Writer
It’s the month of December, and I’m already missing the summer! So, I planned my next vacation; this time, the destination was to be someplace hot, somewhere close to Philadelphia, and a place I haven’t been to before. Since it’s the end of the year, it also had to be low-budget. With that in mind, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic topped the list.
Slow down to take a breath,
to observe what’s around you.
Slow down and give yourself,
A moment of stillness;
and in that moment you might find a memory,
a memory left behind,
unattended in the chaos of life.
The memory of that night is like a vivid painting in my mind and will be impossible to forget. The embrace of the warm summer air wrapped around me. My hair, always rebellious in nature, attempted to sway in that gentle humid breeze. We walked with no destination in mind, surrendering to the whims of the city, allowing the spirit of Athens to lead us to unexpected delights.
Continue reading “Top 11 Things to do when in Greece!”What is autism, and what does it feel like to live with someone who has autism? Josh Stehle, our superhero expert, invites you to explore these questions.
In ‘I am a Superhero Expert: Growing up with my Autistic Brother,’ Josh shares the touching story of his brother Zach, who is on the autism spectrum. It’s important to note that this isn’t a self-help guide, an encyclopedia on autism, or a sad tale. Instead, it’s a unique and deeply personal account filled with comic strips and a profound love for powerful heroes. Most importantly, it’s an inspiring and uplifting story of a real-life superhero.
Finding Evie is a powerful and emotional novel that tells the story of Evie, a young woman who moves to post-war London with a heart full of hope but faces numerous betrayals and struggles in life. The story is narrated through dual timelines, with the present-day storyline following Alice as she uncovers the hidden truths about her family’s past and her estranged grandmother, Evie.
The novel is beautifully written and features well-developed characters that bring depth and complexity to the story. The author’s portrayal of Evie’s life is heart-wrenching and at times difficult to read due to the emotional and physical abuse she endures. The theme of abuse and abandonment is interwoven into the narrative, and the readers will find themselves empathizing with Evie’s plight. I was personally fuming with rage while reading the atrocities committed by her husband, Frank.
The story is captivating, and the plot moves at a steady pace, keeping you engaged throughout. The author’s use of descriptive language creates vivid imagery and transports the reader to post-war London, where they witness the struggles and hardships that Evie faced.
One minor criticism is that the storyline could have been expanded upon, allowing for the full impact of the story to be felt. Even though, there were no loose ends, I was expecting more from the story. Despite this, “Finding Evie” is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that explores the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love.
Overall, “Finding Evie” is a poignant and beautifully written novel that delves into themes of love, abuse, and abandonment. Despite the difficult subject matter, the book manages to convey a message of hope and resilience that will stay with the reader long after the final page.
PS: This was an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC), you can find more about this book on Reedsy Discovery
Dear ol’ poet in the park,
with a smile spread across the face
and hands in the air
you welcome passersby
to stop by your side for a while.
Be it sun or rain,
you’re there all day, every day.
A hope to the hopeless,
a pause for the busy,
a smile for a frown,
a joy for the moody.
When I stopped by and noticed the twinkle in your eyes
I realized that stars don’t just shine bright from afar,
they sing sweet poetic words of melody.
Alex and Poppy. Poppy and Alex, are the People We Meet on Vacation in this book. It’s an easy, breezy fun read. It’s a book that you can take along with you on a vacation. Read it while sipping on a piña colada or maybe a gin tonic, while chilling at the pool or relaxing by a fireplace, whatever the weather may be. Then lose yourself to Poppy Wright as she’s going to take the lead.
Continue reading “People We Meet on Vacation – Emily Henry”
Ten years ago, on my way to college, I got on my regular bus, which was fortunately not crowded and had a few vacant seats. I sat by the window and started reading a book that they were teaching in my Literature class, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. At the next stop, a girl got on the bus and sat next to me. She noticed what I was reading, then smiled at me and asked, “Is that by Daphne du Maurier?” That was the conversation starter. The route to my college usually takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on the traffic. The entire time, we chatted without a pause. We talked about all the books we enjoyed reading, the authors we love, and I cannot forget the enthusiasm with which we would laugh and agree if we both named a book that we mutually enjoyed reading. We also talked a bit about our personal lives, I guess, but I don’t remember much about that. All I know is that her name was Hannah. I did not meet her again but the joy that I felt while talking to her was surreal. I usually dislike and dread conversations with strangers as it makes me very uncomfortable. I do not like small talk, I do not like listening to random people rambling about their life. But with Hannah, it was a two-way conversation about topics of similar interests that brought out the best version of ourselves.
It is strange how we can sometimes connect with strangers, while there are certain people with whom we can spend a lifetime together and still be uncomfortable showing our real side.
Practicing yoga daily has brought a positive change in my life, both physically and emotionally. I recall a time when making time for self-care amidst a demanding work schedule seemed like an unattainable feat. However, prioritizing myself has brought a happy balance into my life.
I took a break from formalities and sat down on the floor.
To bask in the sunlight and look up at the blue skies.
I allowed a moment for myself and let out a content sigh.
Nuraine Sadaf 