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Love, Loss, and What We Ate: A Memoir
Book
A vivid memoir of food and family, survival and triumph, Love, Loss, and What We Ate traces the arc...
Smart to do list – task reminder
Utilities and Lifestyle
App
"Quick and easy way to create personal task lists and manage your plans Smart to do list planner –...
ClareR (6054 KP) rated The Other Half of Augusta Hope in Books
Sep 29, 2020
Augusta Hope is the other twin - Julia is the beautiful one who everyone feels able to easily connect with. Augusta is harder work. Whilst Julia wants to stay at home and marry the boy next door, Augusta wants to go to University and travel. Her favourite book is the dictionary, she collates a folder on Burundi and hopes to go there one day. Augusta follows her own path, tells people what she thinks and drives her very conventional family mad.
Alongside the story of Augusta, chapters are alternated with Parfait and his story. He lives in Burundi - a country torn apart by Civil War. Parfaits family is destroyed by the horrors of this war, so he and his younger brother leave for what they feel will be a better life in Spain. Life has more sadness to throw at Parfait, though - and Augusta is dealt a cruel hand as well. She finds solace in Spain, which is where Parfait and Augusta are destined to meet.
I liked the alternating chapters of Augusta and Parfait - this device really highlighted the huge differences in their lives early on. As the story progresses though, it also shows that no matter how different we may all appear, there are actually more similarities than differences. We are all human; we all experience love and loss.
This was such a good way to highlight the refugee crisis in Europe. At a couple of points in the story, Parfait announces to the Spanish town how many people had died in the Mediterranean that year in their quest to live a better life. This book is heartbreaking in more than this one way. Both characters suffer unimaginable loss, and both learn to value life, a feeling of home and belonging.
It’s a wonderful book, and one that I’d heartily recommend. Many thanks to NetGalley and The Borough Press for my ebook copy.
Alongside the story of Augusta, chapters are alternated with Parfait and his story. He lives in Burundi - a country torn apart by Civil War. Parfaits family is destroyed by the horrors of this war, so he and his younger brother leave for what they feel will be a better life in Spain. Life has more sadness to throw at Parfait, though - and Augusta is dealt a cruel hand as well. She finds solace in Spain, which is where Parfait and Augusta are destined to meet.
I liked the alternating chapters of Augusta and Parfait - this device really highlighted the huge differences in their lives early on. As the story progresses though, it also shows that no matter how different we may all appear, there are actually more similarities than differences. We are all human; we all experience love and loss.
This was such a good way to highlight the refugee crisis in Europe. At a couple of points in the story, Parfait announces to the Spanish town how many people had died in the Mediterranean that year in their quest to live a better life. This book is heartbreaking in more than this one way. Both characters suffer unimaginable loss, and both learn to value life, a feeling of home and belonging.
It’s a wonderful book, and one that I’d heartily recommend. Many thanks to NetGalley and The Borough Press for my ebook copy.
Love, Loss and What We Ate: A Memoir
Book
A vivid memoir of food and family, survival and triumph, Love, Loss, and What We Ate traces the arc...
Ryker (Owatonna U Hockey #1)
RJ Scott and V.L. Locey
6.0
Rate It
Book
This New Adult book is the first in the Owatonna U Series, a spin off from the best selling...
Fate in Suspension (Horn & Haven #1)
8.0
Rate It
Book
Quiet. That's how he likes life, no drama to clean up... Tai Xen-Vorsy leads a straightforward...
Adult Fantasy LGBTQIA+ Paranormal Romance
Beckie Shelton (40 KP) rated The Good Daughter in Books
Jun 22, 2017
The Good Daughter a big thumbs up,
Now, this was the first book I have read by Karin Slaughter and it was also a very enjoyable experience.
first I will say that The Good Daughter was totally different to what I was expecting but this was so not a bad thing for me.
I'm a sucker for a good psychological thriller, but I also love the drama that comes with a good ole family saga, This story brilliantly combined these two elements giving us an insight into the fallout that comes when horrific tragedy strikes an ordinary family and how these dynamics can spiral, taking on a life of their own through miscommunication and prideful behaviour.
The outcome of this incident echoing down the unfolding decades.
This story describes the events that occur to the Quinn family, resulting in a death and two young teenagers with scars both physically and figuratively for life.
Samantha and Charlotte's lives are about to come full circle when events in their home town bring them along with their father together again.
This was a very easy read, that kept you guessing until the end, the graphic descriptions both pulled you in while equally repelling you with the realness behind the visuals provided.
I'm not easily grossed out but MAN!!! it was way EWW!!! in places.
So, in conclusion, I would definitely give The Good Daughter a big thumbs up, a very intriguing read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy it was thoroughly devoured by me, this is my own personal opinion of this book.
Arc Reviewed By BeckieBookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9460945-bex-beckie-bookworm
first I will say that The Good Daughter was totally different to what I was expecting but this was so not a bad thing for me.
I'm a sucker for a good psychological thriller, but I also love the drama that comes with a good ole family saga, This story brilliantly combined these two elements giving us an insight into the fallout that comes when horrific tragedy strikes an ordinary family and how these dynamics can spiral, taking on a life of their own through miscommunication and prideful behaviour.
The outcome of this incident echoing down the unfolding decades.
This story describes the events that occur to the Quinn family, resulting in a death and two young teenagers with scars both physically and figuratively for life.
Samantha and Charlotte's lives are about to come full circle when events in their home town bring them along with their father together again.
