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bookishwelshie's reviews
878 reviews
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
inspiring
reflective
4.0
At the age of forty-three, on the 8th of December 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby suffered a massive, catastrophic, stroke which rendered his brain stem inactive. He was in a coma for twenty days, and upon awaking, found out he was unable to speak or move his body. He was almost entirely paralysed, but could still blink his left eye. There was also some slight head movements and grunts he could make over time. This would end up being how he could communicate, and blinking at letters is (extraordinarily) how this book was written. He was suffering from a condition called “Locked-In Syndrome”, which must be one of the single worst things to happen to a previously healthy human being. He was previously the editor in chief of Elle Magazine in Paris.
On the 7th of March 1997, Le Scaphandre et le Papillon was published in France. Two days later, Jean-Dominique Bauby died of heart failure at the age of forty-four. So it is an undoubtably an extraordinary book that was written under extraordinary circumstances - so why didn’t I rate it 5 stars? The writing style is naturally a little disjointed and at times pretentious, and I don’t know if this is in part due to the person who wrote it for Bauby or whilst it was translated from French to English. But I appreciate the efforts here for this book to even exist.
On the 7th of March 1997, Le Scaphandre et le Papillon was published in France. Two days later, Jean-Dominique Bauby died of heart failure at the age of forty-four. So it is an undoubtably an extraordinary book that was written under extraordinary circumstances - so why didn’t I rate it 5 stars? The writing style is naturally a little disjointed and at times pretentious, and I don’t know if this is in part due to the person who wrote it for Bauby or whilst it was translated from French to English. But I appreciate the efforts here for this book to even exist.
The Burning by Graham Masterton
slow-paced
3.5
Over the past couple of years, I have been building up a collection of vintage horror paperbacks; as I absolutely love the cover art for many of them, and am curious to read as much horror as possible from over the decades as it is my favourite genre. Finally jumped into reading one with Graham Masterton’s The Hymn; as a buddy read with my “Master of Horror” friend, Peter.
My only issue with this book is the middle felt so slow to me, I’m not sure exactly why that was, but that’s why it took me much longer than expected to finish. However, when the horror action was happening, it was very good. There are some shades of folk horror/paganism, mixed in with the occult and paranormal, and World War II/Nazi-related horror themes. This is explored more towards the end, as most of the story reads like a detective-thriller novel. It’s an interesting and unique blend of genres, it even has some moments of humour thrown in.
My only issue with this book is the middle felt so slow to me, I’m not sure exactly why that was, but that’s why it took me much longer than expected to finish. However, when the horror action was happening, it was very good. There are some shades of folk horror/paganism, mixed in with the occult and paranormal, and World War II/Nazi-related horror themes. This is explored more towards the end, as most of the story reads like a detective-thriller novel. It’s an interesting and unique blend of genres, it even has some moments of humour thrown in.
Thirst Trap by Grainne O'Hare
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Even though I do feel like this will be an extra special one for those who were brought up in Ireland, Thirst Trap is a perfect look into what womanhood is like in our twenties for so many of us. Felt like a perfect read for the year I’m turning thirty years old, as one of the main characters, Róise, does at the beginning of the book. She is entering her thirties, along with her best friends Maggie and Harley, with all the wild party girl days that clouded their twenties still ever-present. At the same time it does feel as though those days are coming to an end, quite literally, as the house they share is crumbling around them.
They are collectively grieving the fourth member of the close-knit friendship group, Lydia, who tragically died in a car accident. It seems as though they cope by mixing drugs, alcohol, and having a string of messy love-affairs between them. None more so than Maggie’s sapphic love/lust for a woman named Cate, who seems confused about her sexuality and feelings for Maggie.
This was honestly unputdownable, a book that fully brought my speed-reading ability out. It just felt honest and raw, as though you were really peering into the lives of this Irish group of friends. I also feel as though I’ve learnt to pronounce some more Irish name now, lol!
I’m honestly tempted to pick up a physical copy when it is published.
Thank you to Netgalley/ the publisher for the ARC !! 🫶
5 Stars 🇮🇪✨🖤
They are collectively grieving the fourth member of the close-knit friendship group, Lydia, who tragically died in a car accident. It seems as though they cope by mixing drugs, alcohol, and having a string of messy love-affairs between them. None more so than Maggie’s sapphic love/lust for a woman named Cate, who seems confused about her sexuality and feelings for Maggie.
This was honestly unputdownable, a book that fully brought my speed-reading ability out. It just felt honest and raw, as though you were really peering into the lives of this Irish group of friends. I also feel as though I’ve learnt to pronounce some more Irish name now, lol!
I’m honestly tempted to pick up a physical copy when it is published.
Thank you to Netgalley/ the publisher for the ARC !! 🫶
5 Stars 🇮🇪✨🖤
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Of course I decided to read a Nicholas Sparks book on Valentine’s Day evening to feel all the emotions (isn’t love the most powerful and healing thing in the world?! 🥹😭) and already started sobbing myself to sleep without even finishing it because I remembered the plot from the movie. I have no idea why I had never read this one before! It’s made me want to rewatch the movie now for all the extra little details, as the book is only around 200 pages long, so it feels over so fast after the big reveal. However, it still does pack an emotional punch.
A Walk To Remember poses the question of “can miracles happen”? And also of what can be considered a miracle. I’ve since read the ending could be interpreted in a different way, as the author apparently intended for it to be open with that closing statement, so I’m intrigued as to what other people who have read it think.
Even though I’m not a religious person myself, I see how it could bring comfort to the main characters - Jamie and Landon - especially given what they are faced with at such a young age. Plus, they are growing up in the South during the late ‘50s.
A Walk To Remember poses the question of “can miracles happen”? And also of what can be considered a miracle. I’ve since read the ending could be interpreted in a different way, as the author apparently intended for it to be open with that closing statement, so I’m intrigued as to what other people who have read it think.
Even though I’m not a religious person myself, I see how it could bring comfort to the main characters - Jamie and Landon - especially given what they are faced with at such a young age. Plus, they are growing up in the South during the late ‘50s.
How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price
3.5
Oh, the irony of me reading How To Break Up With Your Phone on an app on my phone whilst I’m struggling to sleep. This book isn’t about completely abandoning technology, but establishing boundaries with it. Not letting it rule us and control our lives. This can be extra hard for those of us, like me, who use it as a crutch for my anxiety and to self soothe. The modern cellphone really does appeal to my ADHD brain especially.
I try to have a Digital Detox before bed most evenings now and read either a physical book or, on my Kindle devices. If I do reach for my phone, I have a variety of reading apps like the Kindle to carry on with those books, this Headway app for non-fiction learning specifically, and Shonen Jump for Manga.
Whilst this may not contain a vast amount of new information, I agreed with most of the points raised here, even if sometimes they were posed in a bit of a self-righteous way from the author.
Hellmouth by Giles Kristian, Giles Kristian
3.0
Forever jumping to a short, sharp, and shocking extreme horror novella to pull me out of a reading slump. Hellmouth is different to those I usually read, as it’s a medieval-style, brutal, horror.
Rating it 3 Stars, simply because I feel as though the story could have been fleshed out better at a slightly longer page count than around 50 pages. Even just 20-50 more pages would do. The writing style is detailed and engaging.
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
5.0
Utterly heartbreaking, yet such an important piece of literature. 🇵🇸🍉🖤
Witchcraft for Healing: Radical Self-Care for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit by Patti Wigington
3.5
Sometimes, you just need the reminder that self-care is not selfish !! 💖