"For years she had been able to be happy only by forgetting happiness. She wanted to stay like that. She wanted to shut out everything that would r
"For years she had been able to be happy only by forgetting happiness. She wanted to stay like that. She wanted to shut out everything that would remind her of beautiful things, that might set her off again longing, desiring..."
Four very different women, on answering an advertisement in The Times, find themselves far away from the drizzle of London and instead in the warmth of an Italian sun.
The start held so much promise. Four unhappy women whisked away to Italy to reconnect with themselves and the strangers they're suddenly sharing space with. And the descriptions were absolutely stunning, bringing to life the Italian countryside. But I wish the story had taken a different direction. Two of the women are in miserable marriages with men who seemed to barely tolerate them... and yet, once in Italy, they're suddenly full of forgiveness, patching up years of struggle with no reflection or growth on the men's part? I was far more interested in seeing these women rediscover themselves outside of their failed relationships, rather than watching them fall back into them with little payoff....more
A short story collection by E.M Forster. Only two of the fourteen stories appeared in print in Forster’s lifetime - some were deemed not good enough bA short story collection by E.M Forster. Only two of the fourteen stories appeared in print in Forster’s lifetime - some were deemed not good enough by the author, while others explore queerness at a time where homosexuality was a crime. I love Forster's sharp dialogue and vivid descriptions, but these stories could not reach the heights of his greater works. ...more
After her parents divorce, Ann moves back to her mother's hometown. Rural Shimane is a lot different to busy Tokyo and at first Ann struggles with theAfter her parents divorce, Ann moves back to her mother's hometown. Rural Shimane is a lot different to busy Tokyo and at first Ann struggles with the lack of anonymity in the small town.
There was so much emotion to this manga and I was surprised at how deeply it made me feel. Ann's mother struggles with depression - her over-bearing mother and the fact she never wanted to return to Simane only makes this worse. Not long after moving, Anna's mother kills herself. After this tragedy, the story advances until Ann is 14 years old. As Ann grows up, she struggles with grief and more common teenage issues of self-image.
The sadness and heartbreak of this story was counter-balanced with the other characters' kindness and warm-heartedness. Ann forms a strong friendship with a neighbourhood boy, Daigo, which verges on becoming something more. Meanwhile, she also starts getting closer to another boy, Fuji. (At the moment, I'm totally team Fuji haha)Â
This story really pulls at the heartstrings. I loved the characters and their interactions; they leapt of the page. The only issue I had was it was sometimes hard telling different characters apart. I suppose the black-and-white drawings make this more difficult.
After reading this first volume, I really want to continue with the rest of the story, as the strong themes of friendship, grief and growing up really appeal to me.
Merged review:
After her parents divorce, Ann moves back to her mother's hometown. Rural Shimane is a lot different to busy Tokyo and at first Ann struggles with the lack of anonymity in the small town.
There was so much emotion to this manga and I was surprised at how deeply it made me feel. Ann's mother struggles with depression - her over-bearing mother and the fact she never wanted to return to Simane only makes this worse. Not long after moving, Anna's mother kills herself. After this tragedy, the story advances until Ann is 14 years old. As Ann grows up, she struggles with grief and more common teenage issues of self-image.
The sadness and heartbreak of this story was counter-balanced with the other characters' kindness and warm-heartedness. Ann forms a strong friendship with a neighbourhood boy, Daigo, which verges on becoming something more. Meanwhile, she also starts getting closer to another boy, Fuji. (At the moment, I'm totally team Fuji haha)Â
This story really pulls at the heartstrings. I loved the characters and their interactions; they leapt of the page. The only issue I had was it was sometimes hard telling different characters apart. I suppose the black-and-white drawings make this more difficult.
After reading this first volume, I really want to continue with the rest of the story, as the strong themes of friendship, grief and growing up really appeal to me....more
When a stranger runs his car into a ditch in dense fog in South Wales and makes his way to an isolated house, he discovers a woman standing over the dWhen a stranger runs his car into a ditch in dense fog in South Wales and makes his way to an isolated house, he discovers a woman standing over the dead body of her wheelchair-bound husband, gun in her hand. She admits to murder, and the unexpected guest offers to help her concoct a cover story. But is it possible that Laura Warwick did not commit the murder after all? If so, who is she shielding?
As soon as I started this book, it began to sound very familiar... then I realised I'd actually seen it performed as a play back in 2007! I remember enjoying it so much, and the novelisation was just as great, without taking anything away from Agatha Christie's original script.
Since it started out as a play, the sharp dialogue really stands out as a highlight. And I loved the mystery. It's a classic closed-circle case, set entirely in a mist-shrouded manor house. The victim sounds like a truly terrible person who made problems for everyone around him, which makes nearly everyone a suspect, and I enjoyed the way the story unraveled, revealing secrets, misdirections, and a satisfying conclusion. ...more
3.5 stars Told in verse, this explores the lives of conjoined twins as they navigate school for the first time. It explores their relationship with the3.5 stars Told in verse, this explores the lives of conjoined twins as they navigate school for the first time. It explores their relationship with the world and each other. It's beautifully told, so I don't know why I felt a little underwhelmed. I enjoyed reading it, but the ending felt rushed - I wanted more closure and a deeper look at what happened after the events of this book....more
I went into this book knowing nothing about it and haven't seen the movie... so at multiple points I questioned if I was reading a thriller where ElioI went into this book knowing nothing about it and haven't seen the movie... so at multiple points I questioned if I was reading a thriller where Elio was going to murder Oliver.
The story revolves around a romance that " blossoms between an adolescent boy and a summer guest at his parents' cliff-side mansion on the Italian Riviera." Elio is such an intense narrator. He feels things passionately, almost to the point of obsession. Hence my occasional concern for Oliver's safety. (Though I didn't care that much, considering he does pursue a seventeen year old).
Most of the novel is introspective. We spend a lot of time in Elio's head as he wrestles with self-loathing and the inability to act. It took some getting used to and I would have liked more present-moment scenes to balance out the storytelling. But the writing is beautiful. Yes, it's a little pretentious, but isn't that kind of the point? That's who Elio is as a character. And I don't mind a bit of flowery language if it still has an emotional heart behind it.
Overall, I feel conflicted about this novel. It completely transports you to an Italian summer. I don't know how the author isn't mortified by putting this deeply confessional narration into the world, but good for him? There's a lot of heart and raw emotion behind it. The age gap is certainly questionable. And I'll never look at peaches the same way again. ...more
Maya Angelou details her childhood to teenage years in the American South of the 1930s. It's a fascinating, unflinching, heartbreaking, and empoweringMaya Angelou details her childhood to teenage years in the American South of the 1930s. It's a fascinating, unflinching, heartbreaking, and empowering read. It's not set out with a typical structure of a novel, but more as a series of recollections. Maya has such a strong spirit and a beautiful, raw writing style....more
Viscerally uncomfortable, raw, and real. It's not really my kind of novel, but I can't deny how expertly crafted it was and how vivid the characters fViscerally uncomfortable, raw, and real. It's not really my kind of novel, but I can't deny how expertly crafted it was and how vivid the characters felt. ...more
Anton and his friends rule Year 9 - they're the "kings" of the school. With a reputation to maintain, Anton often acts out in class and backs up his fAnton and his friends rule Year 9 - they're the "kings" of the school. With a reputation to maintain, Anton often acts out in class and backs up his friends when they torment other kids. But when his Mum, concerned about his behaviour, signs him up for a local activity group, Anton's horrified at spending time with the kids he sees as losers. And then there's Matthew, who seems determined to befriend him.
What follows is an exploration of toxic masculinity, self-discovery, and true friendship. Anton's journey felt authentic, and a particular moment with Nan even made me tear up. The book is also very funny and portrays such an important message for young readers. I loved it. ...more
I went into this book without knowing much about it and ended up flying through it. At first, I felt a bit iffy about the subject matter—when one charI went into this book without knowing much about it and ended up flying through it. At first, I felt a bit iffy about the subject matter—when one character has financial control over the other, the potential for a power imbalance is huge. However, the story handled this delicately, with consent being discussed throughout.
While there are romantic elements, I wouldn’t say the book primarily focuses on romance. Instead, the story is about friendship, kindness, and how connection can help people through hardships. The characters are incredibly sweet. I worried about them the entire time. The angst is high, and all I wanted was for them to get their happy ending. I loved how the story doesn’t end where you might expect. Instead, it extends beyond the usual stopping point, giving us more insight into Jonah’s life after some significant events take place. It made sure his trauma wasn't just glossed over in favour of a perfect ending.
Overall this was such a heartfelt read about love, connection and resilience. I loved the characters so much. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever this author writes next....more
Sethe is now miles away from Sweet Home - the farm where she was kept as a slave for many years. Unable to forget the unspeakable horrors that took plSethe is now miles away from Sweet Home - the farm where she was kept as a slave for many years. Unable to forget the unspeakable horrors that took place there, Sethe is haunted by the violent spectre of her dead child, the daughter who died nameless and whose tombstone is etched with a single word, 'Beloved'.
I've been meaning to read a Toni Morrison book for a while and I really wanted to love this, but I ended up struggling to get through it. The way time jumps back-and-forth, sometimes in the middle of paragraphs, confused me. I didn't mind the magical realism aspect - Beloved's haunting was intriguing. It's a fascinating concept to focus a story on, even more heartbreaking when you realise aspects are taken from someone's real life. I just didn't connect to the writing or pacing of the story. But it's a Booker Prize winner so what do I know....more
James Baldwin is a masterful writer. This is the second book I've read of his, and I'm in awe of his prose and the depth of his characters. Go Tell ItJames Baldwin is a masterful writer. This is the second book I've read of his, and I'm in awe of his prose and the depth of his characters. Go Tell It on the Mountain is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows John, a fourteen-year-old boy growing up in 1930's Harlem, as he grapples with identity, family, and faith.
At first, I expected the novel to center solely on John, so I was surprised when the narrative shifted perspectives. Baldwin takes us beyond John's immediate point of view to explore the lives of his mother, his biological father, his aunt, and his abusive stepfather, Gabriel. These shifts in perspective added depth to the characters, revealing how their choices shaped their lives and how generational struggles impacted John's existence.
The exploration of faith and religion felt deeply personal to the author. Gabriel, a preacher and possibly based on Baldwin's own stepfather, embodies the oppressive power of the church and the hypocrisy that often accompanies fanaticism. The novel also delves into themes of race, sexuality, and gender. We see the difficulties of being burdened with the past while struggling with self-acceptance.
I loved Baldwin's poetic yet unflinching writing style, and definitely want to read more of his books in the future. ...more
Eeeee this was my favourite Julian Winters book. Petition for him to write more adult books.
When Denzel “Denz� Carter’s workaholic father and CEO of 2Eeeee this was my favourite Julian Winters book. Petition for him to write more adult books.
When Denzel “Denz� Carter’s workaholic father and CEO of 24 Carter Gold unexpectedly announces his retirement, the competition is on for who will become his successor. To convince his judgmental family members that Denz is capable of commitment he impulsively lies about being in a serious relationship. Problem is the last serious relationship he was in hung him high and dry after leaving the continent. Denz is forced to turn to the last person he wants to be in a pretend (or any) relationship Braylon, the man who broke his heart.
Fake dating and second-chance romance? I'm there. I loved the characters, the family dynamics, the romance, the lessons Denz has to learn. It all came perfectly together, and had a blend of light and fun, swoon-worthy and heartfelt.
My only little issue was that I didn't truly understand why Denz wanted to be the CEO at mid twenties and with seemingly little interest in the position. I get he wanted to prove to his family that he was "serious" when they kept underestimating him, but it would have been nice to see more of a purpose behind his reason for applying for the job. It would have gave more intrigue around the will-he-won't-he plot point. But this was a really sweet, enjoyable read. The ending line really got me, I can't lie. <3
Also, his author's note is so sweet: Getting here� where I got to tell my own version of those rom-coms I obsessed over� feels like living in that happily ever after....more
In 1998, Maggie's famous mother goes missing, forcing Maggie to look after her younger brother until their mother hopefully returns. But there's otherIn 1998, Maggie's famous mother goes missing, forcing Maggie to look after her younger brother until their mother hopefully returns. But there's other people lurking around near the flat, and Maggie is unsure of their intentions. She also gets to know a neighbour, Wolf, and starts to fall in love with him. Present day, Maggie wants to unravel the mystery of her past and what fell apart between her and Wolf.
I liked the writing style - it felt fresh and interesting - but the book was let down by the plot (or lack of plot). For a mystery/thriller, there just wasn't enough suspense or intrigue. It was more of a romance, and I did like Wolf as a character, but outside their relationship not a lot happened. The ending felt anti-climatic. I would have liked more character depth too - at the end of the book I still didn't feel like I knew our protagonist at all. ...more
3.5 stars “Whatever comes," she said, "cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside. It would be easy to 3.5 stars “Whatever comes," she said, "cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside. It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one knows it.�
Sara Crewe tries to settle in at Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies, but is devastated when her rich father dies and leaves her penniless. She's no longer indulged by Miss Minchin and has to live in the cold attic and do cruel, hard work. But Sara never loses her power of positivity, of telling herself that she is a princess, despite the hardships she has to endure.
There were elements I really enjoyed about this. I loved the mindset that Sara creates and how she's so kind and caring to other characters in the story. That being said, it felt like she was at times a little too perfect. I think I'm not really a fan of episodic books - I'd rather have one overarching story, rather than seeing our character go through smaller adventures. But it did wrap up nicely toward at the end and was very moving. I much preferred The Secret Garden, however.
“I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren’t pretty, or smart, or young. They’re still princesses.�...more
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