Review: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

5 stars for The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

I bought this book so many years ago that I cannot remember when that was. Judging from the book cover stating 10th Anniversary Edition (March 2013), I would think I bought this book after Year 2014 or thereabout. I seldom peel off the price tag of books I bought and the one on this book is still intact on the back of the book cover all these years. With the help of AI, I managed to trace the exact month and year that I bought The Kite Runner. June 2017. Wow... almost ten years ago. Gosh.. I actually waited that many years to read this book after purchasing it.

The thing is - and I believe, most if not all, booklovers can resonate with me - after I own a copy of this book, I don't see the rush in reading it. Days turned into months. And months years. There were more than a couple of times I picked up this book with the intention of reading it, but somehow or other, the mood is not right and I ended up putting the book back where it belongs. On my bookshelf. Until now.

This is a thick-set paperback, but I never felt in any way that the story is long or even boring. The plot flows smoothly from the beginning to the end, with foreboding every now and then that keeps me on my toes.

The Afghanistan that I know today, based on what I have read since 911 twin towers attacks, is definitely not what I expected in the novel. It goes to show how much the country has changed since the 1960s as detailed in this book.

The Kite Runner is a novel but the book sure reads like a memoir. I am impressed by the way the author pens the story that feels so much more like reading a memoir (his memoir) than fiction. With real historical events in Afghanistan - the July 1973 bloodless coup where King Zahir Shah was overthrown by his cousin Daoud Khan that ended the King's forty-year peaceful reign, the 1979 Soviet invasion where thousands of Afghans fleed their homes to settle in neighboring Pakistan and Iran, the Afghan Civil War following the withdrawal of Soviet Troops in 1989 where rival factions fought for control of Kabul leading to widespread destruction and civilian suffering, and the rise of the Taliban that took power in 1996, imposing strict Islamic laws, oppressing women and infamously banning cultural practices such as kite fighting - weaved among a cast of fictional characters, the author explores what it means to be human.

The author drew from his own life when writing the book. Like the protagonist Amir, the author grew up in Kabul in a priviledged household, and his family sought political asylum in the United States during the Soviet occupation. However, the various characters, personal betrayals and story development involving Amir, Hassan, Baba, Ali and Sohrab are entirely fictitious.

As with most long novels, this book has its share of themes, the invisible current that runs beneath the surface of the story, pulling characters and readers alike towards a deeper truth. It tells not only the story of Amir, a young Afghan boy from Wazir Akbar Khan, Kabul, in Afghanistan, it is also a novel on friendship, kinship, social classes, guilt, lies, betrayals, secrets, regrets, forgiveness, redemption, hope, connection, acceptance and healing.

All in all, an unusual and remarkable debut novel.

Review: Farthest North: Vol I by Fridtjof Nansen

4 stars for Farthest North: Vol I by Fridtjof Nansen.

This book is Volume I of the record of a voyage of exploration of the ship FRAM 1893-96 and the fifteen months of sleigh expedition by Dr Nansen and Lieut. Johansen with an appendix by Otto Sverdrup, Captain of the FRAM.

Nansen noticed that wreckage from a sunken ship off Siberia had drifted all the way across the Arctic Ocean to Greenland. This proved his theory that a natural transpolar ocean current existed. His plan was simple - build a ship, intentionally freeze it into the Arctic ice pack, and let the moving ice carry the ship directly over the North Pole.

Most experts thought this was a suicide mission, believing the ice would crush any ship to splinters. However, Nansen commissioned a special vessel named the Fram ("Forward"), designed with a highly rounded hull. Instead of being crushed, the ice would squeeze the ship upward, safely cradling it on top of the frozen pack.

In 1893, with the objective to investigate the great unknown region that surrounds the North Pole, Nansen and his crew of twelve set off in this small but strongly built ship that was stocked up with supplies of coal and provisions to last them for as many as five years.

Volume I is Nansen's first person account of how they designed the Fram to survive the ice pressure and details of their equipment instruments for taking observations - scientific, meteorological, astronomical, magnetic, hydrographic.

His notes from day to day gives readers a good idea of their lives on the Fram, in all its monotony. They may not be great events recorded but in their very bareness, they present a down-to-earth picture. There were well recorded encounters with reindeers, polar foxes, polar bears, seals and walruses. There were detailed notes on the endless ice that stretched on every side into the silent night, the severe pressure of the packing ice that thundered and rumbled and roared with a ferocity, the crashing and breaking of big ice floes against each other and how they were flung and pressed up into high walls, the cracking and shifting of the ice hammock that led to violent heaving and trembling of the ship. Amongst it all, Nansen shared how the aurora borealis burns in wonderful colours and bands of light over the entire sky and how the stars sparkle in the blue firmament among the northern lights.

True to its built, the FRAM is a safe harbour for Nansen and his crew in the frozen wilderness of the Arctic ocean. There was good shelther, good ventilation, warm clothing, great food, and great comfort in passing time on reading, writing, smoking, cards, chess, music and story-telling. Regardless of the comfort and safety, Nansen's first person account wavered between eager energy, idle longing, self-doubt, brooding and despondency, shifting with the winds as the ship FRAM drifted forwards to their goal or backwards from it.

