Contemporary Reads

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

Fearless

Fearless | M.W. Craven | Book Review

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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Maame

Maame | Book Review | Jessica George

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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Deluge

Deluge | Charmaine Wilkerson | Book Review

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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Drowning

Drowning | TJ Newman | Book Review

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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YellowFace

YellowFace | RF Kuang | Book Review

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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Ward D

Ward D | Book Review | Freida McFadden

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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