335. Tapai: Travels & Guilty Pleasures of a Fermented Malaysian

BOOK REVIEW: Tapai - Travels & Guilty Pleasures of a Fermented Malaysian

Food and Malaysians are never far apart. One issue that bonds us across the nation, day or night, is probably a plate of steaming nasi lemak and a frothy teh tarik. If you are a Malaysian foodie, this book is going to bring you into the annals of Malaysian food.

In an age where food has become entertainment television, the wit and wisdom of the author is like a proper kitchen knife - always sharp. This wandering bon vivant and former Malaysian exile does not (yet) have his own TV show, choosing instead to record his amazing adventures in writing.

This handpicked collection from his column Tapai in Off the Edge magazine presents a way of looking at the world beyond our food fetish and its lifestyle trappings.

The author's grand unified theory of everything links his life on the lam with a number of encounters: a seedy café in Pudu, Christmas in Bangladesh, stalking Akira Kurosawa (posthumously), working in soup kitchens, and discovering a place that sells diamonds and nouvelle cuisine. That's just for starters.

In between this all, he warps time to meet the Darai of the band that accompanied the raising of the Jalur Gemilang on 31st August 1957, amongst other wonderful people.

Naturally, lusty food marks this ageless hippie's quest: mutton and duck stew Acehnese-style, Ramly burgers, foie gras, truffles, oysters and caviar. The author takes the reader on a life-affirming trip that nourishes the soul, like the best tapai in ferment.

Don't be shocked when you come across double entendres galore as this is just how the author portrays food in his mind. If you really wanted to seek a needle in a haystack for eateries in Malaysia, this book will do the trick.
 

334. The World's Greatest Ghosts by Roger Boar & Nigel Blundell

BOOK REVIEW: The World's Greatest Ghosts by Roger Boar & Nigel Blundell

Ever walked into a room where a cold spot occurs for no reason? Sensed a loved one is near you when they passed away years ago? We live in a world divided by a thin veil between the land of the living and dead. 

In this book is a spine-chilling collection of peoples' true experiences of ghosts and the supernatural, written in a no-nonsense and unfanciful manner. 

Included are some chapters about the well-known and celebrated ghosts of stately homes, the terrifying antics of poltergeists, ancient curses and modern and medieval witchcraft.

I loved this book which both gave me the chills and also a dash of history sprinkled in. For horror aficionados, a copy of this book is sure to leave a grin on their faces.

 

333. The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones

BOOK REVIEW: The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones

Chinese food has remained intact through generations. Regional Chinese cuisine, especially in China, is highly regarded and sought after. In this novel, the author has placed Chinese cuisine at the forefront.

In her satisfying, sensual third novel, the author takes readers inside the hidden world of elite cuisine in modern China through the story of an American food writer in Beijing.

When recently widowed Maggie McElroy is called to China to settle a claim against her late husband's estate, she is blindsided by the discovery that he may have led a double life. 

Since work is all that will keep her sane, her magazine editor assigns her to profile Sam, a half-Chinese American who is the last in a line of gifted chefs tracing back to the imperial palace.

As she watches Sam gear up for China's Olympic culinary competition by planning the banquet of a lifetime, she begins to see past the cuisine's artistry to glimpse its coherent expression of Chinese civilization.

It is here, amid lessons of tradition, obligation and human connection that she finds the secret ingredient that may yet heal her heart. 

As a foodie, the book brought me on a smooth ride through the Chinese culinary world. Beautifully written to a T, this novel is a wonderful addition to a foodie's bookshelf.

 

332. Darwin Comes to Town by Menno Schilthuizen

BOOK REVIEW: Darwin Comes to Town by Menno Schilthuizen

As development encroaches every part of available natural ground, human-animal contact has become very common. The adaptation of fauna towards all this development is something to analyze clearly. 

The author is an urban ecologist. In this book, he takes us around the world for an up close look at just how stunningly flexible and swift-moving natural selection can be.

With human populations growing, we're having an increasing impact on global ecosystems, and nowhere do these impacts overlap as much as they do in cities.

This book draws on eye-popping examples of adaptation, to share a stunning vision of urban evolution in which humans and wildlife coexist in a unique harmony. 

It reveals that evolution can happen far more rapidly than Darwin dreamed, while providing a glimmer of hope that our race toward overpopulation might not take the rest of nature down with us.
 

331. Hungry in Ipoh by Fixi Novo

 BOOK REVIEW: Hungry in Ipoh by Fixi Novo

Malaysians eat and commune over food, 24/7. There are plenty of dining options and certain cities in Malaysia hold the moniker of food paradise. Ipoh is one of those cities.

This book compiles 15 short stories based on Ipoh - a city famous for its delicacies. These are tales about different people - both locals and outsiders, from the past and the present - and their connection to the city.

You'll find love, humor, horror, nostalgia, melancholy and so much more. Some are mouthwatering while others are stomach-churning..

One of the stories was written by one of the active members in the KL Book Appreciation Club (KLBAC), Tina Isaacs. Her take on the Raja Bersiung story (Malaysian vampire) was totally cool.

If you love stories that revolve around local flavours and settings, this book is your go-to during your next purchase. 

330. Best Before: The Evolution and Future of Processed Food by Nicola Temple

 

BOOK REVIEW: Best Before - The Evolution and Future of Processed Food by Nicola Temple

Supermarket shelves are lined with processed foods these days - we have microwave meals, bags of chips, soft drinks and I could go on and on. Processed food has been receiving much flak from the public. Why and how did food processing come about and is it good or bad?

Long before the invention of the ready meal, humans processed food to preserve it and make it safe. From fire to fermentation, our ancestors survived periods of famine by changing the very nature of their food. This ability to process food has undoubtedly made us one of the most successful species on the planet, but have we gone too far?

Through manipulating chemical reactions and organisms, scientists have unlocked all kinds of methods to improve food longevity and increase supply. The developments are keeping up with the changing needs of the demanding consumer, but we only tend to notice when the latest scaremongering headline hits the news.

This book puts processed food into perspective. It explores how processing methods have evolved in many of the foods that we love in response to big business, consumer demand, health concerns, innovation, political will, waste and even war. It will arm readers with the information they need to be rational consumers, capable of making informed decisions about their food.

I finally found some closure and answers to many niggling questions I had on the food processing industrg and the continuous debate on the credibility of processed foods. It was such a credible read that I would encourage more people to get a copy for its truthfulness in a light-hearted manner.

329. The Dead Zone by Stephen King

BOOK REVIEW: The Dead Zone by Stephen King

We have all heard of psychics or people with a certain sixth sense. Some were born with this gift or curse, whichever way you want to look at it. But what happens when life decides to give you a blow and you turn into a psychic with dire consequences? This dark story twisted by the master of horror is sure to make your behind glued to your chair.

Johnny Smith has a curse. When this young man touches someone, he has the power to perceive the evil in men's souls. After a freak accident, he makes people recoil in horror when he senses these emotions.

His ability to see into the future forces him into a terrifying confrontation with a charismatic, power-hungry and infinitely dangerous man.

This book got me thinking about how psychics don't actually live a life of gratitude. You are actually foreseeing things that could really shake you or someone close to you to the core. Thoroughly dark and disturbing, I loved this novel to bits, just like every obe of Stephen King's books.

328. High Voltage Tattoo by Kat Von D

 

BOOK REVIEW: High Voltage Tattoo by Kat Von D

Some of you ladies may be familiar with the Kat Von D make-up line, especially that oh-so-sexy Tattoo Eyeliner which gives you an effortless cat eye wing like no other eyeliner can. But do you know the equally sexy and strong lady behind this brand?

Kat Von D is the star of LA Ink, a TV program that was launched in 2007. A talented tattooist, she set the Guinness World Record for doing the most tattoos in a 24-hour period.

This book is a raw look at her childhood as well as her trials and tribulations in the tattoo world. As with any great tattooist, she gives her insights on what and who inspired her to create her world-famous renditions of body art.

If you are a tattoo aficionado or thinking to get one, this book will get you striding to the nearest tattoo parlor nearby. Filled to the brim with various tattoo designs, from Kat Von d and other famous tattooists around the world.

I found this book to be an eye-opener as tattoos are always looked upon as taboo in conservative Asian cultures. Getting a tattoo also has negative connotations due to unnecessary misconceptions. By reading this book, I fully understand tattooing as a personal form of expression and a form of beauty as well. Awesome read!  

327. Needful Things by Stephen King

BOOK REVIEW: Needful Things by Stephen King

The reason why I don't give up on Stephen King is because of his superb writing skills, although it spans only the horror genre. The way the plot twists seem to kick you in the gut everytime you read, sending you reeling is one to look out for. And Needful Things certainly doesn't dissapoint.

There was a new shop in town, run by a stranger (Leland Gaunt, spoiler alert!). Needful Things, the sign said. The oddest name. A name that caused some gossip and speculation among the good folks of Castle Rock, Maine, while they waited for opening day.

11-year-old Brian Rusk was the first customer and he got just what he wanted, a very rare 1956 Sandy Koufax baseball card signed by the baseball player himself. Cyndi Rose Martin was next. A Lalique vase which seemed to be the perfect match for her living room decor.

There was something for everyone, something you really had to have. And always at a price you could just about afford. The cash price that is because there was another price. There always is when your heart's most secret, true desire is for sale...

The story roughly revolves around how innocent people are roped in to do the work of evil, specifically the order of Yog-Sothoth, the Dark Keeper of Time and Space. It wasn't scary but the novel had an eerie, jumpy feel which was almost realistic. The author is truly the blessing of all horror lovers. 

 

326. Meet Your Bacteria by Nicola Temple and Catherine Whitlock

BOOK REVIEW: Meet Your Bacteria by Nicola Temple and Catherine Whitlock

Bacteria may be one of the grossest things to even think or talk about. Sadly, these microorganisms are looked upon with disgust. Of course there are the bad ones and there are those who are heroes in disguise.

Did you know your body is a habitat? It houses an entire ecosystem of interacting microorganisms that form your own personal microbiome, your own unique set of bacteria.

This book looks at how your bacteria behave, how they benefit you (or otherwise) and how you can encourage the good to stay and the bad to depart.

It examines their role in key areas of the body: the skin, eyes, mouth, lungs, gut and the urogenital system. Learn how to promote the good bacteria on and inside you and combat the harmful ones.

This book also offers a trip into an incredible, invincible world, whose crucial significance we are only just beginning to understand. It holds up a microscope to the human microbiome and its fascinating workings.

Fully illustrated with vivid colours and diagrams, this book was absolutely an interesting read. I was intrigued by such a misunderstood subject and I have more respect for these microbes.

325. Thirst No.1 by Christopher Pike

BOOK REVIEW: Thirst No.1 by Christopher Pike

Recently, I have seen many books written by Indian authors that revolved around Indian themes and Hinduism. But what happens when a Western author merges Western vampirism with Hindu gods? That's what you get when you read this compilation of 3 stories in Thirst.

Alisa has been in control of her urges for the 5000 years she has been a vampire. She feeds but does not kill, and she lives her life on the fringe to maintain her secret. But when her creator, Yaksha, returns to haunt her, she must break her own rules in order to survive.

Her quest leads her to Ray. He is the only person who can help her; he also has every reason to fear her. Alisa must get closer to him to ensure her immortality. But as she begins to fall in love with Ray, suddenly there is more at stake than her own life...

In the 3 stories, Alisa's string of lovers (Yaksha, Rama, Ray, Seymour, Joel, Arturo: and it's only the first compilation!) meet untimely and gruesome deaths, except for one (find out who still stays by her side in the end). 

It was a gripping read till the very end and I would love to get my hands on Thirst No.2 to see how everything ends and also of the new beginning in the world of vampires. Truly fresh from the rest of the vampire romance genres I have read. 

