Brooke accepts a job with the Carol and Asher Jaffee Foundation with the dream of being able to make a difference. Asher Jaffee is a millionaire and hBrooke accepts a job with the Carol and Asher Jaffee Foundation with the dream of being able to make a difference. Asher Jaffee is a millionaire and has created the Foundation to give away as much of his money as possible to worthy causes - anything goes. Being this close to so much money starts to change Brooke's view of the world and herself. Brooke begins to feel her own sense of entitlement for these things and starts to make decisions beyond the remit of her role. How far is she willing to go...
I liked the different themes in this book around class, race, money (or lack of it), and how these things impact on our relationships with family, friends and those we work with. I did get a bit bored with the story as it seemed to drag on with no propulsion for most of the middle. The ending was interesting with the final showdown between Brooke and Asher in his country home but it lacked the drama I needed to feel satisfied.
I'd really enjoyed the storytelling in Leave the World Behind and the creeping sense of dread that was laced through that, so had been hoping for similar gripping narrative this time. Obviously it's a totally different story in Entitlement (although some of the themes are similar), however it could have been written by a totally different author. I really struggled to finish this one....more
“Marriage, it turned out, was a series of small events.”
This is a charming novel following the romantic lives of cousins Guido and Vincent and their r“Marriage, it turned out, was a series of small events.”
This is a charming novel following the romantic lives of cousins Guido and Vincent and their respective wives, Holly and Misty. I didn't know anything about Laurie Colwin before winning this book in a giveaway by @jensreadinglife and seeing her fondness for this author made me think I needed to give Colwin a try!
I did enjoy this book and it was reminiscent in a way of Nora Ephron's classic When Harry Met Sally, with a couple learning everything they can about that person, even if it drives them crazy, and still falling in love. I did find it tricky to 'place' the novel in time because in some ways it came across as quite a contemporary feel, although certain references to things like typewriters and phone booths definitely made it seem more late 1960s/1970s!
I also found it difficult to keep track of who Holly and Misty were, nothing about them as individuals seemed to 'stick' and I thought they seemed quite similar.
However, the writing is very good and I was hooked and kept turning the pages. I loved that Colwin had captured that sense of being in your twenties and living a young, care-free life in New York, going for cocktails and making your way in your career. In so many ways it's like the tv show Girls or Coco Mellors' book Cleopatra and Frankenstein, coming of age within a relationship. There was a review on Goodreads that I saw that Laurie Colwin is the 1970s Sally Rooney and I would agree with that!
Overall, it's a fairly steady and gentle novel in that not much really happens plot-wise. It's definitely a character study (and actually, I think I enjoyed the side characters a bit more, like the jolly uncle and the office assistant who is also writing his PhD!). I will definitely keep my eye out for more by Laurie Colwin in future....more
This was great fun to read! Lisa Darling is grappling with her job getting TV shows made, the school PTA cheese and wine night, a hamster called Alan,This was great fun to read! Lisa Darling is grappling with her job getting TV shows made, the school PTA cheese and wine night, a hamster called Alan, supporting her best friend through cancer treatment, an argumentative teenager and remembering to take her supplements. The last thing on her mind is romance - then in walks super hot Zach Russo from the New York office!
The chemistry and slow build relationship between Lisa and Zach was just right and felt believable so I could get lost in the vibes! This is the kind of romance novel I like, there is a strong central relationship between the main characters but the side plots are also well thought out and add to the depth. There are a couple of strands going on here that are a pretty accurate reflection of a woman's life in her late 40s - family, work, hormones, parents and friends. All the side plots had their time and it never felt like anything was detracting away from the main characters.
There were loads of funny moments throughout the story and I really liked Lisa's voice. It would be great to get a sequel to find out what happens to Lisa and Zach!
