Category: Little Sparks

May 6 – 12, 2024 | Little Sparks #51

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Hi there!

This week has been great! There were several exciting news and milestone celebrations. I’m also back to my usual weekend schedule after being away for two weeks.

Here’s my reading highlight:

The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok  
3 stars

The book title was borrowed from the Chinese term sheng nü, which translates as ‘leftover women’ or ‘leftover ladies’ and refers to women who remain unmarried in their late twenties and beyond in China. The term is often used degradingly to describe these women as undesirable, unlovable and unappreciated. While the female lead, Jasmine, reflects on this term in the book, the commentary is disappointing. Based on Jasmine’s experience, there could have been many aspects to reflect on with respect to the term.

It was heartbreaking to learn how Fiona, the daughter whom Jasmine is desperately searching for, got adopted; the resolution for how she finds and plans to take Fiona away from her adopted parents was too convenient. This aspect and its conclusion felt too rushed, so I rated it three stars.  

Apr 29 – May 5, 2024 | Little Sparks #50

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Greetings!

I spent this week finishing 错撩 by 翘摇, and I didn’t pick up too many English novels. I had a great weekend outside, with lovely company on a hike.  

Here’s my reading highlight:

George’s Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl
3 stars

A grandmother who likes to eat caterpillars?! Hahaha!

Reading Roald Dahl as an adult is an interesting experience. The author seems to dislike the elderly. In all his books, the elderly are rude and say mean things about the main characters, who are all children.

The prose was good, though – it was quite poetic in several scenes with fun rhymes.

Apr 22 – 28, 2024 | Little Sparks #49

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Hello!

This week, I spent most of my free time reading the novel 错撩 by 翘摇. During my trip, I bought a few novels from the authors 翘摇 and墨宝非宝, and I am really looking forward to reading more of their work.

Here’s my reading highlight:

The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom
3 stars

This was my first time reading a Mitch Albom novel, though I have watched Tuesdays with Morrie.

I was intrigued to learn whether the folks on the lifeboat would be saved. The plot twist definitely took me by surprise.

Unfortunately, the novel didn’t speak to me in a way that would make me pick up another book by the author. I was a bit disappointed by the plot, and the motivation for the main character’s deeds felt very weak. There were also some parts of the book that didn’t make much sense.

Apr 15 – 21, 2024 | Little Sparks #48

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Hi friends!

I’m back! I had a lovely two weeks on vacation, visiting family and friends, eating delicious home-cooked meals and Cantonese food, exploring how much my neighbourhood and high school have changed and visiting old teachers. It was a walk down memory lane, and I enjoyed every moment.

Although I didn’t share my weekly book reviews then, I read quite a lot.

Here’s my reading highlight:

Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen
3 stars

The premise was pretty interesting, with Violet as a prophet influencing the royal court with her cleverly phrased—and not always true—divinations. I expected more politics and intrigue, but because of the weak character development (especially Violet), this aspect of the book was not executed well, to be honest. Likewise, the love-hate relationship between Violet and Cyrus felt quite childish (I guess this is the young adult aspect of the novel).

I am surprised the book is categorised as a series. The ending, which summarized the tale in the third person, felt like the end.  

Mar 25 – 31, 2024 | Little Sparks #47

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Hi there!

We are at the end of March; unfortunately, it was only an adequate reading month.

This weekend was reflective. When everything else is quiet, and one gets to pause, emotions and thoughts that may have otherwise been swept away sound like fire alarms.  I spent the time thinking through what I would like for my career, and I’m now much clearer about what I need to do.

In other news, I’m going on a two-week trip. I haven’t decided, but I don’t think I’ll be updating my reviews during that time. We shall see.

Here’s my reading highlight:

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
3 stars

I’m unsure how to describe this book, but it deserves a literary and psychological analysis. It’s one of those books you understand more of after reading it multiple times. It was odd, full of insects, morally grey, and bloody (yes, that’s correct, and I’m sure there’s a symbolism here).

I listened to the audiobook, but I’m sure the writing structure could also be analysed based on how it was written. The characters were all peculiar and un-stereotypical; this was interesting because despite how unlikeable they seemed, they were all rememberable.

Mar 18 – 24, 2024 | Little Sparks #46

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Greetings!

