You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
_askthebookbug's Reviews (1.34k)
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
• r e c o m m e n d a t i o n •
TW : Rape, death, violence, lynching, graphic description of slavery.
This book reminded me of the movie Twelve Years a Slave but was even more difficult to read because at the centre of it all was a woman. This historical fiction is based on the life of Mary Lumpkin who was the wife/mistress of the infamous jailer Robert Lumpkin. Although much isn't known about her, Sadeqa built a character by keeping her in mind. The novel is set in 1850, back when slavery was very much present. Black people were treated inhumanely so much so that they weren't even considered better than animals and I had to pause very often while reading it because certain descriptions were too heartbreaking. Yellow Wife is an underrated book, a tale of a biracial woman who had to live with a white man out of fear.
It's 1850 and Pheby Delores Brown, daughter of a black enslaved woman and a white master lives a relatively safe life under their protection. But things fall apart before her 18th birthday and she is sent off to an auction. There, she meets Rubin Lapier, owner of a slave jail also known as 'Devil's Half Acre'. This prison holds auctions and also serves as a torture camp for runaways. Lapier who is the devil himself has countless black people tortured under his steely gaze. It is here that Pheby lives much against her will in order to survive. She births children with Lapier and brings them up amidst all that horror. But Pheby was smart and tried helping other slaves in her own way. Although much of the story is fictional, it does pay a tribute to Mary who lived a terrible life. Yellow Wife is written beautifully, with narration that keeps the readers engaged till the very end.
This is an extraordinary novel that celebrates women at it's core. Although it wasn't an easy read, it must be read for it carries such a significant part of American History.
4.9/5.
TW : Rape, death, violence, lynching, graphic description of slavery.
This book reminded me of the movie Twelve Years a Slave but was even more difficult to read because at the centre of it all was a woman. This historical fiction is based on the life of Mary Lumpkin who was the wife/mistress of the infamous jailer Robert Lumpkin. Although much isn't known about her, Sadeqa built a character by keeping her in mind. The novel is set in 1850, back when slavery was very much present. Black people were treated inhumanely so much so that they weren't even considered better than animals and I had to pause very often while reading it because certain descriptions were too heartbreaking. Yellow Wife is an underrated book, a tale of a biracial woman who had to live with a white man out of fear.
It's 1850 and Pheby Delores Brown, daughter of a black enslaved woman and a white master lives a relatively safe life under their protection. But things fall apart before her 18th birthday and she is sent off to an auction. There, she meets Rubin Lapier, owner of a slave jail also known as 'Devil's Half Acre'. This prison holds auctions and also serves as a torture camp for runaways. Lapier who is the devil himself has countless black people tortured under his steely gaze. It is here that Pheby lives much against her will in order to survive. She births children with Lapier and brings them up amidst all that horror. But Pheby was smart and tried helping other slaves in her own way. Although much of the story is fictional, it does pay a tribute to Mary who lived a terrible life. Yellow Wife is written beautifully, with narration that keeps the readers engaged till the very end.
This is an extraordinary novel that celebrates women at it's core. Although it wasn't an easy read, it must be read for it carries such a significant part of American History.
4.9/5.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
• r e c o m m e n d a t i o n •
This beauty of a book is @cpamzhang 's debut novel and it is in every sense a magnificent piece of work. Set during the Californian Gold Rush, this tale is about two sisters born to Chinese immigrants living in the West. It begins with death of the girls' Ba, a coal miner turned into a gold prospector. Lucy and Sam are left with the responsibility of burying his corpse and hence begins their journey across the hills in trying to find a home to lay him to rest. The girls couldn't be any different from each other, like chalk and cheese. While Lucy has a fondness for education, Sam uses her fists to assert her presence. Lucy is like her Ma while Sam turns herself into a boy to please her Ba. She cuts her hair short, shorn almost to the scalp, talks and walks like a boy and ultimately gets to see a kinder version of her Ba contrary to the slaps Lucy receives from him. Their Ma's death changed the dynamics of the family altogether. The girls stop being children when they haul their Ba's corpse in a trunk.
Zhang's writing is grim and brutal, often making me take short pauses to digest what I had just read. There's no rainbow but only the blackness of coal that coats their hands and lungs. She portrays how rich exploit the poor, labourers being treated like disease and a strong sense of displacement. Not only is this a work of historical fiction but it also carries a subtle mix of myth and folklore. Written in a non-linear narrative, something that I usually don't enjoy, this novel is a superb coming-of-age story of two girls who are very different from each other but are connected by an invisible thread. They grow apart only to find their way back to each other. In a world of rich and hungry men, these two girls find their place. But it comes with a price. Zhang cleverly begins with the present, easing into the past and paints a rather grim picture of the future. There are quite a few traumatic instances in this book so please read it when you're in the right headspace. Otherwise, this is highly recommended.
