History

  • The Egyptian Myths

    The Egyptian Myths

    Despite my lifelong fascination with Ancient Egypt, I realised while reading The Egyptian Myths just how intricate and layered the mythology truly is. Garry J. Shaw presents each story with clarity, but the sheer volume of gods, roles, and variations can feel overwhelming—in a strangely enjoyable way. One of the most surprising revelations was discovering…

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  • Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982

    Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982

    Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that shines a light on everyday sexism and gender inequality in South Korea. Through the life of one ordinary woman, Cho Nam-Joo reveals how deeply rooted these issues are in both family and society. I especially liked how the author wove real statistics into the…

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  • The Unmaking of June Farrow

    The Unmaking of June Farrow

    The Unmaking of June Farrow is a fantasy/sci-fi novel by Adrienne Young, featuring June, a woman who travels from 2023 to 1951, entangled in a complex timeline involving murder, romance, and a family curse affecting only women. The engaging story highlights gender roles, despite leaving some questions unanswered, and showcases intriguing character relationships.

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  • Dinosaurs Rediscovered

    Dinosaurs Rediscovered

    by Michael J.Benton This book isn’t just about dinosaurs and the usual facts and figures we often hear. It’s about how palaeontologists uncovered that information—from 1980 through to 2019. It takes you behind the scenes of museums and expeditions, showing how palaeontology and the work of palaeontologists have evolved. I was motivated to buy this…

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  • Assassins Quest (Farseer #3)

    The third and final book in Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy follows FitzChivalry as he revives from death, striving to reclaim his identity and seek the rightful king while combating King Regal. Rich in character development and intricate magic, the story culminates in an unexpected yet satisfying conclusion, highlighting the journey and growth of its characters.

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  • Royal Assassin (Farseer #2)

    Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb follows Fitz, a royal bastard raised in a castle stable, as he trains to become an assassin for the crown amidst a looming civil war. The character development, especially through Fitz’s unique perspective and relationships, enhances the story. This engaging fantasy book appeals to fans of historical fiction and classic…

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  • Assassins Apprentice (Farseer #1)

    Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb follows Fitz, a royal bastard raised in a castle stable, as he trains to become an assassin for the crown amidst a looming civil war. The character development, especially through Fitz’s unique perspective and relationships, enhances the story. This engaging fantasy book appeals to fans of historical fiction and classic…

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  • The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon #2)

    by Dan Brown The Da Vinci Code follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon in another gripping murder mystery/thriller, this time with a historical treasure hunt after a murder at the Louvre in Paris. His companion, Sophie Neveu—granddaughter of the murder victim and a skilled cryptologist—joins Langdon on both the hunt for the killer and the quest…

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  • Angels & Demons (Robert Langdon #1)

    by Dan Brown After re-watching the Tom Hanks film series, I decided it was time to delve into the books they were based on. To my surprise, I realised I hadn’t read all of them, even though this type of story—a blend of murder mystery and historical treasure hunt—is exactly what I enjoy. Naturally, I…

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  • Smut Books: The Evolution of a Steamy Genre

    There is a new term circulating on social media currently representing a certain type of romantic book: ‘smut’. But is this a new genre, or something that has been around for centuries? The word smut comes from the English word ‘smutten’, meaning to defile or debase, related to the German ‘schmutz’ meaning filth or dirt.…

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