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libbysbookshelf's Reviews (745)
CHAMPIONESS by SHANKER, ZEKAS, PUENTES
AD-PR @turnaround_books
This graphic novel packs a punch (sorry, I had to say it!). It’s a comic about eighteenth century boxing legend Elizabeth Wilkinson and her journey from extremes poverty to stardom.
I loved the illustrations, which were so full of emotion and character. And I loved the dialogue, which was short and snappy but also conveyed the personalities of each of the characters.
Great for graphic novel lovers and fans of historical fiction.
#book #graphicnovel #comicbook #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #championess #elizabethwilkinson #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover
AD-PR @turnaround_books
This graphic novel packs a punch (sorry, I had to say it!). It’s a comic about eighteenth century boxing legend Elizabeth Wilkinson and her journey from extremes poverty to stardom.
I loved the illustrations, which were so full of emotion and character. And I loved the dialogue, which was short and snappy but also conveyed the personalities of each of the characters.
Great for graphic novel lovers and fans of historical fiction.
#book #graphicnovel #comicbook #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #championess #elizabethwilkinson #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover
LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND by RUMAAN ALAM
A book that is called unnerving and compared to Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go by none other than Carmen Maria Machado is always going to be a book that I have to read. And I can report that Machado was right; this book was extremely unnerving.
Now, I’m not a regular thriller or horror or dystopia reader so I could be overreacting when I say that this book was terrifying! A happy family going on holiday to ‘leave the world behind’ end up literally leaving the world behind… There is stuff that happened in here that I know full well I’ll have a nightmare about tonight. No spoilers, but if you’ve read it, I’ll just say ‘teeth’ and you should know what I mean.
Reading thrillers is always tricky for me because I don’t necessarily enjoy the reading experience, even though I’m turning pages faster than an Olympic reader. I like tension, but I don’t like books that make you desperate to get to the end to find out what happens. I like books that can be enjoyed for the journey.
Although some negative reviews go after Alam’s writing, I can’t agree there. I think he’s a very good writer and I like the omniscient, teasing narrator and the writing style felt modern and pacy. What I can agree on, though, is that I’m not sure if I enjoyed this book. I’m still thinking about it. But I’m glad it’s over with.
Can we all just take better care of the planet, please?
#leavetheworldbehind #rumaanalam #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover
A book that is called unnerving and compared to Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go by none other than Carmen Maria Machado is always going to be a book that I have to read. And I can report that Machado was right; this book was extremely unnerving.
Now, I’m not a regular thriller or horror or dystopia reader so I could be overreacting when I say that this book was terrifying! A happy family going on holiday to ‘leave the world behind’ end up literally leaving the world behind… There is stuff that happened in here that I know full well I’ll have a nightmare about tonight. No spoilers, but if you’ve read it, I’ll just say ‘teeth’ and you should know what I mean.
Reading thrillers is always tricky for me because I don’t necessarily enjoy the reading experience, even though I’m turning pages faster than an Olympic reader. I like tension, but I don’t like books that make you desperate to get to the end to find out what happens. I like books that can be enjoyed for the journey.
Although some negative reviews go after Alam’s writing, I can’t agree there. I think he’s a very good writer and I like the omniscient, teasing narrator and the writing style felt modern and pacy. What I can agree on, though, is that I’m not sure if I enjoyed this book. I’m still thinking about it. But I’m glad it’s over with.
Can we all just take better care of the planet, please?
#leavetheworldbehind #rumaanalam #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover
THE ISLAND by ANA MARIA MATUTE
Set during the Spanish civil war on Mallorca, this coming of age novel is dark and oppressive.
Cousins Matia and Borja live on the island with their tyrannical grandmother, aunt, housekeeper and their tutor, who has a racist nickname. They’re constantly trying to escape the oppressive house and run wild near the sea and down the Slope. They steal cigarettes and alcohol and smoke and drink together. But neither one is happy. And neither one really likes the other. Then Matia learns of the mistreatment of the Jewish people in fifteenth century and witnesses anti Semitic actions in the present day. She befriends a young Jewish boy to whom she is drawn, but her life becomes more tense as she learns more and more about the world she inhabits.
Compared to a ‘lost Eden and a Neverland combined, where ancient hatred and present-day passions collide.’
A difficult, but worthwhile read.
Perfect reading scenario would be on a beach in a hot country, where the days seem endless and the heat almost unbearable. Take me there now!
#book #bookstagram #womenintranslation #witmonth #womenintranslationmonth #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #theisland #anamariamatute
Set during the Spanish civil war on Mallorca, this coming of age novel is dark and oppressive.
Cousins Matia and Borja live on the island with their tyrannical grandmother, aunt, housekeeper and their tutor, who has a racist nickname. They’re constantly trying to escape the oppressive house and run wild near the sea and down the Slope. They steal cigarettes and alcohol and smoke and drink together. But neither one is happy. And neither one really likes the other. Then Matia learns of the mistreatment of the Jewish people in fifteenth century and witnesses anti Semitic actions in the present day. She befriends a young Jewish boy to whom she is drawn, but her life becomes more tense as she learns more and more about the world she inhabits.
Compared to a ‘lost Eden and a Neverland combined, where ancient hatred and present-day passions collide.’
A difficult, but worthwhile read.
Perfect reading scenario would be on a beach in a hot country, where the days seem endless and the heat almost unbearable. Take me there now!
#book #bookstagram #womenintranslation #witmonth #womenintranslationmonth #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #theisland #anamariamatute
MY BRILLIANT FRIEND by ELENA FERRANTE translated by ANN GOLDSTEIN
I want to start this review by saying that my grandmother was born and raised near Naples in a small neighbourhood filled with family and friends just like the one in this book. I have visited this neighbourhood and I imagine it looks similar now to how it looked then and I imagine the same is true of the one in this book.
This book is quintessentially Italian. It captures exactly what it means to be an Italian girl growing up in an impoverished community in 1950s Naples. The passions of the characters were evident in their regular declarations of love and promises to kill themselves or someone they love if they don’t get their way.
At the centre of this story is the friendship between Lenu and Lila; two girls who just grow up among these passionate men who fight and leer and jeer and declare love. They are both brilliant in school but only one (our narrator) is given the opportunity to continue studying. For her, being the most praised and adored of the two is her driving force. But her friend is the most beautiful and intelligent girl the town has ever seen.
This is number one of the Neapolitan Quartet and it’s a coming of age story with pure passion and honesty like I have never read before. Ferrante understands and remembers exactly how it felt to be a young girl and she renders it beautifully on the page.
I must shout out the translator who used the Italian syntax throughout and made me feel like I could have been reading the book in Italian (#flex).
All that’s left to say is I can’t wait to read the rest!
#elenaferrante #mybrilliantfriend #neapolitanquartet #witmonth #womenintranslation #womenintranslationmonth #books #book #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookgrammers #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #italianliterature
I want to start this review by saying that my grandmother was born and raised near Naples in a small neighbourhood filled with family and friends just like the one in this book. I have visited this neighbourhood and I imagine it looks similar now to how it looked then and I imagine the same is true of the one in this book.
This book is quintessentially Italian. It captures exactly what it means to be an Italian girl growing up in an impoverished community in 1950s Naples. The passions of the characters were evident in their regular declarations of love and promises to kill themselves or someone they love if they don’t get their way.
At the centre of this story is the friendship between Lenu and Lila; two girls who just grow up among these passionate men who fight and leer and jeer and declare love. They are both brilliant in school but only one (our narrator) is given the opportunity to continue studying. For her, being the most praised and adored of the two is her driving force. But her friend is the most beautiful and intelligent girl the town has ever seen.
This is number one of the Neapolitan Quartet and it’s a coming of age story with pure passion and honesty like I have never read before. Ferrante understands and remembers exactly how it felt to be a young girl and she renders it beautifully on the page.
I must shout out the translator who used the Italian syntax throughout and made me feel like I could have been reading the book in Italian (#flex).
All that’s left to say is I can’t wait to read the rest!
#elenaferrante #mybrilliantfriend #neapolitanquartet #witmonth #womenintranslation #womenintranslationmonth #books #book #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookgrammers #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #italianliterature
INSATIABLE by DAISY BUCHANAN
I read this because I wanted something dark and sensual about food and sex. I think I was expecting Milk Fed or Supper Club, but this book was just a little too perky for me. I need darkness in my millennial literature — think Sally Rooney and Raven Leilani. This definitely had elements of those writers, but ultimately it felt a little too easy.
Now don’t get me wrong, there were parts of this book that I loved, including the many, many saucy sex and orgy scenes and the profound thoughts about female body image and sexuality (very relevant to my field of study). But something was lacking for my tastes.
Love the cover of this book so much, though!
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #booklover
I read this because I wanted something dark and sensual about food and sex. I think I was expecting Milk Fed or Supper Club, but this book was just a little too perky for me. I need darkness in my millennial literature — think Sally Rooney and Raven Leilani. This definitely had elements of those writers, but ultimately it felt a little too easy.
Now don’t get me wrong, there were parts of this book that I loved, including the many, many saucy sex and orgy scenes and the profound thoughts about female body image and sexuality (very relevant to my field of study). But something was lacking for my tastes.
Love the cover of this book so much, though!
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #booklover
SECOND PLACE by RACHEL CUSK
And this is my second Booker Prize 2021 read as well. Funny.
The main bulk of this novel takes place over a hot summer in two houses built near marshland. Both houses are owned by the narrator and her husband and they often invite artists to come and stay in the second place. This particular summer, an eccentric old artist has come to stay and has brought his young, beautiful girlfriend. The narrator’s daughter is also there with her boyfriend. And it is among these characters that we learn a lot more about the narrator and how she sees the world as a woman and a mother.
This was my first Cusk experience and the flow of the prose and the strength of voice were so iconic, I’m sure I could pick out a Cusk sentence in a lineup. There was something of the Carter, Atwood, Smith, Moss, Lahiri in her style as well, though. I found myself extremely pensive while reading this over the course of two sittings and I loved the feeling.
If you like quiet books, with a limited pool of characters, set in one location over a period of time, then this is for you. It feels like a perfect summer read, contrary to what gossip mags would have us believe constitutes a summer read!
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramreadsthebooker #rachelcusk #secondplace #book #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer
And this is my second Booker Prize 2021 read as well. Funny.
The main bulk of this novel takes place over a hot summer in two houses built near marshland. Both houses are owned by the narrator and her husband and they often invite artists to come and stay in the second place. This particular summer, an eccentric old artist has come to stay and has brought his young, beautiful girlfriend. The narrator’s daughter is also there with her boyfriend. And it is among these characters that we learn a lot more about the narrator and how she sees the world as a woman and a mother.
This was my first Cusk experience and the flow of the prose and the strength of voice were so iconic, I’m sure I could pick out a Cusk sentence in a lineup. There was something of the Carter, Atwood, Smith, Moss, Lahiri in her style as well, though. I found myself extremely pensive while reading this over the course of two sittings and I loved the feeling.
If you like quiet books, with a limited pool of characters, set in one location over a period of time, then this is for you. It feels like a perfect summer read, contrary to what gossip mags would have us believe constitutes a summer read!
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramreadsthebooker #rachelcusk #secondplace #book #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer
MRS CALIBAN by RACHEL INGALLS
Written in 1975 by an American writer, first published in the U.K. in 1982, winner of accolades by 1986 — including one of the best post-war American novels — Mrs Caliban is a book that is well ahead of its time.
The plot is one that is sure to entice fans of The Pisces and The Shape of Water. A suburban housewife with an unfaithful husband, a dead child and a recent miscarriage falls in love with a frog-like sea monster, who is wanted by the authorities for murdering the scientists who experimented on him.
Intriguing, right?!
What follows is a story about female desire, love, eroticism, but also grief and loss and madness. It’s a good one because it’s both plot and character driven, so we can all unite over this feminist masterpiece.
The only whiff of the 70s is the fact that our protagonist is a housewife — although I’m well aware they still exist today, just maybe not in this capacity. Other than that, the observations were beautiful and on point, as far as I’m concerned.
I was especially interested to see that this book is beloved by Black and white, make and female authors (from the reviews on the back) and I think that’s because the allegory of a sea monster who is hated simply because he is different is something that resonates with anyone who’s experienced racism or prejudice of any kind.
I’m so glad this book was recently republished and I’m so glad I read it straight away because — despite the sometimes difficult thoughts about grief — I really enjoyed this novel.
A clever writer is one who can write about a heartache that feels real and an empathetic protagonist without making the reader feel the need to cry their eyes out. No gratuitous misery porn here.
Let me know your thoughts if you’ve read this. It not, I can already think of at least one Bookstagrammer who I know will love this. You know who you are 😉
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #mrscaliban #rachelingalls #book #booklover #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer
Written in 1975 by an American writer, first published in the U.K. in 1982, winner of accolades by 1986 — including one of the best post-war American novels — Mrs Caliban is a book that is well ahead of its time.
The plot is one that is sure to entice fans of The Pisces and The Shape of Water. A suburban housewife with an unfaithful husband, a dead child and a recent miscarriage falls in love with a frog-like sea monster, who is wanted by the authorities for murdering the scientists who experimented on him.
Intriguing, right?!
What follows is a story about female desire, love, eroticism, but also grief and loss and madness. It’s a good one because it’s both plot and character driven, so we can all unite over this feminist masterpiece.
The only whiff of the 70s is the fact that our protagonist is a housewife — although I’m well aware they still exist today, just maybe not in this capacity. Other than that, the observations were beautiful and on point, as far as I’m concerned.
I was especially interested to see that this book is beloved by Black and white, make and female authors (from the reviews on the back) and I think that’s because the allegory of a sea monster who is hated simply because he is different is something that resonates with anyone who’s experienced racism or prejudice of any kind.
I’m so glad this book was recently republished and I’m so glad I read it straight away because — despite the sometimes difficult thoughts about grief — I really enjoyed this novel.
A clever writer is one who can write about a heartache that feels real and an empathetic protagonist without making the reader feel the need to cry their eyes out. No gratuitous misery porn here.
Let me know your thoughts if you’ve read this. It not, I can already think of at least one Bookstagrammer who I know will love this. You know who you are 😉
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #mrscaliban #rachelingalls #book #booklover #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer
CORREGIDORA by GAYL JONES
Where has this book been hiding all my life?! This was written in 1975 but I’d never heard of it or the writer until a few months ago. And now I hear that she has a new book coming out this year! Very excited.
You can probably see the quote from Toni Morrison on the front and there is one from James Baldwin on the inside. I think that tells us enough about what we are dealing with her. Genius. Pure literary genius. I’d go as far as to compare this to The Street by Ann Petry and The Color Purple by Alice Walker and some of the earlier Morrison books.
I simply cannot believe this book isn’t in the mainstream. Please help to rectify that by going out and buying everything you can by Gayl Jones because she deserves and you deserve this level of beauty in your life.
The story is about a woman and a terrible fight she has with her husband, after which she is unable to ever get pregnant. She is also obsessed with the story of her past and her relatives who were slaves for a Brazilian plantation owner named CORREGIDORA. It is the ‘responsibility’ of all the women to have children and teach them about the horrific past of the women in their family.
The story offers such a unique perspective on slavery — it’s still unbelievably brutal, but there is a level of obsession and hatred that I’ve never seen presented in quite this way.
I’m calling in all my favours here — not that you owe me anything — but please, please read this book.
As soon as I can I’ll be buying the rest of her published works.
#book #corregidora #gayljones #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer
Where has this book been hiding all my life?! This was written in 1975 but I’d never heard of it or the writer until a few months ago. And now I hear that she has a new book coming out this year! Very excited.
You can probably see the quote from Toni Morrison on the front and there is one from James Baldwin on the inside. I think that tells us enough about what we are dealing with her. Genius. Pure literary genius. I’d go as far as to compare this to The Street by Ann Petry and The Color Purple by Alice Walker and some of the earlier Morrison books.
I simply cannot believe this book isn’t in the mainstream. Please help to rectify that by going out and buying everything you can by Gayl Jones because she deserves and you deserve this level of beauty in your life.
The story is about a woman and a terrible fight she has with her husband, after which she is unable to ever get pregnant. She is also obsessed with the story of her past and her relatives who were slaves for a Brazilian plantation owner named CORREGIDORA. It is the ‘responsibility’ of all the women to have children and teach them about the horrific past of the women in their family.
The story offers such a unique perspective on slavery — it’s still unbelievably brutal, but there is a level of obsession and hatred that I’ve never seen presented in quite this way.
I’m calling in all my favours here — not that you owe me anything — but please, please read this book.
As soon as I can I’ll be buying the rest of her published works.
#book #corregidora #gayljones #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer
SWALLOWING GEOGRAPHY by DEBORAH LEVY
Love this cover, the contents, not as much. It’s a book that experiments with structure, which — when done well — can be great. This was a little middle of the road for me.
The concept is great; a girl who travels a lot and meets up with strangers and — generally — has sex with them. She collects memories and mementos, and these appear to the reader out of chronological order, which can be annoying because you have to work hard and not just sit back and be entertained. I love books like this. I love something I don’t expect that makes me work for a payoff. I wonder if I need to be in the right mood for it, though.
Anyway, in general, Levy is outstanding. She’s a brilliant writer and she writes about being a foreigner or an outsider in such a precise way.
This strange little book is one that will leave anyone who’s ever felt like an emigre feeling seen. It will give you lots to think about and it will challenge you.
I think on the right day I would have loved this book. But today I just liked it.
#swallowinggeography #deborahlevy #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer
Love this cover, the contents, not as much. It’s a book that experiments with structure, which — when done well — can be great. This was a little middle of the road for me.
The concept is great; a girl who travels a lot and meets up with strangers and — generally — has sex with them. She collects memories and mementos, and these appear to the reader out of chronological order, which can be annoying because you have to work hard and not just sit back and be entertained. I love books like this. I love something I don’t expect that makes me work for a payoff. I wonder if I need to be in the right mood for it, though.
Anyway, in general, Levy is outstanding. She’s a brilliant writer and she writes about being a foreigner or an outsider in such a precise way.
This strange little book is one that will leave anyone who’s ever felt like an emigre feeling seen. It will give you lots to think about and it will challenge you.
I think on the right day I would have loved this book. But today I just liked it.
#swallowinggeography #deborahlevy #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer
MAGMA by THORA HJORLEIFSDOTTIR translated by MEG MATICH
[AD-PR] thanks @picadorbooks for sending me this one and thanks to @normalreaders for raving about this book so much that I just had to get it and read it!
I read it nonstop this morning. The story is about a young woman who falls in love with a man who manipulates and gaslights her.
I’m sure most of us have a had a friend like Lilja, who stays with a man despite it being obvious to everyone that he is abusing her mentally. No one can ever figure out why she is staying with the guy or why she becomes more and more withdrawn, depressed even. All we know is it is difficult to be around that friend because she makes us uncomfortable and we can’t understand why she won’t just leave the guy. Maybe you’ve been a Lilja yourself and you see now how obvious it is that the guy was a creep, but at the time you were completely smitten and would do anything for the guy.
As I read the book, my anger grew and grew until I hoped the book would end as a vengeance book wherein all the men who had done wrong would get a horrible punishment. In real life I actually believe in rehabilitation, but book-reading Libby just wanted to see these guys suffer! 👀
Anyway, this book was sensational. Written in such a way that it felt effortless; completely compulsive. I challenge you not to finish this in one sitting.
Another great choice for Women in Translation Month. This time we’re in Iceland.
#book #magma #thórahjörleifsdóttir #bookstagram #womenintranslation #womenintranslationmonth #bookstagrammer #icelandicliterature #witmonth #bookrecommendations #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookreview
[AD-PR] thanks @picadorbooks for sending me this one and thanks to @normalreaders for raving about this book so much that I just had to get it and read it!
I read it nonstop this morning. The story is about a young woman who falls in love with a man who manipulates and gaslights her.
I’m sure most of us have a had a friend like Lilja, who stays with a man despite it being obvious to everyone that he is abusing her mentally. No one can ever figure out why she is staying with the guy or why she becomes more and more withdrawn, depressed even. All we know is it is difficult to be around that friend because she makes us uncomfortable and we can’t understand why she won’t just leave the guy. Maybe you’ve been a Lilja yourself and you see now how obvious it is that the guy was a creep, but at the time you were completely smitten and would do anything for the guy.
As I read the book, my anger grew and grew until I hoped the book would end as a vengeance book wherein all the men who had done wrong would get a horrible punishment. In real life I actually believe in rehabilitation, but book-reading Libby just wanted to see these guys suffer! 👀
Anyway, this book was sensational. Written in such a way that it felt effortless; completely compulsive. I challenge you not to finish this in one sitting.
Another great choice for Women in Translation Month. This time we’re in Iceland.
#book #magma #thórahjörleifsdóttir #bookstagram #womenintranslation #womenintranslationmonth #bookstagrammer #icelandicliterature #witmonth #bookrecommendations #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookreview