295. The Most Haunting Ghost Stories: Europe by Yim Kang-Jae, Jung Hyun-Hee and B.K. Yeow

BOOK REVIEW: The Most Haunting Ghost Stories - Europe by Yim Kang-Jae, Jung Hyun-Hee and B.K. Yeow

I love delving into the horror genre and what can be better than reading facts and stories in graphic form. In this series, famous ghost stories, folklore and supernatural beings related to Europe are brought to life in this graphic novel.

16 comics and 13 short stories are here to spook you out of your wits in this light-hearted graphic novel. I'm going to share 3 of the most exciting stories in this book.

In Doppelgänger, the story explains that when we meet the demon that looks exactly like us, we will die. Philip saw his own doppelgänger and hid in Emil's home to avoid meeting it but the doppelgänger found its way to look for Philip.

In The True Murderer, we look at a story that involves a schizophrenic detective who murders people and doesn't realize he himself is the murderer.

For Secret of the Football Boots, Diego was a talented player of the Spain football team. He fought every game with his old football boots, which were previously owned by the late superstar Victor. Diego had a deal with the spirit of Victor, but Diego did not keep his promise, incurring the wrath of Victor's spirit.

There are several books in the World of Mysteries Series that surround different countries and its supernatural beings. Highly recommended for young readers or even adults who are into graphic novels.

294. Butter: A Rich History by Elaine Khosrova

 

BOOK REVIEW: Butter - A Rich History by Elaine Khosrova

The smell of butter as it heats in a pan is enough to awake the dormant senses and make stomachs growl. Buttery baked goods put a smile on any individual's face. With butter being an integral part of cooking, why not know more about this delectable ingredient through this comprehensive book?

After travelling across 3 continents to stalk the modern story of butter, this award-winning food writer and former pastry chef serves up a story as rich, textured and culturally relevant as butter itself.

From its humble agrarian origins to its present-day artisanal glory, butter has a fascinating story to tell. With tales about the ancient butter bogs of Ireland, the pleasure dairies of France and the sacred butter sculptures of Tibet, the author details butter's role in history, politics, economics, nutrition, and even spirituality and art.

Readers will also find the essential collection of core butter recipes, including beurre manié, croissants, pâte brisée and the only buttercream frosting anyone will ever need, as well as practical  how-tos for making various types of butter at home-or shopping for the best.

This book will make an ideal gift for a foodie in the family or even that hardcore food enthusiast who has been your friend since forever. Wonderful read which left me spellbound about butter.

293. Classic Tales of Detection & Adventure by Edgar Allan Poe

BOOK REVIEW: Classic Tales of Detection & Adventure by Edgar Allan Poe

When the name of Edgar Allan Poe comes to mind, his stories of the macabre and horror pounce to the forefront. However, he has also written stories that closely resemble today's detective stories as well as stories of discovery and adventure that will occur only in our wildest dreams.

This book consists of Edgar's 5 best stories of detection and adventure and will hold lovers of classics in their grip.

Originally published in Graham's Magazine in 1841, The Murders in the Rue Morgue is considered to be the first classic tale of detection that gave birth to the genre of crime fiction which we know and love today.

It introduced the sleuth C. Auguste Dupin and this "locked room" puzzle was followed by 2 more adventures for Monsieur Dupin: The Mystery of Marie Rôget and The Purloined Letter.

In addition, readers can enjoy an early Poe detective story, Thou Art the Man!, which seeks to uncover the murderer of the wealthy Barnabas Shuttleworthy, and The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall, the tale of his adventure to reach the moon in a revolutionary new balloon!

I personally enjoyed this book as it portrayed another side of Edgar's writing style, the bright side opposing the dark. I would like to recommend this highly as a compilation of classics to be appreciated.

 

292. The Malaysian Book of the Undead by Danny Lim

BOOK REVIEW: The Malaysian Book of the Undead by Danny Lim

Asians are really superstitious and Malaysians are not an exception. We believe in the supernatural and all those which go bump-in-the-night. The author has compiled most of Malaysia's otherworldly occupants in this book.

This book is a compendium of multicultural ghosts, spirits and emanations. Discover their origins, characteristics and whenever possible, how to make sure they stay away from you. 

This chatty and occasionally ironic guide is sure to come in handy each time you hear something go bump, or even "kak-kak-kak-kak-kak", in the night.

Some lively illustrations will make readers' minds race in horror, conjuring up none too pleasant a scene. Watch out for them as they stealthily creep to you in the dark.

291. Rosa and the Veil of Gold by Kim Wilkins

BOOK REVIEW: Rosa and the Veil of Gold by Kim Wilkins

Fairytales used to be the realm of children. Tales of mystery and deceit and magic cleverly woven to not scare them into oblivion. It's wonderful to read a book that is so magical that I have started believing in fairytales myself (adult version of course). This novel based in Russia is priceless.

Beyond this world, behind the veil of history, lies the Kingdom of the Rus, the land where all the magic fled. Rosa Kovalenka is wild and beautiful and broken; when she returned to Russia, her homeland, she left behind her lover Daniel, and part of herself. 

She is trying to rebuild her life when she finds a golden bear, hidden in a bathhouse wall, and her inherited Second Sight recognises the sudden lash of power as something otherworldly, something dangerous. Released from the protection of the bathhouse, the golden bear starts to recall the magic that once raged through the land of the Rus.

