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bookedupandbusy's reviews
152 reviews
Finding Me by Viola Davis
4.0
4.5 stars - I didn’t know much about Viola’s background and now that I do, I am in awe of this woman. The strength and determination to get to where she is now is eye-opening and inspiring! Her childhood stories broke my heart and I really admired the sisterhood amongst her siblings.
It would have been a 5 star read for me, however the chapters on getting into college and her audition processes were a little long winded for me, however I understand the need for them to be included as we know her for her acting career.
It would have been a 5 star read for me, however the chapters on getting into college and her audition processes were a little long winded for me, however I understand the need for them to be included as we know her for her acting career.
The Attic Child by Lola Jaye
Trigger Warning: Child Abuse
I won’t lie, I put off reading this book for many months because big books scare me and at nearly 469 pages I was worried that I may lose interest half way through. So I started the book…. and read 100 pages in ONE NIGHT. It was that moving!
I don’t want to give away the plot so I will keep the synopsis brief: Celestine is taken from his home and family in the Congo to be the ‘’companion’’ of explorer Sir Richard Babbington in England. Years later (1907) he is banished to the attic. We learn of his struggles, challenges and constant ache for his mother. Moving forwards (1970s) we are then told of Lowra’s experiences in the same house and attic. The way the parallel narratives are linked is genius!
The story shows the effects of colonialism, and also explores generational trauma. Lowra’s chapters were not as interesting as Celestine’s however her chapters are VERY important and are the catalyst for the whole story.
Inspired by the real life story of a boy called Ndugu M'Hali it is a heartbreaking and harrowing story. Please read this!
5.0
Trigger Warning: Child Abuse
I won’t lie, I put off reading this book for many months because big books scare me and at nearly 469 pages I was worried that I may lose interest half way through. So I started the book…. and read 100 pages in ONE NIGHT. It was that moving!
I don’t want to give away the plot so I will keep the synopsis brief: Celestine is taken from his home and family in the Congo to be the ‘’companion’’ of explorer Sir Richard Babbington in England. Years later (1907) he is banished to the attic. We learn of his struggles, challenges and constant ache for his mother. Moving forwards (1970s) we are then told of Lowra’s experiences in the same house and attic. The way the parallel narratives are linked is genius!
The story shows the effects of colonialism, and also explores generational trauma. Lowra’s chapters were not as interesting as Celestine’s however her chapters are VERY important and are the catalyst for the whole story.
Inspired by the real life story of a boy called Ndugu M'Hali it is a heartbreaking and harrowing story. Please read this!
One for Sorrow, Two for Joy by Marie-Claire Amuah
Set against the backdrop of London and Ghana this coming of age story follows Stella, through her traumatic childhood to a hopeful adulthood.
The first half of the story is traumatic yet engrossing and based on Stella’s childhood. Her childhood was difficult to read as Stella’s father was angry and abusive towards her and her mother. I found myself more interested in the character of her brother Sol, his reactions and non-responsiveness to the abuse of his sister was something I wanted more answers on, I wanted to hear his child voice on this matter.
It is a skill to write a child’s voice for an adult audience and I have to give the author all the praise here as these chapters were captivating. Even though Stella had a disturbing childhood, she found ways to make light of the situation and the author does a great job in showing her innocence through the narration and dialogue.
The story is also based on superstitions as Stella believed by knocking on wood/seeing magpies could control her father’s behaviour or certain events in her life. Stella was also religious and I liked the contradiction of the two used throughout the story.
Stella’s diverse friendship group was beautiful. This was the first story I have read in a while that portrayed female friendship groups being supportive, kind and playing a big part into Stella’s growth.
I didn’t enjoy the second half of the story and it wasn’t as engaging as the first half. I thought it would be heavily based on confronting her father and brother but It felt like short stories and memories of Stella’s adult life with friends and at work. However I did understand the message which was traumatic events in your childhood can effect your lifestyle at work, choice of men, relationships etc. and that through therapy and support there is a light and hope at the end of the tunnel after trauma.
3.0
Set against the backdrop of London and Ghana this coming of age story follows Stella, through her traumatic childhood to a hopeful adulthood.
The first half of the story is traumatic yet engrossing and based on Stella’s childhood. Her childhood was difficult to read as Stella’s father was angry and abusive towards her and her mother. I found myself more interested in the character of her brother Sol, his reactions and non-responsiveness to the abuse of his sister was something I wanted more answers on, I wanted to hear his child voice on this matter.
It is a skill to write a child’s voice for an adult audience and I have to give the author all the praise here as these chapters were captivating. Even though Stella had a disturbing childhood, she found ways to make light of the situation and the author does a great job in showing her innocence through the narration and dialogue.
