Review: Kaleidoscope of Death (Break the Cocoon #1) by Xi Zi Xu |《死亡万花筒》破茧【上】西子绪著

5 stars for Kaleidoscope of Death (Break the Cocoon book 1) by Xi Zi Xu |《死亡万花筒》破茧【上】西子绪著.

I didn't expect myself to be so absorbed in this series but when a story is good, it is hard not to. I continue with this second volume of Break the Cocoon | 《破茧》right after I have finished reading Like a Dream |《入梦》.

Similar to the previous two books Like a Dream book 1 and Like a Dream book 2, there are a total of four doors in this book. I am familiar with three of the doors and its content from having watched the drama - three out of four is what I will say a very good number. The main difference is that the Doors are named differently in the book and I am so used to the name of the Door in the drama that it is hard to get used to the ones in the book. One thing to note is that the last Door in this book, Door 12, is actually not a complete door story as it stretches into the next book which is also the final one.

Truth be told, I do not particularly like Door 11 - yes, the new Door - as I find the setting somewhat stale. When we first have a high school setting in Door 5《佐子》, the idea is fresh and welcoming, but a second one again not long after albeit a University school setting, is just too much. The good thing is, other than Door 11, I have a great time immersing myself in the world-building of the other three Doors.

Again, for my own reference, I am putting down name of the doors here as listed in the book (the former) as opposed to what the drama has it termed (the latter). Though name of the doors could be the same, the door content and its sequence as showned in the drama does not always follow that of the book. Also, as what the author has pointed out, I want to highlight that the number of doors in the title is based on the number of doors entered by character Lin Qiushi, not the level he entered.

Book Door 9《哭儿郎》vs Drama Door 8《夜哭郎》
Book Door 10《晴天娃娃》vs Drama Door 9《扫晴娘》
Book Door 11《雕像》vs Drama Door does not have this
Book Door 12《发鬼》vs Drama Door 10《箱妖》

I am now left with the final book in this Kaleidoscope of Death series |《死亡万花筒》. I am not sure how I feel yet. But one thing I know for sure is, I don't want the story to end. I feel that, so long as I am reading and still reading, the characters will always be alive, and with me.

Publisher: 江苏凤凰文艺出版社
Publication date: 2021年09月

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起初的异样，是家里的猫不让抱了。 林秋石发现周围的一切都开始变得充满了不协调感。 然后某一天，当他推开家中的门，却发现熟悉的楼道变成了长长的走廊。 走廊的两头，是十二扇一模一样的铁门。 故事由此开始。

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: Kaleidoscope of Death (Like a Dream #2) by Xi Zi Xu |《死亡万花筒》入梦【下】西子绪著

5 stars for Kaleidoscope of Death (Like a Dream book 2) by Xi Zi Xu |《死亡万花筒》入梦【下】西子绪著.

This book continues from where Door 5 was briefly introduced in book 1. Door 5 is a terrifying, unforgettable door. It leaves a deep impression long after I watched the drama, The Spirealm |《致命游戏》. That said, it is surprisingly one of my favourite doors. It creeps me out the most, and yet at the same time, moved me to tears.

As mentioned in my last review, the characters need to go through the doors and solve a mystery in each one before moving to the next door. By reading the finer details in this original story, I now have a much better understanding of each door and what it entails.

Same as book 1, there are four doors in this book, two of which I am already familiar with having watched the drama. However, the same cannot be said for the other two doors - they are totally new to me. Obviously, for one reason or another, these two doors have been omitted, or I should say, been re-scripted by the drama production team. The consolation is, most if not all, of the characters' names are kept intact. So, the sense of familiarity is still there even as I plough through the doors in the book.

Again, for my own reference, I am putting down name of the doors here as listed in the book (the former) as opposed to what the drama has it termed (the latter). Though name of the doors could be the same, the door content and its sequence as showned in the drama does not always follow that of the book. Also, as what the author has pointed out, I want to highlight that the number of doors in the title is based on the number of doors entered by character Lin Qiushi, not the level he entered.

