While driving through the southern United States circa 1998, Martin McDonagh stumbled upon three accusatory billboards relating to the unsolved murderWhile driving through the southern United States circa 1998, Martin McDonagh stumbled upon three accusatory billboards relating to the unsolved murder of a young woman in Texas. Assuming the billboards were put up by the victim's family, the screenwriter, playwright and director was left feeling enraged and sad about the injustice and their frustration. Coupled with his desire to depict strong female characters, McDonagh was inspired to write the story Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
The screenplay is incredibly well done. It is sharp, bold and funny yet still deeply emotive. The characters are fully fledged and exceptionally raw, particularly the ferocious Mildred Hayes, the grieving and ballsy mother who will stop at nothing to seek justice for her murdered daughter.
A brutal but beautiful story, with a film adaptation that is equally as stunning. 4.5 stars. ...more
2021 Re-read Tin Man is a short but wonderful book about family, memory, love and loss, and a love triangle between two boys and a girl. I adored it. I2021 Re-read Tin Man is a short but wonderful book about family, memory, love and loss, and a love triangle between two boys and a girl. I adored it. I am a big Winman fan, having loved her debut, When God Was a Rabbit.
In a novel of two halves, the first narrator is lonely, 46-year-old widower Ellis, who works nights in the paint shop of an Oxford car plant, smoothing out imperfections. Ellis wanted to be an artist but after his mother died when he was a teenager, his father forced him in a new direction. Ellis remembers his childhood friendship – and teenage love affair – with his best friend, Michael. When Ellis married Annie, the three formed a tight friendship that ended abruptly when Michael left for London after his grandmother’s death.
The second half of the novel switches to Michael’s perspective, covering the story of his life in London and his memories of his relationship with Ellis, including a trip to the south of France where, for nine days, they were lovers.
Winman's writing on Michael and Ellis’s love affair aches with the pain of regret. Her compassionate rendering of sexual identity and the 1980s Aids epidemic is both powerful and restrained, and her handling of loneliness, love and loss is tender and beautifully crafted. Ultimately this is a story about the grief people feel not just for those they have lost, but also the hopes and desires they have relinquished. It is about the grief in exploring what could have been. It is simple but sad, affecting and poignant....more
This is my second read from Shari Lapena and while I can't say I disliked it, I was left a little underwhelmed by its delivery.
A suburban 30-somethingThis is my second read from Shari Lapena and while I can't say I disliked it, I was left a little underwhelmed by its delivery.
A suburban 30-something housewife is in a car accident one night and is subsequently embroiled in a murder investigation. The victim - an initially unidentified man - is found in a derelict restaurant close to the place where the housewife totals her car. Said housewife is a little sketchy (another unreliable narrator...yay) and her husband is baffled and affected but not quite a saint. Throw in a strange, obsessed single white female neighbour and you've got yourself a female-centered grip-lit thriller. Colour me riveted.
But...there's something missing. None of the characters are really engaging. I didn't care for them at all but although their dynamics left me only a little lukewarm, the storyline and momentum/pace kept me trudging along through all the drama.
This is an okay read, one that I would recommend for a sun holiday where you want to tune out (destination: escapism) but it's nothing exceptional. 2.5 - 3 stars....more
This was a quick and interesting listen; well conceived and executed. It basically looks at the developing teenage brain (in com3.5 stars, rounded up.
This was a quick and interesting listen; well conceived and executed. It basically looks at the developing teenage brain (in comparison to a fully-formed adult's brain) and uses the findings to offer suggestions for why some teenagers get into the situations they do.
The cases studies they present cover broad topics and are shocking: a teenager who joins ISIS; a suicide cluster in Colorado Springs; a troubled teen who plans a school shooting. These troubled adolescents have one thing in common: they all made astonishing, inexplicable and sometimes fatal choices in their lives, subsequently affecting the lives of those who know and love them.
