Hamad's bookshelf: all en-US Sun, 06 Apr 2025 02:16:43 -0700 60 Hamad's bookshelf: all 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Say You'll Remember Me 217182552 From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Just for the Summer comes a new playful yet deeply emotional contemporary romance.

There might be no such a thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediately yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong�

. . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake. But after one incredible and seemingly endless date—possibly the best in living history—Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be.

Only no amount of distance or time is nearly enough to forget that something between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering.]]> 368 Abby Jimenez 1538759195 Hamad 0 currently-reading Please don't disappoint... 4.33 2025 Say You'll Remember Me
author: Abby Jimenez
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/04/06
shelves: currently-reading
review:
Please don't disappoint...
]]> <![CDATA[Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (Ernest Cunningham, #1)]]> 60879779
I'm Ernest Cunningham. Call me Ern or Ernie. I wish I'd killed whoever decided our family reunion should be at a ski resort, but it's a little more complicated than that.

Have I killed someone? Yes. I have.

Who was it?

Let's get started.

EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE

My brother

My stepsister

My wife

My father

My mother

My sister-in-law

My uncle

My stepfather

My aunt

Me]]> 371 Benjamin Stevenson 0063279029 Hamad 3 Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
RTC]]> 3.75 2022 Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (Ernest Cunningham, #1)
author: Benjamin Stevenson
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2025/04/05
date added: 2025/04/06
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, rtc
review:
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
RTC
]]> <![CDATA[Arthur (The Arthurian Tales, #3)]]> 198678954
Yet old Beran has no love of bards' songs. Nor of people, unless they are paying him to steal or kill. He is a mercenary, in the employ of the cutthroat Nabor ap Nabor, and he has been ordered to murder a boy fleeing a burning city. No ordinary boy either. No, this boy is the son of King Constantine and the grandson of High King Ambrosius. And he could be the hope of Britain . . . if he lives.

Betraying his companions and returning to a world he thought he had left forever, Beran gives his word that he will take the boy to the one place that still holds out against the Camelot.

Crossing a hostile land, they will meet the runaway lovers, Tristan and Isolde. They will seek the help of Guivret, called the Little King, and the Saracen, Palamedes, who once rode beneath Arthur's banner.

Hunted by Saxons, Nabor ap Nabor, and Queen Morgana, this unlikely band must fight for their lives and for each other. For if there's to be any hope for Britain, Beran must deliver the boy to Camelot. But to do that, he must also face his own past . . .]]> 505 Giles Kristian 1473595258 Hamad 4 Camelot ★★★★
Arthur ★★★★]]> 4.50 2024 Arthur (The Arthurian Tales, #3)
author: Giles Kristian
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/02
date added: 2025/04/03
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, rtc
review:
Lancelot ★★★★�
Camelot ★★★★
Arthur ★★★★
]]> <![CDATA[Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman]]> 59822447 A new, fascinating account of the life of Agatha Christie from celebrated literary and cultural historian Lucy Worsley.

"Nobody in the world was more inadequate to act the heroine than I was."

Why did Agatha Christie spend her career pretending that she was “just� an ordinary housewife, when clearly she wasn’t?  Her life is fascinating for its mysteries and its passions and, as Lucy Worsley says, "She was thrillingly, scintillatingly modern."  She went surfing in Hawaii, she loved fast cars, and she was intrigued by the new science of psychology, which helped her through devastating mental illness.

So why—despite all the evidence to the contrary—did Agatha present herself as a retiring Edwardian lady of leisure? 

She was born in 1890 into a world that had its own rules about what women could and couldn’t do. Lucy Worsley’s biography is not just of a massively, internationally successful writer. It's also the story of a person who, despite the obstacles of class and gender, became an astonishingly successful working woman.

With access to personal letters and papers that have rarely been seen, Lucy Worsley’s biography is both authoritative and entertaining and makes us realize what an extraordinary pioneer Agatha Christie was—truly a woman who wrote the twentieth century.]]> 498 Lucy Worsley Hamad 4 Agatha was indeed a very elusive woman!
RTC...]]> 4.20 2022 Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman
author: Lucy Worsley
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/29
date added: 2025/03/30
shelves: 2025-reads, e-books, paperbacks, non-fiction, rtc
review:
Mostly listened to the audiobook but some parts I read from my physical copy.
Agatha was indeed a very elusive woman!
RTC...
]]> The Bee Sting 203178284 From the author of Skippy Dies comes Paul Murray's The Bee Sting, an irresistibly funny, wise, and thought-provoking tour de force about family, fortune, and the struggle to be a good person when the world is falling apart.

The Barnes family is in trouble. Dickie’s once-lucrative car business is going under―but rather than face the music, he’s spending his days in the woods, building an apocalypse-proof bunker with a renegade handyman. His wife Imelda is selling off her jewelry on eBay, while their teenage daughter Cass, formerly top of her class, seems determined to binge-drink her way through her final exams. And twelve-year-old PJ is putting the final touches to his grand plan to run away from home.

Where did it all go wrong? A patch of ice on the tarmac, a casual favor to a charming stranger, a bee caught beneath a bridal veil―can a single moment of bad luck change the direction of a life? And if the story has already been written―is there still time to find a happy ending?]]> 643 Paul Murray 0241984408 Hamad 4
“Maybe every era has an atrocity woven into its fabric. Maybe every society is complicit in terrible things and only afterwards gets around to pretending they didn’t know.�

I typically gravitate towards long books, especially epic fantasy, where length is the norm. But when I need a break from those hefty stories, I turn to contemporary novels, which tend to be shorter. Generally, I think contemporaries work best when they're in the short-to-medium range—there’s not always a need for a longer narrative. That said, I can think of a few big, hefty contemporaries I’ve read and loved, such as The Winners by Fredrik Backman, A Little Life, and The Heart's Invisible Furies.

I came across this book on the Waterstones website and noticed the positive reviews and awards it had received. Normally, books that win awards don’t always work for me, but I decided to give it a try. I went into it knowing very little, but it started off strong, which made me hopeful.

Then came Imelda’s chapters, and honestly, I was completely thrown off. Her sections felt disorienting, and the lack of punctuation irritated me. I understand Murray was likely trying to capture her scattered mind and thoughts, but it just made for a frustrating reading experience. Imelda's chapters are also the longest in the book, and it took me nearly three days to get through them before I could pick up my usual pace again. Some readers have said that the audiobook helps with this, but I didn’t consider that option at the time, and given the length of the book, I assumed the audiobook would be just as long.

“I suppose that’s what everybody wants, isn’t it. To be like everybody else. But nobody is like everybody else. That’s the one thing we have in common.�

In terms of writing, the prose was good, though it fluctuated in quality throughout the book. For the most part, it suited the tone of the story. The characters are deeply flawed, which seems to be the main point of the novel. By the end, I found myself invested in the characters, especially the kids, and it was rewarding to see them grow. Sure, they can be frustrating, but that’s part of what makes them feel so realistic, especially for anyone who’s interacted with teenagers recently.

Now, about the ending� The story wraps up with an open, ambiguous conclusion. As the narrative picks up pace toward the end, it almost takes on the tension of a thriller—but without the satisfying final reveal. When I closed the book, I felt a surge of frustration. Had I really gone through all of this just to be left hanging?

In true "me" fashion, I dove into some research and discovered that the ending could be interpreted in two ways. One is the likely intended outcome, which is sad but cleverly foreshadowed throughout the book, tying up all the narrative threads. The other interpretation is more optimistic. This realization completely shifted my perspective on the book and made me appreciate it more. It even made me want to re-read it right away, as the first line takes on an entirely new meaning upon a second reading. This is definitely a book that sparks discussion.

“That's the past, isn't it. You think it's behind you, then one day you walk into a room and it's there waiting for you.�

In conclusion, I can now see why this book has such mixed reviews. I was on both sides of the fence, initially hating it and then coming to love it. The book is lengthy and could benefit from some editing (especially when it comes to punctuation), but I’ll always look back on it with admiration. Who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll give it another read!

]]> 4.05 2023 The Bee Sting
author: Paul Murray
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/26
date added: 2025/03/28
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, good-covers, paperbacks
review:
“Maybe every era has an atrocity woven into its fabric. Maybe every society is complicit in terrible things and only afterwards gets around to pretending they didn’t know.�

I typically gravitate towards long books, especially epic fantasy, where length is the norm. But when I need a break from those hefty stories, I turn to contemporary novels, which tend to be shorter. Generally, I think contemporaries work best when they're in the short-to-medium range—there’s not always a need for a longer narrative. That said, I can think of a few big, hefty contemporaries I’ve read and loved, such as The Winners by Fredrik Backman, A Little Life, and The Heart's Invisible Furies.

I came across this book on the Waterstones website and noticed the positive reviews and awards it had received. Normally, books that win awards don’t always work for me, but I decided to give it a try. I went into it knowing very little, but it started off strong, which made me hopeful.

Then came Imelda’s chapters, and honestly, I was completely thrown off. Her sections felt disorienting, and the lack of punctuation irritated me. I understand Murray was likely trying to capture her scattered mind and thoughts, but it just made for a frustrating reading experience. Imelda's chapters are also the longest in the book, and it took me nearly three days to get through them before I could pick up my usual pace again. Some readers have said that the audiobook helps with this, but I didn’t consider that option at the time, and given the length of the book, I assumed the audiobook would be just as long.

“I suppose that’s what everybody wants, isn’t it. To be like everybody else. But nobody is like everybody else. That’s the one thing we have in common.�

In terms of writing, the prose was good, though it fluctuated in quality throughout the book. For the most part, it suited the tone of the story. The characters are deeply flawed, which seems to be the main point of the novel. By the end, I found myself invested in the characters, especially the kids, and it was rewarding to see them grow. Sure, they can be frustrating, but that’s part of what makes them feel so realistic, especially for anyone who’s interacted with teenagers recently.

Now, about the ending� The story wraps up with an open, ambiguous conclusion. As the narrative picks up pace toward the end, it almost takes on the tension of a thriller—but without the satisfying final reveal. When I closed the book, I felt a surge of frustration. Had I really gone through all of this just to be left hanging?

In true "me" fashion, I dove into some research and discovered that the ending could be interpreted in two ways. One is the likely intended outcome, which is sad but cleverly foreshadowed throughout the book, tying up all the narrative threads. The other interpretation is more optimistic. This realization completely shifted my perspective on the book and made me appreciate it more. It even made me want to re-read it right away, as the first line takes on an entirely new meaning upon a second reading. This is definitely a book that sparks discussion.

“That's the past, isn't it. You think it's behind you, then one day you walk into a room and it's there waiting for you.�

In conclusion, I can now see why this book has such mixed reviews. I was on both sides of the fence, initially hating it and then coming to love it. The book is lengthy and could benefit from some editing (especially when it comes to punctuation), but I’ll always look back on it with admiration. Who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll give it another read!


]]> The Coin 199349912 A bold and unabashed novel about a young Palestinian woman's unraveling, far from home, as she gets caught up in a scheme reselling Birkin bags

The Coin follows a Palestinian woman as she pursues a dream that generations of her family have failed at: to live and thrive in America. She teaches at a school for underprivileged boys in New York, where her eccentric methods cross conventional boundaries. She befriends a homeless swindler and the two participate in a pyramid scheme reselling Birkin bags, the value of which "increases, year by year, regardless of poverty, of war, of famine." The juxtaposition of luxury and the abject engulfs her as she is able to con her way to bag after bag, preoccupied by the suffering she knows of the world.

Eventually, her body and mind go to war. America is stifling her—her willfulness, her sexuality, her ideology. In an attempt to regain control, she becomes preoccupied with purity, cleanliness and self-image, all while drawing her students into her obsessions. In an unforgettable denouement, her childhood memories converge with her feelings of existential statelessness, and the narrator unravels spectacularly.

Enthralling, sensory, and uncanny, The Coin explores materiality, nature and civilization, class, homelessness, sexuality, beauty—and how oppression and inherited trauma manifest in every area of our lives—all while resisting easy moralizing. Provocative and original, humorous and inviting, The Coin marks the arrival of a major new literary voice.]]> 240 Yasmin Zaher 1646222105 Hamad 0 to-read 3.51 2024 The Coin
author: Yasmin Zaher
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Dead Romantics 58885776 Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9780593336489.

Florence Day is the ghostwriter for one of the most prolific romance authors in the industry, and she has a problem—after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love. It’s as good as dead.

When her new editor, a too-handsome mountain of a man, won’t give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence prepares to kiss her career goodbye. But then she gets a phone call she never wanted to receive, and she must return home for the first time in a decade to help her family bury her beloved father.

For ten years, she’s run from the town that never understood her, and even though she misses the sound of a warm Southern night and her eccentric, loving family and their funeral parlor, she can’t bring herself to stay. Even with her father gone, it feels like nothing in this town has changed. And she hates it.

Until she finds a ghost standing at the funeral parlor’s front door, just as broad and infuriatingly handsome as ever, and he’s just as confused about why he’s there as she is.

Romance is most certainly dead... but so is her new editor, and his unfinished business will have her second-guessing everything she’s ever known about love stories.

A disillusioned millennial ghostwriter who, quite literally, has some ghosts of her own, has to find her way back home in this sparkling adult debut from national bestselling author Ashley Poston.]]> 368 Ashley Poston Hamad 0 to-read 3.90 2022 The Dead Romantics
author: Ashley Poston
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/27
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Berserk, Vol. 11 248879 234 Kentaro Miura 1593074700 Hamad 4 Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 6 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 7 ★★� ½
Berserk Vol 8 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 9 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 10 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 11 ★★★★

To be honest, I am sometimes impressed by my ability to not binge this whole series and reading only one volume per month!]]> 4.60 1996 Berserk, Vol. 11
author: Kentaro Miura
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.60
book published: 1996
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/17
date added: 2025/03/18
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, manga-picture-books, paperbacks
review:
Berserk Vol 1 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 6 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 7 ★★� ½
Berserk Vol 8 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 9 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 10 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 11 ★★★★

To be honest, I am sometimes impressed by my ability to not binge this whole series and reading only one volume per month!
]]> Blood Brothers Beyond 222684671 Not all heroes go to Heaven.

Blood Subaru is dead. His final request: His brothers sneak his soul into Heaven.

There's just a few problems; the trail is infested with opportunistic bandits, haunted by vengeful spirits, and guarded by the Gods of Death.

All in a days work for the legendary Brothers Blood. Or at least, it would have been in their prime.

Pulled out of cosy retirement, Blood Ichiro must summon the courage and the strength to climb the Heaven's Trail for a second time in his life. He doesn't want to go, but some quests can't be refused.

Anything for a fallen brother.

An Asian-inspired Sword & Sorcery adventure set in the award-winning Mortal Techniques world.]]> 108 Rob J. Hayes 1915440106 Hamad 3 4.29 Blood Brothers Beyond
author: Rob J. Hayes
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.29
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/17
date added: 2025/03/18
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, novellas, rtc
review:

]]> Death Comes As the End 8310461
But at her father's house on the banks of the Nile, the priest's daughter Renisenb believes that the woman's death is suspicious. Increasingly, she becomes convinced that the source of evil lurks within their household--and watches helplessly as the family's passions explode in murder. . . .]]> 336 Agatha Christie Hamad 4 2025-reads, e-books, rtc Christie's book of the month. 3.83 1944 Death Comes As the End
author: Agatha Christie
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.83
book published: 1944
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/16
date added: 2025/03/17
shelves: 2025-reads, e-books, rtc
review:
Christie's book of the month.
]]> Good Material 96177629
Now he is. . .

Without a home

Waiting for his stand-up career to take off

Wondering why everyone else around him seems to have grown up while he wasn't looking

Set adrift on the sea of heartbreak, Andy clings to the idea of solving the puzzle of his ruined relationship. Because if he can find the answer to that, then maybe Jen can find her way back to him. But Andy still has a lot to learn, not least his ex-girlfriend's side of the story�

In this sharply funny and exquisitely relatable story of romantic disaster and friendship, Dolly Alderton offers up a love story with two endings, demonstrating once again why she is one of the most exciting writers today, and the true voice of a generation.]]> 345 Dolly Alderton 0241523672 Hamad 4 This was VERY good :D 3.85 2023 Good Material
author: Dolly Alderton
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/14
date added: 2025/03/15
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, rtc
review:
This was VERY good :D
]]> Saga, Volume 12 29237228 In the epic twelfth volume of SAGA, Alana takes on a dangerous new role, her 12-year-old daughter Hazel forges an important friendship, and the galaxy's balance of power begins to shift.

Romeo & Juliet meets Star Wars in this genre-blending, sci-fi/fantasy space opera about star crossed lovers from enemy worlds. An epic for mature readers, Saga follows new parents Marko and Alana as they risk everything to raise their child amidst a never-ending galactic war. A multiple award winning, critically acclaimed masterpiece and one of the most iconic, bestselling comic book series of its time.

The SAGA series has sold over 7 million copies to date across all formats, has been translated into 20 languages, and has garnered multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards, plus a Hugo Award, British Fantasy Award, ŷ Choice Award, Shuster Award, Inkwell Award, Ringo Award, and more. It has been featured in such mainstream media outlets as TIME, Entertainment Weekly, The Atlantic, NPR, and beyond, and has become a pop culture phenomenon.

Collects SAGA #67-72]]> 160 Brian K. Vaughan 1534328785 Hamad 0 to-read 4.29 2025 Saga, Volume 12
author: Brian K. Vaughan
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries (Emily Wilde, #1)]]> 60657589
Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party--or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, and the Fair Folk.

So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily's research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones--the most elusive of all faeries--lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all--her own heart.]]> 336 Heather Fawcett 059350013X Hamad 2 So disappointed :( 3.99 2023 Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries (Emily Wilde, #1)
author: Heather Fawcett
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2023
rating: 2
read at: 2025/03/11
date added: 2025/03/12
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, rtc
review:
So disappointed :(
]]> The Spellshop 217206125 The Spellshop is Sarah Beth Durst’s romantasy debut–a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love.

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz—a magically sentient spider plant—have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite.

When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she’d see again: her childhood home. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor who can’t take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she’s fed and to help fix up her new home.

In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn’t have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries.

But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island’s first-ever and much needed secret spellshop.

Like a Hallmark rom-com full of mythical creatures and fueled by cinnamon rolls and magic, The Spellshop will heal your heart and feed your soul.]]> 377 Sarah Beth Durst 1250333970 Hamad 0 to-read 3.99 2024 The Spellshop
author: Sarah Beth Durst
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Famous Last Words 212421066
From the author of Reese’s Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller Wrong Place Wrong Time comes an addictive thriller about a new mother’s world upended when her husband commits a terrifying crime. How well does she truly know the man she loves? And what danger does she face if her entire life has been built on a lie?

It is June 21st, the longest day of the year, and new mother Camilla’s life is about to change forever. After months of maternity leave, she will drop her infant daughter off at daycare for the first time and return to her job as a literary agent. Finally. But, when she wakes, her husband Luke isn’t there, and in his place is a cryptic note.

Then it starts. Breaking news: there's a hostage situation developing in London. The police arrive, and tell her Luke is involved. But he isn't a hostage. Her husband—doting father, eternal optimist—is the gunman.

What she does next is crucial. Because only she knows what the note he left behind that morning says...

Famous Last Words is the story of a crime, a marriage, and more secrets than Camilla ever could have imagined. This novel cements Gillian McAllister’s reputation as “the best at putting her characters in impossible situations and making her readers not only contemplate but feel what it would be like to find themselves in those situations.� (Emily Henry)]]> 336 Gillian McAllister 0063338424 Hamad 3 Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
RTC]]> 3.73 2025 Famous Last Words
author: Gillian McAllister
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2025
rating: 3
read at: 2025/03/07
date added: 2025/03/07
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, rtc
review:
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
RTC
]]> <![CDATA[Camelot (The Arthurian Tales, #2)]]> 51820795 Following his acclaimed Sunday Times bestseller, Lancelot, Giles Kristian's new novel returns us to the realms of Arthurian legend . . .

Britain is a land riven by anarchy, slaughter, famine, filth and darkness. Its armies are destroyed, its heroes dead, or missing. Arthur and Lancelot fell in the last great battle and Merlin has not been these past ten years. But in a small, isolated monastery in the west of England, a young boy is suddenly plucked from his simple existence by the ageing warrior, Gawain. It seems he must come to terms with his legacy and fate as the son of the most celebrated yet most infamous of Arthur's warriors: Lancelot. For this is the story of Galahad, Lancelot’s son � the reluctant warrior who dared to keep the dream of Camelot alive . . . ]]> 450 Giles Kristian Hamad 4 Camelot ★★★★]]> 4.26 2020 Camelot (The Arthurian Tales, #2)
author: Giles Kristian
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/04
date added: 2025/03/06
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, good-covers, paperbacks, rtc
review:
Lancelot ★★★★�
Camelot ★★★★
]]> <![CDATA[Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping [On a Dead Man] (Vera Wong, #2)]]> 215805924 Vera Wong is back and as meddling as ever in this follow-up to the hit Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.�

Ever since a man was found dead in Vera's teahouse, life has been good. For Vera that is. She’s surrounded by loved ones, her shop is bustling, and best of all, her son, Tilly, has a girlfriend! All thanks to Vera, because Tilly's girlfriend is none other than Officer Selena Gray. The very same Officer Gray that she had harassed while investigating the teahouse murder. Still, Vera wishes more dead bodies would pop up in her shop, but one mustn't be ungrateful, even if one is slightly...bored.

