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A small book with a blue and pink cover is simply

A small book with a blue and pink cover is simply adorable. It also has a beautiful heart-warming story wrapped up together—a lovely story about friendship, life, and how we treat others.

Sentaro was previously in prison and worked in a Doraharu to repay a debt. In this shop, he makes the dessert Dorayaki every single day halfheartedly. Until one day, he met Tokue, a seventy-six older woman. Tokue has successfully changed his view of life as Tokue is the one who encourages him to find his own path in life. They become buddies and befriend a young adolescent girl named Wakana.

Here's are two new things I learned from this book:

1) By reading this book, you will crave some dorayaki. The making of sweet bean paste and dorayaki is very detailed until I feel like I'm watching them preparing. It was nice reading a book with such a strong emphasis on food.

2) Hansen's disease. I didn't know anything about this disease until I read this book. I'm glad to have learned of this. It's sad to think about how people like Tokue were treated unfairly, secluded from society, and cut off from their families. Even though they have been medically cured of Hansen's illness, society does not treat them as such. That's a reality they need to embrace. People's lack of awareness and resources leads to this.

This was a sad yet beautiful and thoughtful story. It was amazing how the simplest thing connects people and how people can change to be better after. Furthermore, the translation is good, making the reading experience much better. I gave this book four stars, given that the story dragged a bit in the middle.

The important life lessons from this book; our life is meaningful no matter what we get in between, be yourself in your own unique way, appreciate life, and be service to others.

On the whole, this book is heart-warming and a worthy read. Recommend for all, especially fans of Japanese literature. Beware that you will get hungry while reading it.

👵🏻 Tokue Yoshii, you will always be remembered ❤️

#siqahbookreviews #sweetbeanpaste #januaryinjapan #duriansukegawa

❓ Do you have a reading theme or plan that you f

❓ Do you have a reading theme or plan that you follow monthly?

I know about this #januaryinjapan reading challenge through some bookstagrammers' posts and decided to follow this theme for the rest of January.

Here are four books that I like to read in participating with this theme:
1. Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa (Finished reading it today)
2. Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
3. Colorful by Eto Mori
4. The Elephant Vanishes by Murakami

I have another three #japaneseliterature books, but I'll save those books for later 😁

Have you read or wish to read any of these books?

#readingchallenge #readingtheme #2022reads

The first thing I noticed about this book was its

The first thing I noticed about this book was its cover. The combination of blue and yellow caught my attention well. It's a short yet engaging book that's quick and easy to read. The characters are unlikeable, but once you get into reading, you'll read it until you finish the book. I read it in one sitting—a short novel with 147 pages.

The blurb suggests it is a thriller, but Lemon is not a mystery thriller, although there is a mystery within the story. The blurb does not do the book justice, in my opinion. We are following a mystery of a murder of a beautiful young girl named Kim Hae-on during the summer of 2022. The case goes cold, and after seventeen years, Da-on, the younger sister, tries to find the truth of what happened.

This book is more on the impact of death had on the left family members. It is about grief, what you will do to move on with your life and what it means to be alive.

There were too many voices in such a short book, and I found it confusing and difficult to identify which characters were following in each chapter. I think the author should stick to the point of view of the main character, the younger sister, Da-on, only.

However, the plot makes me keep reading it as I hope something big will happen that will satisfy me, but sadly, it did not occur. I don't even remember the ending as I am writing this review, and what I remember is the ending does not give me satisfaction, no clear ending. Or am I missing something?

I really wanted to love this book, but I just didn't feel with this one. At under 200 pages, there are some intriguing ideas at work here, but the execution lacks emotional impact as I found the translation quite plain. It's short, but it's not mainly gratifying and not a simple story.

My rating: 2.8/5
(I decided to change my rating after finishing writing this review)

#siqahbookreviews #lemon #asianliterature #2022reads

Hasil belian buku kali kedua tahun ini dan datangn

Hasil belian buku kali kedua tahun ini dan datangnya dari Kinokuniya. My first book purchased is from MPH Warehouse Sale and yet to receive 😁

The titles are:
1. Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday (interested to read this book after I read @faraamusa 's review)
2. Survive the Night by Riley Sager (the new author I would like to explore)
3. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (the second book in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books)
4. Take Me With You When You Go by David Levithan & Jennifer Niven (intrigue by the synopsis)

Hoping that this is the last book haul before PBAKL2022. Wish me luck! 🙈😂

Q: Did you get any new books in 2022?

#bookhaul #siqahbookhaul

Honestly, the title and cover draw me in to read t

Honestly, the title and cover draw me in to read this book 💛

Nora works as an editorial assistant for a business publisher that is constantly laying off employees and piling additional work on top of those who remain. She struggles once her salary is reduced, and she ends up secretly freelancing for a rival publisher, juggling between the two.

The story focused on the main character, Nora, dealing with her bad decisions and learning to grow from them. Nora's career troubles were the book's emphasis, but the plot moved too slow. I wanted to enjoy the protagonist, but I couldn't relate to her difficulty figuring out what she should do next.

I loved the premise of the story. Unfortunately, the story and characters do not appeal to me. I didn't agree with many of Nora's actions, but I liked the ending where she chose herself above a romantic relationship with Andrew, the attractive author.

Nevertheless, takeaways from this book, it's essential for individuals to understand that it's fine to change occupations at any point in their lives and that it's also fine to start your dream job only to hate it. But, it's not acceptable to complain about it or misbehave at your current employment. I understand the pay reduction, but please consider other options to fill the blank.

Overall, this is a thoughtful novel on career choices and not rom-com. It is an okay book, and I will recommend it for those interested in finding your career path and knowing what you want in life. It also describes some stories about how publishing works and is quite interesting.

⚠️ TW: suicidal thoughts and depression

My rating: 3/5

Thank you Netgalley for giving me a chance to read this in exchange of an honest review ✨

#siqahbookreviews #mustlovebooks #netgalley #2022reads #booksaboutbooks

Five romance books I would love to read in 2022 🥰 I'm not planning my monthly TBR, but I hope I can read these books this year.

Q: What is the best romance book you have ever read? Please share with me so that I can add them to my wishlist 😂

#flatlaysbyiqa #romancebooks #toberead

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Siqahiqa's bookshelf: read

Aku Yang Kau Tinggalkan

Aku Yang Kau Tinggalkan

by Alina Haizar

Silent Musings

by Almaz A.

Motivational Moments by Mufti Menk

Motivational Moments by Mufti Menk

by Mufti Ismail Menk

Love from A to Z

Love from A to Z

by S.K. Ali

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@siriusiqa

A small book with a blue and pink cover is simply

A small book with a blue and pink cover is simply adorable. It also has a beautiful heart-warming story wrapped up together—a lovely story about friendship, life, and how we treat others.

Sentaro was previously in prison and worked in a Doraharu to repay a debt. In this shop, he makes the dessert Dorayaki every single day halfheartedly. Until one day, he met Tokue, a seventy-six older woman. Tokue has successfully changed his view of life as Tokue is the one who encourages him to find his own path in life. They become buddies and befriend a young adolescent girl named Wakana.

Here's are two new things I learned from this book:

1) By reading this book, you will crave some dorayaki. The making of sweet bean paste and dorayaki is very detailed until I feel like I'm watching them preparing. It was nice reading a book with such a strong emphasis on food.

2) Hansen's disease. I didn't know anything about this disease until I read this book. I'm glad to have learned of this. It's sad to think about how people like Tokue were treated unfairly, secluded from society, and cut off from their families. Even though they have been medically cured of Hansen's illness, society does not treat them as such. That's a reality they need to embrace. People's lack of awareness and resources leads to this.

This was a sad yet beautiful and thoughtful story. It was amazing how the simplest thing connects people and how people can change to be better after. Furthermore, the translation is good, making the reading experience much better. I gave this book four stars, given that the story dragged a bit in the middle.

The important life lessons from this book; our life is meaningful no matter what we get in between, be yourself in your own unique way, appreciate life, and be service to others.

On the whole, this book is heart-warming and a worthy read. Recommend for all, especially fans of Japanese literature. Beware that you will get hungry while reading it.

👵🏻 Tokue Yoshii, you will always be remembered ❤️

#siqahbookreviews #sweetbeanpaste #januaryinjapan #duriansukegawa

❓ Do you have a reading theme or plan that you f

❓ Do you have a reading theme or plan that you follow monthly?

I know about this #januaryinjapan reading challenge through some bookstagrammers' posts and decided to follow this theme for the rest of January.

Here are four books that I like to read in participating with this theme:
1. Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa (Finished reading it today)
2. Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
3. Colorful by Eto Mori
4. The Elephant Vanishes by Murakami

I have another three #japaneseliterature books, but I'll save those books for later 😁

Have you read or wish to read any of these books?

#readingchallenge #readingtheme #2022reads

The first thing I noticed about this book was its

The first thing I noticed about this book was its cover. The combination of blue and yellow caught my attention well. It's a short yet engaging book that's quick and easy to read. The characters are unlikeable, but once you get into reading, you'll read it until you finish the book. I read it in one sitting—a short novel with 147 pages.

The blurb suggests it is a thriller, but Lemon is not a mystery thriller, although there is a mystery within the story. The blurb does not do the book justice, in my opinion. We are following a mystery of a murder of a beautiful young girl named Kim Hae-on during the summer of 2022. The case goes cold, and after seventeen years, Da-on, the younger sister, tries to find the truth of what happened.

This book is more on the impact of death had on the left family members. It is about grief, what you will do to move on with your life and what it means to be alive.

There were too many voices in such a short book, and I found it confusing and difficult to identify which characters were following in each chapter. I think the author should stick to the point of view of the main character, the younger sister, Da-on, only.

However, the plot makes me keep reading it as I hope something big will happen that will satisfy me, but sadly, it did not occur. I don't even remember the ending as I am writing this review, and what I remember is the ending does not give me satisfaction, no clear ending. Or am I missing something?

I really wanted to love this book, but I just didn't feel with this one. At under 200 pages, there are some intriguing ideas at work here, but the execution lacks emotional impact as I found the translation quite plain. It's short, but it's not mainly gratifying and not a simple story.

My rating: 2.8/5
(I decided to change my rating after finishing writing this review)

#siqahbookreviews #lemon #asianliterature #2022reads

Hasil belian buku kali kedua tahun ini dan datangn

Hasil belian buku kali kedua tahun ini dan datangnya dari Kinokuniya. My first book purchased is from MPH Warehouse Sale and yet to receive 😁

The titles are:
1. Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday (interested to read this book after I read @faraamusa 's review)
2. Survive the Night by Riley Sager (the new author I would like to explore)
3. The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (the second book in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books)
4. Take Me With You When You Go by David Levithan & Jennifer Niven (intrigue by the synopsis)

Hoping that this is the last book haul before PBAKL2022. Wish me luck! 🙈😂

Q: Did you get any new books in 2022?

#bookhaul #siqahbookhaul

Honestly, the title and cover draw me in to read t

Honestly, the title and cover draw me in to read this book 💛

Nora works as an editorial assistant for a business publisher that is constantly laying off employees and piling additional work on top of those who remain. She struggles once her salary is reduced, and she ends up secretly freelancing for a rival publisher, juggling between the two.

The story focused on the main character, Nora, dealing with her bad decisions and learning to grow from them. Nora's career troubles were the book's emphasis, but the plot moved too slow. I wanted to enjoy the protagonist, but I couldn't relate to her difficulty figuring out what she should do next.

I loved the premise of the story. Unfortunately, the story and characters do not appeal to me. I didn't agree with many of Nora's actions, but I liked the ending where she chose herself above a romantic relationship with Andrew, the attractive author.

Nevertheless, takeaways from this book, it's essential for individuals to understand that it's fine to change occupations at any point in their lives and that it's also fine to start your dream job only to hate it. But, it's not acceptable to complain about it or misbehave at your current employment. I understand the pay reduction, but please consider other options to fill the blank.

Overall, this is a thoughtful novel on career choices and not rom-com. It is an okay book, and I will recommend it for those interested in finding your career path and knowing what you want in life. It also describes some stories about how publishing works and is quite interesting.

⚠️ TW: suicidal thoughts and depression

My rating: 3/5

Thank you Netgalley for giving me a chance to read this in exchange of an honest review ✨

#siqahbookreviews #mustlovebooks #netgalley #2022reads #booksaboutbooks

Five romance books I would love to read in 2022 🥰 I'm not planning my monthly TBR, but I hope I can read these books this year.

Q: What is the best romance book you have ever read? Please share with me so that I can add them to my wishlist 😂

#flatlaysbyiqa #romancebooks #toberead

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