Passion. I ended up looking up the definition, and it stated as “a strong and barely controllable emotion.” The passion that goes into hate and love are perhaps too similar that sometimes, it could be frightening. This book definitely represented it well. A light summer read!

It is not only the goal that‘s important but the journey required to reach the goal. This book was a bit of a slow read for me, but it reminded me of when I was practicing the violin. No matter how much guidance we get from others, in order to get better, it ultimately comes down to finding our own method and style of playing.

A book that kept me wondering how it would end the moment I started reading it. There was always a sense of mystery, where I knew something big was going to happen, and I continued to think about what that could have been. But, fair to say, I could not predict the big ending! This was a fast-paced book, while the characters were given the time necessary to be developed really well. An emotional roller coaster, but I am glad I picked this book up!

There is a saying; we are born into the world alone, and we die alone. Yet, while we are living, we can surround ourselves with the people we love so that we can support each other through good and bad. I picked up this book set in Fiji because I lived there as a baby and the author currently lives in Pakistan (where I currently live). I enjoyed getting to know the unfamiliar Fiji scene while reminding me of the preciousness of lifelong friendship

When an author provides just enough details but still leaves space for interpretation, I cannot stop thinking about the characters for days after I finish reading. This was my first time reading a book by Henry James, but I enjoyed the pace and how he brought his characters to life. The very last scene still replays in my mind.

A story that captured the life of two boys from two different families. It‘s so wonderful to come across a book that really takes you through an entire life journey. It goes without saying that not everything in life is perfect. Yet, each and every one of us has to find our own way to get through the tough times. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am excited to start reading the next one!

A murder mystery book that got me sipping so many cups of tea while reading! The pacing was a bit slow in the beginning, but once I became familiar with the characters and the neighborhood, I started to appreciate all the detailed descriptions. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out the culprit until the very end, but a definite recommendation for all tea lovers!

A cute fun series. Although I enjoyed the first book more, it had good character development. We often hear that we learn to heal with time. But perhaps finding courage is just as necessary in the process of healing. For some, courage takes time. And with time, we gradually heal. This book definitely captured the importance of having the courage to heal

Four short stories, each representing the pleasure and pain that is unavoidable when coming face to face with love. While Tolstoy seemed to write a dark and cynical portrayal of love, I do wonder if this is just written in a real and straight forward way. I‘m not sure if I had a favorite story out of the four.

A philosophical story of a young girl and her exploration of life and death. One thing I‘ve never really spent the time thinking about was what happiness is. At one point, Paulo wrote, “The happier people can be, the unhappier they are”. Left me with something to think about.

Why do we keep on living, Do we need a reason? I don't think that's a question we are meant to find an answer. We live because we're born into this world. Some days, we need to take a deep breath, rest up, and face the challenges tomorrow.

Three words to describe this book: tragedy, frustration, and courage. What a journey! and no matter what, Scarlett's journey will continue on beyond the book.

Having a degree in Art History, I was fascinated in reading a mystery novel involving art. A great work of fiction mixed with facts that I was able to learn a lot about how painting forgeries/copy works and become familiar with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist in 1990.

Somehow, I got through my high school days without ever reading this book for class. But reading this book reminded me of the 1971 Stanford‘s Prison Experiment. Tension between humans and animals were obvious but, within the animal community, once they‘ve tasted power, they gave into the temptation of abusing it. Is power, the superiority, that delicious? I could see how this could be a thought provoking story but I must say, what a strange book !

When I was a freshman in high school, we had a unit on debate. I can‘t recall any of the details but I remembered one thing. In order to have an opinion, one must know both sides, as many sides. Leo Tolstoy‘s way of telling a story was very satisfying for me as a reader because he weaved it through the minds of countless characters. Life isn‘t simple. Nothing can be told by the opinion of just one character. I may have come across a favorite book!

In spirit of Valentine‘s month, a book I‘m glad I decided to read till the end. While it was an obvious modern romance novel, the characters were predictable but portrayed genuinely and as a reader, there was warmth in getting to know the characters more. The highlight of the book though may have been the author‘s note at the end !