Book Door 5《佐子》vs Drama Door 5《佐子》
Book Door 6《乌鸦稻草人》vs Drama Door does not have this
Book Door 7《威福利山疗养院》vs Drama Door 6《威福利山疗养院》
Book Door 8《铜镜》vs Drama Door does not have this

Though Door 8 is new to me, I actually quite like the story and the way the author crafted the world behind this door. It is not only spooky, mysterious and full of twists and turns, it is also filled with touching, emotional scenes.

I think I am reading this series a tad too fast. I want to slow down my reading to prolong my enjoyment of the story and the mystery behind each door. I know it is easier said than done, but I shall try. Well, we will know when I post my next review.

Publisher: 江苏凤凰文艺出版社
Publication date: 2021年07月

*** Favourite Quote 1 ***

《字面上的意思》page 372, 448, 625

page 372
“我们在调查关于你们班级的事。” 阮南烛开门见山，直接拿出了他们从档案馆里找到的那张照片，“我们想问，照片里少的那个人叫什么名字？”

他把照片拿出来，江信鸿只看了一眼就脸色大变：“你们从哪里找到这东西的？”

阮南烛挑眉：“这照片很特别？”

江信鸿没吭声，但林秋石却从他的眼睛深处看到了一种恐惧，仿佛眼前的照片不是照片，而是什么索命的怪物。只见他重重地吞咽着口水，声音里带着颤抖：“我不知道你们什么意思。”

“字面上的意思。” 黎东源突然开口，他的语气非常冷静，“我们也不是要为难你，只是想问清楚照片上到底少了谁，她的名字到底是什么？”

page 448
“在第一扇门的时候我就发现了。” 阮南烛说，“林秋石，你其实……很适合这里。”

林秋石挑眉：“什么意思？”

阮南烛：“字面上的意思，你的适应能力非常好。” 甚至可以说好过头了，在阮南烛出去调查到林秋石的的确确是第一次进门之后，便知道林秋石是个和门内世界很契合的人，想找到这样的人，并不是件容易的事。

page 625
阮南烛歪了歪头：“你们是亲兄妹吗？”

“是啊，怎么了？” 罗千山笑了笑，“不像？”

阮南烛：“不像。”

罗千水皱眉：“我和我哥哪里不像了……”

她话还没说完，便听到阮南烛轻飘飘地来了句：“活人和死人哪里像了？”

空气仿佛瞬间凝固了，罗千水愕然瞪着眸子，而罗千山的眼睛却如暮色一般沉了下来，他说：“你什么意思？”

“字面上的意思。” 阮南烛说，“你妹妹是在第几扇门死的？”

*** Favourite Quote 2 ***

《成仙》page 456

门外世界熬夜叫作修仙，门内世界熬个夜可能第二天直接就成仙了，根本不用修，一步到位很是省事。

*** Favourite Quote 3 ***

《光芒》page 585

林秋石想，人也是生物的一种吧，在黑暗的夜色里，看见光芒总会想要朝着那里走去。不去思考光芒的尽头到底有着什么。

*** Favourite Quote 4 ***

《无论是你的一辈子，还是我的一辈子》page 654

阮南烛沉默片刻，缓缓开口：“我第一次独自进门的时候很害怕。” 他似乎觉得有些好笑，“怕得要死，不过怕也没用，身边的人总不能带我一辈子……林秋石。 ” 他叫了林秋石的名字。

林秋石看向了他的眼睛，两人视线相触，林秋石听到了阮南烛轻声开口。

他的语气很淡，却带着股执拗的味道：“但如果你愿意，如果愿意——我可以护你一辈子，无论是你的一辈子，还是我的一辈子。”

~ Kaleidoscope of Death (Like a Dream book 2) |《死亡万花筒》入梦【下】
Xi Zi Xu | 西子绪

@}--->>--->>-----

起初的异样，是家里的猫不让抱了。 林秋石发现周围的一切都开始变得充满了不协调感。 然后某一天，当他推开家中的门，却发现熟悉的楼道变成了长长的走廊。 走廊的两头，是十二扇一模一样的铁门。 故事由此开始。

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: Kaleidoscope of Death (Like a Dream #1) by Xi Zi Xu |《死亡万花筒》入梦【上】西子绪著

5 stars for Kaleidoscope of Death (Like a Dream book 1) by Xi Zi Xu |《死亡万花筒》入梦【上】西子绪著.

