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CHANGE

A book cover is the reader's first impression of a book. An interesting title accompanied by a captivating book cover is the way to a reader's heart. I am also aware that for most cases, authors have to hire someone to design the cover for them. As a reviewer, it is important for me to display the book covers. There are so many beautiful covers that I can't do justice for because the themes in this platform isn't suitable for it. When using Blogspot, I would either have to compromise on the quality of image, the excerpt, or the simplicity of navigating through the posts on the website. Hence I switched to  Wordpress.com  (link). I will no longer be posting here, instead, all my previous reviews and other posts have been imported to the new blog. I hope to see you there! Let's start the new journey together. Thank you. -J

BULLET JOURNALING: A reflection

2018 is the year I try bullet journaling. Fresh out of secondary school into college, I knew I would have a more hectic life trying to balance my assignments, classes and interests together. I've heard of bullet journals (Bujos) and seen countless videos YouTube and follow many Bujo-dedicated accounts on Instagram and thought, 'why not give it a try?' . It was even long before starting a Bookstagram  and a blog when I made the decision and I thank my past self for starting it! A5 Muji grid notebook (30 pages) Unlike the common Leuchtturm 1917 or the Scribbles that Matter bullet journal, I opted for a cheaper one that I can choose to stop whenever I like. Since this is a new habit that I wished to take up, it'd be a waste if I scrapped it halfway.  I used an  A5 Muji Grid Notebook (30 pages) and separated it across my three college semesters. The one on the left was from January to April, the middle from May to August and the right from September to Decem

REVIEW: The Museum of Things Left Behind

The Museum of Things Left Behind  by Seni Glaister get it  here BOOK SUMMARY FIND YOURSELF IN VALLEROSA, A PLACE LOST IN TIME Vallerosa is every tourist’s dream – a tiny, picturesque country surrounded by lush valleys and verdant mountains; a place sheltered from modern life and the rampant march of capitalism. But in isolation, the locals have grown cranky, unfulfilled and disaffected. Until one day an unlikely visitor arrives. Will she be the agent of change and rejuvenation this broken idyll is crying out for? Full of wisdom, humour and light, The Museum of Things Left Behind is a heart-warming fable for our times that asks us to consider what we have lost and what we have gained in modern life. A book about bureaucracy, religion and the people that really get things done, it is above all else a hymn to the inconstancy of time and the pivotal importance of a good cup of tea.   BOOK REVIEW 4 stars The Museum of Things Left Behind was a book I went in with an open mind.

REVIEW: Remember to Forget

Remember to Forget by Jwyan C. Johnson get it  here BOOK SUMMARY After a Hollywood crime occurs in a small town, pressure sets in nationwide for answers. And detectives rely on their only lead: a teenage girl who saw the whole thing. The only obstacle is Dedra herself. Retrograde Amnesia has locked her out of how own answers from her own memory. But with a medical remedy to unlock it all, detectives suffer the additional mystery of her parents refusing to give consent. And Dedra must play detective herself to find the real reason why. With her hidden yearbook, and her tricky little sister, it’s an unfamiliar race down memory lane with lots of traffic, and shortcuts of insistence from sidekicks to pranksters to worse. But as justice becomes impatient, and family demands loyalty, Dedra faces a memorable dilemma: should she move past the past, explore it fully, or ‘remember to forget.’ Table of Contents “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything” – Mark Twai

REVIEW: Inspirational Travel Quotes

The Inspirational Travel Quotes Book  by Aventuras De Viaje get it here BOOK SUMMARY  160+ Original Travel and Inspirational Quotes in Color Love Travel? Need Some Inspiration? Perhaps Some Motivation? Here are Over 160 Inspiring Quotes for Travel and Motivation With Professional Full Color Background Photos (if your device allows it) Great to Inspire Your Next Adventure, Get You Through the Workday, or Both Get Your Quotes on Inspiration and Travel Today   BOOK REVIEW 4 STARS A collection of quotes that not only inspire you to travel but also inspire you to make your life worth it. This is a quick book that could be read and finished in one sitting but I suggest thinking and reflecting on it. There were many quotes that spoke to my heart and reminded me of my own personal experiences, some with travel, some with daily life. The quotes are all from one person, which I did not expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the wise quotes and I enjoyed it very much. It was

OCTOBER WRAP-UP

I'm definitely late for this but I'd still like to do it anyway. The month of October was a busy month. I participated in Inktober, an Instagram challenge as well as decided that I wanted to post twice a week. Half of these decisions were a mistake and I could barely keep up. I stopped Inktober halfway (okay, maybe even before the halfway mark) and I slowly lost interest in finishing the Instagram challenge too. In regards of posting twice a week, I only read four books this month due to the overwhelming amount of college work I had to do. 1.  The Son (Eddie Creighton, #1)  by Aaron Meizius A fast-paced crime novel with a very likable protagonist. Eddie Creighton is a FBI analyst with a photographic memory who was suddenly summoned to aid in an investigation. They are looking for a serial killer who has no clear pattern and a weird personal interest in Eddie. Throughout the whole story, I could imagine it as if I was watching an episode of NCIS. You would lov

REVIEW: The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give by  Angie Thomas get it  here BOOK SUMMARY Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life. BOOK REVIEW 5 STARS "That's the hate they give us, baby, a system designed against us. That's Thug Life."    T

