Review

Review of Furysong
I absolutely love this series. I cannot stress enough how amazing this series is. From start to finish, this novel stands out and makes for an adrenaline-blood-pumping read.
By Cyn's Workshop2 years ago in BookClub
"Silent Stalker: The True Horror Next Door"
In the quiet suburb of Maplewood, life seemed idyllic. Neighbors greeted each other with warm smiles, children played on manicured lawns, and families enjoyed peaceful barbecues on weekends. Among these neighbors was the Johnson family. They were well-liked, blending seamlessly into the fabric of the community. The father, Tom, was a hardworking accountant; the mother, Sarah, volunteered at the local animal shelter; and their teenage daughter, Emily, was a bright student at Maplewood High.
By Lish Genz2 years ago in BookClub
Book Review: The Light Between Us by Elaine Chiew
The Time Traveler's Wife meets Crazy Rich Asians in this speculative romance set against Singapore's tumultuous past. Immersed in Southeast Asian history, time-travel, and an impossible love story, The Light Between Us is perfect for readers of literary historical fiction and modern romantasy fans alike.At work one night, photography archivist Charlie Sze-Toh receives a misdirected letter from Wang Tian Wei, a 1920s colonial era Chinese photographer. Through a mysterious digital folder and photographic plates, a conversation is sparked, leading to a romance that spans lifetimes. In his time, Tian Wei scours a turbulent Singapore for his missing friend, Aiko, leading him to the perfumed chambers of a Japanese brothel. Meanwhile, in the modern day, Charlie struggles against a family dynamic dominated by her stepmother, a manipulative matriarch who uses family secrets as bargaining chips. Communication starts to become difficult and Tian Wei’s letters are tinged by the increasing threat of Japanese Occupation. Will one last fate-defying letter from Charlie allow Tian Wei to keep their love alive?
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
Rachel Reviews: The Mole People by Kevin Landt
I liked what Kevin Landt did in The Mole People. I think to take the mental struggle of an individual and attempt to follow it through a narrative is ambitious and commendable. In my opinion, he has done this with a great degree of success.
By Rachel Deeming2 years ago in BookClub
Heaven's Sister
The new school is nearly 50km away from my house. Unfortunately, I can't cycle such a long distance with my broken bicycle. If I were to attend high school there, I would have to study away from home, possibly even abroad. The problem is not that I don't want to go to a school far away, but rather the various problems that would arise if I stayed in a boarding house – accommodation, food, school expenses, electricity, water, and so on. The most significant issue is money, which my family lacks the most at this time, especially since my father, the breadwinner, is no longer with us.While we were having a meal, I shared my thoughts with my stepmother: "It's okay for me to stay home and study. If I live in a boarding house, I won't have the money to continue my education. Besides, I prefer staying at home. I'll find someone to play with here." Upon hearing this, she stopped eating and spoke to me in a serious manner: "Listen to me, you must go to school. If I can take care of everything, you can focus on studying. In the future, I will grow old and weak, and won't have the strength anymore. Then, you will have to take care of Luyen's child on my behalf..." She spoke at length, emphasizing that I must fulfill my father's wishes, reminding me that the future is long, and that I should study well and be a role model for my younger siblings. She herself had limited education and struggled to express herself fully, but she understood the pain of not being able to go to school, not having the opportunity to receive an education. Luyen sat quietly and listened; she also wanted me to go to school, and she even expressed her own desire to attend school in the future. She mentioned that if she could attend a specialized school like me, she would study to become a teacher.One day, at the end of August, I woke up very early to prepare for my departure. I wrapped myself in a sweater and a hood to protect against the cold weather. My backpack was packed with Luyen's clothes which she had prepared for me the day before, along with a bag containing a jar of dried shrimp made by my stepmother, a bag of rice in a stork bran bag, and a few miscellaneous items. In our area, the local transportation facilities were scarce. Whenever we needed to travel, we had to rely on coal cars. Whenever my father went to town to buy medicine or attend agricultural skills classes, his clothes would be soaked in sweat, and coal dust and soot would stick to him, making him pitch black and his face dirty, like Bao Cong...That was also the first time in my life that I left the impoverished district town where I was born and raised. On that day, my stepmother had to continue selling goods because if she stopped for even a day, her capital would be depleted. The previous night, she had given me thorough instructions. As I sat and listened to her guidance, I began to sense her feelings towards me, her stepchild whom she had to deal with every day, a child who was often rebellious and caused trouble...I took Luyen to my grandmother's house, with her sitting behind me and holding my backpack and belongings. My grandmother knew I would visit her that morning, so she stood outside the door with her cane, waiting. After spending some time talking with my grandmother, I reminded her to return home in time for the car. She handed me a tightly rolled ball of money, secured with an elastic band, and told me to use it as needed. The money was old and worn. Perhaps my grandmother had been saving it for a long time... She told me to study hard and become a doctor so that I could treat her back pain and her eyes, and so she could proudly tell everyone in the neighborhood, "My son Bi has achieved great success. He passed the exam and got into the biggest school in town..." Now that I have become a doctor, my grandmother has already passed away...The bus station in my hometown is nothing more than an empty lot near the market. In the morning, it serves as a bus station; at noon, it becomes a place for fish traders to dry their fish; and in the afternoon, it turns into a soccer field for children. Luyen insisted on waiting for me to get on the bus before leaving. I was squeezed into the last row of seats. I pressed my face against the rear window, watching her small figure fade away in the mist of the mountain morning. Later, whenever I had the opportunity to travel by car or bus, I would often choose the last row of seats, the place most people avoided, just to occasionally look out the window, searching for something, something vague...