324. Great Escapes: Enjoy the World at your Leisure by Ben Groundwater (A Lonely Planet Book)

 

BOOK REVIEW: Great Escapes - Enjoy the World at your Leisure by Ben Groundwater (A Lonely Planet Book)

Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck the globe, everyone's dreams of travelling have been put to a rude halt. Time spent on beaches of powdery white sand or breathing in the clean air in an ancient rainforest is barely possible in this situation. That doesn't stop you from imagining a trip around the world from the comforts of your own home.

In this book, you will be able to look forward to and plan your next perfect getaway for when the pandemic ends and borders are thrown open. Beach paradises, luxury hideaways and cultural thrills, it will cover all getaways suitable for kids and/or adults alike.

This showcase of the world's most enjoyable escapes celebrates the sheer pleasure of travel. Take time out to indulge in romantic getaways, culinary adventures, musical journeys and family holidays. Or simply revel in pure relaxation. 

Although it did make me a little sad by making me reminisce the old days of globetrotting, it kept the sparks of discovery alive in me. Let's cross our fingers that one day we could experience one of these escapes. Happy armchair travelling!

323. Ghost Stories by M.R. James

 

BOOK REVIEW: Ghost Stories by M.R. James

When the wind howls in the middle of the night, have you ever wondered whether it was truly the wind or something more sinister? Or maybe a scratching on your windowpane caused by tree branches or the finger bones of the damned? Ghosts, spirits and ghouls roam the earth and what better way to get acquainted to them through ghost stories.

This book is a complete and unabridged collectiom of 31 classic ghost stories from the haunting world of M.R. James. The aim of a good ghost story is to make the blood freeze, pleasurably; and the author achieves to perfection in these wonderful stories.

His most atmospheric settings include English country houses and gardens, the north end of the churchyard, yew mazes and even scenic train journeys. To each of these stories he brings an eye for the telling detail, an imaginative twist and a narrative tone that is, at least to begin with, urbane and reassuring.

At some points, although I struggled a little with classical language, it still managed to constrict my heart with a searing fear that left me sleepless many nights. A wonderful compilation to be owned and treasured by all horror aficionados. 

322. Starbucked: A Double Tall Tale of Caffeine, Commerce & Culture by Taylor Clark

 

BOOK REVIEW: Starbucked - A Double Tall Tale of Caffeine, Commerce & Culture by Taylor Clark

The Caramel Frappe is my all-time pick-me-up beverage at Starbucks. The caramel sweetness combined with the caffeine hit from the coffee and the lusciousness of whipped cream makes for an instant mood uplifter. As I sip my cool coffee, people all over the world are conflicted with Starbucks popping up like mushrooms after a rain even in the remotest countries. What made Starbucks a fixture in our lifes, both the younger generation and the older echelon too? This book is going to make you more enlightened about a coffee company that has grasped millions by the heart.

How did Starbucks, once a modest Seattle coffeehouse, become an international juggernaut? What made the company so beloved that more than 40 million customers visit every week, yet so loathed that protesters have firebombed its stores? Why did Americans suddenly become willing to pay $4.50 for a cup of coffee? And why did the world follow?

This coffee megalodon altered everyday lives - the way we shop, socialise and self-medicate. Through a cornucopia of characters that includes coffee-wild hippies, business sharks, slackers, Hollywood trendsetters and a panda who loves blueberry muffins (China's panda only insisted om eating Starbucks blueberry muffins when it was invalid), the author tells the story of how Starbucks rode a caffeine-fuelled wave to riches and infamy.

I found this book raw and very honest with many parts narrated by Howard Schultz himself, the man behind Starbucks proliferation. It was a clear insight into how the company works and even how coffee preparation varies between rival companies. To me, I'm still not going to stop my Starbucks forays, the coffee to me is just to my liking. For those studying Starbucks as part of their thesis, this book can back up a lot of info for you.

321. My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

BOOK REVIEW: My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

I am left crying for more after this book! O.M.G. THE BEST MODERN FAIRYTALE I HAVE READ THIS YEAR. PERIOD. It had adaptations from Snow White and Cinderella that were matched with the sensibilities of modern life, that's why this novel was took my heart in its grasp.

If you're Savannah Delano, you end up with a gum-chewing, cell phone-carrying, high heel-wearing, teenage faury godmother named Chrysanthemum (Chrissy) Everstar. After Savannah's picture-perfect boyfriend, Hunter, dumps her to go out with her older sister, Jane, she idly wishes she could not find a true prince to take her to the prom.

Instead, she gets Chrissy. Only a "fair" godmother (because she's not a very good fairy student), Chrissy attempts to grant Savannah 3 wishes, which get her sent back to the Middle Ages: once as Cinderella, once as Snow White, and once to save Tristan, the surprisingly cute boy from her school who's also found himself a victim of Chrissy's mistaken wish-granting.

From trolls to dragons to the mysterious Black Knight, Savannah and Tristan must beat the odds to make it back to modern times together. Part lighthearted fantasy and part romantic comedy, this book proves that finding your one true love can be a Grimm experience!

After reading this, I looked at fairy tales in a completely different light. Wonderfully written by such a talented author, it made for pleasant reading right until the very end. For those of you who are into reading young adult genre books or love a good rom-com, this book will lead you on a magical journey.

 

320. The Complete A to Z for your V - A Women's Guide to Everything you Ever Wanted to Know About your Vagina: Health, Pleasure, Hormones and More by Alyssa Dweck, M.D. and Robin Westen

 

BOOK REVIEW: The Complete A to Z for your V - A Women's Guide to Everything you Ever Wanted to Know About your Vagina: Health, Pleasure, Hormones and More by Alyssa Dweck, M.D. and Robin Westen

The V-word, many of us cringe when we hear the word being uttered openly in public. The women retreat into their shells as if to say "I wish I could get swallowed up by the ground right now!". Well, good news ladies! Feel free to use the word vagina as it is something that we should be proud of and own with heads held high. As women, we were created with this special body part through which life is born and much more!