This was a very easy read, that kept you guessing until the end, the graphic descriptions both pulled you in while equally repelling you with the realness behind the visuals provided.
I'm not easily grossed out but MAN!!! it was way EWW!!! in places.
So, in conclusion, I would definitely give The Good Daughter a big thumbs up, a very intriguing read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy it was thoroughly devoured by me, this is my own personal opinion of this book.
Arc Reviewed By BeckieBookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9460945-bex-beckie-bookworm
It’s not often that we’re given the chance to read a book set in the UK from a black protagonists perspective, and here is a great book to do just that. I’d also like to say though, that although this book was lauded as a cross between Bridget Jones and Americanah, I’m relieved that I’ve read a book that was wholly it’s own story. It’s not a comedy, although there are parts that were funny, and it’s not a story of immigration, because Queenie is second generation British-Jamaican. However, it does hold up to us issues surrounding race - how when a white person thinks they’re being accepting of other cultures, many of them aren’t - and mental health.
Queenie has a breakdown after she splits up with her (white) boyfriend, and suffers so badly with anxiety. Her family believe that the ‘cure’ is to pull herself together, and can’t understand the need for counselling. I’m glad she does it though, because her actions after the split had involved risky sexual behaviour, and her life (personal and work) was unravelling. This is just what happens to some people with anxiety. And Queenie’s childhood has been far from ideal.
Queenie is a great character though: she’s funny, intelligent, outspoken, sensitive and independent. She has some great friends, and her family, even though they have their faults (and whose family doesn’t?!), are there for her - and they’re all fascinating characters.
I really, really enjoyed this. It’s not some cute and fluffy read, and it can be quite raw at times.
For those who appreciate trigger warnings, there may well be some in this book, but it’s a book that reflects Queenie’s life.
Candice Carty-Williams will definitely be a name that I watch out for in future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
Queenie has a breakdown after she splits up with her (white) boyfriend, and suffers so badly with anxiety. Her family believe that the ‘cure’ is to pull herself together, and can’t understand the need for counselling. I’m glad she does it though, because her actions after the split had involved risky sexual behaviour, and her life (personal and work) was unravelling. This is just what happens to some people with anxiety. And Queenie’s childhood has been far from ideal.
Queenie is a great character though: she’s funny, intelligent, outspoken, sensitive and independent. She has some great friends, and her family, even though they have their faults (and whose family doesn’t?!), are there for her - and they’re all fascinating characters.
I really, really enjoyed this. It’s not some cute and fluffy read, and it can be quite raw at times.
For those who appreciate trigger warnings, there may well be some in this book, but it’s a book that reflects Queenie’s life.
Candice Carty-Williams will definitely be a name that I watch out for in future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
Beckie Shelton (40 KP) rated The Good Daughter in Books
Feb 8, 2018
<b> Arc Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm </b>
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
<img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/photos/1496486027p8/3589531.jpg " width="300" height="100" alt="description"/>
Now, this was the first book I have read by Karin Slaughter and it was also a very enjoyable experience.
first I will say that The Good Daughter was totally different to what I was expecting but this was so not a bad thing for me.
I'm a sucker for a good psychological thriller, but I also love the drama that comes with a good ole family saga, This story brilliantly combined these two elements giving us an insight into the fallout that comes when horrific tragedy strikes an ordinary family and how these dynamics can spiral, taking on a life of their own through miscommunication and prideful behaviour.
The outcome of this incident echoing down the unfolding decades.
This story describes the events that occur to the Quinn family, resulting in a death and two young teenagers with scars both physically and figuratively for life.
Samantha and Charlotte's lives are about to come full circle when events in their home town bring them along with their father together again.
This was a very easy read, that kept you guessing until the end, the graphic descriptions both pulled you in while equally repelling you with the realness behind the visuals provided.
I'm not easily grossed out but MAN!!! it was way EWW!!! in places.
So, in conclusion, I would definitely give The Good Daughter a big thumbs up, a very intriguing read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy it was thoroughly devoured by me, this is my own personal opinion of this book.
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
<img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/photos/1496486027p8/3589531.jpg " width="300" height="100" alt="description"/>
Now, this was the first book I have read by Karin Slaughter and it was also a very enjoyable experience.
first I will say that The Good Daughter was totally different to what I was expecting but this was so not a bad thing for me.
I'm a sucker for a good psychological thriller, but I also love the drama that comes with a good ole family saga, This story brilliantly combined these two elements giving us an insight into the fallout that comes when horrific tragedy strikes an ordinary family and how these dynamics can spiral, taking on a life of their own through miscommunication and prideful behaviour.
The outcome of this incident echoing down the unfolding decades.
This story describes the events that occur to the Quinn family, resulting in a death and two young teenagers with scars both physically and figuratively for life.
Samantha and Charlotte's lives are about to come full circle when events in their home town bring them along with their father together again.
This was a very easy read, that kept you guessing until the end, the graphic descriptions both pulled you in while equally repelling you with the realness behind the visuals provided.
I'm not easily grossed out but MAN!!! it was way EWW!!! in places.
So, in conclusion, I would definitely give The Good Daughter a big thumbs up, a very intriguing read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy it was thoroughly devoured by me, this is my own personal opinion of this book.
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
LI
Living in Death's Shadow: Family Experiences of Terminal Care and Irreplaceable Loss
Book
What is it like to live with-and love-someone whose death, while delayed, is nevertheless foretold?...