Tag Archives: Books

Dream (2024) reviewed

Posted on May 25, 2025 by Topher

Last weekend, my friend asked me what I had in store. Probably reading, I retorted. I’m fighting with this 2,000 page ebook by Murakami. He’s Japanese. I like the plan, he said. It’s cold and very rainy. Perfect for staying … Continue reading →

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The Alchemist (1988) reviewed

Posted on May 17, 2025 by Topher

‘And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.’ Some might be familiar with the phrase, taken from The Alchemist. I should’ve read this book twenty years ago but kept procrastinating. As they say, … Continue reading →

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‘Careless People’ (2025) reviewed

Posted on May 3, 2025 by Topher

A few nights ago, I crested this nonfiction title. Careless People chronicles Kiwi, Sarah Wynn-William’s, journey as a Facebook executive. Careless trended on best sellers lists. FB tried to ban it. This piqued my sis’s interest and I borrowed the … Continue reading →

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Easter Special: Ranking the Best Reading Apps

Posted on April 19, 2025 by Topher

Happening now: the Easter long weekend. Here in Sydney, the options are endless. The Easter Show. The rugby action. Blockbuster movies. The Sydney fish market…and a partridge in a pear tree. Upon closer inspection, these events are not for everyone. … Continue reading →

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Latest reads

Posted on April 13, 2025 by Topher

This will be the year’s first reading list. Finishing books is like placing an order online. Turning the final page carries a feeling of finality. Months ago, I started off the season with another hoops eBook. DeMar Derozan is one … Continue reading →

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George Orwell Quote

Posted on March 22, 2025 by Topher

‘Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past’. You might have encountered this reflection in the past. It’s from the novel 1984, which has been adapted into film. I’ve reviewed the 1983 version on … Continue reading →

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The Process

Posted on February 16, 2025 by Topher

Writing a poetry collection is arduous The culmination of bits and pieces, months and years, make you cantankerous For me, writing poems began in sixth grade Got the highest marks in my Filo class though I did not pen a … Continue reading →

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Winter ‘24 reads

Posted on August 10, 2024 by Topher

This season’s catalogue starts off with a classic. Since its publication in 1952, The Old Man and the Sea, received tremendous acclaim upon its release. Subsequently, the novella would take out the Pulitzer. Santiago is the eponymous ageing fisherman who … Continue reading →

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Four Tons

Posted on July 21, 2024 by Topher

This marks my 400th career WordPress entry. I’ve written on a diverse range of subjects. Love and loss. Basketball and movies. Tennis and Netflix. The annual New Year’s post. The changing weather in Sydney. Poetry samples. Book reviews and story … Continue reading →

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‘What’s in a name?’

Posted on April 21, 2024 by Topher

Where did your name come from? My first name is Christopher. My parents picked it since we have a short surname. They thought that Christopher would complement Ong, my surname. After all, a full name like my school friend’s, ‘Don … Continue reading →

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