Contemporary Reads

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

8 September 2023 | Friday · 5:26 PM

The Covenant Of Water

The Covenant Of Water | Book Review | Abraham Verghese
Title:
The Covenant Of Water
Series:
NA
Genre:
Historical Fiction
Publisher:
Grove Press UK
Release Date:
Format:
Kindle
Pages:
794
Source:
BookForums Book Review Blog 2023

The Covenant Of Water is a story that spans 77 years and 3 generations of a South Indian family. Set in the village of Parambil in Kerala, the story endears you with this little girl – all of 12 years of age – being taken by her uncle & widowed mother to Parambil to marry her off to a much older man of an affluent family. The innocence of the child alongside inherent fears and sadness of separation from her mother comes across beautifully in the initial part of the book.

How the girl finds a mother and confidant in Thankamma – who eases her into the new household – is lovable. The story draws you effortlessly as …

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16 August 2023 | Wednesday · 5:23 PM

The Antiquity Affair

The Antiquity Affair | Book Review
Title:
The Antiquity Affair
Series:
NA
Genre:
Historical Fiction
Publisher:
Harper Muse
Release Date:
Format:
Kindle
Pages:
412
Source:
BookForums Book Review Blog 2023

Set in 1907, The Antiquity Affair is a historical fiction novel full of adventure, puzzles, decoding ancient texts and Egyptian History/Myth. As is evident, it promises to be an excellent premise offering insight to ancient legends & myths as well as the excitement that accompanies the Dan Brown style codes and their decoding.

The story revolves around two sisters – Tess & Lila – The Fearless Fords as they call themselves, but both with contrasting personalities. Their father, Warren Ford is an archaeologist. The centre of all focus (and the cause of all that follows) is an ancient Egyptian relic The Serpent’s Crown which is believed to possess supernatural powers that enables it’s owner to control …

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2 August 2023 | Wednesday · 5:48 PM

Simply Lies (David Baldacci) 🥈

Simply Lies | Book Review | David Baldacci
Title:
Simply Lies
Series:
Mickey Gibson
Genre:
Thriller
Publisher:
Macmillan
Release Date:
Format:
Kindle
Pages:
433
Source:
BookForums Book Review Blog 2023

Winner: 2nd Ranked Book 2023

David Baldacci back with another feast of a read. A new detective series with the introduction of Mickey Gibson, I was so keenly awaiting this book. And dare I say, it surpasses all my expectations and Mickey Gibson is right up there with my other favorite Baldacci character Aloysius Archer.

Mickey Gibson is a single mom of two kids – Darby & Tommy. An ex-cop, she now works for a private investigative agency ProEye. Being a computer nerd, she specializes in hunting down assets of rich delinquents – away from actual crime scene action toying with danger. Her dad himself is an ex-cop.

The story sets rolling with a call she receives from an Arlene …

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28 July 2023 | Friday · 1:27 PM

Silver Nitrate

Title:
Silver Nitrate
Series:
NA
Genre:
Historical Fiction; Horror
Publisher:
Jo Fletcher Books
Release Date:
Format:
Kindle
Pages:
337
Source:
BookForums Book Review Blog 2023

Silver Nitrate is one of those books whose title entices you to pick it. It piqued my curiosity when I first stumbled upon it and I had been waiting to read it.

The main characters of the book are Montserrate – a sound editor at Antares who is struggling with an underpaying job and her childhood friend Tristan Abascal – a mostly forgotten actor/model trying to resurrect his career. The two of them chance upon an unfinished, rare film from decades ago which is supposedly cursed and had brought bad luck to everyone associated with it back then. Upon the earnest pleas of it’s producer, they unwittingly become party to completing & dubbing the remaining of the film in …

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8 July 2023 | Saturday · 4:54 PM

Fearless

Fearless | M.W. Craven | Book Review
Title:
Fearless
Series:
Ben Koeing
Genre:
Thriller
Publisher:
Constable
Release Date:
Format:
Kindle
Pages:
417
Source:
BookForums Book Review Blog 2023

A highly anticipated new series from the much acclaimed M.W. Craven. Having read the Washington Poe series, I was eagerly looking forward to a new character, new team and the immaculate Craven story telling. And I can safely say now, Ben Koeing is a character that would leave an indelible mark on you.

The Ben Koeing Series has a very promising start. The buildup of a new character is extremely interesting and enjoyable. It reminds me so much of Aloysius Archer in many ways – a rough, untameable character with a past and how it affects his current state. We have here Ben Koeing, an ex US marshal who worked for the SOG. Characterized by a prominent scar on his face, …

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26 June 2023 | Monday · 5:31 PM

Maame

Maame | Book Review | Jessica George
Title:
Maame
Series:
NA
Genre:
Literary Fiction
Publisher:
Hodder & Stoughton
Release Date:
Format:
Kindle
Pages:
322
Source:
BookForums Book Reviews 2023

Jessic George’s debut novel – Maame has been one of the most hyped books of 2023. After a lot of deliberation, I decided to read it after all. I wasn’t quite keen on stumbling upon yet another black, female protagonist fighting all odds of sexism & racism.

The book starts off quite well and is easy to read. You find yourself consuming chapter after chapter in no time. The plot of the book is quite interesting. The protagonist, Maddie – or Maame, is overly burdened with responsibilities – looking after her ill dad, managing expenses, the work front and a mother & brother who care the least.

Jessica George brings out this struggle of Maddie’s life quite wonderfully. You can feel …

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