Daniel, all unwitting, has been caught up in the golden bear's magic, and to save him, Rosa, trapped herself in a shadowy tangle of grief and desire, must draw on her own untried powers to rescue her lover and mend the Veil between the worlds. 

Breathtakingly written, the story revolves around the Russian folklore of old. So intriguing was it that I was sucked deep into the storyline, chasing the Snow Witch. 

290. Calm: Secrets to Serenity from the Cultures of the World by Lonely Planet

BOOK REVIEW: Calm - Secrets to Serenity from the Cultures of the World by Lonely Planet

Being human, we have always sought a moment of peace and solitude. Morning rush hour and constant work deadlines have left us yearning for a spot of calm. However, we are left clueless as to how to acheive a state of mindful peace surrounded by a cacophony of sound.

In this pocket edition of Lonely Planet, you can read on how to get a slice of calm in your daily life from the diverse world cultures that we are lucky to have.

Learn to laugh down your fears at Halloween  step outside yourself at a Venetian masquerade ball or access theta brain waves with Malian drumming. Draw upon these and other calming cultural secrets from around the world.

This book does fit into your pocket, so if you are ever lost in the modern jungle and are seeking ways to bring down your stress levels, be sure to whip out this gem and pick out a slice of serenity to apply on the spot.

289. Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Laura Levine, Joanne Fluke and Leslie Miller

BOOK REVIEW: Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine and Leslie Meier

Christmas is the time of year where festivities abound and joy spills over the thresholds of the home. The story of Santa on his reindeer-led sleigh never fails to put a smile on our faces. But stories of Christmas need not be the boring ones with this book, femme fatales taking centre stage as they solve murders during the festive season.

Consisting of 3 stories in a book, murder will make its own special delivery, thrilling the socks off readers as you delve into the stories with a hot mug of cocoa.

In "Gingerbread Cookie Murder" by Joanne Fluke, when Hannah Swensen finds her neighbour Ernie Kusak with his head bashed in and sprawled on the floor of his condo next to an upended box of Hannah's Gingerbread Cookies, she discovers a flurry of murder suspects that's as long as her holiday shopping list.

In "The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies" by Laura Levine, Jaine Austen has been enlisted to help with her parents' retirement community's play The Gingerbread Cookie That Saves Christmas. Playboy Dr. Preston McCay is playing the role of the gingerbread cookie when he "accidentally" falls to his death during the final act. 

In "Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots" by Leslie Meier, when Lucy Stone discovers the body of Rick Juergens, whose 5-year-old son Nemo disappeared, she senses foul play. Crumbs from a gingerbread cookie Lucy gave to Nemo are found in the back seat of Rick's car. With the hours quickly ticking till Christmas, Lucy races against the clock to find a killer before he strikes again.

This book brought a sprinkling of laughter and Christmas spirit coupled with a healthy dose of intriguing mysteries that would undoubtedly make the holidays shine a tad brighter. 

288. Handbook of Chocolate by Tobias Pehle & Yara Hackstein

BOOK REVIEW: Handbook of Chocolate by Tobias Pehle & Yara Hackstein

Chocolate is a woman's best friend. We drown in them when we are in distress and indulge in them when we are on cloud nine. But have you ever given a thought to how this decadent treat originated or what's it made from? This compact and precise book will let you know all you need about chocolate.

This book will elaborate on cocoa, the raw material much needed in the production of chocolate and cocoa-based products. Different kinds of beans are put forward, like the Forastero and Criollo varieties along with its different flavour nuances. 

Couverture, cooking chocolate and chocolate gradings are explained in a chapter on specialist terms. It was pretty surprising to find out how milk chocolate is a far cry from 70% dark chocolate in terms of contents and flavour.

The further chapters will directly tag your inner chocolate hunter to head to your nearest store for a bite of this divine goodness. You will get to know more about drinking chocolate, eating chocolate, chocolate candies, chocolate in the kitchen (think cheeses and meats with chocolate fondue, even chocolate noodles stir fried with prawns!) and even the proper method of enjoying chocolate. 

You will understand better the correct method of storing chocolate, what drinks best accompany these confections and best of all, how to pick out the best from the commercial varieties.

I was truly sucked into this awesome book which I purchased pre-loved from Facebook. If you are a chocolate aficionado or some of your friends and family are, this book is an absolute pick-me-up.

287. Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami

BOOK REVIEW: Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami

If you are looking for a Japanese version of E.L. James' Fifty Shades of Grey with a heaping spoonful of Stephen King's horror (also Japanese-inspired), you are reading the correct novel that has enthralled millions of readers around the globe. 

Being a translated novel, it has none of the mock-ups in sentence structure that curses most any works of translation.

When a portrait painter is abandoned by his wife, he secludes himself in the mountain home of a world-famous artist. One day, the young painter hears a noise from the attic, and upon investigation, he discovers a previously unseen painting.

By unearthing this hidden work of art, he unintentionally open a circle of mysterious circumstances; and to close it, he must undertake a perilous journey into a netherworld that only the author could conjure.

This book is a tour de force of love and loneliness, war and art from one of our greatest writers. This book has a love-hate relationship among fellow readers, both for its almost obscene love scenes as well as the abundant use of metaphors and figures of speech.

