The story itself is a gripping, filled with dread, have to keep reading to find out if it‘s all okay kind of story. The mother character is well developed and extremely relatable. I had issues with pretty much everything else. An inauthentic portrayal of neurodiversity, a completely implausible depiction of police investigation, a cast of secondary characters that are one dimensional, stereotypes. The list could go on.

A very troubling and disturbing story yet a compelling story. CW for child sexual abuse and rape so one I would be hesitant to recommend.

Absolutely loved the heart in this book. Set in Alaska and focusing on an eclectic bunch of teenagers as their lives intersect, it was an absolute delight to read.

So disappointed with this book. Cliched, predictable and moralistic. Perhaps it‘s supposed to be self help dressed up as fiction but I don‘t think it did that well either. I think I‘m done with Matt Haig.

I found this book implausible, ridiculous and unsatisfying. The characters were flat and two dimensional, storyline‘s were introduced but then dropped and the dialogue was clunky and unrealistic. Plus the ending was way to cutesy for me. The only redeeming features were the prologue which was creepy and menacing (holding huge unfulfilled promise) and the twist towards the end which caught me by surprise.

Really, really loved this one. So much more complexity and nuance than I was expecting.

Gary Crew is a legend of Australian kid lot and this is a gorgeous junior fiction novel. It‘s very sweet but also a little sad. The forest is so well written you‘ll smell the eucalyptus and hear the gurgling creek. And the characters are all loveable, loyal and a little bit quirky. Such a great read for 8+.

As a long time Patchett fan it was sacrilege that I hadn‘t read this one, I‘ve remedied that by listening to the audiobook on a long car trip this weekend. I can see why so many people list this as their favourite book, it was just divine. Spectacular character development populating an interesting but simple storyline. And of course, beautiful writing!

This was purely picked for the cover, I admit it. For some reason I thought this would be a bit mediocre but I loved it! Caitlin was an wonderfully constructed and entirely relatable character who I felt such an affinity with. Best friend, Lina, and love interest, Tom, were full of warmth and kindness. This was a book I tore through because I was so concerned for Caitlin‘s welfare, I had to know she would be alright.

Another ripping read from Jane Harper! She‘s my go to author for an atmospheric setting, interesting well developed characters and an unpredictable plot. Loved this one, perhaps not as much as The Lost Man but it‘s still a solid, keep you guessing mystery.

Another ripping read from Jane Harper! She‘s my go to author for an atmospheric setting, interesting well developed characters and an unpredictable plot. Loved this one, perhaps not as much as The Lost Man but it‘s still a solid, keep you guessing mystery.

I have been tasked with writing a piece on books we‘re looking forward to being released in 2021 for a work project.

These are some i was hotly anticipating this year but I‘m struggling a bit for next years releases. What is on your must buy/borrow list that I should have a look at?

I‘m working on a publication for work that will include books we‘re looking forward to for 2021. Have you got any books you can‘t wait for with release dates in 2021?

Pictured are some of my recent purchases that I had been hotly anticipating.

I started this a couple of days ago. So far I‘m finding it a bit of a struggle. I can‘t connect with the characters and it‘s maybe grittier than I can handle just now. The question is, do I push through. Is it worth persevering with? Has anyone here read this?

Kevin Kwan has fast become my go-to author when I want to indulge in a fluffy, indulgent escape from reality. Just the way to spend my day off on this very chilly Wednesday.

This was a quick, engaging and enlightening read. I really appreciated what it had to say about race and privilege. But for me it was over hyped and didn‘t live up to expectations. I found there were just too many unlikeable characters that I couldn‘t relate to and didn‘t care about. And the ending was rushed and unsatisfying. Still Reid is clearly a good writer and I‘d pick up another one of hers.

Every now and then I find a book that seeps into my pores and takes up residence in my body. They are books not to be rushed, but savoured and pondered. The characters become lifelong friends and the emotions I feel when reading are deeply felt. This book did that too me. I wept, how I wept. I wanted everything for Esme. This doesn‘t bode well for my next book... how can it ever live up to this one.

