Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
rachaich

rachaich

Joined September 2016

book nerd, middle aged cat lover and tortoise owner. Vegan.
reading now icon
Rebecca's Tale by Sally Beauman
reading now icon
Under A Pole Star by Stef Penney
review
rachaich
Open Water | Caleb Azumah Nelson
post image
Pickpick

Extremely emotive in its portrayal of young black men in London. Huge swathes of beautiful prose and repeated themes and phrases. I keep recalling the ideas of being seen yet nit seen, heard yet not listened to. And the love and hedonism of summer London Town.

20 likes1 stack add
review
rachaich
Butter: Roman | Asako Yuzuki
post image
Pickpick

Not what the blurb suggests, or is much more nuanced anyway.
Whilst àn account of her relationship with Kajji, it's also her own journey of self awareness, misogyny and culture and how women fall into that. Her developing friendships which blossom through shared occasions.
Too long in places but a very good and worthy read.

review
rachaich
The Plot | Jean Hanff Korelitz
post image
Pickpick

Oh my, that was brilliant!
Forecast one twist but not others. I read it as a recommendation after Yellowface and it didn't disappoint.
Now need to read The Sequel.

20 likes1 stack add
review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

I like her books and how she writes about women in Chinese history.
This didn't disappoint. It was interesting and detailed, I liked that she had facts alongside more frivolity such as decor and dresses. Obviously not very nice at times but well done.

review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

I like her books and how she writes about women in Chinese history.
This didn't disappoint. It was interesting and detailed, I liked that she had facts alongside more frivolity such as decor and dresses. Obviously not very nice at times but well done.

review
rachaich
Idaho | Emily Ruskovich
post image
Pickpick

An unusual book in terms of plot and characters.
At times it is a love story then a family background. Then almost mysterious. I'm still contemplating if there was actually an ending.

BarbaraBB I really liked this one 3w
17 likes1 comment
review
rachaich
The Perfect Golden Circle | Benjamin Myers
post image
Pickpick

Absolutely brilliant book.
His writing is poetic and conjures upsuch vivid images.
The two men are intricately portrayed, as is their relationship with each other and the world.
It'll stay with me a while...

Caroline2 Oh I‘ve been meaning to read this 3w
Caroline2 Sounds like I need to move it up my tbr 👍 3w
16 likes3 comments
review
rachaich
SLOW DANCE. | RAINBOW. ROWELL
post image
Pickpick

Wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this as it could have been twee. I've read one other of hers, a YA, but wanted to see how she does grown up books.
And not disappointed! Unlike my usual choices but thoroughly comforting and positive.

review
rachaich
Tuesdays with Morrie | Mitch Albom
post image
Pickpick

Obviously a bit tear provoking but such good sentiments and reminders to us of what matters in life.

19 likes1 stack add
review
rachaich
Neverhome: A Novel | Laird Hunt
post image
Pickpick

Gosh, lots to read but all so softly written. Constance goes to fight instead of Bartholomew. She is strong yet deeply hurt. This story tells of her background, her own mother and those she encounters. His writing is so good.

review
rachaich
The History of Wolves | Emily Fridlund
post image
Pickpick

A slow burner to start and I wondered if I'd end up bailing. But goodness, it suddenly came alive and the plot intensified and whilst still a little slow at times, a good read.

review
rachaich
New Boy | Tracy Chevalier
post image
Pickpick

Black History Month and this retelling of Othello is ser in 70s Washington, a group of 11 year old at school when a new student arrives.
Cleverly done, effective in making the reader consider how outsiders can be treated.

TheKidUpstairs This was one of my favourites of the Hogarth Shakespeare series! 1mo
13 likes1 comment
review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

Sweet tale of a young man and his first year of forestry in a mountain village.
Full ofvthe natural world, our place in it and a sense of belonging.
I'm thrilled to see there's a sequel.

review
rachaich
post image
Mehso-so

Have to say I'm relieved to have finished this book. The synopsis was just what appealed but I found much of the story quite dreary and struggled to keep motivated. I liked some of the characters driven sections but overall it didn't entice.

review
rachaich
Day | Michael Cunningham
post image
Pickpick

I've saved this as I was so keen to read it! Nothing like I thought... this keeps happening!
The first year, 2019, I couldn't gel with at all. But 2020 and 21 were much more enticing. His prose is precise yet detailed, there's a lot of imagery that is clear to imagine. I'm jot sure any of the characters were likeable really, and thus not sure they needed to be...

review
rachaich
The Easternmost House | Juliet Blaxland
post image
Mehso-so

Picked this as I've stayed in that area numerous times, visiting my good friends.
Whilst the idea of this was great, I couldn't gel with this book and skimmed it...

review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

Finished the last two pages as I went to bed. I've hear her speak about her ASD and life, in general, a few times and was therefore interested in this. I kind of fell in love with her mannerisms and blunt assessments on herself and her surroundings. Much of it rang true, a huge amount dug up reminders and memory about my youngest as they were growing up. An important read, and one to mull over.