If you want to have a sharp breath of air in your reading spectrum, this book will be a welcome addition in your bookshelves.

 

286. Riverrun: A Novel by Danton Remoto

BOOK REVIEW: Riverrun - A Novel by Danton Remoto (courtesy of Times Reads)

In Asia, being an individual under the LGBT community is thoroughly frowned upon with heavy penalties imposed on those for "deviant behavior". However, nobody is born an LGBT and nobody charts this path in life on purpose. Hardships, heartbreaks and other negative influences could influence the choice made. Danton Remoto has woven a novel that reads like a biography, creating a scene that is both tear-jerking yet beautiful at the same time.

This is a novel that talks about the rite of passage in the life of a young gay man who grew up in a colorful and chaotic dictatorship. Shaped in the form of a memoir, it glides from childhood to young adulthood, from provincial barrio to cosmopolitan London.

Its chapters are written like flash fiction, talk stories and vignettes; interlaced with recipes, a feature article, poems and vivid songs. This book marks the global debut of 'one of Asia's best writers'.

Issues of political dictatorship in the Philippines, situation of the hardcore poor, the real scene in Manila versus the slums as well as Filipino food is described in detail throughout this short yet concise novel. Some recipes are even provided to try at home like Laing (taro leaves simmered in coconut milk).

Metaphors sprinkled throughout the book lend a sense of nostalgia to the novel, entrancing readers to share the character's feelings and surroundings. I loved this book written by the Professor of Creative Writing and Head of School, English, at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. This book makes for an addition to your TBR list. Wonderful, charming and utterly nostalgic, Riverrun will tug at your heartstrings.

285. Foreign Body by Robin Cook

BOOK REVIEW: Foreign Body by Robin Cook

Since reading on autopsy, I have been piqued by diabolical crimes that are revealed by the medical examiners. Medical crimes have been rampant for quite some time. Angels of death are cases in which medical personnel murder their own patients through poisoning or other methods which are intrinsic, identification of the crime only able to be done through an autopsy.

This book delves further into the issue of succinylcholine poisoning such as in the famous Coppolino case years back in the States. The storyline will leave you on the edge of your seat till the last page. 

Jennifer Hernandez is a fourth-year medical student at UCLA, just beginning an elective in general surgery, whose world is shattered during a break in an otherwise ordinary day. While relaxing in the surgical lounge of L.A.'s Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, she half listens to a TV segment on medical tourism: first-world citizens travelling to third-world countries for surgery.

But when she hears her beloved grandmother's name mentioned, Jennifer's heart nearly stops: the CNN reporter says that Maria Hernandez has died, a day after undergoing a hip replacement in New Delhi's Queen Victoria Hospital.

Maria had raised Jennifer and her brothers from infancy, and the bond between grandmother and granddaughter was unbreakable. Still, the news that Maria travelled to India is a shock to Jennifer, until she realizes that it was the only viable option for the hardworking yet uninsured woman.

Devastated, and desperate for answers, Jennifer takes emergency leave from school and heads to India, where relations with local officials go from sympathetic to sour as she pushes for more information. 

With revelations of other unexplained deaths compounded by pressure from Indian hospital officials for hasty cremations, Jennifer reaches out to her mentor, New York City medical examiner Dr. Laurie Montgomery, who has her own deep connection to Maria.

Laurie, along with her husband, Dr. Jack Stapleton, rushes to the younger woman's side, and discovers a sophisticated medical facility with little margin for error. As the death count grows, so do the questions, leading Laurie and Jennifer to unveil a sinister, multilayered conspiracy of global proportions.

I have only recently riveted by murder mysteries and thrillers. This novel certainly has made me dig in my heels deeper to continue these genres with a thirst.

284. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Planet Eccentric!

BOOK REVIEW: Ripley's Believe It or Not! Planet Eccentric!

When I was a kid, I used to watch Ripley's Believe It or Not on television. The shows used to hold me enthralled in its grasp. Death-defying feats, animal intelligence and physical traits were just some of the oddities that this famous show revealed in all its glory.

Since then, a number of books have been released with even more updated oddities that will leave you bug-eyed wondering if its even possible. In Planet Eccentric, the book has been divided into chapters, for example a chapter based on food-centred activities. 

All the facts and snippets contain precise dates that lets you trace back to where and when it was discovered. Black-and-white as well as coloured photographs serve to enhance the reading experience by letting you literally peek into the lives of human's and nature's most weird turnouts.

This book is suitable for teen readers and even adults as it serves to enlighten and entertain at the same time. Somewhat like the Guinness Book of World Records, Ripley's is its cousin that focuses entirely on the weird and wonderful. 

283. Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

BOOK REVIEW: Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

I love Jodi Picoult's novels as her story line touches on current issues that are debated throughout the world. Some of her novels narrate a gripping story line revolving around abortion rights, assisted suicide and even school shootings. In this novel, she has managed to write a heart-wrenching yet beautiful novel on LGBT rights.

In the aftermath of a series of personal tragedies, Zoe throws herself into her career as  music therapist. When an unexpected friendship slowly blossoms into love, she makes plans for a new life, but to her shock and inevitable rage, some people - even those she loves and trusts most - don't want that to happen.

