My Husband by Maud Ventura

Oh my. I don't think Ariane needs a husband more than a psychiatrist. After 15 years together, she couldn't stop comparing her life and evaluating the relationship. She has always loved her husband unconditionally, despite jealousy and doubt. She became obsessed and meticulous about everything and wrote down notes categorized thematically to reflect experiences that influenced her daily life. She's even going through her husband's things. 

This book contains themes of chronic anxiety, marital problems, and adultery. Going through her life is exhausting. Generally, the idea that this kind of person existed before me is surreal, even revolting. What I need most in a long-term marriage is peace, quiet, and learning how to restrain. There's no single formula for successful marriages. It does not come with a guide. Bear in mind that marriages take work, sacrifice, and respect.  

So, what's wrong with Ariane's husband? Is he some kind of psycho or what? And yet, the epilogue of the book shows the perspective and frame of the story from him. Brief, unsettling, and mind-boggling. I give 4.5 ⭐️ 

Thanks to @definitelybooks #pansing for the review copy. Opinions are my own 💙 

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online stores

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The End of August by Yu Miri

This book has a lot to offer as a valuable window into Korean history. The End of August is a semi-autobiographical of the author's grandfather, Lee Woo-Cheol from 1925 until he died in the late 1970s. The story begins with the scene of called forth for her ancestors through ritual (thanks to kdrama!). How the author put down their last moments together is phenomenal and like a closure for me.

Lee Woo-Cheol was a long-distance runner in Korea. His dream was robbed because the Tokyo Olympics were cancelled in 1938. Furthermore, he has mouths to feed and is trapped under Japanese rule. Despite all that, he was a philanderer, and his wife left him leaving their children behind. The rest of the story is quite sordid like everyone in the family has such a terrible fate.

Considering everything, it's a remarkable and thought-provoking exploration of a Japanese invasion, women's exploitation, and communism through the lasting impact of dramatic backstories. I give 4.5 ⭐️

Thanks to @times.reads and @putrifariza for the review copy. Opinions are my own 💙

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online stores

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#donereading #TheEndofAugust by #YuMiri #bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendations #igbooks #igreads #goodreads #emabaca #malaysiamembaca 

Zero Days by Ruth Ware

Thanks to @definitelybooks #pansing for the review copy. Opinions are my own 💙

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online stores

Jacinta Cross and her husband, Gabriel Medway conduct a security system for a living. But something unusual when she came home late from work one day. She confronted the most traumatic experience, Gabe was found dead with his throat cut. It's not a burglary gone wrong or a case of mistaken identity, clearly.

The nightmare was only just beginning. The police didn't seem happy with her timeline and thought it was suspicious. Plus the huge insurance policy was taken up before Gabe died. Someone was setting her up for Gabe's murder. She has to prove herself innocent. Her only mission is tracking down who and why someone killed Gabe to that extent. She's been on the run since then.

Ruth Ware is another author I've been curious about for years. I love her writing style. They're full of tension, and intrigue with a bit of techy stuff (I haven't a clue of 🤭). The plot is pretty decent but I love the main characters, Jack and her sister, Hel drive the story forward in time.