I was craving a thriller so I searched for a "literary thriller" online, my definition being one that delivers suspense and twists without sacrificing depth and flair. To my surprise, a list I consulted included Emily Fridlund's History of Wolves. A chilling read, yes, but I wouldn't have qualified it as a thriller. This made… Continue reading From the Bookshelf: History of Wolves
Author: Leah Ranada
From the Kitchen: The Headless Northern American Seafood
Hard to believe that for someone who loves to cook and eat, I'm posting about food just now. I didn't plan on writing a foodie blog, foodie being a term that manages to be overused even if its definition is elusive. Is it someone with an adventurous palate, willing to try everything, or someone very… Continue reading From the Kitchen: The Headless Northern American Seafood
Writing Desk: Poetry
Joining others in dusting off forgotten hobbies, I started writing poetry again. The first half of July has been unseasonably grey and wet. I'm working on a bigger project and also grappling with how the spike in cases might affect our lives. Churning out verses of focused thought and imagery seems like the right kind… Continue reading Writing Desk: Poetry
From the Bookshelf: Missing reading time in quarantine
One would think I'm reading more these days, but sadly that's not the case. I've been slow to finish novels the past months. Though working from home freed up hours in my week, it almost feels like a sin to set aside time to just read. Turns out, that three-hour commute to work has been… Continue reading From the Bookshelf: Missing reading time in quarantine
A Memorable Spring
It has gotten warmer; the sidewalks, the lawns, the nearby park are adorned with vivid blooms, swathes of lush greenery. Life amidst a climbing death toll worldwide. So in this beautiful time of the year, we are all being asked to stay home, put off gatherings, wash our hands, wear masks. I don't mind the… Continue reading A Memorable Spring
Pandemic
The world is gripped with a flu-like pandemic and as we fussed over whether to wear masks or not, took longer washing our hands, we lost a beloved aunt to brain aneurysm. It was quite sudden; in fact, a little over two weeks ago we were video-chatting with her...oh how vibrant and jolly she was!… Continue reading Pandemic
Two stories
A quick and jubilant note: two of my short stories found home. Have to be coy about the details for now--I'll let you know as soon as they're available for the reading public. It's been a while since I published a piece. From time to time I've succumbed to the thought that every moment I… Continue reading Two stories
Happy New Year!
Here we are, in year 2020. Festivities are done with and most of us have "gone back to reality" (as if vacations and celebrations are all but dreams), but I'm still compelled to greet you, readers. Happy New Year! This year, like all the ones before it, will slip by quickly, so we should take… Continue reading Happy New Year!
Notes from Singapore
I'm writing this post from Singapore. Here because of my partner's work, am helping him out a bit. We are staying somewhere in the city centre, Chinatown area. Am delighted. Enjoying the bustling urban vibe, adorned with tidy green parks and sparkling waterfront views. We can see the Singapore Flyer from our window, a couple… Continue reading Notes from Singapore
Baygon Man
In my mind, I call him Baygon man. I saw him dancing in front of our house. I might have been nine or ten when the young men in black uniforms showed up at our home. Probably sent by the pesticide company to demonstrate a product, convince us our house was crawling with pests (not… Continue reading Baygon Man
Leah Ranada 