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So I’ve been reading, A LOT! . This is the first milestone of the #BetterReadsChallenge . I started keeping track of my reading since the first of January and the plan was to make sure I read every single day, even if it’s 5 or 10 pages. To make sure I did, I started making time to read early in the mornings for half an hour before getting ready for work. . I work 10 hours a day so you can imagine the lack of time I have and the mentally tiring state I am in by the time I reach home. . Of course then I need to make time for the family and random daily chores. This leaves me with a best case scenario of 60 minutes of reading on a weekday which rarely happens. . This year, I’ve drastically cut down on spending time watching random YouTube videos and mindless browsing of social media. . I finished my 10th book yesterday which was day 50 of 2019. . You can still join the challenge (linked in my bio) and I hope it motivates you to read more but more importantly to read consistently, no room for reading slumps! . ❗️How has your reading been this year? Any books you’d recommend? . #BetterReadsChallenge 51/365 (link in bio) . #bookstagram

A short story collection in which Murakami explores the mundane and treads the thin line between magic and reality (as usual!) . #theguywiththebookreview presents The Elephant Vanishes . This was my second short story collection by Murakami, having read Men without women I had a general idea about his style when it comes to short stories. . I always have trouble reviewing short stories as it seems to become more about the author than about the plot or characters, there are simply too many. . Which gives me full rights to fangirl on this review! . What I like about Murakami is how he squeezes out interesting moments from daily life and how he can focus on one moment and make it feel like time is not a factor, like he’s taken us on a story telling limbo. . Another thing I’ve noticed is how almost all of his characters are regular people, no one too beautiful, no one too out of reach. The one thing he does seem to work on his characters is their absolute mediocrity. People with unfulfilling jobs, broken relationships and silly thoughts. . The highlight of this book was The Second Bakery Attack and The Elephant Vanishes. . The first is a weirdly eventful night between a newly married couple who end up roaming around town looking to steal bread from a bakery. . The Elephant Vanishes is one of those of Murakami’s where he leaves things unanswered and flirts with the idea of endless possibilities. . If you are new to Murakami, I’d suggest reading my blog post ‘Why I no longer recommend Murakami to readers’, linked in bio 😊 . #BetterReadsChallenge 50/365 (link in bio) . #bookstagram

Seems like ages since I saw @sumaiyya.books 😭 . We used to go for bookstagram sessions at cafe’s every other weekend 😢 . I don’t mind taking pictures at cafe’s when alone but it’s always better if there are two nerds instead of one being stared at for taking book pictures. 🤣 . ❗️Which bookstagrammer(s) have you met? Who would you like to meet? . #BetterReadsChallenge 49/365 (link in bio) . #bookstagram

When I was a teenager, I overheard someone say: ‘I could find joy in a box of matches’. It was a very random thing to hear but it has stayed with me ever since. As I grow older and older this random statement has slowly become a constant part of my life and somehow motivates me towards a life where my source of happiness or joy doesn’t necessarily need to be something substantial. . This is so true when it comes to my instagram as well, when someone messages me from the comfort of their reading spot in a different country or even in my own just to tell me that they read a book I recommended and they liked it; it’s a little gesture but it gives me joy and inspires me to continue on this beautiful bookstagram journey! . 💞Share something seemingly minute that brings you joy. . It could be your daily journal, guessing the name of a song from the first few seconds, rolling a die to get a six! . This is #WHPLittleJoy #WHPUpToMe . #BetterReadsChallenge 48/365 (link in bio)

