Shanghai Girls

The year:1937 Shanghai at that time was the Paris of Asia. This story is a journey of 2 lovely sisters who I imagined as the Paris and Nicole Hilton of Asia when reading the book. Until I got to the middle of the pages ofcourse. :) Pearl Chin, 21 years old and her younger sister, May, are having the time of their lives. Both are beautiful, May more so than Pearl, modern, very RICH and carefree—until the day their father tells them that he is marrying them off to suitors who have traveled from Los Angeles. They also found out that they are basically being sold to repay his debts as he has gambled away their wealth. As Japanese bombs fall on their beloved city, Pearl and May set out on the journey of a lifetime, from the Chinese countryside to the shores of America. Though inseparable best friends, the sisters also harbor petty jealousies and rivalries. Along the way they make terrible sacrifices, face impossible choices, and confront a devastating, life-changing secret. The author has written beautifully. Making sure that Shanghai is painted nicely and not much concentration of the Japanese invading Shanghai, the book is an easy read and my imagination was fully satisfied by this book. Ratings: 9/10

The Expats

The book was interesting the first few pages. And then it became a page turner, not in a good way. In a way that you want to complete it quickly as you just HAVE to finish the book to know the ending. But towards the end, it got better. The write up was unpredictable, however, the story line was. Having said that, I will still read another book by Chris Pavone. The Expats was my first book by him. And because of the way it was writen, I will read another one. The story: A mom who left her CIA job to follow her husband who has gotten an expat job offer in Luxemberg. Tough she has left the investigative job with her old lifestyle when the family moved, she could not leave her old habbits behind. The book brings us to wondering who is the "agent" here. Her new found friends? Her own husband? Does she even know her husband at all? Who supposedly took a job offer as an IT consultant to help curb hackers hacking into bank security systems. Why I was initially attracted to this book? A couple of years ago, we were introduced to a family of (then 3, now 4) from US who moved to my country as an expat. I got close to the wife and we got pregnant together. Her husband was working as an IT consultant for a Welsh company. He was here to set up or assist companies to prevent hackers into their security system. I was invited to his office, it was a one man show office, in one of the highest towers in the city. It was very basic, one PC, one printer, one desk that kind of office. Due to too many double agent movies and series (I am a fan of Alias and The Blacklist), I kinda imagine him being CIA. :) There were too many conincidence of things happening in SEA that requires him to travel at the last minute to these countries. But then again, due to my very active imagination, I wish that he was an agent investigating SOMETHING here. hahahaha They have now moved to another country after being here for 2 years. Back to the book.... Ratings: 5/10

Little Sister

I took 3 days to finish this book. It could have been a day, if I didnt have to work, cook dinner and manage a toddler :) The book is my current best read in 2014. I loved it. It was a real page turner, made me jumpy, made me realise relationship with your loved ones are not to be taken for granted. Made me think of life, adventures (which sometimes are unnecessary) should not even be in my to-do list. Summary: Big sister Kate receives a phone call in the middle of the night. Police have recovered her sister Anya's clothes and personal belongings by the poolside of a remote hideaway in Mexico - a place she had no idea Anya would be. Anya was last seen getting into a vehicle with a local diving instructor but now he's missing too. This brought back memories of her youngest sister. Who was killed in a car crash. She could not imagine loosing another sister. Their relationship has been complicated ever since a devastating tragedy blew their family apart, but Kate cannot believe Anya would willingly travel somewhere so isolated with a man she barely knows . . . Or would she? Running out of time, Kate did everything remotely to find her little sister before it's too late. Did she manage? Read the book and find out. ;) Ratings: 10/10

The Pact, by Jodi Picoult

I am still halfway through the book, but I have to share my excitement of the book with you. I find it an absolute thrill, my mind kept wondering if Chris infact kill Em. Basically, the 2 lovebirds were found on a carousel, one shot dead, the other passed out. Chris is saying it was a suicide pact. But later "changed" his mind... I am at the page where Chris is in Jail awaiting for his trial. He meets and befriended a baby killer, or so they say... I have yet to find out if Chris do voice up and tells the truth, whether he did kill Emily, if Emily's mom will forgive Chris and his family (Chris's mom, Gus is Emily's mom's best friend). Whether the 2 neighbors lives will be back to norm. Cant wait? Yes, I recommend you to read this book! A definite best of the best from Jodi P.! Rating: 10/10!

