Review: Machines Like Me by Ian McEwan

Did Not Finish Machines Like Me by Ian McEwan.

I am in a bit of a fix when writing this review. Because I am not quite sure if I should give this book a star rating or simply a Did Not Finish rating. I like the book title and the book cover of a humanoid robot intrigues me so. Together, they entice me to read the story. But often, liking a book visually may not be enough to sustain the interest to devouring the whole book. This book is exactly that. While I want to like this book, it is difficult to finish reading the entire book. The story starts off well and fair enough, but after reading sufficient pages, I know it is not a book I want to spend more time on and I start to skip chunks and chunks of it.

The story is about artificial human, about having a machine as a companion, both a friend and helper who can help with washing dishes, making beds and... thinking.

How will it be like to own a machine that has an operating system as well as a human nature and personality? It certainly makes an interesting topic and has much potential for a great storyline. I will say that in devising an improved modern version of ourselves, the author has brilliantly invented a technical miracle. Unfortunately, only the first few chapters captivate my attention. After that, the story loses its focus on artificial intelligence and instead, side track onto other sub plots and developments which can be disjointed and confusing at times.

I like that the story mentions the First Law of Robotics by Isaac Asimov. To quote "A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm." Perhaps this is what I feel most comfortable when reading about stories dealing with AI, because only by laying down such a rule that humans can follow our desires and create machines that can think like humans. Otherwise, it is scary to think about the consequences of human's infatuation with technology. Humans may even end up doing the bidding of machines.

Having done some serious thinking, I finally decide to go with Did Not Finish. As disappointing as it is, I have read the opening chapters, the ending and then some, but I think it is only fair to say I did not finish reading as I have skipped way too many pages of the book to properly considered it read.

Review: The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James

3.5 stars for The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James.

When I started out on Rebecca in the week of 11 Oct, I gave myself three weeks to read the book. I was pretty comfortable with the timeline and rather confident of myself. No stress. Three weeks. Easy does it. In the end, two weeks is all I need. All thanks to three special days when I can concentrate on nothing but read. What bliss! With Rebecca completed, I find myself contemplating another horror story before October runs out. But this time, I am not quite as sure that I will be able to make it in time for a Oct end review. Surprisingly, I made it. This post is proof of it.

Unlike Rebecca, The Haunting of Maddy Clare is obviously a horror story. The word "haunting" in the title broadcast it all.

Written in first person narrative, 25-year old Sarah Piper tells of her strange assignment, one any temporary girl will ever have imagined. And that is being part of a trio of ghost hunters. The assignment which seems simple and easy enough at first, soon spins out of control and turns into a nightmare. Sarah needs to solve the mystery of the haunting fast before the team runs out of time.

The book is easy to read, a welcome change after my last one. The plot is predictable to some extent but not to the point of putting me off. Also, the intensity of horror and mystery is just nice, enough to keep me on the edge of my seat but not so scary as to send me looking after my back constantly.

For a debut novel, this book is not too bad. I usually try to avoid giving half a star in my rating but this is one book where I cannot decide on a 3 or 4-star, so I settle for a in-between. I read The Sun Down Motel by this same author last year and I love it. I think I will likely be reading more of this author's books in time to come, especially around this time of the year.

Review: The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling

3.5 stars for The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling.

I do not remember how I come about adding this book to my reading list. But I do recall looking for this book on a few occasions when I make the trip to my usual library. Each time, this standalone novel is available on the bookshelf. I finally decide to give it a go and check the book out during my last library visit.

Most, if not all, of the science fiction novels that I have read so far are related in one way or another, to outer space or space travelling. This is my first time reading one that is not related to the void above, but rather, to the caves or tunnels under the ground.

This book is about cave exploration mission. It begins with the protagonist, a caver, fulfilling the terms of her contract, climbing, crawling and making her way deep within the cave at camp 4, and stepping off the edge to make the long drop to camp 5. The story then takes a step back, to the start of the mission where the caver is at camp 1, to give readers some background on the 22-year old caver named Gyre Price, the mission and the investor of the expedition known as Em.

