Scan barcode
alomie's reviews
259 reviews
Mum & Dad by Joanna Trollope
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
3.0
This was an okay book, I enjoyed my time with it but I also doubt it will be in my top books of the year.
A family saga, it has in my opinion far too many points of view, you spend a lot of time bouncing between characters and obviously some are more fun to read than others, and I felt a lot of time I was rushing through one character to get to the next who I preferred.
Also the characters weren't that distinct, and so I was always trying to remember who was who.
Essentially the story of a family who is thrown into crisis because their dad has a stroke, and the family business is in Spain but the children's lives are in England and the challenges that it brings.
It made me think about my own parents and that I live far away from them and how difficult it might be should they need more care, but as this book points out there is usually a way that makes sense.
A family saga, it has in my opinion far too many points of view, you spend a lot of time bouncing between characters and obviously some are more fun to read than others, and I felt a lot of time I was rushing through one character to get to the next who I preferred.
Also the characters weren't that distinct, and so I was always trying to remember who was who.
Essentially the story of a family who is thrown into crisis because their dad has a stroke, and the family business is in Spain but the children's lives are in England and the challenges that it brings.
It made me think about my own parents and that I live far away from them and how difficult it might be should they need more care, but as this book points out there is usually a way that makes sense.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, and Medical trauma
Half a Creature from the Sea: A Life in Stories by David Almond, Eleanor Taylor
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A short story collection, I really liked my time with this, it's the end of the year and I needed something short, I was hoping it would be more light hearted than it was but as it goes I still enjoyed it.
The illustrations in this book are really lovely and made it feel a bit magical or like a story book, and most of these stories are about young kids and their lives.
I enjoyed some of the stories more than others which is why I gave it 3.5 stars, but i truly did think this was a worthwhile read.
The illustrations in this book are really lovely and made it feel a bit magical or like a story book, and most of these stories are about young kids and their lives.
I enjoyed some of the stories more than others which is why I gave it 3.5 stars, but i truly did think this was a worthwhile read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Child death, Suicide, and War
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I ran through this book, I absolutely devoured it in a day, I thought it was really good but extremely predictable.
I felt that all the characters were well fleshed out and felt completed, I really enjoyed my time with it and I definitely see why this was as popular on socials as it was.
Easy to digest full of intrigue and a total page turner.
Couldn't put it down.
I felt that all the characters were well fleshed out and felt completed, I really enjoyed my time with it and I definitely see why this was as popular on socials as it was.
Easy to digest full of intrigue and a total page turner.
Couldn't put it down.
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was good, I enjoyed it a lot and I can see myself recommending this to a lot of people.
Without spoiling it, I really enjoyed the slow build up to the crescendo, however I did feel that the last act all happened so fast and it wasn't as satisfying a pay off as I would have liked.
The tension I feel was ripped off like a plaster and before I caught my breath we had moved on to the end.
I liked the atmosphere of this book a lot, but wish there was more ending.
Without spoiling it, I really enjoyed the slow build up to the crescendo, however I did feel that the last act all happened so fast and it wasn't as satisfying a pay off as I would have liked.
The tension I feel was ripped off like a plaster and before I caught my breath we had moved on to the end.
I liked the atmosphere of this book a lot, but wish there was more ending.
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
informative
reflective
medium-paced
2.0
I really wanted to love this book, and I really thought the idea and premise of the book could lead to something really interesting, and thought provoking, and while I still like the concept of Wintering I gel with this book at all.
I found the tone of the book off and spoke of upper middle class privilege I found it extremely hard to relate to in most aspects.
The author is able to take extended time off from her job to "recover" from stress, and while this may be the best route it's not practical for most.
When her child is struggling in school she has the funds, resources, time and education to take him out of the school system which is amazing for her child but again not practical or possible for most.
She comes off as someone who is a little removed from the world I know, and she does little to address her circumstances and how impossible her coping methods are.
I have suffered with depression and while I think she has some good ideas about ways to cope and heal she does not take into account how unlikely it is that most will be able to afford her solutions.
I will say I loved the chapter cold water, and felt the most connected to her in that chapter but overall it just feels a bit tone deaf.
I'm sure that this will speak to people and I know it has got a lot of good reviews but honestly it's not one for me.
I also really feel a lot of this book is filler and not a lot of it is killer.
P.S she nicked the title from a Sylvia Plath poem and I much preferred the poem, to this book.
I found the tone of the book off and spoke of upper middle class privilege I found it extremely hard to relate to in most aspects.
The author is able to take extended time off from her job to "recover" from stress, and while this may be the best route it's not practical for most.
When her child is struggling in school she has the funds, resources, time and education to take him out of the school system which is amazing for her child but again not practical or possible for most.