17 likes1 stack add
review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

Hmm. Really unusual. Such an unhappy story yet wonderfully written.
The individual perspectives are all bleak and the ending is uncertain... May be researching!

review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

Beautiful, meditative and thought provoking.
I worried it would be too twee and cosy but I was wrong!

review
rachaich
Dollhouse | Fiona Davis
post image
Pickpick

So I started this and loved it! The dual narration in different eras was great, and I enjoyed reading about the 50s.
But... the last few chapters seemed rushed, like it was all tying together far too neatly. I'm still deciding my overall thoughts... but I would read more of hers.

23 likes1 stack add
review
rachaich
Mockingbird Summer | Lynda Rutledge
post image
Mehso-so

Book club choice after we'd enjoyed West With Giraffes.
The style is supposed to he a 13 year old narrator which didn't feel consistent and had a few cringy bits in it. I liked the historical perspective and that it covered important topics but it felt contrived.
Simple read and flew through it.

review
rachaich
Real Americans | Rachel Khong
post image
Pickpick

This was a good read! I've chosen it for our book club and had a worry that I'd picked without researching. However, I think they'll all like either the overall story, or the way n which the theme of Fortune and wealth is represented. The three narrative styles and perspectives work well to unfold the family history.

review
rachaich
Blue Castle | L M Montgomery
post image
Pickpick

Lovely and whimsical yet the underlying issue of expectations of women in family and society. Also the idea of doing things that make you happy, finding those things and those people.
Nice autumnal read.

20 likes1 stack add
review
rachaich
Eleanor and Park | Rainbow Rowell
post image
Pickpick

I've not really read any YA before. This kept flashing into my peripheral so I gave it a go. Sweet teenage love, the yuckiness of school, siblings and parents. And the despicable step father, the sad mother and poor Eleanor.
I liked the way Rowell keeps it real, not letting it become sickly sweet at all. Good ending:)

Texreader Such a good book!! 3mo
28 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
rachaich
The Novel | James Albert Michener
post image
Pickpick

So. Four chapters, four perspectives: the writer, the editor, the critics and the reader (getting Breakfast Club vibes!) I didn't really get it until some pages into The Editor. Then I was gobsmacked. This is seriously brilliant. The writing journey start to finish. The role if The Novel in readership. I've actually underlined sections... I never do that. I keep reading aloud to anyone who listens!!!

16 likes3 stack adds
review
rachaich
Monthly Report | California. Department of Insurance
post image
Pickpick

A mixture of genres and books in August. I also DNFed two which is completely unlike me, but haven't listed those.

Texreader These wrap ups are fun! I also read 7 this month. 3mo
19 likes1 comment
review
rachaich
post image
Mehso-so

I was really enthusiastic about starting this as I've read a few of his others.
But no. I'm not sure what's missing... limited atmosphere or tension maybe? It felt a bit done before, Woman in Black, Turn of the Screw esque novels. And I guessed both twists/reveals well before... unlike me!

review
rachaich
Solito: A Memoir | Javier Zamora
post image
Pickpick

Gosh, a roller-coaster of a book, detailing his journey as a nine year old across Central America to reunite with his parents.
It really shows the love from some people, their instinct to protect whilst also showing the flip side of the smugglers.

LapReader I spy one of my favourites, Weyward in the background. 3mo
rachaich @LapReader such a good tale :) 3mo
15 likes2 comments
review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

An unexpected story, not what I'd anticipated and much much better than I'd assumed.
Liked the style of writing and also the way she told some of the backstory.
I'm keen to watch it too...

20 likes1 stack add
review
rachaich
Weyward: A Novel | Emilia Hart
post image
Pickpick

Soooo good, I've lost sleep time by staying up too late!
Such a well told story, in all three characters, and nicely brought together. Excellent.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Oh I love this cover! This book is one of my favorites 💚 3mo
rachaich @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks it was superb. I hope she writes more! 3mo
18 likes2 comments
review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

Oh I loved it! Just what I needed to feel good and remember female friendship.
I wish it had been longer :)

kspenmoll I loved this too! 🩵💙 3mo
17 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
rachaich
The House of Broken Angels | Luis Alberto Urrea
post image
Pickpick

I think this was a Litsy recommendation last year. Cool cover and premis.
I have to say, it took effort to get past the first 50 or so pages as there seemed to be loads of characters and their names changed depending on who was with them. But reading larger chunks helped somewhat. Then I discovered the cute family tree at the back...
It was a truly heartfelt story, influenced by the author's family, and I became invested in the relationships.

