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Spare

by Prince Harry

A month ago, I grabbed Harry's Spare from the online library and finished it in time for it to become Amazon's top-selling book in 2023. Huzza!

The exceptional writing of J. R. Moehringer and Harry's own account make this memoir akin to binge-watching a Netflix series. 

Royalists perceive this autobiography as Harry's opportunity to express his discontent and demonstrate his disloyalty towards the royal family. I believe that he is attempting to overcome his emotional and mental scars that have plagued him since his youth. After losing his mother at the tender age of twelve, every important event in his life has been a battle for privacy. 

Harry has consistently expressed his disapproval towards the paparazzi. Those he loved have also been affected by the relentless tabloid attacks and stalking. When his attempts to address the media harassment with the Royal Household were met with disdain, he decided to sue a prominent British newspaper for phone hacking, which his father considered to be a suicide mission.

The absence of William's assistance revealed Harry's tangled ties to his elder brother. The heir to the British throne frequently utilized his power dynamics to win arguments and declined any chance to collaborate. When issues concerning their spouses and staff were raised, they reached a point of heated contention. Their constant disagreements have led to Meghan being treated as an outsider by the Royal Household.

At the Sandringham Summit, Harry was blind sided by the schemes of "The Bee, The Fly, and The Wasp", which further strained his relationship with Charles and William. He had to abandon his duties as a royal in exchange for a break from the royal family, even though he wanted to keep working.

Harry shared some good memories from his school and military experiences. Teej and Mike, his mentors, helped him find peace and tranquillity in Botswana when things got too hectic at home. They also urged him to continue his efforts to preserve the wildlife in South Africa. 

The memories of his mother and the people who taught him empathy motivated his desire to always help others. These attributes serve as a catalyst for him to embark on a journey of faith to attain his liberation. 

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I have so many sports trophies that were very dear to me. I was probably 14 when I packed those trophies and put them in the storeroom.

Now that I'm almost 40, I'm thinking the boxes were thrown because I kept telling my dad I needed them, but he kept pointing to the stuffed storeroom that made it impossible to dig through them.

Days pass and I have let go. This taught me to let go of things with sentimental significance. Only memories, awesome memories to reminisce about once in a while.

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When I was 13, I remember getting on the bus from Admiralty with Ilyia, confidently believing that it would end its trip at Woodlands Interchange. The bus ride from Admiralty to Woodlands Interchange should be short; only one stop if we take the MRT. The bus went in the opposite direction, towards “the other Woodlands.” 

Let me tell you about Woodlands in the 2000s, so you can see my perspective. My view of Woodlands should be divided into four parts: Causeway Point, Marsiling, Admiralty, and Woodlands JB. We were travelling towards Woodlands JB without our passports.

Fortunately, the vehicle stopped at the Woodlands Town Centre. However, the driver failed to inform us that this was his final journey and subsequently shut down the engine, leaving us there. We stayed on the bus because we couldn't figure out how to get to Causeway Point.

A brand-new driver showed up an hour later and pretended not to notice us. Oh, how relieved I was that the bus finally moved and got to Causeway Point!

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(HBL  Journal) Battling Covidiot

While many of us are staying home to deter the spread of COVID-19, there is another pandemic that is sweeping the planet. Netizens have labelled the viral disease, Covidiot. 

Covidiot may not be lethal as COVID-19, but if one chooses to remain ignorant, Covidiot will continue to be one of the major reasons that caused the rise of COVID-19 cases around the globe.

Definition of Covidiot “Someone who ignores the warnings regarding public health or safety.” - Urban Dictionary

Sufferers of Covidiot have been spotted around our neighbourhoods, flouting stay-home rules.

Examples of Covidiot

In London, many sufferers took the stay-home opportunity by having a picnic in the park. Sufferers were willing to disregard their personal health after being cooped up in the house all day.

In Singapore, lift buttons in Rumbia LRT station were covered in spit. It was later revealed that three 15-year-old boys were taken to task for the mischief. A disgusting prank that could land these boys in jail for up to two years, a fine, or both if found guilty.

In Australia, supermarkets have been overwhelmed by the recent lockdown as people began stocking up on essential items such as toilet rolls. Unfortunately, hoarders were also seeking an opportunity to profit on their bulk purchases. To discourage bulk purchases, hoarders were denied a refund.

In the United States (US), thousands gathered in various states to protests lockdown orders. The US now has the highest coronavirus-related death toll in the world.

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(HBL Journal) COVID-19

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Sufferers will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness. Most people infected with this virus recover without having any special treatment. Those with underlying medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness.

What are the symptoms?

COVID-19 virus affects different people in different ways. Common symptoms include:

- fever - tiredness - and dry cough.