Recommend to fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Emily Henry....more
The message of this sequel to Girls in Love is the same as before - be true to yourself - however this time through the lens of body image and eating The message of this sequel to Girls in Love is the same as before - be true to yourself - however this time through the lens of body image and eating disorders. I loved the development of the relationship between Ellie and her step-mum (Anna) in this one. ...more
In anticipation of the new fiction novel by Jacqueline Wilson coming out in a few weeks' time, I decided to re-read the Girls in Love series (I say reIn anticipation of the new fiction novel by Jacqueline Wilson coming out in a few weeks' time, I decided to re-read the Girls in Love series (I say re-read, however I have no recollection of reading them the first time around in the late 90s, although my sister is positive that I have!). As always, a great message from Jacqueline Wilson about being true to yourself. Some elements are a bit dated now but it's still a great story and I think readers age 11-13 would still get a lot out of it today. ...more
**spoiler alert** A good soap opera style narrative with the storylines driven by the inhabitants of Great Calne. I did find some of the strands a lit**spoiler alert** A good soap opera style narrative with the storylines driven by the inhabitants of Great Calne. I did find some of the strands a little confusing to follow at times. The "twist" of Mr Golightly being God took me by surprise (perhaps I wasn't paying attention?!) and to be honest I didn't think it really needed the epilogue with God having a chat with the Devil....more
I think the best way to describe this book as a cross between Atonement and a racy version of The Famous Five! I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a grI think the best way to describe this book as a cross between Atonement and a racy version of The Famous Five! I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a group of cousins and their older relatives as they go from the hot summer of August 1939 to a rainy funeral in the late 1970s. A novel full of sex (everybody ends up sleeping with at least one of the others at some point!), Champagne, Blitz spirit, guinea pigs and a whisper of something darker lurking at the edges... Best read whilst sipping a gin and tonic!...more
This book was selected for my book club to read for the theme of "Retelling". Not knowing much about the Arthurian myths (other than Disney's The SworThis book was selected for my book club to read for the theme of "Retelling". Not knowing much about the Arthurian myths (other than Disney's The Sword in the Stone and a few episodes of Merlin watched when my stepsons were small!), I had virtually no knowledge of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table so was looking forward to Bliss and Blunder.
I thought that the contemporary setting worked really well - Gosling has established 'King' Arthur as the founder of a hugely successful global tech company and his 'Knights' are either within his close circle at the firm or have returned to the village of Abury following tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Gwen is married to Arthur and is a lifestyle influencer facing a scandal that could blow apart her carefully curated life when footage of her affair with Lance is 'captured' by her online stalker, The Invisible Knight. Various other characters are brought in along the way, including Morgan, the childhood friend of both Gwen and Arthur who wants to exact revenge on both of them...
The novel's synopsis makes out that the setting for the showdown of these various storylines will be Arthur's fortieth birthday, and whilst all the characters are brought together at the exclusive black tie event, the novel is spread out over several weeks (if not months) after that night. For that, I think the storyline suffers. The pace had been ticking along well and I was really looking forward to seeing how the fireworks would go off, but there was a lot of meandering through side plots that didn't feel relevant. For example, Mo (the adopted son of Arthur and Gwen) and Gal (non-binary tech nerd) rescuing a Vietnamese illegal immigrant from a cannabis farm. No idea what the point of that was! As a result, the characters never felt fully developed and I didn't really care one way or the other about Arthur, Gwen, Morgan or any of the others.
If the storyline had been kept really tightly to the night of the party or maybe 48 hours afterwards, I think it would have kept pace and worked better as more of a thriller style novel.
The storyline did take an interesting look at how women are treated online and within the tech industry but it felt like a secondary strand. I would have liked more on this angle (and the destruction and rebuilding of Gwen and Morgan's friendship) than a lot of the other stuff.
Lots of promise but it never really felt cohesive or engaging enough for me....more
"The ability to reason with an object's creation brings us closer to it. What the hand has made, the hand wishes to touch and to explore; materials, p"The ability to reason with an object's creation brings us closer to it. What the hand has made, the hand wishes to touch and to explore; materials, people and process are intertwined in the object and in our minds, making it more real. Objects can paint pictures of people and places. The story of the creation of the things we live with can and should be meaningful. The objects from which we derive the greatest pleasure are not those of the greatest monetary value, they are the ones to which we have the greatest connection. What would you rush to save from a burning building, the woollen jumper hand-knitted for you by a beloved grandmother, or the expensive cashmere sweater from a ubiquitous luxury brand?"
As someone who regularly opens her wardrobe and drawers and they are full to bursting with 'stuff', yet never seem to have anything that I want to wear, I was really keen to pick up 'Less' and find out how to do more with, well, less!
Patrick Grant's thoughtful book sets out why most of us have far too many 'things' and what we need to do to enjoy life with less. Essentially, hundreds of years ago we had just enough to live on. Clothes and shoes would be passed down to family members and you made do with what you had. Over time, with advances in technology to create more things at a faster and more economical rate, and with increased wages, it became normal to buy more things more often. Eventually, we got to the point where fashion dictated that what was 'a la mode' a month ago was no longer in, and we were encouraged to buy the new thing which happened at a faster and faster pace.
