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libbysbookshelf's Reviews (745)
THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS by ALI HAZELWOOD
I read it and… I loved it!
It has all the romance and fake dating tropes you want and it has a really hot sex scene that shows you the importance of consent and also that asking for consent can be sexy too!
Sex positivity is the best!
Now I’m going to go and read some very serious literature to reassure myself that I’m all proper and literary and shit. Honestly, though, I do love a good romance every now and then, and this one is up there with the Brown sisters books.
#book #bookrecommendations #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookreviewfeatures #bookreviews #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #thelovehypothesis #alihazelwood
I read it and… I loved it!
It has all the romance and fake dating tropes you want and it has a really hot sex scene that shows you the importance of consent and also that asking for consent can be sexy too!
Sex positivity is the best!
Now I’m going to go and read some very serious literature to reassure myself that I’m all proper and literary and shit. Honestly, though, I do love a good romance every now and then, and this one is up there with the Brown sisters books.
#book #bookrecommendations #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookreviewfeatures #bookreviews #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #thelovehypothesis #alihazelwood
I WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN MEN by JACQUELINE HARPMAN
Wow. This book was an experience. It’s been a while since a book made me feel sick with shock and sadness. It’s slow in pace but it’s only short so it’s never tedious in any way. The only reason I read it slowly is because it was so difficult to manage at times.
I think this was originally written in French and some of the turns of phrase were really beautiful.
The story follows a group of 40 women who have been living in a bunker surrounded by whip lashing guards for as long as the young protagonist can remember. Through a series of events that I won’t explain, the women must learn how to survive.
If you want answers and clear endings when you read a book, then don’t read this. If you want to learn more about the human condition and themes of womanhood and friendship and aloneness, then do read this book. If you want to be blown away, read this book.
God I loved it!
#iwhohaveneverknownmen #jacquelineharpman #book #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer
Wow. This book was an experience. It’s been a while since a book made me feel sick with shock and sadness. It’s slow in pace but it’s only short so it’s never tedious in any way. The only reason I read it slowly is because it was so difficult to manage at times.
I think this was originally written in French and some of the turns of phrase were really beautiful.
The story follows a group of 40 women who have been living in a bunker surrounded by whip lashing guards for as long as the young protagonist can remember. Through a series of events that I won’t explain, the women must learn how to survive.
If you want answers and clear endings when you read a book, then don’t read this. If you want to learn more about the human condition and themes of womanhood and friendship and aloneness, then do read this book. If you want to be blown away, read this book.
God I loved it!
#iwhohaveneverknownmen #jacquelineharpman #book #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer
A DOLL’S HOUSE by HENRIK IBSEN
I read this on a whim because I often enjoy modernist plays and it was on the curriculum of the school where I previously worked. To begin with it was a chore to read, but I persevered and I’m so glad I did because it turned in to a feminist play and I really appreciated the themes and the way the plot unfolded.
#adollshouse #henrikibsen #book #play #drama #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer
I read this on a whim because I often enjoy modernist plays and it was on the curriculum of the school where I previously worked. To begin with it was a chore to read, but I persevered and I’m so glad I did because it turned in to a feminist play and I really appreciated the themes and the way the plot unfolded.
#adollshouse #henrikibsen #book #play #drama #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer
WAHALA by NIKKI MAY
Firstly I must thanks @bookmadbarlow for sending me this proof and secondly, @bookbeforeuleap for organising that for me and for pointing out that we both started last year and this year with the same book! What a cute tradition we have!
Anyway, on to the book. I read this over the course of a few hours last night and this morning and I couldn’t put it down. I needed to know what happened. I rarely read books like this, but when I do I’m always in awe of the writer who can craft something that keeps people hooked on their every word.
The characters are what initially drew me to this; all mixed races and half Nigerian thirty somethings with lots of money to spend on food, drink and clothes. I loved the food and clothing descriptions and I loved that the women were all successful in their careers. The political conversations about race were also interesting, raising issues around prejudice towards Nigerian men and colourism and touching of Black women’s hair, among other things.
The main plot become predictable and tiring and the characters became awful, almost to the point of not caring about them, but the writer knew when to stop and rescued the novel before it went too far!
I applaud a writer who can keep a reader turning pages and for that reason I enjoyed this book. I recommend you check it out for its political themes above anything else, though.
#wahala #nikkimay #nikkimaywahala #books #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs
Firstly I must thanks @bookmadbarlow for sending me this proof and secondly, @bookbeforeuleap for organising that for me and for pointing out that we both started last year and this year with the same book! What a cute tradition we have!
Anyway, on to the book. I read this over the course of a few hours last night and this morning and I couldn’t put it down. I needed to know what happened. I rarely read books like this, but when I do I’m always in awe of the writer who can craft something that keeps people hooked on their every word.
