3.5 stars. This is my last novella in the Inheritance collection, and this was one of my favorites (The other one being The Lion's Den). I’ve not read3.5 stars. This is my last novella in the Inheritance collection, and this was one of my favorites (The other one being The Lion's Den). I’ve not read anything by Alexander Chee before, but I’m sure this will not be my last as I really liked his writing. This short felt fresh, and the voice of the main character very authentic. I especially liked the focus on and descriptions of the characters. Unlike most of the other shorts I felt like this was a complete story and I connected with Jack, which is amazing for a book of 49 pages.
Merged review:
3.5 stars. This is my last novella in the Inheritance collection, and this was one of my favorites (The other one being The Lion's Den). I’ve not read anything by Alexander Chee before, but I’m sure this will not be my last as I really liked his writing. This short felt fresh, and the voice of the main character very authentic. I especially liked the focus on and descriptions of the characters. Unlike most of the other shorts I felt like this was a complete story and I connected with Jack, which is amazing for a book of 49 pages....more
This is not a genre I would normally gravitate to, but as this was written by a good friend I decided to give it a go, and I'm glad I did.
I think thisThis is not a genre I would normally gravitate to, but as this was written by a good friend I decided to give it a go, and I'm glad I did.
I think this would make an excellent book to read to 6 to 8 year old children, and a self read for 9 to 13 year old preteens. The story is narrated by Dingida, an African elephant, who's investgating the killings of rhino's in the Pilanesberg game reserve. There are loads of interesting facts about wildlife in South African woven into the story. I also loved that the moral lesson was imparted with empathy and wisdom.
I could definitely see this as a Disney movie, think Lion King.
If you have an animal loving child/grandchild I recommend that you get them The Wild Boys of Pilanesberg....more
Hierdie is my eerste Dibi Breytenbach en ek is bly om te se dit sal vir seker nie my laaste een wees nie. Ek hou regtig van haar skryfstyl, bietjie meHierdie is my eerste Dibi Breytenbach en ek is bly om te se dit sal vir seker nie my laaste een wees nie. Ek hou regtig van haar skryfstyl, bietjie meer formeel, donker en literer, maar met realistiese taalgebruik tussen karakters. Vir my was die opvallendste haar autentieke beskrywing van Suid-Afrika se probleme - tussen mense, en met prosedures. Dit is so geloofwaardig dat ek, gewoonlik 'n half glas vol mens, depressief begin voel het oor ons land se toekoms.
Sy het definitief die vermoe om helder prente van tyd en plek te skep, en Dowe gode het al my sintuie aangegryp. Daar is 'n groter fokus op die hoofkarakter se innerlike gedagtes as in ander Afrikaanse misdaadfiksie, en in hierdie boek was daar nie verskriklik baie gespeur tot op die einde, maar dit het my nooit gepla nie, aangesien dit deurentyds spanningsvol was.
Ek sal vroeg in volgende jaar die volgende een in die reeks lees. ...more
2.5 stars. A very quick, nostalgic read about growing up in the Cape Flats in the 70's to 90's. As always I love the Coloured dialect and sense of hum2.5 stars. A very quick, nostalgic read about growing up in the Cape Flats in the 70's to 90's. As always I love the Coloured dialect and sense of humor, but I wanted a bit more depth and these short stories ended up being a bit too sweet for my taste....more
I’m late to the party with this one, so I am aware of a lot of the criticism and although I agree with many of the below points raised in reviews, theI’m late to the party with this one, so I am aware of a lot of the criticism and although I agree with many of the below points raised in reviews, they did not detract from the impact of this novel for me. Yes, none of the characters are very likable, but I’ve always enjoyed more complex, flawed characters anyway. Yes, there’s a lot of sex and sexual references in the story, but sex is power, and this formed a big part of the relationships explored in Fates and Furies.
One of the statements I don’t agree with is that this is a version of Gone Girl – this is literary fiction at its best, exquisite writing with no need for a twist. For me, the Fates vs Furies split was done to show us that even partners in a relationship can only see some facets of their partner and the relationship, never all. It is all about the perspective of the people in the relationship, as one of my GR friends says in her review.
I loved how the author got me thinking about different types of personalities and the way they love – is the “better” person necessarily the better person in the relationship?
