Contemporary Reads

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

16 June 2023 | Friday · 2:46 PM

Deluge

Deluge | Charmaine Wilkerson | Book Review
Title:
Deluge
Series:
Good Intentions
Genre:
Literary Fiction
Publisher:
Amazon Original Stories
Release Date:
Format:
Kindle
Pages:
37
Source:
BookForums Book Reviews 2023

Such a beautiful & moving tale. I became Charmaine Wilkerson’s fan for life ever since I read Black Cake. And I am so glad she carries forward the legacy of her debut novel with Deluge.

This is the story of a little girl, Dinara, who was taken by a woman – saving her life from a flood that took away her entire birth family. This woman, whom she calls ‘ma’ is the one who raises her and dotes on her. As Dinara gets older, she starts recalling vague incidents and things from the past.

As she ultimately discovers the reality after ma’s death, her heart is torn between conflicting emotions – between her birth mother & her ma. …

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15 June 2023 | Thursday · 4:02 PM

Drowning

Drowning | TJ Newman | Book Review
Title:
Drowning
Series:
NA
Genre:
Thriller
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster UK
Release Date:
Format:
Kindle
Pages:
300
Source:
BookForums Book Reviews 2023

Mayday ! Mayday! Mayday! T.J. Newman returns after 2 years with another flight emergency! My love for aviation & the childlike fascination for airplanes made me pick this book unquestioned. I had quite enjoyed Newman’s debut novel Falling , though it wasn’t perfect. And I started this book with huge expectations.

Drowning has an extremely interesting plot that centres around a crash landing (in water), or more technically ditching. Two minutes into flight, Flight 1421’s engine explodes and barely 4 minutes later, it crashes into the ocean. And thereon, the book goes about the rescue operation and the various twists and turns that lay in between.

To start with, the author uses this 4 minute interval – between the engine catching …

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10 June 2023 | Saturday · 2:38 PM

YellowFace

YellowFace | RF Kuang | Book Review
Title:
YellowFace
Series:
NA
Genre:
Literary Fiction
Publisher:
The Borough Press
Release Date:
Format:
Kindle
Pages:
326
Source:
BookForums Book Review Blog 2023

Before I get to the YellowFace book review, I have to say, I had to push myself to pick this one up since I had just recently read A Likely Story which broadly had a similar premise. And that being, plagiarism or publishing someone else’s work as yours. In both the books, we have the protagonist stumbling upon their dead relative/friend’s manuscript. They work upon it to make it their own, and they publish it as their own. But strikingly different is the handling & the routes that the stories take from there on. And so, I am more than happy I read this one which is surely a crisp, pacey & unputdownable read.

I have read people dissect the book …

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2 June 2023 | Friday · 11:28 AM

Ward D

Ward D | Book Review | Freida McFadden
Title:
Ward D
Series:
NA
Genre:
Psychological Thriller
Publisher:
Hollywood Upstairs Press
Release Date:
Format:
Kindle
Pages:
342
Source:
BookForums 2023

How does she do it? Really? Freida McFadden back with another thriller following the Housemaid series, and just when you thought it couldn’t get any better (read scarier!), here comes Ward D which is sure to leave you stunned. A sizzling read which for me is McFadden at her best!

One of the best things that work for Ward D is it’s brilliant plot. As you lean into the first few pages of the book, you already find yourself enthralled with a solid, gripping premise. This is such an intriguing idea that instantly has you wanting to know what happens next. And leaves you expecting all sorts of dreadful situations to follow.

Amy Bernner, a medical student, is on call for …

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26 May 2023 | Friday · 4:29 PM

A Likely Story

A Likely Story | Book Review | Leigh McMullan Abramson
Title:
A Likely Story
Series:
NA
Genre:
Literary Fiction
Publisher:
Atria Books
Release Date:
Format:
Kindle
Pages:
351
Source:
BookForums 2023

A nice, easy & engaging read. That is how I would describe the debut novel A Likely Story. The plot had a lot of potential and delivers to a reasonable extent.

This is the story about the Manning family which centres around a New York Times Bestseller author Ward Manning – a man full of himself & always in need of having his ego stroked. He is presented as ruthless – willing to go to any extent to defend his fame & popularity. His wife Claire – a kind hearted & giving person – who plays a major role in Ward’s success but goes unacknowledged. Their daughter Isabelle – an upcoming writer awaiting her first publication.

As Isabelle is led to …

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15 May 2023 | Monday · 6:00 PM

Hello Beautiful

Hello Beautiful | Book Review | Best Books 2023 | Ann Napolitano
Title:
Hello Beautiful
Series:
NA
Genre:
Literary Fiction
Publisher:
Penguin
Release Date:
Format:
Kindle
Pages:
388
Source:
Book Forums 2023

A heart wrenching, emotional family saga – Hello Beautiful is indeed a beautiful book, one of the few that have left me shaken and teary eyed with it’s heart-piercing storyline & mesmerising writing. An exemplary & solid read is this one!

Hello Beautiful is the story of the Padavano family. Ann Napolitano’s book kick starts in 4th gear with extraordinarily immersive writing. The loving description of William’s little sister, all of 3 years – whom he never saw – it strikes a chord in your heart. The author succeeds in conquering the reader’s feelings straight away and effortlessly drives the story into William becoming a basketball player and subsequently meeting Julia. The scene where Julia approaches him and asks ‘Why are you so tall?’ …

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