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libbysbookshelf's Reviews (745)
challenging
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
THE PUSH by ASHLEY AUDRAIN
Thanks for the #gifted book @tandemcollectiveuk and thanks for letting me be a part of this readalong.
You may have seen my stories or highlights already for this book, in which case, you’ll already know how I feel about this book and about thrillers in general. It’s just not my genre.
For those of you who love a thriller, this has it all! Short chapters to keep it pacy and a protagonist with no personality so that you can superimpose yourself or whoever you want into her position. Clever writing for genre fiction, but not my kinda thing.
This book was good because I read it all and I didn’t dare stop because I needed to know how it ended. BUT is that a sign of a good book? Genuine question. Is it more important that you enjoy the journey the book took you on or is it more important that you’re satisfied with the destination? I often read reviews that say they hated the book because they hated the ending, but that’s like 10% of the book. Why judge the whole thing on that alone?
In truth there were parts of this book that made me uncomfortable, a feeling I normally relish in literature, but in this case, I felt used and abused by the writer. Did she need to put me through that? I’m not so sure.
There was a small section of this book that had me like, “damn! That was good!” But I won’t say on here cos it’s a spoiler. If anyone wants to know, DM me. Other than that, this book was not for me.
If you are a thriller fan, seek out a review written by a fellow thriller fan and they might give you a better idea.
#book #bookstagram #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #books #bookshelf
Thanks for the #gifted book @tandemcollectiveuk and thanks for letting me be a part of this readalong.
You may have seen my stories or highlights already for this book, in which case, you’ll already know how I feel about this book and about thrillers in general. It’s just not my genre.
For those of you who love a thriller, this has it all! Short chapters to keep it pacy and a protagonist with no personality so that you can superimpose yourself or whoever you want into her position. Clever writing for genre fiction, but not my kinda thing.
This book was good because I read it all and I didn’t dare stop because I needed to know how it ended. BUT is that a sign of a good book? Genuine question. Is it more important that you enjoy the journey the book took you on or is it more important that you’re satisfied with the destination? I often read reviews that say they hated the book because they hated the ending, but that’s like 10% of the book. Why judge the whole thing on that alone?
In truth there were parts of this book that made me uncomfortable, a feeling I normally relish in literature, but in this case, I felt used and abused by the writer. Did she need to put me through that? I’m not so sure.
There was a small section of this book that had me like, “damn! That was good!” But I won’t say on here cos it’s a spoiler. If anyone wants to know, DM me. Other than that, this book was not for me.
If you are a thriller fan, seek out a review written by a fellow thriller fan and they might give you a better idea.
#book #bookstagram #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #books #bookshelf
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
THE LOVER by MARGUERITE DURAS
My second Duras novel. This was an international bestseller and was adapted for the screen.
The story is about a young French girl living in a French colony in Saigon with her mother and two brothers. The young girl is white and poor and she begins an affair with an older rich, Chinese man, who is obsessed with her (think Humbert Humbert and Lolita).
The story unfolds through a series of non-chronological memories that switch perspective constantly, until you’re not sure who the ‘I’ or ‘she’ or ‘he’ is of whom the writer speaks. There’s this level of confusion, then, and the eroticism, which is unhealthy because of the age difference between the lovers.
It’s their nationalities that ultimately cause problems for the two lovers; a white girl and a Chinese man can’t be together in this society.
This may sound disturbing enough, but the relationships between mother and brothers and daughter, are also quite disturbing. And the writer manages to achieve this level of discomfort mostly through the power of suggestion, with such clever use of language and structure.
I found this quite difficult to focus on and difficult to read but I’m glad I did. It’s an exceptional piece of literature and one that needs to be given space to be appreciated. Don’t be fooled by its short length, it’s definitely not a quick read.
#margueriteduras #thelover #book #frenchliterature #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #bookrecommendation #bookreviews
My second Duras novel. This was an international bestseller and was adapted for the screen.
The story is about a young French girl living in a French colony in Saigon with her mother and two brothers. The young girl is white and poor and she begins an affair with an older rich, Chinese man, who is obsessed with her (think Humbert Humbert and Lolita).