Then Vera comes across a distressed young woman who is obviously in need of her kindly guidance. The young woman is looking for a missing friend. Fortunately, while cat-sitting at Tilly and Selena's, Vera finds a treasure Selena's briefcase. Inside is a file about the death of an enigmatic influencer—who also happens to be the friend that the young woman was looking for.

Online, Xander had it a parade of private jets, fabulous parties with socialites, and a burgeoning career as a social media influencer. The only problem is, after his body is fished out of Mission Bay, the police can't seem to actually identify him. Who is Xander Lin? Nobody knows. Every contact is a dead end. Everybody claims not to know him, not even his parents.

Vera is determined to solve Xander's murder. After all, doing so would surely be a big favor to Selena, and there is nothing she wouldn't do for her future daughter-in-law.]]> 325 Jesse Q. Sutanto 0593546253 Hamad 0 to-read 4.36 2025 Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping [On a Dead Man] (Vera Wong, #2)
author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Berserk, Vol. 10 248872 237 Kentaro Miura 1593073313 Hamad 4 Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 6 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 7 ★★� ½
Berserk Vol 8 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 9 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 10 ★★★★

This continues to be a great series. In this particular volume, I noticed a bit of a change, there were a bit more humor and some goofy panels that I did not notice before. ]]> 4.69 1995 Berserk, Vol. 10
author: Kentaro Miura
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.69
book published: 1995
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/25
date added: 2025/02/25
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, fantasy, good-covers, manga-picture-books, paperbacks
review:
Berserk Vol 1 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 6 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 7 ★★� ½
Berserk Vol 8 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 9 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 10 ★★★★

This continues to be a great series. In this particular volume, I noticed a bit of a change, there were a bit more humor and some goofy panels that I did not notice before.
]]> <![CDATA[After the Funeral (Hercule Poirot, #33)]]> 6251567
 “He was murdered, wasn’t he?�

When Cora Lansquenet is savagely murdered, the extraordinary remark she had made the previous day at her brother Richard’s funeral suddenly takes on a chilling significance. At the reading of Richard’s will, Cora was clearly heard to say, “It’s been hushed up very nicely, hasn’t it. But he was murdered, wasn’t he?�

Did Cora’s accusation a dark truth that sealed her own fate? Or are the siblings� deaths just tragic coincidences?

Desperate to know the truth, the Lansquenet’s solicitor turns to Hercule Poirot to unravel the mystery. For even after the funeral, death isn’t finished yet . . .]]> 287 Agatha Christie Hamad 4 2025-reads, e-books, rtc Brilliant!!!]]> 4.28 1953 After the Funeral (Hercule Poirot, #33)
author: Agatha Christie
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.28
book published: 1953
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/23
date added: 2025/02/23
shelves: 2025-reads, e-books, rtc
review:
Christie's book of the month.
Brilliant!!!
]]> <![CDATA[Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering]]> 213890796
Why is Miami…Miami? What does the heartbreaking fate of the cheetah tell us about the way we raise our children? Why do Ivy League schools care so much about sports? What is the Magic Third, and what does it mean for racial harmony? In this provocative new work, Malcolm Gladwell returns for the first time in twenty-five years to the subject of social epidemics and tipping points, this time with the aim of explaining the dark side of contagious phenomena.

Through a series of riveting stories, Gladwell traces the rise of a new and troubling form of social engineering. He takes us to the streets of Los Angeles to meet the world’s most successful bank robbers, rediscovers a forgotten television show from the 1970s that changed the world, visits the site of a historic experiment on a tiny cul-de-sac in northern California, and offers an alternate history of two of the biggest epidemics of our day: COVID and the opioid crisis. Revenge of the Tipping Point is Gladwell’s most personal book yet. With his characteristic mix of storytelling and social science, he offers a guide to making sense of the contagions of modern world. It’s time we took tipping points seriously.]]> 352 Malcolm Gladwell Hamad 3 4.07 2024 Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering
author: Malcolm Gladwell
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/02/21
date added: 2025/02/21
shelves: 2025-reads, audiobooks, hardcovers, non-fiction, rtc
review:
February's audiobook of the month.
]]> We All Live Here 213243915 The #1 New York Times bestselling author, whose books so many love, brings us a fresh, contemporary story of a woman and her unruly blended family

Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate. A broken marriage, two wayward daughters, a house that is falling apart, and an elderly stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. Her career is in freefall and her love life is . . . complicated. So when her real dad—a man she has barely seen since he ran off to Hollywood thirty-five years ago—suddenly appears on her doorstep, it feels like the final straw. But it turns out even the family you thought you could never forgive might have something to teach about love, and what it actually means to be family.]]> 450 Jojo Moyes 1984879324 Hamad 4 3.89 2025 We All Live Here
author: Jojo Moyes
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2025
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/21
date added: 2025/02/21
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, rtc, tear-worthy-books
review:
Someone Else's Shoes was one of my favorite books last year, will it be the same this year?
]]> <![CDATA[Butcher & Blackbird (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #1)]]> 196864520

The viral TikTok friends-to-lovers dark romantic comedy full of murder, chaos, and spice—unlike anything you’ve read before—now available in all bookstores.


When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of like-minded, pitch-black souls. From small town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country.


But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love. Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves? Or have they finally met their match?

]]> 360 Brynne Weaver Hamad 3 4.00 2023 Butcher & Blackbird (The Ruinous Love Trilogy, #1)
author: Brynne Weaver
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2025/02/16
date added: 2025/02/16
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, rtc
review:
I don't know how I got to reading this book, but I hope it is a good one!
]]> Fire 208460840
Did what happened to Freya as a child one fateful summer influence the adult she would become � or was she always destined to be that person? Was she born with cruelty in her heart or did something force it into being?

In Fire, John Boyne takes the reader on a chilling, uncomfortable but utterly compelling psychological journey to the epicentre of the human condition, asking the age-old question: nurture � or nature?]]> 176 John Boyne 0857529870 Hamad 5 Earth ★★★★
Fire ★★★★�

One of the most fucked up books I read, and I loved it!!
I am going to be honest; it took me some to realize there is an ongoing theme with the series. Boyne does not shy away from heavy topics in his books and with this series he chose to write about "bad" characters. I wanted to say morally gray, but I don't believe they can be described this way.

Freya, the protagonist in this book is so well written because as fucked as she is, I still cared about her; I understood her as a victim, but it does not justify her current actions. This book gave me so much mixed emotions!!

The books are loosely connected, and we even get some answers for events in the last book which were left open as I mentioned in my review. The twists were expected but this does not make their impact any less powerful. I loved how the book started and even more how it ended, and I cannot wait to read Aaron's story in the finale. ]]> 4.21 2024 Fire
author: John Boyne
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2024
rating: 5
read at: 2025/02/13
date added: 2025/02/14
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, hardcovers
review:
Water ★★★★
Earth ★★★★
Fire ★★★★�

One of the most fucked up books I read, and I loved it!!
I am going to be honest; it took me some to realize there is an ongoing theme with the series. Boyne does not shy away from heavy topics in his books and with this series he chose to write about "bad" characters. I wanted to say morally gray, but I don't believe they can be described this way.

Freya, the protagonist in this book is so well written because as fucked as she is, I still cared about her; I understood her as a victim, but it does not justify her current actions. This book gave me so much mixed emotions!!

The books are loosely connected, and we even get some answers for events in the last book which were left open as I mentioned in my review. The twists were expected but this does not make their impact any less powerful. I loved how the book started and even more how it ended, and I cannot wait to read Aaron's story in the finale.
]]> <![CDATA[Ruthless Vows (Letters of Enchantment, #2)]]> 127280062 Torn apart by war. Reunited by love?

Two weeks have passed since Iris returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over.

Roman is missing, lost behind enemy lines, with no memory of his past, or Iris. Hoping his memories return, he begins to write again � but this time for the enemy.

When a strange letter arrives through his wardrobe door, he strikes up a correspondence with a penpal who seems at once mysterious� and strangely familiar.

As their connection deepens, the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.]]> 420 Rebecca Ross 1250857457 Hamad 4 Ruthless Vows ★★★★]]> 3.99 2023 Ruthless Vows (Letters of Enchantment, #2)
author: Rebecca Ross
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/11
date added: 2025/02/11
shelves: 2025-reads, fantasy, e-books, good-covers, rtc, ya
review:
Divine Rivals ★★� ½
Ruthless Vows ★★★★
]]> The Ministry of Time 199798179 A time travel romance, a spy thriller, a workplace comedy, and an ingenious exploration of the nature of power and the potential for love to change it all:

In the near future, a civil servant is offered the salary of her dreams and is, shortly afterward, told what project she’ll be working on. A recently established government ministry is gathering “expats� from across history to establish whether time travel is feasible—for the body, but also for the fabric of space-time.

She is tasked with working as a “bridge�: living with, assisting, and monitoring the expat known as �1847� or Commander Graham Gore. As far as history is concerned, Commander Gore died on Sir John Franklin’s doomed 1845 expedition to the Arctic, so he’s a little disoriented to be living with an unmarried woman who regularly shows her calves, surrounded by outlandish concepts such as “washing machines,� “Spotify,� and “the collapse of the British Empire.� But with an appetite for discovery, a seven-a-day cigarette habit, and the support of a charming and chaotic cast of fellow expats, he soon adjusts.

Over the next year, what the bridge initially thought would be, at best, a horrifically uncomfortable roommate dynamic, evolves into something much deeper. By the time the true shape of the Ministry’s project comes to light, the bridge has fallen haphazardly, fervently in love, with consequences she never could have imagined. Forced to confront the choices that brought them together, the bridge must finally reckon with how—and whether she believes—what she does next can change the future.]]> 339 Kaliane Bradley 1668045141 Hamad 0
Then, towards the end of the year, it won the ŷ Choice Award. As I was browsing the winners and picking out books to read, I decided to give it a go, thinking it would be a quick read.

I ended up DNFing it after reading a third of the book in four days. Normally, a book like this would take me just two days to finish, so something clearly wasn't clicking. I was intrigued at first, but that interest faded fast as I kept reading. I found myself not caring about any of the characters, and that's when I decided it was time to move on. I won’t be rating it, as I might give it another shot in the future, but honestly, the chances of that happening are slim.

I even thought I was in a reading slump, but when I switched to a different book, things were good again!]]> 3.54 2024 The Ministry of Time
author: Kaliane Bradley
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at: 2025/02/07
date added: 2025/02/08
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, dnf
review:
Last year, I saw a mix of reviews for this book and went back and forth on whether to read it. Eventually, my gut told me to skip it.

Then, towards the end of the year, it won the ŷ Choice Award. As I was browsing the winners and picking out books to read, I decided to give it a go, thinking it would be a quick read.

I ended up DNFing it after reading a third of the book in four days. Normally, a book like this would take me just two days to finish, so something clearly wasn't clicking. I was intrigued at first, but that interest faded fast as I kept reading. I found myself not caring about any of the characters, and that's when I decided it was time to move on. I won’t be rating it, as I might give it another shot in the future, but honestly, the chances of that happening are slim.

I even thought I was in a reading slump, but when I switched to a different book, things were good again!
]]> The Crash 216223604 The nightmare she’s running from is nothing compared to where she’s headed.

Tegan is eight months pregnant, alone, and desperately wants to put her crumbling life in the rearview mirror. So she hits the road, planning to stay with her brother until she can figure out her next move. But she doesn’t realize she’s heading straight into a blizzard.

She never arrives at her destination.

Stranded in rural Maine with a dead car and broken ankle, Tegan worries she’s made a terrible mistake. Then a miracle she is rescued by a couple who offers her a room in their warm cabin until the snow clears.

But something isn’t right. Tegan believed she was waiting out the storm, but as time ticks by, she comes to realize she is in grave danger. This safe haven isn’t what she thought it was, and staying here may have been her most deadly mistake yet.

And now she must do whatever it takes to save herself—and her unborn child.

A gut-wrenching story of motherhood, survival, and twisted expectations, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden delivers a snowbound thriller that will chill you to the bone.
]]> 384 Freida McFadden 1464232989 Hamad 3 3.59 2025 The Crash
author: Freida McFadden
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2025
rating: 3
read at: 2025/02/03
date added: 2025/02/03
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, rtc
review:
When does she have the time to write all of those books?!!
]]> <![CDATA[Drumindor (The Riyria Chronicles, #5)]]> 208141987 HE PLANNED TO OBLITERATE AN ENTIRE CITY. HE THOUGHT NO ONE COULD STAND IN HIS WAY. BUT HE HADN'T HEARD OF RIYRIA.

When a master-craftsmen dwarf is fired, he threatens retaliation. The rogues-for-hire known as Riyria are commissioned to find and stop him. Traveling to the paradise resort of Tur Del Fur, the two are granted a lavish allowance that, along with the easy job, promises to turn the trip into a vacation. Everything would have been perfect except that the disgruntled employee’s last name is Berling and the target of his wrath is the legendary towers of Drumindor.

It's been more than five years since the last adventure with Royce Melborn (a cynical ex-assassin) and Hadrian Blackwater (an idealistic ex-mercenary), a pair whose bonds of friendship are bound with blood. This is the 20th novel based in the world of Elan, the 5th in the Riyria Chronicle series, and the eleventh starring Royce and Hadrian tale.]]> 528 Michael J. Sullivan 194336351X Hamad 0 to-read 4.37 2024 Drumindor (The Riyria Chronicles, #5)
author: Michael J. Sullivan
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/02/02
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Teller of Small Fortunes 207611551 A wandering fortune teller finds an unexpected family in this warm and wonderful debut fantasy, perfect for readers of Travis Baldree and Sangu Mandanna.

Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells "small" fortunes: whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences�

Even if it’s a lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi) reformed thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they’re joined by a baker with a knead for adventure, and—of course—a slightly magical cat.

Tao sets down a new path with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she lowers her walls, the shadows of her past are closing in—and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have.]]> 336 Julie Leong 0593815912 Hamad 4 Time for some cozy fantasy! 3.82 2024 The Teller of Small Fortunes
author: Julie Leong
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/30
date added: 2025/01/31
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, fantasy, good-covers, rtc
review:
Time for some cozy fantasy!
]]> My Friends 217163697 #1New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a stranger’s life twenty-five years later.

Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of the sea. But Louisa, an artist herself, knows otherwise and she is determined to find out the story of these three enigmatic figures.

Twenty-five years earlier, in a distant town, a group of teenagers find refuge from their difficult home lives by spending their days laughing and telling stories out on a pier. There’s Joar, who never backs down from a fight; quiet and bookish Ted who is mourning his father; Ali, the daughter of a man who never stays in one place for long; and finally, there’s the artist, a boy who hoards sleeping pills and shuns attention, but who possesses an extraordinary gift that might be his ticket to a better life. These four lost souls find in each other a reason to get up each morning, a reason to dream.

Out of that summer emerges a transcendent work of art, a painting that will unexpectedly be put into eighteen-year-old Louisa’s care. As she struggles to decide what to do with this bequest, she embarks on a surprise-filled cross-country journey to learn the story of how the painting came to be. The closer she gets to the painting’s birthplace, the more she feels compelled to unleash her own artistic spirit, but happy endings don’t always take the form we expect in this fresh testament to the transformative power of friendship and art.]]> 448 Fredrik Backman 1982112824 Hamad 0 to-read 4.59 2025 My Friends
author: Fredrik Backman
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.59
book published: 2025
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an Epidemic of Mental Illness]]> 171681821
A must-read for all parents: the generation-defining investigation into the collapse of youth mental health in the era of smartphones, social media, and big tech—and a plan for a healthier, freer childhood.

“With tenacity and candor, Haidt lays out the consequences that have come with allowing kids to drift further into the virtual world . . . While also offering suggestions and solutions that could help protect a new generation of kids.� —Shannon Carlin, ,i>TIME, 100 Must-Read Books of 2024

After more than a decade of stability or improvement, the mental health of adolescents plunged in the early 2010s. Rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide rose sharply, more than doubling on many measures. Why?

In The Anxious Generation, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time. He then investigates the nature of childhood, including why children need play and independent exploration to mature into competent, thriving adults. Haidt shows how the “play-based childhood� began to decline in the 1980s, and how it was finally wiped out by the arrival of the “phone-based childhood� in the early 2010s. He presents more than a dozen mechanisms by which this “great rewiring of childhood� has interfered with children’s social and neurological development, covering everything from sleep deprivation to attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison, and perfectionism. He explains why social media damages girls more than boys and why boys have been withdrawing from the real world into the virtual world, with disastrous consequences for themselves, their families, and their societies.

Most important, Haidt issues a clear call to action. He diagnoses the “collective action problems� that trap us, and then proposes four simple rules that might set us free. He describes steps that parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments can take to end the epidemic of mental illness and restore a more humane childhood.

Haidt has spent his career speaking truth backed by data in the most difficult landscapes—communities polarized by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the public health emergency faced by Gen Z. We cannot afford to ignore his findings about protecting our children—and ourselves—from the psychological damage of a phone-based life.]]> 400 Jonathan Haidt 0593655036 Hamad 4 RTC]]> 4.36 2024 The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an Epidemic of Mental Illness
author: Jonathan Haidt
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/27
date added: 2025/01/29
shelves: audiobooks, 2025-reads, rtc, non-fiction
review:
Audiobook of the month!
RTC
]]> Endless Night 16366
The title Endless Night was taken from William Blake’s Auguries of Innocence and describes Christie’s favourite theme in the novel: a “twisted� character, who always chooses evil over good.

Christie finished Endless Night in six weeks, as opposed to the three-four months that most of her other novels took. Despite being in her seventies while writing it, she told an interviewer that being Michael, the twenty-something narrator, “wasn’t difficult. After all, you hear people like him talking all the time.�

The book is dedicated to Christie's relative "Nora Prichard from whom I first heard the legend of Gipsy's Acre." Gipsy's Acre was a field on the Welsh moors.]]> 303 Agatha Christie 0007151675 Hamad 3 Christie's book of the month! 3.82 1967 Endless Night
author: Agatha Christie
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.82
book published: 1967
rating: 3
read at: 2025/01/26
date added: 2025/01/26
shelves: 2025-reads, e-books, good-covers, rtc
review:
Christie's book of the month!
]]> <![CDATA[Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear (Wayward Children, #10)]]> 57185878 Giant turtles, impossible ships, and tidal rivers ridden by a Drowned girl in search of a family in the latest in the bestselling Hugo and Nebula Award-Winning Wayward Children series from Seanan McGuire.

Nadya had three mothers: the one who bore her, the country that poisoned her, and the one who adopted her.

Nadya never considered herself less than whole, not until her adoptive parents fitted her with a prosthetic arm against her will, seeking to replace the one she'd been missing from birth.

It was cumbersome; it was uncomfortable; it was wrong.

It wasn't her.

Frustrated and unable to express why, Nadya began to wander, until the day she fell through a door into Belyyreka, the Land Beneath the Lake--and found herself in a world of water, filled with child-eating amphibians, majestic giant turtles, and impossible ships that sailed as happily beneath the surface as on top. In Belyyreka, she found herself understood for who she was: a Drowned Girl, who had made her way to her real home, accepted by the river and its people.

But even in Belyyreka, there are dangers, and trials, and Nadya would soon find herself fighting to keep hold of everything she had come to treasure.]]> 160 Seanan McGuire Hamad 3 Down Among the Sticks and Bones ★★� 3/4
Beneath the Sugar Sky ★★★★
In an Absent Dream ★★★★
Come Tumbling Down ★★� 1/2
Across the Green Grass Fields ★★� 1/2
Where the Drowned Girls Go ★★★★
In Mercy, Rain ★★�
Lost in the Moment & Found ★★� 1/2
Mislaids in Parts Half-Known ★★ 1/2
Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear ★★� 1/2]]> 4.04 2025 Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear (Wayward Children, #10)
author: Seanan McGuire
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2025
rating: 3
read at: 2025/01/21
date added: 2025/01/21
shelves: 2025-reads, e-books, fantasy, good-covers, rtc
review:
Every Heart a Doorway ★★� 1/2
Down Among the Sticks and Bones ★★� 3/4
Beneath the Sugar Sky ★★★★
In an Absent Dream ★★★★
Come Tumbling Down ★★� 1/2
Across the Green Grass Fields ★★� 1/2
Where the Drowned Girls Go ★★★★
In Mercy, Rain ★★�
Lost in the Moment & Found ★★� 1/2
Mislaids in Parts Half-Known ★★ 1/2
Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear ★★� 1/2
]]> How to End a Love Story 212432167 An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.

Two writers with a complicated history end up working on the same TV show... Can they write themselves a new ending? A sexy and emotional enemies-to-lovers romance guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings and give you a book hangover from brilliant new voice Yulin Kuang.

