This is a quirky little mystery with dual timelines and there is not much more I can say without spoilers. So if you want to know what is really happening in Calico I suggest you get your hands on a copy of this book!

Who would like this? I would recommend this to those who like things weird and wonderful in their fiction.

Having previously loved the glorious F**k the patriarchy that was The Power I was looking for more of the same, sadly this book didn‘t live up to my expectations and I think that is because it was trying to do too much.

If you like wondering about what the end of the world will look like and how those with money would handle it give this a go.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/11/26/the-future-by-naomi-alderman/

Really enjoyed this audiobook.

Britney has been through so much and the people in her life especially family are horrible glad she is free now.

The conservatorship sounds like the old excuse of getting a woman sectioned for having her own opinion unbelievable that this could happen today and to someone so famous completely in the public eye 😱

#ReadAroundTheWorld #Jamaica

Great debut novel focussing on the women of one family and what they feel they need to do to survive in this tourists paradise.

Family secrets ✅
Illicit love ✅
Ambition ✅
Seedy underground ✅
Told using Patois ✅

Would recommend this for a look at female societal issues and pressures.

Brilliant story and a fantastic audiobook I feel the science and math could be overwhelming in print but when listening in feels right.

Is there anyone who has read this that doesn‘t love Rocky?

Interesting take on global warming, first contact. Communication, survival and friendship.

This book has it all Weir is a great writer and Ray Porter is a fantastic reader.

Highly recommend this book.

#Reading1001 a novel set after the war at the start of the Troubles in Ireland. A decaying hotel owned by an eccentric English family provides a metaphor for collapse of English rule.

Newspaper stories are interspersed throughout the narrative to show what is happening outside the walls of the Majestic in the Irish countryside which provides an interesting insight into events for main characters as they are isolated in the hotel.

Follow up book to the miniaturist taking place years after the events of the first book.

I liked this for the story but as a sequel it didn‘t work for me. The miniaturist is seen even less than book 1 and the reader has no more idea at the end of this book how she gets her knowledge or why she targets the family.

This is a quiet, slow paced, character driven novel where the peace of the cemetery conflicts with the town and the world around.

I would recommend this to those who like quiet stories with not a lot of action but a whole lot of heart.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/11/11/the-caretaker-by-ron-rash/

One of the most unlikeable characters I have read but the book itself raises interesting questions about the publishing industry, online censorship and the question of who has a right to write what and if we censored writers how long until we censor reviewers and readers.

Love this series and the characters but 😭😭

Grotesque yet compelling.

The title suggests where this book is going and yes it does go there but not in a gratuitous way the reader needs to read these sections to understand exactly what is going on behind the façade. That said it does mean this is not a book you can recommend to everyone.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/11/05/21455/

#ReadAroundTheWorld #Egypt

First in Cairo trilogy this is a family saga about a Muslim family living in Cairo during the early 1900s under the English protectorate.

We follow the strict Muslim father who imposes strict rules at home only to go out drinking and carousing, his obedient 2nd wife, his 2 sons & 3 daughters.

I really enjoyed this and intend to finish the trilogy.

#ARC #Netgalley #ILovedYouInAnotherLife

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy stories about strong friendships; about forgiveness and love; and most importantly about family biological and found. Those who want an in depth story about previous lives and finding love again may I suggest Katherine Kerr‘s Deverry series.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/10/29/i-loved-you-in-another-life-by-david-arnol...

F**k the patriarchy and outdated inheritance rules that turn the squires daughter from the darling of the people to the witch of Wideacre.

#Reading1001

#Reading1001

#ARC #Netgalley #ParisLibrary

Don‘t ban or burn books – Read Them!

Based in Paris during the German occupation you just know that this book will have more than its fair share of tragedy. What I didn‘t appreciate before going in was how much hope, love and courage would also be found in the same place and at the same time.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/10/24/the-paris-library-by-janet-skeslien-charle...

I have to say I feel I lack the mental power for working out whodunits in general and this one specifically.

If you enjoy murder mysteries, have an interest in the history of the genre and like pitting your wits against an author who is trying to hide the crimes in plain sight I think this book will definitely give you a run for your money.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/10/22/west-heart-kill-by-dann-mcdorman/

#ARC #Netgalley

I fell in love with almost each and every one of them. I love the way William‘s included Maude a character with Echophalia a condition I had never heard off but that was fascinating to research once I had finished reading.

For anyone who loves historical fiction, books about books, anyone who loves memorable characters!