This novel follows the story of Zoe, Vanessa and Max. After almost a decade of marriage and unsuccessful attempts to conceive with the aid of fertility treatments, Zoe and Max Baxter divorce and begin building their own separate lives. Max finds himself staring at the bottom of a bottle, until he finds salvation in the conservative Eternal Glory Church after a near fatal, alcohol-induced car accident.

Meanwhile, Zoe befriends Vanessa and their friendship ultimately blossoms into love. Soon after marrying, the two decide to try for a baby using the 3 remaining embryos from Zoe and Max's fertility treatments - a decision that brings Max and his new Christian community crashing into their lives. An emotionally draining court trial for custody of the embryos ensues, testing the limits of faith, love, and the definition of family.

This book was a true tear-jerker to see how the LGBT community just want to fit in by having families of their own. These people don't pray to become that way and ultimately they are humans too. Reading this has taught me to look at this community with a different form of respect and concern. Being different doesn't always mean being alienated. Wonderful read and a book I truly would love my friends and family to read. 

282. Visual Vegetables: Appetizing Images and Recipes for Cooks by Susan Simon

BOOK REVIEW: Visual Vegetables - Appetizing Images and Recipes for Cooks by Susan Simon

Recently I have been quite attracted by books that come along with quirky and cute illustrations. They seem to have a charm all on their own, besides the evocative written contexts within. This beautiful book is definitely a charm to read and have, each page brought to life with thoughtful brushstrokes and handwritten recipes.

This delightfully eccentric book is the perfect gift for cooks. The author has written recipes for not only vegetables but also pasta, rice, fish, fruit and more from different parts of her travels.

And her recipes are more than just recipes; each is vibrantly illustrated and accompanied by a story about life and entertaining and what food can - and should - be. The author has written and illustrated a book that is meant to be enjoyed.

Read it. Cook from it. Let the drawings, stories and recipes, inspire you to further invention. But most of all, share it. I'm not really sure if this is available in higher end bookstores as I personally have not seen this book. Even this copy was purchased pre-loved from Facebook. But it was worth the money I spent on this beauty in my ever-expanding collection. 

281. From a Buick 8 by Stephen King

BOOK REVIEW: From a Buick 8 by Stephen King

We may have come across stories of bewitched cars, possessed by the spirits of previous owners, possessing lives of their own. Never have we ever stumbled upon a car from another realm that gave birth to alien monstrosities and sucked those gullible enough to step closer to its chrome fenders. Stephen King has spun a tale of macabre intensity that will leave you gripping the edges of your seat. 

There is a secret hidden in Shed B in the state police barracks in Statler, Pennsylvania. A secret that has drawn troopers for years to look at its chrome fenders, silver grille and exotic exhaust system. Come close, children, and see the living crocodile: a vintage '54 Buick Roadmaster.

Young Ned Wilcox has started coming by the barracks, mowing the lawn, washing the windows, shovelling snow; it's the boy's way of holding on to his father's memory.

And one day, Ned peers through the windows of Shed B and discovers the family secret. Like his father, Ned wants answers. He deserves answers. And the secret begins to stir...

Wonderfully riveting till the end, this book never fails to deliver a punch in each of its pages, the art of horror that Stephen King has mastered and crafted to perfection for readers worldwide. I highly recommend this book for those who thought cars were lifeless shells, well, think again.....

280. Nina Garcia's Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion by Nina Garcia and Ruben Toledo

BOOK REVIEW: Nina Garcia's Look Book - What to Wear for Every Occasion by Nina Garcia and Ruben Toledo

Dressing up is every girl's biggest nightmare. Nobody wants to appear in public in shambles or make an appearance at a party screaming "hooker". So just how do we know what to wear during those times? Pick up this book and let your fashion faux pas be a thing of the past.

Every woman, at one time or another, has contemplated an all-important job interview, first date, formal party, or important presentation and wailed to herself and to her closest girlfriends, "What should I wear?". 

In this book, the author solves this universal quandary with an inspired and unbeatable combination of fashion knowledge and common sense. 

She shows us the pieces, the accessories and the strategies to create the looks that will take us from the first day on a job through the day we ask for a raise and beyond, from the first time we meet our boyfriend's parents through the day we see our own children walk down the aisle.

With this book by your side, you can't go wrong. You'll have all the tips you will need to navigate every day looking your best.

Besides fashion tips, Nina also provides useful hints on how to feel in the inside as well as facts and trivia on cultural norms and beautiful places. A definite beauty and lifestyle guide for every woman who lives to shine.

279. The Doll Collection by Various Authors

BOOK REVIEW: The Doll Collection by Various Authors

If the book cover gave you the creeps, the stories will give you goosebumps that will never go down no matter how much you rub. If you thought haunted dolls were the mainstream of doll horror, this book is foing to change your thoughts.

This anthology is designed to frighten and delight, featuring all-original dark tales of dolls compiled by one of the top editors in the field, a treasured toy box of stories about dolls of all types, including everything from puppets and poppets to mannequins and baby dolls.

Master anthologist Ellen Datlow has assembled a list of beautiful and terrifying stories from bestselling and critically acclaimed authors.

Featuring everything from life-sized clockwork dolls to all-too-human Betsy Wetsy-type baby dolls, these stories play into the true creepiness of the doll trope, but avoid the clichés that often show up in stories of this type.