Helen Zhang hasn’t seen Grant Shepard once in the thirteen years since the tragic accident that bound their lives together forever.

Now a bestselling author, Helen pours everything into her career. She’s even scored a coveted spot in the writers� room of the TV adaptation of her popular young adult novels, and if she can hide her imposter syndrome and overcome her writer’s block, surely the rest of her life will fall into place too. LA is the fresh start she needs. After all, no one knows her there. Except�

Grant has done everything in his power to move on from the past, including building a life across the country. And while the panic attacks have never quite gone away, he’s well liked around town as a screenwriter. He knows he shouldn’t have taken the job on Helen’s show, but it will open doors to developing his own projects that he just can’t pass up.

Grant’s exactly as Helen remembers him—charming, funny, popular, and lovable in ways that she’s never been. And Helen’s exactly as Grant remembers too—brilliant, beautiful, closed off. But working together is messy, and electrifying, and Helen’s parents, who have never forgiven Grant, have no idea he’s in the picture at all.

When secrets come to light, they must reckon with the fact that theirs was never meant to be any kind of love story. And yet� the key to making peace with their past—and themselves—might just lie in holding on to each other in the present.]]> 384 Yulin Kuang 0063310686 Hamad 3 Expected more from this one! 3.51 2024 How to End a Love Story
author: Yulin Kuang
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2025/01/19
date added: 2025/01/19
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, rtc
review:
Expected more from this one!
]]> Berserk, Vol. 9 248882 234 Kentaro Miura 1593073305 Hamad 4 Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 6 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 7 ★★� ½
Berserk Vol 8 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 9 ★★★★]]> 4.68 1995 Berserk, Vol. 9
author: Kentaro Miura
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.68
book published: 1995
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/17
date added: 2025/01/17
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, manga-picture-books
review:
Berserk Vol 1 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 6 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 7 ★★� ½
Berserk Vol 8 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 9 ★★★★
]]> Wrong Place Wrong Time 59947696
It is midnight on the morning of Halloween, and Jen anxiously waits up for her 18-year-old son, Todd, to return home. But worries about his broken curfew transform into something much more dangerous when Todd finally emerges from the darkness. As Jen watches through the window, she sees her funny, seemingly happy teenage son stab a total stranger.

She doesn’t know who the victim is, or why Todd has committed such a devastating act of violence. All she knows is that her life, and Todd’s, have been shattered.

After her son is taken into custody, Jen falls asleep in despair. But when she wakes up� it is yesterday. The murder has not happened yet—and there may be a chance to stop it. Each morning, when Jen wakes, she is further back in the past, first weeks, then years, before the murder. And Jen realizes that somewhere in the past lies the trigger for Todd’s terrible crime…and it is her mission to find it, and prevent it from taking place.]]> 416 Gillian McAllister 0063252341 Hamad 4 RTC]]> 3.95 2022 Wrong Place Wrong Time
author: Gillian McAllister
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/17
date added: 2025/01/17
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, paperbacks, rtc
review:
The ending pumped my rating for this one *-*
RTC
]]> All the Colors of the Dark 203019740 From the New York Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End comes a soaring thriller and an epic love story that spans decades.

1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Mohammed Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing.

When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy with one eye, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake.

Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another.

A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession, and the blinding light of hope.]]> 608 Chris Whitaker 0593798872 Hamad 0 to-read 4.24 2024 All the Colors of the Dark
author: Chris Whitaker
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/01/16
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Wedding People 198902277 Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9781250899576.

A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help her start anew.

It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She's immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years—she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe's plan—which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other.

In turns absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach’s The Wedding People is ultimately an incredibly nuanced and resonant look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imagined—and the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us.]]> 384 Alison Espach Hamad 4 RTC...]]> 4.12 2024 The Wedding People
author: Alison Espach
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/01/14
date added: 2025/01/16
shelves: 2025-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, rtc
review:
Took some time to get into but then it was enjoyable.
RTC...
]]> <![CDATA[Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1)]]> 60784546 After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again�

All eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow wants to do is hold her family together. With a brother on the frontline forced to fight on behalf of the Gods now missing from the frontline and a mother drowning her sorrows, Iris’s best bet is winning the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

But when Iris’s letters to her brother fall into the wrong hands � that of the handsome but cold Roman Kitt, her rival at the paper � an unlikely magical connection forms.

Expelled into the middle of a mystical war, magical typewriters in tow, can their bond withstand the fight for the fate of mankind and, most importantly, love?

An epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.]]> 357 Rebecca Ross 1250857430 Hamad 3 Hope it is not a disappointment.]]> 4.14 2023 Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1)
author: Rebecca Ross
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2023
rating: 3
read at: 2025/01/07
date added: 2025/01/07
shelves: 2025-reads, hardcovers, fantasy, rtc
review:
First book of 2025 and it is YA
Hope it is not a disappointment.
]]> <![CDATA[A Short History of Nearly Everything]]> 21 544 Bill Bryson 076790818X Hamad 4 RTC 4.21 2003 A Short History of Nearly Everything
author: Bill Bryson
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/31
date added: 2025/01/02
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, audiobooks, rtc
review:
RTC
]]> Berserk, Vol. 8 (Berserk, #8) 248878 230 Kentaro Miura 1593073291 Hamad 4 Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 6 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 7 ★★� ½
Berserk Vol 8 ★★★★]]> 4.69 1994 Berserk, Vol. 8 (Berserk, #8)
author: Kentaro Miura
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.69
book published: 1994
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/28
date added: 2024/12/28
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, good-covers, manga-picture-books, paperbacks
review:
Berserk Vol 1 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 6 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 7 ★★� ½
Berserk Vol 8 ★★★★
]]> <![CDATA[Mrs. McGinty's Dead (Hercule Poirot, #32)]]> 6473201 In Mrs. McGinty’s Dead, one of Agatha Christie’s most ingenious mysteries, the intrepid Hercule Poirot must look into the case of a brutally murdered landlady.

Mrs. McGinty died from a brutal blow to the back of her head. Suspicion falls immediately on her shifty lodger, James Bentley, whose clothes reveal traces of the victim’s blood and hair. Yet something is amiss: Bentley just doesn’t seem like a murderer.

Could the answer lie in an article clipped from a newspaper two days before the death? With a desperate killer still free, Hercule Poirot will have to stay alive long enough to find out. . .]]> 261 Agatha Christie Hamad 4 2024-reads, e-books, rtc 4.12 1952 Mrs. McGinty's Dead (Hercule Poirot, #32)
author: Agatha Christie
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.12
book published: 1952
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/27
date added: 2024/12/27
shelves: 2024-reads, e-books, rtc
review:
Christie never ceases to amaze me!
]]> <![CDATA[Flawless (Chestnut Springs, #1)]]> 125157226 The rules were simple: keep his hands off his agent's daughter and stay out of trouble.

But now he's stuck with her. There's only one bed. And well, rules are made to be broken.

Rhett Eaton is the face of professional bull riding. The golden boy. Or at least he was until it all blew up in his face after a public brawl. Now his agent says he has to clean up his image, and sticks Rhett with his ball-busting daughter for the rest of the season as "full-time supervision."

But Rhett doesn't need a goddamn babysitter--especially one with skin-tight jeans, a sexy smirk, and a mouth she can't stop running.

A mouth he can't stop thinking about.

And he quickly learns that Summer Hamilton isn't just another conquest. She sees the man behind the mask, and she doesn't run--she pulls him closer, even when she shouldn't.

She says this means nothing.

Rhett says this means everything.

She says there are boundaries they shouldn't cross. That Rhett's reputation can't take any more hits...and neither can her damaged heart.

Rhett says he's going to steal it anyway.]]> 400 Elsie Silver 1728297001 Hamad 3 Trying something by Silver. 4.01 2022 Flawless (Chestnut Springs, #1)
author: Elsie Silver
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2024/12/24
date added: 2024/12/27
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, good-covers, paperbacks, rtc
review:
Trying something by Silver.
]]> <![CDATA[The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet]]> 55145261 A deeply moving and mind-expanding collection of personal essays in the first ever work of non-fiction from #1 internationally bestselling author John Green

The Anthropocene is the current geological age, in which human activity has profoundly shaped the planet and its biodiversity. In this remarkable symphony of essays adapted and expanded from his ground-breaking, critically acclaimed podcast, John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet - from the QWERTY keyboard and Halley's Comet to Penguins of Madagascar - on a five-star scale.

Complex and rich with detail, the Anthropocene's reviews have been praised as 'observations that double as exercises in memoiristic empathy', with over 10 million lifetime downloads. John Green's gift for storytelling shines throughout this artfully curated collection about the shared human experience; it includes beloved essays along with six all-new pieces exclusive to the book.]]> 304 John Green 0525555218 Hamad 4 4.37 2021 The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet
author: John Green
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2021/07/13
date added: 2024/12/27
shelves: 2021-reads, e-books, non-fiction
review:
✍️
]]> The Guest List 52656911
The bride � The plus one � The best man � The wedding planner � The bridesmaid � The body

On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed.

But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast.

And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?]]> 319 Lucy Foley Hamad 4 So smart! 3.82 2020 The Guest List
author: Lucy Foley
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/14
date added: 2024/12/15
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, rtc
review:
So smart!
]]> The Women 127305853 From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah's The Women—at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.

Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie� McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.

As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets—and becomes one of—the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.

But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.

The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.]]> 471 Kristin Hannah 1250178630 Hamad 4 RTC 4.59 2024 The Women
author: Kristin Hannah
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.59
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/13
date added: 2024/12/13
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, hardcovers, rtc
review:
RTC
]]> Rejection 199635125
Sharply observant and outrageously funny, Rejection is a provocative plunge into the touchiest problems of modern life. The seven connected stories seamlessly transition between the personal crises of a complex ensemble and the comic tragedies of sex, relationships, identity, and the internet.

In “The Feminist,� a young man’s passionate allyship turns to furious nihilism as he realizes, over thirty lonely years, that it isn’t getting him laid. A young woman’s unrequited crush in “Pics� spirals into borderline obsession and the systematic destruction of her sense of self. And in “Ahegao; or, The Ballad of Sexual Repression,� a shy late bloomer’s flailing efforts at a first relationship leads to a life-upending mistake. As the characters pop up in each other’s dating apps and social media feeds, or meet in dimly lit bars and bedrooms, they reveal the ways our delusions can warp our desire for connection.

These brilliant satires explore the underrated sorrows of rejection with the authority of a modern classic and the manic intensity of a manifesto. Audacious and unforgettable, Rejection is a stunning mosaic that redefines what it means to be rejected by lovers, friends, society, and oneself.]]> 272 Tony Tulathimutte 0063337878 Hamad 4 3.89 2024 Rejection
author: Tony Tulathimutte
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/09
date added: 2024/12/11
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, rtc
review:

]]> The Sittaford Mystery 16339
Is this black magic or simply a macabre joke? The only way to be certain is to locate Captain Trevelyan. Unfortunately, his home is six miles away and, with snowdrifts blocking the roads, someone will have to make the journey on foot...]]> 248 Agatha Christie 0007136846 Hamad 4 2024-reads, e-books, rtc RTC 3.77 1931 The Sittaford Mystery
author: Agatha Christie
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.77
book published: 1931
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/05
date added: 2024/12/05
shelves: 2024-reads, e-books, rtc
review:
RTC
]]> The Answer Is No 219876684 In a hilarious short story from New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman, the absurdities of modern life cause one man’s solitary world to spin suddenly, and comically, out of control.

Lucas knows the perfect night entails just three things: video games, wine, and pad thai. Peanuts are a must! Other people? Not so much. Why complicate things when he’s happy alone?

Then one day the apartment board, a vexing trio of authority, rings his doorbell. And Lucas’s solitude takes a startling hike. They demand to see his frying pan. Someone left one next to the recycling room overnight, and instead of removing the errant object, as Lucas suggests, they insist on finding the guilty party. But their plan backfires. Colossally.

Told in Fredrik Backman’s singular witty style with sharply drawn characters and relatable antics, The Answer Is No is a laugh-out-loud portrait of a man struggling to keep to himself in a world that won’t leave him alone.]]> 68 Fredrik Backman 1662526520 Hamad 4 Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

“Being smart is the worst thing one can be in modern society. All it ever means is more work.�

This is one of the best short stories I have ever read. Usually, short stories don't scratch that itch for me and mostly leave me wanting more at the end. In this case, I was content, and it left me with tearful eyes. A combination that only Backman can pull.

The story is kind of satirical, it shows a lot of funny and silly things we do as humans. The great thing is that we have Lucas as the protagonist and the other characters are unnamed, yet Backman managed to make me invested in them anyway.

The were a lot of great quotes, there was humor and as usual, there is always an important message behind! I can't wait to read the author's next full novel.]]> 3.94 2024 The Answer Is No
author: Fredrik Backman
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/04
date added: 2024/12/05
shelves: 2024-reads, e-books, good-covers, novellas, tear-worthy-books
review:
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

“Being smart is the worst thing one can be in modern society. All it ever means is more work.�

This is one of the best short stories I have ever read. Usually, short stories don't scratch that itch for me and mostly leave me wanting more at the end. In this case, I was content, and it left me with tearful eyes. A combination that only Backman can pull.

The story is kind of satirical, it shows a lot of funny and silly things we do as humans. The great thing is that we have Lucas as the protagonist and the other characters are unnamed, yet Backman managed to make me invested in them anyway.

The were a lot of great quotes, there was humor and as usual, there is always an important message behind! I can't wait to read the author's next full novel.
]]> <![CDATA[The Fury of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #3)]]> 207567729 576 John Gwynne 0316539953 Hamad 4 The Hunger of the Gods ★★★★�
The Fury of the Gods ★★★★

RTC]]> 4.50 2024 The Fury of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga, #3)
author: John Gwynne
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/12/02
date added: 2024/12/02
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, fantasy, rtc
review:
The Shadow of the Gods ★★★★
The Hunger of the Gods ★★★★�
The Fury of the Gods ★★★★

RTC
]]> <![CDATA[Broken (In the Best Possible Way)]]> 54305363 From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Furiously Happy and Let’s Pretend This Never Happened comes a deeply relatable book filled with humor and honesty about depression and anxiety.

As Jenny Lawson’s hundreds of thousands of fans know, she suffers from depression. In Broken, Jenny brings readers along on her mental and physical health journey, offering heartbreaking and hilarious anecdotes along the way.

With people experiencing anxiety and depression now more than ever, Jenny humanizes what we all face in an all-too-real way, reassuring us that we’re not alone and making us laugh while doing it. From the business ideas that she wants to pitch to Shark Tank to the reason why Jenny can never go back to the post office, Broken leaves nothing to the imagination in the most satisfying way. And of course, Jenny’s long-suffering husband Victor―the Ricky to Jenny’s Lucille Ball―is present throughout.

A treat for Jenny Lawson’s already existing fans, and destined to convert new ones, Broken is a beacon of hope and a wellspring of laughter when we all need it most.]]> 285 Jenny Lawson 1250077036 Hamad 4 Listened to the audiobook 4.01 2021 Broken (In the Best Possible Way)
author: Jenny Lawson
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/30
date added: 2024/11/30
shelves: audiobooks, 2024-reads, good-covers, non-fiction, rtc
review:
Listened to the audiobook
]]> Berserk, Vol. 7 (Berserk, #7) 248883 231 Kentaro Miura 1593073283 Hamad 3 Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 6 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 7 ★★� ½]]> 4.62 1994 Berserk, Vol. 7 (Berserk, #7)
author: Kentaro Miura
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.62
book published: 1994
rating: 3
read at: 2024/11/23
date added: 2024/11/24
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, paperbacks, manga-picture-books
review:
Berserk Vol 1 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 6 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 7 ★★� ½
]]> Rock Paper Scissors 56269064 Think you know the person you married? Think again�

Things have been wrong with Mr and Mrs Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away to Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. Self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can’t recognize friends or family, or even his own wife.

Every anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts � paper, cotton, pottery, tin � and each year Adam’s wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn’t randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn’t want them to live happily ever after.

Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget.

Rock Paper Scissors is the latest exciting domestic thriller from the queen of the killer twist, New York Times bestselling author Alice Feeney.]]> 294 Alice Feeney 1250266106 Hamad 4 Brilliant! 3.88 2021 Rock Paper Scissors
author: Alice Feeney
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/20
date added: 2024/11/20
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, rtc
review:
Brilliant!
]]> The Spear Cuts Through Water 55868456 Two warriors shepherd an ancient god across a broken land to end the tyrannical reign of a royal family in this new epic fantasy from the author of The Vanished Birds.

The people suffer under the centuries-long rule of the Moon Throne. The royal family—the despotic emperor and his monstrous sons, the Three Terrors—hold the countryside in their choking grip. They bleed the land and oppress the citizens with the frightful powers they inherited from the god locked under their palace.

But that god cannot be contained forever.

With the aid of Jun, a guard broken by his guilt-stricken past, and Keema, an outcast fighting for his future, the god escapes from her royal captivity and flees from her own children, the triplet Terrors who would drag her back to her unholy prison. And so it is that she embarks with her young companions on a five-day pilgrimage in search of freedom—and a way to end the Moon Throne forever. The journey ahead will be more dangerous than any of them could have imagined.

Both a sweeping adventure story and an intimate exploration of identity, legacy, and belonging, The Spear Cuts Through Water is an ambitious and profound saga that will transport and transform you—and is like nothing you’ve ever read before.
]]> 525 Simon Jimenez 0593156595 Hamad 0 lost-interest Couldn't get into it or connect to the writing
It is not an official DNF' maybe someday I will revisit it again!]]> 4.17 2022 The Spear Cuts Through Water
author: Simon Jimenez
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/11/20
shelves: lost-interest
review:
Read around 10%
Couldn't get into it or connect to the writing
It is not an official DNF' maybe someday I will revisit it again!
]]> <![CDATA[Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease]]> 14481524 Sugar: The Bitter Truth, has been viewed more than two million times. Now, in this much anticipated book, he documents the science and the politics that has led to the pandemic of chronic disease over the last 30 years.

In the late 1970s when the government mandated we get the fat out of our food, the food industry responded by pouring more sugar in. The result has been a perfect storm, disastrously altering our biochemistry and driving our eating habits out of our control.

To help us lose weight and recover our health, Lustig presents personal strategies to readjust the key hormones that regulate hunger, reward, and stress; and societal strategies to improve the health of the next generation. Compelling, controversial, and completely based in science, Fat Chance debunks the widely held notion to prove “a calorie is NOT a calorie�, and takes that science to its logical conclusion to improve health worldwide.]]> 320 Robert H. Lustig 159463100X Hamad 3 Audiobook of the month 4.16 2012 Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease
author: Robert H. Lustig
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2012
rating: 3
read at: 2024/11/18
date added: 2024/11/18
shelves: audiobooks, 2024-reads, non-fiction, rtc
review:
Audiobook of the month
]]> <![CDATA[Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #2)]]> 56377548
The ratings and views are off the chart. The fans just can't get enough. The dungeon gets more dangerous each day. But in a grinder designed to chew up and spit out crawlers by the millions, Carl and Princess Donut need to work harder than ever just to survive.

They call it the Over City. A sprawling, once-thriving metropolis devastated by a mysterious calamity. But these streets are far from abandoned. An undead circus trawls the ruins. Murdered prostitutes rain from the sky. An ancient spell is finally ready to reveal its dark purpose.

Carl still has no pants.

They call it Dungeon Crawler World. For Carl and Donut, it's anything but a game.]]> 364 Matt Dinniman Hamad 3 Carl's Doomsday Scenario ★★� ½]]> 4.55 2021 Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #2)
author: Matt Dinniman
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.55
book published: 2021
rating: 3
read at: 2024/11/18
date added: 2024/11/18
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, fantasy, rtc
review:
Dungeon Crawler Carl ★★★★
Carl's Doomsday Scenario ★★� ½
]]> <![CDATA[Just for the Summer (Part of Your World, #3)]]> 195820807
Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.

It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected--including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?]]> 432 Abby Jimenez 1538704439 Hamad 4 4.36 2024 Just for the Summer (Part of Your World, #3)
author: Abby Jimenez
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.36
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/11/06
date added: 2024/11/06
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, good-covers, paperbacks, rtc
review:
I started this series because I liked the synopsis of this book, so it better not disappoint me!
]]> The Boyfriend 208503280 She's looking for the perfect man. He's looking for the perfect victim.

Sydney Shaw, like every single woman in New York, has terrible luck with dating. She’s seen it men who lie in their dating profile, men who stick her with the dinner bill, and worst of all, men who can't shut up about their mothers. But finally, she hits the jackpot.

Her new boyfriend is utterly perfect. He's charming, handsome, and works as a doctor at a local hospital. Sydney is swept off her feet.

Then the brutal murder of a young woman―the latest in a string of deaths across the coast―confounds police. The primary suspect? A mystery man who dates his victims before he kills them.

Sydney should feel safe. After all, she is dating the guy of her dreams. But she can’t shake her own suspicions that the perfect man may not be as perfect as he seems. Because someone is watching her every move, and if she doesn’t get to the truth, she’ll be the killer’s next victim...

