tasleemreads's reviews
35 reviews

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

adventurous informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohamed, Victoria Jamieson

adventurous informative fast-paced

4.0

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

DAMNNN EVELYN?! 

What. A. Character. 

I was a wee bit anxious picking up this book because it’s the biggest book I’ve read this year (I’m in my quick read/small book era, soz). I thought this book would take me 2 weeks to read but it took me a few days! Another page turner! 

Evelyn Hugo is someone you simply can’t put in a box. She’s likeable and unlikeable at the same time. You admire her and despise her. You don’t want her as your friend and you also don’t want to make her your enemy. 

The side characters made significant contributions to the story which I really enjoyed reading, I do think a certain someone’s death could have been better and felt a little rushed but that’s all I’ll say. 

Evelyn is a strong character to follows her own moral compass with absolute clarity. You may not agree with her actions but her decision making is unquestionable. I admire her so much as she did everything she could to make sure she gets what she wants and I guess, she did. I don’t doubt she’s going to be my favourite fictional character 💚 

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

I did not realise this book was non-fiction until the end. I know the protagonists name was Mitch but I still thought he was a fictional character 🤦🏽‍♀️ 

This book reminded me of 15 year old Tasleem, who had a book on her EVERYWHERE she went. I could not put this book down, it was an amazing story and one that I feel like I can learn so much from. 

I love how Mitch Albom shares Morrie’s teaching in a lovely storytelling fashion, it made the book so easy to read and digest. A fantastic read 

Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

adventurous hopeful informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book was gifted to me two years ago but I’ve just gotten around to reading it! It’s a great story of a shopkeeper who takes in an elderly lady as his co-chef. He learns so much about everything through her; cooking, her life, the society we live in and finding one’s purpose. 

The few East Asian fiction I read have this theme running through it where one must find their purpose, their reason or gift to the world. I love and wholeheartedly agree with this, making this book a fab read! 

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Lived up to the hype, I haven’t read a YA romance book in a LOOONG time and it’s reminded me why I love this genre. 

• Icl, it was cringy at times but I love it, such a guilty pleasure of mines.
• Such a page turning book, I read it in a few days which is an accomplishment for me (and my slow reading)
• Tiktok didn’t lie about this one, such a great read.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

adventurous inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I read this book in college (a healthy couple of years ago) and I remember loving this book but remembering nothing of the story. 

I’ve now reread this book and I can see why I love it. The story follows Ed, maintenance worker at a funfair pier, he passes away after a ride malfunction and is taken to a third plane where he meets 5 people whose life he had a big impact on. Some he knows from his life on earth and others who his actions had an indirect impact on. 

As he meets each individual, they share their story with him and we realise how, as it’s implied, his ‘little, nobody life’ has made unquestionable difference for the lives of those around him. 

This beautiful story reminds you how much of an impact you can have on someones life, not necessarily through big actions but even the smallest interaction can influence the trajectory of someones life. It’s lovely to think that everyone has 5 people 

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Sensational read! 

This book is inspired by real life events that happened to one of the authors, Yusuf Salaam, one of the Exonerated Five. 

This story follows a child called Amal, who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. This story looks into the complexities of being a Black boy in America and whilst this book is fiction, the story is, unfortunately, one that rings true. 

The book is written in verse which makes it lighter to read despite how heavy the story is. A beautifully written book that makes you feel a great mix of emotions, a must read for everyone and an easy 5 stars. 

All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks

medium-paced

0.5

This book started off SO well! I loved the first two chapters; they were insightful, explored different definitions of love and I felt like I was learning. But every chapter after that was, unfortunately, a let down. At times I felt like the obvious was being stated and other times, it was condescending. 

I had high hopes for this book, there a was a point where everyone was reading and raving about it and I really thought it would be this eye-opening read which changes how I think about love. Sadly, it wasn’t. 

⭐️/5 

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz

slow-paced

0.5

Before I share my thoughts, I want to share a bias I may have. I don’t like self help books. I’m not opposed to reading them but I haven’t read one that I actually liked, so maybe it’s me 🤷🏽‍♀️ 

The four agreements has 4 messages and takeaways; be impeccable with your word, don’t take things too seriously, try your best at everything and another point that I can’t remember right now. 

It seemed pretty common sense but I guess it it can serve as a useful reminder. 

However, the bit that really grinds my gears is the reductionist view that Miguel takes throughout his examples within this book. He takes a one size fits all, no mention of intersectionality or a multifaceted approach. For example, we’re not clear with our language hence why we have wars and conflicts. It’s just bewildering to me how someone can strip everything away and state the reason there is mass death and destruction is because of our lack of coherency. This is why I don’t like self-help books and especially if they’re written by men 😭 

I’m not going to go on a tangent of why I didn’t like this book because I’ll be giving it more time and energy that it deserves. 

0.5 star rating.