5/5 🌟

The slow burn. The quiet ache. The yearning so palpable it aches. I‘m in love with this book.

It has all the elements of a perfect read: captivating characters, beautiful prose, an intriguing plot, and emotions so deep and raw, they stay with you long after. Highly recommend!

If you loved this book as much as I did and have suggestions for similar reads, let me know.

This memoir alternates between:

Traditional chapters: a compelling, honest account of her assault, legal battles, and rise as an astronaut and activist.

Surreal chapters: dreamlike talks with her younger selves that feel overly dramatic and out of sync—I didn‘t enjoy these.

Overall, she‘s incredible, brave, and inspiring—but I prefer a more consistent, traditional memoir style.

I‘m savouring every page. I don‘t even like romance, but damn—this one has all the feels.

3.5/5 🌟

I liked it better than the last book, but it still didn‘t measure up to the original trilogy. Just okay.

This was a provocative and thought-provoking novel about a woman living with a congenital muscular disorder. Just as I was getting into the story, it ended—abruptly. And honestly, I have no idea what the ending was about. I‘m not quite sure how to rate this book.

Really loving the way this is written, I'm hooked.

4/5 🌟

This is a beautiful and poetic book about three women and their sorrow and loneliness.

4/5 🌟

Atmospheric, intriguing and a solid debut novel.

3.8/5 🌟

Not as good as the first book, but still engaging and worth the read.

4/5 🌟

When you mix narcissism, money, and blind faith… what could possibly go wrong? 🙏

3.5/5 🌟

This started strongly with a compelling look at mental illness and the bond between twin brothers. However, the relentless misfortunes made the narrative feel forced and overly dramatic. An okay read overall.

3.8/5 🌟

A woman marries a man, but soon after, he disappears, and she sets out to find him. This was a solid 4-star read, but unfortunately, the last 20% became repetitive. Overall, I still enjoyed it!

Daily Stoic meditation: the antidote to my reading slump.

5/5 🌟

My faith in humanity, further shattered—a daughter's harrowing memoir of her father's decade-long deception, manipulation, and unspeakable crimes.

DNF - Unfortunately, this book did not take off for me.

3.8/5 🌟

A slow-burning, character-driven mystery set in a quiet seaside village. Three childhood friends reunite after years apart, only to face unsettling questions about a friend‘s long-ago disappearance. As memories resurface, so do buried tensions, forcing them to confront the truth about their past.

4/5 🌟

Annie is a robot designed by Doug to fulfill his every desire. Programmed to operate in a sentient mode to appear more human, she begins to develop independent thoughts and emotions. As Annie evolves, she starts questioning her identity and what it means to be human. A thought-provoking and compelling read.

2.8/5🌟

What can I say? I persisted and finished the book, even though I didn‘t understand half of it. The writing was so poetic and captivating that it kept me going. The half I did understand was thought-provoking and beautiful.

5/5 🌟

A heartwrenching story of a mother‘s love as she faces terminal cancer, leaving letters and gifts for her children to guide them through life‘s milestones. Profoundly moving and beautiful.

3.8/5 ?

"So long as we continue to put mortal me on thrones and hail them as gods, sacrifice our lives to their legacies, history will repeat itself."

A departure from my usual reads, but I enjoyed it. While some parts felt a bit clichéd, the overarching message about men, power, and legacy was poignant and well delivered. Overall, an enjoyable read.

This book started strong but completely fizzled out 40% in. I bailed at 60%—life‘s too short for boring books, and I‘ve hit my limit on privileged, elite British society.

5/5 🌟

Beautiful. Funny. Raw. Honest. Primal. Angry. Moving. This book evoked a whirlwind of emotions. It's a powerful and candid account of a first-time mum's journey, exploring her immense love for her child alongside the struggles of motherhood and the loss of self that often accompanies it.

It doesn't sugarcoat the realities of being a parent, and for that, it feels deeply relatable. An amazing book!

My current reads: all fiction.

His current reads: all non-fiction.

My kind of pick-up 😘

5/5 🌟

I grew up loving the Adventures of Tom Sawyer cartoon series, so I‘m glad this book didn‘t disappoint. It‘s clever and offers a harrowing yet compelling perspective on slavery and racism through Jim‘s eyes. The writing is spot on, and the idea that slave talk was intentionally shaped to feed white people's sense of superiority is brilliant—my favourite part. Brilliant, brilliant book!!

3.8/5 🌟

Thrillers are my go-to for a quick and exciting palate cleanse. This one did the job. 👍

3.5/5 🌟

The second time around, I gave this book another chance, and while it still wasn‘t a favourite, I found it engaging enough to finish. Sadie and Sam‘s friendship was often frustrating, full of misunderstandings and tension. However, I appreciated how the story explored their growth and maturity over time.