A fascinating exploration of the teenage psyche, also covering the latest research on adolescent brains and suggestions on innovative ways to help teenagers choose more wisely. Temple-Raston is a knowledgeable and clear interviewer and her findings would be of interest to parents, educators, those interested in psychology and teenagers themselves. A solid listen....more
Unheard: The Story of Anna Winslow is a found footage audio thriller from Anthony Del Col. In the podcast, American student, Melissa, attending a univUnheard: The Story of Anna Winslow is a found footage audio thriller from Anthony Del Col. In the podcast, American student, Melissa, attending a university in northern England, begins an investigation into the disappearance of a fellow student - the titular Anna Winslow. She soon discovers that Anna Winslow suffered from hearing difficulties which led her to undergo a radical new procedure at a controversial research clinic. The procedure, and the men responsible for the trial, put Anna's life in danger and now threaten to do the same to Melissa.
I enjoyed this podcast. It is an easy and fast-paced listen, and it is incredibly creepy in places. I listened to the bulk of this while on a solo evening hike up a wooded mountain: probably not the best idea I have ever had. The recording and the setting are brilliant; very atmospheric and unsettling. I did have some issues with the podcast, however:
1. Melissa's ways irked me a little. I didn't understand the purpose of having an American protagonist in an English setting. It felt a little disconnected for me.
2. Parts of the plot came together a little too easily for me. Some of the revelations could have done with some more thrashing out, I felt.
3. The characters gave it all up too easily! They spoke freely and provided information - some of which could have been used in criminal proceedings, without even asking for Melissa's credentials. Everything was revealed through phone calls and in voicemails without much probing. I understand these were conveniences established by the author to pull together the plot but it felt a little unrealistic.
Despite my concerns, this was an entertaining and enjoyable podcast that kept me company on a hike that had me looking over my shoulder, questioning if I was hearing voices. If you are a fan of 'found footage' I would recommend it....more
One of the best books of 2017, reviewed here for you by me, ridiculously late, because I am one of those people who tends to avoid debut novels that rOne of the best books of 2017, reviewed here for you by me, ridiculously late, because I am one of those people who tends to avoid debut novels that receive ALL THE HYPE, especially those that are worthy of Man Booker Prize nominations. My mistake. Revaluating my approach as I type.
Elmet is a powerful and deeply-affecting novel about familial ties, centred around 14-year-old narrator Daniel, his 15-year-old sister Cathy and their father, a brutish, bareknuckle fighter by the name of John. They live in an own-build home on a copse in a remote and lawless woodland area in Northern England, which was once owned by the family of Daniel and Cathy's mother (she comes in and out of their lives, we learn, but is not a constant presence in their reality).
Daniel is an effeminate boy who challenges gender stereotypes by not identifying himself as male or female. Unaware (or ignorant) of societal norms, Daniel rejects gender and simply sees his sister as 'Cathy' and not a woman, exactly, and his father as 'Daddy', and not as a man specifically. In his distance from the local community (the children don't attend school anymore), Daniel allows his hair and nails to grow long, and wears cropped t-shirts with his tight jeans because that's the way his mother dressed. His sister and father are his world, and Cathy is his North Star:
"Big sister, little brother. I wanted her to always lead the way, tell me what was what, carry me home."
This novel is a slow-burner. It is particularly rich in backstory and some readers may be put off by the apparent lack of drama. The plot seems hollow and light. Until it isn't. When local wealthy and powerful landlords become greedy and start swarming around the family's property, the tension amps up a lot and things become very, very tense. Mr. Price, the head landlord, if you will, purchased the family's property from Daniel and Cathy's mother when the family were in a bad way, unbeknownst to John. Now, he wants the property back and is prepared to go to drastic measures to settle the score. What seemed like a gentle and measured story, soon becomes a dark and visceral contemplation on violence, land ownership and familial ties.