The story has a promising start. I am captivated by the well-thought-out plot and initial development of the story. The author makes excellent use of uncertainties, unease, self-doubt, half-truths, cover-ups, fear of the unknown, helplessness and frustration to spin a story. The world-building is fantastic. The mystery and suspense surrounding the entire cave expedition keeps me riveted to the story as it gradually builds up its intensity. I am equally impressed by the author's use of technology to craft a high-tech climbing suit and helmet such that everything is well taken care of, to protect the caver from the elements in the cave. It is essentially redundant to remove either the helmet or the suit to eat, sleep or defecate.

At the base of it all, the aim of the mission is not to stay true to the terms and conditions as set out in the contract, but rather, to stay alive and get out of the cave. And this is exactly what makes the story tick, like a time bomb, as the caver races against time to keep herself alive. Everything about the story flows well except that I feel the later part of the story can have been better. The unfolding of events towards the last quarter of the book, especially the last four to five chapters feels unnecessarily prolonged, draggy and repetitive. Perhaps the story should have ended when it is time to draw to a close. In the end, what I enjoy so much about the story initially took a beating as I struggle to finish the last few chapters. It should not have been like this.

Overall, The Luminous Dead is a book worth reading. I have great fun exploring the underground cave and tunnels and sumps while getting myself spooked. It is just that I also have to endure the little unfortunate glitch before I can call it a day. Other than that, it is actually quite a remarkable debut novel. I will definitely keep a lookout for more of author Starling's books.

Review: My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey by Jill Bolte Taylor

3.5 stars for My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey by Jill Bolte Taylor.

This book is a personal account, as seen through the eyes of a neuroscientist, about what it feels like to experience the deterioration of the left brain and then gradually recover it over the years. The author hopes that her book will offer insight into how the brain works in both wellness and in illness, and that it will help to give direction and hope to stroke patients and their families and caregivers.

Author Jill Taylor suffers from a rare form of stroke in the left hemisphere of her brain when she was thirty-seven years old. This stroke rendered her completely disabled; unable to walk, talk, read, write or recall any aspects of her life. In her book, she gives a step-by-step explanation into the deterioration of her cognitive abilities and what she experiences in that unforgettable morning of the stroke. The chapter on "The Morning of the Stroke" is informational and helpful in that it tells us the symptoms of an impending stroke, and what and when to look out for it. The later chapters on recovery are equally useful. They include more than fifty tips for the road to recovery. One only needs refer to Appendix B for a bird's eye view on recommendations for recovery.

Though this is a book about stroke, it is ultimately not a book about stroke itself but insights gained from the traumatic event in which the author is very kind and generous to share with us. It is also about the beauty, resilience and adaptability of the human brain - its ability to repair, replace, retain and recover. Not only do we get to know the pre and post-stroke author Jill Taylor, readers also have a better understanding of the human brain, the right hemisphere and the left hemisphere and the asymmetries of the two cortical hemispheres.

I have no doubt that this book can help people in recovering from neurological trauma. But first, the book needs to be read, from beginning to the end, to have a good understanding of the human brain, and then, the insights gained from the author's journey and experience. This book is not, what I will say, an easy to read book altogether, especially the portion after the surgery. Maybe it is due to the dry facts of the matter, or repetitive narrative at times, I have a tendency to drift off into my own la-la land while reading. Don't get me wrong. I do not mean to say that this book is not a good one. It is just that, well, the stars of this book are not so well aligned with my attention for reading.

Overall, the insights the author gained from her stroke is amazing. Perhaps the most significant insight of it all, at least it seems to me, is the inability of the medical community to know how to communicate with someone who has suffered a stroke, especially one in the left hemisphere of the brain, impairing language. This is surely something that the medical community can work on.

Review: Timepiece (Christmas Box Collection #2) by Richard Paul Evans

3.5 stars for Timepiece (Christmas Box Collection Book 2) by Richard Paul Evans.

It is not often that I say this but I really like the book title, Timepiece. It leaves a nice, warm, cozy feeling of unspoken marvel, timeless value and classical antiquity.

True to the title, Timepiece is a touching story of hope, love and forgiveness. Even though this is a fictional story, I know many of the names mentioned in it are not. Thus, it kind of set me thinking, and wondering if this is a real story, a secret true story after all.