I have always been secretly proud of my ability to express my thoughts on books in concentrated ways enabling readers of my reviews to decide for themselves if they would like to read them or not. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can or want to do that with this one, you HAVE to read it. . #theguywiththebookreview presents A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza @ffmirza . I’m going to stick to three main points of the book: ▪️The Storytelling ▫️The Characters ▪️The Relatability . ▪️What struck me most within the first 50 pages of the book was how expertly the plot is handled and weaves around the characters. The narrative jumps ahead and around multiple times and it doesn’t take much effort to know when it’s taking place. I noticed subtle hints are included within the first few paragraphs of each new timeline and I’d automatically readjust the ages of each character to fit the narrative. . ▫️At our core, we are all flawed and most of us try our best to do what we can to improve ourselves and adjust to our surroundings; to embrace our traditions and yet accept new ones. Writing such characters never seems like an easy task, but to write such characters and join their lives together in a way that compliments and completes them is exactly what Fatima has accomplished. There isn’t one character I could clearly point out and say was right or wrong. They all had their reasons behind their words and actions. . ▪️Having been born in a foreign country and then lived almost all of my life outside of my own, there are things that I know and understand and experience regularly but have unfortunately never had the privilege to hear out loud. A Place for Us became my little place where I found solace in the five days I took to read it. It’s going to remain with me for a very long time and perhaps finally become the first book I might revisit year in and year out. . (Continued in caption...) #bookstgram

Reading update! . It’s been a month and a half and these are the nine books I’ve read. I am a very easily distracted person so audio books have not yet worked for me but I’m thinking that one solution might be to listen to books I’ve recently read. Any suggestions where to get get them? . ❗️Have you read any of these? Thoughts? . Featuring my Earphones from @social.eras They source products directly from factories so the cost is really low! Have a look at their website www.socialeras.com . 💰Cash on Delivery is available in Saudi Arabia and UAE and you can use my code ‘BOOK’ to get 10% off on your purchases! . #BetterReadsChallenge 46/365 (link in bio) . #bookstagram #Advertisement #SocialEras

WIN A SHOUTOUT! . Answer the This or That style questions in the comments. . Today’s theme is Travel! I will choose 4 accounts to feature on my IGstories by Sunday. . #ThisOrThatThursday . #BetterReadsChallenge 45/365 (link in bio) . #bookstagram

I’m writing a blog post and I need your help! . I’m compiling a list of questions (preferably bookish) that can be asked in captions of bookstagram. . ❗️Would you guys be so kind to take a few seconds to think of a question and comment below? . Also, R.I.P my lovely bots 😂🤣 . #BetterReadsChallenge 44/365 (link in bio) . #bookstagram

THIS is the real Game of Thrones!! . ❗️What are three things you are addicted to? . My mom sent me a post which claimed that Sugar is as addictive as Cocaine! (Not that I know what cocaine addiction actually feels like 😒 . Reading update: Couldn’t read much last night, but did end up clearing up my study and planning where to put my shelves. I finally might do a study room tour this weekend! . #BetterReadsChallenge 43/365 (link in bio) . #bookstagram

Dear Bookstagram, . Wassup? Yeah, the first line is as formal as I can get with you all! Don’t expect a signature and a “Kind Regards, Faroukh” at the end of the caption 🤣 . I actually don’t know how to continue this caption any more...so...oh yeah! A Place for Us! . I’m more than halfway through and it has taken over my life, what a brilliant piece of story telling by @ffmirza Such relatable characters and situations! . ❗️What’s the most relatable book you’ve read? And yes, Harry Potter can be your answer too 🙄 . #BetterReadsChallenge 42/365 (link in bio) . #bookstagram

My reading journal is finally taking shape! . I’ve filled in the books I’ve read this year, next, I’m going to write each review on it starting from the first. . I have to say, writing, even a list feels therapeutic somehow. Really happy I’ve started the journal! . ❗️What’s are the things that can be included in the journal? Ideas? Journal-ists? 😋 . Featuring my A3 sized (read: HUGE) Marble print mouse pad and the cute little table top drawer from @typoshop #typosociety . #BetterReadsChallenge 41/365 . #bookstagram

I can’t for the life of me draw or paint but I guess I can use color pencils as props for a ❤️ . What do you love most about the #Bookstagram community? . For me it’s that it’s made me read, share and understand more. . #WHP❤️ . #BetterReadsChallenge 40/365 (link in bio)

The Silent Patient is the type of book I wouldn’t shy away from calling the new representative of a whole genre, The Psychological Thriller! . #theguywiththebookreview presents The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides . We have a loving wife who seemingly randomly shoots her husband 5 times on his face and kills him. The interesting part is that she stops saying or reacting to anything or anyone. She’s deemed unfit and sent to a psychiatric clinic where our protagonist shows up, Theo. . He is obsessed with Alicia’s high profile murder case and as a psychiatrist he wants to finally be the one who makes her talk and gets to the bottom of what happened that fateful night. . I enjoyed the ‘back and forth’ between Theo and the silent Alicia. There was a frustrating feeling with how Alicia kept quiet which builds up a lot of anticipation for the final third and the expected revelation of the book! . There were many theories that I had by midway but then I just gave up as none of them made sense even to me and I couldn’t be bothered making an effort which I knew would eventually feel foolish and stupid. I felt stupid any way! . Absolutely brilliant and a must read for anyone who likes a good twist! Thank you @poppyandherbooks and @orionbooks for the copy! . #BetterReadsChallenge 39/365 (link in bio) . #bookstagram #thesilentpatient

There is a certain charm to a book when one of the characters isn’t what normally defines a character. The Australian Outback was just the type of ‘character’ I love in a book! . #theguywiththebookreview presents The Lost Man by @janeharperauthor . There were three things which took center stage for me: ▪️The atmospheric feel of the Outback ▪️The protagonist Nathan’s claustrophobia ▪️The timing of the Big Reveal . Forming an image of the Australian Outback is kind of easy, just think about barren land all around you. But giving it character and defining the undefinable is what set the mood and the plot. The tree and grave, although tiny details, amazingly catapult us into the intricate rabbit hole that Harper creates! . I loved how even though the book is set in the vast expanse of the Outback, the protagonist always seemed to be struggling within himself and feeling bound from all sides, helpless. The claustrophobic feeling around his character made me want him to be free. I haven’t felt like that for many characters in recent times. . With most whodunnits my biggest issue is always the timing of the ‘Big Reveal’. I want it to be right at the end, preferably the last few pages. A feeling that leaves me jaw dropped and wowed! The timing in The Lost Man was exactly that, very well wrapped up right at the end! . Thank you @littlebrown for inviting me to join #TheLostMan blog tour. Best wishes to @janeharperauthor, can’t wait to read The Dry! . #bookstagram

“Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it's good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out of the window.” - William Faulkner . ❗️What types of books have you read in 2019? . I’ve read a fantasy, a memoir, a classic horro, a whodunnit and a short story magic realism collection and now reading a thriller! . #BetterReadsChallenge 37/365 (link in bio) . #bookstagram

I’ve finally discovered something I can listen to while reading! Jazz!!! . I’ve been listening to Jazz since a couple of days and without any lyrics they do not distract me at all while reading! . ❗️Can you read with music playing? Also, any Jazz recommendations? Currently I’m only listening to Miles Davis! . Featuring my Earphones from @social.eras They source products directly from factories so the cost is really low! Have a look at their website www.socialeras.com . 💰Cash in Delivery is available in Saudi Arabia and UAE and you can use my code ‘BOOK’ to get 10% off on your purchases! . I kid you not, these earphones are traveling with me everywhere. I use them for phone calls, music, podcasts, the works!! . #BetterReadsChallenge 36/365 (link in bio) . #bookstagram #AD #SocialEras

Plan is that one weekend I’m going to come to this place early in the morning and read the day away! . One of the highlights of Jeddah is the seaside, the vastness of the Sea is second to none. So calm and peaceful! . ❗️Share something you love about your city? . #BetterReadsChallenge 35/365 (link in bio) . #bookstagram

🎉INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY Winner @stopcallingmeabadinfluence__ 🎉 Winner get A Hardcover of The Silent Patient. Publishing date: 7th February by @orionbooks . Rules: 1. Follow @theguywiththebook and @poppyandherbooks 2. Like this photo 3. TAG 3 friends in one comment (One Entry). You can do this up to 3 times (Three entries) - Giveaway ends on 6th of February. Winner will be announced on Pub date: 7th of February. - Winner will be selected by me and announced on this post. Winner must claim the prize in 24 hrs, failing to do so will result in me picking another winner. Giveaway accounts will not be entered. Giveaway is not affiliated with @instagram. By entering you are confirming you are over 16 or have your guardians permission to enter.

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