A dark story about obsession and the things we’ll do for love, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden proves that crimes of passion are often the bloodiest…]]> 368 Freida McFadden 1728296226 Hamad 3 3.95 2024 The Boyfriend
author: Freida McFadden
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2024
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/30
date added: 2024/10/30
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, rtc
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Hallowe'en Party (Hercule Poirot, #41)]]> 16307
That night, Hercule Poirot is called in to find the 'evil presence.' But first he must establish whether he is looking for a murderer or a double-murderer!]]> 336 Agatha Christie 0007120680 Hamad 3 RTC...]]> 3.56 1969 Hallowe'en Party (Hercule Poirot, #41)
author: Agatha Christie
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.56
book published: 1969
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/28
date added: 2024/10/28
shelves: 2024-reads, e-books, good-covers, rtc
review:
Expected a bit more from this
RTC...
]]> <![CDATA[What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures]]> 6516450
In the past decade, Malcolm Gladwell has written three books that have radically changed how we understand our world and ourselves: The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers. Now, in What the Dog Saw, he brings together, for the first time, the best of his writing from The New Yorker over the same period.

Here you'll find the bittersweet tale of the inventor of the birth control pill, and the dazzling creations of pasta sauce pioneer Howard Moscowitz. Gladwell sits with Ron Popeil, the king of the American kitchen, as he sells rotisserie ovens, and divines the secrets of Cesar Millan, the "dog whisperer" who can calm savage animals with the touch of his hand. He explores intelligence tests and ethnic profiling and why it was that employers in Silicon Valley once tripped over themselves to hire the same college graduate.]]> 444 Malcolm Gladwell 0316078573 Hamad 4 Audiobook of the month! 3.85 2009 What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures
author: Malcolm Gladwell
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2009
rating: 4
read at: 2024/10/27
date added: 2024/10/28
shelves: audiobooks, 2024-reads, rtc, non-fiction
review:
Audiobook of the month!
]]> Berserk, Vol. 6 (Berserk, #6) 248884 223 Kentaro Miura 159307252X Hamad 4 Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 6 ★★★★
]]> 4.62 1993 Berserk, Vol. 6 (Berserk, #6)
author: Kentaro Miura
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.62
book published: 1993
rating: 4
read at: 2024/10/25
date added: 2024/10/26
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, manga-picture-books
review:
Berserk Vol 1 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 6 ★★★★

]]> The Seven Year Slip 62926938 An overworked book publicist with a perfectly planned future hits a snag when she falls in love with her temporary roommate…only to discover he lives seven years in the past, in this witty and wise new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics.

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.

Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.

Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.

After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.]]> 336 Ashley Poston Hamad 4 4.18 2023 The Seven Year Slip
author: Ashley Poston
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2024/10/26
date added: 2024/10/26
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, paperbacks, rtc
review:
Heard a lot of great things about this one
]]> <![CDATA[Dawnshard (The Stormlight Archive, #3.5)]]> 54511226
When a ghost ship is discovered, its crew presumed dead after trying to reach the storm-shrouded island Akina, Navani Kholin must send an expedition to make sure the island hasn't fallen into enemy hands. Knights Radiant who fly too near find their Stormlight suddenly drained, so the voyage must be by sea.

Shipowner Rysn Ftori lost the use of her legs but gained the companionship of Chiri-Chiri, a Stormlight-ingesting winged larkin, a species once thought extinct. Now Rysn's pet is ill, and any hope for Chiri-Chiri’s recovery can be found only at the ancestral home of the larkin: Akinah. With the help of Lopen, the formerly one-armed Windrunner, Rysn must accept Navani's quest and sail into the perilous storm from which no one has returned alive. If the crew cannot uncover the secrets of the hidden island city before the wrath of its ancient guardians falls upon them, the fate of Roshar and the entire Cosmere hangs in the balance.]]> 171 Brandon Sanderson 193857026X Hamad 4 Words of Radiance ★★★★�
Edgedancer ★★� 1/2
Oathbringer ★★★★�
Dawnshard ★★★★

RTC...]]> 4.40 2020 Dawnshard (The Stormlight Archive, #3.5)
author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.40
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2024/10/22
date added: 2024/10/22
shelves: 2024-reads, e-books, good-covers, novellas, rtc
review:
The Way of Kings ★★★★ 1/2
Words of Radiance ★★★★�
Edgedancer ★★� 1/2
Oathbringer ★★★★�
Dawnshard ★★★★

RTC...
]]> <![CDATA[Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #1)]]> 56791389 Alternate cover edition of ASIN B08BKGYQXW


The apocalypse will be televised!

A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the universe: a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.

In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth—from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds—collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground.

The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the dungeon: an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. A dungeon so enormous, it circles the entire globe.

Only a few dare venture inside. But once you're in, you can't get out. And what's worse, each level has a time limit. You have but days to find a staircase to the next level down, or it's game over. In this game, it's not about your strength or your dexterity. It's about your followers, your views. Your clout. It's about building an audience and killing those goblins with style.

You can't just survive here. You gotta survive big.

You gotta fight with vigor, with excitement. You gotta make them stand up and cheer. And if you do have that "it" factor, you may just find yourself with a following. That's the only way to truly survive in this game—with the help of the loot boxes dropped upon you by the generous benefactors watching from across the galaxy.

They call it Dungeon Crawler World. But for Carl, it's anything but a game.]]> 446 Matt Dinniman Hamad 4 A new adventure!<br />RTC 4.49 2020 Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #1)
author: Matt Dinniman
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.49
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2024/10/19
date added: 2024/10/19
shelves: adult-books, 2024-reads, e-books, good-covers, fantasy, rtc
review:
A new adventure!
RTC
]]> Tom Lake 63241104 In this beautiful and moving novel about family, love, and growing up, Ann Patchett once again proves herself one of America’s finest writers.

In the spring of 2020, Lara’s three daughters return to the family's orchard in Northern Michigan. While picking cherries, they beg their mother to tell them the story of Peter Duke, a famous actor with whom she shared both a stage and a romance years before at a theater company called Tom Lake. As Lara recalls the past, her daughters examine their own lives and relationship with their mother, and are forced to reconsider the world and everything they thought they knew.

Tom Lake is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents have led before their children were born. Both hopeful and elegiac, it explores what it means to be happy even when the world is falling apart. As in all of her novels, Ann Patchett combines compelling narrative artistry with piercing insights into family dynamics. The result is a rich and luminous story, told with profound intelligence and emotional subtlety, that demonstrates once again why she is one of the most revered and acclaimed literary talents working today.]]> 309 Ann Patchett 006332752X Hamad 1
In the first couple of days, I started reading at night and kept falling asleep. I chalked it up to being tired, but on my day off, I began again from the start and realized it might be more than just fatigue. I got about a quarter of the way through before deciding to DNF. I just couldn't engage with the story; the writing felt lackluster, and I didn’t care about any of the characters.

I checked the reviews again, and they seemed divided—people either loved it or absolutely hated it and DNF’d it. I really wanted to be part of the former group, but I ended up joining the latter. I can’t find any redeeming qualities in the book, and many fans of the author mentioned in their reviews that they also found it dull, which makes me feel a bit better about my decision.]]> 3.92 2023 Tom Lake
author: Ann Patchett
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2023
rating: 1
read at: 2024/10/11
date added: 2024/10/11
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, dnf
review:
I love family stories, especially those centered around characters and their relationships. I usually dive in quickly and finish them in a day or two. I had seen this book everywhere but hadn’t been interested until I noticed it had over 300K ratings. I thought maybe I was missing something special, so I decided to give it a try.

In the first couple of days, I started reading at night and kept falling asleep. I chalked it up to being tired, but on my day off, I began again from the start and realized it might be more than just fatigue. I got about a quarter of the way through before deciding to DNF. I just couldn't engage with the story; the writing felt lackluster, and I didn’t care about any of the characters.

I checked the reviews again, and they seemed divided—people either loved it or absolutely hated it and DNF’d it. I really wanted to be part of the former group, but I ended up joining the latter. I can’t find any redeeming qualities in the book, and many fans of the author mentioned in their reviews that they also found it dull, which makes me feel a bit better about my decision.
]]> <![CDATA[Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow]]> 58784475 In this exhilarating novel, two friends—often in love, but never lovers—come together as creative partners in the world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality.

On a bitter-cold day, in the December of his junior year at Harvard, Sam Masur exits a subway car and sees, amid the hordes of people waiting on the platform, Sadie Green. He calls her name. For a moment, she pretends she hasn't heard him, but then, she turns, and a game begins: a legendary collaboration that will launch them to stardom. These friends, intimates since childhood, borrow money, beg favors, and, before even graduating college, they have created their first blockbuster, Ichigo. Overnight, the world is theirs. Not even twenty-five years old, Sam and Sadie are brilliant, successful, and rich, but these qualities won't protect them from their own creative ambitions or the betrayals of their hearts.

Spanning thirty years, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, and lands in between and far beyond, Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a dazzling and intricately imagined novel that examines the multifarious nature of identity, disability, failure, the redemptive possibilities in play, and above all, our need to connect: to be loved and to love. Yes, it is a love story, but it is not one you have read before.]]> 401 Gabrielle Zevin 0735243344 Hamad 2
I enjoyed Zevin's The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and ever since I read it, I have been waiting for her next book. This book came out and it was getting glowing reviews left, right and center. I mean a book about gamers; I was so delighted and had high expectations. After finishing the book, I am just confused about the hype, and I don't really understand where all the love is coming from.

I think this book will appeal to Sally Rooney fans because of the pretentious writing and unbearable characters who have a stick shoved up their asses that they needed surgery for. I couldn't connect to either of the main characters and that always makes for a disappointing read.

The story itself was boring too, repetitive and dull. The book could have been shorter and faster if we weren't going in the same circles again and again.

In short, I think it is just one of those books that almost works for everyone except for a minority including me. Take this review and rating with a grain of salt but I just did not connect to the story and the more time passes, the less I like the story.]]> 4.12 2022 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
author: Gabrielle Zevin
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2022
rating: 2
read at: 2023/02/01
date added: 2024/10/09
shelves: 2023-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers
review:
Despite all the recent drama following the author and her political views and in the utmost objective way, I did not like this book, and I don't understand the hype.

I enjoyed Zevin's The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and ever since I read it, I have been waiting for her next book. This book came out and it was getting glowing reviews left, right and center. I mean a book about gamers; I was so delighted and had high expectations. After finishing the book, I am just confused about the hype, and I don't really understand where all the love is coming from.

I think this book will appeal to Sally Rooney fans because of the pretentious writing and unbearable characters who have a stick shoved up their asses that they needed surgery for. I couldn't connect to either of the main characters and that always makes for a disappointing read.

The story itself was boring too, repetitive and dull. The book could have been shorter and faster if we weren't going in the same circles again and again.

In short, I think it is just one of those books that almost works for everyone except for a minority including me. Take this review and rating with a grain of salt but I just did not connect to the story and the more time passes, the less I like the story.
]]> <![CDATA[The Will of the Many (Hierarchy, #1)]]> 58416952 At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington.

AUDI. VIDE. TACE.

The Catenan Republic � the Hierarchy � may rule the world now, but they do not know everything.

I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilised society in allowing my strength, my drive and my focus � what they call Will � to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.

I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.

But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart.

And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family.

To survive, though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me.

And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me.]]> 639 James Islington 1982141190 Hamad 4
“There comes a point in every man’s life where he can rail against the unfairness of the world until he loses, or he can do his best in it. Remain a victim, or become a survivor.�

Last year I finished The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington, and it was fantastic. It features one of the best epilogues I’ve ever read—possibly my favorite of all time—but I did find the series a bit complex. The names, places, and plot twists were quite mind-boggling. So, I eagerly awaited Islington's next series, and when The Will of the Many was released, I was thrilled to see it receiving even more praise. With over 50,000 ratings and an average of 4.62, it’s a remarkable success.

This new series has drawn comparisons to Pierce Brown's Red Rising, and at first, they do seem similar. Both are Roman-inspired, featuring a character infiltrating a corrupt system in search of answers. However, as I delved deeper, I found that each story stands on its own.

Islington's writing has improved from his first series; it flows more smoothly and feels less complex while still being engaging. The pace is slow, requiring some patience, but there’s always something happening that kept me turning the pages.

I’m a big fan of the magical school trope, and while I enjoyed its inclusion here, I wished it had been explored further to enhance our understanding of the world. The world-building itself was solid, but it felt somewhat restrained, leaving me wanting more. Then, out of nowhere, a mind-bending twist at the end changed the entire trajectory of the series, adding significant depth.

“Victims can still be enemies.�

In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed The Will of the Many. I had high expectations for the story, and it delivered in an unexpected way. The writing and characters were excellent, the world-building was good, and it ultimately left me wanting more. I have high hopes for this series, and with Islington at the helm, I feel confident we’re in good hands!]]> 4.61 2023 The Will of the Many (Hierarchy, #1)
author: James Islington
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.61
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2024/01/30
date added: 2024/10/07
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, fantasy, good-covers, hardcovers
review:
“There comes a point in every man’s life where he can rail against the unfairness of the world until he loses, or he can do his best in it. Remain a victim, or become a survivor.�

Last year I finished The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington, and it was fantastic. It features one of the best epilogues I’ve ever read—possibly my favorite of all time—but I did find the series a bit complex. The names, places, and plot twists were quite mind-boggling. So, I eagerly awaited Islington's next series, and when The Will of the Many was released, I was thrilled to see it receiving even more praise. With over 50,000 ratings and an average of 4.62, it’s a remarkable success.

This new series has drawn comparisons to Pierce Brown's Red Rising, and at first, they do seem similar. Both are Roman-inspired, featuring a character infiltrating a corrupt system in search of answers. However, as I delved deeper, I found that each story stands on its own.

Islington's writing has improved from his first series; it flows more smoothly and feels less complex while still being engaging. The pace is slow, requiring some patience, but there’s always something happening that kept me turning the pages.

I’m a big fan of the magical school trope, and while I enjoyed its inclusion here, I wished it had been explored further to enhance our understanding of the world. The world-building itself was solid, but it felt somewhat restrained, leaving me wanting more. Then, out of nowhere, a mind-bending twist at the end changed the entire trajectory of the series, adding significant depth.

“Victims can still be enemies.�

In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed The Will of the Many. I had high expectations for the story, and it delivered in an unexpected way. The writing and characters were excellent, the world-building was good, and it ultimately left me wanting more. I have high hopes for this series, and with Islington at the helm, I feel confident we’re in good hands!
]]> Then She Was Gone 36114391 She was fifteen, her mother's golden girl. She had her whole life ahead of her. And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone.

NOW
It’s been ten years since Ellie disappeared, but Laurel has never given up hope of finding her daughter.

And then one day a charming and charismatic stranger called Floyd walks into a café and sweeps Laurel off her feet.

Before too long she’s staying the night at this house and being introduced to his nine year old daughter.

Poppy is precocious and pretty - and meeting her completely takes Laurel's breath away.

Because Poppy is the spitting image of Ellie when she was that age. And now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back.

What happened to Ellie? Where did she go?

Who still has secrets to hide?]]> 448 Lisa Jewell Hamad 3 Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
Enjoyable but very predictable. Review to come...]]> 4.14 2017 Then She Was Gone
author: Lisa Jewell
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/07
date added: 2024/10/07
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, paperbacks, rtc
review:
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
Enjoyable but very predictable. Review to come...
]]> <![CDATA[Aiduel's Sin (The Illborn Saga, #2)]]> 62196350
As the nations of Angall move closer to a Holy War, the four Illborn are to face momentous challenges, while seeking answers about who they are and what their growing powers mean.

After Arion and Allana are drawn to opposing sides in the coming conflict, their mutual obsession threatens to bring ruin to them both. In Arlais, Leanna finds herself a target of both the Holy Church and of the killers who are closing in on her. And in Karn, Corin must respond to a deadly new peril, whilst coping with the devastating aftermath of the attack on his wife.

How will the choices and actions of the four shape each of their destinies? Only this much is certain; the mysteries of the Gate and of their dreams still await them, and there will be no peace for the Illborn.

Aiduel’s Sin is the thrilling and emotive second instalment of The Illborn Saga, the acclaimed epic fantasy series by Daniel T. Jackson.]]> 650 Daniel T. Jackson 1803134291 Hamad 5 Aiduel's Sin ★★★★ ½

100th book of the year!

description ]]> 4.42 2023 Aiduel's Sin (The Illborn Saga, #2)
author: Daniel T. Jackson
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.42
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2024/10/05
date added: 2024/10/05
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, fantasy, rtc, paperbacks
review:
Illborn ★★★★�
Aiduel's Sin ★★★★ ½

100th book of the year!

description
]]> Berserk, Vol. 5 (Berserk, #5) 248881
Created by Kentaro Miura, Berserk is maniacal manga to the max—relentless, harrowing, and gruesomely funny—and the inspiration for the popular anime series. If you're looking for graphic fiction tied up with a pretty, pink bow, you'd better run for the hills—because Berserk will show you what you can do with that bow!]]> 240 Kentaro Miura 1593072511 Hamad 4 Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★]]> 4.62 1993 Berserk, Vol. 5 (Berserk, #5)
author: Kentaro Miura
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.62
book published: 1993
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/01
date added: 2024/10/05
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, manga-picture-books
review:
Berserk Vol 1 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 5 ★★★★
]]> Berserk, Vol. 4 (Berserk, #4) 248870
Created by Kentarou Miura and the inspiration for the wildly popular anime series, Berserk is an unholy hurricane of blood, carnage, and horror! Brutal, crude, and darkly funny, Berserk is not exactly for the theater crowd...unless the theater features pit fights!]]> 240 Kentaro Miura 1593072031 Hamad 4 Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★]]> 4.59 1992 Berserk, Vol. 4 (Berserk, #4)
author: Kentaro Miura
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.59
book published: 1992
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/01
date added: 2024/10/05
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, manga-picture-books
review:
Berserk Vol 1 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 4 ★★★★
]]> Berserk, Vol. 3 (Berserk, #3) 248874
Created by Kenturo Miura, Berserk is exactly what its title advertises; a savage, gruesome, and often humorous roller-coaster ride, inspiring the internationally popular anime series. If you're looking for graphic fiction to take home to Grandma, this ain't it—unless Granny smokes cigars and rides a Harley!]]> 240 Kentaro Miura 1593070225 Hamad 4 Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★]]> 4.56 1991 Berserk, Vol. 3 (Berserk, #3)
author: Kentaro Miura
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.56
book published: 1991
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/01
date added: 2024/10/05
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, manga-picture-books
review:
Berserk Vol 1 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 3 ★★★★
]]> Berserk, Vol. 2 (Berserk, #2) 248873
Created by Kentaro Miura, Berserk is meat-grinder manga at its most extreme—gruesome, violent, and darkly funny—and the inspiration for the wildly popular anime series. Look elsewhere if you're craving sweetness, subtlety, and good manners. Berserk is the bull in the graphic novel china shop—and who wouldn't watch a bull getting medieval on the dishes!]]> 240 Kentaro Miura 1593070217 Hamad 4 Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★]]> 4.43 1991 Berserk, Vol. 2 (Berserk, #2)
author: Kentaro Miura
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.43
book published: 1991
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/01
date added: 2024/10/05
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers, manga-picture-books
review:
Berserk Vol 1 ★★★★
Berserk Vol 2 ★★★★
]]> Berserk, Vol. 1 (Berserk, #1) 248871
Created by Kentaro Miura, Berserk is manga mayhem to the extreme—violent, horrifying, and mercilessly funny—and the wellspring for the internationally popular anime series. Not for the squeamish or the easily offended, Berserk asks for no quarter—and offers none!]]> 224 Kentaro Miura 1593070209 Hamad 4 Berserk Vol 1 ★★★★ 4.49 1990 Berserk, Vol. 1 (Berserk, #1)
author: Kentaro Miura
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.49
book published: 1990
rating: 4
read at: 2024/07/01
date added: 2024/10/05
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, manga-picture-books
review:
Berserk Vol 1 ★★★★
]]> <![CDATA[The Bladed Faith (The Vagrant Gods, #1)]]> 57941271
Cyrus was only twelve years old when his gods were slain, his country invaded, and his parents—the king and queen—beheaded in front of him. Held prisoner in the invader's court for years, Cyrus is suddenly given a chance to escape and claim his revenge when a mysterious group of revolutionaries comes looking for a figurehead. They need a hero to strike fear into the hearts of the imperial and to inspire and unite the people. They need someone to take up the skull mask and swords and to become the legendary "Vagrant"—an unparalleled hero and assassin of otherworldly skill. 

