gillyreads's reviews
1189 reviews

Purple Threads by Jeanine Leane

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad

This was really beautifully written, perhap unsurprisingly for a poet. There was a lot to love, but I particularly appreciated reading from Sunny's point of view, mostly as a child. This is something I find very effective in adult fiction. There is often a contrast between how the child's obervations and the adult reader's ability to contextualise and interpret what it means, which can be quite powerful. 

The Witch Who Courted Death by Maria Lewis

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

I enjoyed this, I find the world Maria Lewis has created very intriguing and her conception of what it means for Corvossier to be a medium was great. I did find the story a little clunky overall but can't really pinpoint why. Perhaps it was just a little rushed? Will definitely keep reading the series.

Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

This was a fun romance with some solid disability rep. I don’t often like the unplanned pregnancy trope because it can be so badly done, but I thought Hannah Bonam-Young did a good job in this one. Less point of conflict, and more two people pumped to have a baby but trying to figure out how to relate to each other. While it didn’t white pack the emotion punch her previous book did for me it was much better than her first book. 

Is That You, Ruthie?: Introduced by Jackie Huggins by Ruth Hegarty

emotional informative reflective sad

This was a great, though somewhat harrowing, read. I particularly liked how Ruth's very matter of fact way of recouting her experiences  really worked to highlight how horrific their treatment was, but also the ways they created their own joy. 

Holocaust Island by Graeme Dixon

Fantastic.

Me' Antman & Fleabag by Gayle Kennedy

funny medium-paced

This was an extremely enjoyable read. I loved that it felt more like a collection of stories told around the kitchen table (in his introduction Jared Thomas says if feels like listening to a country song or campfire yarn), than a linear plot but still conveyed so much about the characters and their life. It was filled with a sense of fun and humour while still sharing some very difficult stories. 

Dreaming in the Urban Areas by Lisa Bellear

Excellent 

Who's Afraid Too? by Maria Lewis

This was great. Really regret waiting so long to pick this up 

Metal Fish, Falling Snow by Cath Moore

emotional sad tense

Very emotional and heart wrenching to read, but overall a beautiful story. 

The Bogan Mondrian by Steven Herrick

emotional funny hopeful

Loved this