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 felt like something John Marrs would write - a genre mix of speculative fiction and psychological thriller with many POV's and short chapters. BuThis felt like something John Marrs would write - a genre mix of speculative fiction and psychological thriller with many POV's and short chapters. But because Liane wrote it, there's more depth to the characters, and some flashes of humour.
I was hooked from page one, and became really invested in each of the passengers fate and backstories.
The Story: A "psychic" predicts strangers' causes and ages of death on a delayed flight. As her predictions begin to come true, passengers wonder if they can change their destiny?...more
I enjoyed the author's previous two books, but Worst Case Scenario is definitely her best story yet. Every single chapter ends with a cliff hanger, soI enjoyed the author's previous two books, but Worst Case Scenario is definitely her best story yet. Every single chapter ends with a cliff hanger, so be warned it's very difficult to put this book down. I also enjoyed the multiple POV's and short chapters. I very rarely give more than 3 stars for a thriller, but I unexpectedly shed a tear or two, which is very unusual for this genre. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
The Story: A plane crash sets off an unprecedented nuclear disaster in a small Minnesota town, thrusting ordinary people into a fight for survival....more
Even though I really enjoyed this novel, I don't agree with the New York Times Book Review selection of this book as the number one on its list of theEven though I really enjoyed this novel, I don't agree with the New York Times Book Review selection of this book as the number one on its list of the 100 best books of the 21st century. I'll start by saying that I usually have issues with reading any translated books, but this was extremely well done, although I do think that even here small details do get lost in translation.
I loved that My Brilliant Friend was set in a rough neighbourhood in Naples during the 1950s. It gave me a glimpse into a time and place foreign to me. The author does an amazing job describing the sounds, sights and smells as well as introducing a full cast of unique characters. The audio version, narrated by Hillary Huber, enhances this experience with her beautiful pronunciation of all the Italian names and words.
I also enjoyed the portrayal of the complex friendship between Lina and Lenù. As Lenù is looking back and telling this story years after it happened she is able to describe their actions in a more intellectual and less emotional way - which is what sets this novel apart from many others I've read about female friendship. I was quite surprised by the fact that so many reviewers deeply disliked Lenù - I only ever felt sympathy for her. ...more
This is my first novel by Carys Davies, and I loved her spare, almost stark, yet lyrical writing. Her descriptions are so vivid that you're completelyThis is my first novel by Carys Davies, and I loved her spare, almost stark, yet lyrical writing. Her descriptions are so vivid that you're completely transported to Scotland in 1843. I knew nothing about the Scottish Clearances or the Disruption of the Church of Scotland and thought the author did a brilliant job in sharing all the facts about these events without making it feel like an information dump.
This atmospheric, quiet story reminded me a little bit of The Banshees of Inisherin....more
This will be one of 2024's big books. The writing was beautiful and unique, and I loved how well we get to know each of these unforgettable charactersThis will be one of 2024's big books. The writing was beautiful and unique, and I loved how well we get to know each of these unforgettable characters. And although the mystery element of the story is very well done, this story is so much bigger than that. I was swept away by Patch and Saints complex connection from the first paragraph and even though the story is drenched in sadness, it is also filled with beauty and love. I think what I enjoyed most of all was that I never knew where the story was going from one moment to the next.
I would group this novel with Where the Crawdads Sing and All the Ugly and Wonderful Things ,not because of the plot but more because of the setting and the feel.
The Story: Late one summer, the town of Monta Clare is shattered by the abduction of teenager Joseph 'Patch' Macauley. Nobody more so than Saint Brown, who will risk everything to find her best friend. But when she does: it will break her heart....more
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood will always be one of my favourite memoirs. Fi, the author's latest release reminds me why thDon't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood will always be one of my favourite memoirs. Fi, the author's latest release reminds me why this is. Alexandra Fuller's writing is raw, intense, poetic, brave and unexpectedly funny even when dealing with the unexpected death of her twenty-one-year-old son. I don't think I've read another biography where the author is so brutally honest about who they are - showing the good, the bad and the ugly.
"...to accept the death of a loved one is to arrive at the knowledge that love itself cannot die or change or end."
3.5 stars. I'm happy to say that Abigail Dean has now been added to my automatic read authors list, as her sophomore novel was another enjoyable read.3.5 stars. I'm happy to say that Abigail Dean has now been added to my automatic read authors list, as her sophomore novel was another enjoyable read. I really like how she takes a story we're very familiar with - child abuse, a school shooting - and tells it in a different way. Both her books are more of an exploration of the thoughts and feelings of the cast of characters involved and less on the actual event. It's always nice to find a mystery author with his/her own unique way of telling a story.