But all is not as it seems. Creating the illusion of a hero is the work of many, and Cyrus will soon discover the true price of his vengeance.ձ> 469 David Dalglish 075955708X Hamad 4 here]]> 3.82 2022 The Bladed Faith (The Vagrant Gods, #1)
author: David Dalglish
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2023/12/31
date added: 2024/10/05
shelves: 2023-reads, adult-books, fantasy, e-books, good-covers
review:
I reviewed the series as a whole -without spoilers- here
]]> <![CDATA[The Sapphire Altar (The Vagrant Gods, #2)]]> 61030571 �
Cyrus wants out. Trained to be an assassin in order to oust the invading Empire from his kingdom, Cyrus is now worried the price of his vengeance is too high. His old master has been keeping too many secrets to be trusted. And the mask he wears to hide his true identity and become the legendary "Vagrant" has started whispering to him in the dark. But the fight isn't over and the Empire has sent its full force to bear upon Cyrus's floundering revolution. He'll have to decide once and for all whether to become the thing he fears or lose the country he loves.]]> 499 David Dalglish 0759557128 Hamad 4 The Sapphire Altar ★★★★

I reviewed the series as a whole -without spoilers- here]]> 4.19 2023 The Sapphire Altar (The Vagrant Gods, #2)
author: David Dalglish
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2024/01/15
date added: 2024/10/05
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers
review:
The Bladed Faith ★★★★
The Sapphire Altar ★★★★

I reviewed the series as a whole -without spoilers- here
]]> <![CDATA[The Slain Divine (Vagrant Gods, 3)]]> 145624819
The Everlorn Empire's grip on Thanet is tighter than ever. The God-Incarnate himself has arrived on its shores to crush the struggling rebellion and carry out his final, sinister he will sacrifice the entire island in order to rise, reincarnated from its ashes. 

The rebellion is struggling to separate allies from enemies, and to figure out a way to stop the slow destruction of everything and everyone they care for. Meanwhile, Cyrus is disappearing deeper beneath the vicious mask of the "Vagrant". Under the mantle of the legendary assassin, he may be strong enough to take down the Empire, but at what cost? 
ձ> 477 David Dalglish 0759557160 Hamad 4 The Sapphire Altar ★★★★
The Slain Divine ★★★★

“The wise can rebuild a better world from the ashes, but for there to be ashes, we must first burn down the old and the rotten. I say we get to burning.�

I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the entire series without giving away any spoilers. This is the second series I’ve read by Dalglish, and it certainly won’t be my last. He himself describes it as the “definitive Dalglish novel.� The story follows Prince Cyrus, whose life is upended at twelve when his gods and parents are killed. He then joins a revolutionary group and transforms into an exceptionally skilled assassin.

As you can see from my ratings, I gave each book in the series 4 stars, which indicates that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing is consistently solid, though each installment has its strengths and weaknesses—some excel in character development, while others shine in pacing or plot.

Dalglish has a knack for creating well-rounded and unique characters. There are several memorable figures with distinct abilities and backgrounds that make them hard not to appreciate. I particularly enjoyed the training arc in the first book, which allowed us to witness Cyrus's gradual growth rather than him suddenly gaining powers. This realistic approach is often overlooked in other narratives. In the second and third books, new characters are introduced, and they’re just as well-crafted.

While the plot may not be the most original, Dalglish manages to put his own spin on familiar fantasy tropes, making the story feel fresh rather than recycled. The pacing is generally fast, and with high stakes and large-scale battles, it becomes an addictive read.

The world-building is impressive as well. Having read only one of Dalglish's works prior, I was already aware of his creativity in this area, and this series does not disappoint. It’s filled with intriguing and imaginative concepts.

In summary, this series is another triumph for Dalglish. The writing is strong, the characters are well-developed, and the world-building is exceptional. Each book excels in different aspects, but they all deliver a great experience. I’m eagerly anticipating Dalglish's next series—maybe I’ll even explore his earlier works!
]]> 4.19 The Slain Divine (Vagrant Gods, 3)
author: David Dalglish
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.19
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2024/02/10
date added: 2024/10/05
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, fantasy, good-covers
review:
The Bladed Faith ★★★★
The Sapphire Altar ★★★★
The Slain Divine ★★★★

“The wise can rebuild a better world from the ashes, but for there to be ashes, we must first burn down the old and the rotten. I say we get to burning.�

I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the entire series without giving away any spoilers. This is the second series I’ve read by Dalglish, and it certainly won’t be my last. He himself describes it as the “definitive Dalglish novel.� The story follows Prince Cyrus, whose life is upended at twelve when his gods and parents are killed. He then joins a revolutionary group and transforms into an exceptionally skilled assassin.

As you can see from my ratings, I gave each book in the series 4 stars, which indicates that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing is consistently solid, though each installment has its strengths and weaknesses—some excel in character development, while others shine in pacing or plot.

Dalglish has a knack for creating well-rounded and unique characters. There are several memorable figures with distinct abilities and backgrounds that make them hard not to appreciate. I particularly enjoyed the training arc in the first book, which allowed us to witness Cyrus's gradual growth rather than him suddenly gaining powers. This realistic approach is often overlooked in other narratives. In the second and third books, new characters are introduced, and they’re just as well-crafted.

While the plot may not be the most original, Dalglish manages to put his own spin on familiar fantasy tropes, making the story feel fresh rather than recycled. The pacing is generally fast, and with high stakes and large-scale battles, it becomes an addictive read.

The world-building is impressive as well. Having read only one of Dalglish's works prior, I was already aware of his creativity in this area, and this series does not disappoint. It’s filled with intriguing and imaginative concepts.

In summary, this series is another triumph for Dalglish. The writing is strong, the characters are well-developed, and the world-building is exceptional. Each book excels in different aspects, but they all deliver a great experience. I’m eagerly anticipating Dalglish's next series—maybe I’ll even explore his earlier works!

]]> <![CDATA[The Emperor's Soul (The Cosmere)]]> 13578175 Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection.

A heretic thief is the empire’s only hope in this fascinating tale that inhabits the same world as the popular novel, Elantris.

Shai is a Forger, a foreigner who can flawlessly copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic. Condemned to death after trying to steal the emperor’s scepter, she is given one opportunity to save herself. Though her skill as a Forger is considered an abomination by her captors, Shai will attempt to create a new soul for the emperor, who is almost dead.

Probing deeply into his life, she discovers Emperor Ashravan’s truest nature—and the opportunity to exploit it. Her only possible ally is one who is truly loyal to the emperor, but councilor Gaotona must overcome his prejudices to understand that Shai’s forgery is as much artistry as it is deception.

Brimming with magic and political intrigue, this deftly woven fantasy delves into the essence of a living spirit.]]> 192 Brandon Sanderson 1616960922 Hamad 4 2024-reads, e-books, novellas
“No matter how good you were, someone was better. Live by that knowledge, and you would never grow so confident that you became sloppy.�

I have heard great things about this book calling it the best novella ever and one of Sanderson's best works. I think in my mind it was overhyped because after finishing it, I liked it but part of me was asking if that was it and what was I missing!

I think as in all novellas, I wanted it to be longer although truth to be told, the writing was good, the characters were well sculpted, and the magic system is smart as it can get. My problem with novellas is that I get excited, and I want to finish them fast which sometimes mean I lose myself in that process and don't take the necessary time to enjoy the story and I wonder if this was the case here as it seems like I am the only one who didn't give it a full 5 stars rating.

Maybe I will re-read it sometime in the future with less stress and expectations and while taking more time to enjoy it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but I feel like I missed something. ]]> 4.38 2012 The Emperor's Soul (The Cosmere)
author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/26
date added: 2024/10/04
shelves: 2024-reads, e-books, novellas
review:
“No matter how good you were, someone was better. Live by that knowledge, and you would never grow so confident that you became sloppy.�

I have heard great things about this book calling it the best novella ever and one of Sanderson's best works. I think in my mind it was overhyped because after finishing it, I liked it but part of me was asking if that was it and what was I missing!

I think as in all novellas, I wanted it to be longer although truth to be told, the writing was good, the characters were well sculpted, and the magic system is smart as it can get. My problem with novellas is that I get excited, and I want to finish them fast which sometimes mean I lose myself in that process and don't take the necessary time to enjoy the story and I wonder if this was the case here as it seems like I am the only one who didn't give it a full 5 stars rating.

Maybe I will re-read it sometime in the future with less stress and expectations and while taking more time to enjoy it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but I feel like I missed something.
]]> Know My Name 50196744
Now she reclaims her identity to tell her story of trauma, transcendence, and the power of words. It was the perfect case, in many ways–there were eyewitnesses, Turner ran away, physical evidence was immediately secured. But her struggles with isolation and shame during the aftermath and the trial reveal the oppression victims face in even the best-case scenarios. Her story illuminates a culture biased to protect perpetrators, indicts a criminal justice system designed to fail the most vulnerable, and, ultimately, shines with the courage required to move through suffering and live a full and beautiful life.

Know My Name will forever transform the way we think about sexual assault, challenging our beliefs about what is acceptable and speaking truth to the tumultuous reality of healing. It also introduces readers to an extraordinary writer, one whose words have already changed our world. Entwining pain, resilience, and humor, this memoir will stand as a modern classic.]]> 384 Chanel Miller 0735223718 Hamad 4
“My pain was never more valuable than his potential.�

I feel like I was living under a rock as this book has over quarter a million ratings and an outstanding average rating of 4.7 stars and I haven't actually heard about it until I googled best non-fiction books, and I am so glad I got to listen to it. I chose the audiobook format which is narrated by Miller herself and which made the experience even more impactful. I think in this case it is better late than never.

The book is a memoir about the author's highly publicized sexual assault case which garnered national attention. In this book she narrates about her experience before and after the trial. The book also addresses the nuances of consent, the flaws in the judicial process, and the importance of survivor stories. Miller's courage in sharing her truth not only sheds light on her own journey but also serves as a beacon of hope for others who have experienced similar hardships.

Miller's writing is great, emotional, and raw and I wouldn't imagine writing about something horrifying as this, but Miller does it with grace. The book elicited many feelings in me including sadness and seething anger about a stupid system that favors certain people. But Miller's voice here illuminates the struggles many face in reclaiming their identities after trauma.

“In fact I need you to know it was all true. The friendly guy who helps you move and assists senior citizens in the pool is the same guy who assaulted me. One person can be capable of both. Society often fails to wrap its head around the fact that these truths often coexist, they are not mutually exclusive. Bad qualities can hide inside a good person. That's the terrifying part.�

This is an extremely important, well written book that contributes a lot to survivors of sexual violence. It also gives courage to them to come forward and feel seen and empowered. In the sick world we live in, it is no wonder that it was such a huge success.]]> 4.69 2019 Know My Name
author: Chanel Miller
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.69
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2024/02/26
date added: 2024/10/03
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, audiobooks, non-fiction
review:
“My pain was never more valuable than his potential.�

I feel like I was living under a rock as this book has over quarter a million ratings and an outstanding average rating of 4.7 stars and I haven't actually heard about it until I googled best non-fiction books, and I am so glad I got to listen to it. I chose the audiobook format which is narrated by Miller herself and which made the experience even more impactful. I think in this case it is better late than never.

The book is a memoir about the author's highly publicized sexual assault case which garnered national attention. In this book she narrates about her experience before and after the trial. The book also addresses the nuances of consent, the flaws in the judicial process, and the importance of survivor stories. Miller's courage in sharing her truth not only sheds light on her own journey but also serves as a beacon of hope for others who have experienced similar hardships.

Miller's writing is great, emotional, and raw and I wouldn't imagine writing about something horrifying as this, but Miller does it with grace. The book elicited many feelings in me including sadness and seething anger about a stupid system that favors certain people. But Miller's voice here illuminates the struggles many face in reclaiming their identities after trauma.

“In fact I need you to know it was all true. The friendly guy who helps you move and assists senior citizens in the pool is the same guy who assaulted me. One person can be capable of both. Society often fails to wrap its head around the fact that these truths often coexist, they are not mutually exclusive. Bad qualities can hide inside a good person. That's the terrifying part.�

This is an extremely important, well written book that contributes a lot to survivors of sexual violence. It also gives courage to them to come forward and feel seen and empowered. In the sick world we live in, it is no wonder that it was such a huge success.
]]> <![CDATA[Herald (Age of the God Eater, #1)]]> 209560630 A thousand years ago, humanity's greatest heroes killed God.

Across the land of Helesia, the iron grasp of the Godless Kings is failing. Demons stalk the deep forests, monsters break free of their prisons beneath the World Vein, and terrors of the old world rise again.

Deep in the wintry village of Riverden, Renira Washer lives the dreary life of a laundry girl, dreaming of excitement and adventure. But in her blood, hides a secret: the angels are not all gone.

When a stranger from her mother's past appears with a dire warning, Renira's peaceful life is shattered and she's thrown headfirst into a millennia old war between Heaven and earth.

Only the Herald can ring in the Fifth Age.
Only the Herald can bring the God back to life.

History is written in blood. The future is forged in holy fire.]]> 788 Rob J. Hayes Hamad 0 to-read 4.31 2024 Herald (Age of the God Eater, #1)
author: Rob J. Hayes
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2024
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2024/09/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles, #2)]]> 199415360
Arthur Parnassus lives a good life, built on the ashes of a bad one. He's the headmaster of a strange orphanage on a distant and peculiar island, and he hopes to soon be the adoptive father to the six magical and so-called dangerous children who live there.

Arthur works hard and loves with his whole heart so none of the children ever feel the neglect and pain that he once felt as an orphan on that very same island so long ago. And he is not alone: joining him is the love of his life, Linus Baker, a former caseworker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth; Zoe Chapelwhite, the island's sprite; and her girlfriend, Mayor Helen Webb. Together, they will do anything to protect the children.

But when Arthur is summoned to make a public statement about his dark past, he finds himself at the helm of a fight for the future that his family, and all magical people, deserve.

And when a new magical child hopes to join them on their island home—one who finds power in calling himself monster, a name Arthur worked so hard to protect his children from—Arthur knows they're at a breaking point: their family will either grow stronger than ever or fall apart.

Welcome back to Marsyas Island. This is Arthur's story.]]> 406 T.J. Klune Hamad 4 Somewhere Beyond the Sea ★★★★

“Even the smallest of things can change the world, if only one is brave enough to try.�

The House in the Cerulean Sea is one of my favorite books ever. I still remember getting emotional from reading it and even crying a bit, something that rarely happens when I read. In my opinion, it was a perfect standalone story. One day I am browsing the internet, I see it suddenly getting a sequel. I was equally excited and scared, will Klune be able to pull it up like he did in the Green Creek series or will it be a flop and a way to milk more money from his most popular and successful book. I can happily say after finishing it that it was an enjoyable continuation of the story.

The biggest challenge is capturing the same vibes and tones the first book did and I think Klune succeeded in that. There are cozy fantasy vibes with humor, magic and some tension behind all of that. With about 15 chapters over 400 pages, the pacing was smooth, and I was engaged throughout despite the lengthy chapters.

The characters are what made the first book a grand success and they continue to shine in this book. While the first book focused on Linus, this is Arthur's story, from his past to his current self. We get to see all the children from book 1 with an additional unique character in this book. As in the last book, each of the kids were peculiar in their own ways and they are all so lovable that it is hard to pick a favorite.

I don't think the plot is very original here, Arthur is facing DICOMY - Department In Charge of Magical Youth- who are trying to scrutinize him and his magical children and trying to confiscate them for their own uses. While this plot isn't groundbreaking and is reminiscent of many stories—it’s well-crafted and entertaining, akin to a Pixar movie.

“If you go into a situation expecting the worst, it may cloud your ability to see what good can come from it.�

I ended up giving this book four stars which means I enjoyed it a lot, I think book one was a bit better, but I can't exactly say why. My fears about the sequel diminishing my love for the series were unfounded; if anything, it deepened my appreciation. Kudos to Klune!]]> 4.22 2024 Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles, #2)
author: T.J. Klune
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/25
date added: 2024/09/30
shelves: 2024-reads, e-books, fantasy, good-covers
review:
The House in the Cerulean Sea ★★★★�
Somewhere Beyond the Sea ★★★★

“Even the smallest of things can change the world, if only one is brave enough to try.�

The House in the Cerulean Sea is one of my favorite books ever. I still remember getting emotional from reading it and even crying a bit, something that rarely happens when I read. In my opinion, it was a perfect standalone story. One day I am browsing the internet, I see it suddenly getting a sequel. I was equally excited and scared, will Klune be able to pull it up like he did in the Green Creek series or will it be a flop and a way to milk more money from his most popular and successful book. I can happily say after finishing it that it was an enjoyable continuation of the story.

The biggest challenge is capturing the same vibes and tones the first book did and I think Klune succeeded in that. There are cozy fantasy vibes with humor, magic and some tension behind all of that. With about 15 chapters over 400 pages, the pacing was smooth, and I was engaged throughout despite the lengthy chapters.

The characters are what made the first book a grand success and they continue to shine in this book. While the first book focused on Linus, this is Arthur's story, from his past to his current self. We get to see all the children from book 1 with an additional unique character in this book. As in the last book, each of the kids were peculiar in their own ways and they are all so lovable that it is hard to pick a favorite.

I don't think the plot is very original here, Arthur is facing DICOMY - Department In Charge of Magical Youth- who are trying to scrutinize him and his magical children and trying to confiscate them for their own uses. While this plot isn't groundbreaking and is reminiscent of many stories—it’s well-crafted and entertaining, akin to a Pixar movie.

“If you go into a situation expecting the worst, it may cloud your ability to see what good can come from it.�

I ended up giving this book four stars which means I enjoyed it a lot, I think book one was a bit better, but I can't exactly say why. My fears about the sequel diminishing my love for the series were unfounded; if anything, it deepened my appreciation. Kudos to Klune!
]]> <![CDATA[Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow]]> 31138556 Yuval Noah Harari, author of the critically-acclaimed New York Times bestseller and international phenomenon Sapiens, returns with an equally original, compelling, and provocative book, turning his focus toward humanity’s future, and our quest to upgrade humans into gods.

Over the past century humankind has managed to do the impossible and rein in famine, plague, and war. This may seem hard to accept, but, as Harari explains in his trademark style—thorough, yet riveting—famine, plague and war have been transformed from incomprehensible and uncontrollable forces of nature into manageable challenges. For the first time ever, more people die from eating too much than from eating too little; more people die from old age than from infectious diseases; and more people commit suicide than are killed by soldiers, terrorists and criminals put together. The average American is a thousand times more likely to die from binging at McDonalds than from being blown up by Al Qaeda.

What then will replace famine, plague, and war at the top of the human agenda? As the self-made gods of planet earth, what destinies will we set ourselves, and which quests will we undertake? Homo Deus explores the projects, dreams and nightmares that will shape the twenty-first century—from overcoming death to creating artificial life. It asks the fundamental questions: Where do we go from here? And how will we protect this fragile world from our own destructive powers? This is the next stage of evolution. This is Homo Deus.

With the same insight and clarity that made Sapiens an international hit and a New York Times bestseller, Harari maps out our future.

]]> 450 Yuval Noah Harari Hamad 4
“People are usually afraid of change because they fear the unknown. But the single greatest constant of history is that everything changes.�

I generally prefer reading about the future rather than the past, but I find Harari excels in his exploration of history. His book Sapiens focuses on our past, while Homo Deus tackles the future. Despite my preference, I have to give Homo Deus a solid 4 stars for its well-crafted prose.

The book's opening was particularly engaging and set high expectations. Harari has a talent for simplifying complex ideas, making them accessible to readers. And while I don’t agree with every argument he presents; I appreciate how thought-provoking it is, sparking opportunities for meaningful discussions.

My problem with the book is more of a me not the book kind of problem. It’s quite lengthy—I listened to the audiobook over the course of a month. This length means the author delves into many topics some which fascinated me; mainly anything that has to do with medicine and science and some bored the shit out of me, mainly political stuff that I just can't connect with.

Overall, Homo Deus is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the future of civilization, the ethical dilemmas of technology, and the evolving nature of humanity in a complex world. Harari’s engaging style makes it enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to diving into more of his work.

“The most common reaction of the human mind to achievement is not satisfaction, but craving for more.�
 ]]> 4.19 2015 Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow
author: Yuval Noah Harari
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/29
date added: 2024/09/30
shelves: 2024-reads, audiobooks, non-fiction
review:
“People are usually afraid of change because they fear the unknown. But the single greatest constant of history is that everything changes.�

I generally prefer reading about the future rather than the past, but I find Harari excels in his exploration of history. His book Sapiens focuses on our past, while Homo Deus tackles the future. Despite my preference, I have to give Homo Deus a solid 4 stars for its well-crafted prose.

The book's opening was particularly engaging and set high expectations. Harari has a talent for simplifying complex ideas, making them accessible to readers. And while I don’t agree with every argument he presents; I appreciate how thought-provoking it is, sparking opportunities for meaningful discussions.

My problem with the book is more of a me not the book kind of problem. It’s quite lengthy—I listened to the audiobook over the course of a month. This length means the author delves into many topics some which fascinated me; mainly anything that has to do with medicine and science and some bored the shit out of me, mainly political stuff that I just can't connect with.

Overall, Homo Deus is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the future of civilization, the ethical dilemmas of technology, and the evolving nature of humanity in a complex world. Harari’s engaging style makes it enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to diving into more of his work.

“The most common reaction of the human mind to achievement is not satisfaction, but craving for more.�
]]> Graveyard Shift 203578770 Author of sales sensation If We Were Villains returns with a story about a ragtag group of night shift workers who meet in the local cemetery to unearth the secrets lurking in an open grave.

Every night, in the college’s ancient cemetery, five people cross paths as they work the late shift: a bartender, a rideshare driver, a hotel receptionist, the steward of the derelict church that looms over them, and the editor-in-chief of the college paper, always in search of a story.

One dark October evening in the defunct churchyard, they find a hole that wasn’t there before. A fresh, open grave where no grave should be. But who dug it, and for whom?

Before they go their separate ways, the gravedigger returns. As they trail him through the night, they realize he may be the key to a string of strange happenings around town that have made headlines for the last few weeks—and that they may be closer to the mystery than they thought.

Atmospheric and eerie, with the ensemble cast her fans love and a delightfully familiar academic backdrop, Graveyard Shift is a modern Gothic tale in If We Were Villains author M. L. Rio’s inimitable style.]]> 144 M.L. Rio 1250356792 Hamad 2
Ultimately, I rated it two stars, which on ŷ means "It was OK." The story started well but then it quickly lost its way and ended up being weird! The story follows 5 insomniacs as they try to figure out the mystery of a new hole that appears in the graveyard, this may give the illusion of mystery, thriller or horror genres but if I think about it, it was neither of those. It wasn't really scary; the mystery is solved earlier than it should be and there's a lot of scientific rambling.

There are 5 POVs, and I think for a story this short, the author did a great job of introducing them but a bad job at developing them. There aren't enough pages to know them more deeply and I think it kind of explains the weird ending that I still don't really understand.

In short, this had potential, it felt like an outline of a novel rather than a self-contained novella, it started well but it lost its momentum quickly and as much as I loved the ending of If We Were Villains, I didn't love the ending here!]]> 3.19 2024 Graveyard Shift
author: M.L. Rio
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.19
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2024/09/29
date added: 2024/09/29
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers
review:
I loved Rio's If We Were Villains and have eagerly awaited her next story. When I found out it was this novella, I quickly added it to my reading list, though I was initially hesitant about the combination of horror and novella format—two elements that typically don’t resonate with me. After reading the author’s introduction on sleep and insomnia, I felt a spark of excitement, as I also experience sleep issues from time to time.

Ultimately, I rated it two stars, which on ŷ means "It was OK." The story started well but then it quickly lost its way and ended up being weird! The story follows 5 insomniacs as they try to figure out the mystery of a new hole that appears in the graveyard, this may give the illusion of mystery, thriller or horror genres but if I think about it, it was neither of those. It wasn't really scary; the mystery is solved earlier than it should be and there's a lot of scientific rambling.

There are 5 POVs, and I think for a story this short, the author did a great job of introducing them but a bad job at developing them. There aren't enough pages to know them more deeply and I think it kind of explains the weird ending that I still don't really understand.

In short, this had potential, it felt like an outline of a novel rather than a self-contained novella, it started well but it lost its momentum quickly and as much as I loved the ending of If We Were Villains, I didn't love the ending here!
]]> Towards Zero 12168274
What is the connection among a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft against a schoolgirl, and the romantic life of a famous tennis player?

To the casual observer, apparently nothing. But when a house party gathers at Gull’s Point, the seaside home of an elderly widow, earlier events come to a dramatic head. As Superintendent Battle discovers, it is all part of a carefully laid plan—for murder.]]> 259 Agatha Christie Hamad 4 2024-reads, e-books
“It's extraordinary, the amount of misunderstandings there are even between two people who discuss a thing quite often - both of them assuming different things and neither of them discovering the discrepancy.�

With every Agatha Christie novel I finish, my admiration for her grows, along with a tinge of sadness that there’s one less book to explore. By completing this one, I’ve now read all of the Superintendent Battle novels, placing him alongside Miss Marple and Colonel Race.

This novel was well-crafted, though the prologue was a bit tricky to navigate, making up about 25% of the book. After that, the story became easier to follow, thanks to shorter chapters and more distinct characters. In my view, this is Superintendent Battle at his finest, and it was satisfying to see him unravel the mystery.

While the mystery itself isn’t overly complex, Christie expertly delves into the psychology and motives of her characters, making everyone a potential suspect. The final chapter felt a bit cheesy, but it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. As always, I’m eagerly anticipating the next mystery from the queen of crime!]]> 4.26 1944 Towards Zero
author: Agatha Christie
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.26
book published: 1944
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/28
date added: 2024/09/29
shelves: 2024-reads, e-books
review:
“It's extraordinary, the amount of misunderstandings there are even between two people who discuss a thing quite often - both of them assuming different things and neither of them discovering the discrepancy.�

With every Agatha Christie novel I finish, my admiration for her grows, along with a tinge of sadness that there’s one less book to explore. By completing this one, I’ve now read all of the Superintendent Battle novels, placing him alongside Miss Marple and Colonel Race.

This novel was well-crafted, though the prologue was a bit tricky to navigate, making up about 25% of the book. After that, the story became easier to follow, thanks to shorter chapters and more distinct characters. In my view, this is Superintendent Battle at his finest, and it was satisfying to see him unravel the mystery.

While the mystery itself isn’t overly complex, Christie expertly delves into the psychology and motives of her characters, making everyone a potential suspect. The final chapter felt a bit cheesy, but it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. As always, I’m eagerly anticipating the next mystery from the queen of crime!
]]> The Bird and the Blade 36063632
The Bird and the Blade is a lush, powerful story of life and death, battles and riddles, lies and secrets from author Megan Bannen.

Enslaved in Kipchak Khanate, Jinghua has lost her home, her family, her freedom . . . until the kingdom is conquered by enemy forces and she finds herself an unlikely conspirator in the escape of Prince Khalaf and his irascible father across the vast Mongol Empire.

On the run, with adversaries on all sides and an endless journey ahead, Jinghua hatches a scheme to use the Kipchaks� exile to return home, a plan that becomes increasingly fraught as her feelings for Khalaf evolve into an impossible love.

Jinghua’s already dicey prospects take a downward turn when Khalaf seeks to restore his kingdom by forging a marriage alliance with Turandokht, the daughter of the Great Khan. As beautiful as she is cunning, Turandokht requires all potential suitors to solve three impossible riddles to win her hand—and if they fail, they die.

Jinghua has kept her own counsel well, but with Khalaf’s kingdom—and his very life—on the line, she must reconcile the hard truth of her past with her love for a boy who has no idea what she’s capable of . . . even if it means losing him to the girl who’d sooner take his life than his heart.]]> 418 Megan Bannen 006267417X Hamad 4
“God does not judge you according to your appearance and your wealth, but He looks at your heart and looks into your deeds�

]]> 4.13 2018 The Bird and the Blade
author: Megan Bannen
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2018/08/18
date added: 2024/09/27
shelves: 2018-reads, e-books, good-covers
review:
This review and other non-spoilery reviews can be found

“God does not judge you according to your appearance and your wealth, but He looks at your heart and looks into your deeds�


]]> <![CDATA[Esrahaddon (The Rise and Fall, #3)]]> 43453386 A hero to some. A villain to many. The truth forever buried.

The man who became known as Esrahaddon is reported to have destroyed the world’s greatest empire—but there are those who believe he saved it. Few individuals are as divisive, but all agree on three facts: He was exiled to the wilderness, hunted by a goblin priestess, and sentenced to death by a god—all before the age of eight. How he managed to survive and why people continued to fear his name a thousand years later has always been a mystery...until now.

From the three-time New York Times best-selling author Michael J. Sullivan, Esrahaddon is the final novel in the Rise and Fall trilogy. This latest set of stories sits snugly between the Legends of the First Empire series and the Riyria books (Revelations and Chronicles). With this tale, Michael continues his tradition of unlikely heroes who must rise to the call when history knocks, demanding to be let in. This is the 19th full-length novel in a body of work that started in 2008 and spans four series.]]> 713 Michael J. Sullivan Hamad 4 Farilane ★★� ½
Esrahaddon ★★★★ ¼

“Happiness is merely a state when everything is as it should be. But if everything is always perfect, there is no challenge, no reason to live, no purpose to exist. Happiness is the reward for struggle, and without struggle there can be no growth. What does not grow, Ezra, is dead � or should be.�

Having finished this, I’m now fully caught up with everything Sullivan has written in his Elan universe, and his endings consistently leave me satisfied.

This concludes The Rise and Fall series, which is quite unique, as the books are loosely interconnected and span centuries. Surprisingly, this volume is substantial; I initially expected the first two books to be longer, and when I discovered they weren’t, I anticipated this one would follow suit. Instead, it turned out to be his longest book yet.

The narrative centers on Esrahaddon, a character we’ve encountered in Sullivan's other series. The story traces his journey from childhood into the distant future. It felt like a series of short stories and quests that collectively drive the larger narrative. Maintaining reader engagement over such a lengthy span is challenging, but I think Sullivan managed it quite effectively for most of the book.

Sullivan’s talent as a writer shines through; his prose is excellent. His method of plotting the entire series before writing gives him a mastery of foreshadowing and thread connection. There’s humor, action, and emotion, all stemming from his years of writing experience.

The characters are, as always, compelling. Esrahaddon stands out as my favorite in this series, and we encounter familiar faces alongside a host of new ones. Sullivan skillfully illustrates how history is altered and manipulated through his characters, prompting reflections on our own world and the mysteries we often overlook.

The plot is intriguing, as many threads are resolved in this series. While there were moments I missed, it’s always enjoyable to read Michael’s wife’s insights at the end and discover details I hadn’t caught.

“Pain doesn't always come from suffering a terrible life; sometimes it comes from having no life at all and from the certainty you never will.�

In summary, this is the strongest entry in the series and a satisfying finale. I have little to criticize; I thoroughly enjoyed the writing, characters, and plot. It could have been a bit shorter, but overall, I’m pleased and eagerly awaiting Sullivan’s next book!]]> 4.62 2023 Esrahaddon (The Rise and Fall, #3)
author: Michael J. Sullivan
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.62
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/19
date added: 2024/09/27
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, fantasy, good-covers
review:
Nolyn ★★★★
Farilane ★★� ½
Esrahaddon ★★★★ ¼

“Happiness is merely a state when everything is as it should be. But if everything is always perfect, there is no challenge, no reason to live, no purpose to exist. Happiness is the reward for struggle, and without struggle there can be no growth. What does not grow, Ezra, is dead � or should be.�

Having finished this, I’m now fully caught up with everything Sullivan has written in his Elan universe, and his endings consistently leave me satisfied.

This concludes The Rise and Fall series, which is quite unique, as the books are loosely interconnected and span centuries. Surprisingly, this volume is substantial; I initially expected the first two books to be longer, and when I discovered they weren’t, I anticipated this one would follow suit. Instead, it turned out to be his longest book yet.

The narrative centers on Esrahaddon, a character we’ve encountered in Sullivan's other series. The story traces his journey from childhood into the distant future. It felt like a series of short stories and quests that collectively drive the larger narrative. Maintaining reader engagement over such a lengthy span is challenging, but I think Sullivan managed it quite effectively for most of the book.

Sullivan’s talent as a writer shines through; his prose is excellent. His method of plotting the entire series before writing gives him a mastery of foreshadowing and thread connection. There’s humor, action, and emotion, all stemming from his years of writing experience.

The characters are, as always, compelling. Esrahaddon stands out as my favorite in this series, and we encounter familiar faces alongside a host of new ones. Sullivan skillfully illustrates how history is altered and manipulated through his characters, prompting reflections on our own world and the mysteries we often overlook.

The plot is intriguing, as many threads are resolved in this series. While there were moments I missed, it’s always enjoyable to read Michael’s wife’s insights at the end and discover details I hadn’t caught.

“Pain doesn't always come from suffering a terrible life; sometimes it comes from having no life at all and from the certainty you never will.�

In summary, this is the strongest entry in the series and a satisfying finale. I have little to criticize; I thoroughly enjoyed the writing, characters, and plot. It could have been a bit shorter, but overall, I’m pleased and eagerly awaiting Sullivan’s next book!
]]> <![CDATA[Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orïsha, #1)]]> 35917072 Tomi Adeyemi conjures a stunning world of dark magic and danger in her West African-inspired fantasy debut, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sabaa Tahir.

They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.

Now we rise.

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers—and her growing feelings for an enemy.]]> 525 Tomi Adeyemi 1250170982 Hamad 3 Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

Buddy read with GR coolest guy (His name literally means Knight)

Children of blood and bone had a good start, a good ending but in between it had its problem!

The book started out strong, with good writing style, pacing and characters. The story had much potential and I started to have high expectations then. The world building is good and new, we don't have many books with African settings so this was refreshing and gave me Black Panther vibes, all good till this point.

Then gradually it started to feel like a debut novel, the pacing became slower, there was much uncalled for drama and the characters started to fall flat! I thought it was only me when the characters voices started to sound the same which kind of drived me crazy, I asked Fares who thankfully felt the same.

The middle part had the drama I mentioned before: the characters decides that magic is important and should be saved and the next moment they think it is dangerous and they shouldn't bring it back. Next page, voila, it is good again and they need to save it! And this is why some parts felt forced on the story and not natural!
Did I mention that the characters sometimes felt childish and then they would become adults and then children once again, not literally but I am judging based on how they behave!

I lost the enjoyment at some point later on, Fares then told me that the ending was good so I was excited again, and the ending didn't disappoint... The brutality of this book was satisfying too ( I will leave it at that because no spoilers).

description
So I guess you know now why I gave it 3.5 stars, but it was a good book for debut, and I truly believe that book 2 can be much better than book 2 if it is faster and shorter!

“I teach you to be warriors in the garden so you will never be gardeners in the war.�
]]> 4.27 2018 Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orïsha, #1)
author: Tomi Adeyemi
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2018/03/13
date added: 2024/09/26
shelves: good-covers, e-books, buddy-reads, 2018-reads
review:
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

Buddy read with GR coolest guy (His name literally means Knight)

Children of blood and bone had a good start, a good ending but in between it had its problem!

The book started out strong, with good writing style, pacing and characters. The story had much potential and I started to have high expectations then. The world building is good and new, we don't have many books with African settings so this was refreshing and gave me Black Panther vibes, all good till this point.

Then gradually it started to feel like a debut novel, the pacing became slower, there was much uncalled for drama and the characters started to fall flat! I thought it was only me when the characters voices started to sound the same which kind of drived me crazy, I asked Fares who thankfully felt the same.

The middle part had the drama I mentioned before: the characters decides that magic is important and should be saved and the next moment they think it is dangerous and they shouldn't bring it back. Next page, voila, it is good again and they need to save it! And this is why some parts felt forced on the story and not natural!
Did I mention that the characters sometimes felt childish and then they would become adults and then children once again, not literally but I am judging based on how they behave!

I lost the enjoyment at some point later on, Fares then told me that the ending was good so I was excited again, and the ending didn't disappoint... The brutality of this book was satisfying too ( I will leave it at that because no spoilers).

description
So I guess you know now why I gave it 3.5 stars, but it was a good book for debut, and I truly believe that book 2 can be much better than book 2 if it is faster and shorter!

“I teach you to be warriors in the garden so you will never be gardeners in the war.�

]]> Long Way Down 35506547 “An intense snapshot of the chain reaction caused by pulling a trigger.� �Booklist (starred review)
“Astonishing.� �Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A tour de force.� �Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A Newbery Honor Book
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book
A Printz Honor Book
A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021)
A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Winner for Young Adult Literature
Longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
Winner of the Walter Dean Myers Award
An Edgar Award Winner for Best Young Adult Fiction
Parents� Choice Gold Award Winner
An Entertainment Weekly Best YA Book of 2017
A Vulture Best YA Book of 2017
A Buzzfeed Best YA Book of 2017

An ode to Put the Damn Guns Down, this is New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds’s electrifying novel that takes place in sixty potent seconds—the time it takes a kid to decide whether or not he’s going to murder the guy who killed his brother.

A cannon. A strap.
A piece. A biscuit.
A burner. A heater.
A chopper. A gat.
A hammer
A tool
for RULE

Or, you can call it a gun. That’s what fifteen-year-old Will has shoved in the back waistband of his jeans. See, his brother Shawn was just murdered. And Will knows the rules. No crying. No snitching. Revenge. That’s where Will’s now heading, with that gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, the gun that was his brother’s gun. He gets on the elevator, seventh floor, stoked. He knows who he’s after. Or does he?

As the elevator stops on the sixth floor, on comes Buck. Buck, Will finds out, is who gave Shawn the gun before Will took the gun. Buck tells Will to check that the gun is even loaded. And that’s when Will sees that one bullet is missing. And the only one who could have fired Shawn’s gun was Shawn. Huh. Will didn’t know that Shawn had ever actually USED his gun. Bigger huh. BUCK IS DEAD. But Buck’s in the elevator?

Just as Will’s trying to think this through, the door to the next floor opens. A teenage girl gets on, waves away the smoke from Dead Buck’s cigarette. Will doesn’t know her, but she knew him. Knew. When they were eight. And stray bullets had cut through the playground, and Will had tried to cover her, but she was hit anyway, and so what she wants to know, on that fifth floor elevator stop, is, what if Will, Will with the gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, MISSES.

And so it goes, the whole long way down, as the elevator stops on each floor, and at each stop someone connected to his brother gets on to give Will a piece to a bigger story than the one he thinks he knows. A story that might never know an END…if Will gets off that elevator.

Told in short, fierce staccato narrative verse, Long Way Down is a fast and furious, dazzlingly brilliant look at teenage gun violence, as could only be told by Jason Reynolds.]]> 321 Jason Reynolds 1481438271 Hamad 4 e-books, 2018-reads “And you know

it's weird to know
a person you don't know

and at the same time

not know
a person you know,

you know?"
-¾�

Wow, this was beautiful and powerful.
I believe this is the best book written in verse that I have read!!
The core of the book is important and I went into it without high expectations but it surpassed those expectations anyway...
Maybe not the best ending in the world but it was good nevertheless :)]]> 4.34 2017 Long Way Down
author: Jason Reynolds
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2018/02/03
date added: 2024/09/24
shelves: e-books, 2018-reads
review:
“And you know

it's weird to know
a person you don't know

and at the same time

not know
a person you know,

you know?"
-¾�

Wow, this was beautiful and powerful.
I believe this is the best book written in verse that I have read!!
The core of the book is important and I went into it without high expectations but it surpassed those expectations anyway...
Maybe not the best ending in the world but it was good nevertheless :)
]]> Restore Me (Shatter Me, #4) 34992981 The girl with the power to kill with a single touch now has the world in the palm of her hand.

Juliette and Warner’s story continues in the electrifying fourth installment of Tahereh Mafi’s New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series.

Juliette Ferrars thought she’d won. She took over Sector 45, was named the new Supreme Commander of North America, and now has Warner by her side. But when tragedy strikes, she must confront the darkness that dwells both around and inside her.

Who will she become in the face of adversity? Will she be able to control the power she wields, and use it for good?]]> 384 Tahereh Mafi 0062676385 Hamad 2
Actual Rating: 2.5 stars

“Idiots are highly flammable, love. Let them all burn in hell.�

Let's be honest, Restore me by itself is NOT a bad book, Restore me as book 4 in a series is bad!

I say this with a broken heart as I always recommend this series when I am asked about good series and 2 things account for this: The poetic writing style and the character development which is one of the best I have ever read!
description

I wasn't very happy with Ignite me ending as I wanted more, and the story had more potential for sure which left me reeling with excitement when I saw that we're getting an extension!

I know that Tahereh listened to the fans when she added Warner POV, more Kenji and less poetic writing!
That may not seem bad, right?
It actually is because she had destroyed the whole development that she spent 3 books working on, Juliette is annoying and childish as in book. Warner is not Warner, I think she flipped the whole character to make him softer, once again, not good!

And what about the other secondary characters?! You can't just ignore all of them and mention only glimpses of them...

Even Kenji, one of my all time favorite characters had a little change, the character was a bit off and I can say that because he was so relatable :/ But I still like him and the 2 stars are for him!

The story could have started with the last scene in this book... I don't know what to say.
I only hope that book 5 is better.
description]]> 4.18 2018 Restore Me (Shatter Me, #4)
author: Tahereh Mafi
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2018
rating: 2
read at: 2018/03/10
date added: 2024/09/21
shelves: paperbacks, e-books, good-covers, 2018-reads
review:
This review and other non-spoilery reviews can be found

Actual Rating: 2.5 stars

“Idiots are highly flammable, love. Let them all burn in hell.�

Let's be honest, Restore me by itself is NOT a bad book, Restore me as book 4 in a series is bad!

I say this with a broken heart as I always recommend this series when I am asked about good series and 2 things account for this: The poetic writing style and the character development which is one of the best I have ever read!
description

I wasn't very happy with Ignite me ending as I wanted more, and the story had more potential for sure which left me reeling with excitement when I saw that we're getting an extension!

I know that Tahereh listened to the fans when she added Warner POV, more Kenji and less poetic writing!
That may not seem bad, right?
It actually is because she had destroyed the whole development that she spent 3 books working on, Juliette is annoying and childish as in book. Warner is not Warner, I think she flipped the whole character to make him softer, once again, not good!

