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bluepoohreads22's reviews
210 reviews
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
While the blurb hints at a thriller, it surpasses mere genre expectations.
The narrative kicks off with the mysterious disappearance of a father beloved by his three children: Mia, John, and Eugene. Mia and John are twins, while Eugene, who has autism and Angelman’s syndrome, plays a pivotal role. The title likely alludes to Eugene, as Angelman’s syndrome is sometimes dubbed the "happiness syndrome" due to sudden laughter outbursts.
Eugene, the last to see his father alive, struggles to articulate his thoughts verbally, setting the stage for an intriguing quest to uncover the truth.
I appreciate how the author seamlessly integrates Angelman’s syndrome into the narrative, a topic rarely explored in literature outside of textbooks.
Anjeli Rapari's portrayal of Eugene's therapist is particularly commendable for its empathy and authenticity.
As a Southeast Asian, I resonated with the depiction of Asian stereotypes, finding them both relatable and frustrating.
The book's pace kept me engaged, constantly guessing and theorizing, even if my predictions were often wrong.
The author's note, on raising awareness, was touching. As someone who sees children like Eugene in my day to day practise, I empathize with autistic children and their caregivers, and I share the hope that the empowering portrayal of Eugene's abilities could become a reality.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for its blend of suspense, family dynamics, representation of autism and Angelman’s syndrome, insights into mixed-race families, and exploration of societal prejudices.
I think I’m gonna pick up the author’s earlier work. 😊
Some of my favourite lines:
✏️ “Whenever men have features deemed ‘feminine’, that makes them more attractive to women …. Whereas women with ‘masculine’ features seem to repel men.”
✏️ “…French kid speaking subpar English with his heavy accents sounded chichi and astute…whereas the Chinese kid seemed pathetic, speaking ‘broken’ English.”
✏️ “So if you’re Asian and good at math, it’s no big deal, just something that comes with your genes-a dismissal of a genuine talent. And if you’re Asian and not good at math, you’re a disappointment to your race, an anomaly.”
Thank you to Miss Putri Fariza and Times Reads for sending me a review copy.
The narrative kicks off with the mysterious disappearance of a father beloved by his three children: Mia, John, and Eugene. Mia and John are twins, while Eugene, who has autism and Angelman’s syndrome, plays a pivotal role. The title likely alludes to Eugene, as Angelman’s syndrome is sometimes dubbed the "happiness syndrome" due to sudden laughter outbursts.
Eugene, the last to see his father alive, struggles to articulate his thoughts verbally, setting the stage for an intriguing quest to uncover the truth.
I appreciate how the author seamlessly integrates Angelman’s syndrome into the narrative, a topic rarely explored in literature outside of textbooks.
Anjeli Rapari's portrayal of Eugene's therapist is particularly commendable for its empathy and authenticity.
As a Southeast Asian, I resonated with the depiction of Asian stereotypes, finding them both relatable and frustrating.
The book's pace kept me engaged, constantly guessing and theorizing, even if my predictions were often wrong.
The author's note, on raising awareness, was touching. As someone who sees children like Eugene in my day to day practise, I empathize with autistic children and their caregivers, and I share the hope that the empowering portrayal of Eugene's abilities could become a reality.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for its blend of suspense, family dynamics, representation of autism and Angelman’s syndrome, insights into mixed-race families, and exploration of societal prejudices.
I think I’m gonna pick up the author’s earlier work. 😊
Some of my favourite lines:
✏️ “Whenever men have features deemed ‘feminine’, that makes them more attractive to women …. Whereas women with ‘masculine’ features seem to repel men.”
✏️ “…French kid speaking subpar English with his heavy accents sounded chichi and astute…whereas the Chinese kid seemed pathetic, speaking ‘broken’ English.”
✏️ “So if you’re Asian and good at math, it’s no big deal, just something that comes with your genes-a dismissal of a genuine talent. And if you’re Asian and not good at math, you’re a disappointment to your race, an anomaly.”
Thank you to Miss Putri Fariza and Times Reads for sending me a review copy.
Free Your Mind: The new world of manipulation and how to resist it by Laura Dodsworth, Patrick Fagan
informative
2.5
As indicated by its title, this non-fiction work explores the numerous methods of manipulation, even suggesting that casual social media use entails manipulation. The cover imagery suggests the author's intent for readers to resist conformity.
