393. The Witches by Stacy Schiff

BOOK REVIEW: The Witches by Stacy Schiff

In this current day and age, many of us still rely on astrology, tarot reading and a host of other magical goings-on to determine life, a modern day sorcery come to think of it. But did you know the famous town of Salem was a hotspot for witches and sorcery (although some turned out to be false accusations)?

It began in 1962, over an exceptionally raw Massachusetts winter, when a minister’s niece began to scream and convulse. 

It ended less than a year later, but not before panic had infected the entire colony, nineteen men and women had been hanged, and a band of adolescent girls had brought Massachusetts to its knees.

This authoritative biography delves into the Salem witch trials that are famous the world over. Some are debunked via Science while some were truly supernatural. 

The author has a sharp eye for detail and an uncanny ability to reanimate the dead, reprising their hopes and dreams, pieties and crimes. Reading this was almost like reading an olden days Conjuring, electrifying till the last page.

392. Culture Smart! China by Kathy Flower

 

BOOK REVIEW: Culture Smart! China by Kathy Flower

China is one of the world’s biggest and most-populated country. Their economic status is much looked upon globally. Even tourism is a huge boon to China and its inhabitants. 

This book is an illuminating, practical guide to Chinese culture and society. It will help you turn your visit - whether it’s for business or pleasure - into a memorable and enriching experience.

Some of the contents include local customs and traditions, business practices and communication. Besides that, this pocket guide also covers eating and drinking Chinese-style as well as taboos. 

This guide made for a quick read, albeit an interesting one. If you or your loved ones are planning on making a trip to culturally rich China, this book is definitely indispensable.

391. Foodie Places by Sarah Baxter

BOOK REVIEW: Foodie Places by Sarah Baxter

Face it, we all love food and as a true blue Malaysian, most bonding activities involve food. We tend to carry this insatiable appetite even when travelling abroad. For a read that’s both eye candy and informative, look no further than Foodie Places.

Embark on a delectable journey through the world’s culinary marvels, exploring the South Indian vegan curries that have sustained both devotees and travelers for generations or the inimitable takoyaki of Osaka.

Journey through 25 culinary capitals, from time-honored gastronomic hubs to emerging destinations boasting world-class cuisine.

Featuring vibrant illustrations, every entry captures the energy and essence of its setting. Immerse yourself in this stunning book to uncover the rich cultural traditions that shape the world’s most exceptional cuisine.

Grab a copy while you’re doing your Christmas shopping and drop it off to a foodie friend. Maybe who knows instead of turkey there might be hummus from Tel Aviv on the table!

390. The Secret Life of Bones by Brian Switek

 

BOOK REVIEW: The Secret Life of Bones by Brian Switek

Have any of you ever fractured a bone or even broken one? How many of you have read about rare disorders afflicting the most integral part of our structure? Bones are not just the framework of our body but are actually so much more than the eye can see.

Bone is an extraordinary material—adaptable, resilient, and shaped by more than 500 million years of evolution. This book tells the story of our species by tracing the role of bone—as tools, ornaments, symbols of worship, and instruments of power—from the dawn of religion through the rise of science and into the present day.

The author—an eager storyteller of all things osteological—moves fluidly through biology, history, and culture to uncover the significance of what lies within us, revealing what our bones say about who we are, where we originate, and the legacies we leave behind.

It is a thoughtful and engaging reflection on the origins of the human skeleton, how it works, and how we come to understand and accept our essential—if sometimes unsettling—framework of bone.

In my view, this book is a witty, conversational romp through the world of bones, crafted by one of our finest natural history writers. For advanced readers, this is a wonderful guide for learning as it details bones to a tee, something which would prove useful if you were to do a presentation on these calcified specimens.

389. Popular Ghost Stories by Andrew Lee

 

BOOK REVIEW: Popular Ghost Stories by Andrew Lee

Malaysia and Singapore share at one thing in common besides things like food, culture and its people: the believe of the supernatural. We love to talk about our personal experiences, be it brushes with the unseen or even stories carried on by people. 

In this debut collection of chilling tales, the author presents a range of macabre—and at times gruesome—stories from Malaysia, along with a selection of readers’ letters recounting their own supernatural encounters.

Nothing sparks conversation quite like an old-fashioned ghost story told on a dark night. These remarkable tales delve into the strange, the unusual, and the truly spine-chilling. 

Discover stories ranging from an inexplicable crime scene with a headless body marked by claws, to a student trapped in a living nightmare, an unsettling meeting with a fortune teller, a weeping raintree, and a sinister baby with razor-sharp teeth.

Personally, I felt these stories were way too tame for my liking, almost bordering on pure childish renditions of fear. If you're someone who is a hardcore horror freak like myself, this book isn't worth a read. However, for those who are just starting out on their fear journey, this book might be right up your alley.

388. And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (courtesy of HIS International School library)

BOOK REVIEW: And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

If there’s ever an author who aces at writing tear-jerkers, it would be none other than Khaled Hosseini himself. His stories which revolve around his birthplace of Afghanistan is both vivid and compelling.

Ten-year-old Abdullah would do anything for his younger sister. In a life of poverty and struggle, with no mother to care for them, Pari is the only person who brings Abdullah happiness. For her, he will trade his only pair of shoes to give her a feather for her treasured collection.

When their father sets off with Pari across the desert to Kabul in search of work, Abdullah is determined not to be separated from her. Neither brother nor sister know what this fateful journey will bring them.

This book is a deeply moving epic of heartache, hope and above all, the unbreakable bonds of love. It’s a story of love, separation, friendship, compassion, exile, memory and the troubled history of Afghanistan, spanning three continents and sixty years.

I found this read to be a diamond, impressive and heartbreaking at the same time. Khaled Hosseini is definitely a writer with talent like that of a magical fountain.

 

387. A Vintage Affair: Isabel Wolff (courtesy of HIS International School library)

 

BOOK REVIEW: A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

As a woman, I’m very much into fashion and I do support the use of pre-loved clothing. Vintage clothing on the other hand is in a world if its own, pre-loved clothes from famous labels as well as from a bygone era. The fabrics, cuts and more are simply outstanding. In this novel, appreciation of vintage clothing is brought to the forefront alongside a story of love and loss. 

Her friends are stunned when Phoebe Swift abruptly leaves a plum job at the prestigious Sotheby’s auction house to open her own vintage clothing shop, Village Vintage. She hopes to make her store the hot new place to shop, even as she deals with two ardent suitors, her increasingly difficult mum and a secret from her past.

Therese Bell, an elderly Frenchwoman, has an inpressive clothing collection. Among these clothes, Phoebe finds a child’s coat which Mrs. Bell is stubbornly reluctant to part with. As the two women become friends, Phoebe will learn the tale of that little blue coat. 

She will discover an astonishing connection between herself and Therese that will help her heal the pain of her own past and allow her to love again. 

I personally loved this book for it’s romantic and sumptuous storyline. This is a must for fans of vintage clothing and romance.