Book Reviews
Welcome to my book review page.
Here I share my favourite books ~ no spoilers ~ and hope you might enjoy reading too
To select a month either scroll down the page or click on the month you wish to look at below.
March / April 2021
Better late than never! My excuse being I've been focussing on my writing.
These four books are my favourite reads during this time and as usual, no spoilers! All but one of the reads are Thrillers.
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse.
It has been described by Simon Lelic as, "Deliciously creepy and clever..." and it's exactly that. The novel is a 'whodunnit?' set in the Swiss Alps, with many twists and turns. The main protagonist is Elin Warner, who has taken time off from being a detective and accepts an invitation from her brother, Issac, to celebrate his engagement. They are not particularly close but feels she has no choice but to attend. Issac owns a hotel that used to be a sanatorium ~ hence the book title ~ an imposing building that holds many secrets. When Issac's fiancée goes missing without trace during a snowstorm, it sets in motion a chain of events that keeps the reader guessing. There is a serious twist at the end ~ shock! The characters in the main are not likeable but that doesn't detract from the story. Well worth a read.
The Guest List by Lisa Foley.
Described as a modern day Agatha Christie and tells the story of a swanky wedding between two celebrities. Set on an enchanted island off the coast of Ireland. It is atmospheric and creepy with disturbing, but plausible characters. They include the groom's public school taught groomsmen with their obnoxious 'initiation' games, and the bride's sister who has 'issues,' but then who hasn't?
Someone is murdered. As no-one effectively can leave the island, any one of the guests could be the culprit. The story is told from many points of view (POV) that keeps the reader guessing.
The Dinner Guest by B P Walter
Another multi POV thriller that works really well. The story has a complicated, tense storyline. Four people attend a dinner party, one of them is murdered. Is the murderer one of the guests? There is plenty to keep the reader engaged and guessing. The ending leaves it to the reader's imagination as to what happens next, or maybe the story is open to a sequel. I let you be the judge of that.
Writers and Lovers by Lily King.
Lastly, a different read under the umbrella of literary fiction. A gentle, powerful story that pulls you in and engages from the first page. Casey is the main protagonist, in her early thirties, is directionless after a failed love affair and the death of her mother.
It's a story of love, grief and creativity. Casey is the epitome of the angst of being a writer, and not getting a break. As a struggling writer she works in a restaurant, and the characters are well drawn, the reader can immerse themselves in to the setting. The story is both hilarious and made me cry. When Casey is caught between two potential lovers, both suit her but only one would be right for her (in my opinion). I so wanted her to make the right choice, willing her on.
The ending for me was the all round right conclusion.
February 2021
The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Daré
Set in Nigeria, this is a compelling and thought-provoking read.
It considers issues of child trafficking, child brides, sexual and physical abuse, slaves and slavery. Not sure I can do justice to how Daré has cleverly woven themes of misogyny, poverty, modern day slavery, living your dream and finding your allies. She asks the question as to what it means to be free and who really is the slave?
The characters are beautiful drawn and the setting is evocative of time and place. I was absolutely rooting for the protagonist Adunai ~ willing for her to be free.
The Survivers by Jane Harper
A slow burning thriller, a whodunnit with many twists and turns. Set in Tasmania in a small beach town, the past haunts the present. The discovery of the body of a local girl on the beach unleashes a chain of suspicion in the local community.
The answer to the crime was hidden in plain sight!
Deals with the themes of sibling rivalry, friendships ( are they really what they seem)? Dementia and family strife.
Dear Child by Romy Hausmann
A chilling, terrifying whodunnit.
Can't say too much at risk of giving the storyline away. However it deals with themes of abuse, child abuse, the horror of kidnap and surviving.
Year of The Monkey by Patti Smith
"...in February 2016, a surreal lunar year begins, bringing unexpected turns, heightened mischief and inescapable sorrow."
It's poetical, mystical and dreamlike as Smith weaves fact with fiction of her (private) life in 2016. It is thought provoking, gentle and visual.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
A stunning book about regrets, or rather, not having regrets! It's not the life you're living, or a fear of missing out, it's your outlook, your perspective on what you have.
It's the little things in life that bring you to your world. The grass isn't always greener...!
The Eighth Girl by Maxine Mei-Fung Chung
Oh wow! A page turning, psychological thriller set in London's seedy underworld and deals with adult themes of mental health, child abuse, porn and sexual abuse.
Written intelligently, Mei-Fung Chung weaves complex threads to a stunning conclusion. The ending!
January 2021
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
This is a story of loneliness, isolation and finding love in unexpected places. Of finding love even if you are one of society's outsiders.