And what about the other secondary characters?! You can't just ignore all of them and mention only glimpses of them...

Even Kenji, one of my all time favorite characters had a little change, the character was a bit off and I can say that because he was so relatable :/ But I still like him and the 2 stars are for him!

The story could have started with the last scene in this book... I don't know what to say.
I only hope that book 5 is better.
description
]]> <![CDATA[Captive Prince: Volume One (Captive Prince, #1)]]> 17158549 "This was Vere, voluptous and decadent, country of honeyed poison."

Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos, but when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave.

Beautiful, manipulative and deadly, his new master Prince Laurent epitomizes the worst of the court at Vere. But in the lethal political web of the Verethian court, nothing is at it seems, and when Damen finds himself caught up in a play for the throne, he must work together with Laurent to survive and save his country.

For Damen, there is just one rule: never, ever reveal his true identity. Because the one man Damen needs is the one man who has more reasons to hate him than anyone else...]]> 241 C.S. Pacat 098750732X Hamad 3
“Laurent could inspire homicidal tendencies simply by breathing.�
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

This book is controversial and this review is going to be controversial so seat belts on!

description

If you're like me then you read almost all book genres except for Erotica, and this book is a M/M Erotica. So when you're going to read something you're not comfortable with then that's that first part that we're to blame ourselves.

You may have went into this not knowing anything about it and then you're surprised by the content. If that is the case then Ok, you're not to be blamed.
But if you have heard about the thousand trigger warnings that all reviews have, if you know what you're getting into and then you hate it, then I actually don't know what to say!

This kind of books usually gets mixed reviews and it is either a love or hate for the book. But please don't confuse the story itself with the structural integrity of the story. Let me explain further:
Some readers hate this because it mentions Raping, Flogging and even pedophilia. The author did not put these acts in the book because she encourages them. That is even mentioned in the book (That they take it too far and that they are barbarians). The author was writing a historical fiction and these things are indeed a part of history. You can do a simple Google Image search and then you will see all kinds of S***. So if this books gets a 1 star rating then I think that is not fair because the readers are rating the History and not the book. (If I were living in that time period then yes, I would give my life a 1 or 2 stars rating!!).

I myself did not expect to like this book but then I was captivated (Pun intended) by Pacat writing style. The vocabulary that she uses is mesmerizing! I wish I could write in her style. The characters were good but the world building and the plot were just average!

description

This is a character driven book, this does not focus on plot twists...etc although I like the political aspect in it. The world building was limited although it gives ancient Greece or Rome vibes!


“Is there anyone at this court who isn't my enemy?
"Not if I can help it," Laurent said.�


I am definitely continuing this series!

I read this as a part of Sara's Read-A-Thon and I chose it in the challenge of reading a book because of the ]]> 4.00 2013 Captive Prince: Volume One (Captive Prince, #1)
author: C.S. Pacat
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2013
rating: 3
read at: 2018/05/11
date added: 2024/09/21
shelves: 2018-reads, e-books, good-covers
review:
You can find this review and other reviews

“Laurent could inspire homicidal tendencies simply by breathing.�
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

This book is controversial and this review is going to be controversial so seat belts on!

description

If you're like me then you read almost all book genres except for Erotica, and this book is a M/M Erotica. So when you're going to read something you're not comfortable with then that's that first part that we're to blame ourselves.

You may have went into this not knowing anything about it and then you're surprised by the content. If that is the case then Ok, you're not to be blamed.
But if you have heard about the thousand trigger warnings that all reviews have, if you know what you're getting into and then you hate it, then I actually don't know what to say!

This kind of books usually gets mixed reviews and it is either a love or hate for the book. But please don't confuse the story itself with the structural integrity of the story. Let me explain further:
Some readers hate this because it mentions Raping, Flogging and even pedophilia. The author did not put these acts in the book because she encourages them. That is even mentioned in the book (That they take it too far and that they are barbarians). The author was writing a historical fiction and these things are indeed a part of history. You can do a simple Google Image search and then you will see all kinds of S***. So if this books gets a 1 star rating then I think that is not fair because the readers are rating the History and not the book. (If I were living in that time period then yes, I would give my life a 1 or 2 stars rating!!).

I myself did not expect to like this book but then I was captivated (Pun intended) by Pacat writing style. The vocabulary that she uses is mesmerizing! I wish I could write in her style. The characters were good but the world building and the plot were just average!

description

This is a character driven book, this does not focus on plot twists...etc although I like the political aspect in it. The world building was limited although it gives ancient Greece or Rome vibes!


“Is there anyone at this court who isn't my enemy?
"Not if I can help it," Laurent said.�


I am definitely continuing this series!

I read this as a part of Sara's Read-A-Thon and I chose it in the challenge of reading a book because of the
]]> <![CDATA[The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1)]]> 123206890 Launching a new trilogy in the Shades of Magic universe, an enchanting and thrilling epic fantasy from the international sensation, V. E. Schwab, perfect for fans of Samantha Shannon, Kerri Maniscalco, Leigh Bardugo and R. F. Kuang.

Seven years have passed since the doors between the worlds were sealed. Seven years since Kell, Lila and Holland stood against Osaron, a desperate battle that saved the worlds of Red, Grey and White London. Seven years since Kell’s magic was shattered, and Holland lost his life.

Now Rhy Maresh rules Red London with his new family � his queen, Nadiya, their daughter Ren, and his consort, Alucard. But his city boils with conspiracy and rebellion, fuelled by rumours he is causing magic to fade from the word.

Now Kosika, a child Antari, sits on the throne of White London. The new queen leads her people in new rituals of sacrifice and blood in devotion to the altar of Holland Vosijk, summoning vast power she may not be able to control.

Now Lila and Kell, living free on the waves, are charged by the captain of the Floating Market to retrieve an immensely powerful artefact, stolen by secretive forces.

Now Tes, a young woman with a knack for fixing broken things, is thrust into the affairs of Antari and kings, traitors and thieves. And only her unique powers can weave the threads of power together.

A triumphant return to the worlds of The Shades of Magic, The Fragile Threads of Power continues the stories of fan-favourite characters Kell, Lila, Rhy and Alucard, and introduces a new generation of magic, shadows and embers in the dark.]]> 576 Victoria E. Schwab 178565246X Hamad 5
“Caring could drown you, if you let it.�

A Darker Shade Of Magic ★★★★
A Gathering of Shadows ★★�
A Conjuring of Light ★★★★�
The Fragile Threads of Power ★★★★�

I’m a huge fan of Schwab’s work and have read all her adult books, giving a few a rare 5-star rating. If you know me, you know I’m picky with those stars, so that says a lot about how much I appreciate her writing. This latest book is a follow-up to the "Shades of Magic" series, and I often feel nervous about sequels ruining what I already love.

Still, I trust Schwab completely. I was fortunate enough to snag a signed hardcover edition, and after finishing it, I can confidently say my trust was well placed—she exceeded my expectations!

“If you only think of the wrong hands magic can fall into, you forget that now and then there are right ones.�

Schwab's writing style is very unique and if I can choose one author to learn from, it would probably be her. The way she weaves multiple threads -see what I did there- while keeping them interesting is just amazing. The prose flows beautifully, and the short chapters make it hard to put the book down.

The book introduces new characters but also follow characters we already know and love. Furthermore, I loved the way the first series had been ended but I always acknowledged that it wasn't perfect. With this book, some of those loose threads were mended and changed to threads of power -I did it again- and that makes me really appreciate Schwab even more.

“A head gets lost, but a heart knows home.�

Yes, the book is lengthy, but Schwab has a knack for captivating me without drowning me in unnecessary details. By the end, I felt exhilarated and satisfied, and I’m already eager for the next installment. I’m just so grateful that Schwab didn’t disappoint!
]]> 4.38 2023 The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1)
author: Victoria E. Schwab
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2023/12/07
date added: 2024/09/20
shelves: 2023-reads, adult-books, fantasy, good-covers, hardcovers
review:
“Caring could drown you, if you let it.�

A Darker Shade Of Magic ★★★★
A Gathering of Shadows ★★�
A Conjuring of Light ★★★★�
The Fragile Threads of Power ★★★★�

I’m a huge fan of Schwab’s work and have read all her adult books, giving a few a rare 5-star rating. If you know me, you know I’m picky with those stars, so that says a lot about how much I appreciate her writing. This latest book is a follow-up to the "Shades of Magic" series, and I often feel nervous about sequels ruining what I already love.

Still, I trust Schwab completely. I was fortunate enough to snag a signed hardcover edition, and after finishing it, I can confidently say my trust was well placed—she exceeded my expectations!

“If you only think of the wrong hands magic can fall into, you forget that now and then there are right ones.�

Schwab's writing style is very unique and if I can choose one author to learn from, it would probably be her. The way she weaves multiple threads -see what I did there- while keeping them interesting is just amazing. The prose flows beautifully, and the short chapters make it hard to put the book down.

The book introduces new characters but also follow characters we already know and love. Furthermore, I loved the way the first series had been ended but I always acknowledged that it wasn't perfect. With this book, some of those loose threads were mended and changed to threads of power -I did it again- and that makes me really appreciate Schwab even more.

“A head gets lost, but a heart knows home.�

Yes, the book is lengthy, but Schwab has a knack for captivating me without drowning me in unnecessary details. By the end, I felt exhilarated and satisfied, and I’m already eager for the next installment. I’m just so grateful that Schwab didn’t disappoint!

]]> <![CDATA[The Court of Broken Knives (Empires of Dust, #1)]]> 32469783
In the richest empire the world has ever known, the city of Sorlost has always stood, eternal and unconquered. But in a city of dreams governed by an imposturous Emperor, decadence has become the true ruler, and has blinded its inhabitants to their vulnerability. The empire is on the verge of invasion � and only one man can see it.

Haunted by dreams of the empire’s demise, Orhan Emmereth has decided to act. On his orders, a company of soldiers cross the desert to reach the city. Once they enter the Palace, they have one mission: kill the Emperor, then all those who remain. Only from ashes can a new empire be built.

The company is a group of good, ordinary soldiers, for whom this is a mission like any other. But the strange boy Marith who walks among them is no ordinary soldier. Marching on Sorlost, Marith thinks he is running away from the past which haunts him. But in the Golden City, his destiny awaits him � beautiful, bloody, and more terrible than anyone could have foreseen.]]> 470 Anna Smith Spark 0008204063 Hamad 2
As soon as I started it, things started becoming clear. Spark has a very unique writing style that you will either love or hate and for me it was more of the latter. I considered DNFing the book too as I knew at some point, I am never going to read three books of that but decided to just see where it goes.

Regarding the book, it was brutal indeed but that is not enough to make a great novel in my opinion. I basically can't remember any of the characters or the main plot line. I think that says much about my enjoyment of the story. I then saw that many people gave this book 3 stars and many did not finish it accounting for the low average rating. If you connect to the writing, you'll probably like this more than I did.]]> 3.42 2017 The Court of Broken Knives (Empires of Dust, #1)
author: Anna Smith Spark
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.42
book published: 2017
rating: 2
read at: 2023/12/20
date added: 2024/09/19
shelves: 2023-reads, adult-books, fantasy, good-covers, paperbacks
review:
I heard a lot of great things about this novel. It is rated as one of the most brutal grimdark fantasy novels and it has great covers. The average rating of 3.4 was a bit weird to me as most of my friends loved it.

As soon as I started it, things started becoming clear. Spark has a very unique writing style that you will either love or hate and for me it was more of the latter. I considered DNFing the book too as I knew at some point, I am never going to read three books of that but decided to just see where it goes.

Regarding the book, it was brutal indeed but that is not enough to make a great novel in my opinion. I basically can't remember any of the characters or the main plot line. I think that says much about my enjoyment of the story. I then saw that many people gave this book 3 stars and many did not finish it accounting for the low average rating. If you connect to the writing, you'll probably like this more than I did.
]]> <![CDATA[The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business]]> 12609433
Marketers at Procter & Gamble study videos of people making their beds. They are desperately trying to figure out how to sell a new product called Febreze, on track to be one of the biggest flops in company history. Suddenly, one of them detects a nearly imperceptible pattern—and with a slight shift in advertising, Febreze goes on to earn a billion dollars a year.

An untested CEO takes over one of the largest companies in America. His first order of business is attacking a single pattern among his employees—how they approach worker safety—and soon the firm, Alcoa, becomes the top performer in the Dow Jones.

What do all these people have in common? They achieved success by focusing on the patterns that shape every aspect of our lives.

They succeeded by transforming habits.

In The Power of Habit, award-winning New York Times business reporter Charles Duhigg takes us to the thrilling edge of scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed. With penetrating intelligence and an ability to distill vast amounts of information into engrossing narratives, Duhigg brings to life a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential for transformation.

Along the way we learn why some people and companies struggle to change, despite years of trying, while others seem to remake themselves overnight. We visit laboratories where neuroscientists explore how habits work and where, exactly, they reside in our brains. We discover how the right habits were crucial to the success of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, and civil-rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr. We go inside Procter & Gamble, Target superstores, Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, NFL locker rooms, and the nation’s largest hospitals and see how implementing so-called keystone habits can earn billions and mean the difference between failure and success, life and death.

At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, raising exceptional children, becoming more productive, building revolutionary companies and social movements, and achieving success is understanding how habits work.

Habits aren’t destiny. As Charles Duhigg shows, by harnessing this new science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.]]> 375 Charles Duhigg 1400069289 Hamad 4
“The Golden Rule of Habit Change: You can't extinguish a bad habit, you can only change it.�

Listened to the audiobook. ]]> 4.13 2012 The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
author: Charles Duhigg
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2023/11/27
date added: 2024/09/16
shelves: audiobooks, 2023-reads, non-fiction
review:
“The Golden Rule of Habit Change: You can't extinguish a bad habit, you can only change it.�

Listened to the audiobook.
]]> <![CDATA[The Bone Shard War (The Drowning Empire, #3)]]> 59251290 The Bone Shard War is the epic finale to the unmissable, action-packed and magic-laced Drowning Empire series.

Lin Sukai has won her first victory as Emperor, but the future of the Phoenix Empire hangs in the balance - and Lin is dangerously short of allies.

As her own governors plot treason, the Shardless Few renew hostilities. Worse still, Lin discovers her old nemesis Nisong has joined forces with the rogue Alanga, Ragan. Both seek her death.

Yet hopes lies in history. Legend tells of seven mythic swords, forged in centuries past. If Lin can find them before her enemies, she may yet be able to turn the tide.

If she fails, the Sukai dynasty - and the entire empire - will fall.]]> 611 Andrea Stewart 0356515036 Hamad 4 The Bone Shard Emperor ★★★★
The Bone Shard War ★★★★

Once again, I did the mistake of not reviewing a book immediately and almost forgot what I wanted to say but here we go. I read this entry soon as I finished the middle book, so things were still fresh in my mind, but I was still taken aback when I started it due to a time jump. It was a bit unexpected, and it took me some time to get oriented and get into the story again.

The book is large, larger than it should be, I think it could have been shorter, faster and more concise, there were moments where things were going in circle, and they did not add much to the story. I think a little bit more of editing and cutting could have made this even better.

That being said, it was intriguing, I like the magic system from the previous books and liked it even more with this entry. The characters kept improving specially towards the ending. The pacing went crazy, and the ending was great. I think an ending could make or break a series and this one here redeemed the stagging part in the middle.

Overall, it was a good series, and I am keeping an eye on Stewart's next series!]]> 3.89 2023 The Bone Shard War (The Drowning Empire, #3)
author: Andrea Stewart
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2023/11/11
date added: 2024/09/15
shelves: 2023-reads, adult-books, e-books, fantasy, good-covers
review:
The Bone Shard Daughter ★★★★
The Bone Shard Emperor ★★★★
The Bone Shard War ★★★★

Once again, I did the mistake of not reviewing a book immediately and almost forgot what I wanted to say but here we go. I read this entry soon as I finished the middle book, so things were still fresh in my mind, but I was still taken aback when I started it due to a time jump. It was a bit unexpected, and it took me some time to get oriented and get into the story again.

The book is large, larger than it should be, I think it could have been shorter, faster and more concise, there were moments where things were going in circle, and they did not add much to the story. I think a little bit more of editing and cutting could have made this even better.

That being said, it was intriguing, I like the magic system from the previous books and liked it even more with this entry. The characters kept improving specially towards the ending. The pacing went crazy, and the ending was great. I think an ending could make or break a series and this one here redeemed the stagging part in the middle.

Overall, it was a good series, and I am keeping an eye on Stewart's next series!
]]> <![CDATA[Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes, #0)]]> 65213543 When an injury throws a young, battle-hungry orc off her chosen path, she may find that what we need isn't always what we seek.

In Bookshops & Bonedust, a prequel to Legends & Lattes, author Travis Baldree takes us on a journey of high fantasy, first loves, and second-hand books.

Viv's career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam's Ravens isn't going as planned.

Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she's packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk—so far from the action that she worries she'll never be able to return to it.

What's a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

Spending her hours at a beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn't possibly imagine.

Still, adventure isn't all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.]]> 336 Travis Baldree 1250886104 Hamad 4
“Because I’m headed down the hill, and you’re headed up it. I’m just glad we chanced to meet on the way.�

Baldree did a great job in rejuvenating the cozy fantasy genre with his first book. The genre was there but as in all genres there are certain trends, ebbs and flows and it wasn't very popular until the release and huge success of Legends and Lattes. Readers loved that book -myself included- and authors wanted to ride that wave, so we started seeing more books in this genre.

This book was not originally planned, but fans asked for more and Baldree delivered. He went for a prequel though and not a sequel and that is an interesting choice because the stakes may be lower this way as we already know what happens in the future. But once again, this is cozy fantasy, the plot is not the focus of the story here. Put in a cheesier way, it is about the journey not the destination.

While I find Legends and Lattes a bit more enchanting, this book is still a delightful read. It’s a story about stories, which always has its own charm. Viv’s journey and her experiences with reading stirred up a wave of nostalgia and deepened my appreciation for the joy of reading.

“I don't know if I can explain it, but watching you read what I give you, putting a book in your hands and seeing what happens to you once you put it back down... I can't make you understand how that gives me something I didn't know I had to have.�

In conclusion, this novel is a cozy fantasy gem. It meets all the genre’s expectations with its excellent writing, well-crafted characters, and engaging plot. I look forward to more works from Baldree, as he currently reigns supreme in the genre!

Thanks for the publisher for providing me with an E-ARC of the book in exchange of an honest review.
]]> 4.13 2023 Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes, #0)
author: Travis Baldree
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2023/10/31
date added: 2024/09/15
shelves: 2023-reads, adult-books, arcs, e-books, fantasy, good-covers
review:
“Because I’m headed down the hill, and you’re headed up it. I’m just glad we chanced to meet on the way.�

Baldree did a great job in rejuvenating the cozy fantasy genre with his first book. The genre was there but as in all genres there are certain trends, ebbs and flows and it wasn't very popular until the release and huge success of Legends and Lattes. Readers loved that book -myself included- and authors wanted to ride that wave, so we started seeing more books in this genre.

This book was not originally planned, but fans asked for more and Baldree delivered. He went for a prequel though and not a sequel and that is an interesting choice because the stakes may be lower this way as we already know what happens in the future. But once again, this is cozy fantasy, the plot is not the focus of the story here. Put in a cheesier way, it is about the journey not the destination.

While I find Legends and Lattes a bit more enchanting, this book is still a delightful read. It’s a story about stories, which always has its own charm. Viv’s journey and her experiences with reading stirred up a wave of nostalgia and deepened my appreciation for the joy of reading.

“I don't know if I can explain it, but watching you read what I give you, putting a book in your hands and seeing what happens to you once you put it back down... I can't make you understand how that gives me something I didn't know I had to have.�

In conclusion, this novel is a cozy fantasy gem. It meets all the genre’s expectations with its excellent writing, well-crafted characters, and engaging plot. I look forward to more works from Baldree, as he currently reigns supreme in the genre!

Thanks for the publisher for providing me with an E-ARC of the book in exchange of an honest review.

]]> <![CDATA[Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive, #3)]]> 34002132 Oathbringer, the third volume of the New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive, humanity faces a new Desolation with the return of the Voidbringers, a foe with numbers as great as their thirst for vengeance.

Dalinar Kholin's Alethi armies won a fleeting victory at a terrible cost: The enemy Parshendi summoned the violent Everstorm, which now sweeps the world with destruction, and in its passing awakens the once peaceful and subservient parshmen to the horror of their millennia-long enslavement by humans. While on a desperate flight to warn his family of the threat, Kaladin Stormblessed must come to grips with the fact that the newly kindled anger of the parshmen may be wholly justified.