Mummy, Come Home

By Oxana Kalemi

Based on a true story, a mother who is desperate to get back to her children was brutally beaten, raped, sold etc. Life was horrible for her ever since she was born. Her parents were poor, her father was a wife beater and her mother was an alcoholic.
Life was not any better for her when she turned 14. She was raped. And then she met her loving husband where she thought life was slowly turning to the better.
But that changed when she got pregnant.
And after 3 pregnancies, she was desperate. The only option was to work abroad.
She left initially for 6 months. Things were slightly better when she was abroad and earning $200 per month. But she wanted more.
She met a lady whom she thought she could trust. She paid the lady $300 for tickets and permit to work in a bar in Bosnia.
When her friend didn't proceed with the journey together with her, she then realized that things were not right.
She was sold.
Raped and sold too many times.
She traveled across Europe illegally with her many pimps.
She ended up working in a Brothel in England. Where she made friends with a Turkish girl who ended up helping her to "escape".

Ratings: 10/10

It took me 2 days to finish reading the book. If you are into real life drama, this is one book you should not miss!

I realized that my life is so blessed and much simpler after reading this book.

Mini Shopaholic

By: Sophie Kinsella
Ratings: 8/10

I forgot how irritating Becky can be. The last I read her book must have been early 2010 or late 2009. I find the writer can really bring readers into the story and imagining if you are in the situation Becky's in, you would certainly do the opposite of what Becky would do.
The writer have again managed to make me hate and love Becky at the same time. :)
And of course, Becky have managed to get what she wanted being resourceful as she is. Giving the perfect birthday party to her husband, being a mother of a child who knows Starbucks and loves shopping and how she does not want to upset her parents when they were moving out of her parents.

And finally, I was even motivated by Becky with having an "audit" of her clothes and how she should wear all the clothes she has 3 cycles before being able to buy a new one. In this book, she managed not to buy any clothes for herself, but bought plenty for her little girl and her new house (which have not been purchased- may I add).
Also, she has managed to purchase items from the 5 pound shop. Loads of items from that shop(!) hahahaha

It took me a weekend to finish this book. So it falls into the category of one of the interesting books for me.

The Graft

By Martina Cole
Ratings: 10/10

Very British, Very dark, very real and at times can be very disturbing. Definitely for 18 and above only. Though I could predict the outcomes of the story towards the middle of the book, the ending was still quite different from what I expected. The 679 page book I would consider my best book read in 2010.
It gave me an insight on the dodgy rich people, the lives of those who lives in a rat house and the junkies on the reasons as to how some ended up being at the wrong place at the wrong time.(Or so they say).
There are also some lessons on family values, how some may seem like what you want in life and turns out to be the total opposite and you may find happiness at the least expected circumstances.

Total time I took to read this book: With work, a toddler to handle after work and blogging to sort out- 2 weeks. But it was well worth the staying up at night to finish the book :)

The Beckhams

When I read the back cover, it didn't really convince me to purchase the book. But being a "must know" person (a.k.a busy body), I bought the book anyway. I got hooked after 3 pages. It was such an easy read. One which you can read while waiting for a friend in the cafe, before bed or when stuck in traffic. All I can say is, I never thought beckam and victoria were so interesting. But then again, it could also be because of how they were written about.

Whats the book about?
Well, to put it in a nutshell, its about 2 celebrities bound together and how they face (or build up) fame and fortune. Its like I know them personally, after reading Andrew Morton's book about them, its stuffed with juicy insights, as Daily Mirror puts it..