The Story: A gripping examination of a community devastated by a school shooting and the “truthers” who deny it ever happened....more
3.5 stars. If you're a fan of either John Marrs or Blake Crouch you will definitely enjoy Baby X. In this speculative thriller set in the very near fu3.5 stars. If you're a fan of either John Marrs or Blake Crouch you will definitely enjoy Baby X. In this speculative thriller set in the very near future any biological matter from any two people can be used to create life and then the "best" embryo is selected based on future traits and health concerns.
Using different POV's the author investigates how this selection process will influence the "chosen" babies, but also the possibility of people stealing desired DNA from famous/talented people to create the "perfect" baby.
I really enjoyed this fun, interesting and fast-paced story....more
This is my first book by Rebecca Makkai and really enjoyed her immersive writing style - within a few sentences the book disappears and you are part oThis is my first book by Rebecca Makkai and really enjoyed her immersive writing style - within a few sentences the book disappears and you are part of the story. I was still very young when the AIDS epidemic broke out, so really didn't know much about it at all. I think the first time I was really exposed to how absolutely devastating the illness was, was when I watched Philadelphia - still one of my favourite films.
Another talent of the author is creating a cast of very diverse characters with complex relationships and past histories. Because of this we are able to see the scope of the devastation caused by AIDS if you were part of the gay community and not just someone reading news papers. Not only were you grieving your friends (dead and diagnosed) and/or waiting for your test results or first symptoms, you also had to deal with the prejudice from everyone (including your family) and the issues this caused with your healthcare. So yes, this book was incredibly sad, but it was also filled with love and achingly tender moments.
And even though Fiona and Nora's stories were well written and interesting, I actually just wanted to spend more time with Yale....more
This is my first book by Percival Everett and I thought it was very well-written, thought provoking, fast-paced with some funny and some heartbreakingThis is my first book by Percival Everett and I thought it was very well-written, thought provoking, fast-paced with some funny and some heartbreaking moments. As I've not read Huckleberry Finn I can't compare this reimagining to the original, but I can say that you can definitely read this without having read the classic.
There were many things that I admired about James and I think it will be one of the most noteworthy books of 2024.
(view spoiler)[ Although I understand that the author wanted to make a distinction between "slave-speech" (when speaking to any master) and contemporary, almost literary speech (when talking to another slave) to show us that being a slave did not mean that you were stupid, but that you had to make sure that everyone else thought that it did. I absolutely agree with this belief, I'm just not sure where they would have learned this dialect as all the white people basically also use "slave-speech" when communicating in this novel. (hide spoiler)] Even though this bugged me enough to deduct a star, I still highly recommend that you read this book....more
I adored this exquisitely written grief memoir which is a deeply personal study on the author's loss following the suicide of her best friend. This acI adored this exquisitely written grief memoir which is a deeply personal study on the author's loss following the suicide of her best friend. This account is split into 5 main chapters, with each section mirroring a classified stage of grief: denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and afterward (instead of acceptance).
What makes this book so impressive is the author's brutal honesty in exploring her intimate feelings, and her ability to be simultaneously poignant and incredibly witty. Grief is for People is filled with sentences that will break your heart and have you laughing at the same time.
Anything by Marian Keyes is always going to be a treat. I especially enjoy listening to her narration on the audio versions. As always this story (andAnything by Marian Keyes is always going to be a treat. I especially enjoy listening to her narration on the audio versions. As always this story (and especially the interaction between all members of the Walsh Family) had me laughing out loud. But there were also many deeper moments delving into the characters history and their previous traumas. It's really special seeing characters aging alongside you and dealing with similar issues. Can't wait for the next instalment in this series!...more
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I really enjoyed the beautiful writing in this mash up of historical fiction, fantasy, mythology and mystery genres. It tak3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I really enjoyed the beautiful writing in this mash up of historical fiction, fantasy, mythology and mystery genres. It takes place in 1908 throughout northern China and Japan and slowly weaves two stories together. In alternating chapters we meet Snow, a fox spirit, who is on a quest to revenge the death of her daughter and Boa, a private detective who is trying to uncover the identity of a young woman found frozen outside a restaurant.
The beginning and the end was brilliant, but the pacing on the middle was a bit slow. Looking forward to reading her other books though....more
3.5 stars. This is why I love the GR choice awards. Every year I see an Elin Hilderbrand title in the fiction category, so this year I finally decided3.5 stars. This is why I love the GR choice awards. Every year I see an Elin Hilderbrand title in the fiction category, so this year I finally decided to give one of her novels a try, and I'm so glad I did. I love reading "lighter" books in between more literary ones. This normally means grabbing a whodunit or sometimes a romance, but what I enjoyed most about The Five-Star Weekend is that it may have some elements of these genres, but mostly it was an entertaining, uplifting story about 6 women and their backstories.
