Book Review: There’s No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura, Polly Barton (Translator)

Title: There’s No Such Thing as an Easy Job

Author: Kikuko Tsumura, Polly Barton (translator)

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Japanese Literature

Publication Date: November 26th 2020 by Bloomsbury Publishing

Pages: 416

Synopsis: 

Convenience Store Woman meets My Year of Rest and Relaxation in this strange, compelling, darkly funny tale of one woman’s search for meaning in the modern workplace.

A young woman walks into an employment agency and requests a job that has the following traits: it is close to her home, and it requires no reading, no writing – and ideally, very little thinking.

She is sent to a nondescript office building where she is tasked with watching the hidden-camera feed of an author suspected of storing contraband goods. But observing someone for hours on end can be so inconvenient and tiresome. How will she stay awake? When can she take delivery of her favourite brand of tea? And, perhaps more importantly – how did she find herself in this situation in the first place?

As she moves from job to job, writing bus adverts for shops that mysteriously disappear, and composing advice for rice cracker wrappers that generate thousands of devoted followers, it becomes increasingly apparent that she’s not searching for the easiest job at all, but something altogether more meaningful…

Review:

There’s No Such Thing as an Easy Job gives me mix feeling when writing this review. I like the story and moral behind it but at the same time it’s too bland as well.

The narrator’s name were not mention in the story but just her age 36 years old who tired with her working life and looking for job that requires no reading, writing and little thinking. The first 2 job of the story is interesting and got me to keep reading but as the story goes on I kind of lost track of the story.

The moral of the story tells us that there’s is no job that is easy even the simplest job requires thinking. It’s a fun read for me and I still will recommend people to read it.

Thank you Pansing for sending me the review copy in exchange for honest review.

Rating: 3 / 5 stars.

Book Review: The Japanese: A History in Twenty Lives by Christopher Harding

Title: The Japanese: A History in Twenty Lives

Author: Christopher Harding

Genre: Non Fiction, Cultural – Japan, History

Publication Date: Published November 5th 2020 by Allen Lane

Pages: 528

Synopsis: 

A SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020

‘Mightily impressive … a marvellous read’ Waldemar Januszczak, Sunday Times

From the acclaimed author of Japan Story, this is the history of Japan, distilled into the stories of twenty remarkable individuals.

The vivid and entertaining portraits in Chris Harding’s enormously enjoyable new book take the reader from the earliest written accounts of Japan right through to the life of the current empress, Masako. We encounter shamans and warlords, poets and revolutionaries, scientists, artists and adventurers – each offering insights of their own into this extraordinary place.

For anyone new to Japan, this book is the ideal introduction. For anyone already deeply involved with it, this is a book filled with surprises and pleasures.

Review:

This is an enormous book that talks about twenty Japanese people that somehow comes together in defining Japanese culture from rulers, politician , artist and inventor. People that we consider part of the building of Japanese culture.

Every chapter focus on a persons’ time period and it goes in chronological orders from about 3000 years ago until modern days. It select specific people in Japanese history and talk about their time period. From that person we can see their politics, religion, art and also information about that particular era, architecture and beliefs.

This is really an interesting book and for those who like to study about the history of Japanese culture in the early age till modern day can check out this book.

Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.

Rating: 4 / 5 stars.

Book Review: Influence by Sara Shepard, Lilia Buckingham

Title: Influence

Author: Sara Shepard, Lilia Buckingham

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Contemporary, Fiction

Publication Date: Published January 12th 2021 by Atom

Pages: 361

Synopsis: 

Get ready to delve into the world of teen influencers like you’ve never done before–from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of PRETTY LITTLE LIARS Sara Shepard and sixteen-year-old actress and social media personality Lilia Buckingham comes a twisty mystery that takes place in the fiercely competitive world of Internet stars.

After a video she makes goes viral, everyone knows Delilah Rollins. And now that she’s in LA, Delilah’s standing on the edge of something incredible. Everything is going to change. She has no idea how much.

Jasmine Walters-Diaz grew up in the spotlight. A child star turned media darling, the posts of her in her classic Lulu C. rainbow skirt practically break the Internet. But if the world knew who Jasmine really was, her perfect life? Canceled.