Rating- 8/10

New books in

Young Adult fiction novels written by L. J. Smith. The series takes place in a world similar to our own but one where vampires, witches, werewolves and shape-shifters live among humans. And the humans don't know the Night world existed. These supernatural races make up a secret society known as the Night World, which enforces two fundamental laws to prevent discovery: 1) Never allow humans to gain knowledge of the Night World's existence and, 2) Never fall in love with one of them.

I finished reading the first book, which consists of Secret Vampire, Daughter of Darkness and Spellbinder.

Love the book, though it is written for young adults, I am one a very ancient "young adult" is not willing to put the book down.

The Partner

By John Grishom

Initially, when I read the book, I never thought I would be so hooked on it. But John Grishom's books always are. And the ending was so unpredictable! I love the way he writes and how he can take the readers into his mind and become the character in the book. I felt the pain when the character was being questioned brutally, I felt the sadness when he lost the ones he loved and I felt the pain he felt when he decided some things that changed his life forever.

Its basically about a lawyer, who faked his death and went away with 90 million dollars which his company was trying to embezzle from another. And he was not part of it. Not the fact that he wanted to be part of it. But one thing led to the other, he hated his so called friends in the company, he hated his wife who was sleeping with her long term ex boyfriend, and he hated his life.

He planned everything, and he got away for 4 years. He fell in love and the love if is life helped him with his plan. Another lawyer, who helped him how to "dispose" the money if he was caught, and they have also made profit from the 90 million. And then they caught him. He could pay them off, together with the charges and still had about 30 million left for him and his soul mate.

It's one of those Must reads books. I will not spoil the ending here. But I must add, I have given in 10 out of 10. John Grishom has done it again!

Sons of a Fortune

By: Jeffrey Archer

I loved the book. I have had the books for a few years and forgot about it. Finally read it when we were refurnishing the house and rearranging the "library".

Basically, 2 brothers (twins) were born a few minutes apart in the local hospital, the same hospital where this rich political couple were about to deliver a baby after a few miscarriages. The doctor could not tell the couple that they baby did not survive.
The twins were separated since then. One grew in a political family, the other with his original parents. The nurse switched the baby then became the nanny for one of the twins. And she kept the secret to her grave. And so did the doctor- who did not have confirmation that it happened, but guessed as much, as he was the one that delivered the other baby that died.

The went to different colleges. They only crossed paths through friends. They never met.

Only after about 35 years later, when one is a successful lawyer, the other an accountant. Who also was a national her as he went served in the Vietnam war.

Though the book is very long, and as the "third person" you can actually hope for them to cross path. Jeffrey Archer made all the tiny details impossible for them not to meet. But they only met after one fateful accident. When the senator (the younger brother) crashed his car, he lost a lot of blood.

I will not say what happened next in this synopsis, that will just kill the ending for those who wants to read the book! :)

Ratings: 10/10- Ive always loved Jeffrey Archer

India

By: Sanjeev Bhaskar

Dry British Humor, which I love, Sanjeeve, being himself exploring into what we know as "third world". From high rise buildings to slumps. From first class international food to road side food which made him ill and running to the loo.


I never knew India produced so many different kinds of teas. I never knew that most Indians speaks fluent English, with British accent. I also never knew they have the same humor as the British..

This book brings us along with Sanjeev, a tv host in England, who wanted to learn about his roots..His typical British humor makes this book an easy read, too easy that I needed to read another book to keep me going.
It has some insignificant parts which made me turn the pages even faster. But it also thought me many things I didnt know about India.
For those who are adventurous, would probably want to take the next flight to India after reading this book...

Rating: 7/10

Everyone Worth Knowing...

When I first picked this book up, I wasn't (I meant "couldn't") really concentrate on the book, as I was more interested in baby books. So after 3 chapters, I gave up.
But I picked it up again last week and to my surprise, I couldn't put it down at all. It's what every girl should read!

