Contemporary Reads

Reviews & recommendations of contemporary books.
Literary Fiction, Thrillers, Feel Good Books, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction & more…

The Village Inn Of Secret Dreams | Book Review

The Village Inn Of Secret Dreams | Book Review

An unsuspecting character landing in Cranbridge for a brief time but finding love, family, friends, occupation and a purpose in life that makes him it’s own forever. This has been the theme of the first two books of the Riverside Lane Series of books. And the third in sequence, The Village Inn Of Secret Dreams, follows this same pattern to the hilt.

This time on, it is Belle Clarke – the barmaid of The Black Swan Inn – and Pete – Josh’s brother – who are at the center of the story and end up accepting their love for each other. And after the rescue of the Cranbridge Store and the Cranbridge Times in the first two editions, they are up against the uphill task of saving the Black Swan Inn this time. The book continues to emphasize the same aspects – utilization of local resources, developing a community feeling, …

3 Comments

Filed under Contemporary Reads, Riverside Lane

The Last Bookshop In London (Madeline Martin)

The Last Bookshop In London | Book Review

A riveting story with an enriching & soulful feel. The Last Bookshop In London by Madeline Martin is the most beautiful book I have read this year and stands tall to be one of my all time favorites.

Set amidst World War 2 with London bearing the brunt of incessant bombing by the Nazi Germany, what they call the Blitz, The Last Bookshop In London is a heart wrenching story of the young Grace who has lost her mother to illness, and being unwanted in her own home ever since her uncle comes in with his family, she moves to London with her best friend Viv to her mom’s friend Mrs. Weatherford. While the two had always dreamt of living the big city life of London, never had they anticipated they would be doing so amidst the fury of the war. The story is beautifully carved with emotions, turmoil, strength, …

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary Reads

Over My Dead Body (Jeffrey Archer) | Book Review

Over My Dead Body | Book Review

As I had written in my previous post, I needed a desperate break from those dark, wild crime thrillers that were quite distressing to read. So what did I revert to as a safe, tried-and-tested bet? Jeffrey Archer. There is a reason he continues to be my favorite author by a mile.

The best thing about Jeffrey Archer probably is the fast paced narration that never flickers for a moment and very believable characters that feel like “normal” people around us. Add to it the perfect settings, the indulgent mention of arts, paintings, galleries – it is the flavor of these William Warwick Series of books.

So coming to the latest in the series, Over My Dead Body, we have William promoted here has Chief Inspector. The book starts by introducing a new character James – aboard the cruise that William & Beth are enjoying their holiday on (which had …

2 Comments

Filed under Contemporary Reads, William Warwick

Rock Paper Scissors (Alice Feeney) | Book Review

Rock Paper Scissors | Book Review

I didn’t like it. Simply put! I guess this might be an unpopular opinion, but so be it. I really even don’t wanna discuss much about this book – sends me eerie vibes I am not comfortable with.

I feel the problem I have with the book is that it is too dark & disturbing. I found the character of Henry – the horror novelist – psychic to put it subtly, or mad if I put it actually how I feel. The things he does, or the things his daughter Robin does is totally weird and crazy – they are people out of their minds. Carving out animal shapes with bulging eyes, creating ghostly atmosphere, a crypt full of wine, a screenwriter who cannot see the difference between faces. I really feel sick even recalling all that this book throws at you.

Spoiler Alert! Click To Read!
If there is

2 Comments

Filed under Contemporary Reads

A Gambling Man (David Baldacci): Aloysius Archer (Book 2)

A Gambling Man | Book Review

My first book of David Baldacci. I had been wanting to read one for a long while as he falls into the same broad genre as Girsham or Archer style fiction. As a first, I ain’t disappointed. A good suspense thriller with twists and turns to keep your interest invested.

Aloysius Archer, freshly put of prison is seeking apprenticeship with former FBI agent Willie Dash and is on his way to California to meet him. Along the way, he stops at Reno “The biggest little city in the world” – as it is called. It makes for an interesting read the people he meets there & how he finds a companion in Liberty Callahan, an aspiring actress. The instances in this city of Reno very subtly make known the goodness in Archer. Based in the 1940s & just after the war, the book has a cow boyish feel about it …

2 Comments

Filed under Aloysius Archer, Contemporary Reads

The Judge’s List (John Grisham) 🥇

The Judges List | Book Review | Book Of The Year

Book Of The Year 2021

This is my third John Grisham book this year, and each succeeding in outdoing the previous – when I always thought it couldn’t get better than this. It is the sheer brilliance of Grisham that makes each of his reads so riveting. The Judge’s List is an extremely intelligent book. It is Grisham at his best. The book is backed with a brilliant plot and makes for a chilling thriller.

The story revolves around Jeri, a lady in her mid forties, whose father was murdered some 20 years ago. She has ever since been digging through to find the murderer and put him to a worthy end. It makes for an extremely interesting read to see how she uncovers similar other murders in the process, and is able to link them all and pin down the crime to a sitting judge Ross Bannick – who …

4 Comments

Filed under 2021 Top 3, Contemporary Reads