Fiona Jacobs is so funny–the kind of girl for whom a crowd parts–no wonder she’s always smiling! But on the inside? The girl’s a hot mess. And when someone comes out of the shadows with a secret from her past, it’s one that won’t just embarrass Fiona: it will ruin her.

Who wouldn’t want to be Scarlet Leigh? Just look at her Instagram. Scarlet isn’t just styled to perfection: she is perfection. Scarlet has a gorgeous, famous boyfriend named Jack and there’s a whole fanbase about their ship. To everyone watching online, their lives seem perfect . . . but are they really? The sun is hot in California . . . and someone’s going to get burned.

Review:

This book is alright for me. The writing style is simple and easy to read but at the same time I’m having hard time getting through it.

The first half of the story were introduction on the 4 teenager influencer POV which i can sense the drama being the fame and jealousy, crazy fans that overly obsessed with their influencer life. As i know the story comes with the mystery murder section which came on the last 1/3 of the book. Also it’s not really mind blowing kind of murder solving case.

What i like about this book is we are reminded that not all the thing we see on the social media is real. I still recommend this book to those who like a little light Nancy Drew crime solving as it’s involve teenager POV.

Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.

Rating: 3 / 5 stars.

Book Review: The Cat and The City by Nick Bradley

Title: The Cat and The City

Author: Nick Bradley

Genre: Contemporary, Japanese Literature, Magical realism, Fiction

Publication Date: September 1st 2020 by Atlantic Books

Pages: 304

Synopsis: 

In Tokyo – one of the world’s largest megacities – a stray cat is wending her way through the back alleys. And, with each detour, she brushes up against the seemingly disparate lives of the city-dwellers, connecting them in unexpected ways.

But the city is changing. As it does, it pushes her to the margins where she chances upon a series of apparent strangers – from a homeless man squatting in an abandoned hotel, to a shut-in hermit afraid to leave his house, to a convenience store worker searching for love. The cat orbits Tokyo’s denizens, drawing them ever closer.

Review:

This is total mind blowing. I need to think hard on how to put up my review for this book as the author Nick Bradley did a brilliant job writing this amazing story.

This book is not told by the cat perspective, don’t get confuse by the title of the book. Why the cat is because it plays a role crossing the path of each individual life story in this book. There’s a total of 15 short story which the characters in it cross path and it’s something that i have not come across before which it’s interesting for me. There’s a little bit of everything in terms of genre, from sci-fi to magical realism.

I love Tokyo, Japan alot and as much as i do, the reality about how the people live their lives in the world’s busiest city can be stressful. There’s also mention alot on Tokyo 2020 Olympic preparation which included “clearing out people on the street” that shows how much it takes for them to maintain their reputation, country that fast pace will make people feel those can’t keep up to be eliminate by society.

A 4.5 stars for me and I wish they include character mapping so we know which character crossover to which part of the chapter. It’s still a recommended read for everyone.

Thank you Pansing for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.

Rating: 4.5 / 5 stars.

Book Review: The Flip Side by James Bailey

Title: The Flip Side

Author: James Bailey

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Fiction, Chick-lit, Adult

Publication Date: November 26th 2020 by Penguin

Pages: 368

Synopsis: 

DIVE INTO THE LAUGH OUT LOUD ROMANTIC COMEDY OF THE YEAR!

One coin, one year and one new shot at love.

It’s New Year’s Eve and Josh has a high-flying proposal planned.

An exclusive pod on the London Eye, with champagne, truffles and the ring.

It’s perfect.

Until she says no.

And they have to spend the next 29 excruciating minutes alone together.

By the time Josh is back on the ground, his whole life is up in the air.

He’s managed to lose his girlfriend, his job and his flat.

Realising he can’t trust his own judgement, Josh puts his faith in fate.

From now on he will make every choice by flipping a coin.

It’s reckless and scary, but Josh has tried the right way and look where he ended up.

And what if the girl of his dreams is just one flip of a coin away?

Hilarious, feel-good and uplifting. A romantic comedy perfect for anyone who has ever failed at love.

Fans of The Flat Share, Don’t You Forget About Me and Richard Curtis will LOVE this.

Review:

My first 5 stars read in 2021! The Flip Side is fun hilarious read that really makes me laugh in each chapters. A total page turner.

The story about a man who got rejected proposing to his girlfriend, lost his job and home at the same day. Since nothing goes well on the decision he made, he decide on his new year resolution to depend his decision on coin flipping. It’s my first time reading rom-com fiction written by male author and the main character is male as well.

I like the relationship that Josh (main character) have with his 2 besties (Jessie & Jake). The romantic part in the story can be a little over the top but i love it. Josh searching for his sunflower girl from one place to another just makes me feel the warmth gesture.

Thank you Times Reads for sending me this beautiful book as an appreciation during Christmas and this book well recommended for those who seek for a sweet with a hint of fun romance.

Rating: 5 / 5 stars.

Book Review: Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan

Title: Mind the Gap, Dash & Lily

Author: Rachel Cohn, David Levithan

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Fiction

Publication Date: November 3rd 2020 by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Pages: 256

Synopsis: 

Timed to the release of DASH AND LILY on Netflix comes a new helping of love–this time across the pond as best-selling authors Rachel Cohn and David Levithan send Dash and Lily to jolly old England.

Dash and Lily are feeling closer than ever…it’s just too bad they’re also an ocean apart. After Dash gets accepted to Oxford University and Lily stays in New York to take care of her dogwalking business, the inseparable couple are struggling to make a long distance relationship work. And when Dash breaks the news that he won’t be coming home to New York for Christmas, Lily makes a decision: if Dash can’t come to New York, she’ll go to London. But will Lily pull off the ultimate surprise–or will Christmas in London backfire?

Review:

I pick up this book without knowing it’s the 3rd book of the series but I find it easily understand the flow of the story without reading the first 2 books.

Based on the title we already know it’s about having a long distance relationship for Dash and Lily. Both Dash and Lily have to go separate way (not in a bad way) but to proceed with their future where Dash gets accepted to Oxford University, London and Lily stays in New York to take care of her dogwalking business. When Dash break the news that he can’t make it back to New York for Christmas, Lily decide to surprise him by going to London.

This will be a interesting read for Christmas as the scene set during the Christmas week. A fun quick read but at the same time nothing excited me. The plot is decent and just as the usual holiday rom-com elements. I still recommend this book especially for younger reader.

Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.

Rating: 3 / 5 stars.

Book Review: The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

Title: The Cousins

Author: Karen M. McManus

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Contemporary

Publication Date: December 3rd 2020 by Penguin Book

Pages: 328

Synopsis: 

Milly, Aubrey and Jonah Story are cousins, but they barely know each another, and they’ve never even met their grandmother. Rich and reclusive, she disinherited their parents before they were born. So when they each receive a letter inviting them to work at her island resort for the summer, they’re surprised…and curious.

Their parents are all clear on one point—not going is not an option. This could be the opportunity to get back into Grandmother’s good graces. But when the cousins arrive on the island, it’s immediately clear that she has different plans for them. And the longer they stay, the more they realize how mysterious—and dark—their family’s past is.

The entire Story family has secrets. Whatever pulled them apart years ago isn’t over—and this summer, the cousins will learn everything.

Review:

This book took me a while to finish it. Usually for mystery book my pace will be a lot quicker but this book consider a slow and stagnant mystery focus on the Story’s family.

Three cousins (Milly, Jonah & Aubrey) unexpectedly received invitation letter from their wealthy grandmother to Gull Cover resort and they took these chance to get to know their grandmother who never get in touch with them.

The plot twist were not surprising compare to the previous book that I read (One of Us is Lying). I still recommend this book to those who prefer decent and chill YA mystery.

Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy of The Cousins in return for an honest review. This book is available at all good bookstores.

Rating: 3 / 5 stars.

Book Review: Super Fake Love Song by David Voon

Title: Super Fake Love Song

Author: David Voon

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Fiction

Publication Date: November 19th 2020 by Penguin

Pages: 349

Synopsis: 

From the bestselling author of Frankly in Love comes a contemporary YA rom-com where a case of mistaken identity kicks off a string of (fake) events that just may lead to (real) love.

When Sunny Dae—self-proclaimed total nerd—meets Cirrus Soh, he can’t believe how cool and confident she is. So when Cirrus mistakes Sunny’s older brother Gray’s bedroom—with its electric guitars and rock posters—for Sunny’s own, he sort of, kind of, accidentally winds up telling her he’s the front man of a rock band.

