BOOK REVIEW: Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters
During the MCO reading is the only activity that enanles me to soothe the mind and spirit in trying times. For my second book choice, I decided to go for ye old English with injections of horror and the macabre in the forms of the sea and its fishy dangers.
In this book, Jane Austen's beautiful work of literature maintains its characters while enjoying a fresh breath of air in its storyline.
The original text has all-new scenes of giant lobsters, rampaging octopi, two-headed sea serpents and other biological monstrosities. As our story opens, the Dashwood sisters are evicted from their childhood home and sent to live on a mysterious island full of savage creatures and dark secrets.
While sensible Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, her romantic sister Marianne is courted by both the handsome Willoughby and the hideous man-monster Colonel Brandon. Can the Dashwood sisters triumph over meddlesome matriarchs and unscrupulous rogues to find true love? Or will they fall prey to the tentacles that are forever snapping at their heels?
This masterful potrait of Regency England blends Jane Austen's biting social commentary with ultraviolent depictions of sea monsters biting. It's survival of the fittest - and only the swiftest swimmers will find true love!
I know some will be against the idea of twisting a piece of well-known and well-loved old literature. However, I find this adds a certain appeal to the story and it certainly isn't boring. Happy reading and stay safe from COVID-19 during this MCO period!
BOOK REVIEW: First Bite - How We Learn to Eat by Bee Wilson
What better way to fill in much spare time at home during the Malaysian Movement Control Order (MCO) than by reading at home. This is the first book I have completed reading during this MCO period. I will be uploading more books I have read during this downtrodden moment.
In Facebook, many posts abound on new recipes created at home during this stay-home order. But are these meals nutritionally adequate or will do more harm to body systems? It is therefore crucial to understand how to eat well despite restrictions on acquiring groceries and limited food at home. This book encourages readers to take small steps in changing their diet by making us understand the reality of what eating is all about.
We are not born knowing what to eat; we each have to figure it out for ourselves. From childhood onwards, we learn how big a portion is and how sweet is too sweet. The way we learn to eat holds the key to why food has gone so disastrously wrong for so many people.
But how does this happen? And can we ever change our food habits for the better?
An exploration of the extraordinary and surprising origins of our taste and eating habits, in this book, award-winning food writer Bee Wilson explains how we can change our palates to lead healthier, happier lives.
Written story-like with personal accounts and inputs from those who struggled with diets and found solace in healthy meals, this book is a stimulating read to learn how we eat in detail. Stay safe at home and read the days away!
BOOK REVIEW: Chicken Soup for the Soul - Food and Love by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Amy Newmark
The way through a man's heart is through the stomach. This saying cannot be more true. Food is a binding point in our lives, especially mine. Coming from a long line of cooks (even the menfolk whip up the tastiest traditional family food), eating has brought us closer as a family.
In this book, food memories are narrated through wonderful stories and recipes which will warm the heart and nourish the soul.
A heartwarming and mouthwatering collection of stories have been put together which will make the reader laugh, cry and be inspired inside and outside the kitchen.
Whether you are reading about funny cooking disasters, holiday traditions, life lessons, or revealing personal anecdotes, you'll want to try the special recipes inside this book and you'll be inspired to spend some quality time with family and friends in the kitchen!
I have always loved the Chicken Soup for the Soul series for its many heartwarming personal stories that we can relate to in daily life. Especially when those stories revolve around food, who am I to say no to it. Thoroughly enjoyable read all around.
BOOK REVIEW: Stupid History - Tales of Stupidity, Strangeness, and Mythconceptions Throughout the Ages by Leland Gregory
When the subject of history and facts surface, the common reaction towards it is....BORIIIIINNNNGGGG!!!! Not to my knowledge. History can be fun when double entendres and hilarious punchlines are added to make learning fun. This book is one such example.
Did you know that Benjamain Franklin didn't discover electricity but the Greeks found out much before him? What a shock (pun intended)! Many more astounding facts are shared in a light-hearted manner, from America's real first president and even who created an airplane with 9 wings (yes, 9 wings!!!).
If you've always wanted a conversation piece or just someone who loves talking history and definitely lesrning about it, this book is definitely for you. Suitable for the young reader or the adult alike, history can now be categorized as enriching and most importantly FUN!
BOOK REVIEW: Watchers by Dean R. Koontz
Mankind has been pursuing success in the scientific and technological field. Today, we have faster-growing crops, disease-free cattle and robots to help ease our day-to-day life. But what happens when scientists try to tweak an animal's DNA for the purpose of defence and warfare? In this riptide of a book, the author gives us the ugly side behind this form of research not forgetting what he does best, psycho killers, thrown into the mix.
Travis comes across a golden retriever in the forest. Unbeknownst to him, another unearthly creature is stalking the golden retriever. The dog saves him from the creature and Travis takes it home. Shockingly, Travis finds out that the dog has intelligence akin to a human (later on in the story the dog receives the name of Einstein).
Nora has lived a quiet existence all this while, cordoned from the outside world by her Aunt Violet. After her aunt's death, she tries to be bolder only to be stalked and harassed by a creep who has sexual intentions. As Travis and the dog were walking in the park, the dog saves Nora from the creep, bringing Nora and Travis together in that uncanny situation.
A creature, called The Outsider, lurks with fury, possessing the intelligence of a human, waiting to hunt down the dog and punish humankind for creating it hideously. Not forgetting, the psycho professional killer who is after the dog to make quick bucks with it's intelligence.
I loved the storyline for its heartfelt moments where it makes you realize that altering the course of nature does not necessarily bring about good to the world. It also depicts the bond between human and animal, the compassion and love that is shared. With lots of emotion and thrills thrown into the mix, this book is one of the best among the other two Dean Koontz novels I have read.
BOOK REVIEW: Whispers by Dean R. Koontz
The first Dean Koontz novel that I read was "Shattered" and boy was it a fast-paced read of a psycho killer. In "Whispers", the author has woven a story around the same theme of psycho killer with the injection of plenty of supernatural elements.
Hilary Thomas is rudely accosted in her home by a madman, Bruno Frye. In self defense, she stabs him to death. Weeks later, she is accosted by the same madman, the one she believed she put down. This sets of a string of bizarre events and shocking discoveries that will chill her to the bone. With the help of a detective turned lover, Tony Clemenza, she sets off on a perilous journey rife with danger and unexpected shocks.
The author makes the reader ebb and flow through the mind of not one, but two raving madmen, cold-blooded killers due to a dark past. This book brings about the issue of hereditary madness, incest and child abuse which could lead to a psychosis beyond control.
Another terrifying issue brought up was the occult. The strong believe of Satan coming to earth to spawn and leave his bloodline behind to destroy all of humanity is strongly portrayed. It lends a tinge of supernatural quality to the story as Bruno was made to believe he was the spawn of Beelzebub himself and he should never have close contact with women, for fear he might leave the spawn of the Dark Lord himself.
Despite the thickness of the novel, I had to whizz through it because the storyline held me gripped in its fingers. For those who love the thriller / murder mystery genre, this book is specially for you. I personally rate this book at a whopping 10 / 10.