If you are a lover of writing that makes you feel uncomfortable, characters that are complex but incredibly vivid and stories that make you think I highly recommend this. ...more
Elke jaar kan ek nie wag vir die nuwe Deon Meyer publikasie nie, maar maak nie saak hoe hoog my verwagtinge is nie, ek word nooit teleurgestel nie. DoElke jaar kan ek nie wag vir die nuwe Deon Meyer publikasie nie, maar maak nie saak hoe hoog my verwagtinge is nie, ek word nooit teleurgestel nie. Donkerdrif is nog 'n eksie-perfeksie hoofstuk in die Bennie Griessel reeks, en ek was vasgevang van die aksiebelaaide opening tot die laaste bladsy.
Eerstens is ek gek oor Bennie en Cupido. Hulle hegte vriendskap was regtig goed in hierdie boek uitgebeeld. Die dialoog tussen die twee partners voel baie eg en het my gereeld hardop laat skater.
Suid-Afrika met al sy probleme - veral die ewige korrupsie - word perfek beskryf. Alhoewel ons almal moedeloos voel, herinner Deon ons dat daar nog miljoene goeie, eerlike en hardwerkende mense in ons mooie land is.
Laastens het ek die feit dat die idees vir die sake in Donkerdrif gebaseer is op regte gebeurtenisse (Steinhoff en Christian Lodewyk Prinsloo) verskriklik geniet, en het ek amper soveel gegoogle as wat ek gelees het om uit te vind wat is fiksie en wat is feit. Maar wat hierdie outeur een van die bestes in die wereld maak is nie net sy karakters, sy humor, sy zeitgeist of sy navorsing oor historiese sake nie, maar hoe hy hierdie sake aan mekaar kan verbind, met uiteindes wat niemand ooit kon voorspel het nie.
Deon Meyer is in 'n klas van sy eie. En nou begin die laaang wag tot einde 2021......more
En dis hoekom ek nooit boeke van dieselfde outeur te vinnig na mekaar lees nie, ek voel altyd so bietjie teleurgesteld in die tweede boek. Daar was niEn dis hoekom ek nooit boeke van dieselfde outeur te vinnig na mekaar lees nie, ek voel altyd so bietjie teleurgesteld in die tweede boek. Daar was niks fout met die pas of die konflikminerale in Afrika agtergrond nie. Maar daar was 'n paar ander elemente wat nie vir my gewerk het nie. Eerstens het ek het vir Kassie en sy spesifiek uitkyk gemis. Die hoofkarakter, Carl, het maar baie eensydig gevoel om nie eers van Sarah en hul verhouding te praat nie. Ek het ook gedink die tweede storielyn, met die Neo-Nazi's was onnodig.
Ek hoor darem by manlief dat Kassie weer terug is in Merk, so sal dit definitief volgende jaar lees....more
“Each of us must find a way to love the world. You have found yours.”
3.5 stars. I’m not sure how to rate this. I really enjoyed some elements of it –
“Each of us must find a way to love the world. You have found yours.”
3.5 stars. I’m not sure how to rate this. I really enjoyed some elements of it – the historical setting, the writing and especially the glimpse of what it must have been like for everyone close to Jesus, especially in his last days. I thought the author did a brilliant job portraying the political situation and with how she used this to explain Judas actions.
I think what lowered my rating is that it felt like separate stories: 1. Ana's and 2. Jesus's, and the merging of the two stories felt forced, especially as we were only really allowed to “see” Jesus for very short periods of time.
There were also big parts of the story – from their wedding to Ana leaving for Alexandria – that could have been shortened substantially.
All that said, I’m still glad I read this, as it gave me a much better understanding of the time and place, and left me with more empathy than ever before for Jesus as a human being.
The Story: Grounded in meticulous historical research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus’s life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring account of one woman’s bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her, while living in a time, place, and culture devised to silence her. ...more
Ek noem Rudie van Rensburg se boeke my naweek boeke, want as ek eers een begin, kan ek dit nie neersit nie, en lees ek dit altyd in minder as twee daeEk noem Rudie van Rensburg se boeke my naweek boeke, want as ek eers een begin, kan ek dit nie neersit nie, en lees ek dit altyd in minder as twee dae. Ek is bly om te se dat Medusa, nou saam met Pirana my gunsteling Kassie boeke is.
Die onderwerp, pedofilie, is heelwat donkerder as waaraan ons gewoond is in die reeks, maar Rudie het dit regtig goed gedoen - met respek, empatie en sonder om dit vir skokwaarde te gebruik.