Before he knows it, Sunny is knee-deep in the lie: He ropes his best friends into his scheme, begging them to form a fake band with him, and starts wearing Gray’s rock-and-roll castoffs. But no way can he trick this amazing girl into thinking he’s cool, right? Just when Sunny is about to come clean, Cirrus asks to see them play sometime. Gulp.

Now there’s only one thing to do: Fake it till you make it.

Sunny goes all in on the lie, and pretty soon, the strangest things start happening. People are noticing him in the hallways, and he’s going to football games and parties for the first time. He’s feeling more confident in every aspect of his life, and especially with Cirrus, who’s started to become not just his dream girl but also the real deal. Sunny is falling in love. He’s having fun. He’s even becoming a rocker, for real.

But it’s only a matter of time before Sunny’s house of cards starts tumbling down. As his lies begin to catch up with him, Sunny Dae is forced to wonder whether it was all worth it—and if it’s possible to ever truly change.

Review:

This book is going slow pace for me as i’m struggling to pass through the first half of the book. As the story goes on the 2nd half of it, it gets better. The cover shows romantic aspect but I don’t feel it much from the story. The story is more finding your true self and discover more that what you can do.

My favourite part will be the friendship bond between Sunny, Jamal and Milo. Both Jamal and Milo are fun to read. I always look forward on the interaction with Sunny’s friends and wonder if things got worse as he fake on his identity. Also it’s interesting to see how Sunny handle his relationship with his nemesis, Gunner.

It’s a 3.5 stars read for me. Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.

Rating: 3.5 / 5 stars.

Book Review: A Lover’s Discourse by Xiaolu Guo

Title: A Lover’s Discourse

Author: Xiaolu Guo

Genre: Fiction, Asian Literature, Cultural-China, Contemporary

Publication Date: May 21st 2020 by Chatto Windus

Pages: 288

Synopsis: 

A story of desire, love and language – told through fragments of conversations between two lovers – that explores romantic love

A Chinese woman comes to London in 2015 to do a PhD in film anthropology, and to start a new life – away from her dead parents, away from her old world. She knew she would be lonely, but will her new relationship with the Australian-British-German landscape architect bring her closer to this land she has chosen, will their love give her a home?

A Lover’s Discourse is an exploration of romantic love told through fragments of conversations between the two lovers. Playing with language and the cultural differences that her narrator encounters as she settles into life in a Britain still reeling from the Brexit vote, Xiaolu Guo shows us how this couple navigate these differences, and their romance, whether on their unmoored houseboat or in a cramped and stifling flat share in east London… Suffused with a wonderful sense of humour and tenderness, this novel deals with big themes: what is the meaning of home? How can a man and woman be together? And how best to be a woman and a mother?

Review:

A Lover’s Discourse is a unique book, not a typical romance or love story. The writing style is beautiful and lyrical. The story were told from a woman’s perspective and each section comes with a short quote / point from the story.

A love story between a Chinese postgraduate student, who arrived in London during the Brexit referendum and a landscape architect who is half Australian and half German. Despite the cultural differences, nothing seems to stop them from overcome the barrier. I really enjoy how the couple interact in the story.

Thank you Pansing for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.

Rating: 4 / 5 stars.

Book Review: Home Body by Rupi Kaur

Title: Home Body

Author: Rupi Kaur

Genre: Poetry, Non-Fiction, Feminism, Mental Health, Contemporary

Publication Date: November 17th 2020 by Simon & Schuster

Pages: 192

Synopsis: 

Rupi Kaur constantly embraces growth, and in home body, she walks readers through a reflective and intimate journey visiting the past, the present, and the potential of the self. home body is a collection of raw, honest conversations with oneself – reminding readers to fill up on love, acceptance, community, family, and embrace change. Illustrated by the author, themes of nature and nurture, light and dark, rest here.

i dive into the well of my body
and end up in another world
everything i need
already exists in me
there’s no need
to look anywhere else
– home 

Review:

This is the first poetry book that I read from Rupi Kaur. Poetry usually not my go-to read but I’m surprised I like this book. This book is about depression, mental health, self-love and recovery. The writing is simple and easy to understand. The beginning were sad and dark but it got better toward the recovery ending.

Thank you Pansing for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.

Rating: 4 / 5 stars.