For those with a background in psychology or psychiatry, this book may serve as a useful review. It covers a wide range of themes, and I appreciated the concise writing and extensive referencing, which aided comprehension. At times, it left me feeling paranoid, even contemplating abandoning my phone for solitude. I also appreciated the inclusion of a three-point summary at the end of most of the chapter, which would prove beneficial for revisiting specific sections.
However, the abundance of references made it feel like a condensed version of each source. Additionally, I found fault with certain aspects, such as the frequent use of Covid and vaccination examples, which seemed to downplay the severity of the pandemic. This portrayal felt insensitive, especially considering personal experiences with unvaccinated family members who succumbed to the virus.
Moreover, a chapter discussing transgender individuals seemed to imply they were manipulated into their identity, which struck me as nonsensical and hurtful. While the tone attempted empathy, it fell short of being respectful.
In conclusion, I will advise approaching this book with caution. While some information is valuable, other parts come across as a political manifesto or espouse the authors' conspiracy theories. This book may serve as an introduction sort for starters.
Thank you to Miss Putri Fariza and Times Reads for sending me a review copy.
For those with a background in psychology or psychiatry, this book may serve as a useful review. It covers a wide range of themes, and I appreciated the concise writing and extensive referencing, which aided comprehension. At times, it left me feeling paranoid, even contemplating abandoning my phone for solitude. I also appreciated the inclusion of a three-point summary at the end of most of the chapter, which would prove beneficial for revisiting specific sections.
However, the abundance of references made it feel like a condensed version of each source. Additionally, I found fault with certain aspects, such as the frequent use of Covid and vaccination examples, which seemed to downplay the severity of the pandemic. This portrayal felt insensitive, especially considering personal experiences with unvaccinated family members who succumbed to the virus.
Moreover, a chapter discussing transgender individuals seemed to imply they were manipulated into their identity, which struck me as nonsensical and hurtful. While the tone attempted empathy, it fell short of being respectful.
In conclusion, I will advise approaching this book with caution. While some information is valuable, other parts come across as a political manifesto or espouse the authors' conspiracy theories. This book may serve as an introduction sort for starters.
Thank you to Miss Putri Fariza and Times Reads for sending me a review copy.
Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder by Asako Yuzuki
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Butter serves up a delectable exploration of everyday misogyny, drawing inspiration from the real-life case of the 'Konkatsu Killer'. Rather than focusing on the victims or their families, society fixates on the accused's outward appearance and how she managed to deceive three innocent men to their demise.
While the pacing is satisfactory, the chapters tend to be lengthy. Nonetheless, the narrative maintains a brisk tempo, making it an effortless read. The vivid descriptions of culinary delights are particularly tantalizing.
Reading this novel reignites my passion for cooking, an art form I've long been hesitant to attempt. The story's inspiration encourages me to overcome my fears, aspiring to emulate characters like Rika rather than meeting a fate akin to Kajima's.
Overall, Butter is a scrumptious spread of thought-provoking commentary on societal issues, including misogyny, fatphobia, complex familial relationships, body image struggles, infertility, and, of course, its mouthwatering culinary descriptions.
This book earns all the stars from me and maybe one of my favorites this year. I urge everyone to pick up a copy and join the discussion. Let's savor Butter together.✨
Ratings: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you to Miss Putri Fariza and Times Reads for sending me a review copy.
While the pacing is satisfactory, the chapters tend to be lengthy. Nonetheless, the narrative maintains a brisk tempo, making it an effortless read. The vivid descriptions of culinary delights are particularly tantalizing.
Reading this novel reignites my passion for cooking, an art form I've long been hesitant to attempt. The story's inspiration encourages me to overcome my fears, aspiring to emulate characters like Rika rather than meeting a fate akin to Kajima's.
Overall, Butter is a scrumptious spread of thought-provoking commentary on societal issues, including misogyny, fatphobia, complex familial relationships, body image struggles, infertility, and, of course, its mouthwatering culinary descriptions.
This book earns all the stars from me and maybe one of my favorites this year. I urge everyone to pick up a copy and join the discussion. Let's savor Butter together.✨
Ratings: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you to Miss Putri Fariza and Times Reads for sending me a review copy.
Iron-bound Flames by Melanie K. Moschella
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
This is the inaugural installment of a series comprising five books. It follows the journey of Meera Hailship, initially a kitchen maid, who later volunteers to feed a creature and becomes a spy for her king. However, complications arise when the intelligence she provides endangers a man's life, prompting her to weigh her loyalty to her duties against her conscience.
