Tag: book review

Just writing

Do you think I am right?

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Do you like to read a review with a spoiler or not? 

I don’t like spoilers, but sometimes… when a book is too boring to enjoy, too complicated to follow, or… too bold to imagine, I take the shortcut and try them.

But, when I write a review, I try my best to keep it spoiler-free. At the end of the day, what’s the point of giving away the story instead of encouraging others to read it? Most dishes served on golden plates, are not really filling, right?

Have you ever heard the phrase “my mortal enemy”?

Well, that’s the title of the book I’ve just finished. 

Some people curse their lives, blame others for their misfortune, and regret their choices. They begin to believe that the closer the person is, the more likely they are to become an enemy. 

Things happen when, for example, a friend turns against you, or when someone you trusted becomes the cause of problems rather than the solution.

But, what about your inner selfish self, your bitter self that starts all the dilemmas? Could they be your mortal enemy? 

Some stories make you think twice before taking sides with any character, because the morals they give are not always true. 

So, as we say in Arabic: don’t say Amen to whatever others say—remember to use your brain!

With hope and peace,

Nahla 

personal thoughts

Be Your Own Pioneer!

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Isn’t ”Pioneer” a great word filled with imagination, courage, and perseverance? Of course it is. A pioneer is a risk-taker, driven by promises of abundant profits. That’s all wonderful. Right?

By the way, I’ve just finished  O Pinoneers! novel by Willa Cather. The title is really intriguing and summarises all the story. If you want to know a bit about it, you’re more than welcome to check my post on my book review blog.

But not all pioneers are the same, wouldn’t you agree?

Some claim the title but not the honour.
Some deserve both the title and the honour, yet are, sometimes, denied them by the first category of pioneers who care more about status than substance.
And then… there are those quiet pioneers, living the pioneer life without even knowing they really are.

Confused?

But why?

That’s so obvious, especially when it comes to the first two categories. It’s not hard to find them. They are everywhere, bragging about their “great” achievements and unlimited wealth and power as if that’s what a pioneer should mean.

As for the third, those are the ones who mind their own business.
They are wise enough to change themselves before marching out loudly to change the world.
They watch the madness around the world, yet go on working, writing, and appreciating life.
And… they ask, quietly: what good comes of being a pioneer without self-respect, without inner peace, or without humane compassion?

In case no one’s told you this before: if your imagination, courage, and risk-loving spirit drive you away or back or forward, out of the madness and straight into a simple, quiet life then you are a special pioneer in this “chaotic” world.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Books

Obsession

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I wonder if obseission is a psychological, complex problem? In fact, I believe it is.

It is like idolization, you fall for something or someone and make them like air and water in your life. Both are desturctive, but I think obsession is even worse. This is because idolization, sometimes, is out of true love which can be blind or selfish. But, obsession is mainly about possession, fear, and greed.

In both cases, either in idolization or obsession, you can’t see the truth, you can’t listen to reason.

Perhaps, that’s why this quote makes a very good sense: “Truth was something intangible, unseen, which sometimes we stumbled upon and did not recognize, but was found, and held, and understood only by old people near their death, or sometimes by the very pure, the very young.”

Do you agree that only the old, the very young, and the pure can sometimes see the truth? Do you think that might because they are no longer obsessed or have not yet become obessessed?

My Cousin Rachel  by Dephne Du Maurier  can tell you more about obessission. Here’s a link for my review.

/https://nh825.wordpress.com/2025/01/20/my-cousin-rachel/

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Books

A reader’s conflict

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Last week after finishing an interesting book, I decided I wouldn’t write a review about it. But since then, I kept thinking I had to write down my thoughts about it, otherwise my mind wouldn’t rest, wouldn’t stop replaying it in my head.

Can you guess why I had this conflict?

Actualy, this conflict was what inspired me to write my  “Villians” post, a few days ago. In that post, I was reflecting on my own conflict on how to feel about the book. I enjoyed it, but mainly because it was full of suspense and adventure, but I couldn’t sympathise with the characters. Perhaps that’s what the author wanted from the reader, to not sympathise with the characters.That’s what exactly I meant when I wondered whether you, as a reader, would enjoy the adventure for its own sake, or the story that touches your heart with a moral message.

If you want to know a bit more about the book, have a look at my review. Here’s the link:

/https://nh825.wordpress.com/2025/01/17/the-frenchmans-creek/

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

The Idiot

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“There are two kinds of idiots: those who don’t take actions because they have received a threat, and those who think they are taking actions because they have issued a threat.”

Have you ever come across this quote? Do you think it should be taught as a life skill lesson in school and universities?

But isn’t Life the greatest teacher of all?

We all learn this lesson in our lives, though, of course, at different levels.

We call others idiots, but if we take just a quick look at ourselves (not in the mirror but in our minds), we’ll find that we’ve been one at some point.

Have you read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier? If you have, you might share my opinion that It’s a story full of idiots,  though at some point you couldn’t help recollecting some memories that make you just as one.

By the way the above mentioned quote is not from Rebecca. I couldn’t remember the source right now. But, herewith my review and my favourite quote from the book:

/https://nh825.wordpress.com/2025/01/06/rebecca/

“… kindness, and sincerity, and – if I may say so – modesty are worth far more to a man, to a husband, than all the wit and beauty in the world.”

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Don’t let them age

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I remember my grandparents from my mother’s side as I hadn’t seen my father’s since they all died early before he married my mother.

Anyway, my grandparents were barely in their late sixties or early seventies when they died. As a child, I used to believe they were so ancient, so weird. Their house was so big and so old. Not becuase they didn’t have enough money –  they did, but because they didn’t like change. They liked their old furniture, the old walls, the old staircase, and even their old clothes.

From my mother’s tales, especially about her father, I believed he was a monster and a tyrant. By the way, he wasn’t religious, but I am not going to detail more because we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, should we? However, he was, actually, so kind with me. Perhaps, because I used to avoid him all the time, or because I was the quietest of his grandchildren tribe. But, he really was kind, and when he laughed or smiled, I didn’t see him that old at all.

Some people say that the real youth is the youth of the heart and the soul. If you read Mr. MacBride’s story, you will know how important it is to not let either your heart or your soul age.

Have you read The Five Wishes Of Mr MacBride. It’s a wonderful book. Have a look at my review!

https://nh825.wordpress.com/2024/12/17/the-five-wishes-of-mr-murray-mcbride/


With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Books, Just writing

Idolization

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Just look at how people follow a special player, or jump on stage to hug that famous singer, or run after a remarkable actor to take a selfie. And look at those who bow, kneel, and even kiss the ground that this leader or that walks on. This idolization has been the same throughout the ages, it’s obviously disgusting these days because of the social media madness.

Have you ever thought how those idols throughout the ages take but, never give? They don’t know you, won’t care about you. Whether in the form af a celebrity, a leader, or a political party, they want you, as a number, as a voice. They stand high and long, here and there, just like statues. Their strength and durability depend on the expertise of their craftsmenship. But, they never live becuase statues are soulless, vague, and empty. And, one day, they would be dumped, forgotten, and replaced by other statues.

I remember one day while watching a documentary about a famous Egyptian singer from the seventies, there were women throwing themselves out of the top windows of high buildings. Were they really happy following him into the grave? I wondered, thinking how those people will one day answer to God for commiting suicide. This is completely blind idolization, which I believe is so destructive, so humiliated, so pathetic.

On another occasion, when I first came to live in the UK, I met different people. My first friend and neighbour was following the Shia Mathhab. By the way, we didn’t introduce ourselves as Shia and Sunni. These differences just seemed to be obvious. Well, as my friend and I used to visit each other quite a lot, I noticed that there are certain things that she was celebrating and practising which I wasn’t. I asked her about that and she simply replied, ‘I swear I don’t  care about this Imama or that, I just do what my mother does.’ We burst out laughing. How simple and funny our life would be, if we don’t idolize our differences!

Children, of course, might idolize their parents, or students idolise their noble mentors but that’s out of pure love and ultimate reverence, because they deserve it. These people in our lives are the ones who really care and love us.They can not be replaced, can not purchased.

By the way I have just finished The Stationary Shop Of Tehran. It’s a good book, I enjoyed it, enjoyed more reading about Persian Culture and traditions which are a bit different from my Arabic ones. Herewith is my book review, hope you will like it.

The Stationary Shop of Tehran

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

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Just writing

Reading Challenge

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It’s almost the end of the year, and I am running our of time to finish the 50 books I had planned to read this year. Actually it’s not that bad, I  read 47 books so far. By the way it’s thanks to my WordPress friend Arlene for starting this experience in the first place. I can’t remember exactly when I did, but I was inspired by her reading challenge experience.

Before the coffee gets Cold, is the most recent book I have finished, and here’s my book review for it.

https://nh825.wordpress.com/2024/12/05/before-the-coffee-gets-cold/

Please have a look. Hope you’ll like both the book and my review.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla