The North Light by Hideo Yokoyama

I am a slow reader when it comes to a good story. It requires a lot of time and attention to gain a detailed understanding.

For someone who loves a thriller, the plot line of this book held my attention. The author's writing style is another reason for the high rating. I feel a connection between the characters. I expected something different with the ending - the combination of the whimsical but by the time I got to the end, my skeptical frown had long since given way to a grin of satisfaction. So I guess, this is my last book of 2023 that I proudly love and give 5 ⭐️ 😭😭 

Minoru Aose is an architect. A client has requested to build their new home. They requested the same design that featured The Best Design of the Year, the famous Y Residence. The owner of Y Residence is Touta Yoshino. The feeling of resistance to build a clone home overlapped with the disappearance of Yoshino's family without a trace. He believes his world and Yoshino's are intertwined. If someone were to able to solve the whole mystery, it's Aose. The whole point of the mystery is to learn more about atoning, Aose's childhood, a possible red herring and Bruno Taut, a German architect who took asylum in Japan in 1933. 

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

I'm planning on reading other Hideo's work next year 🤞🤞

The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai

 

I adore the heartwarming story of Kamogawa Diner and Detective Agency. Mr Kamogawa and his daughter Koishi are such a dynamic duo, always going above and beyond to ensure their clients are satisfied. The way they recreate dishes to bring back memories is simply magical.

This story is a delightful reminder of the simple pleasures in life, and how they can bring us so much joy. Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate. Nostalgia can be just as vital an ingredient that promotes a sense of self-identity, and belonging and reflects on difficult moments. The sentimental longing for the past can be a delightful feeling.

A brief fictional prose narrative. A gentle reminder, the author's style of writing is straightforward to read and follow. I've always imagined that the last chapter might leave my expectations in chaos but there's none. I did wonder why put Drowsy on the cover. So, yes, it is what it is.

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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#definitelybooks #donereading #TheKamogawaFoodDetectives by #HisashiKashiwai #igbooks #igreads #letsgetreading #emabaca #bookrecommendations #bookreview #malaysiamembaca 

None Of This is True by Lisa Jewell

 

I am beyond thrilled to share my thoughts on this book. The author's talent for taking a seemingly ordinary plot and turning it into a riveting page-turner is truly remarkable. I couldn't put it down. The captivating writing style and enigmatic character had me hooked from beginning to end. 

Alix Summer, a prominent feminist podcaster, and Josie Fair, a survivor of her past, join forces to pursue a new project about her quite traumatic life. Alix allowed Josie into her life and had been a houseguest for a week claiming to have been a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband. But their collaboration ultimately leads to Josie's true colour and leaves a lasting impact on others. 

I highly recommend this book and give it an enthusiastic 5 ⭐️ rating. These are my personal opinions, and I want to express my gratitude to @definitelybooks #pansing for the review copy. You can find this must-read book at all leading bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia, as well as online stores. Trust me, it's a book that will leave you feeling joyful and inspired, especially with its unexpected moments of brilliance.

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

 

 

Inspired by the real-life sorority targeted by America's first celebrity serial killer in his final murderous spree. It takes on the story of Ted Bundy and is told from the perspective of a student who survives a horrific attack on a sorority house in Tallahassee, Florida. He attacked two others and killed two women.

The survivor, Pamela Schumacher, 21 years old, is a chapter president, she's the only one who saw the intruder. She was able to give a good and strong description. It was not long after, Martina Cannon, a woman in a different state claimed that the suspect was the same man who had a prior history of escape after being convicted of kidnapping and awaiting trial of brutal slaying.

The case was strong, but the DA couldn't be bothered with anything approaching justice until he started killing again. The MO didn't fit though but I am not a person who needs a happy ending in a book. The book utilises a dual pov with the story being told by the two main characters: Pamela and Ruth Wachowsky.  I was struggling to get through the book, as it is slow-paced although shows fairly character-driven.

4 ⭐️

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

Snail by Minu Kim

 

I think it's not easy to comprehend the story. Looking at pictures and talking about related examples is a way to explore the issues that can arise. When it comes to sibling rivalry, as parents we must have a way that suits our children. Some are used to slow implementation and others may struggle to understand the issues.

Snail or tortoise is a popular symbol of struggling group in our life chain. Despite our slowness, the most important thing is that you're learning a new thing.

Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for the earc. I give 3.5 ⭐️

LUCAS the Spy Cat by Samantha Shannon

 

I think all cats are like Lucas. Curious and love adventure. And use the spy camera is a way to check out how our cats are doing especially when night is come. 

Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for fun earc. I give 4 ⭐️

What We Kept To Ourselves by Nancy Joo youn Kim

 

The book as a whole had my emotions all over the place for so many different reasons. It is not only focused on a stranger's identity, a failed dream and a history that had made so many men killed but also on a wife's emotions and how she feels as a human being.

Kim Jung Ho and his wife, Sunhee, were two refugees, children of war who had immigrated in the 70s from Korea. America was a promising country that could offer the adventure of a lifetime. But nearly two decades, Sunhee aka Sunny clearly couldn't handle the marriage anymore. Her loneliness, grief and the hours that she spent in another person's dream have clawed her sanity. She just left the house leaving also her two children.

No one wanted to talk about it until a body was found behind the loquat tree in Kim's yard and nearby lay a white envelope with the words 'Sunny Kim' on it. The death of Ronald James was like the point of bringing up old wounds. They believe that their mother's disappearance had something to do with RJ's death. It seems she had hidden some kind of secret from her family.

Overall, it's an emotionally gripping read for fans of the melodramatic genre with a slow-paced story. The novel is presented in alternating chapters that jump back and forth between periods of painstaking journey. 

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

Holly by Stephen King

 

I have just finished reading this book! I have to admit, compared to King's other works, it may not be the most standout read, considering I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the writing style and characters. At times, I even wondered if it was written by ghostwriters! But the last few chapters of this book alone were packed with raw emotion, more than most entire books. 

The story follows Penelope Dahl, who hires Holly Gibney to investigate her daughter's disappearance. Holly just inherited Finders Keepers, a private detective agency previously owned by Bill Hodges. Although Holly doesn't expect any breakthroughs, the similarities of location and belongings left behind seem to relate to another series of missing persons and human cannibalism was not at all on her mind. 

This slow-paced thriller even offers some realistic insights during the time of the coronavirus outbreak. Holly has appeared in several of King's previous works, but while reading this book, I didn't see her as a strong character and it was intentionally portrayed! 

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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#donereading #Holly by #StephenKing #igreads #igbooks #bookstagram #goodreads #bookrecommendations #bookreview #emabaca #definitelybooks #letsgetreading #malaysiamembaca