Bizarre and steeped with hysteria as Mona Awad always manages to nail. Rouge was a takedown of the beauty industry, a sort of fever dream retelling ofBizarre and steeped with hysteria as Mona Awad always manages to nail. Rouge was a takedown of the beauty industry, a sort of fever dream retelling of Snow White.
I enjoyed the beginning where so much was off-kilter and unknown, but then I think too much was given away and it became a bit predictable. I have a particular hatred for detectives introduced in stories because they fill in the blanks that the story doesn’t and it’s all just given to the reader on a plate. Still, I enjoyed this quirky and dark read. ...more
Consolations of the Forest: Alone in a cabin in the middle Taiga - Sylvain Tesson 6 months in a remote cabin on the shores of Lake Baikal, 75 miles froConsolations of the Forest: Alone in a cabin in the middle Taiga - Sylvain Tesson 6 months in a remote cabin on the shores of Lake Baikal, 75 miles from the nearest village, all the supplies and books you need. Sounds perfect.
Tesson is a witty narrator for his 6 month hermit-like existence but I hoped for more of an account of the sights and sounds of this reclusive experience. He didn’t go into enough depth of his surroundings for me to immerse myself in the landscape. Instead it was musings and vague philosophy, just lots of different ways of saying the same thing (nature + simplicity = good for the soul). At least it was not as self-righteous and sermonizing as Thoreau, and there was vodka and humour. ...more
3.5/5 ⭐️ for Before We Say Goodbye. This was as wholesome as the rest of the series, tales from the cafe where you can travel back in time but only un3.5/5 ⭐️ for Before We Say Goodbye. This was as wholesome as the rest of the series, tales from the cafe where you can travel back in time but only until your coffee goes cold… but for me now I think the magic has worn off. It’s getting same-y and the characters are grating on me a bit. (Though the last story was the best one and got me right in the feels!)...more
I think The Three Body Problem is an incredible piece of science fiction, the science alone is absolutely mind blowing. But until about 3/4 of the wayI think The Three Body Problem is an incredible piece of science fiction, the science alone is absolutely mind blowing. But until about 3/4 of the way through the book, I had no idea what was going on. No clue, nada. It just started to get interesting towards the end and when a few pieces clicked into place for me, so I’ll have to read book 2 now ...more
2.5/5 ⭐️ I didn’t gel with this book I’m afraid. It felt like a series of unwise decisions made by an author who sounded slightly entitled… Van life w2.5/5 ⭐️ I didn’t gel with this book I’m afraid. It felt like a series of unwise decisions made by an author who sounded slightly entitled… Van life was great, lovely reading about the canyons and the wild desert, but I didn’t connect with the author at all.
I think the part that did it for me was finding out that when Brianna and her husband accidentally ran over their dog (a very sad accident and I don’t blame her, this must have been awful to go through) but she wasn’t honest with her social media followers about how the accident happened (e.g., didn’t own up). Her story went viral and her gofundme for the dog’s care reached over $100k… it just left a bitter taste in my mouth....more
Kokoro is a slow, subtle book, rich in Japanese culture and societal values, and deep with melancholy.
Written at a time of massive change in Japan atKokoro is a slow, subtle book, rich in Japanese culture and societal values, and deep with melancholy.
Written at a time of massive change in Japan at the end of the Meiji period, marking the start of Western influence, it treads between the old and the new with two unnamed characters; a young man, and an old man, whom the younger man befriends and refers to as ‘Sensei’. Their friendship is almost platonic, both of them distant and never able to fully open up to the other, but each finding a sort of peace within the other as the young man tries to understand his place in the world, and Sensei reflective and regretful. It’s a poignant and exquisitely written classic piece of Japanese literature....more
English Pastoral is exquisite, personal, poetic, factual and deeply moving. It’s a look at farming, from both sides. I think it’s a really important rEnglish Pastoral is exquisite, personal, poetic, factual and deeply moving. It’s a look at farming, from both sides. I think it’s a really important read whichever side of the fence you sit on, whether you’re traditionally conservative, a meat-eater and ally of farmers, or whether you’re a conservationist or naturalist. English Pastoral combines the two and shows how we don’t need to be, and can’t be, divided - for the sake of our land.
I think James’ thoughts perfectly capture what I’ve been struggling to put to words. I’m a vegetarian, I do not want to eat meat and want to reduce my impact on animals and the planet. But, I grew up in a village in a farming area and appreciate how hard farmers lives are. The amount of suicides in the farming community is a heartbreaking and quiet fact. It’s a tough job, and it creates tough people, and they’re on the front line - the easiest people to blame for the state of our soil and for animal welfare.
What I’m against, as is James, is intensive, industrialised farming. It’s true what they say, no farmers = no food, but huge agri conglomerates eating up small farming with more efficient machines, more destructive pesticides, is not the way - as James argues, just look at the American Midwest. We need balance, for the sake of our future. English Pastoral does not excuse farming and the mistakes that have been made, but it explains why farmers have had to work in certain ways - and it’s no surprise that we can look to consumerism and corporate greed as some of the reasons behind this.