The collection is illustrated with photographs of dolls taken by Datlow and other devoted doll collectors from the science fiction and fantasy field. The result is a star-studded collection exploring one of the most primal fears of readers of dark fiction everywhere, and one that every reader will want to add to their own collection.

It left me shivering thinking of days when I used to own dolls, glassy soulless (really?) eyes staring back at me. I think my nightmares will be more vivid from now on.

278. The Romance of Salt by Anil Dharker

BOOK REVIEW: The Romance of Salt by Anil Dharker

Food is barely palatable without the addition of salt. Certain chemical reactions require salt for them to take place. So how does salt form and where does it come from? What's the history of salt? These and many more will be answered in this book written by Anil Dharker.

Salt is another four-letter word for life. We take it for granted, dismiss it as a mere flavor-enhancer, but without it, we couldn't exist. In many cultures, they believe churning of the salty sea gave birth to the world. 

This book takes you on a fascinating journey through history featuring this magical substance. You will never look at a salt shaker in the same way again.

However, I was mildly disappointed that almost 3/4 of the book revolves around the story of salt in India with a focus on how Tata Company introduced salt and its CSR activities. Part 1 of the book was also purely on the Salt March of Dandi led by Gandhi. I do get the significance but it was bordering on an almost biographical relation to Gandhi rather than salt. I strongly believe that if the book's focus was on relating salt in a general context to provide readers facts on it, then it should have been written. 

The subject of Tata Company and Gandhi could have been two separate books in my opinion. The rest of the facts were just skimmed by on the surface leaving me hankering for more facts on the crystalline substance we call salt. 

However, it is a good read if you want to know something on salt or if you were curious on what the Salt March of Dandi was. Happy Reading!

277. Forever by Judy Blume

BOOK REVIEW: Forever by Judy Blume

Sex education is one of the leading forms of education in the US, due to the high exposure of teens to the bodily world as well as faster puberty rates. This novel by Judy Blume talks of sex in a manner acceptable by teens.

Katherine and Michael meet at a party. The attraction is instant and pretty soon they're going out and making out. 

Katherine is a virgin, but as their relationship grows deeper and more intense they both want more. This is love, and love is forever - right?

But love isn't simple - and when Katherine's parents make them spend the summer apart, forever begins to feel like an awfully long time...

This is a book on first love, first sex and first heartbreak. But it's not porn or close to it. It's a teen lifebuoy to real life: teenage angst, friendship, teen pregnancy and other teen issues faced today. Written simple for better understanding, it's a book to read if you are on the loveboat in your teen years.

276. Autopsy: The Memoirs of the World's Grestest Medical Detective by Milton Helpern M.D., Bernard Knight M. D. and Professor Keith Simpson M. D.

BOOK REVIEW: Autopsy - The Memoirs of the World's Greatest Medical Detective by Milton Helpern M.D.,Bernard Knight M.D. and Professor Keith Simpson M.D.

Autopsy is a gruesome and heart-wrenching profession. It is not for the faint-hearted, with facing corpses of all types: murders, rape and the macabre. Medico-legal field could not have been more interesting after reading this book.

Acknowledged by his peers as the greatest criminal pathologist of our time, Milton Helpern's long and successful career makes riveting reading.

Much of his working life was spent dissecting the tragic remains and analysing the ghoulish outcome of violent death. In court his brilliantly presented forensic evidence could sway many an undecided juror.

The tiniest detail, whether extracted from a blood-spattered pillow or taken from a decomposed corpse, proved the innocence of some - and sent many more to their own untimely death.

With around 6 pages of black and white photographs related to the medico-legal faction, this makes for an immersive read. It really makes me wish I had been a forensic scientist, with all the action in the gruesome details.

275. Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody

BOOK REVIEW: Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody by Michael Gerber

WARNING: If you are a major Harry Potter fan, a devotee of J. K. Rowling, and can't take a hit at the world-famous series, please do not pick up this book. I repeat DO NOT PICK UP THIS BOOK!! A parody and humorous poke at Harry Potter-dom, this book is going to elicit a load of laughs from those not too sensitive.

The Hogwash School for Wizards is the most famous school in the wizarding world and Barry Trotter is its most famous pupil. It's been that way ever since J. G. Rollins' Barry Trotter and the Philosopher's Scone (released in the USA as Barry Trotter and the Magic Biscuit) broke publishing records worldwide.

So important has Barry become to the school's reputation - not to say finances - that it has been agreed that he can stay at Hogwash for as long as he likes. Barry Trotter is 22.

Life is good for the perpetual student. He doesn't have to do any work and the wizard pipe he bought in London's Catty Corner leads him the air of mystery and maturity required to impress girls (well, Muddle girls...well, stupid ones).

But now disaster looms. The movie Barry Trotter and the Inevitable Attempt to Cash-in has gone into final production and the marketing machine at Wagner Bros. is going into overdrive. Hogwash is going to be submerged under a tide of souvenir-crazed Muddle fans, torn apart and sold on eBuy, stone by mossy stone.

The movie must be stopped. Barry, Ermine Cringer and Lon Measly must find a way to defeat the most powerful force of grasping sleazoids the world has ever known: Hollywood.

