I firmly believe that this is Billy-Ray Belcourt’s best book yet! Short stories require a master writer to FULLY engage you, and not just for one or tI firmly believe that this is Billy-Ray Belcourt’s best book yet! Short stories require a master writer to FULLY engage you, and not just for one or two, but for the whole entire collection, and Belcourt does exactly that in Coexistence. Literally all the stories in here are top notch, so well thought out and they don’t feel incomplete in any way. My one complaint is that they’re too short, because I want full length novels that just examine the lives of all these characters! ...more
Ok, unpopular opinion: I wasn’t exactly THAT big of a fan of Cleopatra and Frankenstein. But I knew I still wanted to give Blue Sisters a shot and it Ok, unpopular opinion: I wasn’t exactly THAT big of a fan of Cleopatra and Frankenstein. But I knew I still wanted to give Blue Sisters a shot and it was PERFECT. I loved the story, the sisters, and all of their story arcs. UGH it was just such an intimate portrait of the ugly and beautiful mess that can be family, and the writing is so great. If you love books with messy family situations, this is for you!...more
Another book from Claire Keegan that I like to describe as quietly beautiful! I think this book is more accessible than maybe her other literary b4.5!
Another book from Claire Keegan that I like to describe as quietly beautiful! I think this book is more accessible than maybe her other literary book I’ve read at this point (Small Things Like These), but I enjoyed this story a lot more. I love the relationship our main character built with her aunt and uncle. A sweet story!...more
4.5! Wow I loved this look at friendship and the honest portrayal of life in the 50s in Italy. My god, what a powerhouse of a novel. This was my first4.5! Wow I loved this look at friendship and the honest portrayal of life in the 50s in Italy. My god, what a powerhouse of a novel. This was my first one from Elena Ferrante too, and I’m freaking hooked now!...more
This book of short stories was so great, I loved that each story can stand on its own, and the themes explored carried throughout all of them. I c4.5!
This book of short stories was so great, I loved that each story can stand on its own, and the themes explored carried throughout all of them. I can’t wait for Kate’s next book!...more
4.5, because that last story packed a punch! Many of the stories in this collection leave a lot to think about at their ends, especially the shorter s4.5, because that last story packed a punch! Many of the stories in this collection leave a lot to think about at their ends, especially the shorter stories. I think this collection does exactly what it promises - a look at New Orleans culture. Absolutely enjoyed it all! ...more
One of those quietly beautiful novels about grief, loss, escape, and the need to discover who you are - even if you find yourself stuck in the sam4.5!
One of those quietly beautiful novels about grief, loss, escape, and the need to discover who you are - even if you find yourself stuck in the same cycle. Definitely reminiscent of Claire Foster. Such a strong debut with amazing writing!...more
I always enjoy a unlikeable main character, but this was just a little too shallow / lack of character growth for me. Which may be the point of th3.5!
I always enjoy a unlikeable main character, but this was just a little too shallow / lack of character growth for me. Which may be the point of the book tbh. I wish we had more of a confrontation with the woman I am obsessed with and our main character, but I guess the point here is that she will always remain a fan (who criticizes her every move)....more
This is they type of book I like to call quietly beautiful-it’s little but packs a big moral punch on faith, values, and how we let those influenc4.5!
This is they type of book I like to call quietly beautiful-it’s little but packs a big moral punch on faith, values, and how we let those influence the way we live. This is the type of book to devour in one sitting and then contemplate it for a while, because it will definitely stick with you. ...more
Words really can’t describe this book. It’s hard to get through, but the story, the characters, the writing, felt like one big saga that you can’t teaWords really can’t describe this book. It’s hard to get through, but the story, the characters, the writing, felt like one big saga that you can’t tear yourself away from until that final page. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time....more
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, x a million. WOW. This book packs such a punch, and has so many layers to it. I probably shouldn’t be writing this without haWow, wow, wow, wow, wow, x a million. WOW. This book packs such a punch, and has so many layers to it. I probably shouldn’t be writing this without having processed everything I read, but here we are.
This book questions a lot of intentions behind actions, expertly has you push and pull between right VS wrong, and that dangerous grey colour in between. Who do we believe? Why should we believe them? HOW can we believe them, when other past actions in similar situations have proven to be something else? WILD. This book will definitely leave a lot to digest afterwards. These characters are all unlikeable in their own way, but they also feel so real.
This is an important book that everyone must read. ...more
Wow was this a disappointment. I’m so sad because this totally should’ve been something I enjoyed. Short stories are the hardest things to write, a2.5
Wow was this a disappointment. I’m so sad because this totally should’ve been something I enjoyed. Short stories are the hardest things to write, and sometimes authors I think should just not try. I can see the appeal of this collection to people, but the stories that were great and the “meh” stories just wasn’t it....more
A quietly beautiful and brilliant debut novel from a must-watch voice of CanLit. This book was so touching, and every time I opened it I felt like4.5!
A quietly beautiful and brilliant debut novel from a must-watch voice of CanLit. This book was so touching, and every time I opened it I felt like I was just falling into it, much like Aimee falls into photos. If you’re looking for something that tugs at your heartstrings, this is it!...more
Such a great book! It was a little weird at first, getting used to the flipping POVs and getting a sense of the story, but once it picks up, it picks Such a great book! It was a little weird at first, getting used to the flipping POVs and getting a sense of the story, but once it picks up, it picks up! And that part three. Very smart, and definitely leave a lot to discuss!...more
Phenomenal writing and storytelling! I loved every second of this book. It definitely reads not quite like a short story collection, but also like a nPhenomenal writing and storytelling! I loved every second of this book. It definitely reads not quite like a short story collection, but also like a novel in fragments, in a way (due to the timelines being not that linear, and different POVs each chapters).
This book is a quick read about life, choice, and the connections we make to other human beings. I rea3.5 stars! Thank you PGC for a copy of the book!
This book is a quick read about life, choice, and the connections we make to other human beings. I really wish it was longer though so we can get more a sense of these characters and their journey, but I can appreciate what this book does :)...more
I liked this one a lot - quick read, short chapters, and characters you can really get behind. Omar has a lot to say about stereotypes, disp3.5 stars!
I liked this one a lot - quick read, short chapters, and characters you can really get behind. Omar has a lot to say about stereotypes, displacement, racism, refugees, and more. Although the ending wasn’t as profound as I was hoping for (I was looking for something more impactful), this book is worth the read....more
Thank you Harper Collins Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Heather O’Neill is a literal master of writing. Every book she writes is jThank you Harper Collins Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Heather O’Neill is a literal master of writing. Every book she writes is just so enchanting and captivating, they’re so hard to put down.
In this book, we get two girls who become friends, end up separated, and find each other again all against the backdrop of Montreal, 1873, and what it’s like being a girl from a privileged background.
As they move into adulthood, we see the build-up of an uprising of girls demanding to be paid equal, be treated equal, to not be owned by men. The lower class are the ones fighting for this, while the men in power continue to benefit off of them.
This book leaves you wondering, are Sadie and Marie likeable characters, or are they not? Are they redeemable? It’s up to us to judge.
I absolutely loved this book, and it explores so many important themes like female love, friendship, women’s rights. A definite must-read!...more
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