The story is also based on superstitions as Stella believed by knocking on wood/seeing magpies could control her father’s behaviour or certain events in her life. Stella was also religious and I liked the contradiction of the two used throughout the story.
Stella’s diverse friendship group was beautiful. This was the first story I have read in a while that portrayed female friendship groups being supportive, kind and playing a big part into Stella’s growth.
I didn’t enjoy the second half of the story and it wasn’t as engaging as the first half. I thought it would be heavily based on confronting her father and brother but It felt like short stories and memories of Stella’s adult life with friends and at work. However I did understand the message which was traumatic events in your childhood can effect your lifestyle at work, choice of men, relationships etc. and that through therapy and support there is a light and hope at the end of the tunnel after trauma.
The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson
5.0
CAUTION: Details of how the bodies are dismantled are gruesome & graphic.
Synopsis: When bodies start to wash up along the River Thames, DI Henley fears it is the work of Peter Olivier, the notorious Jigsaw Killer. But it can’t be him as he is already behind bars. Can Olivier help them to find a copycat killer?
The story is HEAVY on police procedure and murder cases.
The story is chilling! I’m not easily put off but the way the author writes how each victim is killed is horrifying. The medical research that has gone into this book is impeccable.
I loved how diverse the characters were and the portrayal of DI Henley’s experiences and the stigmas she faced being a Black detective with an Asian Trainee Detective.
This book is a puzzle! I became a detective right from the start trying to work out who was the killer. I love unreliable protagonists and let’s just say that DI Anjelica Henley got on my nerves. The story explores her work life balance and she seemed to care more about her detective work than her family but as the author delves into her past, we find out why she becomes obsessed with this case and catching the killer.
Synopsis: When bodies start to wash up along the River Thames, DI Henley fears it is the work of Peter Olivier, the notorious Jigsaw Killer. But it can’t be him as he is already behind bars. Can Olivier help them to find a copycat killer?
The story is HEAVY on police procedure and murder cases.
The story is chilling! I’m not easily put off but the way the author writes how each victim is killed is horrifying. The medical research that has gone into this book is impeccable.
I loved how diverse the characters were and the portrayal of DI Henley’s experiences and the stigmas she faced being a Black detective with an Asian Trainee Detective.
This book is a puzzle! I became a detective right from the start trying to work out who was the killer. I love unreliable protagonists and let’s just say that DI Anjelica Henley got on my nerves. The story explores her work life balance and she seemed to care more about her detective work than her family but as the author delves into her past, we find out why she becomes obsessed with this case and catching the killer.
The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini
SYNOPSIS: Set in Trinidad Alethea is nearly 40 years old and is in an abusive relationship with Leo. When she witnesses another woman, killed by her husband, she begins to change her life.
This story comes with a major trigger warning, it is the physical and mental abuse that Althea experiences that drives the whole story and the episodes described are heavy and traumatic. I particularly found Althea’s childhood very disturbing and a big factor of how and why she accepted abuse by her partner as an adult. I found the growth in Alethea’s character was a little slow but illustrated great progression away from her abusive life.
Apart from the traumatic events, I found the story slightly boring as it seemed to be set in mostly two scenes, her workplace and home. I wanted different settings at times and I also felt the secondary characters could have been much stronger.
3.0
SYNOPSIS: Set in Trinidad Alethea is nearly 40 years old and is in an abusive relationship with Leo. When she witnesses another woman, killed by her husband, she begins to change her life.
This story comes with a major trigger warning, it is the physical and mental abuse that Althea experiences that drives the whole story and the episodes described are heavy and traumatic. I particularly found Althea’s childhood very disturbing and a big factor of how and why she accepted abuse by her partner as an adult. I found the growth in Alethea’s character was a little slow but illustrated great progression away from her abusive life.
Apart from the traumatic events, I found the story slightly boring as it seemed to be set in mostly two scenes, her workplace and home. I wanted different settings at times and I also felt the secondary characters could have been much stronger.
Augustown by Kei Miller
‘Make a fool kiss you, that is one thing, but to make a kiss fool you! That is even worser. Don’t make no man turn you into no fool!’
What would you do if you child came home from school and their hair had been cut?
4.0
‘Make a fool kiss you, that is one thing, but to make a kiss fool you! That is even worser. Don’t make no man turn you into no fool!’
What would you do if you child came home from school and their hair had been cut?
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Homegoing is a novel about an African family that was split apart by the slave trade. It follows the descendants of half sisters, Esi and Effia in Ghana.
I absolutely loved this story. I learnt so much about slavery in Ghana, the Cape Gold Coast Castle and the different tribes and cultures in Ghana. I was blown away by the extensive research put into this novel as this multigenerational story spans over hundreds of years.
I really wanted more from Esi & Effia’s story, sisters who never meet as one is married off to a wealthy Englishman and the other is put into the slave trade. I found their stories the most engrossing. My favourite chapter was from Willie, the exploration of colourism and passing as ‘white’ to get a job was executed so well
5.0
Homegoing is a novel about an African family that was split apart by the slave trade. It follows the descendants of half sisters, Esi and Effia in Ghana.
I absolutely loved this story. I learnt so much about slavery in Ghana, the Cape Gold Coast Castle and the different tribes and cultures in Ghana. I was blown away by the extensive research put into this novel as this multigenerational story spans over hundreds of years.
I really wanted more from Esi & Effia’s story, sisters who never meet as one is married off to a wealthy Englishman and the other is put into the slave trade. I found their stories the most engrossing. My favourite chapter was from Willie, the exploration of colourism and passing as ‘white’ to get a job was executed so well
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
SYNOPSIS: Dana Franklin, a young black woman living in the 70s is pulled into the past by Rufus Weylin. She is forced to learn to live as a slave.
I have had this book on my reading list for years. I wanted to read it purely because it is known as a classic and a few friends have recommended it to me and to be honest, I pushed it back every year because the ‘time travel’ aspect of the novel felt cheesy and I’m not into sci-fi/fantasy.
However after finishing this book, my focus was not so much on the time travelling, but more so on the events that took place when Dana became a slave, her challenges, privileges and interactions with people on the plantations was engrossing and the plot was fast paced.
Even though the book was written in 1979 It still reads as a book that could have been written today. This would have been a 5 star read for me but I did not find any of the characters memorable. I wanted to know more about Dana in both the present and past. She will not be a character that I remember, which is disappointing for a protagonist.
4.0
SYNOPSIS: Dana Franklin, a young black woman living in the 70s is pulled into the past by Rufus Weylin. She is forced to learn to live as a slave.
I have had this book on my reading list for years. I wanted to read it purely because it is known as a classic and a few friends have recommended it to me and to be honest, I pushed it back every year because the ‘time travel’ aspect of the novel felt cheesy and I’m not into sci-fi/fantasy.
However after finishing this book, my focus was not so much on the time travelling, but more so on the events that took place when Dana became a slave, her challenges, privileges and interactions with people on the plantations was engrossing and the plot was fast paced.
Even though the book was written in 1979 It still reads as a book that could have been written today. This would have been a 5 star read for me but I did not find any of the characters memorable. I wanted to know more about Dana in both the present and past. She will not be a character that I remember, which is disappointing for a protagonist.
The Island of Forgetting by Jasmine Sealy
4.0
This is a strong debut! If you love character driven novels then please read this book! There is not one happy character in this book and I went on an emotional journey with each character’s fight and determination to get off the island. The family are held together by the family business, which is a hotel in Barbados, but I felt it was this hotel that was causing the family to crumble with the many pressures that came with sustaining the business and turning a blind eye to everyone’s goals and dreams.
Including themes of sexuality, colourism, alcoholism and mental health, the story is a clear and perfect example of generational trauma and how it can take one family member to break the cycle.
My favourite chapters were from Calpyso. We follow her from a young girl to a woman growing up in the hotel and I felt her chapters were raw and authentic. I didn’t agree with her choices most of the time, she was looking for love in all the wrong places but I empathised with her need for belonging and acceptance.
I enjoyed the insight into local life on the island and it was interesting to read about the local’s interactions with the tourists. I just wanted a little bit more Bajan dialect! I will definitely be looking out for more titles by this author.
Including themes of sexuality, colourism, alcoholism and mental health, the story is a clear and perfect example of generational trauma and how it can take one family member to break the cycle.
My favourite chapters were from Calpyso. We follow her from a young girl to a woman growing up in the hotel and I felt her chapters were raw and authentic. I didn’t agree with her choices most of the time, she was looking for love in all the wrong places but I empathised with her need for belonging and acceptance.
I enjoyed the insight into local life on the island and it was interesting to read about the local’s interactions with the tourists. I just wanted a little bit more Bajan dialect! I will definitely be looking out for more titles by this author.
My Other Husband by Dorothy Koomson
4.0
‘’Someone is trying to frame me for murder but I can’t prove I’m innocent because then I would have to confess about my other husband’’
I have been reading Dorothy’s books since I was 18 years old and the plot twists just keep getting better and better with every book. Be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions and characters you will hate! I NEED a TV adaptation of this story
I have been reading Dorothy’s books since I was 18 years old and the plot twists just keep getting better and better with every book. Be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions and characters you will hate! I NEED a TV adaptation of this story