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. 😃)

Author Specials:


Bookish Write-ups:



✤ Five Types of Non-fiction that Even Fiction Lovers Will Enjoy! - Guest Article for Blogchatter's BeStorified series. - March 2025.





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The Soulmate - Sally Hepworth - ★★

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AUTHOR: Sally Hepworth NARRATORS: Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry GENRE: Domestic Suspense RATING: 2 stars. In a Nutshell: No soul, no mate. Better if read as a family drama than as a domestic thriller. Even better if you skip it. Hello once again from Outlier Island! Story Synopsis: Gabe and Pippa live in a cottage by a cliff along with their two little daughters. This cliff-side is unfortunately a suicide hotspot, and Gabe has become something of a local hero by rescuing people from jumping off to their deaths. But he doesn’t succeed in saving the latest person, a woman. When Pippa learns that Gabe has not told her the entire truth and that he actually knew the victim, she begins to ask questions and discovers many new secrets. But Gabe is her soulmate, and it is her duty to keep him safe, isn’t it? The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Pippa in two timelines – Then and Now, and also in the first person perspective of Amanda (the victim) in two timelines –...
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The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Axie Oh

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AUTHOR: Axie Oh GENRE: Fantasy, Korean, Retelling. RATING: 2 stars. In a Nutshell: Minority opinion alert! This wasn’t my cup of tea. Sorry. But it just didn’t click with me. Story: Mina’s village is ravaged by severe storms since decades. To appease the Sea God, a pretty young girl is thrown in to the sea to serve as his “bride” so that someday, he will choose the right bride and be appeased, thereby ending the calamities. This year, it’s the turn of Shim Cheong, the most beautiful girl in the village to be the Sea God’s bride. However, Cheong is in love with Joon, Mina’s beloved older brother. To keep the two lovers united, Mina makes a last minute sacrifice and throws herself into the sea. Swept away to the Spirit realm by an underwater dragon, Mina is stunned to see that the Sea God is in an enchanted sleep. All she has for company is three strange young men – Shin, Namgi and Kirin – and a few spirits. But whom can she trust and who is out to get her? Will she able to serve her pur...
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Stormy Normy Goes Reining - Leisa Fail - ★★★.¾

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AUTHOR: Leisa Fail ILLUSTRATOR: Amy Rennie SERIES: The Adventures of Stormy Normy, #3 GENRE: Middle-grade Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: November 7, 2025 RATING: 3.75 stars. In a Nutshell: A children’s chapter book featuring a brumby horse as the narrator. Nice use of the Australian setting, great animals and horsey info. A bit rushed in its execution at times. A slightly bittersweet story, but told positively. The third book of the Stormy Normy series. Better if read in series order. Plot Preview: After becoming the champion of the Tom Quilty endurance race, Stormy is now ready for the next phase of his adventures with his owner Charlie. They are training for ‘reining’, which is a whole other ballgame and requires completely different skills. Stormy is quite frustrated at messing up, but as a wise friend reminds him, we don’t achieve anything if we don’t push ourselves out of our comfort zone. Unfortunately, while things do start to go well, there is also some bad news in store. The story ...
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Through Each Tomorrow - Gabrielle Meyer - ★★★★.½

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AUTHOR: Gabrielle Meyer SERIES: Timeless, #6 GENRE: Historical Romance. PUBLICATION DATE: November 4, 2025 RATING: 4.5 stars. In a Nutshell: A historical fiction with elements of romance, time travel, familial rivalry, royal intrigue, and Christian faith. Outstanding in plotting, historical research, and character development. The sixth book of the fabulous Timeless series. Works as a standalone, but better not read in isolation. Much recommended! Plot Preview: 1883, Virginia. Twenty-four-year-old Charles has been struggling to take care of his mother and widowed sister as his horse farm has been facing losses ever since the death of his father a few years ago. His 1563 life in England, though more opulent, comes with its own share of struggles. (Yes, Charles lives two lives simultaneously. Read the earlier Timeless books to know how this works.) His main concern there is his stepsister Cecily, who has no one except him. Cecily works in the court of Queen Elizabeth, but if Charles ha...
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Norma and the Blue Hour - Chris Delyani - ★★★.¾

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AUTHOR: Chris Delyani GENRE: Contemporary Fiction PUBLICATION DATE: November 13, 2025 RATING: 3.75 stars. In a Nutshell: A contemporary family drama about an old woman looking for her estranged son. Interesting complex characters, good plot development, steady pacing. Character-oriented. Slightly unsatisfying ending, though this is more about expectations than about writing issues. Recommended. Plot Preview: When ex-fashion designer Norma McKinsey, nearly eighty years of age, crashes her car and lands up in hospital, she realises that she needs to get going on the one task she has been avoiding for many years: looking for her younger son Kevin. He is still with her but only in her thoughts, constantly speaking to her. As Kevin left home twenty-five years ago and hasn’t been in touch since, it is high time Norma sets things right. Her elder son Charlie wishes to move her to a nursing home, but she is adamant that she can manage on her own even in her huge house. Her younger sister Julie...
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