As Patrick points out, faster does not always equal better. I was horrified that fast fashion websites like Shein and ASOS can release up to 2000 new fashion items A DAY, all being made out of plastic-based fibres and produced in factories that often use child labour. This is not a preachy or judgy book at all, Patrick understands that for some people this is all they can afford, however for many of us it's an unconscious thought to buy from a faceless company just because it's convenient (and cheap!).
I really resonated with Patrick's point that someone taking the time to make something by hand will always have a greater quality than a similar item made on mass in a giant factory. It may take longer and be a little more expensive but by supporting an independent business you are also supporting all the other local suppliers/businesses in a glorious ripple effect. I think we've all become used to indie cafes being supporters of local farmers and dairies etc., and the same is true for clothing or homewares.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish reading the book before I had to return it to the library (someone else had a reservation placed on it!). I have been reassessing what and where I buy goods, whether that is clothing or items for the home. I am going to be more conscious about where I am purchasing and will be making more of an effort to buy from a small/independent business or second-hand in future. I have several friends who have businesses selling the items they make by hand and I can appreciate the hours it takes to develop the skills to make those things, whether that is a mug or a greetings card. I'd much rather spend a bit more and support someone like that than an organisation that prioritises profits over good quality and customer service. Who knows, maybe I'll dust off that Textiles GCSE and start making my own clothes!...more
Twelve years have passed since the death of Alice Weil when she was just sixteen. Her younger brother, Benji, hopes his wedding to Alice's childhood bTwelve years have passed since the death of Alice Weil when she was just sixteen. Her younger brother, Benji, hopes his wedding to Alice's childhood best friend, Morgan, will bring his sparring family back together as they celebrate. However, over the course of the weekend, family secrets and rekindled emotions come bubbling to the surface and it's clear that no-one is ready to move on...
The novel goes between the present day, the weekend of Benji and Morgan's whirlwind wedding in Maine, and just over twelve years prior to provide context for the events that unfold. Linnie and Nick are Benji's parents who are thrown back together after separating not long after Alice's funeral when it became apparent that Nick had been having an affair with Caro (who is now his wife). Peter is Linnie's friend and father of Morgan, and he has loved Linnie for years but been too shy to let her know. Linnie's new partner, Ezra, was Alice's philosophy teacher at school - but had a relationship with her that blurred the appropriate student-teacher boundaries...
I usually enjoy a family drama with secrets and getting under the skin of the characters (Tessa Hadley and Ann Patchett spring to mind), however this one just didn't quite hit the mark for me. There were slightly too many characters and I didn't feel that I got to know any of them particularly deeply and it took a while for them to 'stick' in my mind to follow the story. None of the characters were especially likeable either so I didn't really care enough about them to wonder whether the secrets being exposed would prove ruinous or clear the air. Characters don't to be likeable, of course, but it didn't quite work here because everything they were struggling with ended up feeling a bit "rich, white people problems."
It was a disappointment that we never get Alice's voice in the narrative so I'm still not quite sure why it was that she decided to jump from the George Washington Bridge - or perhaps that was what the author intended so that we are in the same position as her parents and friends? (Shades of The Virgin Suicides here.)
The pacing of the story was slow in parts (mostly the flashbacks that I felt didn't add anything to our understanding of modern-day events) and I could have done without the sentimental/twee epilogue.
The use throughout of vocabulary that I had to look up the meanings to was also jarring as it took me out of the story (and kind of made me feel the author was trying to hard to impress their 'literariness').
Overall, a fine debut with plenty of promise for future writing - just didn't pack enough of an emotional punch for me....more
I absolutely loved every page of Oh, Sister! This is an engrossing story following three women within a close religious community and their treatment I absolutely loved every page of Oh, Sister! This is an engrossing story following three women within a close religious community and their treatment at the hands of the Elders. There is Jen, consumed by the grief of losing her baby at a late stage in pregnancy and recovering from a traumatic birth. Zelda has been estranged from her parents for several years since she decided to stop falling in with 'the rules' of the religious group she had been part of all her life. Completing the trio is Isobel, the wife of a senior and respected Elder within their community, who is humiliated by her husband's affair and is made to realise that playing by the rules will not always save you from judgement.
The writing is superb by Jodie Chapman, so many sharp jabs written delicately into the narrative so that you completely understand these women. A particular favourite:
"He sighed. 'It would be good to bring in some younger blood. We need to diversify...don't take this the wrong way, Isobel, but you're more suited to a background role.' She said nothing, but overdid his gravy."