Nestled in the mountains high above the storms, in the tower city of Urithiru, Shallan Davar investigates the wonders of the ancient stronghold of the Knights Radiant and unearths dark secrets lurking in its depths. And Dalinar realizes that his holy mission to unite his homeland of Alethkar was too narrow in scope. Unless all the nations of Roshar can put aside Dalinar's blood-soaked past and stand together--and unless Dalinar himself can confront that past--even the restoration of the Knights Radiant will not prevent the end of civilization.]]> 1248 Brandon Sanderson Hamad 5 Words of Radiance ★★★★�
Edgedancer ★★� 1/2
Oathbringer ★★★★�

Book #100 for 2023!!
description

Despite this being one of the biggest books I have ever read, I am keeping this review short because many better reviewers already did the job and because most of the fans have already read. I still think that this is an amazing series, the fact that you can make me go through more than 1200 pages alone is worth 5 stars. I do think books 1 and 2 were a bit better. Book two was perfection so if this is less good it doesn't mean it is a bad book because it is still excellent.

The writing is good, the pacing is a bit tricky, and I guess the book could have been shorter, but Sanderson manages to make it work. I love those characters, and I am even surprised I can keep up with all of them. My only complaint is that I wanted more Jasnah, more over when she is literally depicted on the cover!

I will certainly be continuing this series specially that book 5 is coming out very soon!]]> 4.60 2017 Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive, #3)
author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.60
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2023/10/06
date added: 2024/09/14
shelves: 2023-reads, adult-books, fantasy, good-covers, paperbacks
review:
The Way of Kings ★★★★ 1/2
Words of Radiance ★★★★�
Edgedancer ★★� 1/2
Oathbringer ★★★★�

Book #100 for 2023!!
description

Despite this being one of the biggest books I have ever read, I am keeping this review short because many better reviewers already did the job and because most of the fans have already read. I still think that this is an amazing series, the fact that you can make me go through more than 1200 pages alone is worth 5 stars. I do think books 1 and 2 were a bit better. Book two was perfection so if this is less good it doesn't mean it is a bad book because it is still excellent.

The writing is good, the pacing is a bit tricky, and I guess the book could have been shorter, but Sanderson manages to make it work. I love those characters, and I am even surprised I can keep up with all of them. My only complaint is that I wanted more Jasnah, more over when she is literally depicted on the cover!

I will certainly be continuing this series specially that book 5 is coming out very soon!
]]> The Life Impossible 198281740
“What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet…�

When retired math teacher Grace Winters is left a run-down house on a Mediterranean island by a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her. She arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan.

Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the island, Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life, and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past.

Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning.]]> 324 Matt Haig 0593489276 Hamad 2
“We are never at the finish line of understanding. There is always something about life and the universe that we are still to discover�

This is my fifth book by the author, and unfortunately, it's my least favorite so far. I read The Midnight Library before it became a sensation, and I enjoyed it. That was nearly four years ago, and I've been eagerly anticipating the next novel ever since. When this one was announced, I was thrilled, but after finishing it, I felt let down.

Magical realism generally doesn’t resonate with me. I don’t mean to disparage the genre entirely, but it often seems like a mix of contemporary and fantasy that ends up feeling neither here nor there. I’ve liked Haig’s previous novels, which is why I had high hopes for this one, but it didn’t hit the mark.

I appreciate the short, multiple-chapter format as it makes books compelling and easy to read. In fact, it was after reading The Midnight Library that I decided to write my novel in this format—though that’s a slow work in progress. Unfortunately, with this book, the format felt tedious and dragged on. To be blatantly honest, it was rather boring. The writing felt odd; it was as though Haig was trying to blend his fiction and non-fiction styles, but it didn’t quite work. Characters would sometimes go off on tangents or list things, reminiscent of his non-fiction work, which disrupted the narrative flow.

I went into this not knowing much, the synopsis talks about Grace Winters who is leaving her old life behind and goes to Ibiza on a one-way ticket. It also mentions her discovering strange things beyond her expectations. I thought it was one of those books that shows that it is never too late, and that Grace reflects back on her life and discover some sentimental things. But what we get is much weirder than that, there was a lot of cynicism, mathematics, discussion about depression, alien life forms, connecting to nature and other stuff and for a 300 pages book, it was overwhelming.

The characterization suffered as well. Grace often seemed out of sync with her age, and at times the book felt like it was written by a boomer!! Additionally, the portrayal of mental illness was problematic, giving the impression that magical experiences could solve mental health issues, which is a concerning message.

“But sometimes what looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet.�

In summary, the book was disappointing. From the writing and characterization to the plot, it felt scattered and disjointed for a story of its length. If you’re interested in themes of nature and connection, I’d recommend Weyward by Emilia Hart, which handles those elements much more effectively. I hope Haig’s future works return to the quality of his earlier novels.]]> 3.45 2024 The Life Impossible
author: Matt Haig
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.45
book published: 2024
rating: 2
read at: 2024/09/12
date added: 2024/09/14
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books
review:
“We are never at the finish line of understanding. There is always something about life and the universe that we are still to discover�

This is my fifth book by the author, and unfortunately, it's my least favorite so far. I read The Midnight Library before it became a sensation, and I enjoyed it. That was nearly four years ago, and I've been eagerly anticipating the next novel ever since. When this one was announced, I was thrilled, but after finishing it, I felt let down.

Magical realism generally doesn’t resonate with me. I don’t mean to disparage the genre entirely, but it often seems like a mix of contemporary and fantasy that ends up feeling neither here nor there. I’ve liked Haig’s previous novels, which is why I had high hopes for this one, but it didn’t hit the mark.

I appreciate the short, multiple-chapter format as it makes books compelling and easy to read. In fact, it was after reading The Midnight Library that I decided to write my novel in this format—though that’s a slow work in progress. Unfortunately, with this book, the format felt tedious and dragged on. To be blatantly honest, it was rather boring. The writing felt odd; it was as though Haig was trying to blend his fiction and non-fiction styles, but it didn’t quite work. Characters would sometimes go off on tangents or list things, reminiscent of his non-fiction work, which disrupted the narrative flow.

I went into this not knowing much, the synopsis talks about Grace Winters who is leaving her old life behind and goes to Ibiza on a one-way ticket. It also mentions her discovering strange things beyond her expectations. I thought it was one of those books that shows that it is never too late, and that Grace reflects back on her life and discover some sentimental things. But what we get is much weirder than that, there was a lot of cynicism, mathematics, discussion about depression, alien life forms, connecting to nature and other stuff and for a 300 pages book, it was overwhelming.

The characterization suffered as well. Grace often seemed out of sync with her age, and at times the book felt like it was written by a boomer!! Additionally, the portrayal of mental illness was problematic, giving the impression that magical experiences could solve mental health issues, which is a concerning message.

“But sometimes what looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet.�

In summary, the book was disappointing. From the writing and characterization to the plot, it felt scattered and disjointed for a story of its length. If you’re interested in themes of nature and connection, I’d recommend Weyward by Emilia Hart, which handles those elements much more effectively. I hope Haig’s future works return to the quality of his earlier novels.
]]> Strange Sally Diamond 62322008
Now Sally is the centre of attention, not only from the hungry media and worried police, but also a sinister voice from a past she has no memory of. As she begins to discover the horrors of her childhood, recluse Sally steps into the world for the first time, making new friends, finding independence, and learning that people don't always mean what they say.

But when messages start arriving from a stranger who knows far more about her past than she knows herself, Sally's life will be thrown into chaos once again . . .]]> 384 Liz Nugent 1844885968 Hamad 4
“In the outside world, you will find more people who are kind than people who are not. Seek them out.�

Sometimes, a book's sale price is enough to grab my attention, and that's how I discovered this novel. Initially, the cover didn’t really catch my eye, but by the end of the story, I came to appreciate it as it does reflect the essence of the narrative.

The novel centers on Sally Diamond, whose story begins with her burning her father's corpse. Early on, we learn that Sally is neurodivergent. The narrative then shifts between the present and the past, as well as between different perspectives. I agree with Emily's review that this book is essentially a character study. Sally is an unconventional character, but the other character is the more complex one.

Speaking of characterization, I was impressed by how quickly I connected with Sally. Despite numerous questions that arise throughout the book, the answers are revealed gradually. It’s clear that Sally’s character was crafted with genuine depth, not just to serve diversity and inclusion.

As a thriller, the book excels in keeping readers on edge with its suspenseful plot. While it uses humor to lighten the mood at times, it remains a dark tale dealing with serious themes. Readers should be prepared for this intensity. The story does slow down and become a bit repetitive in the middle, but it regains momentum towards the end.

“You are you. As unique and different as every other person on the planet. Your oddities are not disabilities (although we call them disabilities to get your welfare allowance), they are mere quirks of your personality. You don’t like talking on the phone and I don’t like cauliflower. Are we so different?�

In summary, this was a surprisingly engaging read with sharp writing that balances humor and weighty topics. The characters are unique, and their motivations are explored in depth. The thriller aspect is compelling, and although the ending might be unconventional, it leaves readers with something to ponder. I’m likely to explore more of the author’s work in the future.]]> 4.14 2023 Strange Sally Diamond
author: Liz Nugent
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/06
date added: 2024/09/13
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, paperbacks
review:
“In the outside world, you will find more people who are kind than people who are not. Seek them out.�

Sometimes, a book's sale price is enough to grab my attention, and that's how I discovered this novel. Initially, the cover didn’t really catch my eye, but by the end of the story, I came to appreciate it as it does reflect the essence of the narrative.

The novel centers on Sally Diamond, whose story begins with her burning her father's corpse. Early on, we learn that Sally is neurodivergent. The narrative then shifts between the present and the past, as well as between different perspectives. I agree with Emily's review that this book is essentially a character study. Sally is an unconventional character, but the other character is the more complex one.

Speaking of characterization, I was impressed by how quickly I connected with Sally. Despite numerous questions that arise throughout the book, the answers are revealed gradually. It’s clear that Sally’s character was crafted with genuine depth, not just to serve diversity and inclusion.

As a thriller, the book excels in keeping readers on edge with its suspenseful plot. While it uses humor to lighten the mood at times, it remains a dark tale dealing with serious themes. Readers should be prepared for this intensity. The story does slow down and become a bit repetitive in the middle, but it regains momentum towards the end.

“You are you. As unique and different as every other person on the planet. Your oddities are not disabilities (although we call them disabilities to get your welfare allowance), they are mere quirks of your personality. You don’t like talking on the phone and I don’t like cauliflower. Are we so different?�

In summary, this was a surprisingly engaging read with sharp writing that balances humor and weighty topics. The characters are unique, and their motivations are explored in depth. The thriller aspect is compelling, and although the ending might be unconventional, it leaves readers with something to ponder. I’m likely to explore more of the author’s work in the future.
]]> The Dead Cat Tail Assassins 127305606 The Dead Cat Tail Assassins are not cats.

Nor do they have tails.

But they are most assuredly dead.

Nebula and Alex Award winner P. Djèlí Clark introduces a brand-new world and a fantastical city full of gods and assassins.

Eveen the Eviscerator is skilled, discreet, professional, and here for your most pressing needs in the ancient city of Tal Abisi. Her guild is strong, her blades are sharp, and her rules are simple. Those sworn to the Matron of Assassins―resurrected, deadly, wiped of their memories―have only three unbreakable vows.

First, the contract must be just. That’s above Eveen’s pay grade.

Second, even the most powerful assassin may only kill the contracted. Eveen’s a professional. She’s never missed her mark.

The third and the simplest: once you accept a job, you must carry it out. And if you stray? A final death would be a mercy. When the Festival of the Clockwork King turns the city upside down, Eveen’s newest mission brings her face-to-face with a past she isn’t supposed to remember and a vow she can’t forget.]]> 213 P. Djèlí Clark 1250767040 Hamad 4
The story centers around Eveen the Eviscerator, a top-notch assassin who finds herself faced with an impossible job. Whether she takes it or not, the consequences are dire. I really enjoyed how the world was introduced—right from the start, we’re immersed in it and gradually come to understand its complexities. The world-building is superb, demonstrating the art of "showing" rather than "telling."

Eveen and the secondary characters are well-developed, though I wished for more of them—a common limitation of novellas. The plot is engaging as Eveen is presented with two equally unappealing choices. While the premise might seem familiar to seasoned fantasy readers, Clark’s unique twist and humor give it a fresh spin.

The book is relatively short—about 200 pages with 9 chapters—so the chapters are of medium length and the pacing is generally steady. It slows down a bit in the middle but picks up speed towards the end, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

I debated between giving this a 3.5 or 4-star rating, but after reflecting on my enjoyment, I think it deserves the higher mark. Whether we’ll revisit this world or explore a new one, I’m excited to see what’s next.]]> 3.86 2024 The Dead Cat Tail Assassins
author: P. Djèlí Clark
name: Hamad
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2024/09/07
date added: 2024/09/10
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, good-covers, novellas
review:
I loved Clark's Dead Djinn Universe, and since then, I've been eagerly anticipating his next work, which turned out to be this book. I dove into it without knowing much about the plot.

The story centers around Eveen the Eviscerator, a top-notch assassin who finds herself faced with an impossible job. Whether she takes it or not, the consequences are dire. I really enjoyed how the world was introduced—right from the start, we’re immersed in it and gradually come to understand its complexities. The world-building is superb, demonstrating the art of "showing" rather than "telling."

Eveen and the secondary characters are well-developed, though I wished for more of them—a common limitation of novellas. The plot is engaging as Eveen is presented with two equally unappealing choices. While the premise might seem familiar to seasoned fantasy readers, Clark’s unique twist and humor give it a fresh spin.

The book is relatively short—about 200 pages with 9 chapters—so the chapters are of medium length and the pacing is generally steady. It slows down a bit in the middle but picks up speed towards the end, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

I debated between giving this a 3.5 or 4-star rating, but after reflecting on my enjoyment, I think it deserves the higher mark. Whether we’ll revisit this world or explore a new one, I’m excited to see what’s next.
]]> <![CDATA[The Last Devil to Die (Thursday Murder Club, #4)]]> 62226126
An old friend in the antiques business has been killed, and a dangerous package he was protecting has gone missing.

As the gang springs into action they encounter art forgers, online fraudsters and drug dealers, as well as heartache close to home.

With the body count rising, the package still missing and trouble firmly on their tail, has their luck finally run out? And who will be the last devil to die?]]> 421 Richard Osman 0241512441 Hamad 4 The Man Who Died Twice ★★★★
The Bullet That Missed ★★★★
The Last Devil to Die ★★★★ ½

“I know from experience that grief rides alone.�

My favorite in the Thursday Murder Club series so far! I initially thought this was going to be the finale, but it turns out we'll be getting more stories with these beloved characters.

Another Thursday, another murder—but with the same delightful gang we've come to cherish. The writing remains top-notch, blending cozy murder mystery with humor without compromising the series' quality. This installment was particularly emotional.

As I mentioned in my previous review, I'm more invested in the contemporary elements of the story than the mystery itself. This book strikes a perfect balance between both, making it my favorite so far. Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Ron continue to shine, revealing new facets of their personalities that deepen our connection to them. The secondary characters, once merely supporting roles, now have their own compelling arcs and development.

The plot is great, there was a major event in this book that was foreshadowed a lot, so it wasn't shocking, but it was still very emotional. The major mystery also had its complexity and a twist towards the end as usual. And to make things better, there was an additional story line about an online scam that was hilarious and fun to read.

“We think time travels forward, marches on in a straight line, and so we alongside it to keep up. Hurry, hurry, mustn't fall behind. But it doesn't, you see. Time just swirls around us. Every thing is always present. The things we've done, the people we've loved, the people we've hurt, they're all still here?�

I had thought this book might wrap up the series, especially with Osman’s new release this month, which launches a new series. Given some of the events, it seemed like a fitting conclusion, but as I read on, it became clear that the story wasn’t ready to end. I’m thrilled to see that there will be more in this world and more from these wonderful characters!]]> 4.44 2023 The Last Devil to Die (Thursday Murder Club, #4)
author: Richard Osman
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.44
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/24
date added: 2024/09/07
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, good-covers, paperbacks
review:
The Thursday Murder Club ★★� ½
The Man Who Died Twice ★★★★
The Bullet That Missed ★★★★
The Last Devil to Die ★★★★ ½

“I know from experience that grief rides alone.�

My favorite in the Thursday Murder Club series so far! I initially thought this was going to be the finale, but it turns out we'll be getting more stories with these beloved characters.

Another Thursday, another murder—but with the same delightful gang we've come to cherish. The writing remains top-notch, blending cozy murder mystery with humor without compromising the series' quality. This installment was particularly emotional.

As I mentioned in my previous review, I'm more invested in the contemporary elements of the story than the mystery itself. This book strikes a perfect balance between both, making it my favorite so far. Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Ron continue to shine, revealing new facets of their personalities that deepen our connection to them. The secondary characters, once merely supporting roles, now have their own compelling arcs and development.

The plot is great, there was a major event in this book that was foreshadowed a lot, so it wasn't shocking, but it was still very emotional. The major mystery also had its complexity and a twist towards the end as usual. And to make things better, there was an additional story line about an online scam that was hilarious and fun to read.

“We think time travels forward, marches on in a straight line, and so we alongside it to keep up. Hurry, hurry, mustn't fall behind. But it doesn't, you see. Time just swirls around us. Every thing is always present. The things we've done, the people we've loved, the people we've hurt, they're all still here?�

I had thought this book might wrap up the series, especially with Osman’s new release this month, which launches a new series. Given some of the events, it seemed like a fitting conclusion, but as I read on, it became clear that the story wasn’t ready to end. I’m thrilled to see that there will be more in this world and more from these wonderful characters!
]]> <![CDATA[Farilane (The Rise and Fall, #2)]]> 43087664
Some truths are dangerous, certain secrets best concealed, and one story never should have been written at all.

Being an unwanted twin in the imperial line of succession, Farilane becomes a scholar, an adventurer, and—in a time when reading is forbidden—a hunter of books. Her singular obsession is finding the mythical Book of Brin, a tome not just lost but intentionally buried. Although she is respected and beloved by the Teshlor Knights, not even their legendary skills can protect her, for what she finds is more dangerous than what she sought.

From the three-time New York Times best-selling author Michael J. Sullivan, Farilane is the second novel in The Rise and Fall trilogy. This latest set of stories sits snugly between the Legends of the First Empire series and the Riyria books (Revelations and Chronicles). With this tale, Michael continues his tradition of unlikely heroes who must rise to the call when history knocks, demanding to be let in. This series will conclude in the summer of 2023 with the release of Esrahaddon, the final piece in a narrative that began in 2008 and contains nineteen full-length novels spread across four series.

What people are saying about the book

"Another Character that I Fell in Love With"

"Such a great story from beginning to end! I couldn't stop listening! Ten stars!"

"What an incredible book!"

"In my opinion, it’s the best book he’s written so far."

"SUPERB!"

"I found myself laughing so hard and so much and I want to be her!!"

"Sullivan does a masterful job of weaving in elements and creating a story arch that is worth reading and then reading again to find what you've missed."

"WOW!"

"There are no words to prepare you for what comes at the end."

"As a huge fan of Michael J Sullivan’s works, this book did not disappoint."]]> 440 Michael J. Sullivan 1943363277 Hamad 3 Farilane ★★� ½

I had mixed feelings about this entry; I really wanted to love it. Sullivan and his wife describe it as one of his best and favorite novels, but for me, it felt like one of his weaker works. While it remains a good and enjoyable story, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing throughout.

It’s evident that this book can't be fully appreciated without the context of the previous ones. You could read it standalone, but you'd miss many Easter eggs and spoil elements from earlier books. As the 18th novel in the series, it’s best enjoyed in order to grasp its full impact.

Farilane was an intriguing character; I have a soft spot for the nerdy scholar archetype, though I must admit she had her frustrating moments. I appreciated the way the plot and language evolved over time, which was a fresh perspective for me.

My main issue with the book lies in its pacing. While I generally enjoy Sullivan's plotting and am a fan of a good prophecy, the book felt slow at times, and the ending seemed rushed. It could have benefited from a more balanced progression.

The novel is relatively short, and I noticed that Esrahaddon is much longer. I’m hopeful that it will tie up the remaining loose ends and provide a satisfying conclusion to the series.]]> 4.56 2022 Farilane (The Rise and Fall, #2)
author: Michael J. Sullivan
name: Hamad
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2024/08/21
date added: 2024/09/07
shelves: 2024-reads, adult-books, e-books, good-covers
review:
Nolyn ★★★★
Farilane ★★� ½

I had mixed feelings about this entry; I really wanted to love it. Sullivan and his wife describe it as one of his best and favorite novels, but for me, it felt like one of his weaker works. While it remains a good and enjoyable story, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing throughout.

It’s evident that this book can't be fully appreciated without the context of the previous ones. You could read it standalone, but you'd miss many Easter eggs and spoil elements from earlier books. As the 18th novel in the series, it’s best enjoyed in order to grasp its full impact.

Farilane was an intriguing character; I have a soft spot for the nerdy scholar archetype, though I must admit she had her frustrating moments. I appreciated the way the plot and language evolved over time, which was a fresh perspective for me.

My main issue with the book lies in its pacing. While I generally enjoy Sullivan's plotting and am a fan of a good prophecy, the book felt slow at times, and the ending seemed rushed. It could have benefited from a more balanced progression.

The novel is relatively short, and I noticed that Esrahaddon is much longer. I’m hopeful that it will tie up the remaining loose ends and provide a satisfying conclusion to the series.
]]>