It has been a long time since I read a Chinese novel. I read this novel because I watched the Chinese drama, The Spirealm |《致命游戏》. I like the drama story so much that I watched it twice successively. But somehow, I find that it is still not enough. Then I realised why - I want very much to know the original story that was penned by the author, not just the one that has been re-scripted by the drama production team. So, I went ahead to place my order to buy the books and read them for myself. It is never too late to start reading the original work.

Indeed, the Chinese drama, The Spirealm |《致命游戏》originates from a suspenseful online novel, Kaleidoscope of Death |《死亡万花筒》written by author Xi Zi Xu. It is serialized in Jinjiang Literature City. The full text has a total of 857,083 words and has been completed. It tells the story of a man called Lin Qiushi who accidentally entered a strange world called "Door". Behind each door lies a different horror scene and life-and-death test. Due to its popularity, the story is now available in dead tree version. The box set is divided into two volumes, Like a Dream |《入梦》and Break the Cocoon |《破茧》. Each volume has two books - a total of four books.

I enjoyed reading this book immensely. Even though I already know much of the story and its development from watching the Chinese drama, it is still a joy reading the book. For one, a drama will never be filmed and portrayed exactly as it is intended in the book. So, there will always be room for enjoyment.

Like a Dream book 1 |《入梦》【上】is as mysterious as its title. The book concentrates on the lower level doors in an alternate world where the two main characters, Lin Qiushi and Ruan Nanzhu, enter to find themselves in unexpected strange encounters. To survive, they work together to find clues that will lead them to a key to open a door - the door that will bring them back to the relative safety of the real world. In the process, they have to face not only the terrifying creatures and strange events behind the door, but also uncover the deep connection between themselves and the world. There are a total of four doors in this book 1, all of them equally scary and bizarre.

For my own reference, I am putting down name of the doors here as listed in the book (the former) as opposed to what the drama has it termed (the latter). Though name of the doors could be the same, the door content and its sequence as showned in the drama does not always follow that of the book. Also, as what the author has pointed out, I want to highlight that the number of doors in the title is based on the number of doors entered by character Lin Qiushi, not the level he entered.

Book Door 1《独自莫凭拦》vs Drama Door 1《雪村》
Book Door 2《菲尔夏鸟》vs Drama Door 2《菲尔夏鸟》
Book Door 3《阿姐鼓》vs Drama Door 3《阿姐鼓》
Book Door 4《雨中女郎》vs Drama Door 7《雨中女郎》

I have not read much this year, yet it took me only a week to finish reading this entire book 1. Well, I guess that says a lot about how brilliant this author is, in spinning a captivating tale that is not only spine-chilling but also sprinkled with lighthearted moments and an element of (sexual) innuendo.

I think I have found and gotten back what I have lost in the past year - the motivation to read and my love for reading.

Review: My Life on a Plate by India Knight

4 stars for My Life on a Plate by India Knight.

This is a long overdue post. I am pretty sure I finish reading this book at least four months ago. It seems such a long time that I can hardly recall what I want to say.

Well, not all is lost... I do remember this story being lighthearted and entertaining. I will say I have a relaxing time reading it and laughing over some of the hilarious conversations embedded in the story.

Review: The White Dawn: An Eskimo Saga by James A. Houston

4 stars for The White Dawn: An Eskimo Saga by James A. Houston.

The White Dawn is a thought-provoking and insightful novel that explores the complexities of cultural clashes and the devastating consequences of increasing foreign influences.

The story takes place in 1896 in the Canadian Arctic where three shipwrecked whalers are rescued by an Eskimo tribe, and nursed back to health by the Inuit community who share their food and way of life. As the three outsiders integrate into the community, they cause disturbances to the delicate social fabric of the tribe, leading to a downward spiral of cultural destruction. To quote "From the first day we brought the strangers to the village, everything started to change for us. We began to look at our own lives through their eyes. For the first time we started to see ourselves."

