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October 13, 2020

BURN by Patrick Ness

October 13, 2020

Book cover & 3-star rating for Burn by Patrick NessWhen I first started out reading Burn, I was intrigued. Historical fiction isn’t all too common in young adult publishing compared to contemporary fiction, fantasy and science fiction. History and fantasy crossing paths? Even less so. But Patrick Ness has an excellent track record of meshing various genres and even defying them, so I expected this one to be a hit as well. It wasn’t but I was still glad that he brought his signature postmodern outlook with a touch of whimsy.

7 Comments · Categories: Fiction Keywords: american authors, bi- or multiracial characters, british authors, cold war, death, diverse authors, diverse books, dragons, fathers and daughters, murder, poverty, queer characters, race relations, racism, single parenthood

April 12, 2019

MARIAM SHARMA HITS THE ROAD by Sheba Karim

April 12, 2019

Book cover & and 4-star rating for MARIAM SHARMA HITS THE ROAD by Sheba KarimI’m not particularly fond of books in which the entire plot revolves around travelling from point A to point B. Yet, I tend to be drawn to road trip novels. I suppose this stems in part from the fact that I suffer from motion sickness. Actual road trips therefore aren’t exactly enjoyable. And so, reading is a way for me to experience these vicariously. On that front, Mariam Sharma Hits the Road absolutely delivered. I felt right at home with this trio.

· Categories: Fiction Keywords: american authors, atheism, bi- or multiracial characters, discrimination, diverse authors, diverse books, drug abuse, family, family problems, homophobia, islam, muslim characters, road trip, self discovery, single parenthood, summer, vegetarian characters

November 27, 2018

I WANT TO GO HOME by Wesley Leon Aroozoo

November 27, 2018

Book cover & rating - I WANT TO GO HOME by Wesley Leon AroozooI Want to Go Home is a little different from most non-fiction books because the same material was used to produce a companion documentary with the same title. I’ve not watched the documentary but I did view the trailer. Based on the synopsis and the trailer, I expected the subject of I Want to Go Home to be Mr Takamatsu. As I read the book, however, I found this not to be the case.

· Categories: Non-Fiction Keywords: diverse authors, diverse books, grief, hope, lawsuits, memories, natural disasters, singaporean authors

November 20, 2018

SOFIA AND THE UTOPIA MACHINE by Judith Huang

November 20, 2018

Book cover & rating - SOFIA AND THE UTOPIA MACHINE by Judith HuangSofia and the Utopia Machine fills an important space in Singapore literature not only as an young adult book but as science fiction. I don’t remember coming across any local YA books when I was in primary and secondary school. In fact, when I was still in secondary school, I wasn’t interested in Singapore literature precisely because it seemed to be geared towards adults. In that regard, it’s heartening that local YA books have gained more visibility in recent years.

· Categories: Fiction Keywords: diverse authors, diverse books, family myth, family problems, imprisonment, inequality, legends, marriage, mythology, on the run, politics, poverty, singaporean authors, singlish, social commentary, surveillance

October 30, 2018

FAMILY AND OTHER CATASTROPHES by Alexandra Borowitz

October 30, 2018

Book cover & rating - Family and Other Catastrophes by Alexandra BorowitzGood satire makes you laugh while simultaneously reflecting on the subject matters. Rooted in reality, it makes you wonder how serious these characters are (very) but then on second thought you realise that they’re world views are so black and white, they couldn’t be for real. With that in mind, Borowitz used satire very effectively in Family and Other Catastrophes. Emily was so neurotic but with the kind of mother she had, it kind of made sense. Her sister Lauren, was fully committed to feminist social activism, in stark contrast to their brother, Jason, who was a desperate divorcé and quite the sexist.

· Categories: Fiction Keywords: dating, diverse books, divorce, dysfunctional families, family problems, feminism, gender, politics, pregnancy, secrets, sexism, sexual assault, social justice, weddings, work life

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About

Joséphine. Word reveller. Loves books. Reads books. Talks about books. Photographs books. When she’s not blogging, she can be found on Instagram under @wordrevel.

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