Book Review: "A Beautiful Mind, A Beautiful Life: The Bubz Guide to Being Unstoppable" by Lindy Tsang

A Beautiful Mind, A Beautiful Life: The Bubz Guide to Being Unstoppable by Lindy Tsang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Inspirational book for anyone who is finding their way in life, to be responsible for YOU!
It has been almost 7 years since I first started watching Lindy on YouTube, can't believe she finally wrote her own book! Though some of her videos shed some light into her personal life, especially in her vlogs, this book really elaborates on some of her experiences, and how she overcomes challenges/reaches her goals.
Definitely a must read!

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Book Review: "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A riveting fiction story based on true events that happened in World War 2 during the Holocaust, though it doesn't dive too deep into the horrors that happened. How something done almost (or maybe not) unconsciously, could set off a chain of events that affects the people around you. Starts off lightly with Hanneke taking on the 'job', and slowly uncovering more and more secrets as she goes along.

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Book Review: "Into the Abyss" by Stefanie Gaither

Into the Abyss by Stefanie Gaither
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*Spoiler Alert* "Into the Abyss' comes full circle for Violet's character. I'm glad she got 'closure', and found her sense of self. Though I'm glad the author expanded more on Seth, it wasn't the direction I anticipated. The story was quite heavy, the characters (and the reader) can't catch a break throughout. It was filled with action right till the end. A good ending to the series.


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Book Review: "Falls the Shadow" by Stefanie Gaither

Falls the Shadow by Stefanie Gaither
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Riveting read!
The story-line was refreshing and (mostly) unpredictable, have yet to come across another book with a similar plot. I really empathised with Cate and the others who had to go through what they did. Hope that the sequel expands more on Seth's character, and the relationship between him and Jaxon. (and maybe their mom too)

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Book Review: "Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw" by Peggy Frezon

Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw: How One Woman Finds Faith and Hope Through the Healing Love of Animals by Peggy Frezon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a wonderful read! I love that the author included some photos so we could have a better idea of what everything looked like, also making it much more palpable as the story itself was so out of the ordinary. It was so fascinating to read about the many ups and downs that happened in Luanne's life, seemed like there never was a dull moment. It was heartbreaking to read about the things she had to go through, even as a young child. It was so inspiring to read about them overcoming struggles as a family (with God at the helm), from being practically homeless, to building their own house and filling it with so much love. How she saw herself in the animals she cared for, and how they helped and supported each other in their own ways.

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Book Review: "Faithfully Yours" by Peggy Frezon

Faithfully Yours: The Amazing Bond Between Us and the Animals We Love by Peggy Frezon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Faithfully Yours" is a collection of many inspiring true stories about animals and humans. It is lovely to read so many fascinating stories about how humans and animals save each other in so many different ways, physically and emotionally, and how we can learn so much just by interacting with them.

I love that this book included stories about so many different animals, not just dogs and cats! It took me longer than usual to finish this book as the stories were making me tear up so often! While reading, thinking about the animals that are and were in my life, the what-ifs and the future made it much more emotional for me.

I would recommend this book to anyone. For pet owners, I'm sure we can relate to some of the things in the book. To people who have negative feelings towards animals/pets, this book will be an eye-opening read to how animals can be more 'human' than us humans.

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Itacho Sushi @ Star Vista Review

Itacho Sushi: 3/5 stars.

Came here with my family on a Friday evening to try it out. When we first arrived at around 6pm, the place was just starting to fill up. When we were halfway through our meal, there was a queue outside. 

The inside seating area is a comfortable size, but when the place is filled during lunch/dinner time, it can get quite loud. Especially when the waiters are welcoming new customers when they walk in. (almost all of the waiters saying "Irasshaimase" whenever someone comes in) At some points, I couldn't hear what our waiter was saying because the restaurant is just so noisy.

Service was good and the dishes came quite quickly, the only one that took longer was our last order. We had to remind the waiter and she immediately brought it out. They probably forgot about it on the counter since the restaurant was now filled with customers.

We ordered some salmon sashimi, soft shell crab, edamame, blue fin tuna sushi, beef tenderloin teppanyaki, salmon handroll, hana batake set and some other items that I didn't take photos of. (can't remember what they were either)

They were quite generous with the salmon in the handroll but I would have preferred it without the veggies as I'm not used to that. (used to eating salmon avocado handrolls which they did not have here)

The soft shell crab was crispy and yummy but the portions seemed small compared to another restaurant.

The hana batake set consisted of uni (sea urchin), salmon roe (egg), negitoro (tuna), scallop, crab meat and tobiko (egg). Definitely do not recommend the hana batake set as even though there were so many ingredients, you couldn't taste anything. It was so bland and a waste of money. If you do order it, I would suggest eating everything separately.

The salmon sashimi was quite a good size for the price.

The blue fin tuna sushi not worth it considering they only gave one for that price. 

The beef tenderloin teppanyaki was easy to chew but you have to take it off the hotplate fast as ours were a little overcooked around the edges. 











Overall for the food, I feel that the quality is not worth the price you pay. They seem to be marketing themselves as a very authentic Japanese restaurant, but the food at another Japanese restaurant is much much better for the same price. 
Lots of improvement needed.

https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/ShowUserReviews-g294265-d5431060-r493782038-Itacho_Sushi-Singapore.html#

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Book Review: "How to Write Good" by Ryan Higa (nigahiga)

How to Write Good by Ryan Higa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In true nigahiga fashion, this book had many comedic moments, but also had a more relatable and emotional side to it. Readers can definitely get to know Ryan on a more personal level, and it expands on some stories he told on his youtube channel. Not giving 5 stars as in my opinion, it could have been more engaging and better written. I hope that he writes another book in the future as I feel that this book only touches upon one small portion of his life.

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Book Review: "Defector" by Susanne Winnacker

Read my review for the prequel here!


Defector by Susanne Winnacker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I would have given this book 5 stars, if not for the ending. This book, although a tiny bit predictable, was almost perfect. The story was interesting right from the start, a relatively good mix of romance, adventure, action, new details and variants in action. The reunion near the end was well written, it made me tear up! I loved every second of reading it, until the end. It was written like a film scene, too short for an ending in a book. *slight spoiler ahead* Considering how strong our lead was, I would have expected the author to give her a different ending, instead of taking away everything that made her what she is. So disappointing. Now that the author recently decided not to publish the 3rd book in the series, seems like this book is final. Read at your own discretion because you are likely to feel unsatisfied at the loose ends. (The relationships between Tessa and everyone at FEA and her mother, and the story of Abel's Army.)

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Book Review: "A Gift from Bob" by James Bowen

A Gift from Bob: How a Street Cat Helped One Man Learn the Meaning of Christmas by James Bowen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Really well written, though sometimes when the author adds in some stories from the past, it gets a tad bit confusing(between timelines). It felt like I was with them while reading his life story. Often times, what we overlook as small and insignificant, might make the biggest impact in ways we can't imagine. A cat helps a human be a better human. I have a cat (and a dog) too. Though she didn't choose me (I chose her), she has changed my life in so many ways. This book has also changed my perspective on beggars(for lack of better term) and buskers. Maybe some are really trying their best to get back on their feet. Although I still won't give cash, maybe a smile would help them emotionally. (you won't know who will use the $ for 'good' or 'bad') I have to say, James Bowen has a really good memory to be able to remember even conversations he had with people. (If it is indeed word for word)

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Book Review: "Wolfsbane" by Rhiannon Held

Wolfsbane by Rhiannon Held
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The author did a good job handling 3 different timelines in 1 book. It wasn't as confusing as I thought it would be. As interesting as it was reading about what could have happened, I felt very sorry for Andrew and Silver. I'm sure some part of them would have wanted that life so badly, to gain back what they had lost. The author also introduced another Were pack dynamic, along with the new character. However, the book ended a little too abruptly for me and seemed like a rushed ending.
I hope there is a sequel where Silver maybe finds her wild self!

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Book Review: "How Smart is your Cat?" by David Alderton

How Smart Is Your Cat?: Discover If Your Pet Can Solve These Fun Feline Tests by David Alderton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It was a fun book to read. However, there were a few repetitions throughout the book. The author did give tips and interesting facts along the way. This book would be interesting to read with your kids as there are pictures and a mini quiz to 'rate' your cat on their skills!

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"Kanshoku Ramen" Review

Their website- https://www.kanshokuramen.com/

We went there at 6pm on a monday evening, expected it to be packed but it was nearly empty- only two other tables were filled. The waiter was quite 'bochup' (indifferent), didn't greet us or say a single word when we were seated and given the ipad (for ordering). 

The drinks ( Ice green tea and water) came quickly and the ramen came around 10 mins after we ordered. The sides (gyoza and chicken karaage) however took longer than expected and arrived when we were halfway through our meal.

Shoyu Ramen

Shoyu Ramen

We ordered the Kanshoku Ramen, Black Garlic Ramen, Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen and Shoyu Ramen.










The ramen broths were quite thick and fragrant. 

We felt that for the price, they could have added maybe half of an egg too. The portion of noodles were just right though! 


Not too salty, but as you get to the bottom of the bowl, the saltiness will build up in your mouth.

Chicken Karaage

Gyoza

Nothing special about the chicken karaage and gyoza. We felt that the amount given was too little and not worth it.




You can actually see the chef making the noodles in the shop when you walk past the window that looks into the kitchen, which was interesting!






While we were eating, the waiter was peeling hard boil eggs at the table behind ours. Bare hands and even had a ring on... I don't think that is very hygienic... 

3/5 Stars. Would have given 4/5 if it weren't for the poor service.









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Book Review: "Dark Echo" by F.G.Cottam

Dark Echo by F.G. Cottam
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The first half of the book was hard to follow and only got more intriguing (for me) after that. I wish that the author went into further detail about how Spalding 'lived on'. Although this is listed under "horror" or "suspense" (etc), it was not as intense as other books I've read under the same genre. Took me a while to read because I just couldn't get into the story.

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Book Review: "Absolutely Barking: Adventures in Dog Ownership" by Michele Hanson

Absolutely Barking: Adventures in Dog Ownership by Michele Hanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interesting stories about real life situations. Although it was good that the author decided to put some unpleasant stories in the book too, it was horrifying to read what some 'dog owners' did to their dogs.. You would think that in this day and age, people would know the difference between dog training and dog abuse. Even sadder to read that dog fighting still exists,(the year she wrote the book, hopefully none now) and the people who are doing that are youngsters who think that that breed of dog is 'cool'.

This book covered anything from dog lovers, irresponsible dog owners, unreasonable non-owners to dog abuse. Pick it up if dog stories are your thing!

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