409. Butter by Asako Yuzuki

BOOK REVIEW: Butter

Rating: 100/5 

Author: Asako Yuzuki

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Pages: 452

If I had to describe 'Butter' in one sentence, I'd say this: this isn't a book you simply read - it's a book that slowly seeps into your thoughts, lingers in your mind, and leaves you craving butter on warm rice long after you've turned the final page. Trust me, you'll never look at butter the same way again.

At first glance, 'Butter' promises an intriguing blend of crime, food, and psychological intrigue, and it absolutely delivers - but not in the way I expected. While the premise revolves around serial murders, this isn't your typical crime thriller. Instead, it's a slow-burning, deeply unsettling exploration of desire, identity, misogyny, and society's obsession with how women should look, behave, and eat.

We follow Rika, a journalist determined to interview the infamous gourmet cook and convicted serial killer, Manako Kajii. Kajii is believed to have seduced lonely businessmen with her exceptional cooking before murdering them, yet she refuses to speak to any reporter. Rika, however, discovers the perfect way to break through Kajii's icy exterior—she asks for a recipe.

And that's where this wonderfully strange journey begins.

Their conversations revolve almost entirely around food. Kajii encourages Rika, whose diet mostly consists of instant noodles and convenience food, to rediscover the joy of eating properly. The very first recommendation? A simple bowl of hot rice topped with soy sauce and a generous slab of good-quality butter. It sounds ridiculously simple...until you read the description and suddenly you're standing in your own kitchen wondering if you have butter in the fridge.

The food writing is nothing short of mouthwatering. Every meal is described with such richness and intimacy that it becomes impossible not to savour every page. Food isn't just nourishment here—it's comfort, power, memory, seduction, rebellion, and even manipulation.

But beneath all those delicious meals lies something much darker.

As Rika grows closer to Kajii, she begins questioning everything she thought she knew about herself, her relationships, and the expectations society places on women. Watching her transformation was, for me, far more compelling than uncovering the truth behind the murders.

What I loved most about 'Butter' is how cleverly it disguises itself. It hooks you with the mystery, keeps you turning the pages with its irresistible food descriptions, and quietly serves up powerful commentary on misogyny, fatphobia, beauty standards, and gender roles in modern Japanese society. Every conversation feels layered with meaning, making this a book that rewards slow, thoughtful reading.

This is one of those rare novels that manages to be comforting and deeply disturbing at the same time. It's subtle, intelligent, and quietly unforgettable. If you're expecting a fast-paced crime novel, you might be surprised—but if you're looking for a character-driven story that explores the complicated relationship between food, identity, and power, *Butter* is an absolute feast.

Just one piece of advice before you start reading: make sure you've got plenty of butter in the house. You're going to need it.

408. Struck by Joss Stirling

BOOK REVIEW: Struck 

Rating: 5/5

Author: Joss Stirling

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Pages: 312

There are some books that you finish and immediately know they'll stay with you for a long time. This was one of those books for me. I picked it up this week, and by the time I turned the last page, it had earned a spot on my all-time favourites list.

Set within the ivy-covered walls of an English boarding school, the story starts with an unsettling mystery and quickly spirals into a gripping web of corruption, scandal, conspiracies, and danger. Raven Stone, an American student, begins to notice that something isn't quite right. Students are disappearing, teachers aren't telling the truth, and before long, death threats enter the picture. Needless to say, I was completely hooked.

Then there's Kieran Stone. Mysterious, brilliant, and frustratingly difficult to figure out, he's the kind of character who keeps you turning pages just to learn a little more about him. Beneath his cold and guarded exterior lies a surprisingly soft side, and watching his relationship with Raven develop was one of my favourite parts of the book. Raven is no damsel in distress either—she's strong, determined, and more than capable of holding her own, which made their dynamic feel balanced and believable.

One of the things I loved most was the storytelling itself. The multiple POVs from the two main characters gave the plot extra depth and kept me invested in both sides of the story. The author's writing style is wonderfully descriptive without feeling overwhelming, and she blends humour into even the tense moments, making the characters and their world feel incredibly real.

Honestly, I adored everything about this book, but the plot was the standout for me. Every twist pulled me deeper into the story, and I found myself constantly trying to piece together the mystery alongside the characters.

If you're a fan of young adult stories with espionage, suspense, romance, and plenty of intrigue, I can't recommend this enough. Even now, thinking about these characters gives me equal parts excitement and anxiety—and that's usually a sign of a truly memorable read. 📚✨

 

407. Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living by Linnea Dunne

BOOK REVIEW: Lagom - The Swedish Art of Balanced Living

Rating: 5/5

Author: Linnea Dunne

Publisher: Hachette UK

Pages: 160

We are all familiar with Swedish brands Ikea and H&M. The minimalist yet classy designs in both interior design and fashion caught the world by storm. But that's not all that can be said of Swedish life.

The essence of Lagom practiced by the whole of Sweden roughly translates as "not too little, not too much, just right". Lagom reaches into the basis of relationships, way of eating, childcare and much more. 

Besides that, Lagom encourages a balanced approach to life by promoting simplicity, removing biases, nurturing honesty, and supporting collective responsibility.

I found this book engaging as it is divided into chapters in which important Lagom principles are brought to life, for example reducing environmental impact, improving work-life balance and enjoying good food the Swedish way.

My most favorite part of the book was Eating Lagom where the practice of fika (short coffee breaks) throughout the day was explained. I also found the recipes interesting to try out and share with friends and family.

