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hannahmariebrankley's reviews
61 reviews
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
2.0
This is the book I tried so hard not to DNF.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is the story of a young man who leaves home to find the meaning in life. During his spiritual journey, he meets many different people who help him find inner peace and enlightenment.
When I decided to read more classics, I was advised to look at what the world considers classics, as most authors on “classics” lists are American or British. Which I never realised before.
This is one of those books that many people who are trying to find themselves recommend.
After having a decade of my life consumed by ill health, I do have questions about being back out in the world. I have questions about myself and I thought this might change my outlook on life. Instead, it left me with so many questions.
I suppose it has had an influence on me, but I do not feel an inner peace of enlightenment. More so frustration and confusion. I do think I will go back through and re-read this book when I have time off. I think that reading this whilst stressed and having a busy work load wasn’t the best timing.
For now, I give it 2 stars.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is the story of a young man who leaves home to find the meaning in life. During his spiritual journey, he meets many different people who help him find inner peace and enlightenment.
When I decided to read more classics, I was advised to look at what the world considers classics, as most authors on “classics” lists are American or British. Which I never realised before.
This is one of those books that many people who are trying to find themselves recommend.
After having a decade of my life consumed by ill health, I do have questions about being back out in the world. I have questions about myself and I thought this might change my outlook on life. Instead, it left me with so many questions.
I suppose it has had an influence on me, but I do not feel an inner peace of enlightenment. More so frustration and confusion. I do think I will go back through and re-read this book when I have time off. I think that reading this whilst stressed and having a busy work load wasn’t the best timing.
For now, I give it 2 stars.
The Cloisters by Katy Hays
5.0
This is, by far, my favourite book I’ve read so far this year.
The Cloisters by Katy Hays follows Ann Stilwell as she moves to New York after graduation to work for The Metropolitan Museum of Art. On arrival, she finds her position is no longer available and instead, is assigned to The Cloisters. A gothic museum that hosts a collection of medieval and renaissance pieces as well as stunning gardens.
Labelled as a Dark Academia themed story, this has a heavy tarot influence to it that really interested me. It’s making me now want to reach out for historical books on the history of Tarot.
Without spoiling, there are many twists and turns that you either didn’t expect or you expected to go in a different direction.
The power struggle, in particular in this story, amongst Ann’s different relationships, for me, is a dynamic I thoroughly enjoyed. I ended up making so many more assumptions as I was reading along, than I do with other books.
This is easily a 5 star book. I also really liked Katy’s writing style, descriptive yet easy to keep in pace with, and I am excited to see what she releases next.
The Cloisters by Katy Hays follows Ann Stilwell as she moves to New York after graduation to work for The Metropolitan Museum of Art. On arrival, she finds her position is no longer available and instead, is assigned to The Cloisters. A gothic museum that hosts a collection of medieval and renaissance pieces as well as stunning gardens.
Labelled as a Dark Academia themed story, this has a heavy tarot influence to it that really interested me. It’s making me now want to reach out for historical books on the history of Tarot.
Without spoiling, there are many twists and turns that you either didn’t expect or you expected to go in a different direction.
The power struggle, in particular in this story, amongst Ann’s different relationships, for me, is a dynamic I thoroughly enjoyed. I ended up making so many more assumptions as I was reading along, than I do with other books.
This is easily a 5 star book. I also really liked Katy’s writing style, descriptive yet easy to keep in pace with, and I am excited to see what she releases next.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
5.0
I’ve said before, I always feel strange when reviewing a biography or memoir. It’s like you are saying whether you enjoyed someone’s life or not. This… was so well written that I implore more people to read this book.
A little back story, Jennette McCurdy was a child actor, who most would know from playing Sam on Nickelodeon’s iCarly and Sam & Cat. Starting in the business at 6 years old, Jennette shares about her struggles as a child actor. With eating disorders, addiction, her relationships, particularly, the overbearing relationship she had with her mother.
And after reading this, overbearing is putting it lightly.
Both compelling and heartbreaking, the details in which Jennette remembers her life speaks volumes in itself. She was a child who never saw the world with that child-like wonder for too long. The way she, at times, deflects with humour. Both as a child and now when recollecting everything in this memoir, is something I found connecting me to her story that much more.
I definitely recommend reading this book. I would suggest doing so when in a good mental place, in case any parallels set off any personal triggers. A 5 star read.