I was taken completely by surprise by this novel but it wasn't long before I was completely taken in by it. In the vein of Evie Wyld and Daniel Woodrell, this novel shines a light on an isolated and lawless community in a remote land, in a place where history and lineage mean more than federal law, and violence solves disputes. I loved the bleak, gritty and almost swampy feel of the drama, and the writing was exceptional. The reflection on land and place is beautifully rendered and makes for a vivid and atmospheric read. The characters were unique and the challenge and rewriting of gender, particularly in the character of Cathy, is refreshing and memorable. While some people may find the final scenes of this book a little farfetched, I found them gripping, searing, and an unapologetic stab at power and class barriers in the name of personal justice.
This book is a revelation and I am grateful to Fiona Mozley for sharing it with us. All of the stars....more
A razor sharp and brilliant novel about relationships, sexuality, monogamy, class and the perils of youth. Bravo, Sally Rooney.
I was very open on GoodA razor sharp and brilliant novel about relationships, sexuality, monogamy, class and the perils of youth. Bravo, Sally Rooney.
I was very open on Goodreads about how long it took me to really get into Conversations With Friends. I was a bit unsure about whether I understood the characters; I wasn't really engaging with the story; I was reading other things that demanded my attention more. Pay no heed to any of that: once I committed myself to this book, it completely opened up to me and I appreciated it on a whole other level.
Francis and Bobbi are two 21-year-olds on their summer holidays from Trinity College Dublin. They used to date in school but are still friends, and spend their time performing spoken word poetry as a double act. After one particular performance, they meet Melissa, a photographer and essayist, who wants to profile them for a prestigious magazine. They accept an invitation to her house in a wealthy part of Dublin, where they meet her husband, Nick, a handsome actor. While Bobbi falls under the spell of Melissa, it seems, Francis is drawn to Nick and ends up in bed with him. This new relationship puts an emotional divide between Francis and Bobbi, upsetting their familiar dynamic, and this novel tracks the effects of the affair on Francis.
The discussion and portrayal of relationships in Conversations With Friends is both intelligent and revealing. Francis' relationship with Bobbi; her relationship with her mother and her father; her relationship with Nick and with Nick's wife, Melissa: each one is dissected and examined perfectly, inviting us into Francis' inner thoughts and laying her feelings completely bare. Francis is wonderfully astute and observant, yet her actions do not represent her level of intelligence and analysis. She is so guarded and crippled by pressure that she finds it difficult to express herself in situations that demand emotional engagement or reaction. Her inner monologues are painstakingly honest and emotive and, when they result in the harmful treatment of herself, are quite unsettling. The remaining three characters are also wonderfully evoked, and the dynamic between them and Francis makes for thrilling reading.
Normal People overshadows this novel slightly for me but I still found Conversations With Friends to be a subtly powerful and brilliant novel about a young girl who is both gifted and self-destructive. 4.5 stars, rounded up....more
A big-hearted book with an emotional story that really took me by surprise!
Quirky Louisa Clark lives a very ordinary life. She has never stepped beyonA big-hearted book with an emotional story that really took me by surprise!
Quirky Louisa Clark lives a very ordinary life. She has never stepped beyond the confines of her small village, she is close to her family and has maintained a relationship with a long-term boyfriend who seems more of a convenient fit than a 'one true love'. When our book opens, Lou has lost her job and is seeking a new one. She applies to be a 'companion' to Will Traynor, a once confident and fearless rich boy who, devastatingly, became paralysed after a motorcycle accident. He no longer feels any joy in life and goes through each day just...existing. Enter Lou, who is determined to bring light to his life and show him the true meaning of living. Me Before You follows Lou and Will's relationship as it develops into the rarest kind of love.
I really like Moyles' writing. She has a wonderful ability to make you feel connected to characters and provides true insight into human nature and human connection. The moral of this story is obviously to embrace life and live it to its fullest, but it never feels forced or cheesy.