Indeed, Fridtjof Nansen’s 1893 Fram Expedition is one of the most brilliant and daring adventures in polar history. The expedition paved the way for mankind by revolutionizing polar exploration, launching the modern science of oceanography, and modelling a philosophy of preparation that transformed how humans interact with Earth's extreme environments. Rather than viewing the Northern Arctic as a lethal adversary to be beaten through brute force, Nansen was the first to work with the forces of nature, a paradigm shift that echoes through science and exploration today.

Having read two books consecutively on the Arctic North, I have enough of the frozen wilderness of the Arctic Ocean, endless Polar nights and the wonders of the Aurora Borealis to last me for quite some time. I am going to take a break for now - not sure how long it will be though - before I return to continue with reading Farthest North: Vol II.

Review: A Woman in the Polar Night by Christiane Ritter

5 stars for A Woman in the Polar Night by Christiane Ritter.

My interest in the Northern Arctic and Polar Night is highly piqued after re-reading Dark Matter by Michelle Paver. The author shared titles of books she referred to in writing Dark Matter; this was how I am introduced to "A Woman in the Polar Night". Keen to find out more, I bought the book. I am a sucker for books mentioned in the books I read. In fact, I am keen to get hold of some other books quoted until I realise that it is next to impossible. Not for lack of trying, some of these book are simply not available for sale. I shall touch more on these later on under (*).

I am surprised that A Woman in the Polar Night is the only book ever written by Christiane Ritter, an Austrian, the first European woman (from central Europe) to spend winter so far north. What is even more surprisingly is that she was born in 1897 and died in 2000 at the of 103. Our lifetimes actually overlapped! This book was a bestseller throughout Europe and has never been out of print in its original language, German.

In her book, the author shares why she joins her husband for a year on the Arctic island of Spitsbergen, and how acutely aware she is of the perils of living in a tiny ramshackle hut on the shores of a lonely fjord, two hundred and fifty miles away from the nearest human settlement (their nearest neighbour being sixty miles away in another hut). Initially horrified of the freezing cold and bleak landscape filled with nothing but stones and rocks and ghastly anxious about the lack of vitamins (which in all likelihood will lead to scurvy and death), she eventually settles into the rhythm of life and begins to cherish the beauty and simplicity of the far north.

In the memoir, the Austrian Ritter talks about her encounters with seals, polar foxes and polar bears among others such as the eider ducks, gulls and other wildlife. She shares the indescribable enchantment of the Arctic night and the bewildering magic light of the Aurora. She recounts her experience with pack ice, iceberg and ice floes and why the need to gather everything such as driftwood, planks, raw rubber, and even clothes washed up by storms on the foreshore - everything is valuable and might be useful.

This classic memoir tells of the author's emotional transformation and inspiring journey to freedom, happiness and fulfilment in the adventure of a lifetime.

P/S:
While a bear post was often mentioned in author Michelle Paver's Dark Matter, it is only from reading this memoir that I truly grasp the purpose of the bear post - a tall wooden post bleached snow- white - that was set about two yards from their Grey Hook hut's window.

A "bear post" in the historical and literary context of Spitsbergen (Svalbard) is a wooden post or stake traditionally set up outside remote trapper cabins to lure, position, or spot polar bears so they could be shot for food, skin, or self-defense.

A quick search in Google confirms the historical Use of Trapper Bear Posts as follows:

(1) Luring Predators: Early Arctic trappers and hunters used these bleached driftwood or timber posts to hang bait or blubber, enticing curious or hungry polar bears close enough to the cabin to be targeted by firearms.

(2) Gunsight Alignment: The post acted as a fixed reference point or killing marker in the snow, making it easier to aim accurately during the blinding whiteouts or pitch-black months of the polar night.

(3) Literary Symbolism: In Arctic fiction and memoirs—such as Michelle Paver's ghost story Dark Matter (set in Spitsbergen) or Christiane Ritter’s A Woman in the Polar Night—the weathered bear post also serves as a haunting, atmospheric relic of human survival and the grim predator-prey dynamic on the ice.

(*)
Under the Pole Star is a 1937 book detailing the Oxford University Arctic Expedition, 1935-6, written by expedition leader A.R. Glen and assisted by N.A.C. Croft. Sadly, this book is an out-of-print, antiquarian title from 1937. Copies are exclusively available through specialized rare book dealers and collectible marketplaces only.

The Diaries of Thorleif Bjertnes is a historical non-fiction record documenting the brutal realities of an overwintering trapping expedition in the high Arctic. His diaries were preserved in the archives of the Svalbard Museum. In Year 2000, his daughter compiled and published them under the title The Diaries of Thorleif Bjertnes: Nordaustlandet 1933-1934. Unlike romanticized versions of Arctic exploration Bjertnes' journals provide a raw look at the intense psychological and environmental strains of polar survival. The diaries explicitly describe the harsh trapping life, interpersonal hostility, and the "Arctic Dread". Sadly, finding a commercial copy of this physical book is incredibly difficult as it was never mass-produced for the public.