I personally found this book a light set of laughs, without taking the references to the original Harry Potter to heart. Do give this book a read if you are able to stomach laughs on the magic world's favourite hero.

274. Tucked In by Meredith Gaston

BOOK REVIEW: Tucked In by Meredith Gaston

Quirky illustrations, pastel colours and soft drawings are mainstays as far as attractive books go. I was pulled by this book's charm just by looking at the front cover. Being all about the art of sleeping and all things bed and comfort-related, its no wonder that the book has to warm the cockles of one's heart.

Bed needn't be a place just for sleeping. Whether you are young or old, nimble or wobbly, tucked into bed on the doctor's orders or on your very own whim, you can use your time in bed to explore your creativity and heal your soul.

The author, who is an artist and passionate lover of all things bed, encourages us to discover that our tucked-in time can be as creative as it is restorative, enriching our days and bringing joy to our lives.

We learn how to analyse our dreams and find out what our sleeping positions reveal about our personalities, as well as creating our own tucked-in haiku poetry, comfort foods and dream catchers.

Simply snuggle back, relax, and be guided through a world of tea cup cosies, shadow puppets, favourite bed socks and eclectic sleepy facts. 

The perfect gift for the bedbound or balm for the world-weary, this book is sure to uplift, soothe and inspire. Even throughout the book, the author's drawings are sure to put a smile on your face. I'm sure you'll love this book as much as I did.

273. A Map of Days: The Fourth Novel of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

BOOK REVIEW: A Map of Days - The Fourth Novel of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Recently I have been reading plenty of fantasy books that have bent the norms and given me a tornado of thoughts. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is one of those series that will leave you spellbound in no time. This fourth book in the installment is no different.

Having defeated the monstrous threat that nearly destroyed the peculiar world, Jacob Portman is back where his story began, in Florida. Except now Miss Peregrine, Emma and their peculiar friends are with him, and doing their best to blend in.

But carefree days of beach visits and normalling lessons are soon interrupted by a discovery - a subterranean bunker that belonged to Jacob's grandfather, Abe.

Clues to Abe's double life as a peculiar operative start to emerge, and Jacob begins to learn about the dangerous legacy he has inherited - truths that were part of him long before he walked into Miss Peregrine's time loop.

Now the stakes are higher than ever as Jacob and his friends are thrust into the untamed landscape of an American peculiardom - a world with a few ymbrynes, or rules - that none of them yet understand.

Their story is again illustrated throughout by haunting vintage photographs, but with a striking addition for this new adventure - full colour.

Wonderfully absorbing, I found this YA very much ahead of its generation. It's no wonder this series is such a sought-after addition to any reader's shelves. Keep reading and enjoy the wonderful world of fantasy and the escape it gives.

272. Horror! The Definitive Companion to the Most Terrifying Movies Ever Made by Kim Newman & James Marriott

BOOK REVIEW: Horror! The Definitive Companion to the Most Terrifying Movies Ever Made by Kim Newman & James Marriott

Where there's good, there's evil. Horror is a bittersweet genre for most. Some adore it while others loath the mere mention of the macabre. Personally I'm in love with all things horror since the first day I got a taste of fear. 

Horror is the most exciting genre in cinema and this book is just what you need to explore the best scary movies ever made. Written by celebrated horror critics and a team of expert writers, this book contains in-depth profiles of over 340 movies from a century of terrifying cinema.

All types of horror film are covered, from creepy black-and-white classics (Nosferatu and Psycho) and jump-out-of-your-skin blockbusters (The Exorcist and Hellraiser) to splatterfests and slashers (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Saw). 

Horror! also looks at lesser-known sub-genres and movies, including Asian horror, comic horror, fantasy and more.

This book contains everything you need for your next horror evening's entertainment, whether you are a serious movie buff who wants to explore the deepest caverns of scary celluloid depravity or someone who would like to know a little more about one of the world's oldest storytelling genres.

Critically acclaimed and illustrated throughout with over 250 photographs, this book is a definitive guide to the dark side of cinema. 

Switch of the lights and get ready for a horror movie marathon that's going to leave you groaning and shambling like the living dead!

271. The Land of Stories: An Author's Odyssey (Book 5) by Chris Colfer

BOOK REVIEW: The Land of Stories - An Author's Odyssey (Book 5) by Chris Colfer

If you ever thought fairy tales were meant for the tots, you will have to seriously rethink after reading this book. Familiar characters from beloved fairytales are given a fresh perspective with kick-ass attitudes and profiles you would never have imagined. 

Besides fairytales been given a spell of renewal, readers will be tossed into a world where stories on pages come alive, where characters conjured by the protagonists in this story on paper, come to life in a swashbuckling adventure like never before.

The Masked Man has captured all the royal families from the Land of Stories with the help of of his army of literature's greatest villains (think the Wicked Witch of the West, Captain Hook and the Queen of Hearts). 

Alex and Conner know they are no match against the Masked Man's legion of villains, but they realize they may be in possession of the greatest weapon of all: their imaginations!

So begins the twins' journey into Conner's very own stories to gather an army for the ultimate fight against the Masked Man. Meanwhile, an even more dangerous plan is brewing - one that could change the fates of the fairy-tale world and the Otherworld forever....

