Over the past few months, I kept seeing “The Housemaid” pop up across social media—reviews, reactions, and quotes. Not only were readers “talking” about it, but they were also “talking with” it. That level of buzz caught my attention, and after finally reading it, I get the hype. Though I’ve read plenty of thrillers and suspense novels before, this one offered something refreshingly different. What truly set it apart for me wasn’t just the twists (which are excellent) or the characters (who are all brilliantly layered)—it was Freida McFadden’s storytelling style. It felt like a late-night heart-to-heart with a best friend who can’t keep juicy secrets to herself. Honest, unfiltered, addictive. In fact, I think I enjoyed the experience of reading it even more than the plot itself—and that’s saying something, because the plot is gripping and full of red herrings. Everyone feels like a suspect, right up until the final reveal. The suspense never lets go. I don’t want to s...
Many people ask me why I read so much. Most of the time, my response is simply a smile, or I say three straight words: “I love it.” There have been a few instances, however, when I tried to explain why reading is so important to me and why I’m so fond of books. Some people appreciate it, others laugh, and some simply move on. Books have played a vital role in shaping my personality. They give me patience and teach me to take the time to understand situations, learn, relearn, and unlearn things. Only then I make decisions about how to respond to situations in the stories I read. Almost every book you read tells your story in some way. That’s the best part of books — finding a connection between your own life and what you’re reading. This means the writer has created a bond with the reader. Everything you read exists in reality, but when it’s woven into fiction, the stories take on different forms. There are characters in books who represent the people you s...