This book makes finding the answers easy and asking the questions even easier. Breaking the mold on women's health guides, this book tells women of all ages what they need to know about their own unique health. Whether you are researching a specific issue or just want a go-to reference for yourself or other femme fatales, this book offers it all in a friendly and funny voice from experts in the field of women's health.

The best part of this book is that it junks the misinformation, misconceptions and myths that confuse us all. It also encourages women to appreciate their vajayjays and nurture the mind-V connection. Readers will be able to discover the latest science, dispel taboos and get in on the new ways women are talking openly and freely about their health and their rights.

I thought this book was incredibly fun as the facts and recommendations were put forward in a really fun and casual way, not your typical "Doctor says..." like most health advice books. It was truly an eye-opener as a lady myself, I never knew there were so many things that concerned my lady flower and many more out there. Grab this book I say!

319. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

 

BOOK REVIEW: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I fell in love with this novel in my teens and I'm rereading it now after almost 15 years. Tear-jerking and heart-warming at the same time, this was written in the context of a modern fairytale.

In Bascom, North Carolina, everyone has a story to tell about the Waverley women (and this has nothing in common with the Witches of Waverley Place). The house that's been in the family for generations, the walled garden that mysteriously blooms year round, the rumours of dangerous loves and tragic passions.

Every Waverley woman is somehow touched by magic. Claire has always clung to the Waverleys' roots, tending the enchanted soil in the family garden from which she makes her sought-after delicacies - famed and feared for their curious effects.

She has everything she thinks she needs - until one day she wakes to find a stranger has moved in next door and a vine of ivy has crept into her garden. Claire's carefully tended life is about to run gloriously out of control.

Claire is also brought face-to-face with her half-sister, Sydney, and Sydney's daughter, Bay, both of them carrying much of the magic the Waverley bloodline has. A book of sisterly love and opening heart's doors to welcome in love, this book is sure to captivate the female reader till the last page.

318. Spirituous Journey: A History of Drink by Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller

BOOK REVIEW: Spirituous Journey - A History of Drink by Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller

I miss going out for a drink with my godmother and her family in Kuala Lumpur. A good Long Island Tea or a Mint Julep, nothing can be more refreshing than a cocktail in the tropical climes of Malaysia. Alas, I can only relieve it in my imagination by armchair travelling through the history of drinks. This book definitely worked up a thirst for alcoholic beverages.

What role did Scotch whisky play in the development of the steam engine (and yes, I did mean the steam engine!)? Who first coined the word "alcohol"? These questions and more will be answered by the authors as they have been on a spirituous (pun intended) journey since they first launched their website Shaken Not Stirred: A Celebration of the Martini and the book by the same name.

15 years of travel around the world, a few worn out library cards, and thousands of pages of undiscovered research later, they have amassed their findings in the 2-volume work, Spirituous Journey: A History of Drink.

This first volume opens with the surprising discovery that ancient Arabic term "al kol" had 2 appropriate definitions long before Europeans learnt to distill alcohol. From there, the authors trace the birth of spirits from China, to India, to Persia, through Europe and on to the New World.

This book is the winner of the 2009 World Gourmand Cookbook awards for Drink History, and the writing is what sets this book apart from the rest, earning its place in the Food (and now Drink) Lover's literary canon. Full of humorous anecdotes, recipes, and a brilliant foreword by Gary Regan, this is a drink historian's bible that is fun to read as well.

I found this book very intriguing as the history of drinks was very comprehensive. There was even a part of the book commemorated solely for the discussion of how commercial ice transformed from a luxurious commodity to a household necessity, then to bars, pubs and taverns all over the world. Get this book for your friends or family who enjoy the occassional tipple or two.

 

317. A Breath of Fresh Air by Erica James

 

BOOK REVIEW: A Breath of Fresh Air by Erica James

We found love in a hopeless place. - from the song "We Found Love" by Rihanna

The sentence from this song aptly describes the whole story. Death of a husband in a loveless marriage, bumping into a guy who has a history of his own...emotional complications and rollercoasters bring the reader on a thoroughly enjoyable ride in this paperback romance novel.

Charlotte Lawrence is consumed by guilt - after months of agonising she finally asked her workaholic husband for a divorce. The very same day, Peter was killed in a tragic accident. Charlotte's only wish is to return home to the idyllic Cheshire village of her childhood.

Ivy Cottage and Hulme Welford are all Charlotte remembered - lunch in the shade of the fig tree and fork suppers. And her interfering sister Hilary hasn't changed either, organizing everything from milk on the doorstep to Alex, the sitting tenant.

Hilary is determined that Charlotte, far too young for a widow's weeds, should find love anew. And what better place to start than with the eligible bachelor next door? 

Set in the quaint England village, I was amused by many of the English terms. Heartwarming and tearjerking at the same time, this novel brought up a similar situation in my mind about someone close to me. Just because she is now a widow, love can't be denied its place when it comes a-knocking. I'm going to pass this book to her, for her to know that love mends all grief and makes you start life anew.

316. Most Bizarre...Mysteries of the Deep compiled & edited by Frank Spaeth

BOOK  REVIEW: Most Bizarre...Mysteries of the Deep compiled and edited by Frank Spaeth

Being locked up at home due to the MCO, all of us dream of a holiday by the clear blue waters of pristine beaches, let it be Pulau Perhentian or the more exotic Maldives. But beneath the tranquility of those waves lies something darker and more sinister than you would ever have imagined.....

Just when you thought it was safe to go into the water, this book of water monsters, ghostly vessels and oceanic oddities surfaces, from Atlantis to the Bermuda Triangle, from the Loch Ness monster to giant jellyfish, readers will be amazed at both the personal accounts and detailed investigations of extraordinary experiences in our world's waterways.