Told in first person by Avinga, the Eskimo leader's half son who is half cripple and a half slave to his household, the narrative offers a unique insider's perspective on the tribe's values, traditions and way of life. The author's vivid descriptions of the Arctic landscape and his thoughtful portrayal of the Eskimo people demonstrates his deep respect and understanding of their culture. Through this story, the author sheds light on the destructive nature of increasing foreign influences and the importance of preserving cultural identities.

The White Dawn is a captivating and educational read that will resonate with readers who are interested in cultural heritage, historical fiction and the Arctic region.

Review: The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell

4 stars for The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell.

It has taken me long enough to say this - I finish reading my first book of the year.

2023 was a difficult year. I am still trying to find back pieces of myself. It is not easy, but it helps with time. It is getting better now but I think it will be a long time before I can find back the balance that used to give me the strength and motivation to read. And I suspect, there may be a part of me, that is lost forever. Gone with the wind. I might never get it back.

I bought this book from a secondhand bookstore in Edinburgh, Scotland last November. I knew this book was meant for me the moment I entered Main Point Books, located just a stone's throw from Edinburgh Books, another secondhand bookstore and a big one too. This book was placed on top of a low shelf, obvious to anyone walking in. I was surprised that no one else had taken a fancy to it as the book is in an amazingly good condition considering a secondhand. So, I like to think it is meant for me as I have had this book on my reading list since August 2019.

The Diary of a Bookseller is the real life account of a year in the life of Shaun Bythell, owner and manager of a secondhand bookstore called The Book Shop, in a quaint Scottish town - Wigtown. He takes us with him on buying trips to old estates, auction houses and books deals. We also get to see the down side on the business of secondhand book trade such as internet downtime and grappling with a poor system that goes inoperable like a quarter of the time. I have been curious about this but the author never truly reveals about his stock acquiring - what factors determine the books he buys and the amount he offers to book sellers. He put it down simply as having no rules and that he makes his own. So, I gather it is all about experience and gut feel.

One thing that I certainly have not expected about secondhand book trade is the amount of time spent on the road - as many as thirteen hours of driving - to meet with booksellers. That and the amount of time and energy spent on carrying and moving boxes of book collections. To quote "... books dealers spend a good deal of time lifting boxes of books in and out of vehicles and off the floor in uncomfortable, awkward spaces. I calculated that I lift about fifteen tons of books every year, and those fifteen tons will be moved a minimum of three times."

This memoir is not just about the book deal business and interaction with customers, readers are also offered snippets of the author's life such as his hill-walking, sailing and mountain-biking trips with close friend Callum or his love for fishing. Though lighthearted and humorous, the book touches on a topic that I have never really given much consideration before, and that is, what happens to the books we own when we die. Some of the stories the author shares are sad in the sense that "One man's treasure is another man's trash". When the owner passed on, the books are also passed on as family members do not want to keep them.

I try listing down the books mentioned in this book to the best of my ability, but there are some, which I may have missed out or deliberately omitted due to one reason or another.