She comes off as someone who is a little removed from the world I know, and she does little to address her circumstances and how impossible her coping methods are.
I have suffered with depression and while I think she has some good ideas about ways to cope and heal she does not take into account how unlikely it is that most will be able to afford her solutions.
I will say I loved the chapter cold water, and felt the most connected to her in that chapter but overall it just feels a bit tone deaf.
I'm sure that this will speak to people and I know it has got a lot of good reviews but honestly it's not one for me.
I also really feel a lot of this book is filler and not a lot of it is killer.
P.S she nicked the title from a Sylvia Plath poem and I much preferred the poem, to this book.
The Bone People by Keri Hulme
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
Put me into a reading slump, extremely depressing and a lot of child abuse, was not for me.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was lovely, and heartbreaking at times, however, I understand the hype that followed the book when it was released.
All the magical children are unique, sweet and engaging and the grown-ups are just as endearing.
I enjoyed reading this a lot, and look forward to reading this again, a comfort book in the making.
All the magical children are unique, sweet and engaging and the grown-ups are just as endearing.
I enjoyed reading this a lot, and look forward to reading this again, a comfort book in the making.
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such a fabulous book, like a avant-garde punk version of Daisy Jones and the Six, with so much more to say.
Steeped in conversations about race and gender, the winners and losers and who should be getting the spotlight, and how so many times the system fails women and people of colour.
Nev is still a highly successful, white "rock star" but with all the ego and none of the sparkle, a talented musician sure, but a man who is willing to step on anyone to get the fame, and who allegedly started a riot, that ends up killing a man.
Opal is by far the stand out of the pair, vibrant, powerful and with a richly layered past, brings a fire to the music and performance Nev can only wish, but as is the way, Opal is the one who is sidelined and not taken seriously, and ridiculed.
I really enjoyed this book, and I understand why this was on the women's prize shortlist.
Steeped in conversations about race and gender, the winners and losers and who should be getting the spotlight, and how so many times the system fails women and people of colour.
Nev is still a highly successful, white "rock star" but with all the ego and none of the sparkle, a talented musician sure, but a man who is willing to step on anyone to get the fame, and who allegedly started a riot, that ends up killing a man.
Opal is by far the stand out of the pair, vibrant, powerful and with a richly layered past, brings a fire to the music and performance Nev can only wish, but as is the way, Opal is the one who is sidelined and not taken seriously, and ridiculed.
I really enjoyed this book, and I understand why this was on the women's prize shortlist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, and Sexual harassment
Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood
emotional
funny
medium-paced
4.0
I enjoyed learning about Patricia's mad childhood and then her frankly odd return to her parents house.
I thought that this was quite insightful, and I learnt a lot about what it is like to grow up in a highly religious household, and how that affected them all in small and bigger ways.
I laughed out loud at a few of the anecdotes about the soon to be priests who lived with her family whilst studying.
I also quite enjoyed how her husband was mostly baffled by it all.
A very introspective look at an unusual family, who clearly love each other.
I thought that this was quite insightful, and I learnt a lot about what it is like to grow up in a highly religious household, and how that affected them all in small and bigger ways.
I laughed out loud at a few of the anecdotes about the soon to be priests who lived with her family whilst studying.
I also quite enjoyed how her husband was mostly baffled by it all.
A very introspective look at an unusual family, who clearly love each other.
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, it was a special type of no plot all vibes.
I would say tread carefully if you have any issues around eating or body dysmorphia as this is detailed in its description of food, starving yourself and all that stuff.
To me this was one of those books I knew I would like immediately and it's a very strange book so difficult to say who I would recommend it too.
I found this like a recovery self help book, and her ability to eat again comes when she meets Miriam an orthodox Jewish woman who keeps over serving her at a frozen yoghurt parlor.
Their relationship is complex and I think Rachel really over analyses every move she and Miriam make but Miriam guides her to a easier state of living, this book is a weird ride but the payoff is quite lovely.
Did not expect to be saying this but I found the ending quite hopeful even.
I would say tread carefully if you have any issues around eating or body dysmorphia as this is detailed in its description of food, starving yourself and all that stuff.
To me this was one of those books I knew I would like immediately and it's a very strange book so difficult to say who I would recommend it too.
I found this like a recovery self help book, and her ability to eat again comes when she meets Miriam an orthodox Jewish woman who keeps over serving her at a frozen yoghurt parlor.
Their relationship is complex and I think Rachel really over analyses every move she and Miriam make but Miriam guides her to a easier state of living, this book is a weird ride but the payoff is quite lovely.
Did not expect to be saying this but I found the ending quite hopeful even.