Eve Koguce's Blog, page 24

Book review / Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Chances are that I'll never visit the state of Alabama in the United States. And it's absolutely certain that I'll never travel back in time, and see Alabama little towns of the 30ies. But thanks to Fannie Flagg and her book "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" I was transported into both, and that was a delightful journey.

Like almost every journey it was full of new impressions, adventures, meeting different people, some laughter and some tears. This journey has given me grounds for thinking - the most valuable gift a book can give, in my opinion.

Mrs.Threadgoode, Evelyn, Dot Weems, Idgie, and all the people of the town of Whistle Stop have become real - have become alive.

The book touches some sensitive topics. In a person with inflexible views it might cause disagreement, and even spoil the experience of reading. I won't give any details, if cautious read other reviews here, they're rather explicit.

I enjoyed reading this book, since it offered what is the most important for me in a book - a chance to be completely engrossed in the story. Such stories are like cosy blankets you don't want to get out from.





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Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

Book review / Choices by Nigama RV

Choices by Nigama R.V.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


"Choices" written by Nigama RV is a deeply emotional story that would resonate with many women of all ages.

It resonated with me, since I could hear the voice of its main character, Evie, who was struggling with her dreams and feelings, trying to make the right choice, as if I was sitting next to her and listening to her confession.

"Choices" tells a story of a young girl, who falls in love. Sounds simple. But in Evie's case her young love turns into a nightmare. When I was Evie's age, a little older, I got involved in a relationship that was toxic and unhealthy. Like her, I was studying at the University, so I could have a career. If I had made the same choice as Evie, I would probably have been forced to repeat her fate.

The story is very disturbing, but I believe that such stories have to be told, so that young women have a full picture of how important their every choice in life is.





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Choices

Book review / A Drowned Kingdom by P.L. Stuart

A Drowned Kingdom by P.L. Stuart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“A Drowned Kingdom” by P.L. Stuart is an epic fantasy story that will transport you into the lands that have never been, but in which being real you will believe after the first chapters.

P.L. Stuart draws his new world masterfully, by not skipping the details, while knitting in battle and actions scenes into his plot. The characters are not like one’s next-door neighbours; they are driven by their background, faith and traditions, and the nature of all these elements the reader gets a chance to learn, when each chapter adds new details about the reality P.L. Stuart has created on the pages of his book.

Our protagonist, Prince Othrun, is a complicated character; I could not decide, while I was reading, whether I like him or not, and, for me, such characters are the most interesting, and they stay in your thoughts long after you’d turned the last page. On the one hand, Othrun is a typical product of his upbringing, arrogant, spoilt, concentrated on his own problems – his father’s cold attitude, lack of warmth in the relationship with his older brother. But on the other, he is the one, who accepts his duty towards his people, he is brave, and tries to do his best as he understands it.

“A Drowned Kingdom” is a story that satiates your imagination and, at the same time, leaves you craving for more. I will be waiting to find out what destiny awaits Othrun, as well as other characters, the pagan mages, the brave knights of the kingdom that drowned before their eyes, and all other inhabitants of the lands that P.L. Stuart has breathed life into.



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Book review / Dawnbreak by Rebecca Mickley

Dawnbreak by Rebecca Mickley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


My strongest belief is that books are written for people and about people. “Dawnbreak” by Rebecca Mickley is a story that gets you immersed into thoughts and lives of its characters. Every time I opened my Kindle to read it, I was transported into the future the author draws masterfully, in some aspects very different from the picture of our life now, but in others – so strikingly similar.

While reading the book, I felt the joy, the pain, and the feeling of uncertainty the characters felt. While their struggles are not what I had gone through myself, I understood them and was able to sympathise with them. And, in the end, any form of interpersonal struggle can be viewed as a metaphor, as a comparison with your own experience. Everyone, who sees the world differently, meets sooner or later with non-acceptance and misunderstanding, with aggression even from those, who are not ready and willing to accept another human being’s choice and wishes. Unfortunately, in our modern world that strives in general to tolerance, understanding, and acceptance, very often these limits within which you are allowed to be different are also narrowed.

“Dawnbreak” tells a story about the future, where people can travel in the deep space, where taxis are orbital shuttles, where one can relocate to Mars, but with all the progress, people are still limited by their prejudices, driven by their vices, and not able to accept what they don’t understand.

I’ll be looking forward to reading the next book in the Farthest Star series by Rebecca Mickley.




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Book review / The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House

The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed reading this book. Even more than the author's book dedicated to the First Ladies.

This is a collection of stories told by many different voices, and that's what makes it special. I'm not a fan of scandals and embarrassing details, so I liked that this book is focused on domestic routines, funny moments, as well as on people's emotions and attitudes.

It's impossible to imagine what the life is behind the doors of private quarters of the White House. Nowadays, when all kind of information regarding celebrities' private lives is available due to social media and mobile phone cameras, it seems that we know everything. But, as I see it, behind this seeming openness, we lose the sense that we don't see the nature of things. That's what made this book special for me - a lot of tiny, maybe insignificant details about food preferences, furniture rearraning for every new President, unexpected accidents during official dinners.

I haven't read a lot about Lyndon Johnson, and the story about his shower was the most hilarious part of the book.



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Book review / The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An amazing, inspiring book that motivates better than any highly acclaimed positive thinking coach.

"The Salt Path" is a story about the trip the author and her husband had made in order to escape homelessness, the loss of their cherished home they'd been investing all their time and efforts into for over 30 years, and the fear to lose the life itself. Not only did they have to fight the injustice of the court system, the betrayal of those they'd trusted, the financial difficulties, but, above all, they had to accept the news of Moth's serious illness.

This is a story about will-power. And about the power of love. A lot of people seem to diminish the value of true love, they say it doesn't exist. But "The Salt Path" shows how much the love and devotion of your life-partner can do to make your life not only better, but - possible.

I've read this book and took it very personally, since my own love story had started on the Coast Path, on the stony rocks of the Isle of Portland. My husband and me had walked miles along the island, had found all its secret small paths and coves. We had sunbathed on the rocks, looking at the Chesil Beach and watching people dive into the water between the rocks.

I heartily recommend this book to every memoir genre lover and to those, who need to find something to hold on to, while fighting against life's troubles.



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The Salt Path

Book review / Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

Элегия Хиллбилли by J.D. Vance

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An amazingly sincere and personal book. It tells a story of one - rather extended, though! - family, but also manages to illustrate the story of the whole region.

For me, as for someone, who lives on the other side of the planet, the most fascinating in this book was finding a lot of similarities with my own family's history. While I was reading about the author's grandmother, I was laughing and crying, since she reminded me of my own aunt, who had played the same tremendous role in my life as the author's grandma. I know how invaluably important it is to have someone in your love, who loves you unconditionally and has faith in your ability to succeed.

I liked the author's honesty in telling his story. The American dream, in his experience, is not a mirage, but something very palpable. Available not for anyone, as it's often presented in "positive thinking" books, but for some - for those, who had put the puzzle right.



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Readers' Favorite Review on NEGLECTED MERGE

Dear friends,

I could not but share my deepest joy about the review from Readers' Favourite for my novel NEGLECTED MERGE. The reviewer K.C.Finn has grasped the gist of my book, and for me, as an author, this is the most precious award.



“Neglected Merge is a work of fiction in the fantasy and science fiction, post-apocalyptic and interpersonal drama sub-genres, and was penned by author Eve Koguce. The work is intended for an adult reading audience due to its high concept content.

Author Eve Koguce has crafted an interesting and well thought out work of fiction with plenty of emotion, romance, drama, and conceptual thinking to offer readers. One of the most essential features of this work was the talent the author displays in worldbuilding, through such details as the lore and culture of the new world of happiness. It was a striking new concept to see a post-apocalyptic novel painted in such bright tones, and then of course all the more satisfying when the cracks begin to show in the excellent plotline. The romance element will certainly please readers who enjoy fated lovers from far opposite corners of the world (or in this case, worlds). The dialogue was also very effective, serving to display the unique traits of the characters whilst moving the plot forward in a natural way. Overall, I would highly recommend Neglected Merge to fans of utopia/dystopia settings, futuristic romances, and for space opera fans everywhere.” - ★★★★★ Reader’s Favorite

Neglected Merge

Book review / Maye Musk A Woman Makes a Plan

Женщина, у которой есть план: правила счастливой жизни by Maye Musk

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I truly loved this book. The style is refreshingly simple, but the thoughts - wise. Maye Musk doesn't share extensive personal details, which is rarely welcome, only if a person likes that particular thing in memoir, but at the same time you read and really see the person behind the book.

While reading I had a feeling that I was getting to know this amazing woman with life that combines thriller, Indiana Jones style adventures and self-help motivational books at their best.

She offers some advice on nutrition habits as well in her book. And this advice is also wise, balanced and without "I know it all" attitude.

I've read the book in a day - the sleepy 1st of January was definitely well spent!

P.S. For the remarks regarding green tea and coffee - my additional gratitude to the author :)



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Lady Chatterley's Lover book review

Hello, friends,

I've just finished reading D.H.Lawrence's "Lady Chatterley's Lover" and posted a review.