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Books Editor (673 KP) shared own list
Oct 12, 2017
As a year-long festival celebrating the region’s writers gets under way in the UK, Icelandic novelist Sjón selects essential reading from the far north.
Inside Voices, Outside Light
Sigurður Pálsson and Martin Regal
Book
This book presents poems from Palsson's ten collections written between 1980-2008. Swirling with...
Poetry
The Gravity of Love
Deborah Bragan-Turner and Sara Stridsberg
Book
"I'll put my head in the oven so you know where I am," he whispers, kissing her neck. Jim -...
Fiction
The Tower at the Edge of the World
William Heinesen and Glyn Jones
Book
The Tower at the Edge of the World is William Heinesen's last novel written when he was 76, and is...
Fiction
Mirror, Shoulder, Signal
6.3
Rate It
Book
Sonja's over forty, and she's trying to move in the right direction. She's learning to drive. She's...
Fiction
Crimson
Niviaq Korneliussen and Anna Halager
Book
This is the story of a group of friends, on the cusp of adulthood, exploring life, seeking...
Fiction LGBTQ
and 5 other items
Ellen (2 KP) rated The Atlantis Grail - Qualify in Books
Feb 11, 2018
I urge you to read this book
As an avid book reader I like to sign up to things where you can get free books and this was one of them. To say I was hooked from the beginning would be a small understatement.
It is rich in detail and has diverse characters who inspire both love and fierce hate from the reader. There is definitely a win for the underdog and the nerd in me rejoiced.
It is a series of books which I still being written and I urge you to give it a go.
It is rich in detail and has diverse characters who inspire both love and fierce hate from the reader. There is definitely a win for the underdog and the nerd in me rejoiced.
It is a series of books which I still being written and I urge you to give it a go.
Smashbomb (4683 KP) created a post in Friends of Smashbomb
Jun 7, 2019
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated The Runaway Brides Collection in Books
Feb 23, 2021
This was a very unique set of stories filled with lots of different twists and turns. A very diverse group of characters, that give everyone someone they can relate to. All of the books were fun stories, I do wish they were longer so we could get to know the characters more but they were still good :) Plus I found a couple new authors I like.
I volunteered to read this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest feedback, the thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own,
I volunteered to read this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest feedback, the thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own,
Julie (77 KP) rated The Upside of Unrequited in Books
Sep 20, 2017
My Review: "What a great read! Honestly, I needed this after reading so many fantasy/young adult books. I don’t read many contemporary books, but when I do, this is what I look for.
First of all, it was relatable on multiple accounts. Second, the characters were so diverse and realistic. Those two things are important for me when I read a contemporary. For me, I know what it’s like for twins, especially twin sisters, as I have younger twin sisters. They two are fraternal and VERY different. They are basically the embodiment of Cassie and Molly; I was shocked how similar they were to my own sisters." Read the entire review here: https://thenerdybookwormsite.wordpress.com/2017/09/20/the-upside-of-unrequited-by-becky-albertalli/
First of all, it was relatable on multiple accounts. Second, the characters were so diverse and realistic. Those two things are important for me when I read a contemporary. For me, I know what it’s like for twins, especially twin sisters, as I have younger twin sisters. They two are fraternal and VERY different. They are basically the embodiment of Cassie and Molly; I was shocked how similar they were to my own sisters." Read the entire review here: https://thenerdybookwormsite.wordpress.com/2017/09/20/the-upside-of-unrequited-by-becky-albertalli/
Kaz (232 KP) rated 'Impression of a Dilemma' in Books
Jun 30, 2019 (Updated Jun 30, 2019)
A fun Read
'Impression of A Dillemma' at first glance, looks as if it's going to be a crime based novel. However, it's much more than that.
This is a book which revolves around several diverse, quirky, but believable characters and their take on the same, shocking event. This book really gets into the minds of these characters and is very well written. I liked the almost poetic flow of the writing and the gentle humour.
In some novels which have multiple characters, in the end, they all become indistinguishable. However with this novel, everyone is completely different.
There was one character in particular, who at first, took some time for me to connect with. In reflection, I think this was good, because not many books include characters with such a quirky way of expressing themselves. So for this reason, I wouldn't say that this was a negative, but a change from having 'conventional' characters.
The pace of the novel was very good, at no point did it drag, I wanted to know what was going to happen next.
In fact, when I reached the end of the book, although I felt that it's ending was satisfactory, I couldn't help feeling like I wanted to know more about what the characters were going to do next. I'm not sure whether there will be any more books containing these characters or whether it's a stand alone novel, but I would be quite happy to read more about them, because they are so diverse and interesting.
I would definitely recommend this novel, if you like something quirky.
This is a book which revolves around several diverse, quirky, but believable characters and their take on the same, shocking event. This book really gets into the minds of these characters and is very well written. I liked the almost poetic flow of the writing and the gentle humour.
In some novels which have multiple characters, in the end, they all become indistinguishable. However with this novel, everyone is completely different.
There was one character in particular, who at first, took some time for me to connect with. In reflection, I think this was good, because not many books include characters with such a quirky way of expressing themselves. So for this reason, I wouldn't say that this was a negative, but a change from having 'conventional' characters.
