Beyond Books

I am no writer, and have no intention of becoming a published author. But sometimes, I do feel like penning my thoughts on all things bookish. Here are a few of my thoughts and writings.
(As is evident, this page is a work-in-progress. I have written a lot more than these few articles. Stay tuned. 😃)

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The Language of Love and Other Stories - Nancy Christie - ★★★★

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  AUTHOR:  Nancy Christie GENRE: Short Story Collection PUBLICATION DATE: February 4, 2025 RATING: 3.9 stars. In a Nutshell: A delightful short story collection focussing on all aspects of love. Yes, “love”, not “romance”! Interesting plots, multiple emotions, steady paced, beautiful endings ranging from sweet to bittersweet. Not corny or mushy as you might assume. Much recommended! I had misjudged this short story collection on initial glance, dismissing it as being cheesy romance tales. ( Very hasty and judgemental of me, I admit. No offence intended to readers of the genre. It is just that I no longer enjoy such stories .) As the cover gave me romance vibes, I almost decided that this is not for me. But then, the title made me pause, bringing to my mind the fabulous "The Five Love Languages of Children" by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell – probably the only self-help/inspirational book I've read that I found authentic and practical. I wondered if the "language...
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Blink and Glow - Raven Howell - ★★★★

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  AUTHOR:  Raven Howell ILLUSTRATOR: Ann Pilicer GENRE: Children's Picture Book PUBLICATION DATE: July 15, 2024 RATING:  4 stars. In a Nutshell: A sweet picture book about appreciating nature and its creatures. Good story, lovely illustrations, important message. Recommended. Plot Preview: Leo and Lilly love chasing fireflies and salamanders in their backyard. They even manage to capture one of each in a glass jar to take it to school for show-and-tell. However, when they show their treasures to Grandma, she wisely guides them towards doing what is right for the creatures, and even shows them a way they can take a ‘firefly’ and a ‘salamander’ to show-and-tell.   When I read the start of the story and saw the kids happily capturing those lovely creatures in glass jars, my heart began to sink. This wasn’t at all an activity I could advocate! Just as I was wondering how I would review this book politely, Grandma came to the rescue. 😍 The picture boo...
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Shalama: My 96 Seasons in China - Jean Hoffmann Lewanda - ★★

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AUTHOR: Jean Hoffmann Lewanda GENRE: Historical Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: October 15, 2024 RATING: 2 stars. In a Nutshell: Officially, a historical fiction based on the life of the author’s mother. However, the writing is heavily non-fiction in style and not character-focussed. This might work better as a memoir but after some finetuning of the presentation. Plot Preview: 1928. Harbin, China. Born to a Russian Jewish family who emigrated from Europe to Harbin a few years earlier, Shalama is intimately familiar with life in a city filled with European Jewish and Russian immigrants fleeing various pogroms. As Harbin, known as the ‘Paris of the East’ is a thriving village-turned-town thanks to these new citizens, it feels more like a white community than a Chinese town. When the Japanese come to Harbin in the 1930s, Shalama’s family moves to Shanghai, where she becomes a typist after her schooling, and marries an Austrian Jew named Paul. However, there are still some changes to come in ...
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The Housemaid's Secret - Freida McFadden - ★★★.½

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AUTHOR: Freida McFadden SERIES: Housemaid, #2  GENRE: Domestic Thriller RATING: 3.5 stars. In a Nutshell: The good news is that this is just like ‘ The Housemaid .’ The bad news is that this is just like ‘The Housemaid.’ A fun thriller, as long as you don’t overanalyse it. Better if you read the series in order. Story Synopsis: Millie is back, still working as a maid, and still struggling for finances. She is in a steady relationship with Brock, a lawyer who doesn’t know anything about her past. Not that she loves Brock, but as Enzo isn’t around, he will do. After Millie loses her current job, she gets a call from Douglas Garrick, a wealthy tech specialist. He wants Millie to clean and cook, but on one condition|: she is NOT to interact with his wife Wendy, who is ill. As Millie is desperate for a job, she agrees. However, things are, but obviously, not as declared, and Millie finds herself in a quandary; risk her job by helping Wendy, or go against her values by ignoring what’s ha...
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The Picture Bride - Lee Geum-yi - ★★.¾

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AUTHOR: Lee Geum-yi TRANSLATOR: An Seonjae GENRE: Korean Historical Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: October 5, 2022 RATING: 2.8 stars. In a Nutshell: A historical fiction about a young girl from Korea who is sent to Hawaii as a “picture bride” and learns to navigate life in a new land. A good plot but somewhat disconnected writing. Not sure if the emotions were lost in translation. Still, a fairly informative read for those who enjoy this genre. Plot Preview: 1917. When young Willow is approached by the local matchmaker to become a ‘picture bride’ for a young Korean in Hawaii, she never imagined that the promises would not be entirely truthful. Though sad at leaving her mother and siblings behind, the eighteen-year-old sails for Hawaii with starry dreams in her eyes, along with a few other Korean girls who have also obtained grooms through posted photos. Life in the Hawaiian Korean community isn’t exactly as they envisaged, but with no chance of returning home, Willow has to make the best ...
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