Review: The Mistletoe Secret (Mistletoe Collection #3) by Richard Paul Evans

3.5 stars for The Mistletoe Secret (Mistletoe Collection book 3) by Richard Paul Evans.

Since the end of last year, right after I finish reading The Mistletoe Inn, I have been looking forward to reading this third, and perhaps final book in the Mistletoe collection. And now, here I am. I have done it!

The Mistletoe Secret is a touching story of two people who overcome solitude, loneliness and loss to find love. One can be alone but not feel lonely, this is especially so when it is one's choice to be alone. On the other hand, one can be in a group yet feel lonely. This sentence, taken verbatim from the book, "nothing makes you feel more lonely than crowds of people you are not connected to", rings so true.

Separately, on acronyms, I find it amazing that author Evans can come up with different variations of LBH to suit his novel. To have some idea on what LBH is, well, for one, it can mean Let's Be Honest.

So, LBH here. Since I love the earlier two books in the Mistletoe collection, it comes as a surprise that I take quite some time getting into the story this time. It is only after sixteen chapters, making it around 35% or so of the book, that I start to really enjoy the story more. So, that is me, being honest. Really.

Though The Mistletoe Secret may not be my favourite of the three in the collection, it is still an inspirational read. I am glad to have read this book finally.

Review: The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

3.5 stars for The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans.

The Christmas List is a Christmas story of true redemption, of death, rebirth and second chance.

What can possibly happen if people read their obituary before they die and have first-hand experience of what the world really think of them?

Yes, we all get lost sometimes. And when we find ourselves with the truth, knowing fully the pain and hurt caused to others and knowing there is no way to make it better, that realization can be devastating. The trick is to believe that we are worth finding and have the strength of will to make amends.

Having read this book, the author has fulfilled what he set out to accomplish. He has written and shared a holiday story that not only warms the festive season but my heart as well.

Review: Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows #1) by Kim Harrison

3.5 stars for Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows book 1) by Kim Harrison.

It is by no calculated means that I choose to read a witch witchy novel this time round. But as it is officially October which points to one thing: Halloween, Dead Witch Walking kind of fits in really well.

This book is packed full of otherworldly beings. You name it. They have it. Witches. Warlocks. The undead. Living vamps. Trolls. Pixies. Fairies. Weres. Demons. Leprechauns. Elves. Naturally, the protagonist in this book is a witch, and strictly speaking, an earth witch, one who deals solely with amulets, potions, and charms.

The world building is not too bad, plot is okay and the writing agreeable. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the conclusion which leaves a lot to be desired. However, the way I see it, there is much potential in this series for the author to exploit upon with plenty of room for improvement. So, YES! I am definitely going to continue my otherworldly existence as one such Rachel Mariana Morgan.

Published over 10 years ago by Harper Voyager, Dead Witch Walking marks the debut of a series that is destined to grow from cult favorite to a major New York Times bestseller. Yea, I think I can understand the reason for it.

Coming up next.. The Good, the Bad, and the Undead.

Review: Tin Star (Casablanca recast #1) by Cecil Castellucci

3.5 stars for Tin Star (Casablanca recast book 1) by Cecil Castellucci.

Tin Star is an interesting read with an unusual story albeit a bit slow moving.

Beaten and left for dead on a space station called Yertina Feray, 14-year old Tula Bane finds the will and the means to survive among the aliens. And everything is so much bigger and more interconnected than it is thought to be.

Docking bay. Space travel. Space station. Planets. Galaxy. Humans. Aliens. Politics.

This book will appeal much to readers who like traditional Science Fiction stories.

Review: Dead Wrong (Sal Kilkenny #3) by Cath Staincliffe

3.5 stars for Dead Wrong (Sal Kilkenny book 3) by Cath Staincliffe.

Sometimes there is no compelling reason for wanting to read on about a certain character or its running series...

Sal Kilkenny is your run-of-the-mill private investigator. There is nothing spectacularly exciting about the work she does nor is her private life particularly interesting. But I enjoy reading about Sal and the cases she works on. Somehow, it makes me feel real; her lack of social life, her love for her job, her reason for wanting a flexible working schedule and the pangs of being a single parent.

Review: Killer Instinct (Charlie Fox #1) by Zoë Sharp

3.5 stars for Killer Instinct (Charlie Fox book 1) by Zoë Sharp.

If not for Lee Child’s beaming recommendation, I will definitely not have picked up Zoe Sharp’s novel at all.

True to author Lee's favourable mention, this is a thriller not to be missed. The story is convincing and the writing is plain brilliant with scenes flowing fluidly from one to the next. The female protagonist, Charlie, is down-to-earth and as real as can be. The part I like best is the - emotional - baggage that Charlie carries, like it or not, it is what makes Charlie who she is in present day.

The only grievance I have is that towards the later half of the book, the plot gets a tad too predictable; I can see all too clearly where the path is leading to and how it is going to end.

Review: An Officer's Duty (Theirs Not to Reason Why #2) by Jean Johnson

3.5 stars for An Officer's Duty (Theirs Not to Reason Why book 2) by Jean Johnson.

I am glad to have finally finished reading An Officer's Duty, a whopping 448 pages of a book. It feels as if I have been reading this book for weeks on end though it has only been less than ten days since I pick it up. Besides the high wordcount, I guess I am partially responsible for taking longer than my usual time to read a book. Because I am back to playing this fun, highly addictive, action-strategy adventure game, Plant vs. Zombies. And it's edition 2. That said, it is not easy to decide on which, Game or Read, to spend my precious little free time on, not without feeling guilty, somehow or other, for ditching one of them, no matter how temporarily.

Though the pace of this book 2 is slower in comparison to book 1 A Soldier's Duty, on the whole, I have an enjoyable time reading this science fiction fantasy novel, one where the protagonist is gifted with many special talents: telepathy, xenopathy, biokinesis, electrokinesis, pyrokinesis, telekinesis, battlecognition, postcognition and precognition.

Leaving Sanctuary a civilian but returning five years later as Lieutenant second class in the Space Force Marine Corps, the story kicks off with Ia, now 21 years old, on leave to visit her family.

From a quarter to slightly more than half the book, we see Ia transfers her service contract from the Branch Marine Corps to the Branch Navy of the Terran United Planets Space Force and enters the academy for leadership training as an SF-Navy officer. There, Ia meets the bane of her precognitive skills; the one person whose mere existence can possibly undo everything she has been working so hard to save.

Having covered the grounds of family and leadership training for officers-to-be, the rest of the book is dedicated to Ia's service in the blockade patrol combat position aboard starship TUPSF Audie-Murphy.

With the mission to stop the galaxy from extragalactic invasion and destruction centuries from the present, Ia works hard to set up a path of dominos with each to be knocked down at the right time and right place. It is imperative that Ia manipulates all possible scenarios to her advantage, even right down to making sure the correct people are born at the right time, right place and the wrong people are guarded against carefully, such that the outcome is for the greater good of all mankind.

Once again, I like to stress that this series falls under the genre of science fiction fantasy, and a military one at that. If you are out looking for a science fiction romance fantasy, be prepared to be disappointed. Drop the expectation for romance and you will be in for a treat.

Last but not least, I find that this book can be read and enjoyed without having access to the first book. But of course, I will still recommend to start from book 1, A Soldier's Duty in order not to miss out the earlier interesting portion of the series.

Publisher: Ace
Publication date: 31 Jul 2012

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Promoted in the field for courage and leadership under fire, Ia is now poised to become an officer in the Space Force Navy—once she undertakes her Academy training. But on a trip back home to Sanctuary, she finds the heavyworld colony being torn apart by religious conflict. Now Ia must prepare her family and followers to secure the galaxy’s survival. Her plan is to command a Blockade Patrol ship. Her goal, to save as many lives as she can. But at the Academy, she discovers an unexpected challenge: the one man who could disrupt those plans. The man whose future she cannot foresee...

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: Cooking Up Murder (Cooking Class Mystery #1) by Miranda Bliss

3.5 stars for Cooking Up Murder (Cooking Class Mystery book 1) by Miranda Bliss.

