Have you ever just finished reading a really great book and wished that you could broadcast the recommendation to everyone you know and even to perfect strangers?! Good reads do that to you- stir your hearts, find your inner voice, hold your breath in anticipation and basically makes you pump your fist and say "That was a shiok (Singapore slang for great) read!"

Well, this is a platform for us to share these great experiences with one another! All too often, we read a superb book and do not have the chance to pen down our thoughts and to recommend it to someone else. Do that now, by dropping us an email at bookpicks4all@gmail.com so that we can post it on this blog.

Do, however, bear in mind that kids as well as adults read this blog, so do be discerning in your recommendation, choosing only wholesome and noteworthy reads. Much thanks to all and happy reviewing!

Wednesday, 13 November 2013

Excellent Read! - The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley

In the depths of my heart, i have a secret wish to be a writer! I have a dream that one day, maybe at "retirement", i shall sit myself down and write meself a novel! When i was younger, it was bound to be a romance! But as i grow older (yieks!), i tell myself that it must surely be something that has more depth, more substance - maybe a suspenseful drama, a reflective journal, a historical mystery.... to say the least, i have very little idea of what i would actually write, but it is still my dream!

I was reminded of this dream when i was reading this novel,  and was reminded again the enormousness (i checked, there IS such an adjective) of this dream, the task of writing a book. I was filled with awe as i turned the pages of this book, the multi facets of the story, the parallel dimensions of 2 stories in one book both captured my imagination and my mind! It was so informative as well as fantastical that i was swung from pleasure to pleasure. There is so much research that the writer had to do, discipline to alternate between two plots, linguistic prowess for English and its dialects  to weave such a wonderous tale of love, history, personal journey and discovery! In short, i was humbled, it will be a dream that will require more than mere wishing to fulfill!

Pardon all my musing and allow me now to share the joy of reading this book. The story revolves around 2 women from two different times, Nicola who has psychic powers and Anna, who has to escape and survive at a young age to preserve a family heritage. Both women have a past to deal with and a future to prepare for and while we view through Nicola's eyes, the life of Anna with her growth and struggles, we are still fully aware that Nicola is not insulated from the realities of her own life! It is like watching a movie of a girl watching a movie, we read and "watch" 2 life stories at one go! So addicted and spellbound i was, i took a day and a half to finish the whole book! It is certainly highly recommended and i would love to hear any comments from anyone who have the same pleasure of reading it too.

I know that I am lacking in reviewing this book in good detail but i do beseech you people out there, if you are at a loss of what to read, this is definitely the book to plug your need. The plot is clever in managing between two lives, two timelines, informative in telling the history of early Europe and suspenseful in leading the reader through the many peaks and intrigues of her characters. Read and truly enjoy!

Fresh Fiction reviewed "An imaginatively captivating trip through time."
Historical Novels Review : "Romantic, passionate and bittersweet, this intelligent, tension-laden story will sweep you away."

Jen
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