I try to remember another time when I felt like this and am sad because I can’t remember a time and happy, too, because I cannot.
Foster (or how t I try to remember another time when I felt like this and am sad because I can’t remember a time and happy, too, because I cannot.
Foster (or how to cry in 30 minutes) was recommend to me by my Goodreads friend Ian, and I couldn’t be happier with this recommendation.
This is a beautifully written short novella exploring concepts such as family, love, and belonging, through the eyes of a young girl from a poor and large family.
The story is set in rural Ireland, and begins with an unnamed young girl being sent to live with family relatives. She knows nothing but hardship and it is through her eyes that we see and begin to feel tenderness and love.
Foster is a story about how human connections can shape our lives, reminding us of the transformative power of love and the importance of feeling seen and cared for.
This was the first time I read anything by Claire Keegan and I can already feel she’ll become one of my favorite contemporary authors....more
I’m always fond of novels with old characters doing things and finding enjoyment in life. Add to these some quirky and sweet characters and the found I’m always fond of novels with old characters doing things and finding enjoyment in life. Add to these some quirky and sweet characters and the found family trope, and I have the perfect feel-good read to help me balance and improve my moods.
The Phoenix Ballroom couldn’t fit better this description! We get to know Venetia, a 74 year-old and recently widowed who decides to live her life as the fullest, Liberty, a 45 year-old who is still figuring out her life, Kite, the most wonderful grandson ever, and several other endearing characters that warmed my heart.
This was my first experience reading Ruth Hogan but I will certainly read more from her.
I would like to thank Atlantic Books | Corvus and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest an honest review. ...more
”As long as you are alive, it is never too late to be found”
With Blue Sisters Coco Mellors tells us the journey of three entitled and privilege gi”As long as you are alive, it is never too late to be found”
With Blue Sisters Coco Mellors tells us the journey of three entitled and privilege girls through grief.
It is a testament to Coco’s writing that I still loved the book, despite not being able to relate to the characters for one single bit. Even so, I can appreciate how well the bonds of sisterhood between the sisters were described, and how heavy themes such as addiction were handled with care.
This was a beautifully written and engaging family drama, and I’ll certainly going to come back for more of Coco’s writing.
I would like to 4th Estate | Fourth Estate and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest an honest review.
P.S – A huge appreciation to all authors writing about Endometriosis. Let’s not normalize pain. ...more
Knowing it’s a short story by Isabel Allende was enough to convince me to read it. If you need more than this, let me tell you it was enchanting and sKnowing it’s a short story by Isabel Allende was enough to convince me to read it. If you need more than this, let me tell you it was enchanting and sweet as only new love can be....more
I have enjoyed everything Kate Clayborn has written so far, and this was another win for me. However, I believe opinions on this book will significantI have enjoyed everything Kate Clayborn has written so far, and this was another win for me. However, I believe opinions on this book will significantly vary according to readers mood/ perception of the story.
Although The Other Side of Disappearing is a Romance, with traditional Dual POV, HEA and familiar tropes, the romance does not feel like the central issue of the Story. Instead, we are transported to Jess’s life to discover what happened to her mother and her con boyfriend, after they disappeared 10 years ago.
The mistery was interesting, the romance sweet, but the relationship that shines the most is the one between sisters. The Other Side of Disappearing is more of a journey of self-discovering, healing and family ties, supported by an achingly sweet and lovable MMC, with his own healing journey ahead.
I would like to thank Little, Brown Book Group UK, Piatkus and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest an honest review.
Side note: Most of this book happens on the character’s heads, and I think this was rather done well. However, I wish we could have seen the farm bits while they were happening, instead of being told. I think this would have made their love story more intense and believable. ...more
This was devastatingly sad, achingly beautiful, and I am a sobbing mess.
Another character driven story, another favorite. I should have guessed just bThis was devastatingly sad, achingly beautiful, and I am a sobbing mess.
Another character driven story, another favorite. I should have guessed just by the cover that I would love this.
Hello beautiful is a family saga happening between 1960 and 2008. It’s a story about love, friendship and family, and how we are shaped by the persons in our lives, both in their presence, absence and silences.