Ek het so halfpad deur die boek uigewerk werk wie die een skurk is, maar het geen idee gehad oor die laaste "reveal" nie.
Ek het vergeet hoe baie ek die reeks geniet. Ek sal die volgende een sommer vinnig moet nader trek....more
“I squat there and think about how you get trained early on as a woman to perceive how others are perceiving you, at the great expense of what you you
“I squat there and think about how you get trained early on as a woman to perceive how others are perceiving you, at the great expense of what you yourself are feeling about them. Sometimes you mix the two up in a terrible tangle that’s hard to unravel.”
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I was expecting a very literary, pretentious story about becoming an writer and was happily surprised to find a beautifully written, heartfelt story about a young person just trying to find her way in the world, while being overwhelmed with all the issues she has to deal with.
I loved the writing – honest, authentic, and personal. Casey ended up feeling like a close, intimate friend, someone I liked spending time with. And even though this is not a plot driven book, more a “slice of life” story, I looked forward to diving back in every day.
If you enjoy quiet, introspective narratives filled with eloquent, precise observations and a vulnerable, real protagonist, then add Writers & Lovers to your list....more
Because the stories are sorted by publishing date, this compilation shows how much this author's writing has changed, and in my opinion, improved. AltBecause the stories are sorted by publishing date, this compilation shows how much this author's writing has changed, and in my opinion, improved. Although there were many laugh out loud moments in the first half of the book, there were also some weird ones I could not connect to. The deeper I got into The Best of Me, the more feelings were evoked by his descriptions. In most of his Calypso stories I found myself having a few tears in my eyes while laughing.
I really enjoyed the interview, and it was very interesting to hear more about his writing process.
If you've never read anything by David Sedaris, I recommend listening to Calypso. His love for his family and off-beat, quirky sense of humor makes this one of my best-loved books....more
"You know, I used to think I was a better man than my Daddy. I tried hard to be a better father. But it's like I gave my boys a sickness. The counselo
"You know, I used to think I was a better man than my Daddy. I tried hard to be a better father. But it's like I gave my boys a sickness. The counselor in juvie called it a 'propensity for violent conflict resolution.'"
This is not a book I would normally choose, but I noticed it on the GR Choice awards and thought why not. It's well-written and very tense, so much so that I ended up with a tummy ache after every reading session. I think this may have something to do with the abundance of violence in the story. I'm not a sensitive reader, and have no real reaction to violence as written by female authors, but I become very uneasy when reading violent scenes as depicted by male authors. I think the reason is the casualness with which men describes bloodshed.
I also liked that this Southern noir heist novel has a complex main character, showing us that it's not an easy thing to escape a life of crime or poverty.
Not a genre I would read every day, but I think it's a good thing to veer out of my comfort zone every now and again.
”It is easy to become what your actions have made of you.”
I loved The Dovekeepers by the same author, so was very excited when I received this ARC by
”It is easy to become what your actions have made of you.”
I loved The Dovekeepers by the same author, so was very excited when I received this ARC by Netgalley. I really enjoyed the writing, and especially the real historical events and people that provides the backdrop to the story. I personally think Alice Hoffman is at her best when writing about anything Jewish, and although this does not form a huge part of Magic Lessons, I loved finding many titbits about Jewish history and culture. Lastly, I also enjoyed the magic and recipes for all the different spells.
BUT if I knew that love, and I’m talking insta-, angsty, illogical love, would form such a big part of this novel, I think I wouldn’t have requested it. I know this is a personal bug bear and that it's not a deal breaker for most people, but I find it extremely frustrating when an intelligent woman makes implausible life decisions based on someone she does not even know.
Although I did not love this, I did still enjoy a lot of the elements. ...more
”A girl comes of age against the knife. She must learn to bear its blade. To be cut. To bleed. To scar over and still, somehow, be beautiful and with
”A girl comes of age against the knife. She must learn to bear its blade. To be cut. To bleed. To scar over and still, somehow, be beautiful and with good enough knees to take the sponge to the kitchen floor every Saturday… I remember the fierce love and devotion as much as I remember the violence.”
I am not a sensitive reader, but this book ripped me to pieces and I found I could only read a chapter or two in one sitting to avoid becoming too overwhelmed by the emotional punch some of the vividly described scenes packed.
Don’t get me wrong Betty is also filled with an abundance of love, dreams, beautiful stories and kindness, but the contrast between this and the vicious acts almost intensified the sadness and shock I experienced.
