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ClareR (5674 KP) rated We Are Not Like Them in Books
Mar 28, 2022
We Are Not Like Them is a really timely novel about racism in America.
Jen (white) and Riley (black) have grown up together, and are like sisters. Colour has never been an issue between the two of them. But when Jen’s Police Officer husband is involved in the shooting of a black teenaged boy, and Riley is given the job of covering the story as a TV reporter, things become difficult and strained between them. Is their past enough to keep the friendship going? I did wonder on many occasions throughout the book.
Themes include racism, prejudice, white privilege and police brutality. It’s a pretty hard-hitting book, and could be set anywhere in the US at the moment. We have our own issues and institutional racism to deal with in the UK, and it was interesting to see how this panned out. I did think that Riley worried more about Jen. Jen was completely wrapped up in her own problems, using Riley as someone to lean on, whilst not being at all curious about Riley’s feelings on what had happened to the boy. But then, Jen has some pretty huge things going on in her life, too.
I can see this being an ideal book for a book club - so much is going on, there’s so much to unpick.
It’s a powerful novel. Recommended.
Jen (white) and Riley (black) have grown up together, and are like sisters. Colour has never been an issue between the two of them. But when Jen’s Police Officer husband is involved in the shooting of a black teenaged boy, and Riley is given the job of covering the story as a TV reporter, things become difficult and strained between them. Is their past enough to keep the friendship going? I did wonder on many occasions throughout the book.
Themes include racism, prejudice, white privilege and police brutality. It’s a pretty hard-hitting book, and could be set anywhere in the US at the moment. We have our own issues and institutional racism to deal with in the UK, and it was interesting to see how this panned out. I did think that Riley worried more about Jen. Jen was completely wrapped up in her own problems, using Riley as someone to lean on, whilst not being at all curious about Riley’s feelings on what had happened to the boy. But then, Jen has some pretty huge things going on in her life, too.
I can see this being an ideal book for a book club - so much is going on, there’s so much to unpick.
It’s a powerful novel. Recommended.
Merissa (11950 KP) rated Return of the Runaway Bride in Books
Jul 21, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)
RETURN OF THE RUNAWAY BRIDE is part of the Last Chance Beach Romance series but can also be read as a standalone. In this one, Emily left Chase at the altar five years ago but has now returned to try and mend bridges. Not only is it time, but she also needs to let her friends and family know what she's been up to as her novel is being made into a movie, and no one knows.
This is a well-paced novel that not only gives the reader what is going on now, but also allows them to catch up on what happened five years ago, and why. There is a good group of characters, both main and supporting, that help to move the storyline along.
The only problem I found was that sometimes the time would jump from one sentence to another. I found this to be slightly jolting but became accustomed to it as the author's writing style.
A great summer story about second-chance romance and recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 21, 2021
This is a well-paced novel that not only gives the reader what is going on now, but also allows them to catch up on what happened five years ago, and why. There is a good group of characters, both main and supporting, that help to move the storyline along.
The only problem I found was that sometimes the time would jump from one sentence to another. I found this to be slightly jolting but became accustomed to it as the author's writing style.
A great summer story about second-chance romance and recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 21, 2021
ClareR (5674 KP) rated A Passage North in Books
Jun 21, 2022
A Passage North is a book rich in the description of a journey from the capital of Sri Lanka (Colombo) to the Northern Province, which is still affected by the Civil War.
Krishnan is on his way to the funeral of his grandmothers carer and companion. She had returned to visit her daughter in the North, and had died after tripping, falling down a well and breaking her neck. However, after we learn some of her background, there is some doubt that it’s actually accident. Rani had suffered a great deal during the war, and had been left with mental health problems. Krishnan thinks about how her losses affected her life.
Krishnan has experienced loss as well. His father during the war, and the breakup of a significant relationship that he had whilst studying in India.
There’s no dialogue in this novel, it’s all Krishnan’s thoughts about his past and present and Rani’s past. When I started reading, I honestly didn’t think I’d enjoy this. But I was happily mistaken. I’ve never been to Sri Lanka, but it sounds beautiful. The funeral was moving and was a reminder of the deaths of many, many innocents during the civil war, and also those who survived them.
This is a powerful novel, that I still think about after reading it.
Krishnan is on his way to the funeral of his grandmothers carer and companion. She had returned to visit her daughter in the North, and had died after tripping, falling down a well and breaking her neck. However, after we learn some of her background, there is some doubt that it’s actually accident. Rani had suffered a great deal during the war, and had been left with mental health problems. Krishnan thinks about how her losses affected her life.