Rating : 4.2/5.
Thank you for the copy @hachette_india
This beauty of a book is @cpamzhang 's debut novel and it is in every sense a magnificent piece of work. Set during the Californian Gold Rush, this tale is about two sisters born to Chinese immigrants living in the West. It begins with death of the girls' Ba, a coal miner turned into a gold prospector. Lucy and Sam are left with the responsibility of burying his corpse and hence begins their journey across the hills in trying to find a home to lay him to rest. The girls couldn't be any different from each other, like chalk and cheese. While Lucy has a fondness for education, Sam uses her fists to assert her presence. Lucy is like her Ma while Sam turns herself into a boy to please her Ba. She cuts her hair short, shorn almost to the scalp, talks and walks like a boy and ultimately gets to see a kinder version of her Ba contrary to the slaps Lucy receives from him. Their Ma's death changed the dynamics of the family altogether. The girls stop being children when they haul their Ba's corpse in a trunk.
Zhang's writing is grim and brutal, often making me take short pauses to digest what I had just read. There's no rainbow but only the blackness of coal that coats their hands and lungs. She portrays how rich exploit the poor, labourers being treated like disease and a strong sense of displacement. Not only is this a work of historical fiction but it also carries a subtle mix of myth and folklore. Written in a non-linear narrative, something that I usually don't enjoy, this novel is a superb coming-of-age story of two girls who are very different from each other but are connected by an invisible thread. They grow apart only to find their way back to each other. In a world of rich and hungry men, these two girls find their place. But it comes with a price. Zhang cleverly begins with the present, easing into the past and paints a rather grim picture of the future. There are quite a few traumatic instances in this book so please read it when you're in the right headspace. Otherwise, this is highly recommended.
Rating : 4.2/5.
Thank you for the copy @hachette_india
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
• r e v i e w •
Once Upon An Eid is a warm book, one that reinforces the idea of celebration and belonging. Written for children, this book brings together the stories written by 15 different Muslim authors. Each story speaks of hope and kindness which remains an integral part of any festival. It highlights the concept of sharing and giving, about friendships and familial relationships. Stories that can uplift one's mood on a rather dull day. One of the things that I enjoyed about this book was the diversity of the authors. Although all of them are Muslim, their chapters carry a certain uniqueness due to varied cultures and rituals. I was pleasantly surprised to spot a poem and a graphic novel amidst other short stories.
There's an aspect of reality attached to these stories unlike the happily ever afters that are usually written surrounding any festivities. Financial stress, separation of parents, illness, the uncertainty of new relationships; all these were quite refreshing to read. Amidst various emotions, there's one that stands out significantly; the spirit of celebration. They reinforce the thought that one needn't be rich to have a perfect Eid but kindness and generosity does the job. Although most of the stories were predictable, this anthology will serve as a perfect means for children to learn and understand the concept of brotherhood and that of being thankful. There's nothing extraordinary about the stories but they feel soft around the edges, like that of a familiar and favourite blanket that we usually seek warmth from. If you're looking for a simple yet wonderful read, one that can keep you company on a gloomy day, this one's for you. It'll surely cheer you up, you'll see :)
Rating : 3.5/5.
Once Upon An Eid is a warm book, one that reinforces the idea of celebration and belonging. Written for children, this book brings together the stories written by 15 different Muslim authors. Each story speaks of hope and kindness which remains an integral part of any festival. It highlights the concept of sharing and giving, about friendships and familial relationships. Stories that can uplift one's mood on a rather dull day. One of the things that I enjoyed about this book was the diversity of the authors. Although all of them are Muslim, their chapters carry a certain uniqueness due to varied cultures and rituals. I was pleasantly surprised to spot a poem and a graphic novel amidst other short stories.
There's an aspect of reality attached to these stories unlike the happily ever afters that are usually written surrounding any festivities. Financial stress, separation of parents, illness, the uncertainty of new relationships; all these were quite refreshing to read. Amidst various emotions, there's one that stands out significantly; the spirit of celebration. They reinforce the thought that one needn't be rich to have a perfect Eid but kindness and generosity does the job. Although most of the stories were predictable, this anthology will serve as a perfect means for children to learn and understand the concept of brotherhood and that of being thankful. There's nothing extraordinary about the stories but they feel soft around the edges, like that of a familiar and favourite blanket that we usually seek warmth from. If you're looking for a simple yet wonderful read, one that can keep you company on a gloomy day, this one's for you. It'll surely cheer you up, you'll see :)
Rating : 3.5/5.
