The Rays Before Satyajit: Creativity and Modernity in Colonial India
Book
Although the filmmaker Satyajit Ray is well-known across the world, few outside Bengal know much...
The Unmarried Mother
Book
Sheila Tofield tells her moving true story about being a single mother in 1950s Britain, in The...
Doctor Who - Philip Hinchcliffe Presents: Volume 2: The Genesis Chamber
Marc Platt, Philip Hinchcliffe, Ken Bentley and Andy Hardwick
Book
Philip Hinchcliffe, acclaimed producer of Doctor Who (1975-77) returns to tell new stories for the...
ClareR (6037 KP) rated Hold Back the Night in Books
Jul 7, 2024
Hold Back the Night is set in 3 timelines:
1959, Annie and Ruth are training to be psychiatric nurses in an institution that believes they’re at the forefront of treatment. They learn to speed-shave and dress male patients, hold down women receiving ECT, and take part in conversion therapy for some male patients. “Conversion therapy” sounds pretty harmless, doesn’t it? In reality it wasn’t.
1983, Annie is widowed and bringing up her daughter, Rosie, alone. She meets a young man who is ill, and his friend. She learns that he has been evicted because he has HIV. Annie offers them a home and nursing care. Soon her home becomes a haven for infected, homeless, shunned boys. I think in the back of her mind, she knows she’s trying to make amends for her part in the conversion therapies she took part in.
Which brings us to the third timeline in 2020, and Covid.
There are some parallels to be drawn (uncertainty, fear), but this timeline wraps everything up together, and Annie faces up to her part in 1959.
I loved this book, and the way the timelines wove together really helped me to understand Annie and her reasons for doing just what she did - rightly or wrongly.
Definitely one of my books of the year.
Recycling Our Future: A Global Strategy
Book
Every day, every one of us contributes to the waste problem but, despite being a part of our lives,...
Lover at Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #11)
8.6
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Book
In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. The city...
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Saw II (2005) in Movies
Jul 4, 2021
Merissa (13568 KP) rated Second Match (Perfect Match Agency #5) in Books
Aug 3, 2023
It did help me, having read about Morgan before, as there isn't much background to him in this book. Riley is the omega he gets matched with, who suffers from an extreme UV allergy. This means he gets called a demon and shunned by everyone, including most of his family, by the religious cult he grew up with.
This book moves at a breakneck pace which, unfortunately, means most parts are not fleshed out or given the attention they deserve. At best, points are skimmed over and the reader is told what has happened, rather than being shown, ie. Riley's UV treatments, the year of their marriage, and the crazy cult leader. I was left with many questions after reading this, which was a shame as I had loved the other story.
A good addition to the Perfect Match Agency series that I did enjoy, but I would recommend you read Chance Match first, just so you get a little more background.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 3, 2023
Rejected Mate (Shifter World: Royal-Kagan #5)
8.0
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Book
Going from a shunned mate to top pack female… Has never been more satisfying. Born human and...
Paranormal Romance
