razlan's Reviews

"I opened front door and took deep inhale of fresh country air. Smelt of cow-shite. Five red and white cows in nearby field lazily flicking tails at me. Culprits."

Four women, one very charming man. In her latest book, Marian Keyes did it again - seamlessly told an issue of great importance (domestic violence) with much aplomb and hilarity.

Of the four woman characters in the story, I liked Lola the most. Perhaps it was the way her tale was written - Keyes used a most peculiar form of English, very Singlish like - I enjoyed it immensely.

On the hand, I get a severe bout of depression reading about Marnie.

All in all, a great read, especially for a weekend of nothing to do. It will make you laugh out loud :) (read less)

"How can I not worry about it?" cries Suze. "How can I not worry? Bex, you promised me you were going to sort this out weeks ago! You promised!"

"I know. And I am going to. It's just... it's been so difficult. Deciding between them. They both seemed so perfect, in completely different ways-"

"Bex, a wedding isn't a handbag!" says Suze incredulously. "You can't decide you'll treat yourself to two!"

Now, what did our dear Bex do? The never ending drama continues when two sets of family set to organise the biggest, most meaningful wedding ever for their darling Bex. Only that they didn't know about the *other* wedding.

As Bex choose between the lifelong dream of her beloved mum, or the post party for 400 by the tyranny mom of Luke, Bex was undecided.

Much tears and laughter resulted as I followed the dilemma that Becky was in. All ended well, of course. How could it not be?

And... yes. Why limit yourself to ONE wedding when you can have two... or more?

Hilarious, and a highly recommended read! (read less)

"Uhm..." I open my mouth and close it again. My mind's gone completely blank. Come on, I must have some hobbies. What do I do on weekends? What do I do to relax?

"Well, I..."

This is completely ridiculous. There must be things in my life other than shopping.

Without a doubt, this second book of the Shopaholic series is my favorite. The last few pages of the book got me grinning wide while reading them, much to the amusement of the uncles and aunties around me (I was reading it while having dinner at a neighbourhood kopitiam). The book is especially heartening - showing the more human side of Luke, how Becky bounced back from a disastrous turn of her life, landing the perfect job for herself (and I do mean perfect!).

Absolutely commendable. (read less)

"Which means that by the time I'm halfway through my Fiorentina, I've drunk almost an entire bottle of champagne, and I'm... Well, frankly, I am completely pissed. My face is tingling and my eyes are sparkling, and my arm gestures are a lot more erratic than usual. But this doesn't matter. In fact, being pissed is a good thing - because it means I'm also delightfully witty and lively and am more or less carrying the conversation single-handedly"

Ah... the incomparable Rebecca "Becky" Bloomwood. I have read this series for many, many times, and I am re-reading it again just so that I can review the books on BookJetty!

The first book in the famous Shopaholic series introduce us to the world of Becky.. or rather, the imaginary world of Becky. It's hilarious reading how flippant she is with money, and how increasingly imaginative her excuses are evading the banks.

It is also amusing to read how, despite all circumstances, Becky was lucky in many turns. If only in real life that happens.

Now I am onto the second book! (read less)

This book is an absolute must read if you are a fan of archaeological or history thriller.

The plot goes back and forth in time - from the history of Templars in Portugal, to Saddam's regime in Baghdad. How can one bring these two together? Khoury did, in a nerve-wrecking tale as various characters evolved beyond belief.

I won't provide spoiler - sufficient to say that the secret, as of all tales of this genre - is definitely believable, something related to all of us, and if becomes a thing to past, will alter life as we know it.

Watch out also for the twist and turn of this tale. I read this during my recent holiday and I can hardly put it down. (read less)

"Ah, the B list." Jay nodded sympathetically. "Bullimics, babes, bratsos, big-shots and blondes. Was it total hell?"

" Worse. What's the A list, then?"

Jay took a sip of his wine. "Alcoholics, actresses, aristos and assholes," he pronounced.

"You're making it up." Suze giggled.

Perfect strangers. Imperfect plot. But heck, I enjoyed myself with the twist of office polictics. Though the back-stabbing and colleague betrayal were a tad too familiar, it is always intriguing to read about the world of creative and advertising. Though, I gotta admit, it is hard to associate the main character Llyod Rockwell as a creative director.

Recommended as a holiday read. The last 100 pages or so is a real page turner - be warned! (read less)

"Ms. Stiles! Well! how do you do!" the driver says when I introduced myself. He shakes my hand vigorously as his face breaks out into a pearly white grin. "Welcome to America! I'm Davey! Pleased to meet you! Here, let me take that bag for you, ma'am! Come on! We're this way!"

I'm not sure I can handle this many exclamation marks on a hangover, but you've got to admire his enthusiasm.

Johnny Be Good was an excellent holiday read. The story was somewhat predictable, though the ending was totally unexpected. It felt like as if Toon rushed to conclude the story after 400 odd pages of glam, drama, drug, alcohol and, yes, sex. A little bit of that wouldn't go amiss.

Top in entertainment value. As of all chick lits, read with an open mind, and enjoy the ride! (read less)