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Granta 129: Fate
Book
Granta 129 brings you twenty-two meditations on fate in all its many forms. From Joseph Roth's...
Gordon Gano recommended track Ballade De Melody Nelson (with Jane Birkin / Serge Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin) by Serge Gainsbourg in Monsieur Gainsbourg Originals by Serge Gainsbourg in Music (curated)
ClareR (6106 KP) rated Mother Mother in Books
May 4, 2021
I have to admit to reading this book because I was curious. I’ve heard of Annie Mac on the radio, and I was intrigued. Oh, and I really liked the cover. This is often a reason why I choose a book: sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It definitely worked this time.
I was sucked in to this books world, and became really emotionally invested in this story. Mary and her brother have such a hard upbringing, that what comes later seems inevitable. Regardless of this, Mary becomes a good mother. She does that thing that so many mother do, and gives up her sense of self, and her life revolves around her son, TJ. She has a job she enjoys, but she is a solitary figure. When she stops seeing her friend Louise after she finds out that she’s pregnant with TJ, there isn’t any mention of anyone else. I couldn’t help but feel that she must have been so lonely.
Mary clings on to her family, even though her father and brother probably don’t deserve her attention and love, and TJ takes advantage of her unquestioning love - like a typical teenager.
There are some pretty heavy, emotional parts in this, and I read the last few chapters through tears. I can’t believe that this is a debut - it’s so well written. It’s an easy book to recommend, and a tough book to read.
I was sucked in to this books world, and became really emotionally invested in this story. Mary and her brother have such a hard upbringing, that what comes later seems inevitable. Regardless of this, Mary becomes a good mother. She does that thing that so many mother do, and gives up her sense of self, and her life revolves around her son, TJ. She has a job she enjoys, but she is a solitary figure. When she stops seeing her friend Louise after she finds out that she’s pregnant with TJ, there isn’t any mention of anyone else. I couldn’t help but feel that she must have been so lonely.
Mary clings on to her family, even though her father and brother probably don’t deserve her attention and love, and TJ takes advantage of her unquestioning love - like a typical teenager.
There are some pretty heavy, emotional parts in this, and I read the last few chapters through tears. I can’t believe that this is a debut - it’s so well written. It’s an easy book to recommend, and a tough book to read.
Grazing Calculator
Business and Utilities
App
A quick and simple way to calculate a number of common grazing related equations used by dairy and...
Horror (6 more)
Creepy
Supernatural
Fiction
Haunted House
Scary
Ghost
Great Horror
I really did enjoy this book immensely. I am always searching for the 'perfect' ghost story and this comes pretty close!
The authors writing style really drew me in, an almost casual voice that ramps up the tension without you really realising it.
The characters were all extremely natural and sympathetic. None of the conversations felt forced, even though they were between characters of very differing ages.
The actions, and reactions, to the dramatic events made sense. At no point did I think "No one would ever do that, how silly" which often happens in supernatural/horror stories.
The way in which the atmosphere and tension slowly crept up meant that I just couldn't put it down. I could actually imagine the growing claustrophobia the characters were feeling.
Because certain events are not as they seem, for reasons you will understand after reading, it really kept me on my toes - did that happen? Can I believe what I'm reading this time?
Even though it kept me guessing it never got annoying - I just wanted to read that little bit more to find out! To me that is a sign of a talented author.
If I had to find fault it would be with the ending, unless there is a sequel planned! It was satisfying until reading the very last chapter, which was left as a kind of cliffhanger.
Rae Louise has managed to write a horror which is genuinely creepy and has suspension and action in spades.
The authors writing style really drew me in, an almost casual voice that ramps up the tension without you really realising it.
The characters were all extremely natural and sympathetic. None of the conversations felt forced, even though they were between characters of very differing ages.
The actions, and reactions, to the dramatic events made sense. At no point did I think "No one would ever do that, how silly" which often happens in supernatural/horror stories.
The way in which the atmosphere and tension slowly crept up meant that I just couldn't put it down. I could actually imagine the growing claustrophobia the characters were feeling.
Because certain events are not as they seem, for reasons you will understand after reading, it really kept me on my toes - did that happen? Can I believe what I'm reading this time?
Even though it kept me guessing it never got annoying - I just wanted to read that little bit more to find out! To me that is a sign of a talented author.
If I had to find fault it would be with the ending, unless there is a sequel planned! It was satisfying until reading the very last chapter, which was left as a kind of cliffhanger.