Overall, this book makes for a great read to understand Swedish life and actually apply it in today's hectic lifestyle for better mental and physical wellbeing. 

 

406. The Dilemmas of Working Women by Fumio Yamamoto

BOOK REVIEW: The Dilemmas of Working Women by Fumio Yamamoto

Has any male ever asked a woman what it's like to be a woman? The answer would most probably be a not really or even an outright no! If that's the case, pick this book up and read!

Published in English a quarter-century after becoming a sensation in Japan, this beloved Japanese bestseller explores the lives of five ordinary women through sharp humour and deeply moving emotional insight.

In 'Naked', Izumi has to juggle the brunt of finding a job after her divorce, a younger man who wants her attention and the difficulty of filling in the void both emotionally and career-wise.

Haruka is seemingly boasting about her fight with breast cancer in 'Planarian'. The struggle she seems to go through in this short story is the fact that no one actually understood her battle with one of the most common female ailments and the need for emotional and mental support on the side of the cancer survivor.

'Here, Which is Nowhere' focuses on Kato who, as a married lady, has to get through work in a convenience store without being sexually harassed. It also highlights the challenges of parenting (especially motherhood) when children are in their teens.

Mito needs to break up with her boyfriend or marry him in 'The Dilemmas of Working Women'. Complexity arises when the female partner is thrown the role of the breadwinner while the male partner is still dependant on parental financial support. It portrays how male immaturity and pushiness is often the problem when it comes to relationships.

Finally, in 'A Tomorrow Full of Love', Sumie just needs somewhere to live and someone to love her for who she is. Sadly, this story also depicts how women are used as sexual objects and are "paid" for it in kind, either with material goods or food. 

Now I know why books by Asian writers are highly sought after. They actually portray situations that everyday people go through and bring it life in a short yet punchy narrative. I'm definitely going to add more Asian authors on my TBR and bookshelves!

405. Manhunters by Colin Wilson

 

BOOK REVIEW: Manhunters by Colin Wilson

As most of you may have realised, my newfound interest in forensics has led me to seek further information as far as this field is concerned. Besides the murder methods used, I am duly curious on what goes on in the minds of these fellow serial killers and such. However, I wasn't prepared for the shock this book was to offer me, it was even worse than seeing a horror film!

The author opens this enlightening psychological discussion by highlighting the creation of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit in 1977, a division formed to address the numerous mysteries surrounding serial killers.

Seeking to understand the psychological motivations behind these violent acts, he interviews Robert Ressler, whose work in criminal profiling and introduction of the term “serial killer” helped shape modern criminal investigations.

By chronicling the BSU’s pioneering efforts in psychological profiling and genetic fingerprinting, the author highlights the forensic investigations that led to the apprehension of some of history’s most infamous criminals, including Jeffrey Dahmer.

Readers interested in the psychology of serial killers and the investigations that brought them to justice are unlikely to be disappointed by Manhunters.

404. Never Out of Season by Rob Dunn

BOOK REVIEW: Never Out of Season by Rob Dunn

Food scarcity is one of the major global issues that is discussed by many in the political arena as well as among common folk. One of the main reasons is the crop themselves. Wild crops were hardier, providing sustenance to early civilizations. Along the way, something went wrong and GMO foods begin to be introduced into the market. But how, when and why did these crops pop up? 

The bananas we eat today are not the same as the ones your parents grew up with. In the 1960s, dozens of banana varieties were replaced by a single standardized type, creating the familiar and consistent breakfast fruit we know today. However, this lack of diversity has made modern bananas highly vulnerable to a disease that could potentially destroy them altogether.

 That reflects the reality of modern food production: advances in science have given us a constant supply of produce. Fruits that were once seasonal now appear available year-round, while farmers selectively breed and clone the strongest and tastiest crop varieties to meet growing demand.

As a result, a smaller share of the world’s population suffers from hunger today than at any point in the past thousand years. At the same time, the standardization of our food system ensures that products like bananas, coffee, and wheat deliver the same familiar taste every time we buy them.

Our industrial food system has become highly efficient at converting sunlight, water, and nutrients into the food we eat. Yet the crops we depend on are still exposed to the forces of nature—and in the end, nature always prevails. 

Authoritative, compelling, and filled with remarkable heroes and villains from across the globe, this book tells the story of the crops humanity relies on and the scientists working tirelessly to protect biodiversity in a race to safeguard both our food supply and our future.

403. Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

BOOK REVIEW: Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

How many of you bookworms have watched Evil Dead Rise and the recent The Mummy movies? Were you pulled in by the mix of horror and body horror portrayed? If your answers were yes, this book is definitely meant to be in your hands.

This novel is a collection of stories—twenty-three unforgettable tales that range from terrifying and darkly funny to shocking and deeply unsettling. They’re narrated by individuals who responded to an ad titled “Artists’ Retreat: Abandon Your Life for Three Months.”

They’re made to believe that this place will free them from the distractions of everyday life that have been holding them back from creating the masterpiece within them. But “here” proves to be a vast, ornate old theatre where they’re completely cut off from the outside world—and where heat, electricity, and, most critically, food grow increasingly scarce.

As their situation grows more dire, so do the stories they spin—and the more cunning their schemes become to cast themselves as the hero of the inevitable play, film, or bestselling account of their ordeal.

In his afterword, the author has recounted his experiences at many public readings where individuals have fainted hearing his story. Reading it myself, I know why exactly they fainted so be truly prepared to read this - clear warning has been given.