Bookish Jyo

 Book review: A Promised Land My Rating:  ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ "In the stirring, the highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from a young man searching for his identity to the leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency - a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil. Obama takes listeners on a compelling journey from his earliest political aspirations to the pivotal Iowa caucus victory that demonstrated the power of grassroots activism to the watershed night of November 4, 2008, when he was elected 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the nation’s highest office." ~ From Goodreads ~ For someone who has always stayed away from politics and who has always said that I don't understand politics, this book is a perfect first book that needed

Book Review: Forgive Me My Rating:  ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ "Forgive Me " is a short and well-written story. The twist at the end of the story is really impressive. But it made me question a few things about the entire investigative procedure though. Then I realized that the story stays plausible in spite of the twist at the end. When truth and justice prevail, it's always a happy ending. But waiting 10 years for revenge? I don't know how needed or appreciated that should be. It is definitely satisfying though if it comes at a very negligible expense to you and your life.  A short quick read, this was a free copy from the publisher, as mentioned at the end of the previous book ( Murder on the Oxford Canal ) I had read from the same publishers.  I hope you enjoy reading this one too. 

 Book Review: Murder on the Oxford Canal My Rating:  ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ "  Meet DI Hillary Greene, a policewoman fighting to save her career. Not only has she lost her husband, but his actions have put her under investigation for corruption. Then a bashed and broken body is found floating in the Oxford Canal. It looks like the victim fell off a boat, but Hillary is not so sure. Her investigation exposes a dark background to death. Can Hillary clear her name and get to the bottom of a fiendish conspiracy on the water? " ~  From Goodreads  ~ I simply loved the characters and their relationships in this book. It was more like watching a Detective TV Serial episode. You know a crime happens and it will eventually get solved with all the police procedures explained in detail. Along with it, the characters and their feelings towards each other also evolve.  The murder mystery was a good one and it was well written. There are clues that help you piece it together. A twist here an

 Book Review: Atomic Habits My Rating:  ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ " Learn how to: *  make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy); *  overcome a lack of motivation and willpower; *  design your environment to make success easier; *  get back on track when you fall off course; ...and much more. Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits--whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal." ~  From Goodreads  ~ This is definitely a book that is going to change my life for the better! I had come across a few of the techniques mentioned in this book even before. But the way the author has made a fair and just (aka doable) list of all that is important into an amazing book is just mind blowing.  I have to be honest

 Book Review: Unmasked                    My Rating:  ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ "Meet Gary. A very average raccoon of average intelligence. His daily concerns are where to get his next snack and how to remain unnoticed. Then suddenly, with the help of his plucky friend Jenny, he is thrust into a world of risk and adventure. He must confront his past and his own insecurities as he decides his future. As they work to save the lives of those around them, they learn about themselves and who they are capable of becoming." ~ From Goodreads ~ This seemingly simple story about small animals in the woods and their interactions with humans and their pets has a deep message to put across. The settings of fantasy and the reality of all the emotions described make this book a pleasure to read. It is difficult to believe that she is a first-time author! Gary and Jenny, Max and Jonathan, and even Mr. Pickles will all contribute to your enjoyment of such a heartwarming and humorous read. Mind yo

 Book Review: Macaron Murder                       My Rating:  ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ "French native Clémence Damour returns to Paris after traveling around the world for two years. She’s dog-sitting for her parents in the posh 16th arrondissement and overseeing the family patisserie, a famous franchise known for their delectable gourmet pastries and sweets in Paris and around the world. To get off on the right foot with la gardienne, the caretaker of the apartment building, Clémence gives her a box of their luxury macarons. The next morning however, the half-eaten box of macarons is found near la gardienne's dead body. An incompetent inspector accuses Clémence of being the killer, which prompts her to clear her name and solve the case herself. Join Clémence and her friends as they solve murder cases, bake macarons and other treats, and fall in love in The City of Lights. If you like Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen mysteries or Leighann Dobb's Lexy Baker series, you'l

 Book Review: Normal People                       My Rating:  ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ ⭐ ️ "At school, Connell and Marianne pretend not to know each other. He’s popular and well-adjusted, star of the school soccer team while she is lonely, proud, and intensely private. But when Connell comes to pick his mother up from her housekeeping job at Marianne’s house, a strange and indelible connection grows between the two teenagers - one they are determined to conceal. A year later, they’re both studying at Trinity College in Dublin. Marianne has found her feet in a new social world while Connell hangs at the sidelines, shy and uncertain. Throughout their years in college, Marianne and Connell circle one another, straying toward other people and possibilities but always magnetically, irresistibly drawn back together. Then, as she veers into self-destruction and he begins to search for meaning elsewhere, each must confront how far they are willing to go to save the other. Sally Rooney brings her brill

  Book Bingo 2020  Yay! I completed this one also. Minus one book, which I completed this year. But it is a book bingo so it's not important to complete the full house, right. I also didn't participate by writing reviews and linking to this one. Because you know, it was 2020!   Here is my list for the Book Bingo 2020 with their ratings.  Prompt Book Rating 1 Dystopian World 20 thousand leagues under the sea- Jules Verne 3 2 Found in Translation Tao Te Ching - Stephen Mitchell 3 3 A book from Last year's TBR khhullam khulla - Rishi Kapoor 4 4 About the Woman The One You Cannot Have - Preeti Shenoy 5 5 Judged by the cover The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams 5 6 Movie Adaptation

 Reading With Muffy Reading Challenge 2020  Yay! I completed this reading Challenge as well! Actually, I am a book short of 20. I simply couldn't finish one of them in time. In fact, I think I might DNF that one. But it's a victory for me, none the less.  Also, I had to write reviews and link them up with the others who participated in it. But I didn't. In 2020, I only read books. I didn't review and I did write much of anything. No, I didn't waste away the year either, I did a lot of other stuff, you can read about them in my previous posts here in this blog under the Bookish Musings menu.  Here is my list for the Reading With Muffy 2020 Reading Challenge, with my ratings.    Prompt Book Rating 1 January ~ Of Boops, Bleps, and Borks! Puma: A Soldier's Dog - Richa Kashyap 4 2 February ~ Love is in the Air Book Love - Debbie Tung 4