Rae Louise has managed to write a horror which is genuinely creepy and has suspension and action in spades.
Bethy (8 KP) rated To Kill a Mockingbird in Books
May 13, 2019
Set in 1930's America, yet timeless and relatable
If I told you this book is written from the viewpoint of a child you might think it to be immature and frivolous.
If you skimmed the surface a suppose you could see it that way - you're guided through the everyday life of Jean Louise and her family, playing with her brother, petty school issues and fights.
It's an easy read because we can all relate to this little tom boy, from getting annoyed at being told what to wear, getting muddy in the yard, being excited about cake baked by the neighbours.
You find yourself rolling along with the kids, enjoying some nostalgia, only to realise an abundance of adult issues have been cleverly addressed throughout, racism, segregation, nazis, rape, death, drug abuse, isolation and loss.
The more you consider this concept, the more you realise how well written this book is! You feel safe, you are with the innocent and constantly told "it's not time to worry yet", all the while you are facing some of the worst human kind has to offer.
When you realise this you are left with a longing for the naivety of the young, an admiration for their ability to have everything made better with curling up on your father's lap and actually believing someone when they say "it's not time to worry yet".
Despite the adult content and melancholy, this book leaves you feeling warm and hopeful for the human condition.
If you skimmed the surface a suppose you could see it that way - you're guided through the everyday life of Jean Louise and her family, playing with her brother, petty school issues and fights.
It's an easy read because we can all relate to this little tom boy, from getting annoyed at being told what to wear, getting muddy in the yard, being excited about cake baked by the neighbours.
You find yourself rolling along with the kids, enjoying some nostalgia, only to realise an abundance of adult issues have been cleverly addressed throughout, racism, segregation, nazis, rape, death, drug abuse, isolation and loss.
The more you consider this concept, the more you realise how well written this book is! You feel safe, you are with the innocent and constantly told "it's not time to worry yet", all the while you are facing some of the worst human kind has to offer.
When you realise this you are left with a longing for the naivety of the young, an admiration for their ability to have everything made better with curling up on your father's lap and actually believing someone when they say "it's not time to worry yet".
Despite the adult content and melancholy, this book leaves you feeling warm and hopeful for the human condition.
Jessica - Where the Book Ends (15 KP) rated One to Hold (One to Hold, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Tia Louise knocked the socks right off my feet with this book. I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book from a brand new author. I began reading and as I turned those wonderfully digital pages I knew I was falling in love with her characters and her book.
This book starts with a girls week-long spa retreat to forget a tragic past, and what Melissa gets is SO much more. Melissa meets a very handsome stranger at the bar on her first night at the hotel, Derek. She is instantly attracted to him but not sure why someone who looks the way he does could be attracted to someone like her. She goes along with it, and does the one thing that seems so out of character for her; she has a one night stand. Only Melissa and Derek can't get enough of each other and their one night stand quickly turns into a one week stand.
I loved this book because not only do you get to really know the characters, but you get to see them grow. The book reads so quickly because of the extremely believable characters and the hot and steamy sex scenes.
Derek and Melissa are so intricately well written and their story so exquisitely believe-able. I laughed with them, cried with them, and cheered when it all came back around in the end. This book is un-put-downable, and will have you reading long into the night!
This book starts with a girls week-long spa retreat to forget a tragic past, and what Melissa gets is SO much more. Melissa meets a very handsome stranger at the bar on her first night at the hotel, Derek. She is instantly attracted to him but not sure why someone who looks the way he does could be attracted to someone like her. She goes along with it, and does the one thing that seems so out of character for her; she has a one night stand. Only Melissa and Derek can't get enough of each other and their one night stand quickly turns into a one week stand.
I loved this book because not only do you get to really know the characters, but you get to see them grow. The book reads so quickly because of the extremely believable characters and the hot and steamy sex scenes.
Derek and Melissa are so intricately well written and their story so exquisitely believe-able. I laughed with them, cried with them, and cheered when it all came back around in the end. This book is un-put-downable, and will have you reading long into the night!
Dreaming of a Divine Life: One Woman Remembers Her Truth That May Awaken Us All!
Book
Dreaming of a Divine Life is the inspirational true story of a woman who built her life back up...
Eugene O'Neill: A Life in Four Acts
Book
A major new biography of the Nobel Prize-winning playwright whose brilliantly original plays...