I took my time reading this book, tackling a few chapters each day. While I found the pacing somewhat sluggish and encountered some superfluous characters, I appreciated the portrayal of the resilient female lead, Meera, who also exhibits a love for animals. She is depicted as kind, nurturing, and intelligent, embodying the archetype of the self-rescuing damsel. The action sequences were engaging, though I felt a bit more intensity could have enhanced the narrative.
Regarding the world-building, it left me with a mixed impression, but I anticipate that my perspective may evolve as I delve deeper into the series.
Overall, if you're drawn to fantasy adventures featuring strong female protagonists, dragon-like creatures, and characters who cherish pets, this book will likely resonate with you.
*Notable trigger warning: depictions of sexual assault
Thank you to Smith Publicity for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I took my time reading this book, tackling a few chapters each day. While I found the pacing somewhat sluggish and encountered some superfluous characters, I appreciated the portrayal of the resilient female lead, Meera, who also exhibits a love for animals. She is depicted as kind, nurturing, and intelligent, embodying the archetype of the self-rescuing damsel. The action sequences were engaging, though I felt a bit more intensity could have enhanced the narrative.
Regarding the world-building, it left me with a mixed impression, but I anticipate that my perspective may evolve as I delve deeper into the series.
Overall, if you're drawn to fantasy adventures featuring strong female protagonists, dragon-like creatures, and characters who cherish pets, this book will likely resonate with you.
*Notable trigger warning: depictions of sexual assault
Thank you to Smith Publicity for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.0
When I read the blurb, I was really excited to read this book. The premise was promising, but but but, there were some parts that I felt it was problematic.
Let me start by saying what I liked in this book. If you have watched Locke and Key series on Netflix, this is somewhat similar, just that instead of keys, it’s books. The pacing was okay with short chapters. It is divided into seven parts, which sorts of gives us an idea what is going to happen.
There are some plot twists sprinkled over; some which caught me by surprise. Enjoyed reading those parts. I absolutely love the cover too, it’s stunning. 😍
Now, coming to the parts that I didn’t really enjoy reading. The author’s portrayal of female characters who are concerned about their body and shame associated with it; is something that didn’t sit well with me. Additionally the excessive description of food felt unnecessary.
Apart from that, the villain's dialogue, laden with misogyny, was particularly jarring. This line: ‘Some fucking ape slapped me like I was his wife.’! I lost it after reading this. And this: ‘You know, one of the worst things that ever happened was when all you women started thinking you were equal to us men.’ Dudeeee 🤯
Moreover, the introduction of POC characters through derogatory remarks seemed indefensible, bordering on racism. Like why would you do that. Example: ‘pointing to a large Black man who had just stepped through the door. Very dangerous.’
This book really had lots of potential. Unfortunately, that wasn’t used well. I’m aware that many loved this book, I wanted to as well. However, those problematic aspects detracted significantly from the overall experience.
In general, I would advise approaching this book with caution. While it offers intriguing themes like magical books and time travel, its flaws may impact your enjoyment. And I can’t wait to hear your thoughts if you do pick it up. 🙂
Some of my favourite lines:
💫 ‘.. I find comfort in rereading favourites. It's like spending time with old friends.'
💫 ‘The best place to enjoy a stormy night is in a warm room with a book in your lap.'
💫 ‘My three favourite things in the world:
Whisky, cakes and pastries, and books.'
💫 ‘…what do book people do? We go to every bookstore, we peruse every village fair. We are always looking for books.'
Thank you to Miss Putri Fariza and Times Reads for sending me a review copy.
Let me start by saying what I liked in this book. If you have watched Locke and Key series on Netflix, this is somewhat similar, just that instead of keys, it’s books. The pacing was okay with short chapters. It is divided into seven parts, which sorts of gives us an idea what is going to happen.
There are some plot twists sprinkled over; some which caught me by surprise. Enjoyed reading those parts. I absolutely love the cover too, it’s stunning. 😍
Now, coming to the parts that I didn’t really enjoy reading. The author’s portrayal of female characters who are concerned about their body and shame associated with it; is something that didn’t sit well with me. Additionally the excessive description of food felt unnecessary.
