The Love Hypothesis

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Genre: Romance

Rating: 4 out of 5

Pages: 384

Date Started: 2 March 2022

Date Finished: 10 March 2022

"The Love Hypothesis" came highly recommended from a variety of sources, including Goodreads, and I'm glad I picked it up. As a newcomer to the romance genre, it proved to be an excellent choice that entertained and enthralled me from start to finish. The story revolves around Olive Smith, a pragmatic third-year Ph.D. candidate who has a skeptical view of lasting romantic relationships. However, when her best friend Anh insists that she's in a committed relationship, Olive finds herself in a rather peculiar situation. To convince Anh, she employs an unconventional tactic—kissing the first man she sees, who happens to be the enigmatic and somewhat notorious professor, Adam Carlsen. What follows is an unexpected agreement to maintain their fake relationship, which brings with it a unique blend of comedy and romance. Olive's character is a highlight of the book. Her naivety and determination to do what's right are endearing, and her vulnerabilities add depth to her personality. The portrayal of her close-knit circle of friends and her struggle to comprehend her feelings resonates well with the story, making her a relatable and likable protagonist. "The Love Hypothesis" offers a light-hearted and enjoyable romantic comedy experience. While it doesn't dive into serious scenes or employ unimaginable plot twists, it serves as a welcome change from more weighty fiction. The story progresses swiftly, maintaining the reader's interest without requiring deep contemplation. The author skillfully weaves an engaging narrative, and the chemistry between Olive and Adam adds a touch of sizzle to the plot. Their evolving relationship, along with Adam's surprising support and undeniable charm, makes the book an entertaining exploration of love, relationships, and self-discovery. In summary, "The Love Hypothesis" is a charming and breezy read, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in a light-hearted romantic comedy. If you're in the mood for a book that offers respite from the complex and heavy, this one is sure to keep you engaged and leave you with a smile.

Favorite lines from the book:

• Carry yourself with the confidence of a mediocre white man.

• I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.

• I'm starting to wonder if this is what being in love is. Being okay with ripping yourself to shreds, so the other person can stay whole.

• You can fall in love: someone will catch you.

Walking On The Ceiling

Author: Ayşegül Savaş

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 2 out of 5

Pages: 210

Date Started: 19 February 2022

Date Finished: 7 March 2022

I picked up this book after reading the synopsis. It felt like an interesting book.

The story is about Nurunisa, who is known as Nunu. Nunu talks about her relationship with her mother in Istanbul and her relationship with the writer M, who is in Paris. She shuttles between Paris, where she lives, and Istanbul to take care of her mother.

This book took me forever to finish! I didn't see any point in this book. The book goes back and forth between Paris and Istanbul with no particular timeline, and no storyline either. I can't say any good thing about this book, except that it is short, and yet it took me way more time than I should have to finish it! Finally, I am glad I finished it!

Favorite lines from the book:

• Luke would say that people lived their whole lives telling stories, and by story, he meant like delusion. Everyone, he said, had a story of themselves. They told it again and again, at every chance they get.

• Silence is its own language.

• At the time, I didn't know what sort of damage could be caused with words. I didn't know, either, what would be lost.

• What Luke didn't say, whenever he pointed out that everyone had a story to tell, was it is a privilege to have a story, to know your own narrative as surely as you know your name.

At Home In Japan

Author: Rebecca Otowa

Genre: Nonfiction

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Pages: 176

Date Started: 14 February 2022

Date Finished: 16 February 2022

This was an impulse pick from the library shelf. I did pick it up because of the cover too! A minimalist home with an umbrella captured my eyes and mind too!

The book is the story of the author Rebecca Otowa, who moved to Japan, married a Japanese man, and lives in his ancestral home in a village that is 350 years old. The author talks about the traditions, rituals for every event, season, lifestyle, honoring the elders, education, and so much more about her life in Japan for more than 30 years.

I felt so refreshed after reading this book. Ever since I visited Japan to hike Mt. Fuji, I have been interested in knowing more about traditional Japanese culture and how a Westerner would experience it. This book gave a great deal of insight into the life of traditional Japanese families.

This book is a collection of small essays along with beautiful drawings and personal pictures of the home and family of the author. The book is written from the perspective of a Westerner, and I could relate to much more. The author also talks about the mistakes she made (without knowing, of course), the traditions and rituals she did not like, and the ones she liked. It was interesting to know that some of the traditions in the Western world that are considered misogynistic are a way of life and a part of Japanese culture.

Overall, it was a good read and I enjoyed reading the experience of the author as a traditional Japanese wife-daughter-n-law, and a mother.