I found out that the material colloquially referred to by author Michelle Paver and historians as "The Diaries of Thorleif Bjertnes: Nordaustlandet 1933-1934" is actually an archival record rather than a widely distributed retail book. The original handwritten journals, logs and photos belong to the family estate and are officially held in the physial vaults of the Svalbard Museum Archive (Catalog Reference: A-1005 - Thorleif Bjertnes) in Longyearbyen, Norway. While a limited, privately bound translation/transcript was compiled by his daughter, Lee Carmody, to donate alongside the museum's permanent collection, it did not receive a standard ISBN print run for commercial online storefronts like Amazon or AbeBooks.

Review: Before I Knew I Loved You (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #6) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

5 stars for Before I Knew I Loved You (Before the Coffee Gets Cold book 6) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.

Times flies. Before I knew it, book 6 of Before the Coffee Gets Cold series is out. Other than Kate Daniels series, this is the only other series I follow closely enough to have an entire set that grace my bookshelf. I remember after reading book 5 Before We Forget Kindness, I wasn't sure if I will still continue with this series. In the end, when I saw the book newly available for sale in Tsutaya Bookstore, I cannot help myself but add it to my purchase cart.

Once again, the author presents readers with four stories in his book - four heartwarming miracles that occurred in the mysterious cafe where a person can sit on a particular chair and time travel to the past or future of their choosing.

Even though I am all too familiar with cafe Funiculi Funicula and its strange rules for time-travelling, there is still much pleasure to be had from reading the comings and goings that surround this mysterious Tokyo cafe that nestles in the basement alleyway in Jimbocho. Reading this novel makes me feel as if I am revisiting a dear old friend in an endearing cafe that both of us know so very well. It certainly is comforting and nostalgic at the same time.

Among all six books to date, this is the only one that makes me cry in almost all four stories. It is no wonder the book is titled as such and so aptly chosen.

If you could return to the past, who would you want to meet?

Review: Dark Matter by Michelle Paver |《Reread》

5 stars for Dark Matter by Michelle Paver |《Reread》.

The best moment to be in, is in-between books. Because the possibilities are endless. In truth, Dark Matter is not my choice read initially. Having read I'm Not Lazy, I'm on Energy Saving Mode by Dancing Snail, I was thinking of reading another non-fiction; yet while I was reading it, I kept thinking that perhaps I should be reading a horror instead, and my mind kept bringing me back to Michael Paver's Dark Matter. In the end, I decided to go with my heart instead. So, Dark Matter it is.

This is a story about a group of young gentlemen planning to overwinter in the wilderness, to study the High Arctic biology, geology and ice dynamics over the year. It is about the Arctic, the Midnight Sun, the Polar Night, the polar bears, seals and icebergs. But not quite.. it is also about fear; fear of the unknown, fear of what we cannot see or detect and the disquiet. The feeling of desolation, squalor and the group slowly fracturing under pressure is what makes it stay with you. It is not just horror. It is loneliness weaponized. Desperation. Oppression. You name it, we have it, in this book.

I always lament that once a book is read, we can never unread the book. Surprisingly, with Dark Matter, it feels different. Even though I remember this novel and its story developments, I am still able to enjoy the story on my second read. I think bulk of the reason is that during my first read, I am so anxious to find out what is going to happen next that I tend to read fast and overlook details. First read = sprinting through the fear - "What's in the hut? What's that sound? Is Jack going to be ok?!" With this second read, since I already know what is going to happen next, I can take my time to read and absorb all the finer details of the story. Second read = I already know the dread is coming, so I can actually sit in it. It certainly makes a big difference to the reading process and happiness quotient.

This is a book that gives so much more when read a second time. The Arctic descriptions, the silence, the way author Michelle Paver builds that slow creep of isolation and "something is wrong but I can't see it" - it all lands differently when I'm not racing to the next page. Since this is a reread for me, the details that hit me differently this time are the quiet moments, the journal entries and the feeling that the cold is getting into the words themselves.

I can still enjoy the story even knowing what happens. That’s the mark of a book with real atmosphere and detail, not just jump scares. I catch the foreshadowing, the little details in Jack’s narration, and the way the weather mirrors the mood.

All in all, a great story to be read and enjoyed again and again.

Review: I'm Not Lazy, I'm on Energy Saving Mode by Dancing Snail

4 stars for I'm Not Lazy, I'm on Energy Saving Mode by Dancing Snail.

This is not your usual wordy narrative kind of non fiction but it is not exactly a picture book either. This book is more like a picture diary where the author adds a few lines here and there as captions to her illustrations.

A practical book that expresses deep thoughts and feelings which we usually keep to our own selves for fear of being judged by others.

Easy to read and to relate to.

