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.