Bookshop Memories by George Orwell (essay)
Black Books by Dylan Moran (sitcom)
Three Fevers by Leo Walmsley (thriller fiction)
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (history non-fiction)
Keep The Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell (literary fiction)
Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops by Jen Campbell (non fiction)
The Bankrupt Bookseller Speaks Again by William Young Darling (non fiction)
Why Is There Something Rather Than Nothing? by Leszek Kolakowski (Philosophy non fiction)
On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin (scientific non fiction)
Gay Agony by H. A. Manhood
Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets: A Real-Life Scottish Fairy Tale by Jessica A. Fox
Talk Dirty Yiddish: Beyond Drek: the Curses, Slang, and Street Lingo You Need to Know When You Speak Yiddish by Ilene Schneider (language non fiction)
Collectible Spoons of the Third Reich by James Yannes (historical non fiction)
Pebble Mill Good Meat Guide by Ken Hutchings (non fiction)
Other passports by Clive James (poetry)
Prospero's Cell by Lawrence Durrell (autobiography non fiction)
Sartre: Romantic Rationalist by Iris Murdoch (non fiction)
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute Norway (romance fiction)
100+ Principles of Genetics by Anthony J.F. Griffiths and Joan McPherson (non fiction)
The Ascent of Rum Doodle by William Ernest Bowman (humor fiction)
Any Human Heart by William Boyd (literary fiction)*
Waverley by Sir Walter Scott (historical fiction)
Scott-Land: The Man Who Invented a Nation by Stuart Kelly (biography non fiction)
Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol (literary fiction)
A Book of Silence by Sara Maitland (autobiography non fiction)
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell (science fiction)
Orient Express: A Personal Journey by Ivan Fallon and James Sherwood (autobiography non fiction)
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg (mystery fiction)
The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne (children's fiction)
The Complete Guide to Starting and Running a Bookshopby Malcolm Gibson (reference non fiction)
The Hobbit by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (fantasy fiction)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (literary fiction)
Sexing Day-Old Chicks by William Percy Blount (reference non fiction)
Antiquities of Scotland by Francis Grose (historical non fiction)
Tam O 'Shanter by Robert Burns (poetry)
The First Statistical Account of Scotland by Sir John Sinclair (reference non fiction)
Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect (commonly known as the Kilmarnock Edition) by Robert Burns (poetry)
On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection by Charles Darwin (philosophy non fiction)
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith (philosophy nonfiction)
Lady Chatterley's Lover by D. H. Lawrence (romance fiction)
Ulysses by James Joyce (literary fiction)
Where No Man Cries by Emma Blair (literary fiction)
Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar by Simon Sebag Montefiore (biography non fiction)
Vamping Made Easy - For All Who Wish to Play by Julius Berne (music non fiction)
The Bookshop Book by Jen Campbell (humor non fiction)
Ethics by Baruch Spinoza (philosophy non fiction)
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson (historical fiction)
The Places in Between by Rory Stewart (memoir non fiction)
Angry White Pyjamas by Robert Twigger (memoir non fiction)
A History of Orgies by Burgo Partridge (history non fiction)
Laughter: A Scientific Investigation by Robert R. Provine (psychology non fiction)
The dieter's guide to weight loss during sex by Richard Smith (humor non fiction)
The Busconductor Hines by James Kelman (general fiction)
Feersum Endjinn by Iain M. Banks (science fiction)
The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien (literary fiction)
The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio (historical fiction, short stories)
A Gambling Man: Charles II and the Restoration by Jenny Uglow (biography non fiction)
The Observer's book of Observer's books by Peter Marren (reference non fiction)
E. D. Morel, the Man and His Work by Seymour Cocks (biography non fiction)
The Surnames of Scotland by George F. Black (history non fiction)
The Kilmarnock Edition by Robert Burns (poetry)
The Diary of Samuel Pepys by Samuel Pepys (memoir non fiction)
The Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith Jr. (religion non fiction)
The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom by Alfred Barnard (historical non fiction)
Whereabouts: Notes on Being a Foreigner by Alastair Reid (autobiography non fiction)
A Tour of Scotland in 1769 by Thomas Pennant (travel non fiction)
A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland by Martin Martin (travel non fiction)
A Tour Through the Whole Island of Great Britain by Daniel Defoe (travel non fiction)
Observations On a Tour Through the Highlands and Part of the Western Isles of Scotland by Thomas Garnett (travel non fiction)
A Journey from Edinburgh through Parts of North Britain by Alexander Campbell (travel non fiction)
The Winding Stair and Other Poems by William Butler Yeats (poetry)
The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham (science fiction)
The House of Elrig by Gavin Maxwell (memoir non fiction)
The Railway Man: A POW's Searing Account of War, Brutality and Forgiveness by Eric Lomax (autobiography non fiction)
The Intimate thoughts of John Baxter, Bookseller by Augustus Muir (books & bookstores fiction)
In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin (travel non fiction)
The Bankrupt Bookseller by William Y. Darling (general fiction)
A Guide to the Orthodox Jewish Way of Life for Healthcare Professionals by Joseph Spitzer (non fiction)
Experiences of a Railway Guard: Thrilling stories of the rail by James Ferguson (non fiction)
