bookstorian's reviews
580 reviews

I wasn't 100% sure what I was in the mood for next, but after reading the first page of 'Scenes of a Graphic Nature' I was intrigued. There is just something so consuming and compelling about Caroline's writing and I'm really glad I have stepped into her back catalogue of work after reading The Rachel Incident last year. 

Things I liked about the book:
- The experience of a young person with an unwell parent and how it can impact their living arrangements, ambitions and relationships. 
-The setting (It initially felt a bit rom com, the mystical tourist island with a small knit community) and what connection to place looks like. Ireland as a setting made sense and I loved the exploration of how you can belong to a place even if you have never been. 
-The moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the characters and why people keep secrets. I think this part of the story will stay with me for a long time. 
-The tragedy and the aftermath of what happened to the island felt very real. It was also confronting to read as a teacher myself. 
- Seeing the world and the story as it unfolded through Charlie's eyes. It kept me motivated to read as I wanted to find out what happened as she did. 

What I didn't: 
-Got a bit confused at times with the characters, their connections and motivations. There was a lot of people to keep up with. 
-The relationship between Laura and Charlie. It was difficult to connect with this part of the story and I felt exasperated by the characters and their purpose in one another's lives. 

Overall, I love Caroline's writing and how she blends genres. Think Sad Girl Novel cross mystery. 

Really struggled with the character if Marcella. Didn't make it past chapter 3. 

I'm not usually one for middle grade fiction but I will forever be making an exception for Danielle Binks. 

Here's what I liked about the story:
-Friendships on the cusp of the transition between primary and high school. It can be such a difficult time for so many kids for a variety of reasons. 
-Whilst friendship was the main theme throughout the novel I liked that it didn't shy away from heavier topics that impact children such as illness, anxiety and addiction. 
-Intergenerational relationships and how young and old can care for one another. 
-Enjoyed the overarching idea of the past, history and memory. These were also beautifully threaded throughout. 
-The ending, I was really worried it was going to shatter me but it instead left me feeling hopeful. 
-My most important take away would have to be seeing school refusal on the side of the student. Including some of the causes, triggers and feelings. I think this was really impactful. 

What I felt wasn't completely resolved was Leo's mental state, while a lot of things improved in his life I'm not sure he ended the story will the tools he needed to work through his anxiety. 

Key quote "Nobody knows they're in the past until they're out of it- that what they're experiencing is going to be history one day, a moment to try to document and remember" pg228.

Thank you to Hachette Australia for my #gifted copy. 

Patiently waited for the mood to strike to pick up J.P Pomare's latest thriller. It did not disappoint. 

Here's what I enjoyed:
-Multiple perspectives, always a win especially when there's a bit of a time jump at play. I felt like this story was able to pack so much into it with Sloane (podcaster) and TK (psychologist). 
- I loved how you made the discoveries alongside Sloane and TK as a reader, I felt very immersed and invested in the story, even when it didn't make sense and I wasn't sure where it was going to lead at all. 
-Exploration of racism and impacts of colonialism. 
-Very twisty right to the very end. A very wild ride indeed. 
-New Zealand setting and comments on the NZ Justice system made within the author's acknowledgements. 

What I didn't enjoy:
-It was quite a long read, as I mentioned before there was a lot to it. I also feel like this is one you would need to read with the pace of a thriller so you don't forget certain details of the story (there were a lot of characters and backstories to keep track of). 

Thank you to Hachette Australia for my gifted copy. 

Elated to receive a review copy of Nina Kenwood's latest book from Text Publishing. The novel encapsulated chasing dreams and finding love in your thirties. 

Here's what I liked:
- The wedding. Weddings make for such good content. Emotions are high, tensions are high. Also appreciate that the story wasn't dragged out with the wedding at the end of the story. 
- Relationships. The mothers and daughters bestie combo was relatable to me and fun to read about within a novel. 
-Setting. Moving between Melbourne and a Christmasy New York was lovely. 
-Bookish stuff. Love stories about writers and bookstores. Heavenly combination. 
-It was funny. I openly chuckled a number of times while reading
-Chemistry. The attraction between Anna and Mac was pulsing throughout the novel. 

Here's what I didn't enjoy so much: 
- Some of the dialogue was a little cringe at times, be prepared for slow burn style romance. 
- The mums, it annoyed me how focused they became on Anna finding a partner. Especially given that one had gone through a divorce and had a revelation in their sexuality. Their views just seemed a tad traditional in that sense and not very believable. Maybe Anna's Mum could have been the push towards a partner but Bobbi be the more voice of reason, that not everything is about finding the one. 
-The name Patrick, could have been tied up a little at the end there too. IYKYK. 

