I really enjoyed this novel MINA’S MATCHBOX by Yōko Ogawa translated from the Japanese by Stephen B. Snyder. I had a fun time buddy reading it with KaI really enjoyed this novel MINA’S MATCHBOX by Yōko Ogawa translated from the Japanese by Stephen B. Snyder. I had a fun time buddy reading it with Kate last month. It’s about a woman recounting her time spent as a young twelve year old girl staying with her wealthy cousin’s family at a large estate in 1972. The writing is lovely that showcases the importance of familial bonds, memory, youth and circumstance. I enjoyed this historical fiction with a touch of the surreal as Mina would ride the family pet hippo to school and all the quirky characters in this family. I loved how this novel focused on the lasting impact of one formative year that the narrator remembered after so many decades. I want to read The Memory Police now and I’m excited to read some more Women in Translation this month!
I loved this book and it’s definitely one of my faves of this year. This book literally made me cry and I love books that make me cry. It’s such a wonI loved this book and it’s definitely one of my faves of this year. This book literally made me cry and I love books that make me cry. It’s such a wonderful exploration of relationships and all the emotions involved from grief to joy. And I love her writing style! I will be reading this novel again for sure.
I was so eager to read ANY PERSON IS THE ONLY SELF by Elisa Gabbert since I loved her poetry book Normal Distance. I loved these essays! Gabbert has sI was so eager to read ANY PERSON IS THE ONLY SELF by Elisa Gabbert since I loved her poetry book Normal Distance. I loved these essays! Gabbert has such a creative and intellectual mind and I love her humour and wit in this book. I loved the references to books and reading again and again. As a reader it’s so relatable to read another reader’s thoughts. I loved this line: “short books don’t make me think of death�. I too feel that existential dread of a big book. It was interesting to read about her “Stupid Classics Book Club� and her thoughts on Frankenstein, reading poetry and rereading. I’d love to read more by this author! Turns out I love nonfiction written by poets too!
Thank you to FSG Books for my gifted review copy!...more
I usually don’t read science fiction but I was interested to read this novel since it’s co-written by Keanu Reeves. THE BOOK OF ELSEWHERE by Keanu ReeI usually don’t read science fiction but I was interested to read this novel since it’s co-written by Keanu Reeves. THE BOOK OF ELSEWHERE by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville gripped me right away with the unusual main character, Unute, who’s a warrior that’s lived thousands of years. It was interesting the formal use of language that harkened back to the past and the storytelling that had the present day timeline and stories throughout the years that gave context to Unute. I read the first half quite quickly and even stayed up late until 1am one night to finish it. I did appreciate the representation of a gay couple and the BIPOC female main character. The audiobook sounds good too with a full cast including Keanu. It was fun to read outside of my usual genres!
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for my ARC!...more
I haven’t read a translated book in a couple months now and I usually enjoy Japanese fiction so I was eager to read GOODNIGHT TOKYO by Atsuhiro YoshidI haven’t read a translated book in a couple months now and I usually enjoy Japanese fiction so I was eager to read GOODNIGHT TOKYO by Atsuhiro Yoshida translated from the Japanese by Haydn Trowell and I really enjoyed it! This novel follows several people whose lives are intertwined in the night in Tokyo. I loved the way the novel was told in stories and it began perfectly as the clock struck 1:00 am. It was fun to read and find out how each character knew each other. Overall such a charming and feel good read about human connection.
Thank you to PGC Books and Europa Editions for my gifted review copy!...more
I really enjoyed reading DOMESTIREXIA by JoAnna Novak! The title is a combination of domestic and anorexia and these poems are about longing and estraI really enjoyed reading DOMESTIREXIA by JoAnna Novak! The title is a combination of domestic and anorexia and these poems are about longing and estrangement. I liked how part one featured poems of couplets and then parts two to five had varied poems of prose and longer lengths. I liked the references to Dali and O’Keefe, and Butterick, Simplicity and Vogue pattern books, and how one poem was in French. My fave poems are Dear Aries and , and as It Ought to Be. I really like the collage art style of the cover too! The art of poetry is beautiful!
Thank you to Soft Skull Press for my gifted review copy!...more
As I’m closer to midlife than quarter life now I was intrigued to read HALFWAY HOME: Thoughts from Midlife by Christina Myers and I really enjoyed theAs I’m closer to midlife than quarter life now I was intrigued to read HALFWAY HOME: Thoughts from Midlife by Christina Myers and I really enjoyed these essays! Myers touches on topics of female friendships, body insecurity, period problems, me too, aging and learning from elders. I appreciated her personal stories of buying her first bra, writing smut and registering for Indigenous status. There’s several relatable moments and overall this book showcases the importance of sharing and learning from other people’s experiences. I’d be very curious to read this author’s fiction now too!
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted review copy!...more
I found THE UNSETTLED by Ayana Mathis quite a sad read! It’s about a woman, Ava, and her son who go to live at a family shelter in Philadelphia in 198I found THE UNSETTLED by Ayana Mathis quite a sad read! It’s about a woman, Ava, and her son who go to live at a family shelter in Philadelphia in 1985 and she tries to make a better life. I liked how this novel is told in dual narratives of Ava written in third person and her mother, Duchess, written in first person. This novel delves into racism, homelessness, and outsiders. I read this book two months ago and began my summer of sad reads but I love good sad books!
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted review copy!...more
I was excited to read The Pairing by Casey McQuiston since I loved Red White & Royal Blue and really enjoyed One Last Stop but unfortunately this bookI was excited to read The Pairing by Casey McQuiston since I loved Red White & Royal Blue and really enjoyed One Last Stop but unfortunately this book just wasn’t as good as those two. It’s a second chance romance about two bisexual young adults Kit and Theo. I really enjoyed the representation of bisexual and nonbinary characters but overall I felt this book was too long and the whole plot wasn’t for me. I liked the settings of France, Spain and Italy and the descriptions of the food and wine were decadent but got old fast. There were some cute moments, some sexy moments and some cringy moments. I liked how the narrative was told in two parts first from Theo’s point of view and then Kit’s. I listened to the audiobook and the two narrators Emma Galvin and Max Meyers did a good job. Even though I didn’t love this book I’d still definitely be interested to read I Kissed Shara Wheeler and McQuiston’s next book.
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for my ALC...more
INVISIBLE LIVES by Cristalle Smith is an amazing indie CanLit poetry book! I loved these poems! This debut collection features auto-fiction poems basedINVISIBLE LIVES by Cristalle Smith is an amazing indie CanLit poetry book! I loved these poems! This debut collection features auto-fiction poems based on Smith’s experiences with surviving abusive relationships and growing up in poverty. The opening poem begins with a traumatic experience and throughout this book there’s a raw depiction of domestic violence and dysfunction. It’s an emotional read. My fave poems are Sinatra on Metal Rivets and Lyric Lab Report. I loved these lines in Sinatra on Metal Rivets: “There are steps to writing a good poem. A Canadian poem. A womanly poem.� I love a good Canadian womanly poem! And I loved the form used in Lyric Lab Report and this poem also has lines about being Canadian.
Thank you to ZG Reads & University of Calgary press for my gifted review copy!...more
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