There were so many things to love in this fictionalized account of the author’s mother’s early life: the love her father has for his wife, children and nature; his Cherokee stories and traditions; the incredible bond between the siblings and witnessing Betty’s strength of mind and resourcefulness. Reading about all the horrible things that happened to the females in this book, I kept on thinking about a line from a Tori Amos song – “The quickest girl in the frying pan”.
This is an insightful, emotional book that takes on sexual abuse, racism, sexism and suicide and weaves them together into a compelling narrative. Not a “nice” or easy read, but an important, beautifully written, heart-breaking but inspiring story....more
I wasn't wild about the first chapter or so - it just felt a bit like CM was trying too hard. But I'm so happy I stuck with this audio as the rest of I wasn't wild about the first chapter or so - it just felt a bit like CM was trying too hard. But I'm so happy I stuck with this audio as the rest of the book more than makes up for the over the top start.
Being the same age as the author, there was so much I could relate to. Although she has a brilliant sense of humor, and had me smiling most of the time, there were also some chapters that had me swallowing back tears, most notably The Hour of Missing the Children and The Hour of "What about the Men".
I loved that More Than a Woman included humor, brilliant ideas and thoughts around feminism as well as personal anecdotes, often funny but sometimes deeply sad and moving.
If you are in your forties and don't mind swearing or some crassness, I highly recommend that you listen to the audio version for a funny, life-affirming and wise look at what it means to be a middle aged women in this day and time....more
If you loved books like Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, Educated and The Glass Castle, you should add this to your TBR. The author, a psychologist, If you loved books like Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, Educated and The Glass Castle, you should add this to your TBR. The author, a psychologist, shares the backstories and therapeutical journey of five of her patients who had to work extremely hard over a long period of time to deal with and overcome what happened to them in their childhood.
Although sad and shocking, the author manages to share the stories of Laura, Peter, Danny, Alana and Madeline, not for us to pity them but to admire and be inspired by their lives. I liked the fact that she also shares her mistakes made with us and why she made them. There is more of a focus on the different psychological methods she used than in Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, and I really enjoyed this aspect.
I had a few Aha-moments, which has influenced how I see some aspects of my own life now. We tend to forget that we create defense mechanisms in childhood to cope with certain things, but then retain these long after they become unnecessary.
I listened to the audio version and Deborah Burgess, the narrator, did an amazing job! I highly recommend experiencing this as an audible book.
A book that inspires, makes you think and feel, and could possibly even make you look at some of your behaviors differently. ...more
"Once upon a time, in a great forest, there lived a poor woodcutter and the poor woodcutter's wife."
And so starts a very short, eery fairy tale set in
"Once upon a time, in a great forest, there lived a poor woodcutter and the poor woodcutter's wife."
And so starts a very short, eery fairy tale set in the time of WWII and the Holocaust, because where would you find a time and place more suited to a story filled with evil and bravery? I enjoy fairy tales and historical fiction, but always struggle with translated books. For some reason I immediately pick up on this, and it interferes with my appreciation of the book. Very unfortunate as all my other GR friends adored this story. If this was a genre mix that you enjoyed, you should add Gretel and the Dark to your TBR.
"That's what influenza means, she said. Influenza delle stelle - the influence of the stars."
I enjoyed The Pull of the Stars more than I expected. I l
"That's what influenza means, she said. Influenza delle stelle - the influence of the stars."
I enjoyed The Pull of the Stars more than I expected. I loved how similar yet different the PR messages and effects of the Spanish flu and Covid-19 were. It's not often that we can read a historical fiction book, while living through something similar.
Emma Donoghue is a master of one room stories. I found myself anxiously speed reading, while holding my breath, through many of the intense scenes in the quarantined maternity ward. Very similar to the feeling I normally get when reading thrillers. The author also creates strong but endearing characters, and not only did I enjoy getting to know both Julia and Bridie, the two main characters, but I also felt for the patients in their care.
This is a book about women and how many of them had a life defined by poverty and pregnancies. And as with many Irish books, the Catholic Church is taken to task for their contribution to this perpetual state of adversity.
The only reason this does not get 5 stars is because the last 5% or so felt unnecessary and distracted from the central story line.
If you're not squeamish about medical procedures and feel like a fast-paced, compassionate historical fiction title, then definitely add this to your TBR pile.
The Story: In an Ireland doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city center, where expectant mothers who have come down with the terrible new Flu are quarantined together....more
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