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libbysbookshelf's Reviews (745)
CUNNING WOMEN by ELIZABETH LEE
A witchy story with forbidden love at its core is always going to be beloved by me! It had all the tropes and then some.
I loved the language because it was occasionally of the time (Jacobean) and also in a northern English dialect.
Anything witchy tends to also be feminist, so that’s why I always enjoy witchy books. This was definitely the case here as well.
While this wasn’t my favourite book of the year, I really enjoyed the reading experience and it recommend it if you like witchy books.
#book #cunningwomen #elizabethlee #books #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation
A witchy story with forbidden love at its core is always going to be beloved by me! It had all the tropes and then some.
I loved the language because it was occasionally of the time (Jacobean) and also in a northern English dialect.
Anything witchy tends to also be feminist, so that’s why I always enjoy witchy books. This was definitely the case here as well.
While this wasn’t my favourite book of the year, I really enjoyed the reading experience and it recommend it if you like witchy books.
#book #cunningwomen #elizabethlee #books #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation
SISTERS by DAISY JOHNSON
A spooky, twisty, literary thriller, written using a sparse, but thoughtfully selected number of words. Perfect if you want to get spooky this month, without sacrificing quality of writing.
I can see no reason why anyone would not love this book.
A great way to spend my morning.
#book #sistersdaisyjohnson #daisyjohnson #books #bookstagram #bookgrammers #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookreader #booklover #bookobsessed
A spooky, twisty, literary thriller, written using a sparse, but thoughtfully selected number of words. Perfect if you want to get spooky this month, without sacrificing quality of writing.
I can see no reason why anyone would not love this book.
A great way to spend my morning.
#book #sistersdaisyjohnson #daisyjohnson #books #bookstagram #bookgrammers #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookreader #booklover #bookobsessed
THE ISLAND OF MISSING TREES by ELIF SHAFAK
A book by a wonderful writer, who I had the pleasure to hear and see speak live last night thanks to @toppingsbath.
The novel follows three timelines; one in the seventies, one in the 2010s and one in the 2000s. The characters are members of a family from Cyprus; half Greek Cypriot and half Turkish Cypriot. During a time of division on the island, even love struggles to survive. But, Shafak writes so beautifully of nature and people surviving against the odds. She writes of the importance of roots, but also the plurality of identities and even if you no longer live where you were born, doesn’t mean you aren’t home.
I adored the themes of this book and Shafak’s politics are so inclusive and loving, it’s hard not to feel uplifted after reading her work, even if it is heart-wrenching.
I’m so overtired this week, so apologies if this review makes no sense 😴
#book #elifshafak #theislandofmissingtrees #books #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #booklover #bookreviewer
A book by a wonderful writer, who I had the pleasure to hear and see speak live last night thanks to @toppingsbath.
The novel follows three timelines; one in the seventies, one in the 2010s and one in the 2000s. The characters are members of a family from Cyprus; half Greek Cypriot and half Turkish Cypriot. During a time of division on the island, even love struggles to survive. But, Shafak writes so beautifully of nature and people surviving against the odds. She writes of the importance of roots, but also the plurality of identities and even if you no longer live where you were born, doesn’t mean you aren’t home.
I adored the themes of this book and Shafak’s politics are so inclusive and loving, it’s hard not to feel uplifted after reading her work, even if it is heart-wrenching.
I’m so overtired this week, so apologies if this review makes no sense 😴
#book #elifshafak #theislandofmissingtrees #books #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #booklover #bookreviewer
CASTLES FROM COBWEBS by J A MENSAH
This is a glorious coming of age novel following a young girl growing up in a convent after she was found by nuns as a baby left in the snow. The girl finds out that her family are Ghanaian and she finally gets the opportunity to learn about herself and meet people who look like her after craving it for so long.
The reason I read this book this month is because of its spooky title and because there is a spooky element of magic weaved throughout.
I really enjoyed the juxtaposition between the snowy and cold convent and the lovely and warm Ghana. The contrast really highlighted how lonely life must have been for the girl growing up around white people who taught her nothing about her ancestors or family.
I enjoyed this book and I recommend it for any month of the year.
#castlesfromcobwebs #jamensah #books #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #blackhistorymonth2021 #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover
This is a glorious coming of age novel following a young girl growing up in a convent after she was found by nuns as a baby left in the snow. The girl finds out that her family are Ghanaian and she finally gets the opportunity to learn about herself and meet people who look like her after craving it for so long.
The reason I read this book this month is because of its spooky title and because there is a spooky element of magic weaved throughout.
I really enjoyed the juxtaposition between the snowy and cold convent and the lovely and warm Ghana. The contrast really highlighted how lonely life must have been for the girl growing up around white people who taught her nothing about her ancestors or family.
I enjoyed this book and I recommend it for any month of the year.
#castlesfromcobwebs #jamensah #books #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #blackhistorymonth2021 #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover
PASSING by NELLA LARSEN
Quite clearly the inspiration for The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet, Passing is a story about a Black woman with light skin who ‘passes’ as white and lives as the wife of a racist white man, without his knowledge of her ancestry. While that seems like enough of a plot, there is a lot more to it. Interesting and well-developed characters — despite the mere 130 pages — this novel covers issues of racism and sexism, and shows readers what life was like for the more wealthy Black people living in Harlem in the 1920s.
