The Secret Life of Mac
8.0
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Inspired by the true story of a kleptomaniac cat who stole his way into America’s heart . . . ...
Fiction Romance Women's Fiction Humour Friendship
Sufferborn
6.0
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Her life had been planned out for her, until an elf with a fiery past came to tempt her future. ...
Dark Fantasy
Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny
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Misogyny is a hot topic, yet it's often misunderstood. What is misogyny, exactly? Who deserves to be...
Gather the Daughters
7.3
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Never Let Me Go meets The Giver in this haunting debut about a cult on an isolated island, where...
Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen
8.3
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Acclaimed author and historian Alison Weir continues her epic Six Tudor Queens series with this...
Claimed (Brides of the Kindred #1)
6.5
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Brides of the Kindred Book One—Claimed Olivia Waterhouse has just graduated from nursing school...
ClareR (6037 KP) rated China Room in Books
Aug 13, 2021
He ends up staying on the abandoned family farm: a ramshackle building that needs a lot of work. One room is locked: the China Room. This is where his grandmother, Mehar, would have lived away from the prying eyes of men, working with the wives of the other two brothers to her husband. None of the women know who their husband is - they never see them in daylight. They cook and clean for them, and then have sex with them when their mother-in-law, Mai, allows. Their main function is to bear sons.
It’s a hard way of life, but the women accept their roles. As a 21st century women, living in the West, I found this very difficult to read. It’s an oppressive, claustrophobic life - even down to the veils that they had to wear when out in public which gave the impression of suffocation. I don’t know whether any of the girls actually looked another human in the face, other than each other and their mother-in-law.
But I found this timeline fascinating, and it was a huge contrast to that of Mehar’s grandson. It’s a compelling read - I read it in one sitting, and was a bit sad when I turned the last page, to leave the world of Mehar in particular.
Many thanks to Harvill Secker and Viking for my copy of this book to read and review.
Merissa (13585 KP) rated Good Karma (Strong Karma Trilogy #1) in Books
Apr 7, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
Good Karma starts off with a sassy red dress and attitude, even if it is veneer. Mark Strong is attracted to that dress as it calls for his attention but then is swept away by the woman inside it. Karma is playing at being someone else for the evening and can't believe that she has caught the eye of one of the most handsome men there. Full of her own insecurities caused by her past, she thinks she is ready to let it all go but realises that she is not. This story follows Mark and Karma as they serendipitously meet up again, this time as work colleagues for a short-term contract.
This story is beautifully written and the characters have their own issues and pasts to deal with which makes them 'real'. Mark is an alpha male through and through but has also learnt to embrace his sensitive side. Karma is a strong female lead who is the perfect match for Mark but will need his help to deal with her own issues.
A fantastic story that entwined itself around me and yes, tissues were needed at some point but it wasn't because I was crying. Oh no, it's just my eyes were leaking!
If you have read AKM then rest assured that this book still has the Donya Lynne stamp and will sit happily next to each other. Definitely as good but just a different genre.
Recommended to all.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
July 31, 2019