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by Fabrice Midal 

5 Stars

The French Art of Not Giving a Sh*t: Cut the Crap and Live Your Life by Fabrice Midal

French philosopher and meditation expert Fabrice Midal, the founder of the Western School of Meditation in France, attempts to share his wisdom in order to help those struggling with finding themselves to understand the true meaning of meditation with the help of philosophy. Midal does an excellent job explaining ways of meditation. He shares countless personal stories, each one adding more to his overall message that meditation is more about experiencing freedom, letting go and not caring about anything in that exact moment rather than a way to relax. 

As someone who has never really been interested in meditation, this book was very interesting and enlightening. What made it most enjoyable for me was Midal’s personality. He is quite funny in some parts of the book and also serious when he needs to be.

As Fabrice Midal mentions, in this modern age, we cause ourselves a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety by trying too hard to always be the best. Reading this self-help book makes you wonder the answers to questions such as, what would happen if I did step back every once in a while and is that something I would actually be able to do?

It also motivates you in telling the reader that it’s ok to say no to things you don’t enjoy doing. Thinking with this mindset allows you to do things that make you happier as a person, thus allowing you to live your life without the worry of pleasing others.

I would personally recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of starting up meditation or is interested. I did not think I would enjoy reading it as much as I did.

Vlada E.

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by Kevin Kwan

5 Stars

Rich People Problems: A Novel: Kwan, Kevin: 9780385689403: Books - Amazon.ca

Rich People Problems is the third and final installment of Kevin Kwan’s captivating trilogy that showcases a deep insight into the wealthy and powerful families of Singapore. Nick and Rachel are happily married and enjoying life living in Manhattan. Suddenly, Nick discovers from his mother that his grandmother, Su Yi, has had a heart attack and is currently on her deathbed, so he quickly rushes to Singapore to be by her side. Apparently, Nick is not the only one who goes back to Singapore to visit her. The entire Shang-young clan has assembled from all over the world to say their last goodbyes to Su Yi, hoping to inherit Tyersall Park, Su Yi’s trophy estate on sixty-four prime acres in the heart of Singapore. Backbiting and sabotaging take place within Su Yi’s house as the family members fight to inherit this massive fortune. Discover some of the shocking secrets that Asia’s most privileged families are hiding and all the insight into their ridiculous rich people problems! 

Rich People Problems was an excellent novel to conclude a phenomenal series. The novel was very emotional and focused a lot on family, which was very relatable to read. The storyline was captivating, had numerous surprises, and I was constantly on the edge of my seat. I could not put the book down as it was that interesting! Overall, Rich People Problems was intriguing, emotional, and the perfect way to end the charming trilogy. This was an amazing way to conclude a great story. 

Emily K.

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by Kevin Kwan

5 Stars

China Rich Girlfriend - Wikipedia

Written by Kevin Kwan, China Rich Girlfriend is the sequel to the novel Crazy Rich Asians. Rachel Chu and Nicholas Young are finalizing and preparing details on the eve of their wedding day. Even though Rachel is ecstatic and more than eager to marry the man of her dreams, she still wishes she knew who and where her birth father was, so he would be there to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. However, a sudden and shocking revelation reveals his identity, and Rachel reunites with her long-lost father. Rachel eventually gets drawn into a crazy world of Shanghai splendour beyond anything she could have ever imagined. China Rich Girlfriend introduces the elite circles of mainland China, as well as captivating characters that are far more than crazy rich – they’re China-rich. 

China Rich Girlfriend was a fascinating and funny summer novel filled with love, family, and of course, extravagant displays of wealth. The novel is the second volume within the humorous trilogy that follows the richest families of Hong Kong and mainland China. Personally, I prefer the first book over this one, as I feel that the first book had more drama and was more intriguing. However, the book was still very well written, and I enjoyed reading about the different characters introduced and the different perspectives. I think China Rich Girlfriend is a solid continuation of the series and worth reading. If you enjoyed reading the first book within the series, I would definitely recommend picking this one up! 

Emily K.

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by Jenny Han

4 Stars

Book Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before – Eagle Eye

Written by Jenny Han, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a young adult romance novel. Lara Jean Covey is the main character and a sixteen-year-old girl who lives in Virginia and is very close to her older sister Margot and younger sister Kitty. In a hatbox given to her by her mother, she keeps love letters written to all of the boys that she has loved before – five in total. By writing these love letters, she is able to pour her heart and soul out and release the emotions and true feelings that she would never say in real life. One day at school, Peter Kavinsky, one of the boys she wrote a letter to, approaches her and tells Lara Jean that he does not feel any attraction towards her. Initially, Lara Jean expresses confusion, however, she quickly realizes that Peter has received the love letter she wrote to him years ago. Horrified, she rushes home to make sure the remaining letters have not been sent out, but she cannot find the hatbox. She eventually discovers that her younger sister Kitty had sent out all of the love letters. With all of the letters sent out, Lara Jean must cope with her out of control love life. 

Personally, I found this novel to be quite charming and relatable. The novel is fairly short and will not take long to finish, I was able to finish it within a day. Some may find parts of the story to be cheesy, however, I thought that the book was wholesome and relaxing to read. Anyone who enjoys teenage romance novels will absolutely fall in love with this book! 

Emily K.

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