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Kill Night - Victor Methos - ★★★

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AUTHOR: Victor Methos SERIES: We Could be Heroes, #5 GENRE: Short Story PUBLICATION DATE: February 7, 2023 RATING: 3 stars. In a Nutshell: A short story combining a psych thriller and a legal drama. Nicely written, but didn’t hit me as hard as I thought it would. Still, a decent finish to this Amazon story collection. Plot Preview: Nick Collins has just been handed his first client accused of murder, a welcome change from his typical civil case clientele. As he strives to find the truth, he discovers that the small town in which his client Ryan is imprisoned has its own way of doing things. Unless he finds some concrete proof about Ryan’s innocence, Ryan seems to have already been judged guilty. Can Nick save Ryan? Is Ryan truly innocent? This is the fifth and final standalone story in the 'We Could be Heroes’ series, described on Amazon as “a darkly inquisitive collection of short stories that examines heroic intentions versus their real-life consequences.” I enjoy psych thri

A Kind of Madness - Uché Okonkwo - ★★★★

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AUTHOR: Uché Okonkwo GENRE: Short Story Anthology PUBLICATION DATE: April 16, 2024 RATING: 4.1 stars. In a Nutshell: A collection of stories set in contemporary Nigeria, covering various kinds of “madness”, but not necessarily the one you would assume. I enjoyed the setting, the writing, as well as the content. Much recommended! I wouldn’t say that this collection of ten stories took me by surprise. Most OwnVoices African anthologies or story collections I have read have been outstanding, and I am glad that this book continues the positive trend. There is no introductory or author’s note, but the theme of the collection is quite clear from the title and the blurb. The title highlights how a ‘kind of madness’ is the driving force behind these stories. The primary focus is on relationships, whether familial or societal. Expectations lead people to do crazy things, and that’s the kind of crazy we see haunting the pages of this brilliant book. The emotions behind the characters’ actions

The Night Ship - Jess Kidd - ★★

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AUTHOR: Jess Kidd GENRE: Historical Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: July 12, 2022 RATING: 2 stars In a Nutshell: I enjoy historical fiction. I enjoy fantastical elements. I enjoy stories with strong child characters. I enjoy dual timelines. I enjoy fiction based on facts. BUT I did NOT enjoy this book. Go figure! Plot Preview: 1629. Nine-year-old Mayken, newly orphaned, is sailing along with her nurse maid to the Dutch East Indies. Their vessel is the magnificent Batavia, one of the greatest ships of the Dutch trading fleet. Mayken is unlike typical girls of her era, with her unbridled curiosity and her propensity for misadventure. She spends her time roaming the ship’s underdecks and searching for a mythical monster, not realising that there is no monster worse than humankind. 1989. Nine-year-old Gil, newly orphaned, is sent off to live with his grandfather off the coast of Western Australia, on a small fishing island. When he discovers the story of a shipwreck and hears of a young girl’

Lili Gray and the World’s Most Embarrassing Superpower - Ada Loewe - ★★.½

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AUTHOR: Ada Loewe GENRE: Middle-Grade Superhero Mystery. PUBLICATION DATE: March 22, 2024 RATING: 2.5 stars In a Nutshell: A middle-grade mystery-fantasy about a girl who has an “embarrassing superpower”. The mystery part gets greater focus, so don’t expect a typical superhero story. I liked the idea more than the implementation, but looks like I am the only one so far who has outlier feelings. This might work better for younger middle-graders. Plot Preview: Ten-year-old Lili Gray is struggling to deal with an embarrassing new development in her life. ( No spoilers! Sssh! ) To add to her worries, her dad has gone missing, and she is sure that her stepmother Bella is behind his disappearance. Other than her friend Alejandro (aka Ale), she has no one to turn to for support. Then she discovers a long-lost uncle. Can she seek his aid to find out where her father is? Can she also figure out how to deal with her mortifying ability? The story comes to us in Lili’s first person perspective.

Dictionary of Fine Distinctions - Eli Burnstein - ★★★

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AUTHOR: Eli Burnstein ILLUSTRATOR: Liana Finck GENRE: Language Nonfiction PUBLICATION DATE: April 9, 2024 RATING: 3 stars. In a Nutshell: The term ‘dictionary’ led my expectations askew. The book contains distinctions, but not just limited to common words. It covers too many topic areas and hence feels needlessly complicated. I did have fun with it and learnt much, but I wish it had stuck to more practical distinctions. Confusables ( words/phrases that are easily confused with another in meaning or usage ) are common in every language, but English is possibly the champion when it comes to having the maximum number of confusables, courtesy its eclectic composition. Whether homonyms or homophones or homographs, English does its best to muddle up not just newbies but also native speakers. As such, a book that clarifies confusables is always welcome to teachers as well as students. Except that this one does not exactly fit the above requirement. I must begin by appreciating the efforts

The Bookseller's Wife - Jane Davis - ★★★.¾

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AUTHOR: Jane Davis SERIES: The Chiswell Street Chronicles, #1 GENRE: Historical Literary Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: March 13, 2024 RATING: 3.75 stars. In a Nutshell: A good literary fiction, but might not work for everyone. I love the research, the storyline and the main character, but certain small factors prevented this from being a top star read for me. Still, recommended to historical fiction readers who like character-oriented plotlines and a grounded setting. Plot Preview: 1775. London. Twenty-five-year-old Dorcas Turton once belonged to a wealthy and reputed family. But due to her father’s gambling problem, worsened after her mother’s death, she now resides in a small house, taking up sewing jobs and running a class for young ladies to make ends meet. Books are her only solace. With no improvement in their financial situation, Dorcas leases out a room. The new tenants, James and Nancy Lackington, rejuvenate the house with their spirit and friendliness. Dorcas finds their suppor

Once Upon a Workday - Elizabeth Pich & Jonathan Kunz - ★★

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AUTHOR: Elizabeth Pich & Jonathan Kunz GENRE: Graphic Novel, Poetry. PUBLICATION DATE: April 2, 2024 RATING: 2 stars. In a Nutshell: Not exactly as I had expected, which is actually my fault as I should have read the blurb. This is a picture book for adults, containing six poems covering various adult/workplace-related issues. Some motivational, some humorous. Most were not my cup of tea, though. I had grabbed this only by a look at the cover. ( I know, I know!!! ) What corporate professional wouldn’t resonate with the expression on that mouse’s face, as he stares at his comp? I assumed this to be a collection of funny comics related to the workplace, maybe something on the lines of Dilbert. While this is still an illustrated book, the content isn’t a collection of comics but six poems. This was the first hurdle for me. I am NOT a poem person, and I had not anticipated this book to be written entirely in rhyming verse. Moreover, the poems are in AABB pattern, which, to be frank,

The Underground Library - Jennifer Ryan - ★★★★

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AUTHOR: Jennifer Ryan GENRE: Historical Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: March 12, 2024 RATING: 4 stars. In a Nutshell: A historical fiction based on true events, focussing on the functioning of the Bethnal Green Library from the local underground station during the WWII Blitz. The ending was a bit too smooth for my liking, but the rest of the plot was worth it. I learnt a few new facts as well, which isn’t something I expected. Recommended! Plot Preview: 1940, Bethnal Green, London. Juliet Lansdown, 26, has just been appointed the new deputy librarian at the Bethnal Green library, but when she takes over, she realises that the head librarian refuses to adopt new ideas to imbue fresh life into the library. Juliet is determined to prove to him that women librarians can handle the job adeptly. Katie Upwood, 18, loves her job at the library though it is only for the short term before she heads off to university. But after the death of her boyfriend on the front line and some big personal uphea

The Guild Master's Daughter - Geneva Price - ★★★.½

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AUTHOR: Geneva Price GENRE: Historical Fantasy PUBLICATION DATE: November 17, 2023 RATING: 3.5 stars. In a Nutshell: An ambitious debut historical fantasy that wanders through many paths not taken before. The ending (a bit too wild for my liking), the length and the pacing could have been better, but kudos to the author’s imagination for keeping the fantasy part rock-solid. Plot Preview: Faith’s stepfather Colonel Trumbull, a renowned artist, has categorically told her that the art world is no place for a woman, and her only purpose is to get married and breed children. While Faith has learnt to curb her true nature in his presence, she can’t stifle her longing for art, especially when she seems to have a wild imagination and a talent for sketching. When Faith learns about a mysterious Ink used by the Colonel, her curiosity surges, and she soon discovers how magical and powerful the Ink is. Will Faith give access to her inner artist and be able to use the Ink against the explicit inst

These Cold Strangers - J.T. Ellison - ★★★★.¼

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AUTHOR: J.T. Ellison SERIES: We Could be Heroes, #4 GENRE: Short Story. PUBLICATION DATE: February 7, 2023 RATING: 4.25 stars. In a Nutshell: A standalone short story that is somewhat predictable but still delivers a wallop of an impact. This series is making me shatter all my assumptions about heroes! Plot Preview: After a life-altering tragedy ten years ago, Addison Blake left her hometown and never returned, even though she is still haunted by the ghosts of the past. But when a video showing a stranger rescuing an old man becomes viral, Addison, a freelance reporter, knows that she has to go back to interview the man she recognised as her old classmate. After all, this interview could mark the beginning of a new phase in her career. But has the trauma of the past really healed? Will this ‘breaking news’ finally save her, personally and professionally? The story comes to us in Addison’s first person perspective. PSA: Go in blind! This is the fourth standalone story in the 'We C