P/S: This is a late post. I finished reading this book way before I went for my surgery on 11 Sep 2026. There's just too many things to settle and too many things on my mind, so I did not post this until now. One thing for sure, I'm still battling with pain and a monster named Tired.

Review: Strange Buildings (Strange #3) by Uketsu

5 stars for Strange Buildings (Strange book 3) by Uketsu.

This book reads like an extension of book 2 Strange Houses. There are eleven short stories on strange buildings. At first glance, the stories seems totally unrelated, but on careful reading, they begin to intertwine, telling one incredible tale.

This is basically one big story which the author ingeniously breaks up into eleven individual files or cases, to give the impression that they are not related. And then one by one as if solving a big jigsaw puzzle, these fragmented pieces are placed in their rightful position to form a big picture in the grand scheme of things.

I enjoy reading this third book in the Strange series as much as the first two. Because each story is short, it is easy to read and pause for a break before I continue with the next one. I have some fun trying to spot the connections as I read along. Well, I would say it is not easy!

Uketsu is a writer of great originality. I am impressed by the refreshing storyline and the writing style, especially how the author wraps up the story and ties up loose ends. The last chapter is akin to watching a movie that is left with less than ten minutes or so run time. You thought the perpetrator is finally apprehended. And then five minutes before the credits start rolling, the last piece of puzzle reveals its hiding place. And finally, the jigsaw is whole.

Review: Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels #10) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》

5 stars for Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels book 10) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》.

My memory fails me, for real this time. I'm not sure if I should be happy or sad. The fact is, this book reads absolutely new to me. I remember reading it in that same year it was first published but the thing is, I simply cannot recall anything at all, not even a vague impression. No inkling. Nothing. Zilch. The flip side is, reading this book as a first feels really wonderful.

Kate Daniels' world is never short of action and surprises. In this last instalment of the series, she is tasked to solve the mystery of two hundred missing people. In the midst of Kate's investigations, ancient creatures start popping out of her aunt Erra's nightmares and attack them. And as if these aren't trouble enough, Kate finds out that her father is secretly mobilising his army. To make matters worse, there is a Fae assassin running around in Atlanta city hoping to kill Kate, Curran and their son Conlan.

Magic Triumphs is as good a title as its delivery of the closing arc of a grand finale. There are troops, mages, witches, the Pack, the Undead, the military, the Druids, the Order, the pagans, the Red Guard and even the Iron Dogs. Yes, all the different factions in Atlanta make their appearance and contribute in their own way to a colourful firework that signals a closure to Kate Daniels.

Review: Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》

5 stars for Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels book 8) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》.

Okay.. I have a confession to make. I do not remember this story.. much.

Yes, I read this book before, in the exact same year it was published and made available. And yes, I do have an impression, vague as it is, that Magic Shifts was about a missing Shapeshifter and there was a family dinner of sorts with R. But other than that, zilch. Zero. Nothing.

No, I do not recall the creatures, the fighting, the reanimative metamorphosis, MR for short, the Arabian mythology, the giant incident near the Casino that was in effect an incident with a giant in it, and definitely not the big crisis that Kate undergone. I doubt I even dropped tears when I read about this critical turning point then, but I did this time. It is heart-rending what with Kate's emotionally charged insistence to go home. I cried.

Memories aside, after the large-scope story in book 7 Magic Breaks, I am glad for the change to focus on a small scale story in this book. Here, readers finally get to see Curran with Kate more often. After going through so much together, Kate and Curran deserve to have more screen time side by side. I cannot be more happy that there is finally no deliberate plot to lure the ex Beast Lord away from action for the better part of the story.

In Magic Shifts, Curran is mostly at Kate's side. Where Kate goes, Curran follows. How nice! But the cherry on the sundae is not just the two of them appearing shoulder to shoulder, it is their quick-wit banter and the sharp edge of humor that flutters my heart so.

Next up book nine Magic Binds.

Review: Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》

5 stars for Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels book 7) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》.

Among all the Kate Daniels books to date, this book 7 is second to book 4 Magic Bleeds in terms of thickness. And it is second to Magic Strikes in terms of my preference where book cover is concerned. The models on both covers do great justice to portray Kate. But if I really have to choose one, I'll go for the cover in Strikes because that one came first. And first impression makes the deepest lasting imprint.

This book 7 is basically a story that bangs on a race against time. The person who imposes this timeframe is none other than Roland's Warlord, Huge d'Ambray, the preceptor of the Order of the Iron Dogs. Since book 6 Magic Rises, I actually quite like d'Ambray even though he is one of the so-called bad guys.

Hugh + Kate banter is elite chaos energy. When they actually get to go toe-toe, it’s chef’s kiss. Magic Breaks gives us glimpses but not the full showdown we want. Autho Ilona Andrews knows exactly how to tease us with them though. The tension between those two is unreal even when they’re not fighting.

The way I see it, there is much potential to be had with this character. His medmage capabilities is astounding and he is relentless in his pursuit of Kate. He could have been a major challenge to the Beast Lord where matters of the heart involving Kate is concerned. There could have been more scenes for adrenaline heart-stopping moments where Huge and Kate face off, especially just the two of them alone, but no - and sadly no - the authors obviously have other plans for Huge. Towards the end of the book, I kind of feel sorry for d'Ambray because I just have the feeling that he will no longer be a major presence in the subsequent instalments. And I like him so.