Apart from that, the villain's dialogue, laden with misogyny, was particularly jarring. This line: ‘Some fucking ape slapped me like I was his wife.’! I lost it after reading this. And this: ‘You know, one of the worst things that ever happened was when all you women started thinking you were equal to us men.’ Dudeeee 🤯
Moreover, the introduction of POC characters through derogatory remarks seemed indefensible, bordering on racism. Like why would you do that. Example: ‘pointing to a large Black man who had just stepped through the door. Very dangerous.’
This book really had lots of potential. Unfortunately, that wasn’t used well. I’m aware that many loved this book, I wanted to as well. However, those problematic aspects detracted significantly from the overall experience.
In general, I would advise approaching this book with caution. While it offers intriguing themes like magical books and time travel, its flaws may impact your enjoyment. And I can’t wait to hear your thoughts if you do pick it up. 🙂
Some of my favourite lines:
💫 ‘.. I find comfort in rereading favourites. It's like spending time with old friends.'
💫 ‘The best place to enjoy a stormy night is in a warm room with a book in your lap.'
💫 ‘My three favourite things in the world:
Whisky, cakes and pastries, and books.'
💫 ‘…what do book people do? We go to every bookstore, we peruse every village fair. We are always looking for books.'
Thank you to Miss Putri Fariza and Times Reads for sending me a review copy.
The Girl With No Reflection by Keshe Chow
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
In this enchanting debut "The Girl With No Reflection," embark on a journey with Ying Yue, thrust into an arranged marriage with the elusive Crown Prince Zhang Lin amidst the mysterious disappearance of the royal family empresses, a whooping seven.
As their wedding approaches, Ying Yue stumbles upon a hidden realm beyond the mirror's surface, altering the course of her destiny forever.
Immerse yourself in a tapestry of action, drama, and romance masterfully interwoven against a backdrop of intricate world-building. Witness the captivating evolution of Ying Yue and Zhang Lin's relationship from adversaries to soulmates, their banter a delightful dance of wit and longing. I absolutely loved that
Thrill at the heart-pounding action sequences teeming with mythical creatures like dragons and phoenixes, each page brimming with unexpected twists that will leave you breathless.
For aficionados of Chinese mythology, resilient heroine, royal court drama, prophetic revelations, and tender romance, this is a literary gem not to be missed.
Some of my favourite lines:
🐉 ‘His murmured threats felt like a lover’s caress— terrifying and sensual all at once.’
🐉 ‘Throughout her life, men had always underestimated her, had constantly undermined her, had stubbornly tried to protect her.
What they didn’t understand— what they never understood—was that she didn’t need them to protect her. She needed them to believe in her.’
🐉 ‘I’ve seen what war does. I’ve seen how many lives it destroys. It’s not just those who die in battle. It’s also the ones left behind. The trauma amplifies through generations, and neither your people nor mine ever learn.’
ARC provided by author in an exchange for an honest review.
As their wedding approaches, Ying Yue stumbles upon a hidden realm beyond the mirror's surface, altering the course of her destiny forever.
Immerse yourself in a tapestry of action, drama, and romance masterfully interwoven against a backdrop of intricate world-building. Witness the captivating evolution of Ying Yue and Zhang Lin's relationship from adversaries to soulmates, their banter a delightful dance of wit and longing. I absolutely loved that
Thrill at the heart-pounding action sequences teeming with mythical creatures like dragons and phoenixes, each page brimming with unexpected twists that will leave you breathless.
For aficionados of Chinese mythology, resilient heroine, royal court drama, prophetic revelations, and tender romance, this is a literary gem not to be missed.
Some of my favourite lines:
🐉 ‘His murmured threats felt like a lover’s caress— terrifying and sensual all at once.’
🐉 ‘Throughout her life, men had always underestimated her, had constantly undermined her, had stubbornly tried to protect her.
What they didn’t understand— what they never understood—was that she didn’t need them to protect her. She needed them to believe in her.’
🐉 ‘I’ve seen what war does. I’ve seen how many lives it destroys. It’s not just those who die in battle. It’s also the ones left behind. The trauma amplifies through generations, and neither your people nor mine ever learn.’
ARC provided by author in an exchange for an honest review.
Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Owning Our Struggles: A Path to Healing and Finding Community in a Broken World by Minaa B.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
emotional
tense
fast-paced
I don’t think I’m gonna rate this memoir. Review will follow soon.