Evening reader, enjoys sci-fi, historical fiction, solar-punk, fantasy and others.
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Collects together the four books that make up the Mortal Engines Quartet. Namely:
It was great, a real Sci-fi, romp, easy to read, good characters, would happily read the others in this series.
Girl, Woman, Other is the eighth novel to be written by Bernardine Evaristo. Published in …
Complex thread of overlapping lives weaves through this book raising all the issues faced by women and people who are so often othered.
In the aftermath of a life-shattering accident in the English countryside in 1972, twelve-year-old Byron …
It's not often I don't enjoy a book, but I found this such uncomfortable reading I couldn't square with any of the reviews on the covers. It's really well written and a good story but I don't like being in situations where you know more unresolved discomfort for the characters is ahead, and that was basically for 95% of this book. The story tells two stories: early life and later life . The former describes how an accidental happening led on to disturbed friendships and mental health changes, family disruption and misfortune. The latter tells of someone with OCD and other mental health issues, their treatment by society and struggles. There is hope and reconciliation at the end but it feels like a teaspoon full after the upheaval of the entire rest of the book. I had to sit and finish it in a day once I was over half …
It's not often I don't enjoy a book, but I found this such uncomfortable reading I couldn't square with any of the reviews on the covers. It's really well written and a good story but I don't like being in situations where you know more unresolved discomfort for the characters is ahead, and that was basically for 95% of this book. The story tells two stories: early life and later life . The former describes how an accidental happening led on to disturbed friendships and mental health changes, family disruption and misfortune. The latter tells of someone with OCD and other mental health issues, their treatment by society and struggles. There is hope and reconciliation at the end but it feels like a teaspoon full after the upheaval of the entire rest of the book. I had to sit and finish it in a day once I was over half way through as I didn't like it as a bedtime read.
Finished this a few weeks ago, and a lot has happened since then, but I remember speeding through this and loving it. Kept you on your toes to the end, large helpings of fae and myth but realistic enough to be believable. An adventure.
A great children's murder mystery full of down to earth characters and family members who are characatures of their names. Good fun and a nice tempo. Features a trans character, a non-conventional family and the topic of whether you should be attached to your given name or not. I'd highly recommend for tweens or young teens.
From the internationally bestselling creator of Claude and Mr Penguin comes a brand-new tongue-in-cheek murder …
Brilliant writing, and many lovely observations about how children think in this murder mystery by Alex T Smith - his first long form novel. Enjoyed it more that I expected, given that its a children's book. Lots of characters who end up being suspects and plenty to keep you guessing along the way. The setting within an old house gives the chance to develop a really intimate mental map of the murder venue. Touches on themes of individual differences and relationships - both child friendship and child-adult relations. Thoroughly enjoyable. So glad Alex introduced this book to my kids in a meet the author online session!
Drawing on Maggie O'Farrell's long-term fascination with the little-known story behind Shakespeare's most enigmatic play, …
I love a good historic fiction and this is a good one. Detailed as if you are there in the room, moving, absorbing.
Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, …
Phenomenal read, it's just a walk, but it's oh so good. Covers topics of illness, hiking, love, money and general striving to live. So enjoyable, emotional, encouraging.
The two characters have lost everything and their world is falling apart. They start the south west coast path to see how far they get. This is only a short novel but felt like I was in it for the whole of their journey, like time slowed down and I went at their pace for a bit. Moving and interesting at the same time
Well after picking this up at a book exchange box locally I had very few expectations. I read it over the holidays and in the end, due to a few poor nights sleep, devoured the last third very quickly.
It's not complex literature by any stretch of the imagination, leaving me sometimes wishing for better writing. As a reflection of the innocence of the main character the simple story telling works ok though.
The story follows a brother and sister as they try to escape the grasp of a German-invaded-France. I enjoyed reading about the resistance, sabotage and community spirit that got people through. If you're interested in French geography or canals you might enjoy the route the pair take as they try to get to their Uncle. I was left wanting to find out what happened next for the characters.
This book describes the discoveries made by two very different characters as they visit the tide regions of Bengal. The scientist and the translator navigate other new relationships and ways of living as they make deep personal discoveries. There is much rich description of the tide countries, flora and fauna and one can't feel feeling you've take a trip out to sea too. Local politics, religion and traditions are all touched on in a gentle but sometimes stark way. The story line intertwines present time and a historical narrative and the drama continues right to the last few pages. Really enjoyable read, so pleased I picked it up.