Twentysomething graduate, Bette Robinson left her high-paying yet excruciatingly boring job at a prestigious investment bank after a particularly condescending exchange with her boss (who sends her daily inspirational e-mails). After a few weeks of sleeping late, watching Dr. Phil and entertaining her dog Millington, Bette's gay uncle scores her a job at an up-and-coming public relations firm, where her entire job seems to revolve around staying out late partying and providing fodder for clandestine gossip columns. Bette then started climbing up the social ladder at the expense of her friends, family, and the one guy who actually seems worth pursuing....things get complicated when all the partying and hooking up with a guy (she later finds out has more then one skeleton in his closet) just to climb up the corporate ladder...her life couldn't be more complicated as "Ellie Insider" a famous Gossip Columnist is out to 'get' her by continuously sprawling her daily updates in the column ...

I'd give the book 9/10...

The Friday Knitting Club

I have been away for a while as I was on maternity leave. One would think that we have more time to read when you're on maternity leave. I was very wrong...:) I spent most of my time with my baby, and when baby's asleep, I log on Internet to get some work done. I did manage to finish off (sort of), 1 book though. But I couldn't call it complete reading. I did fast forward a few pages when I thought nothing much happens in the chapter.
Don't get me wrong though. The book was not at all boring. Just I didn't have time to read word for word on every pages.

Whats it about?

Georgia, a single mom to Dakota (12 yrs old), runs a knitting shop, Walker and Daughter in Manhattan with the help of her good friend, Anita, who was slightly much older and richer then her. Anita lost her beloved husband, and was trying to find things to do to keep her occupied. Upon meeting Gerogia, who was heavily pregnant and didn't have a job, she decided to help Georgia out with giving her a loan to help open a knitting shop. Which became successful and famous which draws loyal customers and a few oddballs. Darwin Chiu, a feminist grad student, who believes knitting is downright old-fashioned, but she's drawn to the club when her young marriage is on the rocks. Lucie, 42, a television producer, is about to become a single mother. Alone without a husband, she takes into liking for knitting as it helps her "move on". A book editor KC finds her career has stalled unexpectedly, and Peri, who works at Walker and Daughter by day and designs handbags at night.
Georgia then had an unexpected visitor, two of them, in fact, one, her long lost best friend, who ditched her the minute she got into college which Georgia turned down, and second was Dakota's father, who was hoping for a second chance.
And an unexpected tragedy peaks the moment for the book, which I would not want to reveal to spoil the ending for those who have not read the book.

Ratings: 6/10

New In March 09...

Sophie Kinsella- Remeber me?

When 28 yr old Lexi Smart wakes up in a London hospital, she's in for a big surprise. Her teeth are perfect. Her body is toned. Her handbag is Vuitton. Having survived a car accident- in a Mercedes, no less, and she's about to find out just how much things have changed.
Somehow Lexi went from a 25 yr old working girl to a corporate big shot with a sleek
new loft, a personal assistant, a carb-free diet, and a set of glamorous new friends. And who is this gorgeous husband-who also happens to be a multimillionaire? With her mid still stuck three yrs in reverse, Lexi greets this brave new world determined to be the person she seems to be. That is, until an adorably disheveled architect drops the biggest bombshell of all. Suddenly, Lexi is scrambling to catch her balance. Her new life, it turns out, comes complete with secrets, schemes and intrigue. How on earth did all this happen? Will she ever remember? And what will happen when she does?

India- Sanjeev Bhaskar

As a young British Asian growing up in 1960s west London, writer and actor, Sanjeev Bhaskar was fed stories of exotic old India- of cobras and leopards, trapping fireflies and riding rickshaws. But his childhood visits to the old country revealed stifling heat, power cuts and the pervasive aroma of cow dung-baffling to a young boy brought up in an England of fish and chips and light drizzle.
Now, years later, Sanjeev embarks on a uniquely personal journey through the heart of India, where he is reunited with old relatives with traumatic stories of Partition-but also discovers a shiny new India of high-tech industry and glittering Bollywood kitsch. Sanjeev paints a unique picture of this chaotic, beautiful and remarkable country-this is India as you've never seen it before.

