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bookedupandbusy's reviews
152 reviews
Pleasantview by Celeste Mohammed
5.0
A strong contender for my fave book of 2022. Set in the fictional Trinidadian town of Pleasantview, the town reveals the dark side of the Caribbean dream.
This book is a novel in short stories. Each new chapter tells the story of a new character with a link to characters from the previous chapters - and the links are fantastically done that it reads as one big story.
The author’s writing is incredible, she has such great range. One minute I was laughing hard, the next I was emotional and shocked. The characters are diverse from a policeman, to a politician, to the church ladies, to the drug dealers, to the whore house and more. The insight into how different people lived in the town and their status was illustrated very well!
The Trini dialect throughout was brilliant. I loved the authenticity and rawness of the dialect.
This book is a novel in short stories. Each new chapter tells the story of a new character with a link to characters from the previous chapters - and the links are fantastically done that it reads as one big story.
The author’s writing is incredible, she has such great range. One minute I was laughing hard, the next I was emotional and shocked. The characters are diverse from a policeman, to a politician, to the church ladies, to the drug dealers, to the whore house and more. The insight into how different people lived in the town and their status was illustrated very well!
The Trini dialect throughout was brilliant. I loved the authenticity and rawness of the dialect.
I Know What You've Done by Dorothy Koomson
4.0
This is a very fast paced and entertaining read that is also very dark in places. Like all Dorothy books, the thriller was always thrilling and the plot twist ending came out of nowhere, I could not work this one out! Every single character has the potential to carry out the attack, you will be guessing until the end!
The story is told from multiple points of view. Which I initially struggled with and there are a vast number of characters. I did lose track at times, however it all fell into place half way through.
My first read to mention the pandemic, which I found odd, however half way through, the mention of the pandemic actually suited the premise of the book very well.
The story is told from multiple points of view. Which I initially struggled with and there are a vast number of characters. I did lose track at times, however it all fell into place half way through.
My first read to mention the pandemic, which I found odd, however half way through, the mention of the pandemic actually suited the premise of the book very well.
Wahala by Nikki May
3.0
3.5 stars.
The book is messy, in a good way. If you like reality TV filled with drama, this is the book to read. It has its flaws, but it is entertaining. Don’t judge it too seriously, that was my approach.
I loved the strong portrayal of Nigerian culture in London, from the descriptions of food, fashion, to cultural traditions and expectations. The main characters being mixed race is very poignant to the story. There is an exploration of colourism and I sensed that the characters felt privileged being bi-racial but I think the author does well in explaining where this privilege is rooted from.
All of the characters really embraced their heritage (I loved Ronke’s passion for food) except Boo, who had no knowledge of her heritage. I found her chapters hard to read at times as she came across as ignorant but I respected the contrasts in their upbringing being displayed. We see a change in their personalities especially when Isobel, a new friend brings Wahala (trouble) to the group.
The Friendship dynamics: All of the women are flawed. They judged each other and spoke behind each other’s backs when it came to status, husbands and partners but never looked at the trouble they themselves were causing to others.
The book is messy, in a good way. If you like reality TV filled with drama, this is the book to read. It has its flaws, but it is entertaining. Don’t judge it too seriously, that was my approach.
I loved the strong portrayal of Nigerian culture in London, from the descriptions of food, fashion, to cultural traditions and expectations. The main characters being mixed race is very poignant to the story. There is an exploration of colourism and I sensed that the characters felt privileged being bi-racial but I think the author does well in explaining where this privilege is rooted from.
All of the characters really embraced their heritage (I loved Ronke’s passion for food) except Boo, who had no knowledge of her heritage. I found her chapters hard to read at times as she came across as ignorant but I respected the contrasts in their upbringing being displayed. We see a change in their personalities especially when Isobel, a new friend brings Wahala (trouble) to the group.
The Friendship dynamics: All of the women are flawed. They judged each other and spoke behind each other’s backs when it came to status, husbands and partners but never looked at the trouble they themselves were causing to others.
The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
4.0
How can a tragic story be written so beautifully? I did not know much about this story, went in blind, it was chosen for a book club pick and I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. I have not read any literature based on Vietnam and the story introduced me to the culture, traditions and many disheartening challenges in which the country experienced from The Great Hunger and The Land Reform.
Filled with inspiring quotes and proverbs, the story is a character driven book, told from the viewpoint of Grandma and her Granddaughter, Huong. The women detail the family’s tragic war experiences over the two generations. Some chapters are devastating to read. The Grandmother is inspirational and courageous. She had to make difficult decisions during the war and I admire her strength.
Filled with inspiring quotes and proverbs, the story is a character driven book, told from the viewpoint of Grandma and her Granddaughter, Huong. The women detail the family’s tragic war experiences over the two generations. Some chapters are devastating to read. The Grandmother is inspirational and courageous. She had to make difficult decisions during the war and I admire her strength.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
4.0
I have read this story twice now and still love it, but didn’t enjoy it the second time around as much as the first.
The story is told in the form of letters from Celie to her sister Nettie and vice versa. Celie is living with her abusive husband, Mr. and as the story unfolds, we watch her find her voice.
This classic book had me in tears, rape and abuse are major trigger warnings.
The story is told in the form of letters from Celie to her sister Nettie and vice versa. Celie is living with her abusive husband, Mr. and as the story unfolds, we watch her find her voice.
This classic book had me in tears, rape and abuse are major trigger warnings.
Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow
5.0
What an impactful book for a debut! I absolutely loved this story. Black women living their lives and the challenges they face on a daily basis is always hard to read, but their stories were just so engaging and left me with many questions and wanting more.
The book heavily centres around race, abuse, relationships; black love and the struggles with men, especially when raising children without their fathers. I also enjoyed the exploration of the military stories which gave another dimension to the story.
The pace of the story never fell flat for me and it was an easy read, apart from two traumatic events which I found myself thinking about for a long time.
The book heavily centres around race, abuse, relationships; black love and the struggles with men, especially when raising children without their fathers. I also enjoyed the exploration of the military stories which gave another dimension to the story.
The pace of the story never fell flat for me and it was an easy read, apart from two traumatic events which I found myself thinking about for a long time.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
4.0
My first book by Agatha Christie - WOW this was so fast paced. I did find it challenging keeping track of all the characters, however as they whittle down to ‘none’ it became easier