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
• r e v i e w •
Girl A is anything but a thriller. It is a sloppy mess, like that of a sandwich with its contents spilling out. Both the cover and the premise fooled me into getting a copy but right from the second chapter, I knew it was going to be a long torturous journey. This is the story of seven siblings growing up in the house of horrors as the papers will later start calling it. With parents who are mentally ill, the kids are chained and are deprived of food and hygiene. There was obviously an amount of curiousity that pushed me forward to go through those lengthy 7 chapters but in the end, I left without answers. No thriller/psychological fiction should end that way. Period.
The protagonist is Lex, who is also known as Girl A. She rescues her siblings and carries darkness within her all her life. She's a cynic and doesn't clearly get along well with her brothers and sisters. Each adult has his/her own flaw, thanks to their past. Growing up in a dirty and dank house with swollen feet and bound hands, moulds accumulating underneath their beds, they have had a tough life. With a violent and unpredictable father and a helpless and mostly participating mother, the children are left in terrible conditions. Each chapter is dedicated to each sibling but what Dean missed was how a chapter was required for both the parents. After all, why will we know why they decided to treat their kids badly? The entire novel is strung very loosely, with plenty of loopholes and at times very annoying narration. Girl A could have been the best-seller but without a solid plot, it crumbled and fell. For a reader who enjoys reading perfect and almost flawless stories, this one ended up being a major disappointment.
Rating : 2/5.
Girl A is anything but a thriller. It is a sloppy mess, like that of a sandwich with its contents spilling out. Both the cover and the premise fooled me into getting a copy but right from the second chapter, I knew it was going to be a long torturous journey. This is the story of seven siblings growing up in the house of horrors as the papers will later start calling it. With parents who are mentally ill, the kids are chained and are deprived of food and hygiene. There was obviously an amount of curiousity that pushed me forward to go through those lengthy 7 chapters but in the end, I left without answers. No thriller/psychological fiction should end that way. Period.
The protagonist is Lex, who is also known as Girl A. She rescues her siblings and carries darkness within her all her life. She's a cynic and doesn't clearly get along well with her brothers and sisters. Each adult has his/her own flaw, thanks to their past. Growing up in a dirty and dank house with swollen feet and bound hands, moulds accumulating underneath their beds, they have had a tough life. With a violent and unpredictable father and a helpless and mostly participating mother, the children are left in terrible conditions. Each chapter is dedicated to each sibling but what Dean missed was how a chapter was required for both the parents. After all, why will we know why they decided to treat their kids badly? The entire novel is strung very loosely, with plenty of loopholes and at times very annoying narration. Girl A could have been the best-seller but without a solid plot, it crumbled and fell. For a reader who enjoys reading perfect and almost flawless stories, this one ended up being a major disappointment.
Rating : 2/5.
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
• r e c o m m e n d a t i o n •
"All good secrets have a taste before you tell them, and if we'd taken a moment to swish this one around our mouths, we might have noticed the sourness of an unripe secret, plucked too soon, stolen and passed around before its season. But we didn't." - Brit Bennett.
Two teenagers fall in love but don't know how to name it and before they do, they fall apart only to meet years later as adults. Like rubber bands, they come back together after being pulled apart. But adulthood comes with its own set of consequences and responsibilities. You may think that the story is about mopey teenagers who fret about inconsequential things but Bennett doesn't let you feel that way. Because The Mothers isn't just a story about love being found and then lost but it's also about friendships, motherhood and the absence of it. I knew from the very first chapter that Bennett has an incredible talent, one that stirs a mountain of feelings within the readers. Every metaphor she used was simply mind-blowing. The Mothers is the sort of book that may appear to be normal but once read, is simply impossible to not be moved by it.
Nadia loses her mother as a teenager and so she grows up being motherless. With a father floating in his pool of sadness, she meets Luke who is the son of a pastor. A teenage love that's quick to fall out with Nadia moving away for college. While she focuses on studies and lives a life away from her town, Luke finds contentment in Nadia's best friend Aubrey. The two girls couldn't be any different from each other but that's what brought them together. Nadia refuses to come back to what was once her mother's house, refuses to see her father who still hasn't overcome his loss but Aubrey's wedding forces her to come home. Things are the same but aren't really the same. As she rekindles her relationship with her father, she notices how love that wasn't completely ripped apart years ago, is still lodged deep within her heart. The Mothers, the church women narrate the story which is quite unique. They talk about men, mothers who didn't really play their part as one, about love and mistakes.