Playing for Pizza- John Grisham

Rick Dockery was the third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In the AFC Championship game, to the surprise and dismay of virtually everyone, Rick actually got into the game. With a 17-point lead and just minutes to go, Rick provided what was arguably the worst single performance in the history of NFL. Overnight, he became a national laughingstock- and was immediately cut by the Browns and shunned by all other teams.
But all Rick knows is football, and he insists that his agent finds a team that needs him. Against enormous odds, Rick finally gets a job- as the starting quarterback for the Mighty Partners...of Parma, Italy. The Parma Panthers desperately want a former NFL Player, any former NFL Player-at their helm. And now, they've got Rick, who knows nothing about Parma (not even where it is) and doesn't speak a word a word of Italian. To say that Italy-the land of fine wines, extremely small cars, and football Americano-holds a few surprises for Rick Dockery wold be something of an understatement.

The Golden Cup- Belva Plain

In this magnificent return to the world of Evergreen, Henrietta Roth, an extraordinary women, fights to control her destiny, and three turbulent generations come vividly to life against a background of immigrant struggle, war and passion.

Message in a Bottle- Nicholas Sparks

Divorced and disillusioned about relationships, Theresa Osborne is jogging when she finds a bottle on the beach. Inside, is a letter of love and longing to "Catherine" signed simply "Garrett". Challanged by the mystery and pulled by emotions she doesn't fully understand, Theresa begins a search for this man that will change her life. What happens to her is unexpected, perhaps miraculous-and encounter that embraces all our hopes for finding someone special, for having a love that is timeless and everlasting.

The Friday Night Knitting Club- Kate Jacobs

It starts almost by accidents, the women who buy their knitting needles and wools from Gerogia's store linger for advice, for a coffee, for a chat and before they know it, every Friday night is knitting night. And as the needles clack, and the garments grow, the conversation moves on from patterns and yarn to life, love and everything. These women are of different problems, but they are drawn together by threads of affection that prove as durable as the sweaters they knit.

Sunday's at Tiffany's- James Patterson

Jane Margaux is a lonely little girl. Her mother, a powerful Broadway producer, makes time for her only once a week, for their Sunday trip to admire jewelry at Tiffany's. Jane has only one friend, a handsome comforting funny man name Micheal. He's perfect. But only she can see him. Micheal can't stay forever, thought. On Jane's ninth birthday he leaves, promising her that she'll soon forget him.
Years later, in her thirties, Jane is just as alone as she was as a child. And despite her own success as a playwright, she is even more trapped by her overbearing mother. Then she meets someone- a handsome, comforting,funny man. He's perfect. His name is Micheal.

Vanishing Acts- Jodi Piccoult

Delia Hopkins has led a charmed life. Raised in rural New Hampshire by her widowed father Andrew, she now has a young daughter, a handsome fiance', and a job she loves, finding missing persons.
But as Delia plans her wedding, she is plagues by flashbacks of life she can't recall. And then a policeman knocks at her door, and her world fractures into something unrecognisable...


Note: Synopsis are from book covers. My review will come after Ive read the books :)

My Name Is Salma...

Author: Fadia Faqir

Its about an Arab women who got pregnant before marriage. To restore their honour, the villagers set out to kill her. A runaway from her tribe, her days playing the pipe for her goats and swimming in the spring are over. She is placed in prison for her own protection, and upon delivering, her newborn baby was taken away.

Few years later, she moves to England to seek asylum. She began her new life in the middle of the most English of English towns, Exeter, where she learns good manners from her ancient landlady, and strives to have a social life at the local pub. But it is with the help of Parvin, a feisty Pakistani girl on the run from an arranged marriage, that Salma is finally able to forge a new identity.

Still, deep inside her, she still hears the echos of her baby girl. When she can no longer bear them, she decides to go back to her village to find her. It is a journey that will change everything - and nothing.

It left me with a long sigh after reading this book.

Ratings: 6/10

Slumdog Millionare

Previously Published as "Q&A".