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/10/17/the-bookbinder-of-jericho-by-pip-williams/

#ARC #Netgalley #Water

Boyne explores isolation self-imposed and that imposed by society. He explores the ideas of guilt and blame and how often it is innocent women who end up blamed and tarred by the actions of guilty men.

This is a slim book at under 200 pages but it does pack a punch. Read this if you have ever wondered about the real people behind the headlines.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/10/28/water-by-john-boyne/

One thing I can say I was never bored reading this book and I stayed up past bedtime to find out how it would all end.

A compulsive read. It examines how money impacts friendships, relationships, marriages and family and poses the question if the same happened to you what would you do? Would you use the money for good or would you end up blowing it all?

Full review and rant here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/10/15/just-my-luck-by-adele-parks/

#Clarissa woohoo finally finished. Thanks to everyone who read along not sure I could have done this without you. 🎉🎉. I no longer have to worry about working reading this into my life 🤣🤣

#ARC #Negalley #LandOfMilkAndHoney

It‘s the end of the world as we know it…

I would recommend this to those who enjoy exploring a post-apocalyptic world within the confines of a small isolated community, those who don‘t need likeable characters and those who don‘t mind food descriptions that are heavy on the meat and blood aspect of eating.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/10/08/land-of-milk-and-honey-by-c-pam-zhang/

ARC #Netgalley #WitchesOfVardo

F**k the patriarchy!

I listened to the audio read by Sofia Engstrand and her accent and pronunciation really added to my enjoyment of the story.

I would recommend this to those who want a witchy story that doesn‘t involve black cats, broomsticks or overlarge pointy hats.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/10/07/the-witches-of-vardo-by-anya-bergman-read-...

#ARC #Netgally #OnceAMonster

Monstrously Good

This is the best kind of rags to riches story; there is heartache, heartbreak, tragedy, forgiveness and new beginnings just the kind of story to warm your heart when the nights are cold.

The writing is beautiful and from the opening line I was drawn into Nell‘s world and I enjoyed every minute I spent there!

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/10/02/once-a-monster-by-robert-dinsdale/

#ARC #Netgalley #OnceAMonster well with an opening like that how can I resist?

#ARC #Netgalley #UponAFrostedStar

ARC provided by HQ (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

One Word Review - Enchanting

I would recommend this to those who enjoy fairy tale retellings, this is a perfect winter‘s tale for when the nights are getting darker and the days are getting colder and you need something magical to take you away.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/09/24/upon-a-frosted-star-by-m-a-kuzniar/

Interesting look at the life of Amy Tan and how family impacted her writing.

Fascinating observations about how readers interpret what writers mean, often incorrectly; how some readers believe writing should be restricted to experience of author; how she defines herself as an American writer while others define her as Asian American and questions why we need these definitions.

Ending with her battle for treatment for Lymes disease.

I hate saying this but 2023 Longlist is the weakest I have ever read. Too many similar stories.

My predictions are based on the books that were distinct not necessarily the ones I enjoyed most.

All The Little Bird Hearts
House of Doors
The Bee Sting
Prophet Song
A Spell of Good Things
In Ascension

Before reading this I had never heard of The Rock Bottom Remainders made up of various authors including 2 of my favs Stephen King & Barbara Kingsolver

#ARC #Netgalley #NorthWoods

Two word review – Loved.It.

Mason explores all aspects of the “life” of the cabin, from the inhabitants, the land surrounding it, the local wildlife and of course the ghosts who haunt it.

Unique, intriguing and compelling.

Take a step back from the modern world and lose yourself in history unfolding, you won‘t regret it. Plus Ghosts!!

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/09/17/21344/

Book 19 this was more a police procedural with a personal angle also sad about the attitudes of the girls to what is effectively date rape.

#ARC #Netgalley #BeforeWeSayGoodbye

Another sweet addition to this gentle time travel series. Even if you cannot change the present going back can bring comfort in the past.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/09/16/before-we-say-goodbye-by-toshikazu-kawaguc...

#BookerLonglist2023 that‘s a wrap final book done ✅

I normally love dystopian fiction because I think yes this is possible but not in my lifetime. This book was very unsettling because I can see it occurring in my lifetime.

This book kept me of balance and I read it with dread. Even the ending is grey and doesn‘t promise happy ever after.

The book is also distinct from others on Longlist and I appreciate that.

#BookerLonglist2023

At first I was drawn into this family saga but then as viewpoints and timelines switched things got repetitive.

The story relies too much on bad luck and coincidence the ending is clearly sign posted but then left unfinished for the reader to decide which is too little payoff after the investment needed.