Another reminder that love is so powerful and comes in so many ways. A heartless love is still love indeed. In a Magical, fantasy story, where anything is possible, beauty can easily be disguised. While this was a fantasy book: a genre, I haven‘t had the chance to read often, it was so romantic in the least expected way and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Perhaps sometimes, in order to take a step forward, you need to take ten steps back. How else will we be able to see where to step next? I tend to always have a hard time enjoying books that contains problems that are a ticking time bomb. Keeping quiet and waiting until all problems blow up makes things worse than it needs to be. Regardless, a cute love story of two couples mending their not so perfect marriage.

Can a book lose its momentum or is it the reader? Perhaps the story was predictable as I've already read Twilight. Despite the drag, I realized 1)Through the eyes of Bella, Edward was romanticized Which I understand happens when you‘re in love. But as I learnt Edward‘s mind I realized that without Bella‘s lens, I couldn't learn to admire him 2)I realized that it was Jasper & Alice that lingered in my mind. Something about them left me wanting more

As much as we want to romanticize our life as human beings, there are just things that are plain ugly. Whether we give into the ugly & somewhat natural temptation or just find ourselves thinking about them, Philip Roth captured & managed to tell it into a beautifully disturbing story. A book that may be testing us on our ability to face these realities rather than cringe and look away, I find myself picking up this book to re-read once in a while

Life is full of endless possibilities. Our daily choices shape the person we are today while affecting those around us. Nora‘s long journey allows her to realize the value in building one‘s core self through trials & errors. For some, taking the long wavy path allows them to realize their own simplified version of life & how the core of who we are doesn't have to change no matter where we are. Creative story plot line but not really my cup of tea.

A cute and light read where romance found its way between two strangers after creatively communicating through leaving notes day after day. I enjoyed the story concept and it was a perfect before bedtime book !

The haunting memories of the past. How does one genuinely move on from the past for a brighter future, especially when the past did not directly involve you? The suspense that surrounds the past, present, and the future allows me to freshly enjoy the book, no matter how many times I re-read it. One of my all time favorite!

Mistake turns into regret, regret into guilt and guilt, has such power to feed into your life, continuing to grow unless one learns to forgive. A book that transparently portrays a character's life for a long span, brings me along with all of the joy and pain they go through. This was a powerful storyline that really made me think of the necessity of forgiveness

What I‘m learning to love about book series is that it creates a space for the readers to really commit and become familiar with each of the characters, watch them grow and adapt in different scenarios. While this book certainly had lots of unexpected turn of events where I definitely found myself gaping.., it did allow me to consider that love is so abstract that it can come in all different ways.

Where do I begin with this book? It felt like I was flicking through the channels every time it was interrupted by commercials, only it made sense at the end. I‘ve always believed that everyone has their own unique stories. When the timing is right, we allow ourselves to share versions of those stories to people we meet. This book was an intersection of people‘s stories, challenging readers to wait for the right timing to listen to those stories.

How could I be so in love & heartbroken at the same time!? They say time heals pain but perhaps that‘s not necessarily true, if you don‘t want the pain to heal. Human life, as we know eventually comes to an end. Edward embraces making mistakes as an important part of being human. I wonder if obtaining eternal life means one is given the chance to forever learn from their mistakes to the point where it almost becomes rare for one to make mistakes.

Could some perspectives be better off not known? While it was wonderful to be able to read mainly Hardin along with other character‘s perspectives, I enjoyed being able to trust myself to genuinely read through Tessa‘s voice in the 1st book of the series. Using my imagination to uncover what it means to doubt, fear, yet fight for someone or something they believe in was a beautiful plotline. It is true that everyone has their own version of heaven

The function of a heart, whether beating or not has such strange powers to feel so full or so empty.

Bella experiencing what I could only imagine as the most painful and lonely breakup got me buckled onto her rollercoaster, unconsciously bringing my heart with me for the ride.

When I heard that “Midnight Sun” came out, I felt the urge to read from the very start of the twilight series. While I was never a huge twilight fan, I have read the book back in middle school and I gotta say that reading it now, I really enjoyed it! There is something so beautiful about the characters exploring what it means to be human, not literally but in a metaphorical way and fighting for what ‘forever‘ means to them.

Tess & Hardin fought hard to reach their happy ever after. There was a turning point where Hardin‘s mind & heart finally syncs up. But that timing did not match with Tess causing her to swim out of the fog that has been clouded over her. In the end a love that even time can‘t get in between is a love that truly warms my heart. Life is like playing cards. Your 1st set is given at random but it's how you play those cards that makes a difference

Why do I continue to read this series? I think its because of the satisfaction of observing character development. Although I find myself patiently waiting and waiting for a healthier relationship between the 2, I found myself noticing that in many cases, emotions and the mind works differently. To problem solve, do you shut one down and listen to the other or should we instead find balance by creating a bridge that links the emotion and the mind?

As time ticks away it is inevitable that people change. Yet when 2 people bind their love for each other by marriage, what guarantees that their love continues to adapt in harmony? I enjoyed how poetically the plotline was introduced. What surprised me was how the concept of passion was introduced without the use of any passionate descriptions. Perhaps this book was all based on a metaphor and has allowed me to read beyond what was plainly written

What is an emotionally toxic relationship? Are Tess and Hardin in it? I always flinch at the word toxic and yet, with the battle of extreme highs, lows of raw emotions, perhaps this is what makes people humane? I grew up constantly aiming for stability so I could be prepared to overcome any crisis. But maybe there is more to life. In a messed up way, this is a form of passion that makes people, people. Could love be the most lethal passion of all?

This book made me think about what I would define a good book. Plotline is cliché, messed up, repetitive. Regardless of the author‘s literary techniques, I found myself traveling into the book. When I get so caught up, I think that is how I would define a good book. No matter what the plotline is I love this type of travel, allowing me to be in someone else‘s shoes. Does this mean I loved this book? Not really. But did I get to travel? I sure did!

While the last two books talked about wealth and family inheritance, this book brought up the topic of maintaining traditions. With society constantly changing to keep up with trends, how necessary is it to value traditions? As I am a traveler, do I get to have a say in wanting to maintain my hometown‘s traditions even though I am living "non-traditionally"? How do we find a balance with the decisions I make presently, to the traditional ways?

What I thought was a “crazy” & “glamorous” love story turned out to be a mystery book. I enjoyed reading as it was full of surprises. However, working my way through the second book of the series, Crazy Rich Asians, in a way reminds me of the show Tiger King: how it's so absurd and out of my world that it's a guilty pleasure of mine to continue reading them. Hence, you guessed my next read!

2 takeaways from this book. 1)A sprinkle of strategic planning and a handful of wealth=great power. Everyone defines power differently but maybe it means living happily and finding individual balance between wealth and self-identity. Unfortunately characters such as Astrid, Michael, may had difficulty obtaining these power. 2)What is family history? It's uncontrollable and yet is it important in love? Or is it used just as an excuse to get away?

This book encouraged me to reevaluate what feelings meant. Are feelings supposed to be something we look for? I personally thought they were something that we wait patiently till it decides to visit us, because as long as we live every day to the fullest, I wanted to believe it will come to us, when the time is right.

Perhaps the journey Chelsea Martin took allowed her to come in terms with the beauty of change, as a natural part of life.

A dense reading that took about a month for me to read. I felt I always had to be in a certain mood to really use my imagination to visualize the scenery and each characters. Learned a lot and my heart feels thicker.

Interesting yet my heart was heavy while reading it. Marianne and Connell. I can‘t help but think the main character was Connell, in disguise of Marianne. Not sure if I‘ll read it again but great writing !

A book I could not put down once I started reading. As great as the writing was, I finished the book feeling uneasy. The writing is so real, honest, and blunt, perhaps it hit too close to home for me. Who knows, this may be a book I might re-read again sometimes in the future.

Being that attuned to each other's inner emotional lives was the sometimes unfortunate side effect of playing music together P55

Even the absence of love was a love story for her. P5

We can fall in love. We can be afraid.

Unexpected Bad aftertaste but great writer