Once again, I choose to read a book because of its lovely book cover. Yes, first impression does matter.

Cooking Up Murder is narrated by a 35-year old Annie Capshaw who works as a bank teller for as long as she remembers. She tells of how and why her best friend, Eve DeCateur signs both of them up for a 10-day cooking class at Tres Bonne Cuisine.

To get back at one of Eve's ex-fiance, a Tyler Cooper who is now Lieutenant of the Police Department and put in-charge of the mysterious case involving the death of a man in the parking lot behind the cooking class store, Eve decides to take things into her hands to solve the case. Reluctantly, Annie agrees to help.

I think it is a good idea to make a case story out of food and culinary skills, thrusting the mundane of attending a cooking class into an exciting forward looking evening with an air of secrecy.

The story is smooth flowing and well paced with bits of light-hearted humor sprinkled here and there. It is also quite funny reading about our protagonist and her culinary skills which is practically non-existent. In fact, Annie is a disaster waiting to happen when it comes to cooking.

All in all, a cheerful and relaxing read into the mystery genre which I have left off for a long long time.

Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: 7 Nov 2006

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Annie and Eve are life-long best friends who have absolutely nothing in common-except a lack of skill in the kitchen. So when they sign up for a cooking class at the local gourmet shop, they figure the only things at risk are a few innocent fruits and vegetables.

But on the first night, Annie and Eve see their fellow student Beyla arguing with a man-a man who later turns up dead in the parking lot.

Now the friends feel bound to uncover whatever secrets she's hiding, before someone else's goose-perhaps one of their own-gets cooked.

*Blurb from FantasticFiction*

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Review: Shifty Magic (Shifty Magic #1) by Judy Teel

3.5 stars for Shifty Magic (Shifty Magic book 1) by Judy Teel.

I cannot help but do a double take when I first come across this book because the 'f' in shifty appears so much like a 't' at one glance that my mind cannot shake out the impossibility of such a title. Surprisingly, the naming of the author's debut novel catches and intrigues me to an extent that I decide to explore this series.

Not sure if it's purely coincidental, but lately it seems that my choice readings are mostly penned in the yet-to-come future. It makes me wonder how my feelings will turn out if I actually read the book in terra year 2033 or after. So here we go. The story takes place in Charlotte in year 2033 and is told through the eyes of 19-year old Addison Kittner, a licensed private investigator and bounty hunter since 2032.

As it usually is, the plot centers around our heroine and her attempt to solve the mystery of a renegade vampire that has been murdered and drained of blood. While at it, the author introduces the 3 paranormal types in this urban fantasy world - vamps, weres and practitioners who are essentially humans but possess the uncanny ability to see beyond the physical and to work with other levels of reality. What good is a story without a hero? I am glad the author agrees and throws in our man in the form of a FBI agent, Cooper Daine.

I have read a lot of paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels. Yes, A. LOT. And because of this 'a lot', it takes much much more than your run-of-the-mill story to impress me. Come on, there is just that much to how a vampire or a werewolf can be, no matter how different, the basics are almost always the same, more or less. So what makes Shifty Magics any different? Actually it doesn't. It does not even rank up high in terms of originality. What impresses me instead is the writing and maturity level of our heroine that the author doles out. If the author has not, at any point, revealed the age of Addison, I will definitely have pegged her in the age bracket of mid to late twenties.

All in all, Shifty Magic is an enjoyable novel in the first of a series. The author, with heaps of writing potential up her sleeve, is one to watch out for. Lastly, hurry up and go grab your free copy of this book 1 at Amazon.com. Not sure if or when the promotion will end, but at time of posting this review, it is available FOC for your reading pleasure.

Publisher: Judy P. Mills; 1 edition
Publication date: 11 May 2013

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A serial killer in a paranormal dystopian world…

One night Addison comes across a girl about to be killed by three rogue vampires. She kicks some vamp butt and saves the girl, but one of the vamps escapes. Just her luck, he turns up dead the next morning, inspiring the vampire leaders to put pressure on her to solve the case or take the rap.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, her ex-lover, werewolf FBI agent, Cooper Daine, approaches her and gives her an offer she can’t refuse…a paycheck. Mixing business with lust is never a good idea, but neither is starving, so she accepts.