20 likes1 stack add
review
rachaich
Burntcoat: A Novel | Sarah Hall
post image
Pickpick

Well, not what I expected and again, very different to her other books.
Interesting style, and uncertainty of present or past. I thought it was Covid but maybe not?

review
rachaich
The Half Moon: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
post image
Pickpick

Okay, I liked this book overall. I liked the chopping and changing between Jess and Mal, and how it biased whom I had empathy or sympathy with. But the subplots were odd. I'm not sure they were really necessary?
Good ending too.

review
rachaich
Last of Her Kind | Sigrid Nunez
post image
Pickpick

Inspired by The Vulnerables, I found this one. Gotta admit ialmostbailed in the first 100 pages. But... I ploughed on and really glad I did. The story flicks around, and even the narrative switches. It's the writing style that gets me; she is clever, she almost comments on her own writing decisions. I'm impressed!

review
rachaich
July, July | Tim O'Brien
post image
Pickpick

Slightly belated July roundup. The top book was The Vulnerables, absolutely brilliant. Unexpected good read was Four Letters of Love.

review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

A year of beach walking and observing, with detailed information on the findings. Some of it historical and some of it anecdotal. Lots of natural history and marine biology centred writing which was new to me.

12 likes1 stack add
review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

Brilliant! I've never read her books and now need to seek them out. A balsnce of musings, recollection and fact, the author narrates her lovkdown experiences and her literary world.
Plus, how matchy is my new bookmark 🔖

review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

Nicely transcribed account using his memories, journals and rediscovered diaries, and detailing his travels in pre WW2 Germany and Austria regions. Obviously of the era, thus slightly cringy at times, but such a seemingly gentle and innocent time, so much trust in oneself and others. Yet a few years later, atrocity.

Crazeedi This sounds like I need to read! 4mo
15 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
rachaich
post image
Mehso-so

Unpleasant. That's all I'll say.
I liked the anthropology involved and the science around the island but not the relationships formed.

Clever memoir style with incredible detail and footnote! Very impressive but just not what I'd wanted to read about.

charl08 I still have the ick about this book years after I read it. 4mo
21 likes1 comment
review
rachaich
post image
Mehso-so

I don't think I'm clever enough for her writing! I like how she writes, and adored George's story, although it flipped about, but struggled with the 14th century half :/

26 likes1 stack add
review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

She's great, not just at singing/making music but also as a writer, a chronicler and making sense of stuff.
I was a late comer to EBTG in the 90s so this was good to understand her, and their, beginnings and journey.

review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

Interesting kind of love story that is about love in different guises, romance and teenage infatuation, familial love and care, denied love and all!
I couldn't determine the era, maybe as it was such a remote setting.
I'd be inclined to read some more of his books.

21 likes1 comment
review
rachaich
Women of Brewster Place | Gloria Naylor
post image
Pickpick

I picked this up from a charity box as I always try books published by these guys (they are based in Bath and independent through Mr B's Bookshop). And I'm always uncertain if I'll like them yet I always do!
I couldn't read two pages of this as it was so brutal but very necessarily told.
An interesting account of women in society, perspective and expectations that are placed on them by men, families and themselves. And female solidarity.

review
rachaich
Orison for a Curlew | Horatio Clare
post image
Pickpick

Less than a hundred pages and crammed with urlew facts, spottings and demise... yet told through the last few countries to have tracked or sighted one.
The detrimental impact of human and so called progress on the natural world 🗺 :(

review
rachaich
Wolf Border | Sarah Hall
post image
Pickpick

She's a good writer, a long book but didn't feel so.
Rachel is tasked with wolf reintroduction and thus follows the tale, the relationships she encounters and her own journey in all of this. I like how it all works together, her career path kind of exists with the borders of her family life and the friends she makes within this world. Lots of metaphorical links here, really made me appreciate her thoroughness.

review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

Oh what a perfectly timed book to read.
I have a real soft spot for this kind of book, japanese setting, a truly magical quality and an underlying message.
This actually spoke to me in a deeper sense, some emotions I'm trying to work through, and came at an unexpected time.

review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

Nice and nostalgic but with some abject realism about rural farming and extreme weather... plus the highs and lows of marriage, divorce, family and community.

review
rachaich
post image
Pickpick

I'm becoming quite a fan of this chap.
He boards an ice breaker to follow a few days of their work, along the Finnish coast.
Comments on climate change and politics are important, and the history included with Russia and Sweden rulings was very new to me.

review
rachaich
The Overstory | Richard Powers
post image
Pickpick

Gosh. I'm at a loss... so very detailed and engrossing but hurt my brain and my thoughts so very much.
In awe of his capacity to write such am epic story which has deep truths.
On Saturday I'm attending the March for Nature rally. It feels timely.

SamAnne Such a powerful novel! 3mo
rachaich @SamAnne it truly is 3mo
24 likes1 stack add2 comments