The Attic Child - Lola Jaye - ★★★★.¼

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AUTHOR: Lola Jaye GENRE: Historical Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: April 28, 2022 RATING: 4.25 stars. In a Nutshell: A dual timeline historical fiction covering the shared trauma of two children in an attic, separated by almost a century. Compelling plot, excellent writing, powerful themes and research. Definitely recommended. (Just in case you thought this is a slave narrative, it is not so. Rather, not a typical one anyway.) Plot Preview: 1907. Twelve-year-old Dikembe assumes that he is being sent by his mother along with the white man named Sir Richard Babbington for a month-long educational trip to England. Little does he know that he is to be renamed Celestine, and because of a change in circumstances, he will soon become an unpaid servant. Locked in the attic when he is not working, Celestine can only dream about his family while wondering how he can return to them. 1970s. Lowra, a young orphan whose familial wealth and privilege doesn’t save her from being banished to the same atti

If I Have To Be A Soldier - Nikhil J. Alva - ★★★.¾

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AUTHOR: Nikhil J. Alva GENRE: Indian Historical Fiction. PUBLICATION DATE: March 15, 2024 RATING: 3.75 stars. In a nutshell: An eye-opening historical fiction set around the 1966 rebellion in what is today Mizoram, India. I learn a lot about this not commonly known event of Indian history. Informative without being over the top, interesting characters, strong plot. A commendable debut, indeed.  Plot Preview: 1966. Mizoram, North-East India. The Mizo National Front has launched a rebellion against the Indian government, demanding an independent nation. The Central government is fighting back with all its might. Amid this strife, Captain Samuel Rego (Sammy) is sent back to the land of his birth to interrogate a captive. Little does he know that the prisoner, one of the most feared MNF leaders known by his nickname ‘Che’, is his estranged childhood friend Sena. Sammy also doesn’t know that within just a few hours, both Sena and he will be fugitives from the law. While being hunted across

The Good Enough Guide to Better Living - Alison Throckmorton - ★★★.½

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AUTHOR: Alison Throckmorton GENRE: Humour PUBLICATION DATE: March 26, 2024 RATING: 3.5 stars. In a Nutshell: A humorous compilation of tips and strategies designed to make you tackle housework without stressing out. An entertaining read not to be taken seriously, as is clear from the title. One of my favourite quotes comes from Claire Oshetsky’s ‘Chouette’: “Housekeeping is nothing more than a losing encounter with entropy.” In a world where every home on social media looks spic and span, seeing the endless chores lying ignored in our own homes can lead to dismay and depression. After all, all of us want a clean house, but none of us wants to work tirelessly for it, right? The root of the problem is perfectionism. But have you ever tried following the concept of ‘good-enoughism’? It works so much better for you and for people around you. The ‘good enough’ part of this title immediately made me grab it. ( Not to forget that the tagline also had a strong appeal! 😁) This is the most p

The Other Side of Night - Adam Hamdy - ★★★★

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AUTHOR: Adam Hamdy GENRE: Literary Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: September 15, 2022 RATING: 4 stars In a Nutshell: Can’t reveal much without spoiling it, so all I’ll say here is: it takes a long while to get going but the ending is worth it. Better suited to those who prefer character-driven reads and aren’t fussy about genres. I am an outlier once again, but on the positive side – Woohoo!!! Plot Preview: Harriet Kealty, a police officer, has just been suspended. As she tries to clear her name, she discovers a second-hand book with an inscription: “Help me, he’s trying to kill me.” Backtracking to the last person who borrowed the book from the library, Harriet discovers that Elizabeth Asha, the woman who possibly wrote the note, died a few months ago, followed soon after by her husband David, who jumped off the cliffs, leaving behind their six-year-old son Elliott. Harriet feels compelled to check on Elliott, when she discovers, to her great surprise, that his new guardian is Ben Elmys, th

Little House - Katya Balen - ★★★★

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AUTHOR: Katya Balen ILLUSTRATOR: Richard Johnson GENRE: Middle-Grade Novella. PUBLICATION DATE: March 14, 2024 RATING: 4 stars. In a Nutshell: A bittersweet middle-grade novella about a little girl who understands the importance of home and family and how it is sometimes accompanied by sacrifice. Beautiful writing and great emotions, but slower pace. Might work better as a discussion read than as an individual experience. Plot Preview: Ten-year-old Juno is very upset after her mother leaves her with her grandfather for the entire summer while her parents are off doing volunteer work in some other country. Juno thinks it is very unfair that her parents care more for other kids than for their own daughter. When Juno discovers an abandoned doll house in her grandpa’s attic, she sees how beautiful it might once have been, and how lonely its little doll family looks. So she decides to make a new home for them, and in the process, learns some important lessons. The story comes to us in Jun