This is certainly a heart-wrenching novel and one that both upset me and stayed with me, but it was very much worth it....more
“I don’t write music for Sony. I write it for the people who are screaming down the road, crying to a full-blast stereo.”– Jeff Buckley
When Jeff Buckl“I don’t write music for Sony. I write it for the people who are screaming down the road, crying to a full-blast stereo.”– Jeff Buckley
When Jeff Buckley drowned tragically in a channel of the Mississippi River in 1997, the music world mourned the loss of one of, if not the, most promising voices of all time. When his debut LP Grace was released in 1994, Buckley quickly gained legions of fans all over the world, all of whom were immediately transfixed with his eight-octave range and perfect falsetto, fluid guitar playing and heartrending lyrics. His untimely death denied us of more of the most beautiful music ever written.
Merri Cyr is a photographer from Brooklyn, NY. She was with Jeff Buckey from early on, right at the beginning of his musical journey. Initially hired to shoot the album cover for Grace, Cyr quickly impressed Buckley and was asked to accompany him on tour, allowing her to capture some of the most pivotal musical, as well as personal, moments in the artist's life. The almost endless number of images she captured gave us a fleeting glance into the life of Jeff Buckley; his unbelievable abilities, his huge heart, his unwavering charm, his multi-faceted personality. In 2002 Cyr decided to share her images with the world. What resulted was A Wished For Song- a breathtaking collection of photographs that depict the legend behind the most timeless music ever written.
Also included in the book are interviews, conducted by Cyr, from the many people that had the pleasure of meeting Buckley and having him in their lives. Artists such as Bono, Eddie Vedder and Paul McCartney all lend their words to pay tribute to his memory. There are anecdotes and reminiscences from family, colleagues and friends, the people that knew and loved him best. Both the images and words remind us that the memory of Jeff Buckley lives on, through his music and through the people that refuse to forget him.
When Buckley first hired Cyr, he told her he wanted to be her muse- and this fantastic book proves she lived up to his expectations of her. From promo shots, studio portraits, live shots to backstage peeks, all are taken with genuine affection for the subject. The photographs are abstract but all stunning. They are never exploitive yet at the same time beautifully revealing. The book does not make a martyr of Buckley, thankfully. As Inger Lorre states in the book, "...Jeff was nobody's martyr and I don't think he would like people turning him into the tragic young beautiful thing...You know he would hate [that:]." A Wished For Song is the perfect tribute; a celebration of his life and a gentle mourning of his devastating death.
This book also hints at the great relationship Cyr had with Buckley. She praises his exceptional talent, his kind and gentle nature, his all-inclusive love for people and his incontestable charm. She speaks with a fondness that comes straight from her heart. Her own words on the artist are moving; it is obvious that shooting Buckley was her pleasure: "Jeff had a fantastic beauty, rare and originating on an energetic level. It's got nothing to do with the meat of a body and it's beyond talent. Maybe his high burn rate made him shine all the more brightly, seducing people to match an ephemeral brilliance, or by the same token a vast darkness. Whatever you call it, it became an actual and visible expression in the photographs."
What really comes across in Cyr's book is how important the music was to Jeff Buckley. It was always about the music for him. His whole life was getting his music across to people, to really make them feel it. Buckley was an artist that had no issues with saying "fuck you" to the business side of the industry. His music was more important than any photo shoots, promotion opportunities or music videos. If you watch the video of "Last Goodbye", at the very end he looks at the camera with a look of disdain on his face. This look sums up the way he felt about the business. He was never afraid to say no. He never did anything he was not comfortable with. Dave Lory's words sum up how Buckley felt about the music perfectly: "I miss protecting him. I think that's probably the hardest thing...protecting him and protecting his music and bringing him across the way he wanted to be brought across. That's the joy of it. Forget the money, forget all the other bullshit, because at the end of day when you walk in the door and you see him, you see that you've protected his baby. And that's his art. And him personally."