The pace of the novel was very good, at no point did it drag, I wanted to know what was going to happen next.
In fact, when I reached the end of the book, although I felt that it's ending was satisfactory, I couldn't help feeling like I wanted to know more about what the characters were going to do next. I'm not sure whether there will be any more books containing these characters or whether it's a stand alone novel, but I would be quite happy to read more about them, because they are so diverse and interesting.
I would definitely recommend this novel, if you like something quirky.
An interesting view of Islamophobia and muslims living in the UK.
The story of a Muslim family living in London, persecuted by the ghost of their jihadi father. Narrated by five protagonists, who express five different views on today's attitudes of being Muslim in a western country: (non) respect towards religions, the traditional vs modern, what it means to be a Muslim in today's world, and in particular, it's the story of stigmatisation. An interesting, topical story that shows our diverse world, and how we MUST look at what is causing radicalisation.
One of my books of the year.
One of my books of the year.
QuietlyBookish (65 KP) rated Every heart a doorway in Books
Jul 23, 2017
Unique Concept (2 more)
Diverse Characters
Engaging Plot
Magical Realism At It's Finest
This book was such a unique read, I was intrigued by the concept of following what happens to someone after they return from their adventures and their fantasy worlds, and the plot was executed really well.
I was a bit concerned when I saw that this book was under 200 pages, but it was done very well and I didn't feel like it was lacking anything. We got to know the characters, we got backstories and we got world building all in under 200 pages which was very impressive!
The characters are also diverse, there is an asexual character and a transgender character which was refreshing to read about. These characters are all complex and have a wide range of personalities. I loved reading the interactions between characters, at times I find myself laughing at the strange conversations they'd have!
The plot will drag you in very quickly, this is a fast paced read which went in a direction I wasn't expecting and I was guessing different things each chapter, none of which turned out to be correct! I highly recommend this book if you're trying to get out of a reading slump or you want to finish a book in the same day!
To me, this is reminiscent of Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs so if you're a fan of those books definitely consider this one! I will definitely be reading the next few books in the Wayward Children series!
I was a bit concerned when I saw that this book was under 200 pages, but it was done very well and I didn't feel like it was lacking anything. We got to know the characters, we got backstories and we got world building all in under 200 pages which was very impressive!
The characters are also diverse, there is an asexual character and a transgender character which was refreshing to read about. These characters are all complex and have a wide range of personalities. I loved reading the interactions between characters, at times I find myself laughing at the strange conversations they'd have!
The plot will drag you in very quickly, this is a fast paced read which went in a direction I wasn't expecting and I was guessing different things each chapter, none of which turned out to be correct! I highly recommend this book if you're trying to get out of a reading slump or you want to finish a book in the same day!
To me, this is reminiscent of Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs so if you're a fan of those books definitely consider this one! I will definitely be reading the next few books in the Wayward Children series!
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated So You Want to Talk About Race in Books
Mar 2, 2018 (Updated Mar 2, 2018)
Excellent, points are absolutely spot on
There has been a spate of incredible literature from African American writers, and this book in particular, stands out because of its instructional, informative guide on tackling racism as a topic.
From discussing how to approach the subject with others, to giving direct instructions for those who are willing to learn to change, there are few books out there that are as useful as Ijeoma Oluo's step by step process.
Most of all, the introduction of intersectionality, micro-aggressions and the myth of the model migrant is absolutely vital. It is one of the only books on racism I've seen in mainstream literature, that tackles issues faced by other races such as the East Asian and South Asian communities, bringing together a more diverse portrayal rather than just black, white and Hispanic.
Her own personal views are wonderful - the chapter on her 8-year-old son's choice to not pledge allegiance is utterly heartfelt, and yet she handles the situation very well. An absolute essential read.
From discussing how to approach the subject with others, to giving direct instructions for those who are willing to learn to change, there are few books out there that are as useful as Ijeoma Oluo's step by step process.
Most of all, the introduction of intersectionality, micro-aggressions and the myth of the model migrant is absolutely vital. It is one of the only books on racism I've seen in mainstream literature, that tackles issues faced by other races such as the East Asian and South Asian communities, bringing together a more diverse portrayal rather than just black, white and Hispanic.
Her own personal views are wonderful - the chapter on her 8-year-old son's choice to not pledge allegiance is utterly heartfelt, and yet she handles the situation very well. An absolute essential read.
Dan Brown's novels always give you wanderlust. I cannot read one of his books without dreaming of traveling to Italy, viewing the famous statues, buildings and art, traveling in a gondola in Venice or wandering the ancient streets of Rome. Inferno is not exception. It also inspired me to read Danté, research the works of art mentioned in the novel and otherwise immerse myself in the experience. I oscillate between liking the main character, Robert Langdon and being turned off by his portrayal. I just don't find everyone's instant attraction to him to be believable and find it to be off putting. I did enjoy the diverse cast of supporting characters that Brown introduces in this novel. Overall, greatly recommended and to enhance the experience perhaps familiarize yourself with Danté.