The story unfolds through a series of non-chronological memories that switch perspective constantly, until you’re not sure who the ‘I’ or ‘she’ or ‘he’ is of whom the writer speaks. There’s this level of confusion, then, and the eroticism, which is unhealthy because of the age difference between the lovers.
It’s their nationalities that ultimately cause problems for the two lovers; a white girl and a Chinese man can’t be together in this society.
This may sound disturbing enough, but the relationships between mother and brothers and daughter, are also quite disturbing. And the writer manages to achieve this level of discomfort mostly through the power of suggestion, with such clever use of language and structure.
I found this quite difficult to focus on and difficult to read but I’m glad I did. It’s an exceptional piece of literature and one that needs to be given space to be appreciated. Don’t be fooled by its short length, it’s definitely not a quick read.
#margueriteduras #thelover #book #frenchliterature #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #bookrecommendation #bookreviews
challenging
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
MR LOVERMAN by BERNADINE EVARISTO
Barry and Morris have been lovers since they were teenagers living in Antigua. The only issue is that Barry has been married to Carmel for 50 years and they have two daughters.
Hmmm. How is this one gonna play out?
It was unpredictable, but I think that’s only because I’ve never read anything with a plot like this before.
As always, Evaristo’s prose is full of energy and she brings her characters to life with clear and strong voices. Barry and Carmel are not the easiest people in the world; misogynistic and homophobic respectively, in fact, Barry is even homophobic. But I think Evaristo is trying to show a side of the older generation that is both true and honest and also empathetic, so that we, as readers, can understand where these views come from.
As in GWO, Evaristo writes about love and sex beautifully, especially between older characters. I’d say about 30% of this book was the best thing I’d ever read.
I loved the way Barry spoke and I loved his relationship with Morris and his daughter Maxine. He’s not a perfect person and he’s made sooo many mistakes, but who hasn’t? And why should we look to fiction for perfection?
This was a hugely original read for me and my first #pensionerinthepages experience. Loved.
#mrloverman #bernadineevaristo #book #bookphotography #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #books #bookreviewsofinstagram #booklover #booksleeves #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #bookreviews
Barry and Morris have been lovers since they were teenagers living in Antigua. The only issue is that Barry has been married to Carmel for 50 years and they have two daughters.
Hmmm. How is this one gonna play out?
It was unpredictable, but I think that’s only because I’ve never read anything with a plot like this before.
As always, Evaristo’s prose is full of energy and she brings her characters to life with clear and strong voices. Barry and Carmel are not the easiest people in the world; misogynistic and homophobic respectively, in fact, Barry is even homophobic. But I think Evaristo is trying to show a side of the older generation that is both true and honest and also empathetic, so that we, as readers, can understand where these views come from.
As in GWO, Evaristo writes about love and sex beautifully, especially between older characters. I’d say about 30% of this book was the best thing I’d ever read.
I loved the way Barry spoke and I loved his relationship with Morris and his daughter Maxine. He’s not a perfect person and he’s made sooo many mistakes, but who hasn’t? And why should we look to fiction for perfection?
This was a hugely original read for me and my first #pensionerinthepages experience. Loved.
#mrloverman #bernadineevaristo #book #bookphotography #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #books #bookreviewsofinstagram #booklover #booksleeves #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #bookreviews
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
EARTHLINGS by SAYAKA MURATA
Let me start by saying thanks to @thebooksheelf for reminding me to read this and then being there for me when I needed to ask wtf?! If you are planning to read this, you are in for a treat, but I would advise getting a buddy because you are going to see and feel some weird shit.
I’ll try to give you some idea of the plot, but I’m not sure you’ll believe me... the novel opens with a young girl and her family driving up a mountain for an annual family festival. The young girl is excited to see her cousin and they have lots of... er... fun together. Stuff happens. The girl reveals that she has magical powers and the boy reveals that he’s an alien. More stuff happens and then it ends and you are a panting, husk of a human with no idea what you’ve just read.
If you’re anything like me (and @thebooksheelf ) then you’ll love this!
Isn’t it great when you read so much and yet a book can still surprise you? Isn’t it great when your brain tries to be all smart and go a few paces ahead of the plot, only to be laughed at by the author: “HAHAHAH YOU CAN’T OUTRUN ME! I’M UNPREDICTABLE. DON’T EVEN TRY TO GUESS WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN! HAHAHA.”
Also, like, society is, like, totally effed. And this book will, like, totally comment on that, so, like, yeah, you should totally read it.
Oh my God, it’s driven me insane! Oh my God, I like it! Ahhhh!
P.S. I’ve done nothing but eat and read this today. Plus a cheeky walk. But yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m an alien too 👽
#earthlingssayakamurata #earthlings #sayakamurata #japaneseliterature #japanuary #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation
Let me start by saying thanks to @thebooksheelf for reminding me to read this and then being there for me when I needed to ask wtf?! If you are planning to read this, you are in for a treat, but I would advise getting a buddy because you are going to see and feel some weird shit.
I’ll try to give you some idea of the plot, but I’m not sure you’ll believe me... the novel opens with a young girl and her family driving up a mountain for an annual family festival. The young girl is excited to see her cousin and they have lots of... er... fun together. Stuff happens. The girl reveals that she has magical powers and the boy reveals that he’s an alien. More stuff happens and then it ends and you are a panting, husk of a human with no idea what you’ve just read.
If you’re anything like me (and @thebooksheelf ) then you’ll love this!
Isn’t it great when you read so much and yet a book can still surprise you? Isn’t it great when your brain tries to be all smart and go a few paces ahead of the plot, only to be laughed at by the author: “HAHAHAH YOU CAN’T OUTRUN ME! I’M UNPREDICTABLE. DON’T EVEN TRY TO GUESS WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN! HAHAHA.”
Also, like, society is, like, totally effed. And this book will, like, totally comment on that, so, like, yeah, you should totally read it.
Oh my God, it’s driven me insane! Oh my God, I like it! Ahhhh!
P.S. I’ve done nothing but eat and read this today. Plus a cheeky walk. But yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m an alien too 👽
#earthlingssayakamurata #earthlings #sayakamurata #japaneseliterature #japanuary #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
MOON TIGER by PENELOPE LIVELY
Claudia is the central character of this masterful novel, but we hear from other characters too; those who are in Claudia’s life. The perspective shifts from first to third person and sometimes from the points of view of other characters, so that you often see a scenario played out from multiple perspectives. This is extremely effective and quite a unique experience.
The timeline of this novel is also unique in that it is non-linear and doesn’t seem to have any kind of pattern. We are simply presented with memories as and when they come to the elderly Claudia, who appears to be suffering from some kind of dementia. I also found this extremely enjoyable and effective because it was unexpected.
Claudia is a war-correspondent in Egypt during the Second World War. She is a reluctant mother. A loving (maybe too loving) sister. She’s a woman in love with a man. She’s a foster mother of sorts. She’s boisterous and feisty and certainly won’t fit in with your ideas of a 1940s-1980s woman. I honestly loved her.
Thank you so much @booksmendbrokenhearts for reminding me to read this book. It has the feeling of an all time favourite book.
#moontiger #penelopelively #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #books #book #bookphotography #booksbooksbooks #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation
Claudia is the central character of this masterful novel, but we hear from other characters too; those who are in Claudia’s life. The perspective shifts from first to third person and sometimes from the points of view of other characters, so that you often see a scenario played out from multiple perspectives. This is extremely effective and quite a unique experience.
The timeline of this novel is also unique in that it is non-linear and doesn’t seem to have any kind of pattern. We are simply presented with memories as and when they come to the elderly Claudia, who appears to be suffering from some kind of dementia. I also found this extremely enjoyable and effective because it was unexpected.
Claudia is a war-correspondent in Egypt during the Second World War. She is a reluctant mother. A loving (maybe too loving) sister. She’s a woman in love with a man. She’s a foster mother of sorts. She’s boisterous and feisty and certainly won’t fit in with your ideas of a 1940s-1980s woman. I honestly loved her.
Thank you so much @booksmendbrokenhearts for reminding me to read this book. It has the feeling of an all time favourite book.