A little back story, Jennette McCurdy was a child actor, who most would know from playing Sam on Nickelodeon’s iCarly and Sam & Cat. Starting in the business at 6 years old, Jennette shares about her struggles as a child actor. With eating disorders, addiction, her relationships, particularly, the overbearing relationship she had with her mother.
And after reading this, overbearing is putting it lightly.
Both compelling and heartbreaking, the details in which Jennette remembers her life speaks volumes in itself. She was a child who never saw the world with that child-like wonder for too long. The way she, at times, deflects with humour. Both as a child and now when recollecting everything in this memoir, is something I found connecting me to her story that much more.
I definitely recommend reading this book. I would suggest doing so when in a good mental place, in case any parallels set off any personal triggers. A 5 star read.
Murder at the House on the Hill by Victoria Walters
4.0
The first book in the series introduces you to the charming Cotswold village of Dedley End. We meet Nancy Hunter and her grandmother, Jane Hunter. They run the Dedley Endings Bookshop. A bookshop that specialises in selling crime, thriller and mystery books.
We also meet Nancy’s beagle, Charlie. Who is obviously the star of this book series!
Nothing ever happens in Dedley End. Well, until the wealthy Roth Family decide to open their mansion for an engagement party. After decades of keeping to themselves, it was a surprise when they practically invited the whole village!
As Nancy, Jane and Nancy’s friend Jonathan take in the house of the mystery family, there’s a scream. Lucy Roth, newly married to Harry Roth, is found dead.
But, did she fall over the first floor banister, or was she pushed? Nancy, Jane, Jonathan and other friends you meet throughout the book, decide to investigate. And Nancy certainly finds more than she bargained for…
This is the perfect storyline to set up Nancy, Jane and Co. It is that classic whodunnit? cosy mystery, with British country charm.
I really like how Victoria writes her characters. It makes you feel like they are the neighbours you live by or the shop owners you see when running errands. With the character of Nancy, I find when an author writes someone so informed by their past, they can either repeat themselves or forget to create the backstory. I love the character of Nancy. Seeing how she has grown and continues to. How she values her relationships and, just generally, is that person you want as your best friend.
It is a very different read to the usual cosy mystery story. Where the main character is bursting with confidence and enthusiasm. Nancy really drew me in.
We also meet Nancy’s beagle, Charlie. Who is obviously the star of this book series!
Nothing ever happens in Dedley End. Well, until the wealthy Roth Family decide to open their mansion for an engagement party. After decades of keeping to themselves, it was a surprise when they practically invited the whole village!
As Nancy, Jane and Nancy’s friend Jonathan take in the house of the mystery family, there’s a scream. Lucy Roth, newly married to Harry Roth, is found dead.
But, did she fall over the first floor banister, or was she pushed? Nancy, Jane, Jonathan and other friends you meet throughout the book, decide to investigate. And Nancy certainly finds more than she bargained for…
This is the perfect storyline to set up Nancy, Jane and Co. It is that classic whodunnit? cosy mystery, with British country charm.
I really like how Victoria writes her characters. It makes you feel like they are the neighbours you live by or the shop owners you see when running errands. With the character of Nancy, I find when an author writes someone so informed by their past, they can either repeat themselves or forget to create the backstory. I love the character of Nancy. Seeing how she has grown and continues to. How she values her relationships and, just generally, is that person you want as your best friend.
It is a very different read to the usual cosy mystery story. Where the main character is bursting with confidence and enthusiasm. Nancy really drew me in.
Murder at the Summer Fete by Victoria Walters
5.0
This story takes place just 6 months after Murder At The House On The Hill.
The summer fete is in full swing and Nancy has invited a guest speaker. Crime author Thomas Green, who grew up in the neighbouring village. But something is afoot. Someone is leaving threats against Thomas Green and then the day of the Fete, someone is murdered. In the same way, the victim in Thomas Green’s new book is murdered.
As Nancy, Jane, Jonathan and Co investigate, they come to realise that nothing is as it seems and no one is as they seem either.
I was expecting a twisty mystery for the second installment of the Dedley End Series and oh wow did I get it!
Without spoiling the story, this is another classic mystery story trope but it’s Victoria Walters. It comes with humour, second guessing yourself and, of course, the lovely relationship between Nancy and her Grandmother. It gives me such nostalgic feelings. Being close to my own grandmothers.
