Dear Diary

Cabut gigi

Seperti biasa kisahnya aku sakit gigi.

Berdenyut-denyut macam nak tumbuk orang.

Aku buat appointment dekat mysejahtera selepas lama aku uninstall. Heheh.

Hari Isnin dengan beraninya aku pergi.

Yes.

Dua tempat kiri dan kanan geraham aku kena cabut.

Tapi tak boleh cabut serentak sebab kata doktor nanti susah nak makan.

Jadi doktor cabut gigi geraham bongsu yang tak sakit.

Gigi geraham yang sakit kena cabut minggu depan.

Terpaksalah aku tahan lagi seminggu.

Staf dan doktor gigi terbaik.

Second Afterlife by Michelle Grinsam

Julia is in her early twenties when she's dealt a cruel fate dying from brain cancer. But just when everything fades to black, a miracle pulls her back. She's been given a second chance at life. But nothing could have prepared her for what came after.

Charlie was a quiet soul who passed on before his time, with almost no memory of how it happened. He assumes it was just a tragic accident. Now, he’s trapped in a strange place between the living and the dead, a kind of waiting room that exists outside time. And because Julia and Charlie died at the exact same moment, their souls became unexpectedly connected.

Charlie begins to share Julia’s revived body, seeing the world through her eyes like a silent guest. At first, it’s unsettling and confusing. But as time goes on, a strange comfort grows between them. What began as an accident of timing slowly becomes something much more meaningful.

As Julia tries to rebuild her life and reconnect with distant friends, Charlie wrestles with the reality of being caught between worlds. But danger begins to creep into both their lives. And when the threats become real, they must rely on each other to survive. They don’t just share a moment in time but also a purpose, and maybe even something like love.

This novel is more than just a paranormal romance. It’s a tender exploration of grief, hope, and the unexpected beauty of human connection. While the subplot involving underground crime could use more detail, the emotional storytelling makes this a memorable and heartfelt debut.

Fox by Joyce Carol Oates

As a mother, this story hit me hard. The theme is deeply disturbing, and the writing is so vivid it made me feel physically ill at times. Predators who harm children deserve the harshest punishment. Topics like these are not only viral in Malaysia but are surfacing globally, felonies involving pedophilia and child exploitation that demand serious attention.

Fox by Joyce Carol Oates is a dark and unsettling novel wrapped in a whodunnit mystery. Though the pacing can be slow and the repetition slightly noticeable, it didn't detract from the impact for me. I still give it 4.5 ⭐ for its outstanding, fearless storytelling.

It all begins with a chilling discovery. A car wreck was found at the edge of a ravine near Wieland Pond. Human remains, partially devoured by animals, are recovered. The car is traced back to Francis Harlan Fox, an English teacher at the prestigious Langhorne Academy. Beloved by his students, Fox was known for making learning feel joyful and engaging, a beacon in the classroom.

But behind the charm lies a darker truth. Mr. Fox vanished after a school break, sparking rumors and emotional chaos among students. An investigation reveals he had been quietly dismissed from several teaching posts before joining Langhorne. The once-admired teacher becomes a central figure in a sinister puzzle.

As detectives comb through the wreckage of Fox’s life, they uncover unsettling patterns. Several of his former students are now acting out, some even harming themselves. The investigation moves forward with subtle momentum, led by a seasoned detective whose methodical style feels grounded and reliable.

While I wish the novel explored more of Fox’s childhood, the roots of his behavior—the emotional and psychological depth still lingers long after the final page. This book is not easy to digest, but it is necessary. It forces readers to confront horrors that too often stay hidden.