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Showing posts from September, 2024

Island of the lost tree by Elif Shafak.

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  Review of Island of the lost tree by Elif Shafak. Elif Shafaq's Island of the Lost Tree is a deeply moving novel that weaves together themes of love, memory and the natural world set against the backdrop of political and cultural turmoil in Cyprus. Through its unique narrative structure and poignant story, Shafaq explores complex human emotions, racial trauma and the lasting effects of war. The novel follows two main characters, Kostas, a Greek Cypriot, and Daphne, a Turkish Cypriot, whose love story is set during the conflict between the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus in the 1970s. Their romance is complicated not only by cultural differences but also by the political violence that divides their homeland. As the narrative unfolds, Shafaq skilfully peeks into their lives, revealing their struggle to maintain love in the midst of a crumbling world. One of the most interesting elements of the novel is its inhuman narrator—a fig tree. This tree, the witness to most of the l
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Island of the lost tree by Elif Shafak.

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  Review of Island of the lost tree by Elif Shafak. Elif Shafaq's Island of the Lost Tree is a deeply moving novel that weaves together themes of love, memory and the natural world set against the backdrop of political and cultural turmoil in Cyprus. Through its unique narrative structure and poignant story, Shafaq explores complex human emotions, racial trauma and the lasting effects of war. The novel follows two main characters, Kostas, a Greek Cypriot, and Daphne, a Turkish Cypriot, whose love story is set during the conflict between the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus in the 1970s. Their romance is complicated not only by cultural differences but also by the political violence that divides their homeland. As the narrative unfolds, Shafaq skilfully peeks into their lives, revealing their struggle to maintain love in the midst of a crumbling world. One of the most interesting elements of the novel is its inhuman narrator—a fig tree. This tree, the witness to most of the l
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The Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa.

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  Review of The Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa. Satoshi Yagisawa's Morisaki Bookshop Day is a tender and heartwarming tale of personal growth, healing and rediscovery, set against the charming backdrop of a small, old-fashioned bookstore in Tokyo's Jinbucho district. is given The novel follows Takako, a young woman who, after suffering a personal setback, moves to live with her eccentric Uncle Setoro in his cozy bookstore . Initially indifferent to the world of books, Takako is soon comforted by the shop's quiet atmosphere and the literary treasures it holds. Yagisawa's storytelling is simple yet evocative, mixing the peaceful rhythm of everyday life with the introspective moments of Takako's emotional journey. As she reconnects with herself, we see the transformative power of literature, community, and family relationships, themes that resonate throughout the novel. The pace is slow and deliberate, reflecting the healing process, with characters
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The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas.

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  Review of The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas. Elena Arms' American Roommate Experience is a romantic comedy that delivers a lighthearted and engaging story filled with humor, heart and undeniable chemistry. The book is a spin-off of Armas' first novel, The Spanish Love Deception, and follows Rosie, the heroine's best friend from the first book, as she embarks on her romantic adventures. The premise revolves around Rosie Graham, a struggling romance novelist dealing with a creative block and some personal turmoil. After the roof of her apartment collapses, she temporarily moves into her best friend Lena's apartment, only to discover that Lena's cousin Lucas Martin is also living there. It sets up a situation of forced intimacy filled with sparks, tension and comedic moments. The plot develops when Lucas offers to help Rosie with her writer's block by taking her on a series of "experimental dates", meant to inspire her and get her creativ
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Hina Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin.

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  Review of Hina Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin.  Hina Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin is a lively, contemporary romance that blends humor, culture, family dynamics and the immigrant experience into one compelling narrative. The novel follows Hina Khan, a young Muslim woman living in Toronto, as she navigates her family's struggling halal restaurant, her ambitions in radio broadcasting, and a handsome but business-threatening entrepreneur named Iden. Lives in the midst of an emerging rivalry. The novel's greatest strength is its authentic portrayal of the second-generation immigrant experience, particularly in a South Asian Muslim context. Hana's relationships with her family and the tight-knit community in her neighborhood offer a rich exploration of generational conflicts, cultural expectations, and the search for individual identity in a multicultural society. Hana is a relatable protagonist – ambitious, funny, and often torn between her professional goals and per
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Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood.