I like how much more of the village and surrounding area we get to read about too. The Cotswolds always seemed like timeless villages to me. The way Victoria has used them to describe her setting bolsters that image. I also enjoyed the normality surrounding the villain of this story. We forget that there are many sides to a person.
The summer fete is in full swing and Nancy has invited a guest speaker. Crime author Thomas Green, who grew up in the neighbouring village. But something is afoot. Someone is leaving threats against Thomas Green and then the day of the Fete, someone is murdered. In the same way, the victim in Thomas Green’s new book is murdered.
As Nancy, Jane, Jonathan and Co investigate, they come to realise that nothing is as it seems and no one is as they seem either.
I was expecting a twisty mystery for the second installment of the Dedley End Series and oh wow did I get it!
Without spoiling the story, this is another classic mystery story trope but it’s Victoria Walters. It comes with humour, second guessing yourself and, of course, the lovely relationship between Nancy and her Grandmother. It gives me such nostalgic feelings. Being close to my own grandmothers.
I like how much more of the village and surrounding area we get to read about too. The Cotswolds always seemed like timeless villages to me. The way Victoria has used them to describe her setting bolsters that image. I also enjoyed the normality surrounding the villain of this story. We forget that there are many sides to a person.
Murder at the Village Church by Victoria Walters
5.0
After a revelation in the last book, Nancy wants to find her mother. Her mother had abandoned her as a child and Nancy believed she was dead. Until Nancy discovered she had been sighted at a party five months ago.
As she begins her search, a new face arrives in Dedley End. Sebastian Holmes has just been released from a long stretch in prison, after crimes committed when in a gang.
As Nancy starts to uncover something Sebastian is hiding, another murder happens. But here is the twist…
It happened in a locked Church!
Now, not only has Nancy, Jane, Jonathan and Co got the mystery of her disappearing mother to solve, but now a murder in the village church.
This is my favourite book of the series so far. Again, the classic mystery trope aside, Nancy’s personal story is so lovely to read. I really like it when I can connect with the main character. In saying that, most people have to have that connection to like a book, but for me, it’s always been a gripping storyline. Like with Gallows Court I read last month. It was a 5* read and I wasn’t the biggest fan of one of the main characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series and I hope to hope that Victoria Walters decides to write a few more. I do suspect, giving the ending of the last book, that may not happen. But if she does, I’ll have them pre-ordered so fast!
As she begins her search, a new face arrives in Dedley End. Sebastian Holmes has just been released from a long stretch in prison, after crimes committed when in a gang.
As Nancy starts to uncover something Sebastian is hiding, another murder happens. But here is the twist…
It happened in a locked Church!
Now, not only has Nancy, Jane, Jonathan and Co got the mystery of her disappearing mother to solve, but now a murder in the village church.
This is my favourite book of the series so far. Again, the classic mystery trope aside, Nancy’s personal story is so lovely to read. I really like it when I can connect with the main character. In saying that, most people have to have that connection to like a book, but for me, it’s always been a gripping storyline. Like with Gallows Court I read last month. It was a 5* read and I wasn’t the biggest fan of one of the main characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series and I hope to hope that Victoria Walters decides to write a few more. I do suspect, giving the ending of the last book, that may not happen. But if she does, I’ll have them pre-ordered so fast!
The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page
4.0
In this book, we meet Janice. Who is a cleaner and a collector of stories.
People tell her their stories and she overhears them. When working or on the bus. But when she starts working for Mrs B, a tricksy woman in her nineties, it's not her who wants to hear a story.
Janice had kept her own life story to herself. Not even sharing it with her husband. But Mrs B is no fool and knows there is more to Janice than meets the eye.
You'll come across many characters from all walks of life. Learn more about Janice and hear the story of Becky, told by Mrs B.
It certainly is a book of stories...
I am going to be very honest, I struggled with the first few chapters of this book. I really like Sally Page's writing but it seemed a lot to take in at once. As I started to read more about the characters in interactions and not just from Janice's point of view, it got easier.
The stories being told have both their uniqueness and normality. I enjoyed how we saw Janice's life and yet it wasn't her story. In my opinion, her interactions with Mrs B and Decimus the dog are what make the book. Without spoiling it too much, the twists are great. The story of Becky was fascinating and, with nods to classic books, I added more to my TBR list. I enjoyed this, but it makes me wonder, would I read a book like this again? I rate this 4 stars.