I found this book fascinating because it was written by a Black woman in 1920s America, but also because the plot and characters and writing were so damn good.
This is a classic and it deserves a place next to other classics on your bookshelves.
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #booklover #book #nellalarsenpassing #nellalarsen
Quite clearly the inspiration for The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet, Passing is a story about a Black woman with light skin who ‘passes’ as white and lives as the wife of a racist white man, without his knowledge of her ancestry. While that seems like enough of a plot, there is a lot more to it. Interesting and well-developed characters — despite the mere 130 pages — this novel covers issues of racism and sexism, and shows readers what life was like for the more wealthy Black people living in Harlem in the 1920s.
I found this book fascinating because it was written by a Black woman in 1920s America, but also because the plot and characters and writing were so damn good.
This is a classic and it deserves a place next to other classics on your bookshelves.
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #booklover #book #nellalarsenpassing #nellalarsen
PAUL by DAISY LAFARGE
Loved this book. Loved that it was set in France. Loved that it was from the point of view of a young woman who was unsure about her life choices and the older men she seemed to attract. Loved that the writer was making a comment about sexism and the affection and love that women blindly accept without considering if it’s what they’re really want or if it’s just the easier option to avoid confrontation.
Yeah, I loved this book.
#paul #daisylafarge #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer
Loved this book. Loved that it was set in France. Loved that it was from the point of view of a young woman who was unsure about her life choices and the older men she seemed to attract. Loved that the writer was making a comment about sexism and the affection and love that women blindly accept without considering if it’s what they’re really want or if it’s just the easier option to avoid confrontation.
Yeah, I loved this book.
#paul #daisylafarge #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer
SUGAR by BERNICE L MCDFADDEN
[AD PR] thanks @vintagebooks
I learned about this book a couple of years ago from an American Bookstagrammer, but I could never find it in this country. Turns out it hadn’t been published in this country until now, even though it was published in 2000 in America. Stuff like this always makes me wonder how many amazing books we miss out on because of geography.
This is a book that will be hard to forget. Sugar and Pearl are our protagonists and they have both been through a lot, but as they grow closer together, they both begin to feel happy for the first time in a long time. Pearl has a gap in her life where her daughter should be and Sugar has one where a mother should be, so the two are perfectly paired to bring joy to one another. Having said that, this book is far from joyful and there were moments of sadness that made me feel sick to my stomach. My feelings for the characters are so strong and so real.
I am in awe of McFadden’s talent and I’m so glad I finally got to read this book.
#vintagebooks #sugarbernicelmcfadden #sugar #bernicelmcfadden #books #book #bookstagram #booksmadebetter #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer
[AD PR] thanks @vintagebooks
I learned about this book a couple of years ago from an American Bookstagrammer, but I could never find it in this country. Turns out it hadn’t been published in this country until now, even though it was published in 2000 in America. Stuff like this always makes me wonder how many amazing books we miss out on because of geography.
This is a book that will be hard to forget. Sugar and Pearl are our protagonists and they have both been through a lot, but as they grow closer together, they both begin to feel happy for the first time in a long time. Pearl has a gap in her life where her daughter should be and Sugar has one where a mother should be, so the two are perfectly paired to bring joy to one another. Having said that, this book is far from joyful and there were moments of sadness that made me feel sick to my stomach. My feelings for the characters are so strong and so real.
I am in awe of McFadden’s talent and I’m so glad I finally got to read this book.
#vintagebooks #sugarbernicelmcfadden #sugar #bernicelmcfadden #books #book #bookstagram #booksmadebetter #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer
ACTS OF DESPERATION by MEGAN NOLAN
Fancy reading about a toxic relationship from the point of view of a narrator who has had time to reflect on her behaviours? Then this is the one for you! I really appreciated the honest voice of the narrator who was able to explore and explain her toxic traits and how she had become able and willing to put up with, or even crave abuse.
It’s an extremely triggering book, so you’ll want to check the warnings before reading.
I wouldn’t use the word ‘enjoy’ to describe my feelings of the reading experience, but I was definitely intrigued and stunned by the brutal honesty of it. As a young woman, I definitely felt the same way as the protagonist did at times, and it wasn’t a positive experience to reach this revelation. Although, as a feminist and teacher of teenagers, I do find it fascinating to be reminded of how shit girls and women are made to feel about themselves at all times. It’s a wonder any of us survive with any self-esteem whatsoever.
I would recommend this book if you enjoy close character studies of fucked up women and toxic relationships.
#actsofdesperation #megannolan #book #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #books #bookselfie #selfie #booklover #bookstagrammer
Fancy reading about a toxic relationship from the point of view of a narrator who has had time to reflect on her behaviours? Then this is the one for you! I really appreciated the honest voice of the narrator who was able to explore and explain her toxic traits and how she had become able and willing to put up with, or even crave abuse.