The characters are what initially drew me to this; all mixed races and half Nigerian thirty somethings with lots of money to spend on food, drink and clothes. I loved the food and clothing descriptions and I loved that the women were all successful in their careers. The political conversations about race were also interesting, raising issues around prejudice towards Nigerian men and colourism and touching of Black women’s hair, among other things.
The main plot become predictable and tiring and the characters became awful, almost to the point of not caring about them, but the writer knew when to stop and rescued the novel before it went too far!
I applaud a writer who can keep a reader turning pages and for that reason I enjoyed this book. I recommend you check it out for its political themes above anything else, though.
#wahala #nikkimay #nikkimaywahala #books #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs
SEX AND LIES by LEILA SLIMANI
My last read of 2021 and it’s a very good one. A non-fiction account of the sex lives of Moroccan women.
The beauty of Slimani is that she can put such tumultuous issues into clear and simple words and make the solution also seem clear and simple. Morocco is an Islamic country, which means that modesty is part of the law i.e. one can be arrested and put in prison for adultery or being gay. I don’t want to seem insensitive to cultural differences, but keeping any subject taboo only leads to fear and hate and this worries me. As Slimani discusses, transparency around sex is key. It is mostly women who suffer in these scenarios.
Anyway, I’ve had a few glasses of wine so let’s stop there and just say that I loved this book and I can’t wait to read some of Slimani’s fiction!
#book #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookstagrammer #leilaslimani #sexandles
My last read of 2021 and it’s a very good one. A non-fiction account of the sex lives of Moroccan women.
The beauty of Slimani is that she can put such tumultuous issues into clear and simple words and make the solution also seem clear and simple. Morocco is an Islamic country, which means that modesty is part of the law i.e. one can be arrested and put in prison for adultery or being gay. I don’t want to seem insensitive to cultural differences, but keeping any subject taboo only leads to fear and hate and this worries me. As Slimani discusses, transparency around sex is key. It is mostly women who suffer in these scenarios.
Anyway, I’ve had a few glasses of wine so let’s stop there and just say that I loved this book and I can’t wait to read some of Slimani’s fiction!
#book #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookstagrammer #leilaslimani #sexandles
Described as “groundbreaking erotic writings”, this collection of short stories by a writer I’ve long been meaning to read did not disappoint.
I briefly discussed this with @pintofbooks and he asked me to tell him my favourites once I’d read them all, but I found that so difficult because I enjoyed each of them so much. Some were more problematic than others such as the one about paedophilia, the one about fetishisation of Black woman and the multiple ones that blurred the lines around consent, but all of them brought to life feelings of desire and fantasy and lust. It would be a great collection to discuss because it is so controversial, but that’s part of the reason why I enjoyed it so much.
I also enjoy books that make me reflect on my own self and my sexuality and this book certainly does that! I’ll leave it to you to read it and see what I mean…
#anaisnin #littlebirds #books #book #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk
HOUR OF THE STAR by CLARICE LISPECTOR
I added Lispector to my wishlist after reading Checkout 19 by Claire Louise Bennett, and I can definitely see the influence. Lispector was born in Eastern Europe but raised in Brazil and this book was written in Portuguese and translated by Benjamin Moser. It’s a very good translation because Moser has let be Lispector’s unusual prose.
This novella follows a writer who is detailing his experience of writing about Macabea; the main storyline we as the readers are invested in. Macabea is a young woman who lives an incredibly sad life, but the writer confesses that he never really knows where her story will end up, and that — in a strange way — gives hope that things will get better for her.
The beauty of this novella is that the storytelling is meta (and brilliant) and the story itself is also intriguing. It feels wholly original but also well-established; like it had always existed. I’d call this a proper literary classic and recommend to anyone who enjoys literary fiction with a bit of experimentation.
#book #claricelispector #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #booklover #hourofthestar
I added Lispector to my wishlist after reading Checkout 19 by Claire Louise Bennett, and I can definitely see the influence. Lispector was born in Eastern Europe but raised in Brazil and this book was written in Portuguese and translated by Benjamin Moser. It’s a very good translation because Moser has let be Lispector’s unusual prose.
This novella follows a writer who is detailing his experience of writing about Macabea; the main storyline we as the readers are invested in. Macabea is a young woman who lives an incredibly sad life, but the writer confesses that he never really knows where her story will end up, and that — in a strange way — gives hope that things will get better for her.
The beauty of this novella is that the storytelling is meta (and brilliant) and the story itself is also intriguing. It feels wholly original but also well-established; like it had always existed. I’d call this a proper literary classic and recommend to anyone who enjoys literary fiction with a bit of experimentation.