Merri Cyr has done a fantastic job with A Wished For Song. It is a wonderful and stunning book. It is a keepsake; an essential addition to the collection of any fan of Jeff Buckley, or anyone who wants a snapshot into the life of a real artist. It reminds us that the memory of the man behind the timeless inspirational music of Grace has lived on past his death. He is worth the continuous praise he receives. Sometimes I feel words will never be strong enough to describe his talent, although efforts like Cyr's come as close as you can get. Jeff Buckley will never be forgotten; no one will ever outdo him. He is one in ten million and his legend will never be overshadowed.
“Grace is what matters. In anything. Especially life, especially growth, tragedy, pain, love, death. About people, that's what matters. That's a quality I admire very greatly. It keeps you from reaching for the gun too quickly; it keeps you from destroying things too foolishly; it sort of keeps you alive and keeps you open for more understanding.” – Jeff Buckley...more
This was my first time reading a book by Amanda Prowse. Although I am not a regular reader of fiction of this type, I was eager to give this a go.
The This was my first time reading a book by Amanda Prowse. Although I am not a regular reader of fiction of this type, I was eager to give this a go.
The Idea of You is the story of a woman who appears to have it all, including a great career. Feeling that her life is lacking as she approaches her 40th birthday, she is desperate to meet a man and have a baby. That man appears all of a sudden in the form of Jonah. After a short spell of dating, Lucy and Jonah marry and, unfortunately, (view spoiler)[experience loss through miscarriage. Lucy is devastated. (hide spoiler)]
When Jonah's daughter, Camille, from his first marriage come to stay with them, tensions are heightened and Lucy finds that the life she previously knew has been turned upside-down.
This book is ultimately a tale about motherhood; Lucy's desire to have children of her own, Lucy's blossoming relationship with Camille and, later, Camille's (view spoiler)[own path leading to motherhood. (hide spoiler)] While I think the book is well-written, the plot was a bit simplistic for me and a number of situations presented in the book just didn't seem realistic to me. For example, I found it hard to believe that Jonah would not have introduced Camille to Lucy before they were married, despite their short courtship. I understand this provided a convenient base to justify the tension between them, but I felt it was a weak plot point. I also found it hard to accept that Camille (view spoiler)[ would wait until she is in labour to inform her child's father that she is pregnant. (hide spoiler)] Again, I found this a weak entry to add a bit of drama to a plot that was pretty vanilla.
I would like to read another book by Prowse before I make up my mind about her as a writer, but for me this was an unexciting read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book....more
2017 was a great year for me and books. I had my second little baby (life has been crazy!) and I found a bunch of new debut women writers. I’m late ge2017 was a great year for me and books. I had my second little baby (life has been crazy!) and I found a bunch of new debut women writers. I’m late getting to this so I’ll keep it short. Here is my list of my favourite reads of last year:
The Roanoke Girls Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine Idaho The Dry The Girls Little Fires Everywhere See What I Have Done Sing, Unburied, Sing Anything Is Possible
Best Thriller: The Dry
Honorable Mentions: Gather The Daughters, The Marshking’s Daughter
Best Domestic Fiction: Little Fires Everywhere
Best Debut Author: Amy Engel, Emily Ruskovich, Jane Harper
Best Children’s Book: Wild by Emily Hughes
What Have I Been Doing With My Life (Author Discovery): Elizabeth Strout
Is there any books you recommend to me that I’ve missed?
Looking forward to lots of good reads in 2018!...more
Another charming and funny little tale from the brilliant Oliver Jeffers. When Floyd gets his kite stuck in a tree, he has the i3.5 stars, rounded up.
Another charming and funny little tale from the brilliant Oliver Jeffers. When Floyd gets his kite stuck in a tree, he has the idea to throw his shoe up there to free it. When that gets stuck too, he throws a whole lot of other things at the problem.
I really liked this childlike, wonderfully illustrated book. I loved the hilarious twist which should bring out giggles all round. Lovely....more
I received this book as a gift, which I was grateful for, but I just couldn't get on board with it. So here's the thing: this book has been around forI received this book as a gift, which I was grateful for, but I just couldn't get on board with it. So here's the thing: this book has been around for 45 years+. It's kind of a children's book, sort of a self-help book, is supposed to provide inspiration and touches on psychology. And that's exactly my problem with it. Paulus has tried to be so all encompassing that the book just falls flat. There are too many messages and her agenda is just too long.
Hope For The Flowers is little bit about love, a little bit about revolution, a good bit about hope and a whole lot about life. It can be read from philosophical, religious or political points of view, making even the story a bit too ambitious, which sounds ironic when we are dealing with a sparse, simplistic book that is in Paulus's own handwriting.
I don't deny that this book took a long time to put together or that it isn't filled with the author's hugely passionate views and feelings, but in Paulus's attempts to make it everything, she has left it lacking.
In this, her debut novel, Megan Hunter sets the shock and joys of new motherhood against the backdrop of impending environmental disaster4 - 4.5 stars
In this, her debut novel, Megan Hunter sets the shock and joys of new motherhood against the backdrop of impending environmental disaster. London is under threat from apocalyptic floods while a woman gives birth to her son, Z. The family move from camp to camp in search of shelter and food, while baby Z grows, learns and flourishes under his new mother's loving wing.
This book is more a novella in length; a short, fragmentary telling of a fate or future that is as possible as it is terrifying. The structure is unusual; it is set in short paragraphs and short, staccato sentences, with quotes from the book of Genesis interspersed throughout. It contains absolutely no dialogue and all characters are given just a single letter as their name.
This was a compelling and mesmerising read about the absolute resilience of a mother's love in the face of adversity. I loved that I could relate to the joyful moments of motherhood within this story, even with the frighteningly read backdrop of impending doom. With its dystopian tone and wistful, raw and poetic writing, this is a bold piece of work that will delight fans of ESJM's Station Eleven or Sue Rainsford's Redder Days. A striking, stunning tale about one world falling apart and another - a mother's world - promising new life and fresh hope....more
In the midst of winter, during a cruel snowstorm, three people, each dealing with their own individual struggles, are brought together by a road accidIn the midst of winter, during a cruel snowstorm, three people, each dealing with their own individual struggles, are brought together by a road accident and their lives become inextricably linked.
In Allende's 22nd novel, Richard, a 60-year-old, anxiety-ridden academic, rear-ends a white Lexus driven by undocumented Guatemalan immigrant, Evelyn. Taking off in a panic owing to fact that she is driving her employer's car, Evelyn returns to Richard's apartment later that evening and tells him and his colleague/tenant, Lucia, a Chilean expat, that she has found a body in the trunk. The three unite to dispose of the evidence and what follows is a cinematic story of redemption, reflection, love and yearning, with a little bit of comedy thrown in for good measure.
While this book doesn't have the elements of magical realism to it, like House of the Spirits, it does have some traditional Allende accents. Like many of her characters, these three lives have been touched by tragedy, fate having dealt them their fair share of darkness. This is a beautiful story with plenty of drama, also brimming with that wonderful warmth fans of Allende will be familiar with. As always, she is ambitious, taking on subjects such as murder, death, divorce, spirituality, immigration and love. While it may seem like a lot in a relatively quick read, Allende is clever with her connections and it works.
This was a three star read for me for a couple of reasons. I felt it leaned heavily, at times, on cultural stereotypes. While all three characters' pasts are explored in time hops throughout the narrative, Evelyn seems less developed and Richard's are slow burners. An enjoyable read, this will be a hit with loyal Allende fans.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this....more
"You never know. You only guess. This is how it always is. You have to make these huge decisions on behalf of your kid, this tiny human whose fate "You never know. You only guess. This is how it always is. You have to make these huge decisions on behalf of your kid, this tiny human whose fate and future is entirely in your hands, who trusts you to know what’s good and right and then to be able to make that happen. You never have enough information. You don’t get to see the future. And if you screw up, if with your incomplete, contradictory information you make the wrong call, well, nothing less than your child’s entire future and happiness is at stake. It’s impossible. It’s heartbreaking. It’s maddening. But there’s no alternative.’
This quote sums up perfectly my feelings on parenthood. I have two young toddlers and there isn't a day that goes by when I don't question if I am doing right by them.
This Is How It Always Is is a book that sat on my Kindle for a long time. The premise interested me and everyone raved about it, so I don't know why I was reluctant to give it a go. I suppose, while I love contemporary fiction and family dramas, I tend to stay away from anything that is labelled as 'sentimental' or 'saccharine'. I am very happy I decided to ignore those criticisms, in this case.
Laurie Frankel's book is essentially about a family dealing with change; change in the form of their five-year-old son and brother suddenly deciding that he wants to be a girl. The Walsh-Adams family are exceptional, in my eyes: they are incredibly fair and loving, open and accepting. The five children (all boys) are shockingly bright, witty and supportive of each other and their family unit. It is impossible not to be charmed by them. When Claude decides he wants to be called Poppy, wear dresses and be a princess, Rosie and Penn question how to move forward. This novel examines how the entire family react to the realisation that Claude is transgender, which is apparently reflective of the author's own experiences with her own child. In trying to protect Poppy, Rosie and Penn move the family to liberal Seattle where they can start afresh with four sons and one daughter. However, keeping such a huge secret takes its toll on the family and it isn't long before the world they have constructed for themselves begins to crumble.
This book isn't an entirely 'easy' read. There are some long, blown-out passages and the dynamic and complexity of this vibrant family takes a chapter or two to fully engage with. In saying that, I fell for the story hard. I loved the family, especially Poppy, and I thought Rosie and Penn came across as wonderful parents. I loved Rosie's logic and how she approaches situations with an analytical but empathetic mind; I adored the fairytale world Penn creates for his kids and how unfaltering his hopefulness is. Yes, at times, this book is overly sweet and sentimental but its examination of parenthood under circumstances such as this one is both sensitive and practical, and very emotive. Frankel highlights an important issue which exists in our contemporary society: while schools and institutions are now recognising trans students, they are unfortunately still trying to 'fit' them into a specific box.
"“Little boys do not wear dresses.” Miss Appleton tried to channel her usual patience. “Little girls wear dresses. If you are a little boy, you can’t wear a dress. If you are a little girl, you have to use the nurse’s bathroom...Meaning if he is a girl, he has gender dysphoria, and we will accommodate that. If he just wants to wear a dress, he is being disruptive and must wear normal clothes.”"
If I was to be very critical, I would say that I think the trip to Thailand came a little out of the blue and was a convenient way of showing the reader a culture that was accepting of the situation the family were experiencing. I might also say that although I loved the story of Grumwald and Stephanie and its use in the novel, the purpose of it - its meaning - was a bit too hammered home on occasion.
This isn't a perfect novel but it is certainly an important and a timely one. I adored it for its beautiful and insightful prose; for the lessons it taught me about family and about life; for its emotive and honest look at gender identity and transgender identity; and, above all, for its truly remarkable exploration of parenthood and the decisions parents sometimes need to make for their children (and the ones they shouldn't). I enjoyed it very much. 4.5 stars.
"...maybe the world needs to learn to love a person with a beard who goes by “she” and wears a skirt.’"...more
We in this house love the sea and any stories about it, so this picture book caught our eye immediately.
Noi and his father live in a house by the sea,We in this house love the sea and any stories about it, so this picture book caught our eye immediately.
Noi and his father live in a house by the sea, on a small island that doesn't seem to have many inhabitants. Because Noi's father works long days on his fishing boat and doesn't return until after dark, Noi is often on his own. One day, while exploring on the beach after a storm has hit, Noi finds a baby whale washed up on shore. With the affection and good intentions unique to a young child, Noi decides to take the whale home and look after him. Happy to have a friend who we can speak to but conscious he willl not be allowed to keep the whale, Noi tries to hide the whale from his father. But there is only so long you can keep a whale in the bathtub a secret. When his father finds the whale and explains that he must be returned to the sea, Noi learns a valuable lesson from the experience, but so does his father.