Dis-satisfied with her life, Britt-Marie leaves her husband and finds a job as a football coach with a struggling youth team in a deprived area. Slowly, Britt-Marie gains the trust of the local community, and in doing so she discovers acceptance in the unlikeliest of places.
The book is a lovely, gentle story beautiful told and no less impactful because of that.
The Girl Who Reads On The Metro by Christine Féret-Fleury
(Translated into English from French).
This story considers how books are magical, a portal into other worlds. What if books choose you, and not the other way round, to offer meaning to your life?
The book doesn't go into too much depth of character(s) or the 'why' and is no less a beautiful read for that. In some ways, the superficially drawn characters add to the story telling. It goes without saying that as it was written by a french writer it feels Parisian. Reviews elsewhere have been negative and I think the reviewers missed the point of the storytelling.
This is a little gem of a book ~ it offers a message about not accepting our lot and we can change our path, take a risk, if only we listen to the universe.
December 2020
Not posted in a while, but rest assured I have been reading! Here are some of my favourite reads from the past few months. All are worth a peak, if you haven't done so already. Definitely can't pick a favourite, however My Lovely City by Louise Hare, and Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce are two highlights.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Hope Santa brings you lots of lovely new books!
October 2020
Gosh, I've been a bit tardy on here too, what can I say? If you've read my recent blog it might give you an inkling.
I've been undecided regarding what to do for best on this page. I love reading, often quite random choices, and have posted reviews. But! I'll never post anything negative for the following reasons:
1) Most writer's puts blood, sweat and tears into their work and who am I to negate their novel? I've seen reviews posted elsewhere that have been unnecessarily mean. Ouch. You don't have to potentially destroy someone by being unkind and publicly not liking a book.
2) If I'm not into their work it doesn't mean their novel is bad, it means it's not to my taste. It's that simple.
On the other hand, if I really like a book I will say so, without spoilers ~ wouldn't want to be a killjoy!
However not everyone likes this approach ~ people like to hear the good, bad and the ugly in reviews.
So, I still haven't decided what to do. I may just post pix of the books and take it as read ~ pun intended ~ that I enjoyed and you may do too. Watch this space, it is my page after all *she winks.*
June/July 2020
Two books important reads that have had me reflecting upon attitudes and reflecting upon our colonial past here in the UK ~ a topic I've always been uncomfortable in coming to terms with the fact that it happened.
Food for thought and an inspiration in how to be a better anti-racist.
Girl, Woman, Other has been on my 'to be read' pile since it was published last year. I might add that my pile is probably as tall, if not taller, then I am. Yet, with the events that happened earlier this year around ' black Lives Matter,' I decided to take this book to the top of the pile. I'm so glad I did for I love this book. I love the phrasing, the prose, the characters. Bernadine Evaristo has written 12 different characters, woven through the narrative in time and place, and inhabits each of them beautifully. Each tells a story that may well knock our (white) conscience, yet so be it. For me, it is hands down my favourite book of 2020.
April/May 2020
Something weird is happening in Lockdown, I can't seem to concentrate on reading books. At least, not at the rate previously where I would have three or four on the go. Nevertheless, here are my 2 recent favourites. Both very different, gentle reads and thought provoking for good measure. As usual, no spoilers!
The Travelling Cat Chronicles was translated from the Japanese by Philip Gabriel. This book is from a new writer to me and her story is absolutely delightful. It's a story of a cat, Nana, who goes on a road trip with his owner Satoru. It is a story of friendship, love and solitude and perfect for these times.
The Man Who Saw Everything was long listed for the Booker Prize 2019. I must confess I haven't quite finished the book, but it is a story I'm totally immersed in. Set in Berlin and London it shows how we never quite escape our past while not fully understanding the here and now. It's what we choose to see or not see that frames our knowledge of the world and our relationships. Or at least, this is my take.
February and March 2020
So here are my favourite reads for February and March. As usual, no spoilers!
Flea's, 'Acid For The Children' I first read in November and deserved a second attention. It is beautifully written, poetic even, that tells of his somewhat disturbing childhood in LA. I so wanted to give the young boy a hug and tell him it would be ok ~ which indeed it turned out to be!
Kit De Waal's, The Trick to Time, will live with me for a long time. Beautifully written and achingly poignant as it deals with love, loss and grief.
Louise Hare's, This Lovely City, is a delightful, if at times the subject matter makes it a difficult read. Evocative of time and place, it was inspired by the 'Windrush generation,' and set in post war Britain. It tells the story of Lawrie Matthews, a postman by day and jazz musician by night. When he finds himself at the wrong place at the wrong time, life will never be the same.
Ann Patchett's, The Dutch House, a story of, "Family, betrayal, love, responsibility and sacrifice." A story told over time, again evocative of time and place. The story draws the reader in alongside the beautifully drawn characters.
