercise years ago, opening several perspectives of understanding in my reading journey. A Well-Written Piece Steven Erikson, Murakami, Stephen King, and Chuck Palahniuk are the prominent writers whose ..read more

When you come across a book like this, what comes to mind? As for me, I imagined it to be one of those motivational books. However, it turned out to be a fictional story. The title of this book caught my attention because of its uniqueness. Synopsis The story is based on the legacy of Sally May Anderson, who owns a bed-and-breakfast business and had it running for a long time. Sally May Anderson is a woman loved by all and sundry and brings warmth everywhere she goes and lights up the room. Even after losing her husband, she remains lovely to everyone. In all, she has a beautiful soul. Howeve ..read more

Why I Picked Up This Book I can’t tell you why I picked up this book. Maybe it was the title—Olga Dies Dreaming—but I suspect it had to do with the author’s name: Xóchitl Gonzalez. I expected the book to be different, and that’s what it turned out to be: different. Olga: A Fully Fleshed-Out Character I’ll start with Olga. She is a fully fleshed-out character. Sometimes, you like or dislike a character, which can affect your feelings about the entire book. But Olga is one of those characters who is unapologetically herself. I can’t say I especially liked or disliked her; even if I leaned one wa ..read more

Even When Your Voice Shakes tells the story of Naa Amerley, the oldest daughter in a culture where the oldest sets an example for others. When her father abandons the family after only having all girls, she is left to pick up the pieces and make ends meet. While Amerley is trying to pay rent and school fees, Amerley-mami (her mother) wastes her days grieving and self-pity and refuses to keep the family from falling into debt. When Auntie Rosina arrives, she offers to take Amerley in as a housemaid in exchange for two years of mandatory service, and she will guarantee that her siblings can atte ..read more

Dave Eggers. That name was the reason why I picked up this book. In 2017, I read another novel of his titled “The Circle,” which I rated a 4 out of 5 stars. I found The Circle to be a powerful book, mainly because it was a sort of social commentary on the immense power tech companies today wield. It was also creepy and scary too. In summary, I expected great things from A Hologram For The King. Plot The novel follows Alan, an American salesman who is sent to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to close a deal, a deal that his future likely depends on. The 300 pages of the novel span from his arrival a ..read more

Dear Reader, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you to share my thoughts on a book I recently read that I believe you would also enjoy. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. This novel is a friend that has not left me, and it’s a friend I don’t mind sharing with you. The book is a series of heartfelt letters from the main character, Charlie, who is portrayed as an individual who struggles to fit in, has an acute sense of being an outsider, and is constantly battling his mind. His letters give a sense of intimacy and authenticity as we see his thoughts and feel h ..read more

Synopsis In Yellowface, R.F. Kuang tells the story of a young white woman and an Asian woman. Both writers, one is at the zenith of her career, a household name who is living the dream of every writer, and the other muddles around in her shadow. June witnesses the death of her “friend” Athena and, in the process, steals her manuscript and later passes it off as her own. Things spiral out of control, and she is left to pick up the pieces of the lie she created. Thoughts First, I have to say that Yellowface was a good read. It started pretty engagingly, and both characters were equally flawed. F ..read more

‘’You could tell me mind my business, but don’t lie and say he didn’t beat you. You could lie to the world, but don’t lie to yourself.” The Bread The Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini, which has recently been shortlisted for the Women’s Fiction Prize for 2022, is a very heavy read. Set in Trinidad and Tobago, it deals with some tough subject matters such as racism, rape, family dysfunction, poverty, and gender inequality. Alethea Lopez, aka Girlie, is a store manager at the On The Town clothing store on Fredrick Street, Port of Spain. When her coworkers begin to notice the bruises on her sk ..read more