This is the second in the Dublin Murder Squad series not that you need to read that one first. I enjoy French‘s writing style the storyline was very intriguing, as a mystery/thriller, should be. The characters reminded me of the young people from Normal People but just a little older. But... this was a whopping 600+ pages and IMO needed a brutal edit. I want my mysteries to be sharp and snappy, this was not that.

Light, hilarious and I agreed with at least three quarters of these rules. A funny thing happened when reading this book. I‘d leave it on the coffee table and either myself or my husband would pick it up and read out rules to the other one.... than chuckle away before reading the next. We are not a ‘let‘s read aloud to each other‘ kind of couple. In the 20 years we‘ve been together we‘ve never done this. I don‘t know what happened but it was fun.

Finally some sunny weather and time to read outside. It‘s been a long cold winter. We‘re still in lockdown but at least the sun is shining.

Companion novels can be hit and miss, this one, a companion to Wonder, is a definite hit. Three different, loosely connected stories that all show heart, strength of character and empathy. Better still RJ Palacio writes the most wonderful note to the reader, never talking down to her young audience.

Also in the Wonder realm is a graphic novel, White Bird, which adds a further layer to the collection.

Another middle grade/YA cross over novel which has been my reading preference of late. It‘s my second one by Australian author, Sue Whiting. The book of chance is about identity, family, friendship and a life-altering secret. It‘s set against the backdrop of that awkward first year of high school (although this would be middle school in the US) where friendship groups are forming and changing and social media has a powerful and dangerous pull.

I found this viscerally terrifying, edge of my seat suspense. It‘s not my usual fare but I could not put it down. It‘s very plot-driven, again not my usual style, and there were so many twists most of which I did not see coming.
This is my August #doublespin (I‘m still reading the #bookspin book) @TheAromaofBooks

Oh man, this one has me on the edge of my seat! I was going to Netflix tonight but the internet‘s down. Looks like I‘ll might be finishing this gripping novel. #doublespin @TheAromaofBooks

I could not love this middle grade novel more. There are big, really big issues dealt with in such a kind, gentle and deeply compassionate way. The way the young protagonists discover their own moral compass, sometimes a reflection of their upbringing and sometimes moving away from the bigotry of their parents was incredibly moving. If you‘ve got a 10+ year old in your life put this book in their hands immediately (and you should read it too)!

It is immense pleasure to be reading so many stellar middle grade fiction with my two tween daughters. There is just so much quality, variety and originality in middle grade fiction. This is one such book. Sweet, very funny, beautifully written and with a lovely message about being kind and trying your best.

Loved the concept but overall I found the book a bit meh. Too many cliches and too predictable for my liking as well as the characters being a bit two dimensional perhaps with the exception of Alice. Having said all of that it was light and very sweet so a good antidote to the current global situation.

Super excited to share my August #bookspin with my nine year old. She lives pranks and this sweet middle grade fiction has a wonderful inclusive and caring theme running through it.

@TheAromaofBooks

The author seems to have a minor obsession with this word and it‘s kinda annoying. Anyone else have this feeling when an uncommon word is used repeatedly?

Did all my jobs early today so I could indulge in a reading afternoon guilt free. Being back in stage 3 lockdown (Victoria, Australia) this is about as exciting as life gets at the moment. Hope you‘re safe wherever you are.

I was going to skip August #bookspin having so many books I have to read already but I‘m so enjoying getting books off my TBR that I can‘t resist. I‘ve recently taken on full time work so my time is limited but hopefully I can squeeze in a few books. To make it easy I‘m using the same list as last month and I‘m definitely just commiting to #bookspin (unless we end up back in lockdown). Thanks for organising again @TheAromaofBooks

Weird! Weird, weird, weird. This book was like trying to hold onto fog, nothing of substance to grasp. No character or place is named, nothing that happens is definitely real. It was bizarrely interesting enough for me to finish it but it‘s a book that made me feel like I‘m not smart enough to understand what it was really trying to say.

The first in the Stella Montgomery series, this Victorian era middle grade mystery is full of intrigue and secrets. The gothic setting, grand hotel, creepy marshland complete the abandoned village and crumbling seaside castle adds to the spookiness and suspense. And Stella is gutsy, loyal and fiercely intelligent. A really wonderful young readers mystery, perfect for curling up in front of the fire with on a cold windy night.