Overall, this was a fun rom-com novel and I'm glad to have a copy sitting pretty on my shelves. 

Thank you to Text Publishing for my gifted copy. 

I was certainly intrigued to read 'Peggy' from the get go, not only was the cover eye-catching, but the blurb also drew me in, historical fiction work about a 20th century patron of the arts, sure! 

Here's what I liked about the novel:

Here are a few issues that I had with the novel:

I think it is also important to note that this work was published post humorously with her friend and colleagues help.  Peggy's story and Rebecca Godfrey's work reminded me of Jackie by Dawn Tripp, a fictionalised version of Jackie Kennedy's story. Especially the idea that historical fiction gets to the heart of a character, I felt that this story somewhat did that. 

P.S Here for Historical Fiction titles having bright and fun covers. 

I have tried to pick this read up once before but I struggled with the format, I'm not a huge short story or non-fiction reader either. The audio book turned out to be just the ticket though and I blended it with reading of the physical book (a loan from my local library). 

Trent opened up his heart wide for the people of Brisbane and they did not disappoint. Love was truly explored in all its forms. I was moved by the expressions of love, the words wrapped into metaphors, the reflective sentiments and the countless stories.

I do find Trent waffles a little bit for me and I find my mind wandering, especially while listening to the audio book. 

Overall I'm glad I fi ally picked up this beautiful collection of stories and I am very interested and excited to see how the stories translate to the stage in Brisbane next month. 

Hands down my favourite book purchased on my trip to Japan earlier in the year. I picked this copy up from the in MARUZEN & JUNKUDO Umeda bookstore in Osaka. I stumbled upon it by chance and couldn't not leave without it, now wishing I purchased more of this authors works, especially his children's books. 

Particular highlights for me included the stories "The Moonlight Book", "How to wrap books", "Unique Book Festivals", "The Tombstone Bookcase", "Why books are rectangular" and "Book People". This also gives you a little glimpse into how imaginative the book is. 

Overall this book was funny, innovative and filled with adorable illustrations. I'm so glad I found this book that accentuates the magic and importance of bookstores. 

As a historical fiction girlie this read has been on my TBR for awhile, it wasn't until a friend absolutely raved about it that I bumped it up my TBR and got it from my local library - My only disappointment is that I hadn't read it sooner and don't own a copy... 

What I liked about the book:
-Compelling to read, the fact that three women's narratives were intertwined through centuries to create the story was simple yet so enjoyable. 
-Mini cliff hangers to end the POV made it all the more motivating to keep reading to see what happens!
-Emotionally invested in each of the character's story lines. The author created vivid characters
-Enjoyed the magical realism element, I felt the story could have leaned towards this a little more
-Overall message of a woman's power and resilience was strong especially in the face of male abuse and oppression

Sad I don't have my own copy, I usually collect my five star reads like treasures but this copy will just have to go back to the library for so many others to cherish instead! 

I have seen this novel doing the rounds on Bookstagram for a little while now and when I saw the title on the shelf of a local library I took it as a sign to read it. I totally lean into the sad millennial girl trope and felt the need for such a read. 

I was at first really motivated to read the story, I was entertained and interested in Marnie's life, I think this interest waned in the last third of the story as the character started to become too apathetic - it become sluggish to read. In addition, I thought Marnie's dependency on Claud was too heightened to be realistic. Whilst I do agree that females particularly can fall into friendships thickly and fastly this just seemed to be too much too soon. 

Regardless of the above, here are some aspects of the story that I liked: 
-For the most part it was a quick read, it was very easy to imagine Marnie's life and her relationships with others. 
-Characters, there was a lot of different types of characters from Nicola (her sister) to her boss (Kit). 
-Complicated relationship with Isaac. Had similar vibes to the leading male in Green Dot. Definitely explored some moral dilemmas that had me thinking. 
- A lot of reflective moments about the general messiness of life, societal expectations and loneliness. This wasn't my copy so I couldn't highlight any but there were a few great quotes littered throughout.
- The commentary on the give and take nature of relationships between men and women as opposed to friendships between women. 
-The title 'Crushing' was masterful.

While this wasn't a chef's kiss of a read for me it was, for the most part, enjoyable to walk around in Marnie's shoes for a few days.