People tell her their stories and she overhears them. When working or on the bus. But when she starts working for Mrs B, a tricksy woman in her nineties, it's not her who wants to hear a story.
Janice had kept her own life story to herself. Not even sharing it with her husband. But Mrs B is no fool and knows there is more to Janice than meets the eye.
You'll come across many characters from all walks of life. Learn more about Janice and hear the story of Becky, told by Mrs B.
It certainly is a book of stories...
I am going to be very honest, I struggled with the first few chapters of this book. I really like Sally Page's writing but it seemed a lot to take in at once. As I started to read more about the characters in interactions and not just from Janice's point of view, it got easier.
The stories being told have both their uniqueness and normality. I enjoyed how we saw Janice's life and yet it wasn't her story. In my opinion, her interactions with Mrs B and Decimus the dog are what make the book. Without spoiling it too much, the twists are great. The story of Becky was fascinating and, with nods to classic books, I added more to my TBR list. I enjoyed this, but it makes me wonder, would I read a book like this again? I rate this 4 stars.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
5.0
This is one of the biggest books on BookTok at the moment. And for good reason.
In this book we follow Violet Sorrengail who wanted to enter the Scribe Quadrant. Basically surrounding herself with books and archiving. In this fantasy world, everyone enters a different quadrant when they are of age.
Her mother, who is the commanding general, orders Violet to join the Riders Quadrant. As in dragon riders.
We follow Violet as she starts training. Making friends and enemies along the way. Using every advantage and strength she has.
Violet is built smaller than others, has a brittle body and is basically perceived as "weak". After getting through training, in which you could die at any moment, you have to bond with a dragon. But dragons don't bond with "fragile" humans.
At the same time, outside the training school, the world is facing war. The kingdom's protection is failing and the death toll is rising...
As they say in the Riders Quadrant; "A dragon without its rider is a tragedy, a rider without its dragon is dead". Will Violet make it to the end? Will a dragon choose to bond with her? Is the Kingdom bound for war?
This book has been the cause of my reading slump. It has also been my favourite read of 2023... well, so far. I have recommended this to everyone. I have made people buy this book. Without spoiling this too much, I am just going to say I loved the world building, the story line, the twists, the character developments and the sarcasm of the characters. Being British, I love my sarcasm.
The other thing that really hits home for me is reading about a character who is chronically ill / disabled. This book has been such a talking point in the disability and chronic illness communities. Like Violet, author Rebecca Yarros has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It goes to show that people love to read about main characters with chronic conditions / disabilities. And from authors in the same situation.
This is, of course, a 5* read.
In this book we follow Violet Sorrengail who wanted to enter the Scribe Quadrant. Basically surrounding herself with books and archiving. In this fantasy world, everyone enters a different quadrant when they are of age.
Her mother, who is the commanding general, orders Violet to join the Riders Quadrant. As in dragon riders.
We follow Violet as she starts training. Making friends and enemies along the way. Using every advantage and strength she has.
Violet is built smaller than others, has a brittle body and is basically perceived as "weak". After getting through training, in which you could die at any moment, you have to bond with a dragon. But dragons don't bond with "fragile" humans.
At the same time, outside the training school, the world is facing war. The kingdom's protection is failing and the death toll is rising...
As they say in the Riders Quadrant; "A dragon without its rider is a tragedy, a rider without its dragon is dead". Will Violet make it to the end? Will a dragon choose to bond with her? Is the Kingdom bound for war?
This book has been the cause of my reading slump. It has also been my favourite read of 2023... well, so far. I have recommended this to everyone. I have made people buy this book. Without spoiling this too much, I am just going to say I loved the world building, the story line, the twists, the character developments and the sarcasm of the characters. Being British, I love my sarcasm.
The other thing that really hits home for me is reading about a character who is chronically ill / disabled. This book has been such a talking point in the disability and chronic illness communities. Like Violet, author Rebecca Yarros has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It goes to show that people love to read about main characters with chronic conditions / disabilities. And from authors in the same situation.
This is, of course, a 5* read.
The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas
4.0
This was an Amazon purchase I made back in May and I remember thinking “I can save that for the Autumnal Months”. Didn’t think I’d be reading it during August but it was a great way to kick off the month.
Journalist Jenna Halliday is on a new assignment. Visiting rural Wiltshire, she is investigating a twenty-year-old car crash for a podcast. On that night, in 1998, three girls went missing. A fourth girl, Olivia Rutherford, was found badly injured at the car crash site.
