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Thursday, April 28, 2016

Review: Shopaholic Ties the Knot (Shopaholic #3) by Sophie Kinsella


2 stars for Shopaholic Ties the Knot (Shopaholic book 3) by Sophie Kinsella.

After the first two books, the novelty of a story revolving a shopaholic has worn off. In this instalment, though the author has moved on to create a flow to the overall theme, I am not impresssed.

Frankly speaking, I do not think my expectation is too high or unreasonable. I am only looking for a good story, some laughs and hopefully a bit of surprises here and there in this third book of the series which, unfortunately, fall short of.

If you ask me, this book is a no-good for me right from the start. Why? Because the book title is a dead giveaway. It kills off any surprises, if there is any to begin with. Oh, why doesn't the author choose a name which is less obvious?

Monday, April 25, 2016

Review: Shopaholic Abroad / Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (Shopaholic #2) by Sophie Kinsella


4 stars for Shopaholic Abroad / Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (Shopaholic book 2) by Sophie Kinsella.

An enjoyable story though not as humorous as the first one. But still, a good one.

I must say, I can't agree more with the protagonist, Rebecca Bloomwood, on her point number three with regard to shopping abroad that 'Foreign money doesn't count, so you can spend as much as you like'. It is so not true but yet so real because that is exactly how I always feel when making my purchases in a foreign currency!

*** Favourite quote ***

Shopping anywhere is great—but the advantages of doing it abroad are:

1. You can buy things you can't get in Britain.

2. You can name-drop when you get back home.

3. Foreign money doesn't count, so you can spend as much as you like.

~ Shopaholic Abroad
Sophie Kinsella

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Review: Confessions of a Shopaholic (Shopaholic #1) by Sophie Kinsella


5 stars for Confessions of a Shopaholic (Shopaholic book 1) by Sophie Kinsella.

A girl has got to read this book!

The Confessions of a Shopaholic is a relaxing and highly entertaining read. It is never for a moment monotonous but chock-full of colourful imagination, creative comeback and hideously embarrassing yet hilarious situations.

I simply love this story and have a whale of a time reading it and then, an equally hard time putting it down. Now I wonder why I didn't read this series earlier to think that it has been sitting on my to-be-read list for as long as I can remember.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Review: My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult


1 star for My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult.

Perhaps the story is overrated. Perhaps my expectation is too high. Perhaps I read the book at a wrong time. Perhaps there are too many perhaps. Bottom line is, I do not enjoy reading My Sister’s Keeper and I am probably one in a handful of oddballs who feel this way.

This book comes highly recommended by not just one friend but more. I trust their recommendations and I really want to like this story but sadly, there are more things to dislike than like in this book.

While I am usually fine with different characters weaving in and out telling their side of a story, I do not appreciate it when that is crafted on top of a story unfolding amidst overabundance of flashbacks that spin the story around and back. It definitely makes reading tiresome and confusing.

The science of tomorrow to save the children of today. Yes, the topic in question is excellent and has untapped potential to make a phenomenal story. Unfortunately, I am frustrated and bored to tears by loathsome characters, particularly that of a self-serving individual who does not see beyond what she chooses to see, whose world practically revolves around one daughter and who is more than willing to move Heaven and Earth at the expense of all others.

And then, don't get me started on the rest of the fluffy characters acting as fillers. These padding do nothing to beef up the story except adding oil to fire to create an even bigger hole in the already flawed characters and speed up the story's descent in a downward spiral journey. But these are not all. The final death blow to the story is dealt when the author tries too hard by giving the ending a twist.

Oh, how I detest the writing style, the horrible characters and the story.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Review: Fearless Fourteen (Stephanie Plum #14) by Janet Evanovich


1.5 stars for Fearless Fourteen (Stephanie Plum book 14) by Janet Evanovich.

I think I need a break after this one. The Plum stories seems to have taken a nosedive of late.

Even though I flip through each and every page of this book, nothing registers. I only vaguely remember something written about a diva and how much I dislike the plot.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the next main story be good, else I will be bidding adieu to the series.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Review: Plum Lucky (Stephanie Plum #13.5) by Janet Evanovich


1 stars for Plum Lucky (Stephanie Plum book 13.5) by Janet Evanovich.

Good grief.. It seems like yesterday that I finish reading a between-the-numbers novel. I thought I am done with one to last for quite awhile but boy, how wrong am I for here it comes again..

Seriously, I do not understand the purpose of these short stories, except to exasperate us readers?

My opinion? This is definitely a book Evanovich's fans will have no qualms missing.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Review: Lean Mean Thirteen (Stephanie Plum #13) by Janet Evanovich


5 stars for Lean Mean Thirteen (Stephanie Plum book 13) by Janet Evanovich.

Thirteen books in a row and the Plum - main - stories are still going strong. Great work there, author Evanovich!

I find that the more Plum books I conquer, the more I feel that the relationship between Stephanie and the two men in her life can be summarised as destination and journey - a rather complicated one which puts her (and me) at a crossroad always.

On one hand, I cannot wait to reach the final destination in Stephanie's love life, on the other hand, I want to keep travelling this journey with her. I want it to last yet to end. What irony!

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Review: Plum Loving' (Stephanie Plum #12.5) by Janet Evanovich


1 star for Plum Loving' (Stephanie Plum book 12.5) by Janet Evanovich.

Oh no! Not again..

It is not that I am against the between-the-numbers novel but after a taste of the earlier book 8.5 Visions of Sugar Plums, I am certainly not looking forward to this one.

Needless to say, skipping the book is an easy way out but it is never an option I want to consider as I do not want to miss no action in this Plum series. So, I put my fast-as-lightning speed reading skills to good use and survive this short story through gritted teeth and pursed lips.

Friday, April 8, 2016

Review: Twelve Sharp (Stephanie Plum #12) by Janet Evanovich


5 stars for Twelve Sharp (Stephanie Plum book 12) by Janet Evanovich.

Thus far we know that Stephanie has feelings for two men and does not know how to choose between them. Well.. I'm not exactly sure if I belong to Camp Morelli or Camp Ranger either. So, that makes two of us!

In this instalment, it is good to know and be reminded that the Man of Mystery is, after all, a mortal. No, not Batman. And definitely not any one of the rest Superheroes either. Just like that, it becomes crystal clear to Stephanie on the one who holds the key to her heart.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Review: Eleven on Top (Stephanie Plum #11) by Janet Evanovich


5 stars for Eleven on Top (Stephanie Plum book 11) by Janet Evanovich.

Stephanie Plum is one of those golden long-standing series with a plot that actually moves along and makes me look forward for more.

To date, I am happy with the series. However, as at this book in time, I do have a grievance. And a BIG one. That is, I am getting antsy with Stephanie and her mentor-protector-and-friend relationship with Ranger. Where is it all leading to?

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Review: Ten Big Ones (Stephanie Plum #10) by Janet Evanovich


5 stars for Ten Big Ones (Stephanie Plum book 10) by Janet Evanovich.

When life gets a tad too monotonous, a tad too stressful and a tad too hard-to-handle, I tend to think of Stephanie Plum, my go-to Romantic Suspense series.

Ten Big Ones is certainly an uplifting, entertaining read. I wave goodbye to all my worries and troubles the moment I immerse myself in Plum's world.

The one character that the author has me there is without a doubt, the Man of Mystery. I love almost everything about him, from his Bat Truck to his mysterious Bat Cave.