Krishnan has experienced loss as well. His father during the war, and the breakup of a significant relationship that he had whilst studying in India.
There’s no dialogue in this novel, it’s all Krishnan’s thoughts about his past and present and Rani’s past. When I started reading, I honestly didn’t think I’d enjoy this. But I was happily mistaken. I’ve never been to Sri Lanka, but it sounds beautiful. The funeral was moving and was a reminder of the deaths of many, many innocents during the civil war, and also those who survived them.
This is a powerful novel, that I still think about after reading it.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Jul 7, 2022
By Degrees
10.0
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Con’s a firefighter; he knows a burning flame when he sees one. But as things heat up between him...
gayga (2127 KP) rated The Dead Zone in Books
Dec 11, 2017
Another awesome Stephen King book
I enjoy this book because even though the whole premise of someone who wakes up after being in a coma and finds they are psychic is a bit far fetched.
I found that the bits about Johnny and his mum were a bit long winded compared to the film but in general I thought it was a great film.
Possibly I should have read the book first as the differences between the two did jar a bit. Overall the majority of the film was true to the novel.
I found that the bits about Johnny and his mum were a bit long winded compared to the film but in general I thought it was a great film.
Possibly I should have read the book first as the differences between the two did jar a bit. Overall the majority of the film was true to the novel.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Remote in Books
Dec 12, 2017
I was given the opportunity to read an ARC for this science fiction novel in exchange for an honest review. If you enjoy reading science fiction novels then you'll love reading Remote.
In this fabulous book there is love, mischief, fantasy and action all rolled into one suspense filled story. In this book, the main heroine was masterfully imagined along with her friends, family and the world she lives in.
Once you pick up this book it will be hard to put down and it will always have you wondering what is next. Remote is the perfect example of an author who knows what she is doing.
In this fabulous book there is love, mischief, fantasy and action all rolled into one suspense filled story. In this book, the main heroine was masterfully imagined along with her friends, family and the world she lives in.
Once you pick up this book it will be hard to put down and it will always have you wondering what is next. Remote is the perfect example of an author who knows what she is doing.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Idiot: A Novel in Books
Jan 3, 2018
A rather juvenile romp
As the title suggests, Elif Batuman's novel explores linguistics and Russian literature through the eyes of a young Harvard undergraduate, Selin. The character falls in love with an older, neurotic Hungarian mathematics student, and travels to his country to be near him. It is occasionally humorous, and describes a rite of passage - but no more than that. Unfortunately, at times it is rather banal and tedious.
While Batuman's writing is to be desired, the content fell short as the narrative varies between sharp and rambling. The naivety of Selin also appears slightly unbelievable, and would probably be better geared at a younger audience.
While Batuman's writing is to be desired, the content fell short as the narrative varies between sharp and rambling. The naivety of Selin also appears slightly unbelievable, and would probably be better geared at a younger audience.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated A Brief History of Seven Killings in Books
Jan 3, 2018
Requires background context, interesting but slow
No doubt, Marlon James' epic novel is well-researched, capturing the mood of 1970's Jamaica, at the height of the attempted assassination of Bob Marley. However, at times it seemed laborious as there were many distinct voices, some of which appeared unwarranted.
Earlier sections set in Jamaica were stronger as there was more of a sense of purpose and structure. But James's emphasis on dragging out scenes and repeating dialogue ended up losing dynamism.
It's a complex tale, painstakingly detailed which is why it deserves such lavish praise. But it definitely is an acquired taste, and requires concentration.
Earlier sections set in Jamaica were stronger as there was more of a sense of purpose and structure. But James's emphasis on dragging out scenes and repeating dialogue ended up losing dynamism.
It's a complex tale, painstakingly detailed which is why it deserves such lavish praise. But it definitely is an acquired taste, and requires concentration.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Homegoing in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Extraordinary novel spanning seas and generations
A rather melancholic and at times bitterweet read, describing the journey of one family split into two lineages as a result of colonialism and slavery. It is rather horrific read to tales of rape and torture, but there is no way of skirting around the issue. What is more telling is the effects that eight generations of brutality has on a modern generation and how easy it is to dismiss today's problems without looking at the context.
Yaa Gyasi has really excelled in bringing the narratives together coherently. An important piece of literature worth putting as part of the school curriculum.
Yaa Gyasi has really excelled in bringing the narratives together coherently. An important piece of literature worth putting as part of the school curriculum.