2nd person narrative later in book was interesting and I am guessing this is the reason for inclusion.

#ARC #Netgalley #DictionaryPeople

This will appeal to all word nerds out there, however I will say I had to read this with a break between chapters as sometimes the sheer volume of names and word could become overwhelming.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/09/10/the-dictionary-people-by-sarah-ogilvie/

#BookerLonglist2023 Book 11

While I appreciate this book for highlighting an event in American history I knew nothing about I am puzzled by its inclusion on the Longlist.

Events like those in the book should be written and talked about but does it deserve a literary prize IMO no.

#BookerLonglist2023

Possibly my favourite read so far. Sunday is a great character and I loved the viewpoint of a neurodiverse adult instead of the usual child.

Although really not a lot happens the author builds the tension and sense of dread and that was really done.

A book I will remember.

#ARC #Netgalley #Prophet

What a wild ride!

Adam & Rao are great characters & add a great dynamic.

Fascinating and not altogether beyond belief which is a scary thing.

Who would like this? I would recommend this to those who enjoy their fiction weird, who like unique characters and who are ready and willing to dive down any rabbit they see.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/08/28/prophet-by-sin-blache-helen-macdonald/

#BookerLonglist2023 this is a WTF kind of book. I got to the end and am not completely sure what I read.

For the whole of the book we are in the head of the narrator in a new country where she doesn‘t speak the language and where the locals appear to fear her and blame her for unusual but not unheard of incidents.

There are hints throughout that things are not what they seem and the sibling relationship is not straightforward and is intriguing.

#BookerLonglist2023

While it deals with the loss of mother/wife I really enjoyed this story. There are sad moments but there is also hope, joy and moving on.

Squash may not be that exciting to an observer but the use of the game to find discipline and meaning really worked.

The girls, their father and those around them were all engaging characters and I liked the hint of the supernatural.

This book did have an interesting story the problem is, it is so deeply buried under all the mundane needless details that you would need an archaeologist to dig it out. The author seems to subscribe to the theory of why use 1 word when 12 will do. By the end of the book my overwhelming feeling was relief that I will never have to read this again.

To sum it up in one word Boring

#ARC #Netgalley #TheSentence

One Word Review Wow Two word review Just Wow

Read this book for what it is a fictional thriller that looks at the moral question of sentencing a person to death, once that sentence is carried out regardless of future evidence it cannot be taken back. Something everyone calling for the legal death of another person for whatever reason should bear in mind.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/08/20/21164/

#BookerLonglist2023 help I am 50% through this and literally nothing is happening, events that in another book would be major wow movements are just lost in the rest of the drivel. The pacing is glacial but I have to finish please convince me it is worth it.

As with most dual timelines I definitely had a favourite and that was Sean‘s Satanic Panic timeline I was literally so angry with the psychiatrist, the police and the parents for putting all these suggestions in the kids heads. The kids themselves lie because that‘s what the adults want DUH doesn‘t need a rocket scientist to work that out.

The modern day was Interesting for the psychological aspect of the revenge story.

#BookerLonglist2023

This is described as short stories which I normally hate but as all the stories follow the same family it reads like a novel and I am fine with that.

This is another book about family but more than that it‘s about identity. T‘s narrative really made me think about how much skin colour and hair type define who we are to other people, something I have never had to question.

An interesting read and I enjoyed the Patois.

#ARC #Netgalley #FamilyLore

My First Elizabeth Acevedo but it won‘t be my last.

A multi-generational family exploration featuring sisters with magical powers? Consider me invested. I loved the magical realism aspects of this story the sisters magical gifts are subtle and believable with the exception of the Alpha Vagina. Yes you read that right an Alpha Vagina!

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/08/15/21100/

#ARC #Netgalley #SharkHeart

Sounds Banana Pants but it totally works.

Anyone who says a love story about a man turning into a shark and his human wife can‘t work needs to read this.

I would recommend this to anyone who appreciates a good love story, who doesn‘t mind having their heart stamped on and anyone who wants to see what it means to love someone “in sickness and in health”.

Full review here https://thereadersroom.org/2023/08/13/21096/

#BookerLonglist2023

Another book with a missing mother this one dead in childbirth a special boy (autism?) and his reaction to the world around especially senior school and the issues if you don‘t fit in.

A side sprinkle of marital problems, misogynistic head teacher, a hint of romance and of course boat building to try & make sense of the world.

Beautifully written the language really spoke to me. Reminded me of Bewilderment by Richard Powers.