Straight from the pages of FATE Magazine, the best sea stories of the past years are sure to keep the avid reader on dry land (and maybe develop thallasophobia, a dreaded fear of water). 

I especially loved the chapter on the Bermuda Triangle and sea monsters. The theories, though outdated, were pretty logical. It made me think of how sometimes the answers for unaswered questions are closer to home than we think. I found this to be a great read and left me completely awestruck at the end.

315. The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus & Emma McLaughlin

BOOK REVIEW: The Nanny Diaries by Nicola Kraus & Emma McLaughlin

I was moved to tears through both the emotional and hilarious sides that this novel had to offer. This book which has been adapted for the silver screen, is a classic in the non-fiction genre and still remains a fast favourite in the chick lit section today.

The story revolves around Nan (I'm not sure whether the pun for the short form of nanny was intended here). Nan has a tricky relationship with her employer, Mrs. X. A non-existent relationship with Mr. X. But she loves their little boy, Grayer, to pieces.

In between looking after 4-year-old Grayer and running a thousand errands for Mrs. X, his rich, uptight Manhattanite mother, Nan is trying to have a life. There's college, shopping, her friends, her cat George. And the gorgeous Harvard boy from the sixth floor😂

But the X family's dramas keep intruding - visits from Mr. X's predatory mistress, catastrophic family outings and, as a final straw, the case of the marriage-destroying panties. As divorce looms, Nan realizes how attached she's become to the X's underloved son - and how nannying has become more than just a job.

I loved this story because it hit a chord on so many levels. First are the nannies, in Malaysia we call them domestic helpers. Most parents who have domestic helpers at home COMPLETELY leave the care of their children to them. The children become more attached to the helpers compared to parents.

This book invites readers to be more immersive parents and take a child's development process to heart compared to just earning and showering them with earthly goods. Funny, touching and true-to-life, this novel is a modern-day Mary Poppins story - with attitude. 

314. Our Haunted Planet by John A. Keel

BOOK REVIEW: Our Haunted Planet by John A. Keel

Aliens have invaded Earth! But are we that far from the ETs than we thought? Ever imagined that possibly we are descendants of aliens? It may be shocking but when you are reading this book, you are going to start questioning your lineage and whether there are visitors from other planets walking in our midst.

Since the beginning of recorded time, man and his world have been plagued by unknown forces and beings, baffled by archaeological phenomena, and haunted by prophecies that often came true.

In this classic book, the author brings into chilling focus strange truths about the earth and its mysterious inhabitants. It is in this book that the author introduces his hair-raising theory of the ultraterrestrials, an unseen prehuman race that guides and misleads us, uses us for its own entertainment and controls our every action.

You will be able to know advanced civilizations existing thousands of years before the cave man, the strange Men in Black (MIB), people who vanish and reappear within hours in another part of the world as well as angels and demigods who appear and make startling predictions.

I was so entranced by this book with so many fascinating revelations of the Little Green Men. Like Adolf Hitler purportedly receiving instructions from a Higher Force to govern His minions, was disturbing to say the least. Although this book is quite backdated, the information is still quite relevant today when you sit down to think about it. So, where did MH370 go then?

313. Spring Break by Katherine Applegate

 

BOOK REVIEW: Spring Break by Katherine Applegate

I like to read teen romances from time to time as the innocence of team love and the exploring of feelings can truly make us realize the current relationships we have or used to. This book was nothing less: the holidays, cute guys (one the boyfriend, the other an unforeseen appearance to rock the boat), friendships and family. 

Summer can't wait to escape the blizzards of Minnesota and head back to the sunny Florida beaches for spring breaks. She'll be reunited with her best friends, Diana and Marquez, but more important, she'll be alone with her sweet-as-can-be boyfriend, Seth, for an entire week.

But when she meets the romantic and mysterious Austin on her way to Florida, he may warm her heart more than her seaside retreat ever could. With Seth and Austin both vying for her affections, secrets and jealousies begin to threaten Summer's picture-perfect spring break. 

Unexplainable flings and the test of love's true strength, this book is about finding who really means a place in your heart and making the right decisions. This is a refreshing read for both adults and teens alike. This book is one out of a series of three books so do grab the others to know what happens to Summer.

312. Eating Korea: Reports on a Culinary Renaissance by Graham Holliday

BOOK REVIEW: Eating Korea - Reports on a Culinary Renaissance by Graham Holliday

The Korean wave has swept the whole planet off its feet. From K-pop to K-food, its all Korean now. Korean food as we know it from Dakgalbi and DubuYo is good soul food. When it comes to the stand-alone Korean restaurants run by Koreans themselves, the food is inexplicably delicious that it's indescribable. But how far is Korean food holding on to its authenticity in its country of origin and what are the true flavours to look out for?

The author is a journalist, world traveler and avid eater who has sampled some of the most intriguing cuisines around the globe. On a pilgrimage throughout the whole of South Korea to unearth the real food eaten by locals, the author discovers a country of contradictions, a quickly developing society that hasn't decided whether to shed or embrace its culinary roots.

Devotees still make and consume classic Korean dishes in traditional settings even as the cuisine modernizes in unexpected ways and the phenomenon of Korean people televising themselves eating (mok-bang) spreads ever more widely. 

Amid a changing culture that's simultaneously trying to preserve what's best about traditional Korean food while opening itself to a panoply of global influences and balancing new and old, tradition and reinvention, the real and the artificial, the author seeks out the most delicious dishes in the most authentic settings - even if he has to prowl in back alleys to find them and convince reluctant restaurant owners that he can handle their unusual flavours.  

The author samples sundae (blood sausage); beef barbecue; bibimbap; Korean black goat; wheat noodles in bottomless, steaming bowls; and the ubiquitous kimchi, discovering the exquisite, the inventive, and, sometimes, the downright strange. Animated by the author's warm, engaging voice, this book is a vibrant tour through one of the world's most fascinating cultures and cuisines.

As I read this book, I recollected my travel to Busan and my visit to Jagalchi Fish Market, the smells and tastes of the food. It brought back wonderful memories and a deep-rooted hankering for good Korean food. Truly a wonderful read for all foodies with a vivid sense of imagination to replay the atmosphere in this book. 

311. A WAG Abroad by Alison Kervin

 

BOOK REVIEW: A WAG Abroad by Alison Kervin

I read a lot of chick lit but I thoroughly disliked this novel. I don't understand what was so humorous about this novel about WAGs (wives and girlfriends of famous sportspeople). Cringe-worthy till the last but anyway let's dive in.

You can take the WAG out of Luton but you can't take Luton out of the WAG. Tracie Martin is back! But this time everyone's favourite WAG is in LA, City of Angels.

Whilst husband Dean swaps life on the subs bench for coaching the LA City Raiders and daughter Paskia-Rose is busy settling into her new school, Tracie is left twiddling her manicured fingers.

It seems LA's not ready for WAGs - the women are naturally golden rather than fake bake orange, there's no boozing and everyone is thinner than her. Surely that's not possible when she last ate a proper meal in 1997? But at least there's plenty of cosmetic surgery.

Enter Jamie, a knight in shining lycra. He'll show Tracie the sights of LA - including the Beckhams. But is he all that he seems? Before long, Tracie is sampling all the city has to offer. 

But then her long-lost father turns up - at the same time as she discovers someone has stolen her identity. Can Tracie leave LA with her pride, bank balance and marriage intact?

This book generally made women quite slutty in the clothing department and stupid in the brainy department. This form of stereotyping was NOT - AND I REPEAT NOT - in the least bit funny. But to each his own. Otherwise it's a light-hearted read that lacked any wow factor.

310. Bitter Chocolate: Anatomy of an Industry by Carol Off

BOOK REVIEW: Bitter Chocolate - Anatomy of an Industry by Carol Off

Chocolate, the food of the gods, is loved by everyone in the world. For both the saddest and the most dreaded moments, chocolate lifts the consumer's soul as the snap of it and the subsequent lusciousness as it melts on the tongue consume one entirely. But did you know that behind every nibble of indulgence, there is a horde of suffering across the earth?

Whether part of a child's Halloween haul or the contents of a heart-shaped box, chocolate is synonymous with pleasure. Yet behind the sweet image is a dark history of exploitation. 

This book traces that history from the banquet table of Montezuma's Aztec court to the bustling factories of Hershey, Cadbury and Mars today, revealing that slavery and injustice have always been key ingredients.

The heart of the book takes place in the Ivory Coast - the world's leading producer of cocoa beans - where profits from the multi-billion dollar chocolate industry fuel bloody civil war and widespread corruption, and poor farmers employ children, who have never themselves known the taste of chocolate, to pick the beans.

In the tradition of Mark Kurlansky's Salt, this book is an absorbing social history, a passionate investigative account, and a shocking exposé of an industry that has institutionalized misery even as it indulges our appetites. 

On a personal level, I have not touched a bar of chocolate since I started reading this. Everytime I pick up my Mars bar, I suddenly begin to visualize the misery and suffering of those in the cocoa plantations in Africa and Belize. This is a painfully raw story of a true scene behind the world of chocolate. I would like to end with this:

"THE GULF MUST BE CLOSED BETWEEN THE HAND THAT PICKS THE BEAN AND THE HAND THAT UNWRAPS THE CANDY"

309. Forbidden Sister by V.C. Andrews

 BOOK REVIEW: Forbidden Sister by V.C. Andrews

Those who are born with siblings, especially sisters-and-sisters, will know sibling rivalry or even the need to look up to your elder sibling. However, what happens if your elder sibling turns out to be a rebel and not in the least accepted by your family? Will you still turn to them or look up to them? This bestselling author unlocks an adventure of intrigue and temptation that shatters the innocence of a girl in search of the sister she's never known.

Emmie Wilcox was only 6 when her older sister, Roxy, was thrown out of their New York City apartment. Their stern father's military-style rules left no room for rebellion, and Roxy was continually defiant and rebellious. Emmie, now an outstanding student at a private school, is obedient, respectful, a fille parfaite, as her Parisian-born mother lovingly calls her.

2 sisters, total opposites - yet Emmie is secretly obsessed with the mystery and imposed silence surrounding Roxy: What had she finally done to deserve being cast out of her home? Where is she now? Emmie can't help but wonder if there is a hidden side to her that resembles Roxy's defiant nature. Sometimes she fantasizes that she is more like Roxy than she appears. Sometimes she wants to be.

She wants excitement, and being a good girl all the time is harder than it seems. Finally learning that Roxy is a highly paid escort to wealthy and powerful men, Emmie goes behind her father's back to track down and spy on the sister she can't help but be fascinated with, a sister whose influence might run deeper than Emmie ever dreamed.

In a tale twisting with heart-pounding suspense, shocking revelations, and the compelling family drama for which the author is known, this book introduces 2 new original heroines to capture any reader's imagination. I have read "Flowers in the Attic" and was left bewildered by how gripping the story was. This is exactly how this book made me feel too. Three cheers for such a talented writer!

308. Super Sushi Ramen Express by Michael Booth

BOOK REVIEW: Super Sushi Ramen Express by Michael Booth

Japanese food is rarely mentioned compared to French cuisine or even Italian cuisine. This undermined culinary world has much to offer, with Japanese food more to works of art then just mere food. This book written almost like a personal food journal traverses Japan's food landscape through the eyes of the author and his family.

Japan is arguably the preeminent food nation on earth; it's a mecca for the world's greatest chefs and has more Michelin stars than anybother country. The Japanese go to extraordinary lengths and expense to eat food that is marked both by its exquisite preparation and exotic content.

Their creativity, dedication and courage in the face of dishes such as cod sperm and octopus ice cream are only now beginning to be fully appreciated in the sushi- and ramen-saturated West, as are the remarkable health benefits of the traditional Japanese diet.