But as the body count builds, Addison finds herself embroiled in an ever deepening and dangerous mystery. One that leads her to something frighteningly personal. Her unknown heritage.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: Vision in Silver (The Others #3) by Anne Bishop

3.5 stars for Vision in Silver (The Others book 3) by Anne Bishop.

I feel a strong rush of nostalgia for the days of world cup match viewings as I read this book 3 of the Others series. Not sure about other people, but I tend to get transported back to days long past by sheer association of sights, smells and feelings. And since I read book 1 Written In Red and book 2 Murder of Crows during the World Cup season in June/July 2014, it does not come as a suprise when I read Vision in Silver and automatically get sent back in time to my late-night datings with football matches as well as the accompanying adrenaline rush that comes with live betting.

Vision in Silver is an appropriate follow-up to the previous book. The story pretty much still revolves around the prophecy of 24-year old Meg Corbyn, a blood prophet or cassandra sangue from Namid's creation, both wondrous and terrible, and the Others aka terra indigene who reside in the Lakeside Courtyard acting as buffer between humans and the very base Earth natives living in the wild side of Thaisia. To name a few of the Others, we have Simon Wolfgard, Henry Beargard, Jenni Crowgard, Jester Coyotegard, Vlad Sanguinati and Tess.

Besides the happenings in Lakeside Courtyard, readers are also brought back to Ferryman's Landing, the Intuit Village where the cassandra sangue rescued from the compound in Midwest are having problems adjusting to their new life. Every day one or more of these girls show symptoms of emotional breakdown or fall into a catatonic state that lasts from a few minutes to a few hours. The whole community on that island have no idea what to do to save the girls. In the end, it falls upon Meg to come out with The Prophet Guide to redirect these blood prophets from their inevitable path to death.

While I enjoy immersing myself again in the urban fantasy tale of Meg, the terra indigene and their unique mind to mind form of communication, I cannot help but feel disappointed in this latest instalment. There is very little or almost no new development to the overall story setting. Much of what I already know have been mentioned and revealed in the previous two books. Although the author introduces a new member of the terra indigene who has been brought in to as an enforcer to deal with the trouble caused by the human population in Talulah Falls, the author fails to make opportune use to expand further on this intriguing new joiner who is another of Tess's rare kind that even the rest of the Others such are the younger Sanguinati are scared of.

All in all, Vision in Silver is a well written sequel in the Others series. However the lack of fresh world building after the first two phenomenally absorbing stories makes this book 3 pale in comparison. Add to that is the unflattering book cover picture which shows a tired and really haggard looking Meg. Hopefully we can see a better freshened up Meg in the next book cover.

Publisher: Roc
Publication date: 3 Mar 2015

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The Others freed the cassandra sangue to protect the blood prophets from exploitation, not realizing their actions would have dire consequences. Now the fragile seers are in greater danger than ever before—both from their own weaknesses and from those who seek to control their divinations for wicked purposes. In desperate need of answers, Simon Wolfgard, a shape-shifter leader among the Others, has no choice but to enlist blood prophet Meg Corbyn’s help, regardless of the risks she faces by aiding him.

Meg is still deep in the throes of her addiction to the euphoria she feels when she cuts and speaks prophecy. She knows each slice of her blade tempts death. But Others and humans alike need answers, and her visions may be Simon’s only hope of ending the conflict.

For the shadows of war are deepening across the Atlantik, and the prejudice of a fanatic faction is threatening to bring the battle right to Meg and Simon’s doorstep…

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen by Jane Hawking

3.5 stars for Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen by Jane Hawking.

I decide to read this book after catching “The Theory of Everything” in the theatre on 16 Jan 2015. Before this, I am not aware that this movie is based on a book written by Stephen Hawking’s wife, first wife to be precise, only that this motion picture portrays the life of the well-known theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking who is also the world-famous author of “A Brief History of Time”, a book currently sitting among others on one of the book shelves in my study room.

