• Ko-fi
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Goodreads
  • Pinterest
  • Bloglovin’
  • RSS

Word Revel

Celebrate the love for books

  • Home
  • Book Reviews
    • Fiction
      • Reviews by Title
      • Reviews by Author
      • Reviews by Genre
      • Reviews by Series
      • Reviews by Rating
    • Non-Fiction
      • Reviews by Subject
      • Reviews by Author
    • Graphic Novels
    • Poetry
    • Plays
  • Bookstagram 101
  • Features
    • Thoughts & Confab
    • Photography
    • Products & Services
    • Overview
    • Events
    • Previews
  • About
    • Rating System
  • Contact

October 1, 2021

THE COUPLE by Helly Acton

October 1, 2021

Book cover & 4.5-star rating - The Couple by Helly ActonThe moment I saw the synopsis of The Couple, I knew in my bones that Helly Acton wrote this book for me. See, I love books that turn our social norms upside down and examine how life could be instead. Also, I basically spent my twenties single, which drew a lot of pity from friends. They made unsolicited comments, “Are you sure you don’t want to get married?” or “I’m happy to introduce you to someone!”

· Categories: Fiction Keywords: ambition, dating, diverse books, friendship, singleness, work life

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.

· 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

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Previous Entries

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.

Search Word Revel

Affiliate Link

The Willoughby Book Club affiliate

Recent Posts

Stack of two books entitled "Truest" and "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" on a wooden desk with a lit candle and coaster on top. A branch of dried eucalyptus is in front of the books, partially covering the spine of "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue". Image is overlaid with a box in which the title and subtitle are stated — Bout of Books 33, the First of 2022: Ready to tackle my TBR pile with a week-long read-a-thon

Bout of Books 33, the First of 2022

January 3, 2022 By Joséphine

Person from chin down to waist holding onto three messy piles of books. Image is overlaid with a box in which the title and subtitle are stated. How to Track Books You Read: Pick the (social) reading tracker that works for you

How to Track Books You Read

December 30, 2021 By Joséphine

Top down view on coffee table with Australian paperback of edition of The Diviners by Libba Bray placed on the left bottom corner. A small wooden board is beside the top right corner of the book. A Nutella chocolate tart, dessert fork and cup of tea are on the wooden board. The photo has a text box overlay with the post title, "Fall Vibes on Book Covers, The Happy Place 5."

Fall Vibes on Book Covers

October 21, 2021 By Joséphine

Book cover & 5-star rating - With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH by Elizabeth Acevedo

October 14, 2021 By Joséphine

Book cover & 4.5-star rating - The Couple by Helly Acton

THE COUPLE by Helly Acton

October 1, 2021 By Joséphine

A Series of New Beginnings

February 11, 2021 By Joséphine

How to Access More Than One Overdrive Account on a Kobo (square)

How to Access More Than One OverDrive Library on a Kobo

January 27, 2021 By Joséphine

© 2015–2022 Joséphine / Word Revel · Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis