I found the first half of this book totally enthralling. A lower income student, Richard, falls in with a pretentious group of Greek students, and befI found the first half of this book totally enthralling. A lower income student, Richard, falls in with a pretentious group of Greek students, and before long they are inseparable. However, Richard soon discovers the group are harbouring a secret, which will have deadly consequences.
None of the cast of characters are overly likeable, but that doesn't particularly matter here. The author creates a mysterious atmosphere, with enough information withheld about the supporting characters motivations that I was intrigued throughout.
The book does lose a little steam in the second half, and the "investigation" portion dragged on a little.
A cute enough story about a women who opens up a detective agency in Botswana. There are a series of small-scale local mysteries to be solved by the lA cute enough story about a women who opens up a detective agency in Botswana. There are a series of small-scale local mysteries to be solved by the likeable lead.
My mum used to love this series, and I can understand why. I don't know much about Botswana so I'm not sure how authentic they are, but I enjoyed the cultural insights the book gives....more
A very sad, but affirming novel from Turkish author Elif Shafak.
This book has a slightly unusual premise- our main character was murdered before the nA very sad, but affirming novel from Turkish author Elif Shafak.
This book has a slightly unusual premise- our main character was murdered before the novel begun, and she has a kind of life-flashing-before-her-eyes experience, and we witness the key moments of her life.
Leila has had an extraordinary difficult life, which ultimately forced her down a road of prostitution. There are some bright spots in the form of her five dear friends, and a love interest, but the novel is very bittersweet throughout.
A very beautiful novel that will tug on your heartstrings....more
I picked this up at the airport on a whim and loved it from start to finish, it was a real page turner and the perfect poolside read.
The Riva siblingsI picked this up at the airport on a whim and loved it from start to finish, it was a real page turner and the perfect poolside read.
The Riva siblings are the children of an aging rockstar, who abandoned them at a young age. Despite their hard start in life, they have managed to become very successful in their own rights, with 2 of them becoming famous surfers. The first half of the novel largely deals with their family history, as we see the story of their parents falling in love, and the decline of their relationship. The second half, set in the 80s, tells the story of the siblings throwing a raucous party that quickly spirals out of control as family secrets bubble to the surface.
The real draw is the characters, who all felt very real, with authentic flaws. My heart broke for the oldest sister Nina in particular who had to shoulder so much. The connection between each of the siblings felt painfully honest.
If not obvious, I loved pretty much everything about this . It was my first read by the author, but it won't be the last....more
Perfectly enjoyable but perhaps overhyped. Our main character is a female chemist in the 50s and 60s, struggling to be taken seriously because of her Perfectly enjoyable but perhaps overhyped. Our main character is a female chemist in the 50s and 60s, struggling to be taken seriously because of her gender, and who ultimately ends up taking a job as a celebrity chef to support her family.
This novel is a humorous, heartwarming and empowering story, but I personally didn't love it the way so many readers seemed to.
Nevertheless, I hope some readers do find Miss Elizabeth Zott to be an inspiration!...more
I have mixed feelings about this book. On the plus side, it shines a light onto abusive relationships, and how people can become stuck in bad situatioI have mixed feelings about this book. On the plus side, it shines a light onto abusive relationships, and how people can become stuck in bad situations, and fall into familiar patterns. This book is probably aimed at young adults in their early 20s, and can hopefully become a cautionary tale for many of them.
On the other hand, I really disliked the writing style. The prose was simplistic, and there were too many fortunate coincidences. The dialogue didn't feel authentic, and (view spoiler)[ from their very first interaction, Ryle acted like a huge arsehole. I understand the author probably wanted to foreshadow his abusive tendencies from the very first interaction, but it just left me wondering why on earth the main character was falling for his "charms". I think it possibly would have made for a better and more realistic novel if he started out on a better foot. (hide spoiler)]
This was my first Colleen Hoover and I think it'll most likely be the last, but given it's become so popular, I am at least glad I've read it. ...more
Joanne Harris never disappoints. This was an almost dream-like story of a man's reflections on his childhood, and his bond with an older neighbour, whJoanne Harris never disappoints. This was an almost dream-like story of a man's reflections on his childhood, and his bond with an older neighbour, who later inspired him to write a novel....more
3.5 stars. A longterm married couple with children have several affairs, and proceeds to wreck the lives of people around them with their reluctance to3.5 stars. A longterm married couple with children have several affairs, and proceeds to wreck the lives of people around them with their reluctance to let go of their marriage.
I enjoyed the writing style, but found the characters a bit infuriating...more
This was a difficult book to rate. I wouldn’t exactly call it a romance, but we follow 2 characters over a period of a few years as they continually hThis was a difficult book to rate. I wouldn’t exactly call it a romance, but we follow 2 characters over a period of a few years as they continually hook up, then split up for arbitrary reasons or due to miscommunications. They are both rather unlikable and overdramatic people who treat each other, and their other love interests badly throughout school and college. It is clear to any reader that they have a connection but the guy seems to care too much about his image, and the girl is too... pretentious I guess? Either way they both seem to have an allergy about telling truth about how they feel so they end up in this limbo.
The ending was abrupt but felt right to me. (view spoiler)[ These characters will probably continue drifting in and out of each other’s orbits until one of them moves away permanently. Just because they are together when the book ends doesn’t mean they will continue to be in the future and there is already discord brewing. (hide spoiler)].
Despite my issues with the characters I liked the writing and I’m sure I will check out the hit TV series soon....more
A really fabulous novel. The book follows Maqil from his birth in 1931 Pakistan, to his final days in 2012 France. He lives an unconventional life, flA really fabulous novel. The book follows Maqil from his birth in 1931 Pakistan, to his final days in 2012 France. He lives an unconventional life, flitting from country to county, changing his identify as he moves, abandoning family as he goes. He shouldn't be a likeable protagonist, but somehow he is through his straightforward, unpretentious view of himself. We forgive his betrayal of his wives as it feels true to his nature, and they don't seem to hold much of a grudge themselves.
I think Roopa Farooki is such a gem of an author. I've really enjoyed nearly every book she's written. Hopefully she makes a return to writing again soon....more
The debut novel by the Scottish author who would go on to become such a big name in the crime genre.
His first foray into writing wasn't a thriller, bThe debut novel by the Scottish author who would go on to become such a big name in the crime genre.
His first foray into writing wasn't a thriller, but instead a sad tale of a young woman in a poor mining town in Scotland who really cannot seem to catch a break. After one of her childhood bullies meets an unfortunate end, he gets a reputation for being a witch within the town, and falling pregnant out of wedlock in the late 60s secures her position as the town outcast.
15 years later we see her son Sandy has developed a few problems of his own. He's developed a secret relationship with a young vagrant girl living in an abandoned mansion, and is trying to contend with what life after school graduation means in the 80s in a dilapidated Scottish mining town.
It was a decent enough story, but had a very sudden ending leaving it feeling unfinished. Despite being a little rough, the author's talent is clearly visible....more
I only picked up this novel because it is by Markus Zuzak, the author of the global phenomenon The Book Thief, which happens to he one of my favouriteI only picked up this novel because it is by Markus Zuzak, the author of the global phenomenon The Book Thief, which happens to he one of my favourite books. I suspect many others are in a similar boat.
Not much of note happens in this story. We follow Cameron Wolfe who is a teenager in Australia. He has a close relationship with his brother, and most of the novel is about their exploits. It is a simple enough tale, with nothing overly poor or brilliant to report on....more
It took me a while to get into this but I'm glad I did. This book follows a British English literature professor at a polytechnic who is just generallIt took me a while to get into this but I'm glad I did. This book follows a British English literature professor at a polytechnic who is just generally quite bitter, jealous and involved in department politics....more
Not my usual kind of book but I absolutely adored this. In the opening chapters we meet a young boy nicknamed Pinch, who is the son of a famous artistNot my usual kind of book but I absolutely adored this. In the opening chapters we meet a young boy nicknamed Pinch, who is the son of a famous artist. Gradually over the course of years, and then decades, we watch his relationship evolve with his neglectful father and fragile mother, and see various friends and partners come in and out of his life.
