Review: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5 stars for Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

I am never one who is into mystery novel with third person narratives. It is neither my preferred nor usual choice of read. But still, I choose to read this book; this one book which everyone's been raving about. As a booklover, my worst fear is missing out on a good story. And so I reckon I should give it a go.

It is only an ok for me at first. The initial 30% of the story is somewhat slow moving, uneventful, at least that is how it is to me. Then it gets better and better until I simply have to keep the pages turning. I finish the entire book in record two days' time. Unbelievable!

Where the Crawdads Sing is a painfully beautiful story on many levels. It is a thought-provoking story that revolves around the theme of survival, loneliness, isolation and acceptance. A deeply moving story that leaves behind its ghostly imprint even long after the book's been read. It is no wonder that this book clinches the top spot in Amazon best selling list for 2019 (42 weeks on the list so far).

I am glad to have read this book. Even more glad to have read it all, right down to the last page, last word, to the very end. An end that I expect all along and yet am still surprised when I see the words in print. In my opinion, that is the most beautiful part of this storytelling.

And now, without coercion of any kind, I have joined the ranks of booklovers out there in recommending this book.

A must read.

Review: Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

5 stars for Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.

Tell the Wolves I'm Home is not a thriller. Nor is it a mystery novel. And definitely not a romance either. Then why am I so sucked into the story and keep pondering over it?

Because there are so many things to like about this book. The title. The book cover. The short chapters. The writing. The storyline. The setting. The characters. Basically, everything.

Because it is a story, one of its kind. A powerful story that explores the dynamics of relationship within the family. And mind you, it is not skin deep but deep. Heartfelt.

Because it is a sad kind of story. About opportunities. Chances. Second chance. Changes. Dreams. Friendship. Bonding. Jealousy. Sadness. Hopes.

Because it is a tender story. Of love. Love that is lost and found. Of wrong love. Meanness that can come out of loving someone too much.

Because it is a book that reads very much like a non-fiction even though it is not. With facts of the world that fit the story just right, the topic of death lurks in the background and creeps up on you. How do you keep the memories of someone you love alive? How do you seal a promise with a dead person?

Because I see the 14-year old me peeking out from behind the eyes of the protagonist. The good. The bad. The walls building up and up around her and then slowly collapsing and crumbling into nothingness.

Because it just is.

Review: Grave Destiny (Alex Craft #6) by Kalayna Price

Did Not Finish Grave Destiny (Alex Craft book 6) by Kalayna Price.

I find it hard to believe that I have actually spent the better half of the year reading non-fiction on the account that I am not a great fan of this genre.

After six months of non-stop non-fiction, this is supposed to be a fun return to the urban fantasy world of Alex Craft which I so love. Sadly and unfortunately, the overuse of flowery language suppresses the story and action so much that it makes for an extremely slow and tiring read. I get the unpleasant feeling that it is a test of my patience; a test which I am doomed to fail at less than halfway mark of the book.

I have never thought I will see the day when the Alex Craft series no longer manage to sustain my interest. But alas, the day has come. I feel sad, for myself and for Alex Craft.

Review: Yakuza Moon: Memoirs of a Gangster's Daughter by Shoko Tendo

4 stars for Yakuza Moon: Memoirs of a Gangster's Daughter by Shoko Tendo.

I am blessed to be gifted a copy of this book in July 2017. I have finally read it. Two years late. But better late than never.

Seriously, this book is not what I will have expected, even though I did not really hold any expectations prior to reading it. Still, I do not expect it to be such a heart-rending story, a true life story that is filled with bullying, delinquency, drugs, imprisonment, love, violence, marriage, divorce, debt, eating disorders, attempted suicide, sickness, and death.

Though this is a memoir by a Yakuza's daughter, bulk of the story centers on herself and her downward spiral to drug abuse rather than that of her family and especially her father, the Yakuza. Yes, this book is a very brave end product of the baring of truths, of a life lived in the pit of despair and misery, but I will gladly welcome more shedding of light about the life and inner workings of a Yakuza.

Wisdom comes with knowledge.
Knowledge comes with experience.
Experience comes with age.
Age comes with time.

With knowledge, experience and time, I hope that Shoko Tendo is finally living her life the way she wants it and is now at peace with herself and her family.