As with the earlier books, there is much plotting, fighting and bloodshed in this book; the chief difference in Magic Breaks is that all these here culminates in a big showdown. It is impressive how the authors have everything in control. Well played indeed!

I think I may have mentioned this previously but I want to say it again. Everything makes so much sense now what with the back-to-back reading. I did not realise how big a difference each gap year makes until now. Reading the books in succession makes for a smooth glide from scene to scene and book to book, and gives so much more clarity, depth and insight to the entire Kate Daniels series.

Next up book eight Magic Shifts.

Review: Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》

5 stars for Magic Slays (Kate Daniels book 5) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》.

It has been a long time; I need to get this off my mind. Of all the book covers since the series started, this one portrays Kate in the most unflattering, undignified manner. I always wonder why this picture was chosen to grace the book cover of Magic Slays. Perhaps this is the best among the rest, but even so, I feel that Kate deserves something better. The title is sleek and well chosen yet the cover is anything but. The good thing is, other than this minor slip-up of the outside, the inside is all well and good.

Once again, the authors deliver an amazing story. I thought the last book 4 was spectacular, yet the authors manage to outdo themselves again. In this book, the magic elite of Atlanta put aside old rivalries to form a common alliance. Mages, witches, druids, volhvs, shamans, the People, the Pack, and the mercenary Guild, all come together to fight a cause worthy of fighting.

As usual, when it comes to Kate and the beast lord, there are always those bear-your-heart-out scenes that makes me so emotional that tears roll down my cheeks as I read. And mind you, those are not fanciful conversations, just simple, practical, heart-to-heart talking, yet they make the world go round in Kate's world.

Next up book six Magic Rises. Another of my favourites.

Review: Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels #3) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》

5 stars for Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels book 3) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》.

Magic Strikes. My all-time favourite. It feels so good to re-live this story again. Not only that, everything becomes so much clearer. Names and characters that I have glazed over the first time round get my full attention now.

Most books take one year to be written, edited and published. The same goes books in a series. In this sense, the authors did a great job to provide an excellent summary of Kate's world within the first couple of pages in Chapter one. Memory refresh is important because most readers would have lost touch during the year and need some prompting to be reminded of the base story again.

The husband and wife tag-team authors did it really well. They reminded readers about technology and magic, how they typically switch at least once every couple of days, usually more often than that. And then, about the three enforcement agencies that regulated life - the Military Supernatural Defense Unit (MSDU), the Paranormal Activity Division (PAD) and the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid (Kate's illustrious employer). This is followed by the power brokers of Atlanta - the People (the Masters of the Dead who navigate the vampires) and the Pack (the Shapeshifters). Finally, a reminder about the various characters the series cannot do without - Jim, Kate's partner from her days when she worked for the Mercenary Guild, who is also alpha of the cat clan and the Pack's chief of security; Saiman, a shapeshifter of sorts who has an encyclopedic knowledge of magic, a magic expert in short; and Derek, Kate's one-time teenage werewolf sidekick.

It is very easy to like Kate. She is a great kick-ass heroine. She packs a mean punch, fights well and is powerful in her own ways. She is a tough girl with a heart. The heart part did it for me. The author shows readers that no matter how tough Kate is or aspires to be, deep down, she is just a girl, a human girl who is not without fear, just that she masks them well.

By revealing Kate's inner conversations and thought processes, the authors bring Kate closer to readers and show us how she covers up her fears and weakneses through anger and blabbing. To quote "The man made an odd hooting sound that raised the tiny hairs on the back of my neck.." Another quote "This one was old. No sign of it ever walking upright remained. It waited on all fours, like a dog that has somehow sprouted humanoid limbs tipped with stiletto claws. The lasting lingering echoes of its humanity had faded long ago. It had become a thing, so revolting alien and frightening it sent shivers down my spine." As to Kate's witty blabbing to cover up her discomfort especially in the presense of the Beast Lord, it will not do to quote them here. Readers have to read them by themselves in the context of Kate Daniels vs Your Majesty, otherwise, I will be doing injustice to Kate.

This book revolves around Hindu mythology. I wonder if the authors are already well-versed in the different mythologies prior to writing Kate Daniels series. If not, I cannot imagine the amount of research they need to do to spin such a beautiful story.

Next up book four Magic Bleeds.

Review: King Solomon's Mines (Allan Quatermain #1) by H. Rider Haggard

4 stars for King Solomon's Mines (Allan Quatermain book 1) by H. Rider Haggard.

I own a copy of this book by chance. Some years back, the owner decided to donate this book and placed it on the free-for-all bookshelf placed outside the library which I always frequent then. Though used, the book looks good as new. One look and I decided to be the new owner and brought it home.