I can't really articulate why I liked this so much, but I felt very sympathetic towards our main character, and was desperate for him to succeed throughout.
Would definitely check out more by this author....more
Very good indeed. Follows a young girl living in Botswana with a Motswana father and English mother, and follows a period of their lives when a new coVery good indeed. Follows a young girl living in Botswana with a Motswana father and English mother, and follows a period of their lives when a new couple come to town and get involved in their lives.
Kind of low stakes, but I enjoyed learning about the country. I believe the author followed a similar path to the main character's British mother and that the novel was written when she lived there.
I think the last Part was a bit superfluous but still an enjoyable read from start to finish....more
This book by the author of the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime has been quite extensively slated on here, and I do understand why.
The naThis book by the author of the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime has been quite extensively slated on here, and I do understand why.
The narrative style is confusing, with 8 POV characters, and perspective changes without warning on a paragraph to paragraph basis. It's essentially a slice of life book, where we hear from each of the characters and learn about their pre-existing issues. The book takes place over the course of a week when the group are on holiday together, and several of the plot points never reach a resolution. Many of the characters are obnoxious and spend a lot of time bickering with each other.
In spite of all that, I actually did quite like it. The characters really grew on me towards the end, and appreciated that they were all flawed individuals who have a lot of self development to do. I liked the range of issues it explored (miscarriage, affairs, teenage hormones) It's a very different book to the "Curious Incident " but it is quite similar to "A Spot of Bother " which I loved. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to anyone as I'm well aware of the flaws but I found it enjoyable nonetheless. 3.5 stars...more
I was surprised by how much I liked this. A kind of modern day adaptation of The Great Gatsby set in Harlem. Our main character is a young Hispanic maI was surprised by how much I liked this. A kind of modern day adaptation of The Great Gatsby set in Harlem. Our main character is a young Hispanic man, trying to keep his head down, get an education and keep his wife happy. His childhood connection with local drug dealer Sapo though means he gets embroiled with local crime lord Willie Bodega, who is trying to do some good in the neighbourhood, as well as some bad.
I just found our main characters immensely likeable, and sympathised with some of the situations he found himself in. The other major character Willie Bodgea was just the right mix of dark and vulnerable. The ending felt wrapped up too quickly, but I very much enjoyed the journey....more
The first novel ever written by Philip K Dick, which was published posthumously. On one hand, this book felt like a bit of a drag especially at the stThe first novel ever written by Philip K Dick, which was published posthumously. On one hand, this book felt like a bit of a drag especially at the start. On the other, I thought it was a very good and surprisingly modern-feeling representation of a young disenfranchised man clearly having a breakdown as he struggles to find his place in the world. The man hates his job, struggled with alcohol addiction, doesn't seem to much like his wife and periodically has anti semitic and racist thoughts (unsure how much this is of the time, but it's clear we're not meant to agree with it).
At times the character started to feel pretty irredeemable towards the end, and I'm not sure I liked how the book wrapped up.
I'd recommend this for any Dick completionists... it isn't as bad as some of the other reviewers make out, however I do agree it does lack a certain umph. An example of a similar kind of book done better (in my opinion) is Something Happened by Joseph Heller....more
I very much enjoyed this. It's a slice of life novel following a bunch of English villagers who all harbour desires and secrets. One of our main charaI very much enjoyed this. It's a slice of life novel following a bunch of English villagers who all harbour desires and secrets. One of our main characters is happily married mum Laura, who encounters her ex boyfriend after 20 years and finds her world view slightly shaken.
Her son's school teacher is an aspiring and frustrated playwright. Another mum at the school can't seem to move on from her ex husband. All of the stories when described in isolation may feel overdone but the author's writing style is very authentic, and worked very well for me....more
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