This week was tremendously busy yet energizing. I attended a conference with events throughout the week and learned much from the speakers. I also spent the conference connecting journalists to some of the speakers and other companies’ representatives who attended. While this was tiring, working long days and being on my feet throughout, it was rewarding.

In addition, I decided to use the whole weekend to decompress, i.e., sleep and rest, so I didn’t get to read much this week.

Blue on Black by Michael Connelly
3 stars

I only had time for this short story this week; unfortunately, it was underwhelming. Denninger, the FBI agent brought in to support the missing people’s case, stood out more and was impressive.

Mar 11 – 17, 2024 | Little Sparks #45

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Hi there!

The sun has come out where I am, and life has become 100% better! Hahaha!

The Will to Change by bell hooks
4 stars

Two days ago, in our group chat, my friends discussed how women get blamed for men’s bad behaviour and how oftentimes this reaction is spearheaded by other women, such as when an already attached guy hides his relationship status when approaching someone new. It reminded me of the notion of psychological patriarchy discussed in the book.

bell hooks argued that everyone, including men, suffers from patriarchy. While we live in a world where men have and are given power, due to the patriarchy, they don’t receive/lack love as a result. Baby boys are not cuddled as much as baby girls or allowed to express their emotions because of their parents’ fear that it would make them ‘soft’. In heterosexual relationships, men are often not given the space to be vulnerable even if their partners demand it from them because if they show weakness or cry, their female partners think they are unable to protect them.

We have all been affected by the patriarchy, from how we think to how we act and, as such, subconsciously perpetrate it. We also need to be clear that dismantling the patriarchy isn’t just by ensuring women have or are in power; it requires re-envisioning all our systems. Hence, we collectively need to work to dismantle the patriarchy.

This book made me feel much more compassionate for men and the awareness that we still need more nuances to dismantle the patriarchy.

Mar 3 – 10, 2024 | Little Sparks #44

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Hello friends!

This week was full of nostalgia for me. I reread a few books and watched dramas that I’ve seen before. It felt nice to relive those emotions.

Here’s my reading highlight:

Originals by Adam Grant
5 stars

It is rewarding to know that there isn’t anything wrong with being a non-conformist and that, in fact, there are benefits.

Here’s (some brief tips on) how we can all embrace being non-conformists and develop original ideas

  • Question the default
  • Triple the number of ideas you generate
  • Immerse yourself in another domain
  • Procrastinate strategically
  • Seek more feedback from peers
  • Balance your risk portfolio
  • Highlight the reasons not to support your idea
  • Make your ideas more familiar
  • Speak to a different audience
  • Be a tempered radical
  • Motivate yourself differently when you are committed vs concerned
  • Don’t try to calm down
  • Focus on the victim, not the perpetrator
  • Realise you are not alone
  • Remember, if you don’t take action, the status quo will persist

Cheers!

Feb 25 – Mar 2, 2024 | Little Sparks #43

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Hello! Happy March!

It will be a really busy month for me with a few campaigns and a work conference later in the month. I’m unsure how this will affect my reading, but I am excited for March. There are a lot of new experiences – big ones such as the work conference and relatively small ones like trying out new restaurants with friends.

Here’s my reading highlight:

Why Didn’t You Tell Me? by Carmen Rita Wong
4 stars

The premise is that Carmen’s mother held a big secret from her, her whole life. We only learn of the secret and its effects on her sense of belonging, identity and understanding of her childhood towards the end of the book. Nevertheless, every chapter was engaging. I didn’t feel like skipping chapters to the end of the book to learn the truth – the result of great pacing.

Carmen was vulnerable in recounting her life yet gracious in her depiction of her family. You could tell that she had a love for her parent despite their actions and mistakes they made. Likewise, the relationship she had with her brother was beautiful and heartwarming.

Feb 18 – 24, 2024 | Little Sparks #42

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Greetings!

How was your week? Mine was pretty great – productive yet not too busy. Furthermore, I had a restful weekend.

Here’s my reading highlight:

Defy the Night (Defy the Night #1) by Brigid Kemmerer
3 stars

The book’s plot was interesting – a disease kills the population, and the daily medicine/remedy is unequally distributed. However, the characters, especially Prince Corrick, felt quite altruistic in a toxic manner. I think this was more because of the writing rather than character development.

The book’s end felt complete, so I’m not interested in continuing the rest of the series.