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707 reviews
Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout
OH WILLIAM! by ELIZABETH STROUT
#bookstagramreadsthebooker
Not my usual thing. And I probably won’t read anything else by this writer. It was clearly well-written — an absolute master class in characterisation and voice, but it’s not for me.
Forgive me if I don’t say anything else about it, but I’d like to save my energy for more exciting books.
Can you tell I’m going through a period of change with my reading habits at the moment?
#book #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecs #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer
#bookstagramreadsthebooker
Not my usual thing. And I probably won’t read anything else by this writer. It was clearly well-written — an absolute master class in characterisation and voice, but it’s not for me.
Forgive me if I don’t say anything else about it, but I’d like to save my energy for more exciting books.
Can you tell I’m going through a period of change with my reading habits at the moment?
#book #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecs #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer
The Employees: A Workplace Novel of the 22nd Century by Olga Ravn
THE EMPLOYEES by OLGA RAVN translated by MARTIN AITKEN
Danish 🇩🇰
This was longlisted for the International Booker last year and I took a long time to get to it. Silly me!
I picked this up to read at 9 p.m. the other night, and I didn’t sleep until I’d read it all (11 p.m. — it’s a very short book).
The novel is made up of a series of statements from employees on board a spaceship. It is unclear why they’re on the ship and it’s unclear what has happened to Earth, but it doesn’t look good.
The employees are made up of humans and humanoids, or AIs, very intelligent AIs. That’s it really, but of course it’s so much more than that.
It’s actually quite brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed this little slice of literary sci-fi.
More Danish books for me, please. Luckily I went mad in the @lollieditions sale, so I have a lot to choose from!
#womenintranslationmonth #danishliterature #bookstagramreadsthebooker #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecs #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookrec
Danish 🇩🇰
This was longlisted for the International Booker last year and I took a long time to get to it. Silly me!
I picked this up to read at 9 p.m. the other night, and I didn’t sleep until I’d read it all (11 p.m. — it’s a very short book).
The novel is made up of a series of statements from employees on board a spaceship. It is unclear why they’re on the ship and it’s unclear what has happened to Earth, but it doesn’t look good.
The employees are made up of humans and humanoids, or AIs, very intelligent AIs. That’s it really, but of course it’s so much more than that.
It’s actually quite brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed this little slice of literary sci-fi.
More Danish books for me, please. Luckily I went mad in the @lollieditions sale, so I have a lot to choose from!
#womenintranslationmonth #danishliterature #bookstagramreadsthebooker #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecs #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookrec
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
THE SEVEN MOONS OF MAALI ALMEIDA by SHEHAN KARUNATILAKA
The Booker made me do it.
And…
I ain’t mad about it.
This Sri Lankan novel has been longlisted for @thebookerprizes 2022, and it is not something I would have read in a million years if it hadn’t been. And this is why I love reading prize longlists because I would have been missing out so much had I not read about Maali Almeida, self-professed photographer, gambler and slut, making his way through the afterlife, figuring out how he died and who dunnit, and making sure his politically charged photos find their way into the right hands.
This book is mainly set in the afterlife, as I mentioned, with Helpers ready to guide Maali through his seven moons before the next step, which could be reincarnation, among other options. There are also monsters lurking in the afterlife who want Maali, so that they can get their revenge on the living. The year is 1990 and Sri Lanka is in the midst of civil war, meaning there is a lot of brutality and a lot of unnecessary death.
My experience with this book was like nothing else. To begin with, I felt bogged down in the politics and I couldn’t understand a lot of the references, but my desire to learn, and Maali’s strong voice kept me reading. There were still times when I felt lost, but ultimately I thought this book was bloody brilliant, and a real achievement. It deserves to be shortlisted, and while it’s not my favourite, I would not be sorry if it won the prize.
I will say that this book asks a lot of its reader. You can’t simply relax while reading this book. It is challenging in every sense, but what a pay off! I now know more about Sri Lankan history, and I’ve met the unapologetically gay slut that is Maali Almeida!
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramreadsthebooker #bookerprize #bookerprize2022 #bookreview #thesevenmoonsofmaalialmeida #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecs #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewsofinstagram
The Booker made me do it.
And…
I ain’t mad about it.
This Sri Lankan novel has been longlisted for @thebookerprizes 2022, and it is not something I would have read in a million years if it hadn’t been. And this is why I love reading prize longlists because I would have been missing out so much had I not read about Maali Almeida, self-professed photographer, gambler and slut, making his way through the afterlife, figuring out how he died and who dunnit, and making sure his politically charged photos find their way into the right hands.