It’s a story about acceptance, and in seeing all of a person, choosing to love that whole.
It’s a story about “infrastructures of kindness”
I loved all the characters, William sadness and large heart, Sylvie’s caring nature and Julie’s determination. The supporting characters feel like family to me now.
William William’s body—tired and bored by his hesitant mind—had to set off fireworks in his nerves and muscles to alert him that something of import was taking place.
“You were afraid of her light?” “No. I was afraid I was going to put her light out. That my darkness would swamp her light.”
He wasn’t walking away—he was standing in fire. “I see all of you,” he said, but his voice was quiet.
“I think sometimes”—now it was his turn to pause—“we need another pair of eyes. We need the people around us.”
Sylvie
”Sylvie was composed of question marks and feelings that she didn’t know what to do with, as if her hands were full and she was wearing pants with no pockets.”
“Sylvie leaned against the wall. Because she was clear about what she didn’t want, she was alone. She was no longer who she used to be, and she wasn’t yet whoever she was becoming.”
Julie
“I’m a self-sufficient adult, Alice. That’s rare for a woman, and I’m proud of that fact.”
Ann’s writing is gorgeous and this book will remain in my heart and mind for a long long time. I wish I could give it more stars ⭐️...more
“Dr Heather Winterbottom often joked that she’d fallen half an hour behind on her first day, and forty years later, she was still trying to catch u“Dr Heather Winterbottom often joked that she’d fallen half an hour behind on her first day, and forty years later, she was still trying to catch up.” I feel you Dr. Heather! I can only hope it’ll take me less than 40 years to be on time ...more
I usually love to read these novels about young people living their messy lives, and overcoming their messy selves. I really wanted to love Mudflowers I usually love to read these novels about young people living their messy lives, and overcoming their messy selves. I really wanted to love Mudflowers but unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work for me.
Mudflowers is reminiscent of Sally Rooney novels, but with less depth. The characters felt very bland and too far away from my reality.
I don’t go into these books expecting to find them relatable, I know I’m a very lucky person, with a very fortunate and normal life, but I do expect to be interested in them or in the events they are experiencing. I ended up feeling old, wondering all the time about their risky behaviors and where did their parents fail in raising them.
The writing was beautiful though, which made me love pieces of the book, while I hated others (hence the I believe Alex Waterman has a great potencial as a writer and I’m expectant for her second novel.
I would like to thanks Dundurn Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
Crook Manifesto is the second book of the trilogy Ray Carney, which started with Harlem Shuffle.
In this book Colson Whitehead brings us back to HarlemCrook Manifesto is the second book of the trilogy Ray Carney, which started with Harlem Shuffle.
In this book Colson Whitehead brings us back to Harlem in the 70’s, which was at its violence peak. The story is centered around Ray’s furniture store and, similarly with the first book, it is told in three interconnected tales.
Ray’s furniture story is increasingly successful and has expanded. Everything appears to be on the right track for Ray to make it straight and leave his criminal past behind him. Unfortunately, his daughter’s desire to see Jackson Five end up putting Carney on the wrong path again.
Colson is master storyteller, and he is able to tell us, in a beautiful and entertaining way, about African-American history. I’m expectant for the trilogy final book.
I would like to thank Little Brown Book Group UK, Fleet and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
I would like to thank One More Chapter, HarperCollins Uk and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Lost I would like to thank One More Chapter, HarperCollins Uk and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Lost Bookshop is a three POV and dual timeline story. The present timeline follows Martha, a domestic violence victim on the run, who starts working as an in-housekeeper for Madame Bowden. She meets the PhD student Henry, who is searching for an old manuscript and a lost bookshop, that should be located right next to Bowden’s house. The past timeline starts in 1921, and tells us the story of the brave Opaline and her fight for independence.
This book was an interesting read. Evie Woods writing is beautiful and immersive, and I’ve found myself immediately absorbed by Martha’s and Opaline’s lives. It is worth to mention the story is full of literary references, from the Brontë sisters to Sally Rooney, which should delight all book lovers.
I really wanted to love this book but there were too many things going on on both timelines, some of them unnecessary for the story progression and that actually worked as a distraction to the main plot, which prevented me to fully enjoy the reading. I disliked Henry from the moment we discover he is engaged until the end. I wish the romance was addressed differently, as there was no lack of drama on the present timeline.
Still, it was a lovely read and I recommend it for both Magical Realism and Historical Fiction fans.
T.W - Physical and verbal abuse, cheating
Merged review:
I would like to thank One More Chapter, HarperCollins Uk and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Lost Bookshop is a three POV and dual timeline story. The present timeline follows Martha, a domestic violence victim on the run, who starts working as an in-housekeeper for Madame Bowden. She meets the PhD student Henry, who is searching for an old manuscript and a lost bookshop, that should be located right next to Bowden’s house. The past timeline starts in 1921, and tells us the story of the brave Opaline and her fight for independence.
This book was an interesting read. Evie Woods writing is beautiful and immersive, and I’ve found myself immediately absorbed by Martha’s and Opaline’s lives. It is worth to mention the story is full of literary references, from the Brontë sisters to Sally Rooney, which should delight all book lovers.
I really wanted to love this book but there were too many things going on on both timelines, some of them unnecessary for the story progression and that actually worked as a distraction to the main plot, which prevented me to fully enjoy the reading. I disliked Henry from the moment we discover he is engaged until the end. I wish the romance was addressed differently, as there was no lack of drama on the present timeline.
Still, it was a lovely read and I recommend it for both Magical Realism and Historical Fiction fans.
T.W - Physical and verbal abuse, cheating
Merged review:
I would like to thank One More Chapter, HarperCollins Uk and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Lost Bookshop is a three POV and dual timeline story. The present timeline follows Martha, a domestic violence victim on the run, who starts working as an in-housekeeper for Madame Bowden. She meets the PhD student Henry, who is searching for an old manuscript and a lost bookshop, that should be located right next to Bowden’s house. The past timeline starts in 1921, and tells us the story of the brave Opaline and her fight for independence.
This book was an interesting read. Evie Woods writing is beautiful and immersive, and I’ve found myself immediately absorbed by Martha’s and Opaline’s lives. It is worth to mention the story is full of literary references, from the Brontë sisters to Sally Rooney, which should delight all book lovers.
I really wanted to love this book but there were too many things going on on both timelines, some of them unnecessary for the story progression and that actually worked as a distraction to the main plot, which prevented me to fully enjoy the reading. I disliked Henry from the moment we discover he is engaged until the end. I wish the romance was addressed differently, as there was no lack of drama on the present timeline.
Still, it was a lovely read and I recommend it for both Magical Realism and Historical Fiction fans.
Full review in Portuguese because it’s a Portuguese book from a Portuguese author. However, I strongly recommend everyone to pick up this book if it eFull review in Portuguese because it’s a Portuguese book from a Portuguese author. However, I strongly recommend everyone to pick up this book if it ever gets translated. In summary, “What if I die tomorrow?” is a short story about a septuagenarian who discovers sexual pleasure and life after her husband’s death. This kind of stories are essencial to fight prejudices and normalize life, at any stage and every age.
Este livro acompanha os últimos anos de vida de Helena, que acabam por se traduzir nos primeiros anos de vida, pois nunca é tarde para se começar a viver. O falecimento do marido Alberto foi a chave que a libertou da prisão dos estigmas e preconceitos (próprios, pois os da sociedade não se combate com tanta facilidade), dando início a uma viagem de auto-descoberta e aos melhores anos da sua vida.
”E se eu morrer amanhã?, e todas as dúvidas se dissipavam. Sim. Vou. Posso. Alinho. Claro. Porque não?”
Não há como negar a importância deste tipo de textos e visão pois se é certo que com a velhice surgem novos desafios, não tem de ser o fim do que nos dá prazer. Com a velhice não surge uma obrigação de usar cabelo curto, usar apenas roupa escura e sapatos ortopédicos e muito menos de procurar o prazer que o corpo possa pedir. Estes são alguns dos estigmas com que cresci e que vejo absolutamente enraizados na sociedade… comento os sapatos pois ainda este mês a minha mãe me perguntou o que achava de ela usar ténis, se não ia parecer uma velha maluca.
É urgente combater a forma como tratamos os nossos velhos, o paternalismo e condescendência que se tornam quase automáticos, e normalizar a vida. Não só porque todos caminhamos para lá, mas sobretudo ninguém merece ser infantilizado, diminuído e limitado.
Torço muito que o mundo fique cheio de Helenas!...more
Not my favorite Steinbeck book but, like pizza, it is still very good.
”Cannery Row in Monterey in California is a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a qNot my favorite Steinbeck book but, like pizza, it is still very good.
”Cannery Row in Monterey in California is a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream.”
This book works almost as a collection of short stories/ anecdotes about the people living in Cannery Row. The writing is beautiful, funny and really makes the characters shine.
It was the first Steinbeck book I read in English and the experience is very different. I might need to reread everything else in the original versions.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for providing me an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Kala Lannan is the kind of person wh Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for providing me an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Kala Lannan is the kind of person who draws everyone around her. Girls want to be like her, boys want to be with her, and everyone feels a bit special to be close to her. In 2003 she disappeared without a trace and has never been found. Fifteen years later, part of the group is back in town and Kala’s body is discovered, reopening old wounds that never truly healed.
“Life is like this: immense when you are inside it, but manageable from the outside, touched from a distance.”
I don’t usually read thrillers but once in a while I like to pick one and see what I am missing. I couldn’t be more happy that Kala was the one I chose.
This book is much more than discovering what happened with Kala. It’s also a coming of age story to remind us about the summers of our lives, about the friendships that mean the whole world, the beauty of first love and the raw intensity of teenagers emotions. It is also a story about how the past affects us and life turns out to be different than we dreamed.
The story is told through Helen, Joe and Mush POV, which encompasses both present and past timelines as they remember the events before Kala’s disappearance. This strategy gives a special rhythm to the story, and it is one of the things that make this book such a page turner.
I liked the story and I was invested in the case but my favorite part of the book were the characters. Colin wrote brilliant characters and I believe some of them will stay with me for a long time.
Kala was Colin Walsh debut and I can’t wait to see what he will bring us next....more
"The words you can't find, you borrow. We read to know we're not alone. We read because we are alone. We read and we are not alone. We are not alone"
I"The words you can't find, you borrow. We read to know we're not alone. We read because we are alone. We read and we are not alone. We are not alone"
I wanted a light and wholesome read. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry has that in spades, but it is also a bit bittersweet, and left me very emotional.
It is a story about people who love books, to the people who love them. A beautiful story about finding roots and rediscovering the love of living, surrounded by those you chose as family.
"We are not quite short stories. In the end, we are collected works."
Gabrielle Zevin is indeed a great writer. I loved the structure of this book and how it ended up being a collection of works, where we can see the supporting characters have their short stories as well.
"We aren't the things we collect, acquire, read. We are, for as long as we are here, only love. The things we loved. The people we loved. And these, I think these really do live on"
I don't have much to add as I find myself emotionally drained, yet again. I liked it "enormously"! ...more
This book is a retelling of some greek myths (Minotaur labyrinth, Phaedra and Dionysos) from Ariadne perspective.
I know it is unfair to make comparisThis book is a retelling of some greek myths (Minotaur labyrinth, Phaedra and Dionysos) from Ariadne perspective.
I know it is unfair to make comparisons as Madeline Miller has set an impossibly high standard when it comes to Greek retellings. However, I can’t ignore it and, although Jennifer Saint’s writing is beautiful and lyrical, I must say she’s no Madeline Miller and Ariadne is no Circe.
My main issue with the book it’s not the writing though, it’s the content. Everyone who knows me knows I love to see the women perspective of events and read a feminist view of those. However, instead of empowering females, the feminist view of the book can be summarized with “men are bad and take advantage of women”. Additionally, both Ariadne and Phaedra are quite unremarkable, and their lives were not that interesting, which made me feel bored for most of the book.
I believe this story would have worked much better as a novella rather than a full length novel.
The reviews show this is a well beloved book so maybe just ignore my opinion. I recommend it for everyone who loves mythology and retellings....more
The Rachel Incident is a coming of age story of a Millennial girl in Cork, at the peak of the financial crises. It is also a lovHappy publication day!
The Rachel Incident is a coming of age story of a Millennial girl in Cork, at the peak of the financial crises. It is also a love story, a journey of self discovery and acceptance and a tale of the lack of reproductive healthcare in Ireland.
I absolutely adored this book! It was so easy to relate with the characters that parts of the story just felt like a trip down memory lane. Being a Millennial myself, who was also trying to find her place in the world at the described timeline, probably enhanced my understanding of some of the struggles. However, Caroline O’Donoghue perfectly describes the insecurities, struggles, feelings, passions and the absolute mess of entering the adult age, which I believe are pretty much the same for all generations.
The writing is beautiful and I particularly liked the fact the story is told from the present time. This allow us not only to experience what the characters were feeling at the time, but also see it through adult eyes and understand the different perspectives.
This book is perfect for Sally Rooney fans, with the advantage of including likable and a lot less pretentious characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for providing me an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!...more
I’m feeling very conflicted about Pineapple Street but mostly I feel disappointed. This is definitely on me, as I was expecting something a bit differI’m feeling very conflicted about Pineapple Street but mostly I feel disappointed. This is definitely on me, as I was expecting something a bit different, particularly regarding the ending which I found profoundly underwhelming.
Pineapple street is a satirical story about one-percenters (top one percent of a population by wealth), and if this sounds like something you want to read about, go for it! My main issue with it is that I couldn’t always feel the satirical tone, and without it, this turns out to be a story about spoiled and privileged brats, with nothing much happening and very little character evolution.
This book has some of the most annoying characters I’ve ever seen and read about. Georgiana simply has no redeeming qualities, and the remaining characters aren’t much better. Being a character driven novel, which I love with all my heart, I expect to see evolution on the character’s nature. On Pineapple Street, I’m not convinced much has changed.
On the good side, the book is well written, I was indeed invested in the story, in the different POVs, and I was never bored while reading it.
On the awful side, and this is again a personal issue: There are no words to explain how tired I am about Millennials being ridiculed. Millennials are self-centred, lazy and spend all their money on avocado toasts. As if any of this could ever justify why most of this generation is struggling financially.
We faced the subprime crisis, the great financial crisis and the weakest economic growth and when everything was starting to get better and it appeared we could start “adulting” comes Covid19, increasing interest rates and highest inflation in 40 years. To this you can add the student debt to support us being one of the most educated generations. Luckily for us in Europe, this is not a huge issue as you can study for free or mostly free (I had debt and have some friends in the same conditions though). But our fondness for avocado toast (which I hate) is to blame for not being able to buy houses and end up living with friends of family.
I can write a thesis about this, but I won’t. I am incredibly lucky and privileged in regards to my profession and career, and I worked a lot to be where I am now, but I know a lot of people that are not there yet, and I’m just tired of reading the same jokes over and over again. We are doing the best we can, leave us alone and find another thing to make fun of. ...more
Between Us was a very interesting read about friendship, family, love, toxic relationships, gaslighting, betrayal and infidelitHappy publication day!
Between Us was a very interesting read about friendship, family, love, toxic relationships, gaslighting, betrayal and infidelity. The writing was immersive and the characters were relatable. The dialogues and interactions were credible and the story had a lot more depth than I was expecting.
This was a great read and I absolutely recommend it!
I would like to thank HarperCollins Uk and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review...more
I would like to thank Knopf and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very difficult book to read,I would like to thank Knopf and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very difficult book to read, and it is a difficult review to write. I considered DNF the book since the beginning because I was just finding it too heavy for me.
I was expecting something a bit different, closer to a thriller than to what it ended to be. However, as I kept thinking I would just stop reading it, I could not. I was hooked with the twins’ stories, their friends and, despite knowing what was going to happen, I still wanted to see how it would happen.
Tiffany McDaniel writing was beautiful, even if unrelated with the way these twins and other characters would speak, and the end was absolutely brilliant.
This book is a heavy reading and not for everyone, but if you feel you can handle the trigger warnings, go for it. Read it slowly, make breaks if it becomes too much, DNF if needed, go until the end when you are ready.
TW: drugs, substance abuse, prostitution, paedophilia, death of family members, death of friends, violence, extreme poverty...more
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