I would say this book is simply fantastic. It’s an eloquently written, engaging, clearly formulated manifesto for change. I read most of this book on the buses (which I firmly believe should be publicly owned and free to all) of Bristol - a city known for its refusal to accept the status quo which I think was the perfect venue for this book to be absorbed. Even as someone relatively well read in social issues this was an enlightening read. Simply staggering statistics which as a chronically ill woman training for a career in TV didn’t shock but did surprise me (not in the existence of the facts but in the extent of them). I don’t know how else to say this is a must read - it’s perfectly written in a wonderfully concise format and tied up in such a beautifully neat bow in chapter 12. It’s wonderfully informed - I couldn’t be more on board with the collaborative style of this book - I particularly loved that despite the fact it was Lenny Henry talking to you throughout there was no attempt to hide the many contributors to both this book and his campaign. It’s just perfect - short and sweet and worth every joyous moment of reading.

Switch Bitch by Roald Dahl

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I’m hesitant to recommend this collection of short stories and exerts from Dahls novels for adults. This collection is dominated by sex which in itself isn’t an issue however in three of the four stories unwanted sex obtained through deception and manipulation is central to the narrative. The third story also features suicide as a central theme. Both the second and fourth story also feature very objectifying descriptions of women’s bodies and their purpose as sexual objects for men.

Put frankly this book shouldn’t come without a lengthy series of content warnings. Knowing what we know about Dahls attitudes to women and his own family this is a deeply unsettling reading experience - whilst the quality of the writing is strong I would argue that the themes this book tackles and the way this is done does not warrant a recommendation from me.

It’s a good book, strong writing but tactlessly handled themes - not one I’d long to re-read any time soon.

Content Warnings

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers

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hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

i so nearly gave up on this book so many times - i’ll confess i bought it for the cover and the reviews. it took me a while to get knot but i persisted - arguably this is my fault not a fault of the writing - i’ve been in a reading slump for some time. Whilst the writing is easily followed and delicately composed i struggled to get excited by the narrative for quite some time - but determined to persist, i’m so glad i did. The later section of the narrative was spectacular. Such a beautiful account of the quiet consolation that love is not for you and some how it’s not yours to have no matter how much you may long for it. Whilst the narrative could be perceived as a wishy washy tail of unrequited love and the toil of domestic responsibility the core of the narrative, (which only becomes apparent very late and would be a MASSIVE spoiler if i told you) is deeply human and unsettling. Whilst this work seems highly fictional so to speak the core of this is an entirely plausible insight into humanity and its darker, hidden, corners. At it’s heart Small Pleasures is a beautiful easy read with a beautifully human narrative and portrayal of the domestic female experience of a woman destined to care in its many forms.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

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emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

2.0

i have so much to say about this book. i read the first 100 pages on trains and in stations and was completely convinced that i’d be giving this book one star, two was inconceivable. there was so much world building and context that had to be teased out of the narrative that i thought it would never end in such a short book but low and behold it did. when i sat at the foot of the cliffs watching the tide approach to finish the second half of this i was pleasantly surprised. the authors ability cannot be overlooked but i fear it was lost amongst the world building in the first half - in the second half this came to life, the metaphors were both tidy and eloquently written that they kept me hooked despite the incoming tide! i would not go so far as to say this is a piece of narrative genius nor is it for everyone but if you’re more interested in dystopia than i am then this story of the intertwining lives of two individuals, who despite every perceivable difference, find solace and common ground, with each other, as a result of the simple humanity that the authors have so articulately depicted.

The Green Mile by Stephen King

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adventurous emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

What can I say this is the TBR to end all TBRs, I’ve had my copy of this book since it came out in 2017 and it’s been sat on my shelf for almost 5 years. All I can say is i’m glad I waited till I was older before I read this, whilst done so eloquently and sensitively the description of SA is not suitable for a YA audience. The narrative revolves around the river and the drowning pool which haunts the town and particularly the women. Initially I found the switch between the numerous characters difficult to keep up with but once I was happier with the context and the relationships between them it became a very effective narrative device, the importance of perspective in this novel cannot be underestimated. Hawkins writing style perfectly captures the differences between the characters, their tone, turns of phrase and lexicon in general. I only hesitate to give this book 4 stars because of the leg work required to get into the narrative because of the format of the multiple perspectives. I would never-the-less recommend Hawkins work and thoroughly enjoyed this dark, twisted thriller.

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jen_abrahall's reviews 53 reviews

jen_abrahall's reviews
53 reviews