This is the story of a lonely boy who gives the gift of kindness to one of the sea's creatures, who in turn gives something invaluable back to Noi: his father. This is a charming and simple tale from a wonderful talent. The illustrations are beautiful. There is a clarity and tenderness to this book that will leave its mark. A truly heartwarming read and a lovely edition to your little library....more
While this review does not contain spoilers, on a couple of occasions I mention things from the book that may hint generally at the conclusion.
Anne isWhile this review does not contain spoilers, on a couple of occasions I mention things from the book that may hint generally at the conclusion.
Anne is from a wealthy background. She marries a man, Marco, who her parents disapprove of and when the book opens, they are living together in a semidetached house in New York State with their six month old baby girl, Cora. Marco's business, originally funded by Anne's parents, is in trouble. Anne is suffering from postpartum depression and hardly recognises who she is any more, physically and emotionally.
On the night of their neighbour's 40th birthday, they go next door for a dinner party thrown by his sexy wife, Cynthia. Cynthia not being a fan of crying babies, she requests that Cora be left at home. When the babysitter cancels, Marco convinces Anne to leave Cora at home alone, reassuring her that they will bring the baby monitor and check on her every 30 minutes. You can imagine what follows.
The Couple Next Door is a fast-paced story that will hook you from the first few pages. It's full of twists and turns that will leave you questioning if anyone is to be trusted. While this is a thrilling read, I couldn't help but be put off by the weak points in the plot. The fact that the kidnapping is initially based on the whole premise that the babysitter "always falls asleep with her earbuds in" baffled me, and there were just too many convenient insertions that left me in disbelief. There wasn't a single likeable character in the whole book and it seemed like everyone was guilty in some way or another. But I do understand a thriller like this is supposed to be fun, so I'm still awarding it three stars despite it being too overly packed with conspiracy and plot twists.
Not the gripping ride I expected and certainly not one of my favourite thrillers of 2017, but a quick and immersive read....more
I know this book has a ton of four and five star reviews, but it just wasn't as thrilling as I expected it to be. I wanted to read someth1.5 - 2 stars
I know this book has a ton of four and five star reviews, but it just wasn't as thrilling as I expected it to be. I wanted to read something unnerving or creepy for Halloween but am sad to say I was disappointed. It's never fun when you guess the ending of a book or the big twist that seems to shock other readers. I have never read a book by Jennifer Jaynes so it's not that I am familiar with her writing style. I just thought the outcome was really obvious.
The story focuses on the soul survivor of a brutal multiple murder on Halloween night, almost five years before the book opens. In present day Boston, Chelsea, our twenty-something protagonist, works from her apartment and generally tries to avoid any kind of human interaction. The premise is good; the general feel of this thriller reminiscent of popular teen slasher movies like Scream or I Know What You Did Last Summer. Pretty quickly, however, it started to lose its magic for me. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural and forced, the incidences too convenient and the actions of the characters unbelievable. I found it predictable and, towards the end, a little weak.
A very short and light read that might be a fun means of escapism for fans of the horror-thriller genre or loyal followers of Jaynes, but a letdown for me, unfortunately....more
This has quickly become by son's new favourite bedtime read. He brings it to us every night and loves pointing out the tractor on every page (we're obThis has quickly become by son's new favourite bedtime read. He brings it to us every night and loves pointing out the tractor on every page (we're obsessed with tractors right now!).
The beauty of this book is similar to that of Goodnight Moon. It focuses on the repetition of the word "goodnight", following a little boy as he says goodnight to all of his favourite farm yard animals and vehicles. This technique is so helpful in a bedtime routine and getting your little down to sleep.
The illustrations are adorable, the rhyming is lovely, and there are some animal sounds thrown in which my son loves to hear. All in all a wonderful bedtime book, particularly for those tiny humans who love farms and tractors!...more
Elaine Mullane
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Books:
2017-books
(149)