The Story: The Five-Star Weekend is a lighthearted, engaging tale that takes you into the life of Hollis Shaw, a middle-aged successful food blogger who, after returning to her hometown of Nantucket, invites four friends, one from each stage of her life, to spend a weekend at her home on the island to help her come to grips with the recent loss of her husband and the strained relationship with her daughter she’s struggling to repair....more
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars. I absolutely adored the narration of Adjoa Anode - I actually can't believe that a single narrator can do so many accents a4.5 rounded up to 5 stars. I absolutely adored the narration of Adjoa Anode - I actually can't believe that a single narrator can do so many accents and voices. This is a very realistic look at the lives of many women in Africa, including all the horrors they have to deal with on a daily basis - being sold off as child brides, genital mutilation, rape, baby factories and being blamed and punished for droughts etc.
What makes And So I Roar unique is that Abi Dare is able to share these horrors while including many humorous moments and keeping the tone of the story hopeful. Obviously there also many hearbreaking incidents, but I think it's very important that we are reminded that there are still too many girls/women who have no control over their lives. Adduni is an unforgettable and inspiring character with a very unique voice, and I hope there will be more books in the series.
The Story: Plucky fourteen-year-old Adunni is in Lagos, excited to finally enrol in school. Having escaped her rural village in a desperate bid to seek a better future, she's found refuge with Tia, a kind and brilliant woman on her own troubled journey of self-discovery. But it's not so simple to run away from your past....more
I am always wildly excited when a new Jackson Brodie is published, as he is probably my favourite PI. Witty and deeply human, I love spending some timI am always wildly excited when a new Jackson Brodie is published, as he is probably my favourite PI. Witty and deeply human, I love spending some time with him and the other interesting characters that fill these novels. This works especially well as the author allows us to live in the minds of these unique people. No-one writes like Kate Atkinson and I especially adore her wordplay and humour.
This should have received a 5 star rating, but unfortunately things have been hectic at work, so I read this in 5 minute intervals, which meant that by the end I felt a bit lost with the big cast of characters.
The Story: Once a magnificent country house, Burton Makepeace has now partially been converted into a hotel, hosting Murder Mystery weekends. The stage is set. The players are ready. By night’s end, a murderer will be revealed. Ex-detective Jackson Brodie is staving off a bad case of midlife malaise when he is called to a sleepy Yorkshire town, and the matter of a stolen painting....more
As always I did not read the blurb before starting this book, so was rather surprised when A Room of One’s Own turned out to be an essay on women and As always I did not read the blurb before starting this book, so was rather surprised when A Room of One’s Own turned out to be an essay on women and literature rather than a novel. But actually I’m quite glad this happened as I’m not sure I would have chosen to read this if I knew that it wasn’t fiction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this well thought out, beautifully written and passionate thoughts on what women need in order to become writers -money and privacy. The fact that this progressive essay was published in 1929 is really impressive, and it reminded me how tough life was for our great-grandmothers and grandmothers. I adored her beautiful, imaginative, thought-provoking and extremely witty writing style and will be reading one of her novels very soon.
“It is much more important to be oneself than anything else. Do not dream of influencing other people...Think of things in themselves.”
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I loved the uniqueness of this story about a Londoner’s journey home to Georgia to search for his missing father and brothe3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I loved the uniqueness of this story about a Londoner’s journey home to Georgia to search for his missing father and brother. This debut novel was inspired by Hansel and Gretel and we follow Saba on a “breadcrumb trail” where clues come in the form of graffiti referencing fairy tales and a play written by his father.
I loved learning more about Tbilisi's history, but the real magic in this book is the love and longing you can feel in the author's exquisite descriptions of the author's birthplace and its people. Nodar, Saba's hard-drinking, rough-around-the-edges taxi driver is one of the best side-kicks I've "read" in a while. His laugh out loud one-liners and his genuine humanity reminded me of Prabakar in Shantaram.
I highly recommend this interesting book - at times melancholy, but also filled with off-beat humour and moments of magical realism, this will be unlike anything else you've read recently.
The Story: It’s been two decades since Irakli fled his war-torn homeland with two young sons, now grown men. Two decades since he saw their mother, who stayed so they could escape. At long last, Tbilisi has lured him home. But when Irakli’s phone calls stop, a mystery begins......more
I almost never give higher than 3 star ratings to mysteries/thrillers, but Nightwatching had me holding my breath for the entire book. The claustrophoI almost never give higher than 3 star ratings to mysteries/thrillers, but Nightwatching had me holding my breath for the entire book. The claustrophobic, isolated, on-edge atmosphere the author creates made me so anxious, I actually developed a tummy ache. I know that doesn't sound like much of a recommendation, but one of the things I value most in a novel is if it makes me feel something. The only other time I had such a visceral reaction to a suspense novel was withBroken Harbour by Tana French.
I also enjoyed the writing and the author's descriptions of marriage and motherhood. I'm sure this will be one of my favourite debut novels for 2024....more
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