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Thoughts on the #WomensPrize Shortlist?

I didn't read the whole Longlist, but I'm surprised at Restless Dolly Maunder being here. It was a good read, but nothing superb. I would have liked to see Ordinary Human Failings. And from reviews I've read, In Defense of the Act seemed to be a stand out.

@BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain

British-Palestinian actor Sonia travels to Israel to visit her sister and gets roped into being in a play in the occupied West Bank. Through the narrative, Hammad reveals the realities and difficulties of life for Palestinians in Israel and the constant danger faced. I thought this was terrific and couldn‘t tear myself away from it.

I could not get into this at all: while the subject matter of the lives of Palestinian women is relevant and meaningful, I found the writing style, as well as the audio narration, felt much more like it was intended for a young adult audience. I drifted away pretty quickly.
#Bookspin

I really enjoyed the writing. The main character flips back and forth between memories of her childhood and parents to her past relationships and her role in them, both good and bad. It is a personal journey of growth and recognition of her destructive behaviors and what it took to change them. It was also a look at the possible role her parents held in that as well. I enjoyed the characters insight at the end about her mother. #freepalestine

Sonia returns to Haifa, Israel, to visit her sister Haneen. While there she gets pulled into a Palestinian theatre production of Hamlet. As the actors learn their lines and get there feel of the play, we get Sonia and Haneen‘s backstory. We also learn about everyday in this region, how it is to pass through checkpoints and being in the hands of the soldier doing the control, sudden demonstrations and reactions.

This was Februarys #readyourkindle book. It took me so long to read because it‘s such a worthwhile, heartfelt and powerful read but it‘s also full of grief and sadness (written very profoundly but succinctly, and repeated) so I was just reading it in small bursts. I loved it.

I finished this book on my flight back home. Such a slow, quietly powerful read and so very timely. An incredible book where everything feels just beneath the surface and between the lines. I was slightly on edge throughout the story right up until the end.

Very intriguing writing using a theatre production of Hamlet to convey underlying meanings of the conflict in Israel-Palestine. But there are a lot of unnecessary details about the protagonist who btw is unbearably dull. The audiobook narrator is simply horrendous and I think I lost so much of the charm of this book because the narrator straight up botched the reading. Overall, interesting plot but please don‘t get the audio version on audible.

I excepted them to interrogate me at the airport and they did

#FirstLineFridays

A beautifully written story that intertwines multiple narratives along with the past and present. My heart went out to each of the ladies as they struggled to carve out space in a culture where they are seen as less than. You know the writing is good when you‘re able to empathize with a character you don‘t even like.

Please check the content warnings.

April #bookspin complete! @TheAromaofBooks