Wigtown Ploughman: Part of His Life by John McNeillie (general fiction)
The Colliery Fireman's Pocket Book by Thomas Bryson (non fiction)
Seven Pillars of Wisdom by Thomas Edward Lawrence (autobiography non fiction)
Eleanor of Aquitaine by Alison Weir (biography non fiction)
The Reforming of Dangerous and Useless Horses by Mike Rimington (non fiction)
Sewage Disposal from Isolated Buildings by G. M. Flood (non fiction)
Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding by J. G. Dawber and A. T. Moore (non fiction)
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole (literary fiction)
Farthest North by Fridtjof Nansen (memoir non fiction)
The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard (memoir non fiction)
South with Scott by Edward R.G.R. Evans (history non fiction)
South: The Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition 1914-1917 by Ernest Shackleton (memoir non fiction)
The Heart of the Antarctic: The Farthest South Expedition 1907-1909 by Ernest Shackleton (memoir non fiction)
He Was Born Gay: a Romance in Three Acts by Emlyn Williams (play)
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes (literary fiction)
The Odyssey by Homer (poetry)
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner (literary fiction)
Pomfret Towers by Angela Thirkell (historical fiction)
Doctor No by Ian Fleming (thriller fiction)
Martialis by Martial (poetry)
Henry: Virtuous Prince by David Starkey (biography non fiction)
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (science fiction)
Galloway Gossip Sixty Years Ago by Robert de Bruce Trotter (reference non fiction)
Working With Depressed Women: A Feminist Approach by Alison Corob (reference non fiction)
Daniel Deronda by George Eliot (literary fiction)
Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James (romance fiction)
Incontinence by Susan Hahn (poetry)
And the Ass Saw the Angel by Nick Cave (literary fiction)
Scotland's Lost Gardens: From the Garden of Eden to the Stewart Palaces by Marilyn Brown (non fiction)
Highways and Byways in the West Highlands by Seton Gordon (non fiction)
The collected poems of Kathleen Raine by Kathleen Raine (poetry)
Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell (autobiography non fiction)
Red Nile: A Biography of the World's Greatest River by Robert Twigger (biography non fiction)
Robin Ince's Bad Book Club: One Man's Quest to Uncover the Books that Time Forgot by Robin Ince (humor non fiction)
Araki: Tokyo Lucky Hole by Akira Suei and Nobuyoshi Araki (art and photography non fiction)
Scholar-gipsies by John Buchan (essays non fiction)
A Royal Passion: The Turbulent Marriage of Charles I and Henrietta Maria by Katie Whitaker (history non fiction)
The House of Elrig by Gavin Maxwell (autobiography non fiction)
The Tinkler-Gypsies of Galloway by Andrew McCormick (history non fiction)
An open letter by Seamus Heaney (poetry)
The Penguin Book of Contemporary British Poetry by Blake Morrison and Andrew Motion (poetry)
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson (historical fiction)
Once a Customer Always a Customer: How to Deliver Customer Service that Creates Customers for Life by Chris Daffy (reference non fiction)
Biggles Takes It Rough by W. E. Johns (thriller fiction)
Alien Sex: The Body and Desire in Cinema and Theology by Gerard Loughlin (non fiction)
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (literary fiction)
Lord of the Flies by William Golding (young adult fiction)
The Meaning of Liff by Douglas Adams and John Lloyd (reference non fiction)
King Charles II by Antonia Fraser (biography non fiction)
The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot (historical fiction)
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding (historical fiction)
Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell (biography non fiction)
H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald (memoir non fiction)
Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford (literary fiction)
Ian Niall: Part of His Life by Andrew McNeillie (biography non fiction)
Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy (historical fiction)
Highways and Byways in Galloway and Carrick by Charles Hill Dick (non fiction)
Eyeless in Gaza by Aldous Huxley (literary fiction)
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger (literary fiction)
Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh (literary fiction)
Blindness by José Saramago (literary fiction)
Pereira Maintains by Antonio Tabucchi (literary fiction)
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg (mystery fiction)
A Toast Fag by Harold Avery (children's fiction)
The Restraint of Beasts by Magnus Mills (literary fiction)
A Young Man's Passage by Julian Clary (autobiography non fiction)
Donald McLeod's Gloomy memories in the Highlands of Scotland by Donald McLeod (history non fiction)
A Drug-taker's Notes by Richard Heron Ward (non fiction)
Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler (autobiography non fiction)
The Satyricon by Petronius (literary fiction)
The Flag in the Wind by John MacCormick (non fiction)
Cuckoo Problems by E. C. Stuart Baker (non fiction)
The Temple of Flora by Robert John Thornton (biography non fiction)
The Birds of America by John James Audubon (biography non fiction)
The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg (mystery fiction)
The Universal Singular: The Autobiography of Pierre Emmanuel by Pierre Emmanuel (autobiography non fiction)
Chattering: Stories by Louise Stern (short stories, fiction)
Georgian London: Into the Streets by Lucy Inglis (reference, non fiction)
British Trees: a Guide for Everyman by Miles Hadfield (reference non fiction)
The Cone Gatherers by Robin Jenkins (literary fiction)
The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky (historical fiction)
The Princes in the Tower by Alison Weir (biography non fiction)