Other serious symptoms include:

- shortness of breath - sore throat - and diarrhoea.

How do we prevent the spread of COVID-19?

To prevent the infection, we should:

- maintain clean hygiene - stay home - wear a mask - avoid physical contact with others - and practise social distancing.

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I will Find You: Solving Killer Cases from My Life Fighting Crime

by Joe Kenda Genre: True Crime Published: 2018 Ratings: 5/5

“If you kill, I will find you.” — Lieutenant Joe Kenda (Homicide Hunter)

I confessed that I am a die-hard fan of Homicide Hunter. I am addicted to the show and I must have my daily dose of crime stories narrated by Lieutenant Joe Kenda (Lt Kenda). Homicide Hunter is an American crime documentary television series produced by Investigation Discovery and airs on various cable channels worldwide.  

I used to watch the show on Fox Asia until it stopped airing after Season 4. Fortunately, I am still able to catch the series on YouTube until Season 9. Therefore, I am grateful to kind-hearted YouTubers for taking the trouble to upload each episode on a weekly basis and sharing the same passion for crime shows.

Lt Kenda is a retired detective who had served the Colorado Springs Police Department for 25 years. His notable achievements include solving 92 percent out of the 387 homicide cases assigned to him and his unit. At the time of his retirement in 1996, he was the Commander of the Major Crimes Unit.

Lt Kenda is a straight talker. When he recalled his past cases, his tone was impassive, but he would focus his gaze on the camera. Neither did he embellish nor exaggerate the stories. He stuck to the facts and explained the consequences of committing heinous crimes. His expressionless method of telling his stories became his signature style, that show fans took notice and created numerous memes based on his deadpan humour.

As Lt Kenda’s popularity rose, many Homicide Hunter fans and social media followers kept requesting for more cases to be featured on the show. Unfortunately, some cases were not meant for television. To not disappoint his fans, Lt Kenda teamed up with a book publisher to feature sensitive cases in his very own memoir titled I Will Find You: Solving Killer Cases from My Life Fighting Crime. The memoir served as an extension to the show for fans who wanted to know Lt Kenda personally and read up on how these cases were being handled by his dedicated homicide team.

The memoir documented Lt Kenda’s police career from the beginning to his retirement. It was fascinating to know that Mrs Kenda’s ultimatum was one of the major factors that made Lt Kenda move his family to Colorado after accepting the job offer to become a police officer. He even shared his mistakes and family issues that happened during his rookie days.

In addition to chasing felons, there were other circumstances that worn down every police officer. Sleep deprivation, stress, and time away from families were all part and parcel of being a member of the homicide team. Lt Kenda might be known as the no-nonsense police officer, but he also stressed the importance of spending time with his children and how certain cases affected him as a parent.

A few of the cases have been featured on the show, but the memoir provides further elaboration of Lt Kenda’s insightful opinions. I will Find You: Solving Killer Cases from My Life Fighting Crime is available for purchase at OpenTrolley Bookstore. OpenTrolley Bookstore is having a book sale until 31st March, shop now.

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Awful Auntie

by David Walliams Genre: Fiction/ Children’s Book Published: 2014 Ratings: 4/5

After waking up from a coma, Stella Saxby was shocked to learn that her parents had passed away. The terrible news was relayed to her by Auntie Alberta, Stella’s next of kin.

Auntie Alberta was known to be an awful person. She was unattractive, had a kooky fashion sense, and was unkind to Stella’s father. Her only trusty companion was Wagner, the Great Bavarian Mountain Owl.  

Auntie Alberta turned malicious when Stella’s father inherited all the wealth of the Saxby Family through the laws of inheritance. The wealth also included the family’s property, Saxby Hall, which will be passed to Stella and not given to Auntie Alberta. Stella’s father was aware of his sister’s gambling addiction that he wished the house to be sold and all its earnings given to the poor in the event of Stella’s untimely passing.  

Auntie Alberta was determined to look for the deed by confining Stella in her room and lied about Stella’s injuries. When Stella attempted to escape the first time, her aunt, Alberta, resorted to ensconcementing her in a coal cellar. She wanted Stella to suffer defeat so that she could get her hands on the deed for Stella to voluntarily hand over the Saxby Hall.  

In the cellar, Stella met Soot. Soot was a young ghost boy who had been haunting the Saxby Hall for many years. Soot listened to Stella’s predicament and offered his help by letting her escape through the coal chute. Soot also encouraged Stella to remember events that happened before her coma when they discovered the family’s wrecked Rolls-Royce in the garage.