It took me 3 days to complete this book. It would have in fact taken me a day to finish it, but due to some other circumstances, it took me longer then it should have.
I did not want to put the book down. As soon as I started reading it, i was hooked. The writer (who is a professor) managed to bring me "meet the character". He is tiffin boy, who managed to win 1 billion rupees by answering 12 questions in a game show. (If you have seen who wants to be a millionaire, you will not have problems understanding this book). But he was brutally taken to prison with the reason that he cheated at the game show. With the video of the game show, he carefully explained how he knew the answers to each of the questions based on the eventful life experiences.

Its a straightforward read, with many teeth gripping life events. Also, after reading this book, it takes my believe in Karma to a whole different level.

I'd rate this book 10 out of 10. Its no wonder the movie won so many awards...

: Watched the movie. The book is MUCH better...

Innocence...by Kathleen Tessaro

Writer: Kathleen Tessaro
Ratings: 10/10

My favourite book this year! Took me only a couple of days to finish reading it despite the heavy work load and being 7 months pregnant. :)
The writer managed to bring me into character, Evie Garlick a 30 something American girl, lives in London, being haunted by her dead best friend. But its not one typical ghost/paranormal stories which you've come across, its more about live, how the haunting made her realise what she has become and how her best friend has helped her getting through hectic London lifestyle.
Being somewhat a failed student actress due to a huge love for a man type decision she made in her 20's which affected her career, she then ends up being an acting teacher, stuck in her own world.
But not all the decision she made in her 20's was bad ones, she does however has the best thing that ever happened to her, Alex, her son.


Book cover synopsis:

It's 1986 and eighteen-year-old Evie dreams of being an actress. Leaving her hometown of Eden, Ohio, for the first time, she's heading to London to study drama. Together with fellow students Imogene (a born-again Laura Ashley poster child and frustrated virgin) and Robbie (a native New Yorker, budding bohemian, and very much not a virgin), Evie's flung into a thrilling new world -- a world illuminated by the glamorous, outrageous Robbie. Together, any thing's possible.

But then life, and love, intervene.

And everything changes.

Fifteen years later, Evie's a single mother teaching drama to night students and living with the eccentric Bunny in her house of artistic renters. Robbie's gone now, killed in a car accident. And Evie's doing her best to forget the past, as well as the dreams they once both shared.

Then an old friendship comes back to haunt Evie.

Literally.

And suddenly everything is about to change again.

Death of a Dream

Death of a Dream, a true Crime account from behind the scenes by: Paul Larosa and Ein Moriarty


True crime drama about a dream of a Broadway dancer turned into a nightmare. She was found murdered in her apartment. 2 suspects came into custody, an innocent looking yoga instructor who was her current boyfriend, and a dodgy looking housemate who was her ex-boyfriend.

The book was not as gruesome as you may think, the thorough investigation done by the police took me into my own CSI lab.

I enjoyed the book, the writer managed to bring me into the murder, the life of a dancer and the lives of her partners, family and friends.

Ratings: 7/10

I would recommend those CSI lovers to read this book along with any other more "in depth" books which may sometimes bring you straight to sleep. :)read more on Death of a Dream here

An Offer you cant refuse, by Jill Mansell

Rating: 8/10

I truly enjoyed this book. The author managed to transport me into the life of Lola, who was paid 1000 pounds to leave her then bf, Dougie as his fna fna (or ra-ra or whatever you wanna call extremely rich and stuck up) mother did not like Lola as she was not going to University, and working in a chippy. Lola is appalled by this and refuses point blank - until she discovers a terrible secret and she has no choice but to take the money and finish with Dougie. She even managed to barter with her and got 12000 pounds.

Then, 3 years later, upon coming back to England, a twist of fate bringing Dougie and Lola back together, with Lola still loving him as much as ever, but Dougie discovers she was paid to break his heart.

She is then determine to make him forgive her and take her back. (Some annoying parts about her here). But nevertheless, I love the fact that I wanted to turn the pages even if it meant missing an hour of sleep. ;)

Seriously recommend this book! Its brilliant!