Since then, I have always wanted to read this book, but somehow, did not manage to. Beginning of this year, I tell myself I really need to get down to reading this book so that I can let go of it and re-circulate. I am glad this is finally done - the reading I mean.

If not for the free copy, I would never have seek out this book. It really is not my usual choice of read. The copy I have is the 1994 reissued edition. This book was first published in 1885. Perhaps because it was written so long ago, the way of writing and presentation is rather different from that in books these days. Nevertheless, the story flows well and the landscape was beautifully captured in the author's lyrical writings.

Now that I have finished reading this book, I plan to bring it along with me in my next trip to the library. I hope whoever owns it next will not only enjoy the story as much as I did but also takes great care of the book.

Review: Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton

5 stars for Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton.

I remember very well the day I finished reading this book. 9th January 2026. I told myself I will get down to writing my review that weekend. Days passed. Weeks passed. Months passed. The more I procastinate, the more I don't feel like sitting down to write. I justify myself with reasons for the delay. This and that. Excuses really. Ultimately, it boils down to priority. I make time for a newfound hobby, yet I did not set aside time for my all-time favourite pastime. But still, better late than never. So, here goes.

Wabi Sabi is a book that inspires us to find our own gentle rhythm to simplify, deepen our connection with nature, concentrate on what really matters to us, and discover happiness right where we are. It guides us to sense the essence of wabi sabi for ourselves and welcome it into our lives as inspiration for a new way of beholding the world.

In chapter three "Living with Nature", the author shares lessons from the Yamabushi. I am quietly pleased with it as I can totally relate to it having joined a mountain retreat in Yamagata Prefecture in May 2023. The guided Yamabushi Hike to Mount Haguro is a deeply empowering experience, one that heals me and one that I will never forget.

The book also shares useful tips for decluttering, soulful shopping, shinrin-yoku (森林浴 forest bathing) and the beauty of ageing. To quote "We have a tendency to look at the ageing process as something to be avoided, feared even. But everything about wabi sabi tells us that it is to be embraced - that we bloom and ripen with time; that our character develops and our wisdom deepens as we age; that we have more to offer the world with every experience we go through."

At the end of this book, my main takeaway is summed up in three words: imperfect, impermanent, incomplete.

Accepting that everything is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete guides us to living a simpler and more meaningful life. Wabi sabi is a state of the heart - experiencing the world not with the logical mind but with the feeling heart, and with all our sense. When we are able to let go of perfection and accept ourselves just as we are, we can be content with less, find beauty in everyday life simply by slowing down, reconnecting with nature and looking for things to appreciate.

This is a great book to start the year with. There are so many things to like that I found myself jotting down chunks and chunks of quotes. I know they will come in handy some day when I have need to refresh my memory and remind myself to "Wabi Sabi".

Review: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

4 stars for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne.

I am glad to have finished reading this book in time to review post it before the year is out.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is another classic novel by Jules Verne that I have always wanted to read. It has been on my list of to-be-read for so many years that I cannot remember when it was being added. I started on this book soon after I have read his other book, Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

The story of Twenty Thousand Leagues is totally not what I have expected and this is what makes it different and an interest to read. As I read, I will wonder about the sea, about how deep the sea really is and what kind of creatures lurk in the depths of the ocean.

This book about the mystery of the great ocean depths is not exactly an easy read as it is more scientific fiction than science fiction. Speaking for the general readers, I feel that the book has way too much basic facts and details. Though good to know, these nitty-gritty overload is oft unnecessary and makes for many a dry, boring science lecture. In my opinion, this is a book that will appeal more to naturalists, or more specifically, ichthyologists who specialize in the study of fish and conchologists who study mollusc shells.

The above said, there are still pieces of the story that make reading this book enjoyable. I have a great time exploring the underwater wonders with the characters as they go about their submarine adventure: the hunting trip in the (underwater) forests of Crespo island, the running aground in the Torres Strait, the facing off against the savages of Papua, the Coral cemetery, the pearl fisheries of Ceylon, the Cretan diver, the Arabian tunnel, the Suez passageway, the fires of Santorini, the boundless wealth in the Bay of Vigo, Atlantis, the Ice Bank, the memories of the South Pole, the imprisonment in the ice, the battle with the devil fish, and the storm in the Gulf Stream and more.

Are you ready to go on a 20,0000 leagues underwater tour of the world? It is one guaranteed to bring you many wonders across the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the Southernmost and Northernmost seas.

Review: Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne

4 stars for Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne.

I have always wanted to read this book. Over the years, I have added quite a few books of this title to my physical literary collection. Though I have not read all of them (this book being the first, and hence no comparison there), I dare say with confidence that this book, the complete and unabridged - authentic translation - version published by Macmillan Collector's Library is the best. And a joy to read.

"Journey to the Centre of the Earth" is a science-fiction novel written by Jules Verne during the late 19th century. The story follows Professor Otto Liedenbrock, a passionate and somewhat irascible scientist, who discovers an ancient cryptogram that hints at a journey to the centre of the Earth. Liedenbrock's excitement drives him to decipher its contents.

The opening portion introduces the dynamic relationship between Liedenbrock and his nephew, Axel, as they prepare for an extraordinary expedition. Despite Axel's skepticism about the feasibility of such a journey and his growing trepidation, he is drawn albeit reluctantly into his uncle's fervent ambition. Together, the two embark on a bold and perilous adventure filled with scientific inquiry and exploration. The narrative - in first person, that of Axel's - captures their preparations and the mounting tension as they head towards Iceland, where their adventure will truly begin, setting the stage for the unknowns and challenges that lie ahead.

This is an amazing story about a journey into the interior of the Earth, more specifically, a trip into the depths of one of Iceland's many volcanoes. As such, there are many references to Iceland in the book, such as the detailed geographical layout of Iceland, the beauty of the Icelandic language, the thirst for knowledge of the Icelandic people, the significant cultural and ecological importance of eider ducks (known for their unique relationship with local farmers and the prized eiderdown they produce), the rune alphabet, the midnight sun, and so on.

While there is no evidence that author Jules Vern ever actually visited the country, his book showed that he has researched Iceland extensively given his deep understanding of this Nordic island country. This book provides insight not only on geology but mineralogy, palaeontology and prehistoric life forms as well. The novel showcase author Vern's innovative storytelling and exploration of new worlds, making it a brilliant addition to his literary universe.

Because of this story, I get curious on whether it is actually possible to go inside a volcano, a dormant one of course. My returns on Google search prove that it is indeed possible - yes, you can go inside certain dormant volcanoes, such as Þríhnúkagígur in Iceland and Algar do Carvao in the Azores, through guided tours that ensure safety and accessibility. Þríhnúkagígur is the only volcano in the world where visitors can descend into its magma chamber. This dormant volcano has not erupted in over 4,000 years, making it safe for exploration.

On further reading, I came across this blog by Malorie Mackey where she shares her experience inside the Earth, to be precise, inside a volcano and of descending into Þríhnúkagígur. If you are as curious as me after reading "Journey to the Centre of the Earth", I will highly recommend reading this blog post for better insights - Venturing Inside the Volcano: Þríhnúkagígur, Iceland’s Dormant Volcano.

Review: Before We Forget Kindness (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #5) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

4 stars for Before We Forget Kindness (Before the Coffee Gets Cold book 5) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.

This post is long overdue. I know I should have posted it months ago but somehow or other, I am unable to find the time to sit down, write my review and publish it.

This book is the reason I re-read the entire instalment of Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. I was told this book 5 is awesome and the best of all. But I have forgotten most of the characters and their stories. So I made the decision to re-read all the books to refresh my memory before coming to this latest book.

Despite this being the fifth book in the series, the author still manages to throw in surprises surrounding the magical Tokyo cafe and the chair that can bring one back to the past or to the future. This book focuses on four new stories, each with its own poignant tale of love, regret and the desire for connection.

Same as the earlier books, the novel follows a similar structure: a new cast of characters, each with their own reason for visiting the cafe and its unique time-travelling rules. While the formula might feel repetitive to some, it is this consistent, gentle rhythm that provides a sense of familiarity and warmth.

The strength of this book lies in its heartfelt exploration of the human state of mind. Author Kawaguchi masterfully weaves stories that, despite being about time travel, are really about the present. The central theme is that even though we cannot change the past, we can find peace and closure by understanding it and showing kindness to those we care about. This instalment, in particular, leans into the idea of kindness as the primary motivation for time travel, making for some truly touching moments.

If you are already a fan of the series, Before We Forget Kindness is a great read that delivers the same mix of bittersweet emotion and quiet wisdom we have come to expect. For new readers, I will recommend to start the series from book 1 Before the Coffee Gets Cold. Book 1 is still the one I like most. It leaves me with tears and a full heart even as I read it a second and third time.

Review: The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

4 stars for The Reader by Bernhard Schlink.

The Reader is a tragic story of a whole life lived. It is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that explores the complexities of human relationships, guilt, and redemption.

Set in post-war Germany, The Reader begins with the unusual relationship, one of unequal experience and power, between a young German man 15-year old Michael Berg and an older woman 36-year old Hanna Schmitz, who harbours a dark secret. The story later turns into a philosophical enquiry into the effects of the Holocaust on a generation whose parents are perceived as at best complicit, at worst perpetrators. Central to the story is the question: what is to be done with the knowledge and the guilt of the Holocaust?

Through Michael's narrative that spans over the years, the author masterfully weaves together themes of love and moral responsibility, raising important questions about the nature of humanity and the consequences of our actions.

A haunting and unforgettable read. This is a story that will linger in your mind long after you finish the book.

Review: Forest Bathing: The Rejuvenating Practice of Shinrin Yoku by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

3 stars for Forest Bathing: The Rejuvenating Practice of Shinrin Yoku by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles.

Having enjoyed reading Ikigai, I thought I will have a whale of a time reading Forest Bathing since it is written by the same set of authors, but boy, I am so wrong. I like to believe the issue is not so much the content but the translation. I really want to like this Forest Bathing book, but it is hard to make myself enjoy it for two reasons. First, the sentences are long, often too long for my liking; by the time I finish reading those long sentences, I have mostly lost sense of what they are about and I have to read them all over again, and sometimes, the same repeats itself. Second, the sentence construction - sometimes, or should I say, most times - just doesn't seems right to me. As a result, I find myself struggling to pick up the book to continue reading from where I left off each time.

This is a book that shows us the ways to boost emotional well-being and improve overall health. It guides readers to finding the connection with the natural world, and the ways to replenish our body, mind and spirt among the trees. To put it simply, this is a book on how to practice the art of Shinrin-Yoku, translated literally as "forest bathing". The book shares with us the healing and rejuvenating effects of Shinrin-Yoku. It also delves into the science of how Shinrin-Yoku - a powerful therapy for relaxing the mind and reducing stress - heals patients.

What I like most about this book is that it is filled with lovely drawings and relaxing black and white pictures of nature, of mountain, trees and bamboos. These pictures let the reader in me feel at ease while reading and gives me the feeling that it is possible to recapture the healing magic of nature, that nature is actually much closer to us than we think. And this is exactly what Shinrin-Yoku is all about. Also, I am glad that I have read the book Ikigai first as Forest Bathing refers to Ikigai and some of its content more than once. If I have not read Ikigai first, I will not have any idea what the authors are referring to.

Finally, I want to say that I can attest to the benefits of Shinrin-Yoku. Because I am a living example. I wouldn't for the life of me, have believed in the logic and explanations of Shinrin-Yoku if it has not happened to me personally. I attended a 7-day retreat in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, in May 2022. Long story short, at that time, I thought my healing is due to meditation, the quality of the food and beverage I consumed, and the way of eating. Looking back (and having read this book), I believe it is a combination of factors - meditation, mindful eating, the quality of food consumed and on top of these, yes, Shinrin-Yoku.

Review: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

5 stars for Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles.

I have been eyeing this book for quite some time, but I only take action to buy it during a trip to Tokyo that was decided on a whim last November. The fact that "ikigai" is a Japanese concept makes buying this hardcover book in Japan even more memorable and meaningful to me.

I have no doubt that my choice to make this book my first read of the Year will turn out to be a life-changing decision. Even as I finish reading this book, I decide there and then, that this will be my go-to book should I - ever or again - lose sight of my purpose and meaning for living. Yes, this book is that inspirational!

Though the meaning of "ikigai" is explained by the authors in the book, I am still curious as to how a Japanese, any Japanese in fact, will exlain it, so I ask a close Japanese friend of mine what "ikigai" means. Below is what he says to me.

"Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means ‘a reason for being.’ It is about finding what makes your life meaningful and worth living."

There I have it - short and sweet.

This is a book about people searching for meaning in what they do and how they live. It shares with readers the tools to finding the purpose, meaning and satisfaction of living that will lead to a joyful journey through life. It provides insights from Japanese philosophy on the lasting health of body, mind and spirit. In a nutshell, this book is about discovering our ikigai.

Besides ikigai, this book also introduces two other Japanese concepts: ichi-go ichi-e and wabi-sabi. Again, I consulted the same Japanese friend and below is what was explained to me.

"Ichi-go ichi-e" means once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

"Wabi-sabi" means beauty in simplicity and imperfection.

He explains further by saying, “Wabi-sabi” is a Japanese aesthetic concept that values the beauty found in simplicity and imperfection. For example, it appreciates the quiet elegance of an aged teacup or the tranquility of nature, focusing on understated beauty rather than extravagance or perfection.

Each of us has our own ikigai. Though it is different for all of us, we are all searching for meaning. When we spend our days feeling connected to what is meaningful to us, we live more fully; when we don't feel the connection, we live with despair.

We can find our ikigai by doing things we enjoy, and get away from or change those we dislike. We can let our curiosity lead the way, and keep busy by doing things that fill us with meaning and happiness. It doesn’t need to be a big thing; we might find meaning in helping our friends or in pursuing a hobby such as learning a musical instrument or a new language.

There is no perfect strategy to connecting with our ikigai. We just need to remember to have something that keeps us busy doing what we love while being surrounded by the people who care for us. To put it simply, I think it is the little things in life that add up to make a big difference in living.

This book concludes by sharing with readers "The ten rules of ikigai" that the authors learn from the long-living residents of Okinawa, Ogimi. Personally, I find these ten rules filled with much wisdom. At first glance, the rules may seem simple and easy enough to follow, yet it will take much determination for one to follow it through day by day. Ultimately, it all depends on how much value we place on what is important to us and making efforts to uphold the ten rules to make it our way of living.

What is your ikigai? Do you know it (or them)? If you have yet to find out what your ikigai is, as Viktor E. Frankl, author of "Man's Search for Meaning" says, your mission is to discover it.

Whoever reads this review post, I hope you will find your ikigai if you have yet to discover it. I wish you a long, happy, and purposeful life. 🙏