This is middle grade fiction perfection. Ivan, the easy-going gorilla learns bravery, strength and determination to save Ruby, the baby elephant, and by turn saves himself. It‘s sad but also hopeful and beautiful. I read it with my 9 year old and she, who usually only reads funny books, adored it.

Beautiful, melancholy, but ultimately hopeful. The story of farmer, Tom, and Holocaust survivor, Hannah, will live in my heart for a long time.

This book delighted and surprised my difficult to please nine year old. She fist pumped the air when she found out there were two more books in the series.

I‘ve been having trouble sticking to one book at the moment and have ended up with three physical books on the go plus an ebook and an audiobook. Today I‘m alternating between the three, reading a chapter from each.

I‘ve had trouble sleeping this week so this delightful, thoughtful and introspective audiobook has been keeping company. Read by the author, Australian journalist, Julia Baird, it‘s the perfect antidote to these troubling times.

95% chance of rain, below 10C all day calls for a day reading in my world. About to start in my #bookspin book for July. @TheAromaofBooks

Here‘s my list for #bookspinbingo, July #bookspin and #doublespin. Not sure how much reading time I‘ll have as I may be starting full time work soon (after working part time for a decade) but I‘m excited to get a few off the TBR. @TheAromaofBooks

Mesmerising writing, stunning illustrations, a gripping, twisty storyline with as many unanswered questions as resolutions. This is middle-grade fiction perfection.

Thanks aunty @Victoria_Clyne

I‘ve really never read romance fiction before but thought I would give it a go for my library‘s winter readathon and we also picked this one for book club. It took me only two days to get through this one and while I don‘t think I‘ll ever be a devoted romance reader this was a lot of fun. It was quirky but still predictable (in a good way), steamy but also humorous.

The library I work at is running a winter readathon for the next ten days. You can set any reading goal you want so I went with reading outside my comfort zone by reading romance for ten days. I started this one last night. It‘s steaming but extremely easy to read and I‘m enjoying it more than I expected. Jane in Love is up next. Any other reasonably well written romances I should add to my list?

Having read both her previous novels and adored them, I thought this was a sure thing. Instead I found it tired, cliched and predictable. The story also, for me rested on an implausible plot element which felt forced so the story would go a certain way. I read through to the end hoping there might be something original in its conclusion. There wasn‘t. Having said all that, Jessie Burton can string a sentence together. @TheAromaofBooks #doublespin

When your crochet project matches your book cover 💓

This is my June #doublespin. Very intriguing so far.

I listened to Candice Fox‘s Crimson Lake series last year and absolutely loved it so I was excited to see a new title on my audiobook app. Sadly this was very mediocre, much more formulaic (and more like the James Patterson titles she wrote) than Crimson Lake. The characters were less intriguing (or developed) and I wasn‘t as invested in solving the mystery. Disappointing.

Australia has a turbulent history when it comes to the treatment of refugees. I find the current policies reprehensible but in this novel they are even more so. Despite the very difficult subject it was an utterly compelling story, told from the perspective of a politician, a refugee child and an Australian woman unwittingly caught in the middle. This was recommended by a patron at the library I work at and I‘ll be adding his others to my TBR.

Today was my two children‘s first day back at school after the COVID-19 shutdown. I spent the morning rearranging our books and creating this lovely little book nook. Best thing? I now have room for more books!!

#bookspin (tagged) and #double spin for June. I started the Jock Serong book prior to lockdown but couldn‘t focus once the world fell apart. Life is still mad but I feel more able to tackle both it and reading now than I did three months ago. Plus they‘re both library books due back at the end of the month.

I think I‘ve found the librarians holy text.... I adored this small collection of letters to the books one librarian loves, hates and loves to hate. It‘s laugh out loud funny at times and I often nodded in agreement when it comes to weeding, library patrons and the world at large (who don‘t always understand the workings of the librarian brain). Fittingly I borrowed this from the library I work at (which reopened this week) but need my own copy.