“The Theory of Everything” is one of the best films I have ever watched. It is not just the storyline that makes this big screen engaging, but the outstanding performance by leading male actor, Eddie Redmayne depicting Stephen Hawking from his days in Cambridge University to his loving relationship with arts student Jane Wilde to his scientific breakthroughs, to his increasing physical dependence on others due to the fast deteriorating muscle degeneration caused by the motor-neuron disease plaguing him.

Perhaps most impressive of all is this English actor’s excellent act out of Stephen Hawking in the face of such adversity, making all amity warmer, all pain more poignant, and all sorrow sadder. Kudos to Eddie Redmayne for clinching the 2015 Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor – Drama. I may not have watched the performance of other nominees but I feel deep within that if Redmayne does not take home this Best Actor Award, no other nominee should.

Coincidentally, The Theory of Everything is actually one of the books written by Stephen Hawking. The book penned by Jane his first wife, on which the movie is based upon is in fact titled Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen. However, I do agree that the former is better suited as the movie title since the word theory goes hand in hand with Hawking’s career as a theoretical physicist, and certainly a more catchy title.

Travelling to Infinity is a candid account of Jane Wilde’s early life and her thirty years of marriage to Stephen Hawking. True to herself, Jane writes about her fear, insecurities, unhappiness and phobia of flying as the wife of a physicist who is obsessed with science, being so consumed with his research of theoretical discoveries that he is unconcerned with the emotional aspects of his wife. Behaving as if he is the master of universe, Hawking comes across as a self-centred and inconsiderate husband, who is insensitive either deliberately or unintentionally, to the feelings and hardship borne by Jane.

In contrast to the loving tenderness, trust and mutual resolve to overcome challenges portrayed between the couple in the movie, Jane’s memoir tells of how Hawking’s adamant refusal to recognise reality, his reluctance to openly discuss his disability and constant rejection of the need for external nursing help to relief either Jane or their children of the strain, put tremendous strains on their marriage. In the eyes of Jane, Stephen uses his illness and disability as a weapon against his family, thereby trapping her into a downward spiral of despair, desolation and hopelessness, and always making her feel guilty of appearing disloyal by any suggestion put forth of the need for external help.

Though Jane also writes about their family living and working in harmony, supporting each other and participating in each other's interests, there appear to be more negative forces than positive ones as the difference in their beliefs resurface to haunt them in later years as the arguments get more personal, divisive and hurtful. While Jane believes that there is more to life than just the law of physics, Stephen does not hesitate to declare himself an atheist.

To rub salt into the wounds, Jane find herself in the unpleasant situation of divided loyalties. While she genuinely wants to help her husband to achieve all possible success which means travelling with him to conferences held in far flung places, she feels guilty for leaving their children, whom she owes an equal responsibility to, under the care of their grandparents. Thus, Jane is always torn between touring with Stephen and her obligation of playing the role of father and mother to their children.

Despite the book being dedicated as Jane’s life with Stephen, much is also spent on writing about Jane’s thesis, history of other countries, other scientists, other physicists and their theories including Jane's personal feelings and thinking about such. Unfortunately, some parts of the writing feel like fragmented thoughts as if the accounts are written as and when memory serves with no regard to flow of continuity. Also, there is the issue of long sentences, and by long, I mean really very long sentences which makes reading challenging.

Travelling to Infinity is a worthy insight to the inner-most feelings of Jane Wilde. Even as it is a heartfelt and sincere account of the years Jane has shared with Stephen Hawking, I like to think that it may not be a full picture of their lives together. Afterall, we are only seeing it from one side of the coin and I suppose Hawking has his side of the story to tell.

Publisher: Alma Books
Publication date: 1 Dec 2013

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Professor Stephen Hawking is one of the most famous and remarkable scientists of our age and the author of the scientific bestseller A Brief History of Time, which has sold more than 25 million copies.

In this compelling memoir, his first wife, Jane Hawking, relates the inside story of their extraordinary marriage. As Stephen's academic renown soared, his body was collapsing under the assaults of a motor neuron disease. Jane's candid account of trying to balance his 24-hour care with the needs of their growing family reveals the inner strength of the author, while the self-evident character and achievements of her husband make for an incredible tale presented with unflinching honesty. Jane's candor is no less apparent when the marriage finally ends in a high-profile meltdown, with Stephen leaving Jane for one of his nurses and Jane marrying an old family friend.