Stella recalled that Auntie Alberta made tea for her family that tasted funny. She suspected her family was poisoned and decided to call the police. Detective Strauss arrived the following day to investigate, but he distrusted Stella’s account of the accident and praised Auntie Alberta’s effort in nursing Stella back to health. Stella felt suspicious when Detective Strauss began to act nervously and insisted on looking around the house library on his own. When his moustache peeled off, it revealed Auntie Alberta wearing a disguise.

Auntie Alberta forced Stella to sign the deed, but Stella remained adamant. Auntie Alberta had no choice but to tie Stella to a devilish owl-stretching device named the Owl-Rack to break her willpower. Eventually, Stella was left alone, and it gave her an opportunity to escape and intend to get even with Auntie Alberta.  

A hilarious read for young readers, and the young at heart. David Walliams managed to inject many comical elements that made me chuckle while reading. Stella had faced many setbacks while trying to escape, but Soot was ever so encouraging until the end of the story. Awful Auntie delivers valuable lessons on teamwork, courage, and friendship.

For more information, visit www.worldofdavidwalliams.com.

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The 1000-year-old Boy

by Ross Welford

Genre: Fiction/Children’s Book

Published: 2018

Ratings: 5/5

Alfie Monk, his mother (Mam) and cat (Biffa) were living in a cottage located in the woods, close to the Whitley Bay for many years. They lived in seclusion to avoid curious residents, who heard rumours that Alfie and Mam remained ageless while their acquaintances got older.

Alfie believed that his actual age would have been more than 1000 years old. His body remained as an 11-year-old boy because of a life-pearl liquid he rubbed on his wound, which resulted in him becoming a never-dead.  

Alfie longed for a friend, but his Mam was wary. Matters got complicated before, and the experience with an old friend, Jack McGonagal, had taught Mam to avoid any sort of attention that would resort them to moving house.

Then, tragedy struck.  

Alfie’s cottage caught fire and claimed his Mam victim. For the first time, Alfie felt lonely and vulnerable without his Mam. Mam was best at providing advice on keeping their secret. While the authorities were on the lookout for Alfie to assist in the fire investigation, he managed to struck up a friendship with Roxy Minto and Aidan Linklater.

Roxy and Aidan have been helping Alfie on many occasions. At first, Alfie managed to stay under the radar at Roxy’s garage, with both of them keeping mum. Unfortunately, he was spotted by Aidan’s younger sister, who reported him to the police. Alfie got handed over to the social services department and was made to attend school. Later events proved that Alfie was too experienced for a boy his age.

Alfie’s final grand plan came up while he was grieving for his Mam. Alfie decided to embark on a mission to hunt for the last life-pearl that Mam hid and end his forever existence by resuming the ageing process. He depended on Roxy and Aidan to fulfil his mission by stealing a boat and sail to Coquet Island to find the life-pearl.  

A thrilling read for all ages. There were many interesting characters and historical references added to the plot—references mentioned were fictitious, though. The 1000-year-old Boy is available for purchase at Kinokuniya online store or go to the NLB Mobile app to loan the electronic copy.

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Teach Your Child Yoga: Fun & Easy Yoga Poses for Happier, Healthier Kids

by Lisa Roberts Genre: Parenting / Children’s Health & Fitness Published: 2019

The year-end holiday is finally here!

If you are looking for ideas on how to spend quality time with your children, do pick up Lisa Robert’s Teach Your Child Yoga book. This book is a teaching guide for parents to conduct yoga lessons at home. The lesson plans created are suitable for children of all ages.

The content of the book is divided into seven chapters.

Benefits of Yoga for Children

Teaching Yoga to Children

Basic Posture Guide

Essential Elements

Kid’s Yoga Support

Fun Themed Lesson Plans

Connect: Yoga Games

No daunting terms or postures. This guide is definitely family-friendly.

Children will be delighted to do the basic popular postures such as the Cat-Cow Flow, Downward Facing Dog and Happy Baby. Don’t forget to provide simple instructions and explain the benefits of doing these postures. If flexibility is your main concern, do read up on the modifications and variations beforehand to ensure your lesson is safe for your children.  

Don’t be so rigid. Make it fun and interactive by renaming the poses, adding interesting props, and let your children take a look at the cute yoga illustrations available in this book for reference. And please don't hesitate to break the lesson into a short stretching session for your children to enjoy.

Never skip The Chill Zone! Include meditation and relaxation techniques after completing each yoga lesson. The meditation and relaxation techniques are beneficial for your child’s well-being. These techniques are helpful tools for children to learn self-regulation skills, overcome stress, gain confidence, and prepare the body and mind for a better night’s sleep.  

For more information, visit www.yoyogaschool.com.

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Convenience Store Woman

by Sayaka Murata Genre: Fiction Published: June 2018 Ratings: 3/5

Keiko Furukura spent 18 years of her life working part-time at the Smile Mart, outside Hiiromachi Station. As a 36-year-old singleton, Keiko’s lifestyle seemed unconventional to her family and friends.

Since young, Keiko’s problem-solving methods were unorthodox. One specific incident she recalled was when some boys started fighting that caused a big commotion in her primary school. To stop the fight, she took out a spade from the school’s shed, ran over to the unruly boys, and bashed one of them over the head.

Queries about her single hood and full-time employment status were unavoidable while hanging out with her old friends. To not be caught off guard, Keiko consulted her sister to formulate persuasive replies.

The only comfortable environment for Keiko was the convenience store. Working at the store was the only place she felt socially accepted by her colleagues and customers.

Keiko’s living situation changed with the arrival of Shiraha, the misanthropic colleague who worked at the Smile Mart for a short while. Keiko assumed that Shiraha faced a similar predicament and offered him to live with her. Surprisingly, people around Keiko were elated to learn about the news.

Keiko only realized that Shiraha was playing a ruse to avoid a debt owed to his younger brother when Shiraha’s sister-in-law paid a surprise visit to the flat. Shiraha deceived his sister-in-law by concocting a plan to repay his debt once his online business establishes and Keiko secured a full-time job.  

Following Shiraha’s plan, Keiko managed to secure an interview with a temping agency after resigning from the Smile Mart. On the day of her interview appointment, Keiko visited a convenience store in the business district. The hustle and bustle of the store urged Keiko to put on her store clerk’s hat. Shiraha was mortified to see Keiko engrossed in the store, that he dragged her out and belittled her.

Keiko pulled her hand from Shiraha’s grip and walked away from him. She proceeded to cancel her interview appointment and felt driven to find a new store to work in. Keiko finally found the profound self-respect to be a convenience store worker.

Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman was originally written in Japanese and published in 2016. The English version of the novel was released by Grove Press in 2018.

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My Mother, the Psychopath: Growing Up in the Shadow of a Monster

by Olivia Rayne & S.M. Nelson Genre: True Crime Published: January 2019 Ratings: 5/5

Growing up, I never felt loved by my family. The well-meaning parents, warm fuzzy feeling and freedom to live as you wish – that were frequently depicted in movies – never existed in my parents’ home.

My mother, a housewife, was the strict disciplinarian. She kept the household in order and ensures that her two daughters abide to her rules. My father, the breadwinner, was the complete opposite. He was easy-going but quiet most of the time.

Throughout my childhood, I feared my mother. She was ill-tempered and often experienced mood swings. If my elder sister and I misbehaved, we were beaten with a thick wood hanger or my father’s leather belt. There was no particular spot. She freely swung the weapon at our legs, arms, and heads. She never apologized for her actions. According to her, the beatings were justified and carried out with love.

The beatings became infrequent when I was in my teens. My mother’s temper had simmered down, but she turned verbally abusive. She berated vulgarities and often called me names when we had disagreements. Coming back home from school was dreadful, as I typically had to tiptoe around my mother. Her emotions were unpredictable that she will pick on insignificant issues and make a mountain out of a molehill.

Too many unkind words were spoken then. She criticized my features, made false accusations and bombarded me with insults aimed to make me feel small. The worst was when she called me Satan’s daughter. She said it with gritted teeth and contempt in her eyes. Such hate was shown for being late to respond to her page.

I wondered why my mother acted in such manner. What I went through was not normal. When I read Olivia Rayne’s memoir, My Mother the Psychopath, I felt compelled to share my story and found comfort to know that I am not the only one who has an emotionally abusive mother.

The memoir listed 15 symptoms of a psychopath and divided them into chapters. Each chapter is accompanied by Olivia’s emotionally gripping experiences faced throughout the years as her mother (Josephine) continues her abuse to gain control of her daughter’s life.

The abuses happened behind closed doors and witnessed by a man who ought to protect Olivia – her father. Olivia recollected how Josephine physically attacked her when she was 14. Josephine tried to jab a soap bar into Olivia’s mouth when she could not accept Olivia’s annoyance at her endless probing. Olivia managed to escape and spent the night at a public toilet nearby her home. Olivia was made to apologize to Josephine when she sought help from her father.

I could relate to most of Olivia’s ordeals, as some felt similar to mine. I understood the imaginary curtain that Olivia had to put up – a self-defence mechanism that blocked any provocation aimed at us. When our mothers were away, we felt our best.

Unfortunately, our stories do not end with a happy ending. Josephine and my mother still carry on their ways without realizing the hurt they have caused. Olivia took great strength to sever the toxic relationship she had with Josephine. As for me, limiting communication with my mother seems to keep me sane.