This novel makes you feel a whirlwind of emotions. It makes you unable to put down the book even for a minute. Bennett writes like this is not her first but her twentieth novel, such is the power of her words. I honestly can't imagine how a story as simple as this is capable enough to carry so much of sentimentality. This is the kind of a book that shows how incredible writing can turn even the simplest of stories into magnificent ones. I recommend this.
"All good secrets have a taste before you tell them, and if we'd taken a moment to swish this one around our mouths, we might have noticed the sourness of an unripe secret, plucked too soon, stolen and passed around before its season. But we didn't." - Brit Bennett.
Two teenagers fall in love but don't know how to name it and before they do, they fall apart only to meet years later as adults. Like rubber bands, they come back together after being pulled apart. But adulthood comes with its own set of consequences and responsibilities. You may think that the story is about mopey teenagers who fret about inconsequential things but Bennett doesn't let you feel that way. Because The Mothers isn't just a story about love being found and then lost but it's also about friendships, motherhood and the absence of it. I knew from the very first chapter that Bennett has an incredible talent, one that stirs a mountain of feelings within the readers. Every metaphor she used was simply mind-blowing. The Mothers is the sort of book that may appear to be normal but once read, is simply impossible to not be moved by it.
Nadia loses her mother as a teenager and so she grows up being motherless. With a father floating in his pool of sadness, she meets Luke who is the son of a pastor. A teenage love that's quick to fall out with Nadia moving away for college. While she focuses on studies and lives a life away from her town, Luke finds contentment in Nadia's best friend Aubrey. The two girls couldn't be any different from each other but that's what brought them together. Nadia refuses to come back to what was once her mother's house, refuses to see her father who still hasn't overcome his loss but Aubrey's wedding forces her to come home. Things are the same but aren't really the same. As she rekindles her relationship with her father, she notices how love that wasn't completely ripped apart years ago, is still lodged deep within her heart. The Mothers, the church women narrate the story which is quite unique. They talk about men, mothers who didn't really play their part as one, about love and mistakes.
This novel makes you feel a whirlwind of emotions. It makes you unable to put down the book even for a minute. Bennett writes like this is not her first but her twentieth novel, such is the power of her words. I honestly can't imagine how a story as simple as this is capable enough to carry so much of sentimentality. This is the kind of a book that shows how incredible writing can turn even the simplest of stories into magnificent ones. I recommend this.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
• r e v i e w •
"Generosity is giving more than you can.
Pride is taking less than you need."
~
"We often borrow from our tomorrows
to pay debts to our yesterdays."
~
"Government is an agreement between you and me.
You and I are often wrong." - Khalil Gibran.
Khalil Gibran's Little Book of Wisdom is beautiful inside and out. His most renowned work, 'The Prophet' has been in my TBR for quite sometime now so when @amaryllispublishing were kind enough to send their newest collection, I was beyond thrilled. The Lebanese American writer/poet had a bold voice that he chose to voice through his writings. Not only was he a great writer but was also an exceptional artist, his works still being displayed in Sharjah Art Museum. Neil Douglas-Klotz has done a thorough and splendid job in bringing together few of the finest writings of Gibran. These are inspirational, honest and will urge the readers to ponder over their actions.
Divided into five sections, this lovely book consists of 77 selections evenly distributed under apt titles. Gibran speaks of various topics be it the government or the society and pushes people to view and understand things the right away. Amidst all these interesting writings, I did end up having few favourites. In 'Your Children', he writes beautifully about how to raise kids by trusting them to shape their own futures thoughtfully. In 'Pity the Nation' he cleverly addresses how he sympathizes with the nations that don't speak up, that bullies, to choose leaders who eventually turn out like the previous ones. Gibran writes fluidly, in an effortless manner that convinces people to trust his words. If you're seeking some inspiration and calmness to wash over you, all you need to do is turn to this lovely little book. Brownie points for the gorgeous cover.
Rating : 4.4/5
Thank you for the copy @amaryllispublishing 🌸
"Generosity is giving more than you can.
Pride is taking less than you need."
~
"We often borrow from our tomorrows
to pay debts to our yesterdays."
~
"Government is an agreement between you and me.
You and I are often wrong." - Khalil Gibran.
Khalil Gibran's Little Book of Wisdom is beautiful inside and out. His most renowned work, 'The Prophet' has been in my TBR for quite sometime now so when @amaryllispublishing were kind enough to send their newest collection, I was beyond thrilled. The Lebanese American writer/poet had a bold voice that he chose to voice through his writings. Not only was he a great writer but was also an exceptional artist, his works still being displayed in Sharjah Art Museum. Neil Douglas-Klotz has done a thorough and splendid job in bringing together few of the finest writings of Gibran. These are inspirational, honest and will urge the readers to ponder over their actions.
Divided into five sections, this lovely book consists of 77 selections evenly distributed under apt titles. Gibran speaks of various topics be it the government or the society and pushes people to view and understand things the right away. Amidst all these interesting writings, I did end up having few favourites. In 'Your Children', he writes beautifully about how to raise kids by trusting them to shape their own futures thoughtfully. In 'Pity the Nation' he cleverly addresses how he sympathizes with the nations that don't speak up, that bullies, to choose leaders who eventually turn out like the previous ones. Gibran writes fluidly, in an effortless manner that convinces people to trust his words. If you're seeking some inspiration and calmness to wash over you, all you need to do is turn to this lovely little book. Brownie points for the gorgeous cover.
Rating : 4.4/5
Thank you for the copy @amaryllispublishing 🌸
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
• r e v i e w •
I remember reading Those Pricey Thakur Girls couple of years ago and being pleasantly surprised by Chauhan's witty writing. Club You to Death grabbed my attention for two reasons, one for being written Chauhan and the second for being a murder mystery. I hardly say no to whodunnit novels, always looking for thrillers to read. Although the story had every ingredient to make it a bestseller, there were too many loopholes that I couldn't help overlooking. Set in Delhi, she captures the characters and their language perfectly well. The plot in itself was a clever one, luring in the readers and keeping them engaged till the end. But I would definitely not recommend this to hardcore thriller lovers.
The Delhi Turf Club has been standing proudly for over a century and its members strut around like peacocks. A personal trainer is found dead in a rather innocent manner but the police investigation leads to something sinister. Kashi Dogra, son of a member who comes visiting the family and to play Tambola at the Club gets involved in the investigation. Although, he's the protagonist, it is not he who plays the pivotal role in the story. It is ACP Bhavani, the mild-mannered and compassionate officer who handles the case. Murky secrets of posh people tumble out, shifting the focus from one character to the other. Chauhan tries her best to keep the readers from guessing but I had an inkling about who the murderer might be. Filled with women who ogle at the young trainer, a capable sidekick like Kashi Dogra, a little bit of love triangle and corpses, Club You to Death could have been the next brilliant thriller. But the ease with which ACP Bhavani took the victim's phone home to leisurely go through its contents was odd. There was no protocol and rules followed, making it all seem like a mere play.
Although this one didn't appeal much to me, I can see Anuja Chauhan nailing her next thriller if at all she decides to write one.
Rating : 3/5.
I remember reading Those Pricey Thakur Girls couple of years ago and being pleasantly surprised by Chauhan's witty writing. Club You to Death grabbed my attention for two reasons, one for being written Chauhan and the second for being a murder mystery. I hardly say no to whodunnit novels, always looking for thrillers to read. Although the story had every ingredient to make it a bestseller, there were too many loopholes that I couldn't help overlooking. Set in Delhi, she captures the characters and their language perfectly well. The plot in itself was a clever one, luring in the readers and keeping them engaged till the end. But I would definitely not recommend this to hardcore thriller lovers.
The Delhi Turf Club has been standing proudly for over a century and its members strut around like peacocks. A personal trainer is found dead in a rather innocent manner but the police investigation leads to something sinister. Kashi Dogra, son of a member who comes visiting the family and to play Tambola at the Club gets involved in the investigation. Although, he's the protagonist, it is not he who plays the pivotal role in the story. It is ACP Bhavani, the mild-mannered and compassionate officer who handles the case. Murky secrets of posh people tumble out, shifting the focus from one character to the other. Chauhan tries her best to keep the readers from guessing but I had an inkling about who the murderer might be. Filled with women who ogle at the young trainer, a capable sidekick like Kashi Dogra, a little bit of love triangle and corpses, Club You to Death could have been the next brilliant thriller. But the ease with which ACP Bhavani took the victim's phone home to leisurely go through its contents was odd. There was no protocol and rules followed, making it all seem like a mere play.
Although this one didn't appeal much to me, I can see Anuja Chauhan nailing her next thriller if at all she decides to write one.
Rating : 3/5.