But, what happened to the girls? With rumours that they had run away, Olivia had killed them or aliens had abducted them, Jenna has her work cut out.
The locals are not happy with Jenna digging into the past. What are they hiding?
This was a very interesting story line. I have watched a few different murder mystery movies with a podcast theme. Reading one was very different. There were some instances that I saw coming and some twists I never imagined. Right up to the final few lines.
Without giving too much away, this is not just one story. There is a second flashback story alongside Jenna’s investigation. It was unusual at first. But once you get into a pace, it is easier to take in both timelines.
I really enjoyed Claire Douglas’s writing style. After enjoying this so much, I have already picked up another one of her books for the autumnal season. A 4 star read.
Journalist Jenna Halliday is on a new assignment. Visiting rural Wiltshire, she is investigating a twenty-year-old car crash for a podcast. On that night, in 1998, three girls went missing. A fourth girl, Olivia Rutherford, was found badly injured at the car crash site.
But, what happened to the girls? With rumours that they had run away, Olivia had killed them or aliens had abducted them, Jenna has her work cut out.
The locals are not happy with Jenna digging into the past. What are they hiding?
This was a very interesting story line. I have watched a few different murder mystery movies with a podcast theme. Reading one was very different. There were some instances that I saw coming and some twists I never imagined. Right up to the final few lines.
Without giving too much away, this is not just one story. There is a second flashback story alongside Jenna’s investigation. It was unusual at first. But once you get into a pace, it is easier to take in both timelines.
I really enjoyed Claire Douglas’s writing style. After enjoying this so much, I have already picked up another one of her books for the autumnal season. A 4 star read.
The Only One Left by Riley Sager
4.0
Riley Sager is one of those authors I’ve heard a lot of American book reviewers and bloggers talk about. I feel I’ve come to know him as an author with “all the twists”.
At seventeen, Lenora Hope hung her sister with a rope. Stabbed her father with a knife. Took her mother’s happy life.
Or so the schoolyard rhyme said…
In 1929, the Hope family murders shocked the Maine Coast. Lenora was the only one left alive. Many believed she was responsible but she denied it and the police couldn’t prove it.
Fast forward to 1983 and we meet Kit McDeere. A home health worker who is assigned to care for Lenora. After mysterious circumstances surrounding her previous nurse leaving in the middle of the night. Now mute and a wheelchair user, Lenora doesn’t leave Hope’s End. The cliffside mansion where the murders occurred.
Using a typewriter, Lenora can tap out sentences to communicate. One day Lenora typed out to Kit, “I want to tell you everything”.
If you are looking for a thriller / mystery for the autumnal season, pick this up! I cannot explain how many times I gasped, physically closed the book in shock and then had to go back and reread parts. There were so many twists that I never saw coming. There were moments when I was certain I knew what was coming and….nope! I feel like I cannot even talk about certain characters in fear of giving anything away.
Riley Sager writes really well and sets the scene brilliantly. There are parts in the earlier chapters where you can feel he is a little overly descriptive. Remember it. It all makes sense in the later chapters. I cannot wait to read more from him. 4.5 stars.
At seventeen, Lenora Hope hung her sister with a rope. Stabbed her father with a knife. Took her mother’s happy life.
Or so the schoolyard rhyme said…
In 1929, the Hope family murders shocked the Maine Coast. Lenora was the only one left alive. Many believed she was responsible but she denied it and the police couldn’t prove it.
Fast forward to 1983 and we meet Kit McDeere. A home health worker who is assigned to care for Lenora. After mysterious circumstances surrounding her previous nurse leaving in the middle of the night. Now mute and a wheelchair user, Lenora doesn’t leave Hope’s End. The cliffside mansion where the murders occurred.
Using a typewriter, Lenora can tap out sentences to communicate. One day Lenora typed out to Kit, “I want to tell you everything”.
If you are looking for a thriller / mystery for the autumnal season, pick this up! I cannot explain how many times I gasped, physically closed the book in shock and then had to go back and reread parts. There were so many twists that I never saw coming. There were moments when I was certain I knew what was coming and….nope! I feel like I cannot even talk about certain characters in fear of giving anything away.
Riley Sager writes really well and sets the scene brilliantly. There are parts in the earlier chapters where you can feel he is a little overly descriptive. Remember it. It all makes sense in the later chapters. I cannot wait to read more from him. 4.5 stars.