It’s an extremely triggering book, so you’ll want to check the warnings before reading.
I wouldn’t use the word ‘enjoy’ to describe my feelings of the reading experience, but I was definitely intrigued and stunned by the brutal honesty of it. As a young woman, I definitely felt the same way as the protagonist did at times, and it wasn’t a positive experience to reach this revelation. Although, as a feminist and teacher of teenagers, I do find it fascinating to be reminded of how shit girls and women are made to feel about themselves at all times. It’s a wonder any of us survive with any self-esteem whatsoever.
I would recommend this book if you enjoy close character studies of fucked up women and toxic relationships.
#actsofdesperation #megannolan #book #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #books #bookselfie #selfie #booklover #bookstagrammer
CHECKOUT 19 by CLAIRE-LOUISE BENNETT
I must first thank Saskia from @toppingsbath for putting this book on my radar by inviting me to an author event at the bookshop. I attended the event on Tuesday and it was brilliant — my first proper bookish event. I loved hearing Claire-Louise speak about her amazing book. She was so eloquent, and a very interesting person.
I’ve just finished this book and I thought it was very clever. There’s no plot, necessarily, to speak of, other than the fact that we are following the voice of a young woman as she remembers episodes throughout her life. I’m more inclined to call this book an ode to literature than to call it a novel. The reason is that the writer is constantly referring to works of literature that her narrator has read and the effects they had on her. My wishlist grew by about 30% from reading this!
Bennett is clearly passionate about language and how words overlap with our life experiences. I find this fascinating and the result is something frantic, yet clear. I found myself devouring chunks of this book at a rapid pace because of the stream-like structure. And the result was entirely intense.
I have a massive crush on this writer and can’t wait to read Pond very soon!
#clairelouisebennett #checkout19 #book #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #booklover #bookstagrammer
I must first thank Saskia from @toppingsbath for putting this book on my radar by inviting me to an author event at the bookshop. I attended the event on Tuesday and it was brilliant — my first proper bookish event. I loved hearing Claire-Louise speak about her amazing book. She was so eloquent, and a very interesting person.
I’ve just finished this book and I thought it was very clever. There’s no plot, necessarily, to speak of, other than the fact that we are following the voice of a young woman as she remembers episodes throughout her life. I’m more inclined to call this book an ode to literature than to call it a novel. The reason is that the writer is constantly referring to works of literature that her narrator has read and the effects they had on her. My wishlist grew by about 30% from reading this!
Bennett is clearly passionate about language and how words overlap with our life experiences. I find this fascinating and the result is something frantic, yet clear. I found myself devouring chunks of this book at a rapid pace because of the stream-like structure. And the result was entirely intense.
I have a massive crush on this writer and can’t wait to read Pond very soon!
#clairelouisebennett #checkout19 #book #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #booklover #bookstagrammer
BEAUTIFUL WORLD, WHERE ARE YOU by SALLY ROONEY
When I joined Bookstagram everyone was obsessed with this Rooney woman and I was sceptical. I read Conversations with Friends because I was getting tired of the FOMO. Instantly after finishing, I couldn’t stop smiling. I went out and bought Normal People the next day and fell deeper in love with this writer. Now I’ve read the most highly anticipated book of the year and I can safely say that Sally Rooney is my favourite author. I don’t care if that makes me a basic bitch! My whole identity is that I’m a millennial and the Roonster just gets that. She sees us and she gives words to our unspeakable fears, not just about the impending doom we face in this political climate and the actual climate, but also in our relationships and the way we feel about ourselves.
I won’t outline the plot here because there’s enough of that going on, but I do what to memorialise my feelings of this book so that I can reflect on this later. What Rooney has done is something very few writers can do and that it to write about the everyday and the mundane with a freshness and an honesty that leave me breathless and gasping for more. She’s a phenomenal writer of romance and tension and politics. I predict we’ll be getting a collection of essays from her in the near future.
I loved this book and I’m so happy right now.
#sallyrooney #beautifulworldwhereareyou #book #bookstagram #books #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover
When I joined Bookstagram everyone was obsessed with this Rooney woman and I was sceptical. I read Conversations with Friends because I was getting tired of the FOMO. Instantly after finishing, I couldn’t stop smiling. I went out and bought Normal People the next day and fell deeper in love with this writer. Now I’ve read the most highly anticipated book of the year and I can safely say that Sally Rooney is my favourite author. I don’t care if that makes me a basic bitch! My whole identity is that I’m a millennial and the Roonster just gets that. She sees us and she gives words to our unspeakable fears, not just about the impending doom we face in this political climate and the actual climate, but also in our relationships and the way we feel about ourselves.
I won’t outline the plot here because there’s enough of that going on, but I do what to memorialise my feelings of this book so that I can reflect on this later. What Rooney has done is something very few writers can do and that it to write about the everyday and the mundane with a freshness and an honesty that leave me breathless and gasping for more. She’s a phenomenal writer of romance and tension and politics. I predict we’ll be getting a collection of essays from her in the near future.
I loved this book and I’m so happy right now.
#sallyrooney #beautifulworldwhereareyou #book #bookstagram #books #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover