The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde
96 Pages, Published In 1888
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A 1888 collection of 5 short stories. Loved Wilde’s simple, clear, yet expressive & imagery writing style. The morals: 1. The Happy Prince: sacrifice self and help those in need. 2. The Nightingale and the Rose: love is sacrifice. 3. The Selfish Giant: better be generous and kind. 4. The Devoted Friend: true friendship is reciprocated. 5. The Remarkable Rocket: not be arrogant, pride and delusional. The fairytales that everyone should read!
Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie
288 Pages, Published In 1942
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A detective fiction from the Hercule Poirot series. A grown daughter asks Poirot to investigate a 16 years old case: her mother was sentenced to life (and died shortly after in prison) for poisoning her philandering dad. By interviewing 5 suspects (5 little pigs), Poirot manages to uncover the truth from their weary memories, using subtle clues and his keen understanding of human psychology. Loved Agatha’s simple sentences, sharp dialogues, memorable characters and intriguing plots!
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
256 Pages, Published In 2013
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Like other stories from Neil Gaiman, this novella feels magical and whimsical with strong evocative imageries. A middle-aged man returns to his childhood country home in Sussex, England, and relives the forgotten horror events of a seven-year old boy. It’s about searching self-identity by reconnecting to one’s childhood. The story has “the delicate horror of the finest fairytales” (Terry Pratchett). I only wish it could be longer so the characters and plots could be developed further.
Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue
336 Pages, Published In 2023
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A historical fiction about forbidden love of two school girls in early 19th century of York. One girl is an Anglo-Indian orphan heiress banished from India, and the other a brilliant and vibrant tomboy. The story is based on the five-million-word coded journal by English diarist Anne Lister, known as the first modern lesbian. Fascinating characters; easy-to-follow plot; deeply researched facts; Poetic writing. The portrait of boarding school life is vivid but just a little too long.
Finding Me by Viola Davis
304 Pages, Published In 2022
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An inspiring memoir of Viola Davis, her journey from childhood poverty and trauma to her success in Hollywood. From her deepest fear “I’m the little girl who would run after school every day in third grade because these boys hated me because I was …not pretty. Because I was …Black” to her coming to terms with her true identity as a black female artist, fighting against misogyny and racism. It’s about finding meaning in life; also about love, relationship, parenting & forgiveness.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
311 Pages, Published In 1966
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A story of a lab mouse and a mentally disabled boy. Both undergo a brain surgery to increase IQ and become a genius, albeit briefly. What an emotional roller coaster about love, friendship, and what really matters in life! From a series of progress reports written by the boy, you’ll learn the transformation and also feel it evidenced in his writing ability. The ending “P.S. please if you get a chanse put some flowrs on Algernons grave in the bak yard.” brought me to tears. A true classic!
The Paris Housekeeper by Renee Ryan
368 Pages, Published In 2023
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It is a moving WWII story of three resilient women during the German occupation of Paris: a French chambermaid of a world famous hotel in Paris, a wealthy American widow who is a longtime resident of the hotel, and a young Jewish woman who is also employed by the same hotel. I loved the premise but I felt I have read other WWII novels with more thrilling plots and depths.
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
336 Pages, Published In 1997
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Based on Kiyosaki’s personal experiences with his two dads: his biological, educated dad (poor dad) and his best friend’s dad, an entrepreneur (rich dad), the key idea is Do not work for money, make money/assets work for you, by investing on real estates and stocks. Kiyosaki explains financial jargons in simple words that everyone can understand. However, investment is not as simple it sounds. Still an eye-opening, personal finance book.
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
430 Pages, Published In 2020
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A debug novel about a young boy growing up with his alcoholic mother in the 1980s Glasgow. The 2020 Booker Prize for Fiction is based on Scottish-American writer’s own childhood experience. It’s horrifying, anguish, sad throughout, and without a real hope. A tiny bit of hope kindled in the middle of the book then was squelched quickly. Stuart stated “It was a difficult process” to write the book. It’s even harder to read but it makes you think!
Babel by R. F. Kuang
544 Pages, Published In 2022
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A perfect blend of historical fiction and fantasy. The story is set in 19th-century England during the global colonization and liberation in all parts of the world. Four foreign students are sent to study in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation (Babel) and discover the secret ways the British Empire uses the power of silver bars to maintain its supremacy and plots the Opium Wars against China. The book is both epic and magical!
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
309 Pages, Published In 2023
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It’s a story of a mother telling her secret past to her three grown daughters on a farm. The stories of her “glory” teens into 20s as an actress, dating with a movie star, the trips, her love, loss and drama. The plot is simple; its development is slow; and the writing is beautiful. It reads like a meditation book of love, family and life.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
213 Pages, Published In 2015
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Four light, poignant stories about friendship, family, love and loss, weaved around the time travel trips to the past and future in a cozy cafe.