#book #claricelispector #bookstagram #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #booklover #hourofthestar
MATRIX by LAUREN GROFF
Ever since reading The Fates and The Furies a few years ago, I have been excited to read another by Groff, therefore Matrix has been a highly anticipated read.
And I must say, I am disappointed. While this is clearly a brilliant novel, it’s not one that I enjoyed. I don’t want to put you off, of course, because I recognise that this book will be a favourite of some, but for others like me it might be a little too… dare I say… boring…
I loved the concept because it was about a group of nuns in England and the story of how a young girl arrives at the abbey when it is poor and cold and gradually makes it rich. We read the progress from a distance, however, and I felt like I wanted a closer character study. The story moved forward in time very quickly so there was rarely a chance to get comfortable with the character. Having said that, I did admire and love the main character.
I think it boils down to the storytelling because I think I could have loved this had it been told in a different way.
What did you think of this? Are you planning to read it if you haven’t already?
#matrix #matrixlaurengroff #laurengroffmatrix #laurengroff #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrelease #books
Ever since reading The Fates and The Furies a few years ago, I have been excited to read another by Groff, therefore Matrix has been a highly anticipated read.
And I must say, I am disappointed. While this is clearly a brilliant novel, it’s not one that I enjoyed. I don’t want to put you off, of course, because I recognise that this book will be a favourite of some, but for others like me it might be a little too… dare I say… boring…
I loved the concept because it was about a group of nuns in England and the story of how a young girl arrives at the abbey when it is poor and cold and gradually makes it rich. We read the progress from a distance, however, and I felt like I wanted a closer character study. The story moved forward in time very quickly so there was rarely a chance to get comfortable with the character. Having said that, I did admire and love the main character.
I think it boils down to the storytelling because I think I could have loved this had it been told in a different way.
What did you think of this? Are you planning to read it if you haven’t already?
#matrix #matrixlaurengroff #laurengroffmatrix #laurengroff #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrelease #books
BEAR by MARIAN ENGEL
Set on an island in Canada, Bear follows Lou, a bibliographer who has been sent to document an old colonial house after its owner has died. Also living on the island is Bear, a bear. Needless to say, Lou begins a sexual relationship with the bear. Not needless to say? Oh, ok, no, you’re right, that is kinda odd. What does it say about me that I really enjoyed/loved this book? What about the fact that I’m now looking at bears in a whole new light?! 😂 kidding, kinda.
I couldn’t put this book down. Aside from the bear sex, the story of a woman living alone on an island in a big house and having to be self sufficient and in tune with nature was also really intriguing. It reminded me a bit of Margaret Atwood’s Surfacing and I really enjoyed that premise. Almost a bit like Circe when she’s living alone on that island. If you know any other books like that, let me know (bestiality nonessential but preferred!) 😂
#book #bear #bearmarianengel #marianaengel #bookstagram #books #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookflatlays #bookreview #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer
Set on an island in Canada, Bear follows Lou, a bibliographer who has been sent to document an old colonial house after its owner has died. Also living on the island is Bear, a bear. Needless to say, Lou begins a sexual relationship with the bear. Not needless to say? Oh, ok, no, you’re right, that is kinda odd. What does it say about me that I really enjoyed/loved this book? What about the fact that I’m now looking at bears in a whole new light?! 😂 kidding, kinda.
I couldn’t put this book down. Aside from the bear sex, the story of a woman living alone on an island in a big house and having to be self sufficient and in tune with nature was also really intriguing. It reminded me a bit of Margaret Atwood’s Surfacing and I really enjoyed that premise. Almost a bit like Circe when she’s living alone on that island. If you know any other books like that, let me know (bestiality nonessential but preferred!) 😂
#book #bear #bearmarianengel #marianaengel #bookstagram #books #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookflatlays #bookreview #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer
MARIE by MADELEINE BOURDOUXHE
What a fabulous French book set all over France. The protagonist is happily married — can’t believe her luck in fact — that is until she spots a handsome stranger at the beach… and then Marie’s world turns upside down.
The book is largely set inside Marie’s head, following her worries and anxieties after being unfaithful to her husband.
Marie is a 30 year old woman living in the 1940s (and written in that period as well), yet somehow she has a very similar state of mind to a millennial woman.
I really adored this book. I felt transported to France.
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #frenchliterature #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreader #books #marie #madeleinebourdouxhe
What a fabulous French book set all over France. The protagonist is happily married — can’t believe her luck in fact — that is until she spots a handsome stranger at the beach… and then Marie’s world turns upside down.
The book is largely set inside Marie’s head, following her worries and anxieties after being unfaithful to her husband.
Marie is a 30 year old woman living in the 1940s (and written in that period as well), yet somehow she has a very similar state of mind to a millennial woman.
I really adored this book. I felt transported to France.
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #frenchliterature #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreviewfeatures #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreader #books #marie #madeleinebourdouxhe