This book is mainly set in the afterlife, as I mentioned, with Helpers ready to guide Maali through his seven moons before the next step, which could be reincarnation, among other options. There are also monsters lurking in the afterlife who want Maali, so that they can get their revenge on the living. The year is 1990 and Sri Lanka is in the midst of civil war, meaning there is a lot of brutality and a lot of unnecessary death.
My experience with this book was like nothing else. To begin with, I felt bogged down in the politics and I couldn’t understand a lot of the references, but my desire to learn, and Maali’s strong voice kept me reading. There were still times when I felt lost, but ultimately I thought this book was bloody brilliant, and a real achievement. It deserves to be shortlisted, and while it’s not my favourite, I would not be sorry if it won the prize.
I will say that this book asks a lot of its reader. You can’t simply relax while reading this book. It is challenging in every sense, but what a pay off! I now know more about Sri Lankan history, and I’ve met the unapologetically gay slut that is Maali Almeida!
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramreadsthebooker #bookerprize #bookerprize2022 #bookreview #thesevenmoonsofmaalialmeida #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecs #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewsofinstagram
Women Dreaming by Salma
WOMEN DREAMING by SALMA translated by MEEN KANDASAMY
Women in Translation Month
India 🇮🇳
A novel set in a small Muslim village in India, following a family that is abused by a patriarch who uses Islam as an excuse for his vile behaviour.
I was so frustrated for a big proportion of this book because the bully was causing so much hurt and pain to his sister and mother and wife and daughter and mother-in-law and his second wife. Basically every woman in his life was under his cruel control. There was some small light when the women were able to find ways to find joy, but for the most part this book was horribly depressing.
In terms of style, the writer uses a lot of repetition, and I wonder if we needed to be told the same things quite so many times — it certainly helped to add to the oppressive feeling throughout the novel.
I did love how simplistic the writing was and I found the message of the book to be very important.
#book #bookstagram #tiltedaxispress #bookreview #bookstagrammer #womenintranslation #womenintranslationmonth #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreaders #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram
Women in Translation Month
India 🇮🇳
A novel set in a small Muslim village in India, following a family that is abused by a patriarch who uses Islam as an excuse for his vile behaviour.
I was so frustrated for a big proportion of this book because the bully was causing so much hurt and pain to his sister and mother and wife and daughter and mother-in-law and his second wife. Basically every woman in his life was under his cruel control. There was some small light when the women were able to find ways to find joy, but for the most part this book was horribly depressing.
In terms of style, the writer uses a lot of repetition, and I wonder if we needed to be told the same things quite so many times — it certainly helped to add to the oppressive feeling throughout the novel.
I did love how simplistic the writing was and I found the message of the book to be very important.
#book #bookstagram #tiltedaxispress #bookreview #bookstagrammer #womenintranslation #womenintranslationmonth #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreaders #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram
The Healing by Gayl Jones
THE HEALING by GAYL JONES
This is my second Jones book. My first was Corregidora; one of my favourite books ever. The Healing is a different beast altogether.
Jones’s The Healing is about an African American spiritual healer and the story of how she became a healer. Her story involves a lot of dialogue with a lot of men she meets and the alternative rock star she manages. But Harlan — the protagonist — is a beautician by trade, like her mum and granny before her. Her husband or ex-husband is an anthropologist who is interested in African healers. There’s also a Black German character who’s incredibly paranoid and through whom we learn that there have been Black people in Germany for centuries and not just ex-slaves. There’s the Italian woman who wants to stay with her South African husband but she’s afraid of deportation. I could go on, but I’ll save some for you to discover.
There are so many interesting characters in this book and they are all given ample space to develop and tell their stories. The novel is full of monologues and repetition and at times it feels almost rhythmic. Each character’s voice is loud and clear in my head even now.
Although, Joan, the rock star, stared to try on my nerves, I defy anyone not to fall in love with Harlan; she was an utter delight and I’d love her to do my nails and makeup while we have a good chat.
This book is not like many other books I’ve read. It’s unique. And it’s gorgeous.
This is my second Jones book. My first was Corregidora; one of my favourite books ever. The Healing is a different beast altogether.
Jones’s The Healing is about an African American spiritual healer and the story of how she became a healer. Her story involves a lot of dialogue with a lot of men she meets and the alternative rock star she manages. But Harlan — the protagonist — is a beautician by trade, like her mum and granny before her. Her husband or ex-husband is an anthropologist who is interested in African healers. There’s also a Black German character who’s incredibly paranoid and through whom we learn that there have been Black people in Germany for centuries and not just ex-slaves. There’s the Italian woman who wants to stay with her South African husband but she’s afraid of deportation. I could go on, but I’ll save some for you to discover.
There are so many interesting characters in this book and they are all given ample space to develop and tell their stories. The novel is full of monologues and repetition and at times it feels almost rhythmic. Each character’s voice is loud and clear in my head even now.
Although, Joan, the rock star, stared to try on my nerves, I defy anyone not to fall in love with Harlan; she was an utter delight and I’d love her to do my nails and makeup while we have a good chat.
This book is not like many other books I’ve read. It’s unique. And it’s gorgeous.
Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin
FRESH WATER FOR FLOWERS by VALERIE PERRIN translated by HILDEGARDE SEARLE
France 🇫🇷
#womenintranslationmonth
What an absolutely beautiful novel. This is the most perfect book for times when all you want is to sink into a good, long book.
It’s French and set in France and follows a woman from various points in her life; the novel switches easily from past to present until the whole story comes together.
There are moments of pure, utter heartbreak in this novel, but there are also moments of heart wrenching joy. I can’t really fault this book.
Trigger warnings a-plenty, but all triggering content is dealt with in a sensitive manner and is not gratuitous.
The main bulk of the novel is set in a cemetery where the protagonist works and lives as a cemetery minder, and I really enjoyed this unique setting and its ability to allow the reader to explore the beauty of life and death; something that is not normally easy to do.
I took a photo of this book wrapped in blankets because that’s how this book made me feel; like I was wrapped up and safe.
#freshwaterforflowers #valerieperrin #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreaders #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram
France 🇫🇷
#womenintranslationmonth
What an absolutely beautiful novel. This is the most perfect book for times when all you want is to sink into a good, long book.
It’s French and set in France and follows a woman from various points in her life; the novel switches easily from past to present until the whole story comes together.
There are moments of pure, utter heartbreak in this novel, but there are also moments of heart wrenching joy. I can’t really fault this book.
Trigger warnings a-plenty, but all triggering content is dealt with in a sensitive manner and is not gratuitous.
The main bulk of the novel is set in a cemetery where the protagonist works and lives as a cemetery minder, and I really enjoyed this unique setting and its ability to allow the reader to explore the beauty of life and death; something that is not normally easy to do.
I took a photo of this book wrapped in blankets because that’s how this book made me feel; like I was wrapped up and safe.
#freshwaterforflowers #valerieperrin #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreaders #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram
The Trees by Percival Everett
THE TREES by PERCIVAL EVERETT
@thebookerprizes #bookstagramreadsthebooker
A crime thriller; a genre I actively avoid. I read the blurb once the Longlist had been announced and decided not to read this one. I was then inundated with messages from people telling me I HAD to read this.
You guys had my back. This. Was. Outstanding. Outstanding.
Yes, it is a crime thriller. And yes, it does feature the tropes of crime thrillers which I despise: brutal murders, mystery, cliche detectives. BUT Everett is clearly a pro because he handles all of these tropes with a fresh, self-aware, cheeky, ironic point of view.
Also, and this was the main reason I loved this, he — oh, actually, that’s a spoiler. So the thing I loved most about it, I can’t tell you but it’s to do with how the writer handled racism in America. And this is a teeny tiny spoiler, but the bit with D****d T****p was satirical genius. Genius. Huge big genius. The most genius I’ve ever seen. And I know a lot of genius. Genius loves me and I love genius.
This HAS to be on the shortlist or I’ll riot.
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookrelease #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookreccomendation #percivaleverett #percivaleverettthetrees
@thebookerprizes #bookstagramreadsthebooker
A crime thriller; a genre I actively avoid. I read the blurb once the Longlist had been announced and decided not to read this one. I was then inundated with messages from people telling me I HAD to read this.
You guys had my back. This. Was. Outstanding. Outstanding.
Yes, it is a crime thriller. And yes, it does feature the tropes of crime thrillers which I despise: brutal murders, mystery, cliche detectives. BUT Everett is clearly a pro because he handles all of these tropes with a fresh, self-aware, cheeky, ironic point of view.
Also, and this was the main reason I loved this, he — oh, actually, that’s a spoiler. So the thing I loved most about it, I can’t tell you but it’s to do with how the writer handled racism in America. And this is a teeny tiny spoiler, but the bit with D****d T****p was satirical genius. Genius. Huge big genius. The most genius I’ve ever seen. And I know a lot of genius. Genius loves me and I love genius.
This HAS to be on the shortlist or I’ll riot.
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookrelease #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookreccomendation #percivaleverett #percivaleverettthetrees
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
BREASTS AND EGGS by MIEKO KAWAKAMI translated by SAM BETT and DAVID BOYD
Japan 🇯🇵
This is one of those books that I had on my kindle and dipped in and out of. Initially, I never felt any pull to read this book, but I persevered because it had so many good reviews. I’m not sure exactly how long it took me to read in the end — over a year, I think. It was the final thirty percent that I really enjoyed, though. That’s, therefore, what the remainder of my review will be based upon:
A single woman wants to have a baby, but she has no desire to have sex — she tried it and it wasn’t for her. She doesn’t really want a relationship either. She’s quite happy being alone. Well, happy might be the wrong word seeing as no one is happy in this novel. But that’s ok. Most people in real life aren’t happy either. So the plot is basically this woman talking to friends and acquaintances about her desire to be a single mother, and hearing their points of view. This is where it gets interesting because it becomes a question for feminist study and that intrigued me. Although I have no real interest in motherhood myself (in fact, I tend to avoid books with that as their central theme) I was still intrigued by these dialogues; they felt important.
It’s really tough for me to review this book well when I read the beginning over a year ago and the middle felt so stodgy that I can hardly remember it (something about throwing eggs around and an elective mute teenager?!) so don’t take my word for anything. In fact, don’t bother reading this review. Sorry if you made it this far…
#book #bookstagram #womenintranslationmonth #japaneseliterature #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #breastsandeggs #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram
Japan 🇯🇵
This is one of those books that I had on my kindle and dipped in and out of. Initially, I never felt any pull to read this book, but I persevered because it had so many good reviews. I’m not sure exactly how long it took me to read in the end — over a year, I think. It was the final thirty percent that I really enjoyed, though. That’s, therefore, what the remainder of my review will be based upon:
A single woman wants to have a baby, but she has no desire to have sex — she tried it and it wasn’t for her. She doesn’t really want a relationship either. She’s quite happy being alone. Well, happy might be the wrong word seeing as no one is happy in this novel. But that’s ok. Most people in real life aren’t happy either. So the plot is basically this woman talking to friends and acquaintances about her desire to be a single mother, and hearing their points of view. This is where it gets interesting because it becomes a question for feminist study and that intrigued me. Although I have no real interest in motherhood myself (in fact, I tend to avoid books with that as their central theme) I was still intrigued by these dialogues; they felt important.
It’s really tough for me to review this book well when I read the beginning over a year ago and the middle felt so stodgy that I can hardly remember it (something about throwing eggs around and an elective mute teenager?!) so don’t take my word for anything. In fact, don’t bother reading this review. Sorry if you made it this far…
#book #bookstagram #womenintranslationmonth #japaneseliterature #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #breastsandeggs #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram
Father May Be an Elephant and Mother Only a Small Basket, But... by Gogu Shyamala
FATHER MAY BE AN ELEPHANT, AND MOTHER A SMALL BASKET, BUT… by GOGU SHYAMALA
India 🇮🇳
A title with punctuation and a cliffhanger, how could I not purchase and devour this book? And that cover art? It had me at hello.
This is my first completed book for Women in Translation Month because a certain book prize got in my way.
It was a great way to kick off because it’s a collection of short stories translated from Telagu by various writers. The stories are so culturally different from almost anything else I’ve ever read, so it took me a few stories to get into it, but once I got the hang of it, I was hooked.
Mostly, these stories are about a lower caste of Indian people; people who tend the land, and by birth are inferior to other castes in society. This can mean that, in some cases, they can’t even make eye contact with those more superior. Patriarchy also seems to rule the lives of these characters. But among all of that, there was an everyday life, and sometimes, real beauty.
Approach these stories with the expectation that you’re going to enter a new culture (assuming you don’t know much about south eastern India) and you will be quietly swept away.
#witmonth #womenintranslation #telaguliterature #telagu #gogushyamala #book #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk
India 🇮🇳
A title with punctuation and a cliffhanger, how could I not purchase and devour this book? And that cover art? It had me at hello.
This is my first completed book for Women in Translation Month because a certain book prize got in my way.
It was a great way to kick off because it’s a collection of short stories translated from Telagu by various writers. The stories are so culturally different from almost anything else I’ve ever read, so it took me a few stories to get into it, but once I got the hang of it, I was hooked.
Mostly, these stories are about a lower caste of Indian people; people who tend the land, and by birth are inferior to other castes in society. This can mean that, in some cases, they can’t even make eye contact with those more superior. Patriarchy also seems to rule the lives of these characters. But among all of that, there was an everyday life, and sometimes, real beauty.
Approach these stories with the expectation that you’re going to enter a new culture (assuming you don’t know much about south eastern India) and you will be quietly swept away.
#witmonth #womenintranslation #telaguliterature #telagu #gogushyamala #book #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk