Melody Writes

Original review from 2015: I don't remember what compelled me to pull this audiobook off of the shelf at the local library. Was it a stray recommendation? Something about the title? No matter how I try to remember, all I can come up with is a blank space. It's frustrating, yet oddly appropriate for this book's forgetful protagonist. Rachel has been depressed ever since the breakdown of her marriage to Tom and one of her coping mechanisms is to obsess over the couple she watches from the train each day during her commute. They look so perfect and happy - like she once was - and she invents an entire life for these two. Then, one day, she sees something alarming in their backyard and Rachel decides to stop just being the girl on the train and insert herself into their lives. The next morning, Rachel wakes up in agony and no memory of the night before. Things get even worse when she learns that the woman from the couple (Meghan) has gone missing. The mystery is t...

Note from 2021: I note in the review that I have not read many books about martial arts. I have in the years since worked to rectify this and hope to start writing more discussions/reviews of those topics on this blog. Original Review from 2015: Despite having studied martial arts for over a decade, I have not read many books on the topic. I think this was because most of that time overlapped university, which ate up most of my reading time and when I was given some, non-fiction was the last thing I wanted to read. I’ve only just started to correct this. I mention this background to clarify that this is essentially a new genre for me and my review may be lacking. The Inner Art of Karate is not a “how to” fight book or anything of the sort. The author focuses on the mental side of karate that can easily be forgotten in among the ridiculous crane kicks and shiny trophies. He does discuss the physical aspects, but sticks to more of the ideas behind combat techniques rather than...