REVIEW: The Son

The Son by Aaron Meizius get it  here BOOK SUMMARY Eddie Creighton is a young FBI analyst in Tampa, working in a maze of cubicles until he receives a summons from a senior agent in Denver. In an instant, he is pulled into an investigation far above his pay grade, searching for a serial killer with no discernible pattern and a strange personal interest in Eddie. As the case unfolds and the body count rises, Eddie must track down the killer and determine what their personal connection is before it's too late. BOOK REVIEW 4 STARS *A free eBook version of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.* Immediately after reading the first chapter, I already knew that I would love this book. It is definitely an easy read, one that you can read to pass time yet get invested in the storyline. Eddie Creighton is a brilliant analyst with photographic memory and an incredible brain that happens to even think of the wildest things. When I was first introduced to Eddie,

REVIEW: The World is a Dark and Lovely Place

The World is a Dark and Lovely Place by Carol Chu Mei Yin get it  here BOOK SUMMARY A poetry chapbook that describes nature, the fear of drowning, friendship, love and loss in a world that is at times dark but beautiful. My writings here are heavily influenced by the classic language of Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost for I am a fan of theirs but the words are entirely my own.  BOOK REVIEW 3.5 STARS A collection of poems that shares about highs and lows of life.  Carol has a way with words that makes you think deeply about this life that we live. There were poems that dealt with loss, missing someone, faith and love - many different aspects that makes us, us.  I believe that if anyone were to write a good poem, it must be poured out from the deepest part of the heart. It is very evident in the writing here. It was raw and intimate, telling of the griefs and the little things that we don't often pay attention to. It's great to read a poem and find that you

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Alretha Thomas

Meet award winning author and playwright, Alretha Thomas. It has been a decade now since her first novel,  Daughter Denied was launched and now she is back with a mystery novel, The Women on Retford Drive. You can read the first chapter  here . We had the opportunity to interview the busy Alretha Thomas and ask her about her latest release!  THE WOMEN ON RETFORD DRIVE Julia Pritchard, an aging sitcom star making a comeback, and her stepdaughter, Blythe Pritchard, an aspiring attorney, form a pact to start fresh and pursue their dreams. But their plans go awry when Keith Pritchard, Julia’s soon-to-be ex-husband and Blythe’s father, goes missing and is presumed dead, the day they plan to move out of his mansion. The women are filled with bittersweet emotions when they consider the idea that Keith, a tycoon and functional alcoholic, could be out of their lives for good. Moreover, they fear the police will name them as persons of interest because of the abuse they suffered at K

REVIEW: The Ladies' Man

The Ladies' Man (Finding Mr. Right #1) by Jessica Edwards get it  here (US)  or  here (UK) BOOK SUMMARY Twenty six year old Lisa, is single and miserable.  All she wants in life, is to find the perfect man.  After going on disappointing dates to tedious dates, Lisa is convinced that there is no man out there for her.  With her best friends' help, Lisa is soon introduced to a variety of men, but which one of them will be her Mr. Right? BOOK REVIEW 4 STARS A fast-paced short story that ended far too early (at least it is the first of the series!). Lisa, 26, and old-fashioned when it comes to dating. On the day her 26th birthday, she spends it the same way as she usually does - sobbing over her favourite romance movie and questioning why is she alone. This night her best friend, Laura promises it will be different. She is there to help her out. Do be warned, this book contains swearing. All her life, she met guys who have ill-intentions. Lisa is now 26 and is l

SEPTEMBER WRAP-UP

September passed awfully quickly. One moment I was sitting for my semester finals, the next moment I'm in Japan eating my weight in food, and after that I'm back in college for my last semester. Time flew by extremely quickly. This month marks the start of author interviews (link) on this blog! It was daunting at first since in my culture, we typically consume and not ask. However, ever since the last few years of secondary school when I was taking SPM (similar to the GCSEs), I became more fearless, after all, what's the harm in asking. It was a great experience because I was able to understand more about the author, the story and learn more about the thought processes the author had when writing each scene. After all, it's great to be an active consumer! In terms of books, this month was an interesting month. I've read a lot more books that I thought I had.  1.  The Back Door of Midnight  by Elizabeth Chandler A friend of mine lent this book to

REVIEW: Beneath the Earth

Beneath the Earth by H.S. Stone get it  here BOOK SUMMARY Laura and her classmates have been looking forward to their senior camping trip for weeks. Three days on an island paradise, away from school and their parents. What more could they ask for?  The camping trip starts out well enough. The island is scenic and just the kind of escape to nature that Laura had hoped for. However, cracks soon begin to appear in her plans. Her boyfriend ditches her to hang out with his friends. She has to share a room with one of the teachers. But those are the least of her worries.  A student disappears, and no one can find him. Soon, Laura and the other students realize that the camping trip is anything but a dream vacation. There’s something else on the island. Something large and frightening. Something that lurks unseen beneath the earth. Something that welcomes the presence of the students because they will satisfy its appetite. BOOK REVIEW 4 STARS A fast-paced story that surpassed

JAPAN: food, sightseeing and the in-between

I've been wanting to travel to Japan again after my trip to Kyoto and Osaka in 2016. My family and I were all set to go again this March however some unfortunate things happened which postponed our trip to September. I was excited to try out seasonal drinks in Japan and see the colours of leaves change but we went there between late Summer and early Autumn, when days were warm and the nights were cold. FOOD  Fuel for the body in order to travel further ¥1,000 for one plate at  Stand By Farm , Ginza, Tokyo In Japan, a good, filling meal can cost somewhere between  ¥ 700  to  ¥ 1,500  (USD6.30 to USD14.50) if you want to eat out. You can go to chain restaurants like Yoshinoya where the food is on the cheaper end or you can go to more fancier restaurants. However, you can definitely find cheaper options by going underground! Bigger train stations usually have grocery stores and pre-packed food that you can take away. With a microwave (or none at all), you can eat it imme