The narrative is played out in the present day with flashbacks to the mid-1990s. The flashbacks really work to provide the context for why the characters make the decisions they do and to add depth to the storylines. I liked seeing how the characters of Zelda and Jen interact with their peers at school and engage with popular culture and then switch when they are at home or with other members of the congregation.
The religion is never given a specific label by Chapman however it's clear from Jen's storyline that it is thinly veiled as the Jehovah's Witnesses. The religion completely dictates the way these women live their lives - not just the expected attendance at church and going out into the community to convert non-believers before 'The End of Days' arrives, but their behaviour and way they dress. How they must be obedient to their male relatives when they live at home with parents, the Elders in church and then their husbands when they marry (usually in their late teens or early twenties). Zelda's storyline in particular was heartbreaking with the way she was treated after coming forward to report something one of the 'Brothers' did to her.
I had no idea which way the storylines would go and how the three women would be brought together, so it was great to let myself be guided along by Chapman. I really enjoyed her debut novel, Another Life, and would say that there is a greater maturity with the writing in Oh, Sister. There's some big themes here: baby loss/abortion/sexual abuse/family estrangement/suicidal thoughts. It's also laced with dark humour so stops the book ever feeling too heavy. I couldn't put it down and loved reading every page....more
I really enjoyed this one, such a shame it's the last one in the DS Manon Bradshaw series! The plotting was much tighter and the themes felt more nuanI really enjoyed this one, such a shame it's the last one in the DS Manon Bradshaw series! The plotting was much tighter and the themes felt more nuanced, particularly regarding small town racism, discrimination within the police and the treatment of illegal immigrants. I would love it if a clever scriptwriter could take the characters and adapt them for TV so we can get more Manon! ...more
Loved the character of Harriet and seeing her journey from being broken by an abusive relationship to finding happiness within herself. Great plottingLoved the character of Harriet and seeing her journey from being broken by an abusive relationship to finding happiness within herself. Great plotting, believable characters and Cal sounded like a dream! Another winner from Mhairi!...more
“If there was one thing I agreed with my mother on, it was that one could never be sure about a person’s intentions, no matter how kind that person se“If there was one thing I agreed with my mother on, it was that one could never be sure about a person’s intentions, no matter how kind that person seemed.”
His Only Wife is a contemporary novel set in Ghana and is the story of Afi Tekple, a young woman who has dreams of owning her own fashion boutique. However, due to her family's increasingly difficult financial circumstances following the death of her father, she is 'encouraged' to marry wealthy local businessman Elikem Ganyo when he proposes. The only problems with this are: 1) She has never met Elikem before, 2) Afi is to distract Elikem from 'the other woman' and fall in with his mother's wishes.
I found the setting of the novel a fascinating insight into the society and culture of Ghana, everything from going to the market, to marriage, to the role of family - particularly mothers - and the gulf between the wealthy and the poor is featured here.
Afi was an interesting character, coming from modest beginnings and marrying into a wealthy family she clearly had a lot of naivety about money and what it can buy. Perhaps too late she discovers that 'Aunty', her powerful mother in law, has 'bought' Afi's services to be a traditional wife to her son...
I didn't love it though and I'm not sure that I can express exactly why... I think it's always difficult for any author to pull off a love triangle well and from the get go I didn't think there was any possibility for Afi to come away 'the victor', and so it proved. [SPOILER] Elikem continues with the affair with his Liberian girlfriend even after forming an attachment with Afi and getting her pregnant. When we finally got the meeting between the wife and the girlfriend it lacked the emotional or dynamic heft to make me feel anything for either of them. If anything, I just got annoyed at Elikem for having his cake and eating it....more
A charming novel about an overlooked, dowdy young woman writing an unexpected bestseller and setting the village aflame with speculation and outrage! A charming novel about an overlooked, dowdy young woman writing an unexpected bestseller and setting the village aflame with speculation and outrage! Unfortunately, a little slow in places for me but good characterisation and some amusing moments. ...more
Like reading a cross between The Rosie Project and the literary equivalent of TV show The Outlaws! The first person narration did make me laugh and stLike reading a cross between The Rosie Project and the literary equivalent of TV show The Outlaws! The first person narration did make me laugh and struck a good balance between humour and pathos. A good debut and I'd like to read more from Bob Mortimer in future....more
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