This is an enlightening read and at times had me welling up. James loves this land, you can see it in his honest writing and well thought out and researched argument. It’s nature writing, but not as you would expect it. 4.5/5 ⭐️...more
This has to be one of the best pieces of nature writing I’ve ever read, it was so beautiful and heart wrenching at times I cried a bit. I listened on This has to be one of the best pieces of nature writing I’ve ever read, it was so beautiful and heart wrenching at times I cried a bit. I listened on audiobook whilst away hiking part of the Wales Coast Path, and it was the perfect companion. But I did have to pause it to listen to the birds, because this book made me so grateful for their song. ...more
Brilliant. I’ve wanted to walk the Pacific Crest Trail for a long time so inhale anything PCT related. Scout is an icon of the PCT and his book reallyBrilliant. I’ve wanted to walk the Pacific Crest Trail for a long time so inhale anything PCT related. Scout is an icon of the PCT and his book really captures the trail, the hikers and their personal stories, the trail magic, the hardships. This is the PCT....more
A bizarre, dreamlike book that starts with a dystopian state and transcends to something more haunting; an attack of the senses itself and a question A bizarre, dreamlike book that starts with a dystopian state and transcends to something more haunting; an attack of the senses itself and a question on what it means to lose our memories and slowly disappear ourselves. It’s a book that will never provide you with answers, but the simplicity and flow of the story will continue to draw you in.
This book is difficult to put to words which I think shows what a unique concept it is! After finishing, I’ve looked up and blinked, almost surprised at the suddenness and solidness of the world around me....more
Ramble On is ‘the story of our love for Britain’ - it’s a book for hiking lovers, worshippers of trail and goretex. Very much my kind of book. Full ofRamble On is ‘the story of our love for Britain’ - it’s a book for hiking lovers, worshippers of trail and goretex. Very much my kind of book. Full of history about trespass, enclosure, the ramblers association, Wainwright, YHA, the Pennine Way… and various other famous walkers, poets, anecdotes and walking stories, all flowing together like the contours of a map. ...more
Usually I love a wholesome, quirky Japanese read, especially if it involves books, bookshops, and cats. The Cat Who Saved Books contained all of that,Usually I love a wholesome, quirky Japanese read, especially if it involves books, bookshops, and cats. The Cat Who Saved Books contained all of that, but I didn’t enjoy this one. The writing was too simple, the story too obvious and twee (it did exactly what it said on the tin) and I think this is more of a YA read. Cute, but a bit dull. 2.5/5 ⭐️ ...more
Brilliant book, I listened to this on audiobook and it was narrated by Louise - this added warmth and joy in abundance. Fearless does what it says on Brilliant book, I listened to this on audiobook and it was narrated by Louise - this added warmth and joy in abundance. Fearless does what it says on the tin, it spotlights incredible (and normal!) women doing incredible things. Louise joins them on their adventures and gives everything a go - this was quite a unique approach to this kind of book and stopped it being too autobiographical and really fun and engaging. ...more
I was really drawn into this dark, moody read. Translated from the Swedish, The Eighth House is a layered part murder mystery, part memoir - Linda comI was really drawn into this dark, moody read. Translated from the Swedish, The Eighth House is a layered part murder mystery, part memoir - Linda comes across the story of Birgitta Sivander who was brutally murdered one night in May 1948 and the culprit was never found. Linda feels connected to the girl as a life grows inside her and soon becomes obsessed with the case… this isn’t just a crime novel but an honest and raw account of the difficulties and detachment of motherhood, and toes the thin line between life and death.
It is a slow and atmospheric read. I felt myself reading into the investigation as intensely as Linda did, infuriated at how the police were trying to pin blame on a 14 year old boy, and question whether 9 year old Birgitta was ‘romantic’ with men… victim blaming sadly as present then as it is now. I don’t usually read crime but The Eighth House was an investigative memoir, a lyrical exploration of murder and motherhood, and this unique combination made for a compelling read. ...more
Like most backpackers, I read Shantaram when I was travelling 12 years ago. It was the backpackers bible, at the time. Imagine my surprise when I founLike most backpackers, I read Shantaram when I was travelling 12 years ago. It was the backpackers bible, at the time. Imagine my surprise when I found out, only recently, that there was a sequel.
The Mountain Shadow brings back all the characters we know and love, in Bombays infamous streets, and answers a lot of questions left from Shantaram. I was so happy to be immersed in Shantaram’s world again, of crime, love, death and India, but it was a bit heavy handed on the whole “I’m a macho criminal fighter but I fight for good” kinda trope. I didn’t enjoy the writing as much as Shantaram, but I enjoyed the story, so 3.5/5 ⭐️...more
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