 The author, who is a food and travel writer, takes the culinary pulse of contemporary Japan, learning fascinating tips and recipes that few Westerners have been privy to before. Accompanied by 2 fussy eaters under the age of six, he and his wife travel the length of the country, from bear-infested, beer-loving Hokkaido to snake-infested, seaweed-loving Okinawa.

Along the way, they dine with sumo wrestlers, pamper the world's most expensive cows with massages and beer, share a seaside lunch with free-diving female abalone hunters, and meet the greatest chefs working in Japan today. Less happily, they witness a mass fugu slaughter, are traumatized by an encounter with giant crabs, and attempt a calamitous cooking demonstration for the lunching ladies of Kyoto.

I became educated in the ways of the Japanese cuisine through this book than any other way. It was  so much fun to read this book and so hard to put down. This book is truly a gem to have especially if you are a foodie or an avid reader. Check out a copy online or at your nearest bookstore. 

307. A Catered Birthday Party by Isis Crawford

BOOK REVIEW: A Catered Birthday Party by Isis Crawford

When sisters Bernie and Libby Simmons sign on to cater a prize pooch's birthday bash, they think they're ready for anything. But they haven't bargained for a killer with a bone to pick. 

A Little Taste of Heaven catering certainly knows how to feed people. Bernie and Libby will have their chance to impress guests of the four-legged variety when they lay out the spread for Trudy the Pug's birthday luncheon. But this isn't just any doggie do. Trudy's owner, Annabel Colbert, is one of the richest women in town - and as mascot of the Colbert toy company, Trudy herself is a bona fide celebrity.

When the big day arrives, Trudy and her canine cohorts are ready to dig in to the delicacies - but the first to dip her fangs into the wine is Annabel. Mere moments later, the hostess is shrieking she's been poisoned - and proving it by falling face first into her soup. After two days in a coma, Annabel is dead.

It seems the woman who had everything also had her share of enemies. In fact, Annabel was cheating, blackmailing or backstabbing most of the people she knew, including her best friend, her husband, his personal assistant, and last but not least, Trudy's trainer and kennel owner.

With so many suspects, sniffing out the truth is rapidly becoming a tricky, not to mention risky, proposition. Bernie and Libby had better close the oven on this case fast - before they get burned...

This author has written 6 other books under the "A Catered" series. The books all come with yummy recipes to try out. What's not to like about a murder mystery that has food as part of the setting? Do pick up a copy and relish each part of the novel!

306. Nosepicking for Pleasure: A Handy Guide by Roland Flicket

 

BOOK REVIEW: Nosepicking for Pleasure - A Handy Guide by Roland Flicket

As a child, I'm sure all of us would have allowed a finger to stray up our facial orifice. Our mums would give us an earful for this disgusting habit. But this book may change her mind to allow you to pick it! 😂

Let's face it, nosepicking is a hole way of life (pun intended!). It unites continents and binds nations. More popular than football or even fishing, nosepicking is the sport of choice for today's man-about-town.

The author is a world authority on nosepicking and strikes a blow for nosepickers everywhere in this essential guide to the history and technique of picking through the ages.

With special sections for advanced pickers and expert advice for beginners who want to learn to roll their own, the author offers a blow-by-blow introductions to the joys of the daily poke.

Be a bit cautious though. Most of it is fiction and not fact. Laughs abound as I read this book and I even grossed my mum out by showing her the book. A fun book to have in your collection!

305. Life's Eternal Change by Flora Tan Phek Yee

 

BOOK REVIEW: Life's Eternal Change by Flora Tan Phek Yee

This is the most cringe book I have ever read. I'm sorry I had to start off with such a bad statement but I never knew a book could be this bad. Malaysian writers are good from what I have seen with Tunku Halim and Tan Twan Eng. After this book, I have such an adverse reaction I'm seriously beginning to doubt the writing capacity of Malaysian authors.

The story is supposed to about the relationship between Shane (CEO of Wallace Holdings Co.) and Ruby (Shane's newly appointed PA). There were elements of romance, bitterness of unfulfilled love and even ancient relics. But then it all crashes to hell with too many cringe factors.

First is the continuous inner monologue by all the characters. They seem to talk less to each other and more to their inner alter egos. It got so annoying at one point that I almost threw the book to one side. If you read this book you will get what I mean.

The next thing that irritated me to the point of insanity was the amount of making out throughout the story. I know the author was trying to create romance but continuous kissing and PDA??? I slapped my head in frustration whenever Shane and Ruby started their so-called "romance". 

All in all this shouldn't be a read at all but casted aside. I have never left any extremely bad review and I hope this will be the first and last. Sighhhhh.....

304. The Feminism Book edited by Hannah McCann

 

BOOK REVIEW: The Feminism Book edited by Hannah McCann

Being a woman is never easy. The world is fraught with dangers for the fairer sex. Gender discrimination, domestic abuse and gender pay gap are some of the issues faced by the women of today. As a woman myself, I have come to realize that being a feminist of utmost importance to be empowered in a society where females need to be protected.

Women have been challenging the male domination of society for centuries. Yet it was not until the 1800s that feminism truly began as a movement, fighting for equality between the sexes and against the oppression of women and girls. 

Since that time, feminist activists, writers, and organizations have campaigned for women's rights, from securing the right to vote to creating the first birth-control pill. And with current and ongoing issues such as the wage gap and sexual harassment, feninism is as important now as it has ever been.

Divided into 6 major sections that chart the chronology of the movement, this book examines more than 100 of the most significant events, campaigns, and ideas that have shaped feminism the world over. This book profiles many remarkable and influential thinkers, from early pioneers like Mary Wollstonecraft and Betty Friedan to prominent contemporary feminists, such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Malala Yousafzai.

It gives the reader a thorough overview of the feminist landscape across different countries and historical periods, covering leading ideas such as sexual double standards and the definition of female beauty.

Packed with inspiring quotations, bold graphics, and accessible text, the book is the perfect introduction to the groundbreaking ideas behind one of the most important movements in history.

303. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

 

BOOK REVIEW: The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

I watched the movie and was bowled over by the magical world brought to life on screen. I have to admit sheepishly that I have just read the book. I have always wanted the full chronicle to read, from the very first book, ever since the movie but now I have set my mind to get a hold of it by year's end.

If you are an adult and found fairytales slowly ebbing away, this story will definitely make you believe in them with a renewed vigour. With the whole set of characters from the creatures of the night (spirits, werewolves, shapeshifters) to the beings of the golden rays (unicorns, driads, naiads, centaurs), this book will leave you spellbound and wanting more.

The Pevensie children (Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy) are sent away to stay in their uncle's house. Little did they know that a wardrobe would open a door into a world called Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and a country waiting to be set free. 

These four adventurers step into a land enslaved by the power of the White Witch, which binds the land into eternal winter with Christmas never in sight. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change and a great sacrifice.

As a newly assigned reading teacher in an international school, I finally realize the importance for children to read quality books as this. Firstly, language is perfect and British-y throughout. Secondly, moral values are strewn throughout the story such as patience, being just, honesty and so on.

It is a womderfully magical read and I do hope that my kids love this book as much as I did. Reading is an escape into a whole new world!

302. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

 

BOOK REVIEW: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Due to my profession, I was given a chance to relive one of childhood classics by Roald Dahl. Considered to be one of the most influential children's writer of all time, his stories weave the unimaginable with the mundane to give two shades of contrast to make the reader be awed. This book is no exception. 

Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is open at last! But only 5 lucky children will be allowed inside. The winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, the story's hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life.

These 5 children are to meet Mr. Willy Wonka for a tour of his chocolate factory. Run by pint-sized Oompa Loompas, the decadently erected factory churns the sweetest delights but will the children be able to enjoy the wholesome experience or be kicked out before the tour is over? 

This book intrinsically instills values of honesty, moderation, respect, truthfulness and bravery. It also teaches kids the consequences of greed, rudeness, disrespect and dishonesty. The story was fun with rhyming funny songs throughout that gets child (and adult) readers to jump on the bandwagon.

The only downside was the constant mouthwatering issue due to vivid descriptions of candy and chocolate throughout. Tiny tummies will be rumbling in no time. So make sure you have a few nibbles by your side to satiate that hunger! Happy reading!

301. Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

 

BOOK REVIEW: Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

Alright, so all of you might be asking why am I reading a children's book? As a reading teacher in an international school, I need to know the content beforehand to teach my kids. With that in mind, I dived into this book only to come off with a healthy respect for the term humanity and environmental responsibility. No wonder this book was chosen to be taught.

I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book and did feel emotional at certain parts of it. Despite it being a children's book, adults who read this will definitely have a wider viewpoint on the world and respect old age as a time to reflect and enjoy the peaceful moments in life.

Michael disappeared on the night before his 12th birthday. Washed up on a desert island, Michael struggles to survive on his own. With no food, no water and only his dog Stella Artois for company, he curls up to die. 

When he wakes, there is a plate beside him of fish, of fruit, and a bowl of fresh water. He soon comes to realize that he is not alone. An old man named Kensuke is shipwrecked on the very same island. An odd friendship develops between a Japanese man and a British boy which will set the scene for an education on humanity, parental love, environmental protection and honesty in friendship.

From the author of War Horse comes this remarkable tale of survival against all odds, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pacific and recalling memories of the Second World War. 

I hope my kids in school enjoy this book as much as I did. Books like these are the omes children should read as they grow. Even government schools should start a class specially for reading to encourage the love for books and literature which is truly beneficial to the younger generation.

300. The Green Mile by Stephen King

 

BOOK REVIEW: The Green Mile by Stephen King

Have you ever came across the weird and wonderful articles about healers possessing powers beyond the human imagination? In the Phillipines, healers are able to operate without slicing into the human body. Healers such as these individuals are few and far between, sprinkled across the globe to give respite to the living. Stephen King has taken the theme of an innocent healer turned into a murderer sentenced to death in this book.

Those who walk the Green Mile do not return, because at the end of that walk is the room in which sits Cold Mountain Penitentiary's electric chair. In 1932, the newest resident on death row is John Coffey, a giant of a black man convicted of the brutal murder of two little girls. 

But nothing is as it seems with John Coffey, and around him unfolds a bizarre and horrifying story. Evil murderer or holy innocent - whichever he is - Coffey has strange powers which may yet offer salvation to others, even if they can do nothing to save him.

As the Master of Horror, the author has to inject some macabre scenes but overall it came of as highly emotional to me and I even shed a few tears. That was how sad this story was. For those of you who want to see a different side to Stephen King, this may very well be the book for you to pick up.

299. Ingredient: Unveiling the Essential Elements of Food by Ali Bouzari

BOOK REVIEW: Ingredient - Unveiling the Essential Elements of Food by Ali Bouzari

Ingredient really blew my mind with all it's scientific aspects of food that was unravelled like a story. Wonderful pictures and illustrations are strewn throughout the book, making reading easier on the eye.

An ingredient is a fundamental building block that works behind the scenes in everything we cook. Each ingredient has its own personality, a set of things it does or doesn't do. From soup and mashed potatoes to French toast and barbecue, lipids act like glue to stick aromas to your food. 

The best bets for thickening any liquid are carbs and proteins, which we can find anywhere from a bag of flour to a roasted garlic clove or a piece of braised meat. This book teaches the personalities of the ingredients, where to find them, and how to put them to work.

This isn't a book of recipes, nor is it a definitive treatise on the science of the kitchen. It's a guide to visualizing and controlling food's invisible moving parts, regardless of skill level. The author divulges the secrets of ingredients.

To me, it is an entertaining, informative guide to what's really happening when we cook, from one of the leading experts in culinary science. Suits me like a well-fitting glove as I'm teaching cooking so I do need to know what happens when we cook. Wonderful, wonderful read!