I totally fell in love with this book which I picked up in an MPH sale for its beautifully illustrated cover. The story within held an even more prominent beauty than the cover and had me captivated. It truly makes me want to devour the rest of the books in this series to relish the story within a story. 5 stars for this incredible author!

270. The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction by Neil Gaiman

BOOK REVIEW: The View from the Cheap Seats - Selected Nonfiction by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is a prolific writer and most of you would be acquainted to his bestselling book, Coraline. However, this book is not a novel set in a fantastical world or even in the slightest bit related to the imaginative. This evocative selection by the author is a glimpse through the what he holds dear to him.

This is a fascinating collection of nonfiction pieces on myriad topics which are probing, amusing and distinctive in style.

Analytical yet playful, erudite yet accessible, these essays explore a broad range of interests and topics, including (but not limited to): authors past and present; music; storytelling and so much more.

It is a motley bunch of speeches and articles, introductions and essays. Some of them are serious and some of them are frivolous and some of them are earnest and some of them he wrote to try and make people listen.

Illuminating and incisive, this book explores some of the issues, subjects and people that matter most to the author - and offers a unique glimpse into the mind of one of the most beloved and influential writers of our time.

This gem of a book truly made me feel as if I was looking through a keyhole at the wonders that lay just beyond reach in the mind and lives of writers. I was also able to grasp the concept of writing and pursuing our passion in the way that only we can do it. A wonderful read that I personally would give my fullest praises, do grab a copy and relish what's written within.

269. The Shining by Stephen King (MCO book #15)

BOOK REVIEW: The Shining by Stephen King

I am a huge fan of Stephen King since my teen years. Horror has been a huge part of my life, be it horror movies or scary stories. But Stephen King truly made me afraid of the dark with his macabre storytelling and unexpected twists where the darkest energies lurk around the corners. 

This book is not an exception and gave me a good fright. I even got the jitters when I saw my dress hanging from the door in the dark! What does the Master of Horror have in store for us this time?

Jack Torrance's new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he'll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing.

 But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels even more remote...and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old. 

The morbid descriptions of blood, gore and pure supernatural scares will set your heart thumping out of your chest. The second book entitled 'Dr. Sleep' has been turned into a movie adaptation but I haven't watched it yet as book isn't read. What you waiting for? During this MCO, stay at home, turn off the lights and let's get scared out of our wits!

268. The Opium War by Brian Inglis (MCO book #14)

BOOK REVIEW: The Opium War by Brian Inglis

Thank god the MCO is going to end. But I guess the effects were not felt as strongly being surrounded by books and all. So let's delve into this book shall we?

Drugs are a malevolent force to contend with and generation after generation people have been trying to combat this ever-growing problem. Opiates aka opium are being used in the medical field. However, it has been misused time and againg by junkies. So how did all this start?

In 1839, trade was the stalwart of the British empire. When Britain sent troops to compel the Chinese to accept imports of opium, they opened one of the most disgraceful chapters in the history of the Empire. 

How did the situation arise? How did opium exports become so crucial to the British economy? How did the British come to be as addicted to opium revenue as the Chinese were?

Shocking but fascinating throughout, this book gives the answers to these and more in thia meticulously researched study. Its one of those hard reads where you have to be truly focused in order to soak in the facts. You won't be left dissapointed. Stay home, stay safe!

267. The Muse by Jessie Burton (MCO book #13)

BOOK REVIEW: The Muse by Jessie Burton

Great..the MCO has been extended till June..what better way to stave off the stay-at-home blues than to read an immersive book. By immersive I mean a bundle of energy that surpasses many of the novels I have read this year.

The saying a picture hides a thousand words has never been more true once you read this book written by bestselling author Jessie Burton. 

On a hot July day in 1967, Odelle Bastien climbs the stone steps of the Skelton gallery in London, ready for her luck to change. She has been employed as a typist by the glamorous and enigmatic Marjorie Quick, who unlocks a potential Odelle didn't realize she had.

When a lost masterpiece arrives at the gallery, Quick seems to know more than she is prepared to reveal and Odelle is determined to unravel the truth.

The painting's secret history lies in 1936 and a large house in rural Spain, where Olive Schloss, the daughter of a renowned art dealer, is harbouring ambitions of her own. 

Into this fragile paradise come two strangers, who overturn the Schloss family with explosive and devastating consequences.

A story set in warring Spain, it spins a world of love, romance, betrayal, trust and care as each character collides in two different times brought together by a single painting. The storyline was complex but certainly not confusing, with elements that leave you on the edge of a cliff. 

Highly recommended by myself for a read that combines all the nuances of a good novel. Stay home and stay safe to flatten the curve. Don't forget to read!

266. Food Cures: Breakthrough Nutritional Prescriptions for Everything from Colds to Cancer (MCO book #12)

BOOK REVIEW: Food Cures - Breakthrough Nutritional Prescriptions for Everything from Colds to Cancer by Marianne Wait

Let's face the facts. Although clinics and medical establishments are open during this MCO period, travelling out is more of a hassle than ever. How about if cures can be found around the house for easy relief? This book maybe your best bet. 

The concept of food as medicine is thousands of years old, and this book is packed with hundreds of practical hints and tips to treat the most common ailments naturally, safely and deliciously. 