Based on all the books mentioned in this book, I cannot help but feel that the world of books is deep and vast. There are so many genres and subgenres of fiction and non fiction out there. And what I have been exposed to so far is just a tiny fraction.

Besides books, this book also mentioned a book club. So curious am I that I actually did a Facebook search for this Random Book Club. And I dropped them a message asking if overseas people can join and how to go about making payment for the yearly subscription fee of GBP59. Sadly, to date, I still have not received a reply. I also checked out the website of The Bookshop at www.the-bookshop.com. Maybe, one day, I may order book(s) from them.

This is a book for all booklovers, and especially booklovers who wish to work in a bookstore.

2023 Year in Review and 2024 New Year's Resolution

Another year has come and gone.

I read and reviewed a total of 17 books this year. Just when I thought I have reached an all-time low last year with 31 books, I break my own record this year by doubling it south. It certainly is not impressive, but that's pretty much my average these days.

Year 2023 @ 17 (-14 YOY)
Year 2022 @ 31 (-14 YOY)
Year 2021 @ 45 (-5 YOY)
Year 2020 @ 50 (+4 YOY)
Year 2019 @ 46 (-16 YOY)
Year 2018 @ 62 (+10 YOY)
Year 2017 @ 52 (■ YOY)
Year 2016 @ 52 (-22 YOY)
Year 2015 @ 74 (-23 YOY)
Year 2014 @ 97

Crochet: Scarf: Chevron Scarf

This is my first serious attempt at crocheting a scarf. Did I just mention "serious"? Yes, I did. Well, that's because I have some vague impressions of a feeble attempt at doing the same, though one of a different pattern, many years ago. I think that scarf was made of double crochet stitches, and no, I cannot remember what happened to that scarf. It is most likely that I have threw it away.

I started this project on 21 Dec 2023 but didn't think that I will be able to complete it before the year is out. So, once again, I am surprised at the speed and ease of my ability to move things along. Strictly speaking, I started this project one day later, on 22 Dec, as I unraveled all that I have made - at least 21 rows - to start all over again. Expectations pile high as I intend this scarf to be a gift. So, when I deem the tension too loose or too tight, I unravel the rows. And when I feel that the scarf is not wide enough, I unravel the rows again. I think I may have unraveled at least three times before I feel satisfied enough to continue on.

This is the first time I work on a V shaped pattern. I came across this Chevron scarf pattern from Crochet to Calm: Stitch and De-Stress with 18 Simple Crochet Patterns by Interweave Editors. Crochet to Calm is a fun, easy to read book. There are inspiring pictures, interesting patterns and clear instructions on how to go about with the projects. This Chevron pattern uses single stitch and back loops to create texture for the scarf. Perhaps because I have never worked on V shaped pattern before, I find it amazing how skipping two stitches can lead to a very different look and feel of a scarf.

A scarf is an easy project to work on, one that can be completed with relatively less time as compared to crocheting a shawl. But even so, I don't think I will be crocheting more scarf any time soon, unless I have someone really special to give it to.