31/5/2018 0 Comments Review: Florida
My ReviewI like all stories, but there is something that stops me at buying short story anthologies. Having said that - David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas felt more like a collection of short stories than a novel. And after reading this book, I can't help but wonder where all other other short story compendiums are? If Florida was not by the acclaimed new literature it girl - Lauren Groff - would I have noticed it? Probably not.
I enjoyed all but one of these stories, and the theme of Florida was ever present without feeling forced. Ms Groff is an exceptional writer and her words and sentences are beautiful and leave you wanting more. The really lovely thing about this book of short stories is bedtime reading consisted of indulging in one entire story each night, resulting in a sense of completion before turning off the light. Utter bliss. I look forward to her next writing in whichever form. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a complimentary e-copy of Florida in exchange for my honest review.
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24/5/2018 0 Comments Review: The Last Romeo
My Review:To quote a line from Chapter 5:
“You’re just what we’ve been waiting for…” Ain't that the truth! I love the Guyliner so my expectations for Justin Myers' debut novel were high. And I was not disappointed. This Boy meets Boy(s) story is heart-warming, funny, real, raw, embarrassing (at times), deep felt, and uplifting. I hope the book gets the audience it deserves. It’s a brilliant, universal take on modern romance and how to date on and off the internet. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED PS - Although I feel ever so guilty for leaving my own best friend to deal with his relationship woes whilst I travel halfway around the world. Many thanks to Little Brown Book and NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of The Last Romeo in exchange for my honest review. 14/5/2018 0 Comments Review: Then She Was Gone
My Review:Lisa Jewell is a brilliant author, her recent books - I Found You, The Girls, and The Third Wife were all excellent and well worth visiting.
THEN SHE WAS GONE begins with a clear opening with the grief Laurel is still suffering after her daughter Ellie went missing ten years previously. Laurel's hurt is heartfelt and the revelations and view points of other characters were incredibly woven, and coincidental without breaching plausibility. Twist after painful twist. The novel not only stayed with me during the day, it infiltrated my dreams. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Update - a few days on and I still can't stop thinking about this book.
My Review:ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS!!!
A dream of a comedy show, to the point that fellow commuters on public transport have given me the side-eye when I've repeatedly laughed out loud. David Mitchell is a brilliant host, and the comedians' essays of lies are works of genius. My favourite episodes of this series were the ones when David Mitchell was joined by four female comedians - Sarah Millican, Victoria Coren Mitchell, Holly Walsh and Katherine Ryan, lying about princesses, diets, sauce, and paper. A special mention goes to Victoria Coren Mitchell - the interactions between husband and wife were entertaining and delightful to behear. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 7/5/2018 0 Comments Review: Double Kiss
My Review:Double Kiss is the second book of Ronnie O'Sullivan's Soho Trilogy (read my review for Framed here).
Yes, that Ronnie O'Sullivan. The Snooker World Championship has been on for the last fortnight culminating in tonight's final, and although Ronnie didn't make it to the quarter finals this year it seemed an apt time to read Double Kiss, and what a ride! The opening chapter starts with: 'It's coming home... It's coming home... It's coming... Football's coming home... And with eleven words the book time travels you to the nineties for Euro '96. The story is a perfect for a middle-trilogy book. The adventure is fast and furious without giving away too many answers, it leaves you wanting to see how the James family saga ends. It's difficult not to think of Ronnie's stance and gait when reading the adventures of Frankie James. He's tall, dark, and handsome with a cocky manner and armed cheeky glint in his eye. Framed was published in November 2016, Double Kiss in November 2017, let's hope November 2018 brings us the final frame in this Soho set. Highly recommended. |
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