In this exceptionally open, moving, and often funny memoir, Jane Hawking confronts not only the acutely complicated and painful dilemmas of her first marriage, but also the relationship's fault lines exposed by the pervasive effects of fame and wealth. The result is a book about optimism, love, and change that will resonate with readers everywhere.

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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Review: First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1) by Darynda Jones

3.5 stars for First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson book 1) by Darynda Jones.

Apparently there is a mood for every occasion; either that or my perception on story content evolves over time. Lately, I find myself revisiting books chucked under my keep-in-view stash, mainly books I read more than a year ago but due to one reason or another, unable to proceed further than 2 or 4 chapters. Come to think of it, I am still very much the same person, but what I used to deem as giving me reading block turns out to be enjoyable stories now. And book 1 of Charley Davidson series falls fittingly into this category.

First Grave on the Right is a delightfully pleasant and lighthearted read. Though the story centers on things that go bump in the night, reading First Grave does not give me the creeps nor chills due to the relaxed and upbeat style of writing by the author.

The story as told through the eyes of lead character, Emily, flows adequately well with reasonably developed background history. As the story progresses, I find myself liking Emily more and more, what with her good sense of humor and fluid ability to view things brightly and turn dire situations into something cheerful and hilarious. Some cleverly thought out scenes that amuse me to no end are those involving Emily and her cell phone tricks.

Besides solving mysteries for the dead or rather undead, Emily has some secrets of her own to unravel, questions that no one is able to give her answers to, except perhaps herself. It is interesting to read on how Emily takes things into her own hands and tries solving the puzzles by her own reasoning and investigation. Equally noteworthy is the entertaining way the author presents some of the other characters that keep me guessing which of which may possibly rub off the right way with Emily and lead to development of something further.

Notwithstanding the above, I do have a grievance or two about what I feel as shortcomings which hopefully can be improved upon in later books in the series. The first being parts of the narration tending on the side of long-windedness and bored me out. The second being introduction of a tad too many minor characters. While I understand that Emily has got the third eye to see things that normal people do not, it does get confusing with the breezing of names that come and go; names that I am not sure if the characters they portray are of importance and will stay for good or are just a passing cloud. Third and lastly, certain segments of the story do not gel quite so well. Read on its own, the individual section is probably fine, but when combined to make out the whole story, some parts just do not go well enough to attest the natural flow. In any case, it is still a fun experience reading First Grave on the Right.

All in all, a jolly interesting story with likable characters, both lead and side. I will be looking forward to more, hopefully improved account, in the subsequent instalments.

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication date: 29 Nov 2011

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Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an entity who has been following her all her life…and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

3.5 stars for The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd.

The Mermaid Chair is a soulful tale of a woman going through mid-life crisis, searching for answers and truth of a haunting past while struggling with the fine line temptation of no return. While story is smooth flowing and well written, it somehow lacks the captivating X factor to enthrall me.

Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: 7 Mar 2006

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Inside the church of a Benedictine monastery on Egret Island, just off the coast of South Carolina, resides a beautiful and mysterious chair ornately carved with mermaids and dedicated to a saint who, legend claims, was a mermaid before her conversion.

When Jessie Sullivan is summoned home to the island to cope with her eccentric mother’s seemingly inexplicable behavior, she is living a conventional life with her husband, Hugh, a life “molded to the smallest space possible.” Jessie loves Hugh, but once on the island, she finds herself drawn to Brother Thomas, a monk about to take his final vows. Amid a rich community of unforgettable island women and the exotic beauty of marshlands, tidal creeks, and majestic egrets, Jessie grapples with the tension of desire and the struggle to deny it, with a freedom that feels overwhelmingly right and the immutable force of home and marriage.

What transpires will unlock the roots of her mother’s tormented past, but most of all, it will allow Jessie to awaken to herself, as she explores the thin line between the spiritual and the erotic. A vividly imagined love story between a woman and a monk, a woman and her husband, and ultimately a woman and her own soul, The Mermaid Chair is a transcendent tale of self-discovery.

*Blurb from author's website*

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