The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is something I am greatly looking forward to, especially considering it was published posthumously and won Sweden's Glass Key Award in 2006 for best crime novel of the year. While the storyline is certainly gripping and the themes are thought-provoking, I still have mixed feelings about it.

Henrik Vanger, a renowned industrialist from Sweden, approached Mikael Blomkvist to assist in writing his autobiography. Blomkvist, a financial journalist, is well-versed in exposing corrupt practices and shady dealings within the corporate sector. Simultaneously, Vanger commissioned him to uncover the truth behind Harriet Vanger's disappearance thirty-six years ago. Harriet is his brother's granddaughter and he has reason to believe that there was a suspected mole within their family.

Blomkvist enlists the help of a proficient researcher for this assignment, and Lisbeth Salander proves to be the ideal candidate. With her impressive skills in hacking and remarkable intelligence, their investigative approach yields a satisfying mix of emotion, passion, and intrigue. The dynamic duo embarked on a perilous adventure, filled with facts and evidence, to track down a notorious serial killer. Despite a few unanswered questions and loopholes, I hope the sequel holds the promise of providing closure. 4 ⭐️

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Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

The story revolves around the disappearance of Adam Parson, a stay-at-home dad who went hiking with his son Eugene, who has autism and a rare genetic disorder. The plot thickens when Eugene returns alone, causing a minor accident and becoming the prime suspect in his father's disappearance. 

His family found out about Adam's obsession with the happiness concept and how he applies his principles of living to raise Eugene. It raises awareness about communicating with a nonspeaking child, racial superiority, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a slow-moving yet amusing read. I enjoyed the mystery through Mia's perspective. She's a messed up character, but understandable. The thing about some disappearances is that there's no closure until all that's left is a void. 4 ⭐️

The review copy was provided by @times.reads and @putrifariza, and the opinions shared are entirely my own. You can find the book at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia, as well as their online stores. 

Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor

This novel is a thrilling attempt at bringing the captivating world of Bollywood in the form of fiction. It is filled with action-packed scenes and compelling characters. It portrays a broad spectrum of life, from unruly mobsters to corrupt politicians, and the dark side of Indian society. 

Sunny Wadia, is a character who is raised by his powerful and violent father. Despite being labelled as just another rich kid, he is a complex character. Alongside Sunny is Ajay, a diligent and hardworking employee of the Wadia family who works for a pittance. And then there's Neha, a bold and fearless reporter who sets out to track down Sunny for a story but ends up falling for him instead. 

The story is a rollercoaster ride of emotions and action, as Sunny struggles to find his place in the world and break free from his father's control. Despite the challenges he faces, Sunny is determined to prove his worth and become a worthy successor to his father. 4.3 ⭐️ 

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

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

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Hari pertama berpuasa

*gambar hiasan

Hari pertama ramadan macam biasa cari kuih kat bazar. Not badlah. Ada perubahan dengan jumlah peniaga dan variati bahan jualan.

Dan aku belilah 3 jenis kuih di atas. Dengan harapan yang setinggi gunung. Time berbuka - berair, lagi sikit nak basi. Adoiyaiii.

Takpe.

Dah beli pun.

Dah tahu siapa peniaganya, boikot terus.

The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe

Woah. I'm surprised. I thought the penguinteen is all about cheeky romance. 😅. I give 4.5 ⭐️ for this outstanding storyline with strong characters to support the well-crafted plot. The motivations, fears and conflicts are integral to the progression of this tale.

It is a story about a resilient young girl who finds her way through everything thrown at her. She has lived so many lives with her mother - queen of the grift. She had groomed her daughter in the art of manipulation as a con artist. Until one day, the girl ran away. The indelible connections between her past and dealing with a hostage situation taking place in the present is the book's strength. It's really caught my interest.

A compassionate and wise read, this book follows the journey of broken teenagers searching for a fresh start and a sense of belonging. It also highlights the most troublesome aspects of domestic violence and abuse.

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

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