4/5 🌟

This is an intergenerational story of three women connected by their Weyward legacy. Through beautiful writing, it tackles tough themes like abuse, assault and resilience. The audiobook is excellent.

3.8/5 🌟

An engaging thriller that's perfect for a quick, entertaining adventure.

4.5/5 🌟

A gripping and honest story about a mother seeking answers after her daughter's death. It explores themes of religion, free will, motherhood, and illness with powerful, candid writing. A deeply moving and well-crafted book.

Reached my goal of 50 books! Hoping to do it all again this year! Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉

5/5 🌟

Ending the year on a literary high note! This was a surprisingly fantastic and compelling read. Her life was filled with fascinating experiences, deep pain, and grief that truly broke my heart. What an incredible memoir!

4/5 🌟

This is one of those books that feels like it should be fiction—but it‘s not. It tells the shocking true story about Jean-Claude Romand, a man whose lies caught up with him, leading to the horrific murder of his family. Gripping and heartbreaking, it‘s a disturbing look at selfishness and deceit.

5/5 🌟

This interesting, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking book raises questions about the pursuit of scientific progress and its impact on individuals. It also highlights the cruelty, indifference, and pity often faced by people with mental disabilities. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

3.5/5 🌟

This book started off on a strong note, pulling me in with its intriguing premise. However, the sheer number of characters introduced became a significant drawback for me and I didn't really connect with any of them. It‘s the kind of book that‘s entertaining while it lasts but doesn‘t leave a lasting impression. Good for a quick escape, but don‘t expect to be raving about it afterward.

5/5 🌟

Seeing this book everywhere, I finally decided to pick it up—and wow, I‘m so glad I did! A fantastic read from start to finish. A beautifully written tale of guilt, regrets, life choices, and coming to terms with the consequences of our actions. Highly recommend!

Currently enjoying 'Water' by John Boyne.

4/5 🌟

This short, intriguing and brilliantly crafted novel follows a family's grief after the brutal murder of a young girl, told through three perspectives. As the victim's sister seeks closure years later, the story reveals the impact and consequences left behind.

4/5 🌟

This novel explores womanhood and motherhood through the eyes of a woman who secretly keeps a diary. Writing late at night, she's anxious that her family might find it, feeling ashamed of her private thoughts. As she journals, she begins to question her values, family dynamics, and sense of self.

A thought-provoking and engaging read.

3.5/5 🌟

This Japanese novel is anything but cozy. It follows a young woman, pregnant out of wedlock, facing her parents' disapproval and surviving an abusive, alcoholic father. Her journey through childbirth, work struggles, and finding childcare is raw and challenging.

It started strong, but by the end, my interest had faded.

5/5 ❤️

After all these years, re-reading this series has solidified it as my all-time favourite! The characters of Elena and Lila and their intense friendship are so real, raw, and honest, making it all incredibly relatable. The writing is simply brilliant! ❤️

3.8/5 🌟

This heartwarming story about someone finding solace in a bookshop after heartbreak is comforting. The simplicity of the writing adds to its charm, especially in the first part, which I preferred. It‘s a reminder of how books can heal and bring comfort.

4/5 🌟

Another cozy, heartwarming Japanese novel with talking cats and a mystical pop-up café. Astrology plays a significant role throughout the book, and while it isn‘t usually my thing, it didn‘t detract from my enjoyment of the book. You really can‘t go wrong with warm, comforting reads like this. 📚

3.5/5 🌟

This is a straightforward and compelling retelling of his experience following an attempted murder. It's heartbreaking and shocking that he had to endure such a terrible ordeal.

'We would not be who we are today without the calamities of our yesterdays.'

3/5 🌟

A journalist seeks an exclusive interview with a woman on trial for the murder of three men. Did she commit the crime or not? I loved the premise, the writing, and the themes of gender roles and body image. However, the book was too lengthy. It would have been a much better book if it had been more concise.

2/5 🌟

Despite the intriguing plot, the execution lacked depth, leaving the book aloof and disappointingly dull, with a flat and emotionally distant main character.

Author Talks with Madeleine Gray - so excited to have a signed copy. 🥳

5/5 🌟

I couldn‘t put this book down. It tells the story of Firdaus, a woman on death row for the murder of a man. She remains silent until the day of her execution, when she recounts the harrowing and heart-wrenching experiences she endured at the hands of weak, cowardly men. This book is both savage and powerful—a truly worthy read.

4/5 🌟

This novel begins at a languid pace, mirroring the isolated life of its protagonist, a woman who seems to be merely existing rather than living. As the story unfolds, one empathises deeply with her, feeling the weight of her solitude and unspoken struggles. It is a beautifully written and compassionate book.