In a pleasantly shocking surprise, I find myself featured in Clare Mackintosh's October 2022 Author Newsletter.
I’m in Book Depository’s Virtual Art Gallery | #READCreate
My book-inspired crafting earns a spot in Book Depository's first Virtual Art Gallery and their new bookmark set.
The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone by Audrey Burges | Book Review
From her attic in the Arizona mountains, 34year-old recluse Myra Malone blogs about a miniature mansion – a dolls' house – which captivates thousands of readers worldwide. Across the country, Alex Rakes encounters two Mansion fans trying to recreate a room from her stories and is shocked to recognize his own bedroom in minute scale. Searching for answers, Alex begins corresponding with Myra and together, the two unwind the lonely paths of their twin worlds and trace the stories that entwine them.
Mrs Porter Calling by A J Pearce | Book Review
Emmy Lake is the much-loved agony aunt at Woman’s Friend magazine, relied upon by readers across the country as they face the challenges of life on the Home Front. But when the Honourable Mrs. Porter takes over as the new owner, Emmy realises that she plans to destroy everything readers love about the magazine. With happiness quickly turning to heartbreak, and war still raging in Europe, will Emmy and her friends find the inner strength they need to keep going - and save the magazine they love?
Don’t Believe the Hype by Natalie Lewis | Book Review
Frankie Marks is the world's least likely fashion PR who got the job by fluke and doesn't know the first thing about designers. When she crash-lands in the prestigious GGC agency, she quickly realises she needs to use everything she's got to survive life behind the scenes of this glamorous and chaotic industry. As the pressure builds and Frankie's personal life begins to take the hit, she starts to wonder if she'll ever manage to escape the strange world of fashion unscathed.
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee | Book Review
Baek Se-hee is a successful young social media director at a publishing house when she begins to feel persistently low, anxious, endlessly self-doubting, but also highly judgemental of others. She hides her feelings well; adept at performing the calmness, even ease, her lifestyle demands. The effort is exhausting, overwhelming, and keeps her from forming deep relationships. This can't be normal.
But if she's so hopeless, why can she always summon a yen for tteokbokki? Is this just what life is like?
Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang | Book Review
Athena Liu is a literary darling. Juniper Hayward is literally nobody. When Athena dies in a freak accident, Juniper steals her unpublished manuscript and publishes it as her own under the ambiguous name June Song. But as evidence threatens Juniper’s stolen success, she will discover exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.
Why can’t Elephants be Red? by Vani Tripathi Tikoo | Book Review
Akku is a lively, imaginative and adventurous two-and-half-year-old little girl who loves to scribble, draw and colour, and her imagination runs riot with elephants that are red, crabs that have mustaches and unicorns that don't have horns. For her, every new experience is filled with joy and curious questions. But her biggest adventure of all awaits- her first day at school.
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson | Book Review
Pineapple Street follows three women in an old Brooklyn Heights clan: one who was born with money, one who married into it, and one who wants to give it all away. Shot through with the indulgent pleasures of life among New York's one-percenters, Pineapple Street is about the peculiar unknowability of someone else's family, the miles between the haves and have-nots, and the insanity of first love.
Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni | Book Review
Defence attorney Keera Duggan is prepared to play. But is she a pawn in a master’s deadly match?
When she is retained by Vince LaRussa, an investment adviser accused of murdering his wealthy wife, Keera and her team follow the evidence to uncover a complicated game that’s more than Keera bargained for. When shocking information turns the case upside down, Keera must decide between her duty to her client, her family’s legacy, and her own future.
The Dolphin and the Shark by Namita Thapar | Book Review
Born out of Namita Thapar's experiences of being a judge on Shark Tank India, The Dolphin and The Shark is a handy guide for anyone looking to step into entrepreneurship or even to understand the basics of running a business.
No Life for a Lady by Hannah Dolby | Book Review
Violet Hamilton is a woman who knows her own mind. Which, in 1896, can make things a little complicated. Now 28, she does not want to marry. She wants to make her own way in the world. But more than anything, she wants to find her mother Lily, who disappeared ten years ago.
Finding the missing is no job for a lady, but when Violet hires a seaside detective to help, she sets off a chain of events that will put more than just her reputation at risk.
Chuckle Merry Spin: Us in the US by Khyrunnisa A. | Book Review
When the author and her husband decide to finally travel to the US - their first international trip - for their daughter-in-law's graduation ceremony, they enthusiastically throw themselves into the preparations. And what an adventure it turns out to be—full of peculiar restaurant rules, tipping norms, confusing subway stations, interesting places and entertaining conversations.
Between You, Me & the Four Walls By Moni Mohsin | Book Review
The social butterfly is back with her frank, funny diaries that tell us how it is in the private lives of the haves and the have-mores.
We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman | Book Review
When her best friend of forty years is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Ash's world reshapes around the rhythms of Edi's care, from chipped ice and watermelon cubes to music therapy; from snack smuggling to impromptu excursions into the frozen winter night. Because life is about squeezing the joy out of every moment, about building a powerhouse of memories, about learning when to hold on, and when to let go.
My Korean Flavours in 2022
With all the influence of South Korea that has engulfed my life with their dramas, culture, language and food, it is only fair that I acknowledge it. Here, I recap my favourite kdramas and kmovies from those I watched in 2022.
2022’s Chosen Reads
I'm back with my book recommendations from 2022 and an overview of my year's reading stats.
Aquamarine Flavours 