Enjoyable but nowhere near as magic as her other books. Still some of the language and imagery was pretty and the whimsical otherworldly vibe of Japan shone through

On the TBR by poet laureate

It started well but it was unevenly paced and too long. Why are books not edited better these days?
The chapter devoted to describing Marion‘s descent into mental illness was way too much and too long again.
I feel that if it had been tidied up and condensed with a thorough editing it could have shone. But for me it just dragged on and by the end I was skipping pages. Glad it‘s over tbh.
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#franzen #crossroads #modernliterature

Has anyone read this? I‘m not a keen short story person but this sounds something special #nudibranch #shortstories #bookish #africanfiction

The characters are so well drawn and I‘m totally hooked. Has anyone else loved this? Feels like a real return to form. #franzen #crossroads #booklover

I‘ve looked at this book a few times. Today I worked at my daughter‘s school fair where books were $1 each and I got this stack! I have read a few of them. Crossing to Safety is brilliance. Shuggie is too. I eagerly anticipate Cloud Cuckoo Land

Reading this excellent book with my new specs
#specs #readingglasses #booknerd #otsuka

This one is getting great advance reviews

Off to an engaging start!
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#booknerd #pinkhair #librarynerd #librarylover

Saturday afternoon mini read #emilyitami #japanesefiction #booknerd

High expectations after Shuggie Bain. I felt Young Mungo was in many ways too similar to Shuggie in terms of plot. But it didn‘t share the incredible language and potent imagery. Young Mungo was too unrelentingly brutal for me and the hurtling head on train wreck of the characters lives was very hard for me to bear witness.

Frothing over my latest library haul. I think I‘ll start with Fault Lines once I finish Young Mungo #librarynerd

Can‘t wait for this one. Japanese fiction is sone of my favourite writing

Anyone for thoughts on this one?

Reading this highly anticipated (by me) book at my favourite local cafe #douglasstuart #winterreading

This book started with such bright promise. It devolved into endless and repetitive passages of prose that needed a harsh editing. The ending was cheesy and disappointing. Such a shame.

Defo want to read this one, winner of 2022 Miles Franklin award

Found this brand new copy in the street community library! Been wanting to read it too

Heard this author on a podcast and sounds like an outstanding read, she also won the Kirkus Prize

This one sounds excellent and the author has a love of brutalist architecture which I love

Anyone read this? I‘m keeping my eye out for it

Can‘t wait for this read

Bought it today, I can‘t wait but also girding my loins

I think I‘ve read this but saw it at Vinnies today for $4

One of my favourite books ever. Anyone else #gabrielgarciamarqez

Reread this recently and defo got a whole different experience. One of the genius modern day writers that‘s for sure. Anyone else with me on the reread? Or just the first read?

I‘m watching Don‘t Leave Me, a crime drama set in Venice (It‘s excellent) and it reminded me of this fascinating story about Venice and the rebuild of La Fenice. Thinking of a reread. Any other fans of this book or show? #venice #lafenice

Sounds promising! I‘m also mildly obsessed by The Beverly Hills hotel from a design and pattern perspective

Started with aplomb and drizzled out to being unmemorable and forgettable. Pretty disappointing and I felt bad for the author

Will Self‘s intelligence shines through in this wonderfully offbeat take on us ‘great apes”. I loved this book

Wonderfully nuanced and incisive observation of people, relationships and how much hair can matter. Pure brilliance

Wonderful characters and Mr Towle‘s writing is a box of chocolates, so many different flavours and textures, the history, the tragedy, along with complex and beautiful relationships

Excited anticipation for this most marvellous author‘s second novel. He is born to write

Totally gripping and with the most powerful imagery. A painful and heart breaking story of a family overwhelmed by inter generational trauma and dysfunctional coping mechanisms. But despite this I cared so much for Shuggie (rhymes with buggy) and his mum Agnes, whose characters are drawn so finely, with their humanity shining through despite their flaws (well despite Agnes‘ flaws). A one of kind story, I will never forget it.

Just starting this bad boy

Incredible! It took a bit to get through the first part because the format is unusual and I couldn‘t find my POV. Then I did and it‘s filled with so many aha moments, all the crazy funny things I think about and I thought it was just me being a weirdo. Has anyone else read this? How did you find it? Can you relate?

Another one to anticipate 😍

Added to the growing list tbr

Working it‘s ways to the top of my TBR list. Currently half way through Weather by Jenny Offil

This book sounds incredible, can‘t wait to read it

An absolute return to form for Murakami. I felt the excitement that I had experienced 25 years ago when I read The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. The perfect balance of observation with the splendid alternate reality that he excels at.

Compelling and unnerving. I couldn‘t put this down. The author‘s observation of society and modern values is captivating

I absolutely adored this novel. So kooky and quirky with characters that were very intriguing. Beautifully drawn, such a unique voice

Some interesting ideas but not up to the same standard of Ishiguro‘s other books.

It was always going to be hard after the brilliance of A Little Life. Part one I was very engaged with and was disappointed when it finished. The characters and relationships were super interesting. Section 2 could have been amazing but the section in Hawaii was just long and dreary. I would have liked more in New York. Section 3 was ok. Other than Section 1 the rest of the book needed a MAJOR edit, it would have helped with the monotony

Although I enjoyed this book, after the review hype I was left feeling a bit meh