Based on hundreds of studies and backed by a prestigious panel of experts, this science-based nutrition handbook brings healing right to your plate. Forget about wonder drugs - we're living in a time of wonder foods.

Inside, you'll discover mind-blowing issues such as the truth about the most common food myths and misconceptions as well as food cures from common conditions, from acne to yeast infections.

Health has always been on our plate but in the modern day, it's masked with additives and richness that modifies cures into diseases. Let us go back to the roots of our food and eat healthy to stay healthy. Stay safe at home and flatten the curve during this COVID-19 period!

265. Magic Foods: Live Longer, Supercharge your Energy, Lose Weight, and Stop Cravings by Robert A. Barnard, Christine L. Pelkman and Densie Webb (MCO book #11)

BOOK REVIEW: Magic Foods - Live Longer, Supercharge your Energy, Lose Weight, and Stop Cravings by Robert A. Barnard, Christine L. Pelkman and Densie Webb

With the depressing MCO period, many of us would have given in to food as a source of comfort. Stop right there! Eating can definitely be comforting and healthy at the same time. This book by the Reader's Digest group is bound to get you on a healthier track in no time.

Based on the latest nutrition science but designed for regular folks, this book gives readers 57 foods that will help you shed excess pounds, lower your blood sugar, and help prevent diabetes.

You won't have to look up numbers before you choose a food. Inside you'll discover recipes, meal plans and tips to make every meal work for you, with dishes like Moroccan Spiced Carrots and Cherry-Raspberry Crumble.

Hopefully this book is able to give you a health boost if not a mood boost during these troubled times. Stay healthy and flatten the curve!

264. Creatures of Near Kingdoms by Zedeck Siew and Sharon Chin (MCO book #10)

BOOK REVIEW: Creatures of Near Kingdoms by Zedeck Siew and Sharon Chin

Are you a Harry Potter fan? Adored the branch-off of Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them? Here is a Malaysian version with some true facts interspersed in each of the fantastical flora and fauna depicted.

The prose of this book is eveocative, and its rich descriptions leave a lingering presence long after reading. The linoprint and pattern illustrations will definitely pull you in to be appreciated time and again. 

Malaysian folklore and iconographies are brought to life - exquisitely rendered, making references to woodcut, shadow play and the like. It is playfully entertaining, a wonderful blend of form and context.

This is one locally written book that shines bright among Malaysia's many works of literature. Highly recommended by me for an exquisite read, use this MCO period to consume this book in heart and mind. Flatten the curve and stay safe at home!

263. Eating for Beginners: An Education in the Pleasures of Food from Chefs, Farmers and One Picky Kid by Melanie Rehak (MCO book #9)

BOOK REVIEW: Eating for Beginners - An Education in the Pleasures of Food from Chefs, Farmers and One Picky Kid by Melanie Rehak

During this MCO period, families are subjected to home-cooked meals. Troubles abound when the younger generation start craving for certain foods or become plain picky. 

Now is the time for children and adults alike to be educated in the joys of eating by understanding where produce comes from and the lives behind them.

The author always loved cooking, eating and sharing food with loved ones. Like many of us, she read Michael Pollan and Wendell Berry and made an effort to buy organic and local foods.

But upon the birth of her son, Jules, she was suddenly responsible for feeding someone else, and she wanted to know more.

This book details a year of discovering what it means to be an eater and a parent in today's complicated world. 

The author harvested potatoes, milked goats, sorted beans, and worked in the kitchen of a small restaurant; she learned what to eat and why, that even the most dedicated organic farmers sometimes serve their children frozen chicken fingers, and that we really can make peace with our food.

The author's writing style is story-like, entwining her personal experiences as a mother of a picky eater with the roots of food unearthed. The next time you are out for groceries, spend a moment to thank those behind the scenes. Stay at home and stay safe from the COVID-19 pandemic!

262. The Three Miss Margarets by Louise Shaffer (MCO book #8)

BOOK REVIEW: The Three Miss Margarets by Louise Shaffer

Racial discrimination has been around for a long time and is very much evident abroad. Those who are fair-skinned have brushed the darker-skinned on many a negative side. This novel depicts how whites discrimination on blacks caused the lives of the characters to veer of course in ways they never imagined.

For as long as anyone can remember, the three Miss Margarets - Li'l Bit, Dr. Maggie and Peggy - have held a tiny Southern town in their velvet grip. Friends for almost a lifetime, the once unlikely trio are bemused to have become icons in their hometown. For almost 30 years ago these pillars of the community did something that changed their lives forever - something extraordinary, clandestine and very, very illegal.

The arrival of a stranger in town opens a floodgate of memories for all 3 women - and threatens to expose the dark secret they swore an oath that night to protect forever. As the 3 friends fight to bury a memory that haunts them all still, their loyalty and sense of honour are tested in ways they could never have imagined. 

And along the way a young woman whose life has become inextricably entwined with theirs finds the strength to reclaim her past. 

Featuring 3 of the most gutsy, unique and unforgettable women from the Old South you are ever likely to meet, this book is an irresistible tale of friendship, love and finding out who really counts. 

This book works well on a good mug of hot chocolate on a rainy day and a cosy reading nook. Warm and enlightening, this book has a slow storytelling that will envelope the reader's spirit. All we can do now is read and stay home to flatten the curve.