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  Review of "Love on the Brain" by Ali Hazelwood . Ali Hazlewood's "Love on the Brain" is a charming and witty romantic comedy set in the world of STEM, similar to his previous works, including The Love Hypothesis. The novel continues Hazelwood's blend of science, academia, and steamy, slow-burn romance, as well as themes of strong women in male-dominated fields. Plot Summary: The story centers around Bee Königswasser, a neuroscientist pursuing her dream project working with NASA on a neuroengineering initiative. The catch? He has to team up with his nemesis, Levi Ward, an engineer who he believes has despised him since his grade school days. As they work together, Bee realizes that all is not as it seems. The initial friction between them gives way to an undeniable attraction, which leads to mutual respect, shared values, and—of course—chemistry. Strengths: STEM Setting :Hazelwood specializes in weaving STEM into the fabric of a story. From NASA's neur
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Under One Roof by Ali Hazlewood.

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  Review of "Under One Roof" by Ali Hazlewood. "Under One Roof" by Ali Hazlewood is a charming and interesting romance novel that is part of the STEMinist Novellas series. Known for her ability to blend science, strong female protagonists, and romance, Hazlewood once again delivers a lighthearted, engaging story set against a STEM backdrop. Plot Summary: The novel revolves around Mara, an environmental engineer, and Liam, a lawyer working for an oil company, who are unexpectedly thrown under the same roof. Mara inherits part of the house from her guardian, while Liam owns the other half. From the start, their living arrangement is not ideal, with Mara's environmental values ​​at odds with Liam's career. Their initial animosity gradually gives way to attraction as they come to understand each other, revealing hidden depths and vulnerabilities. Strengths: STEM Representation: As with Hazelwood's previous works, STEM fields are central to the characters'
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Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter.

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  Review of Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter Lynn Painter's "Mr. Wrong Number" is a charming contemporary romance that combines humor, chemistry and sincerity. The story revolves around Olivia Marshall, a young woman who moves in with her brother and her best friend Colin Beck after a series of unfortunate events. Olivia's life is in shambles, and she's not particularly looking for romance, but things take a surprising turn when she starts receiving flirtatious text messages from an anonymous sender, whom she dubs "Mr. Wrong Number." As Olivia and Mr. Wrong Number exchange witty banter and witty texts, their relationship grows, leading to a playful and intriguing mystery about his identity. What he doesn't realize is that the person on the other end of the messages may be closer than he thinks. Lynn Painter does an excellent job of crafting a fast-paced, engrossing narrative filled with laugh-out-loud moments and sassy romance. The characters are we
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Ugly love by Colleen Hoover.

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                                                           Review of Ugly love by Colleen Hoover. "Ugly Love" is a contemporary romance novel by Colleen Hoover, published in 2014. This story tells a story of intense emotions, complicated relationships, and the transformative power of love. With its deeply moving narrative and well-developed characters, the novel has garnered a dedicated readership. Here’s a detailed review: Plot Summary The novel follows the lives of Tate Collins and Miles Archer. Tate moves in with her brother Corbin to focus on her nursing career. She soon meets Miles, an airline pilot and her brother's best friend. Despite their instant attraction, Miles is emotionally unavailable and sets strict boundaries: no asking about the past and no expectations of the future. As their purely physical relationship develops, Tate falls in love with Miles, who suffers from a painful past that prevents him from opening his heart. The story alternates between Tate&#
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Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee.

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                                   Review of Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee   "Disgrace" won the Booker Prize in 1999 and has since become a modern classic. J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace is a deep and disturbing novel that explores themes of power, redemption, and the complexities of post-apartheid South Africa. The story centers on David Lowry, a middle-aged English professor in Cape Town who faces a downfall after an affair with a student. Lori's life takes a turn for the worse when he leaves his academic position and moves to his daughter Lucy's rural farm, where more challenges await him. Coetzee's writing is sparse but powerful, reflecting the protagonist's emotional and moral desolation. The novel is not just about Laurie's personal disgrace, but also about major social changes and racial tensions in a country still clinging to its past. The novel is at times deeply unsettling, as it does not shy away from difficult questions about
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Review of Adultry by Paulo Coelho.

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                                                       Review of Adultry by Paulo Coelho. Plot Summary: The story revolves around Linda, a successful journalist in her late 30s, who feels unfulfilled and trapped in her life. She begins an affair with Jacob, a politician, who awakens her passion and desire. As Linda navigates this new relationship, she faces her own demons, desires, and sense of identity. Review: "Adultery" is a thought-provoking and introspective novel that explores themes of love, relationships, identity and spirituality. Paulo Coelho's writing is, as always, lyrical and engaging, making it a quick and immersive read. Strengths: Coelho expertly delves into the human psyche, exploring the complexities of love, desire and relationships. The novel raises important questions about identity, morality, and the search for meaning. Linda and Jacob are complex and relatable characters with rich inner lives. Weaknesses: The affair and its consequences are somewhat
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