By Quang2 years ago in BookClub
Book Review on Growth Mindset:
About the Book Do you want to read a self-help book that can give you the tools to help you develop your growth mindset, if so, then you need to read Lewis Alerson’s Growth Mindset: The Door to Achieving More.
By Lisa Briskey2 years ago in BookClub
40-Day Shift
Information on the Book Are you interested in Karma, if so, then you need to read this 46-page book on 40 Day Shift: A Journey of Karma and Giving Back by Infinity Stone. This book is about her personal experience with Karma and how she gives back. The book was published on January 13, 2018, and sold by Amazon Digital Services, LLC
By Lisa Briskey2 years ago in BookClub
The Sky
The sky, a vast expanse that stretches above us, is a canvas upon which the universe paints its daily and nightly masterpieces. It is a source of wonder and mystery, inspiring poets, philosophers, and seekers of truth throughout the ages. The sky is not just a physical entity; it is a metaphor for the mind’s limitless potential and a reflection of humanity’s quest for enlightenment.
By Sandy May2 years ago in BookClub
Review of ‘Love & Resistance’
Fun and quirky, I thoroughly enjoyed Love & Resistance and the voice behind Livvy’s characterization that drives the story forward.
By Cyn's Workshop2 years ago in BookClub
Stephen King Short Story
This is a review of Stephen King's short story, The Death of Jack Hamilton. John Dillinger was a criminal in his teens. When he was arrested for beating up a businessman, his father told him to plead guilty and take his punishment. The problem is they punished 20-year-old Johnnie too severely with a 10-20-year sentence, although he had no previous record. His accomplice, who had a record, had a good lawyer and only did a few years. Dillinger's wife of four years divorced him. He did nine years, part of which he did in the Indiana penitentiary, at his request, because he played ball and said their team was better.
By Andrea Corwin 2 years ago in BookClub
"The House That Horror Built": An Unexpectedly Enjoyable Gothic Mystery
I enjoyed Christina Henry’s 2020 novel The Ghost Tree and its classic take on small town horror. Her latest published novel, The House That Horror Built was one of my most anticipated books of 2024. The premise of a housekeeper working for a famous horror director sounded like a treat for fans of the genre.
By J. S. Wong2 years ago in BookClub
Audiobook Review: Camp Cacophony by Jessica Khoury
It’s two months before Amelia’s big audition for the Mystwick School of Musicraft. If she gets in, she will learn to spin music into powerful magic - but her Gran has one last-ditch plan to persuade her out of it: sports camp. A week of softball, sprinting, and sweaty socks isn't exactly Amelia’s idea of a good time - in fact, she's deeply, appallingly unathletic. By the end of day one, she’s puked her guts out in track, gotten a black eye in no-contact flag football, and firmly established herself as the Least Valuable Player at camp. As head counselor, Coach Shawn is determined to make an athlete of Amelia, despite her complete inability to land a single basket in basketball and her high effectiveness at scoring in the wrong net in soccer. And all Amelia wants is some time to herself, so she can practice her flute for the Mystwick auditions. But everyone’s plans are quickly derailed by a series of disasters that strike camp, putting everyone in mortal danger. It's clear that strange magic is at work, and as the only musician around, Amelia suddenly goes from benchwarmer to MVP. But can she discover the source of the malevolent magic - and how to stop it - before the deadly spell reaches its crescendo?
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub