Witchcraft For Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

Neva Craven was only fifteen when she made a mistake—but the punishment would last a lifetime. In the 1970s, her strict parents sent her away to the Home for Unwed Mothers, a cold, controlled place where no one used their real names. There, under the watchful eyes of Miss Wellwood and her staff, Neva—now called Fern—followed strict schedules, took lessons, and counted down the days until she would give birth, hand over her baby to a "deserving" family, and pretend none of it ever happened.

But then, something extraordinary happened.

Amid the bleakness, Fern and her friends—Rose, Zinnia, and Holly—found solace in an unexpected visitor: the bookmobile. And in that bookmobile was Miss Parcae, a librarian with secrets of her own. When she hands Fern a peculiar book, How to Be a Groovy Witch, it seems like nothing more than a distraction. But when the spells work, the girls realize witchcraft might be the answer to their problems. At first, it’s a game. Then, it’s survival.

But magic always comes with a price. And Miss Parcae isn’t as kind as she first seemed. If they want true freedom, they must pledge eternal loyalty and complete obedience. The question is—how far are they willing to go?

Hendrix delivers another masterpiece! The haunting atmosphere, the raw emotions, the growing sense of unease—it all builds to a thrilling, unforgettable climax. The chaos, the desperation, and the eerie allure of power kept me hooked until the very last page. A must-read. 5 ⭐

The Gift by Sebastian Fitzek

Milan Berg is a petty criminal with a secret—he’s illiterate. Though he has a brilliant photographic memory and strong mental arithmetic skills, the inability to read or write haunts him, making survival a constant struggle. That is until he meets Andra, who offers him a job and an unexpected sense of purpose.

One fateful day, while waiting at a traffic light, Milan spots something unsettling. A terrified girl in the back seat of a car presses a note against the window. Though he can’t read what it says, he knows she’s in danger. With Andra’s help, he begins an investigation that leads them to an abandoned villa, uncovering more questions than answers. Then, the unthinkable happens—a call from the kidnapper, demanding a ransom. Why would a stranger target him for blackmail? 

A single clue—a photo with a hidden code—reveals the girl’s name: Zoe. But what truly chills Milan is recognizing the code. It’s one he and his childhood girlfriend invented in secret. How could this girl possibly know it? As past and present collide, Milan finds himself drawn into a dark mystery that forces him to confront the most traumatic night of his life—the night his mother died.

This novel is a masterclass in psychological suspense, blending mystery, trauma, and the power of the written word in a gripping narrative. The translation captures the intensity of the original, making every twist and revelation hit just as hard. The ending is unforgettable. If you love thrillers that challenge your mind and emotions, this one is a must-read.

Reading progress

TBR untuk bulan ni. 

Tapi malam waktu nak tidur je aku boleh baca dengan aman. 

Masalahnya, time tulah mata nak bercinta dengan tidur.

Aku rasa bulan ni macam tak produktif tapi aku fikir positif. 

Membaca adalah minat aku.

Walau pun dapat baca seperenggan, tetap hobi aku adalah membaca. 

I can do this! 😁

Moisturiser 'A'

Ada satu produk moisturiser 'A' aku beli awal tahun lepas sebab tergoda dengan iklan yang lalu lalang dekat tiktok. Aku gigihlah guna dalam 10 ke 20 sachet. Muka jadi berminyak dan keluar ruam. Aku berhenti guna. At the end, aku guna safi yang hijau. Tu je yang sesuai dengan kulit muka aku. 

Aku menyesal tak beli moisturiser 'A' tu? Sebab banyak lagi aku tak guna. Jawapannya, TAK. Kebetulan aku cuba guna produk tu kat tangan, siku, lutut. Ada perbezaan, ya! Kulit lembut sikit. Apa maknanya tu? 😅😅. Happy me, again. 

Gunung Datuk

Menghabiskan masa cuti sekolah. Dah lama giler aku plan nak pegi Gunung Datuk. Siap tanya orang yang dah naik dan segala persiapan. Tapi macam biasa, itu semua anganan. Bila dah lama tak brisk walk, memang terasa kepancitan yang nyata. Bolehlah nak santai² petang.

Waktu aku sampai, cuaca pun dah nak hujan. Budak² hiking dah beransur balik. Kagum betul. 

Cuti Sekolah

Cerita cuti sekolah 13 hb yang lepas. Lebih kurang 35 tahun aku tak jejak kaki ke sini. Hah. Kira umur aku berapa. Nostalgia betul. Tiket masuk amatlah berbaloi. 

Makan kat cafe. Alhamdulillah. Sebab lapar sangat dan cuaca pun menyengat.

Kononnya nak ke Muzium Kesenian Islam. Aku rasa tak sedap hati sebab tak banyak kereta yang parking. Rupanya tiket masuk RM 20. Kan. Lain kalilah. Priority😂😂.

Last² ambik gambar jelah. Dekat Masjid Negara. Tempat ikonik siaran langsung solat Jumaat dekat tv.

Cuaca cantik.

Sebab dah petang sangat, lain kali jelah singgah sini. Konon nak naik mrt. Tapi biasalah aku ni dah warga emas.

Last destination. Sambil² tunggu Maghrib, lepak tasik depan Masjid Negeri. Ringkas saja. Mata aku dah berat. 

Janji by Tere Liye

5 ⭐ – Perjalanan yang Sarat Makna dan Emosi. Ini kali keempat aku membaca karya Tere Liye, dan kali ini rasanya benar-benar pas dengan jiwa. Membuka tirai dengan kisah tiga pelajar nakal: Baso, Hasan, dan Kaharuddin yang hampir membuat kepala sekolah agama berputus asa. Sebagai jalan terakhir, mereka diberi satu misi yang bakal mengubah segalanya—mencari seorang lelaki bernama Bahar.

Empat puluh tahun lalu, Bahar adalah santri yang gagal dibimbing oleh Abuya, pengasas sekolah agama tersebut. Kehilangan ibu bapanya menjadikannya seorang yang liar— suka berjudi, bergaduh, hingga akhirnya terlibat dalam tragedi kebakaran yang meragut nyawa santri lain. Abuya menanggung rasa bersalah sepanjang hayatnya, yakin ini adalah hukuman Tuhan. Sebelum ajal menjemput, dia meminta anaknya mencari Bahar yang diusir sebelum ini untuk meredakan gelisah yang sudah lama menghantui.

Misi itu menjadi perjalanan penuh pelajaran buat Baso, Hasan, dan Kaharuddin. Bahar yang tidak pernah mereka temui secara langsung mengajarkan mereka makna kehidupan yang sejati. Di sebalik gelarannya sebagai lelaki liar, Bahar adalah sosok yang diam-diam menolong orang dalam kesusahan. Berpandukan alamat yang sudah lama, mereka menyusuri jejak empat dekad yang penuh rahsia dan luka.

Berkali-kali sepanjang membaca—aku tersentuh dengan ketabahan Bahar dan kisah hidupnya yang penuh ujian. Ada sesuatu yang indah tentang karakter yang kompleks dan perjalanan yang penuh keinsafan ini.

Jika ada satu hal yang pasti, karya ini adalah impak bagaimana perjalanan hidup seseorang boleh menjadi cermin yang memantulkan makna kepada orang lain. Sarat dengan emosi dan makna yang mendalam. Highly recommended!

Mahir Jahit Nadi

Sejak minggu lepas bermulanya kelas Mahir Nadi Kelas Menjahit. Walau pun mengantuk kugagahkan jua. Ada dua tenaga pengajar buat masa ni. Kuliah sangat santai dan mudah faham. Minggu depan dah mula kelas untuk pengajaran yang lebih serius. 

The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie

It’s been a while since I delved into an Agatha Christie novel, and The Pale Horse was a thrilling return to her world of intrigue. This time, Mark Easterbrook steps in as the central protagonist—a scholarly, worldly man whose calm demeanor belies the dark mystery he’s about to unravel. Adding charm and wit to the narrative is none other than Ariadne Oliver, the famous crime novelist and long-time friend of Mark.

At first glance, the death at the center of this story seems like one of those perplexing cases Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple might have tackled. However, the tale takes a slower, simmering start. About halfway through, I began to feel restless—until Mrs. Oliver, the spirited Ginger, and the sharp-eyed Detective Inspector Lejeune joined forces to investigate, reigniting the story with fresh energy.

The plot kicks off with a casual countryside gathering, where an unsettling comment catches Mark's attention: "If you wanted to get rid of someone, the Pale Horse was the place to go." Intrigued and disturbed, Mark soon finds himself at a decrepit old inn with a reputation for black magic, now run by a mysterious group of woman.

Things take a sinister turn when Mark crosses paths with Jim Corrigan, a police surgeon, who shares the grim details of a case involving Father Gorman's suspicious death. The priest was carrying a cryptic list of names, most of whom had died from seemingly natural causes. What was the connection, if any? This shadowy puzzle becomes the heart of the investigation.

As the plot thickens, a witness emerges, identifying a potential suspect, and the chase to untangle truth from deception begins. Christie's signature web of red herrings, speculative theories, and hidden motives had me second-guessing at every turn. The tension ramps up in the second half, making the unraveling of the mystery as thrilling as it is perilous—one that may even claim another victim before the final revelation.

All in all, The Pale Horse is a testament to Christie’s genius for blending psychological suspense with old-school detective intrigue. If you’re looking for a novel with occult undertones and a maze-like plot, this one won't disappoint. 4⭐

V as in Victim by Lawrence Treat

Step back into the golden age of crime fiction with this nostalgic, slow-burn detective novel from 1945. Mitch Taylor, a competent yet restless third-grade detective, feels out of place in his department and dreads the tedious legwork that comes with the job. Beneath his stoic exterior lies a simmering desire for a promotion, though he knows he'll need to make a lasting impression to earn it.

When a hit-and-run incident turns disturbingly deliberate, Mitch finds himself teamed up with Jub Freeman, a meticulous forensic technician at a time when forensic science was barely respected. Their investigation starts with a routine witness interview but soon spirals into a web of mystery involving a distressed woman named Andrea Minx, a missing friend, a dead cat, and—inevitably—murder.

The discovery of Peter Jarvis’s body, found with a fatal head wound and no murder weapon in sight, thrusts Mitch and Jub into a tense hunt for answers. As they chase elusive clues and unravel hidden connections, their contrasting crime-solving styles make for a compelling partnership.

What truly sets this novel apart is its reflective, witty writing, peppered with humor that feels timeless. The author masterfully keeps readers guessing until the very last page, delivering a crime story rich with twists and golden-age charm. If you crave a detective story brimming with wit, suspense, and vintage appeal, this is a must-read. Solid 4 ⭐ for a gripping, nostalgic ride.

We Were Warned by Chelsea Ichaso

A Thrilling and Spooky Mystery You Can't Put Down! This book had me hooked from the first page! The story is set in the creepy Fairport Village, where a mother, Hazel Blackmore, cursed the place after killing her son and herself 25 years ago. Since then, the village has turned into a spooky, abandoned ruin.

When Henry de Rossi, head of audiovisuals at Fairport High School, decides to make a documentary about the village, he brings his paid assistant, Eden Stafford, along. Things take a deadly turn when some classmates join them, and the night ends in tragedy—Henry is found dead, and it's ruled as a suicide. But Eden knows something isn’t right.

Determined to uncover the truth, Eden risks her life as secrets and danger creep out of the shadows. With an unknown serial killer on the loose and strange events happening, the group must break the curse before it's too late.

The story is packed with twists, tension, and a creepy atmosphere that keeps you on edge. Eden is a brave and smart main character, and her journey is so exciting to follow. Just when you think you know what’s going on—BAM! Another surprise hits you. This is the second book I've read from this author, and I'm officially a fan! If you love thrilling mysteries with spooky vibes and jaw-dropping twists, you’ll love this. 4.5 ⭐ for a thrilling page-turner I couldn’t put down!