#moontiger #penelopelively #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #books #book #bookphotography #booksbooksbooks #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER by BERNADINE EVARISTO
Reread. I first read this in 2019 when it was long listed for the Booker and I loved it. It was like nothing I had ever read before. And a year later, it still is completely unique.
Something that jumped out at me this time was just how energetic Evaristo’s writing is. It’s exciting and it feels like you’re part of something new and thrilling.
Her effortless descriptions of these characters and their lives and ancestors is breathtaking. I know and understand everyone woman in this book.
Evaristo uses our prejudices as a tool. We expect the black teen single mother of three to behave a certain way, and yet she is a hardworking woman who wants to provide for her kids. Evaristo is challenging stereotypes.
Think you know everything about black women in Britain? You don’t. Trust me, you don’t. Read this book and you’ll have more of an insight, but, as Evaristo pointed out in a recent interview, there are 800,000 black women in the U.K. and they are all different.
There is so much to say about this book, which is great because I’m writing an essay on it! But I can’t fit it all in here, so, if you haven’t read it yet, then you know what to do. And if you have, give it another go.
I’m going to read Mr Loverman next. I’ve already read The Emperor’s Babe and Hello Mum and I’m desperate to read more. What others would you recommend?
#bernadineevaristo #girlwomanother #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer
Reread. I first read this in 2019 when it was long listed for the Booker and I loved it. It was like nothing I had ever read before. And a year later, it still is completely unique.
Something that jumped out at me this time was just how energetic Evaristo’s writing is. It’s exciting and it feels like you’re part of something new and thrilling.
Her effortless descriptions of these characters and their lives and ancestors is breathtaking. I know and understand everyone woman in this book.
Evaristo uses our prejudices as a tool. We expect the black teen single mother of three to behave a certain way, and yet she is a hardworking woman who wants to provide for her kids. Evaristo is challenging stereotypes.
Think you know everything about black women in Britain? You don’t. Trust me, you don’t. Read this book and you’ll have more of an insight, but, as Evaristo pointed out in a recent interview, there are 800,000 black women in the U.K. and they are all different.
There is so much to say about this book, which is great because I’m writing an essay on it! But I can’t fit it all in here, so, if you haven’t read it yet, then you know what to do. And if you have, give it another go.
I’m going to read Mr Loverman next. I’ve already read The Emperor’s Babe and Hello Mum and I’m desperate to read more. What others would you recommend?
#bernadineevaristo #girlwomanother #book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DIE, MY LOVE by ARIANA HARWICZ
What’s real and what’s nightmare? What’s past and what’s present? What’s imprisonment and what’s freedom?
When the lines start to blur, it doesn’t matter any more.
Enter our protagonist, who is actually more of an antagonistic in the lives of the people who love her; husband, son, mother-in-law. This novel documents her thoughts in an almost stream of consciousness way. They are messy and violent and erotic and, above all, insane. This is a woman who is a danger to herself and others. She causes harm and, if we were to believe her thoughts, then we must believe that this is fully intentional.
Aside from the fact that I couldn’t give you a timeline of the events in this book if I tried and she is the most unreliable narrator I have ever come across, I felt an extreme empathy for this narrator. Perhaps it’s because we all have this dark place inside us and she is the only one talking about it. Or maybe I’m just a crazy bitch too! Either way, this is a remarkable piece of literature and it’s the perfect follow up to The Midnight Library, which was so neat and tidy compared to this messy af little novel.
Read it and talk to me! @pintofbooks I reckon you might like this.
#book #diemylove #arianaharwicz #books #bookphotography #booklover #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #bookreviews
What’s real and what’s nightmare? What’s past and what’s present? What’s imprisonment and what’s freedom?
When the lines start to blur, it doesn’t matter any more.
Enter our protagonist, who is actually more of an antagonistic in the lives of the people who love her; husband, son, mother-in-law. This novel documents her thoughts in an almost stream of consciousness way. They are messy and violent and erotic and, above all, insane. This is a woman who is a danger to herself and others. She causes harm and, if we were to believe her thoughts, then we must believe that this is fully intentional.
Aside from the fact that I couldn’t give you a timeline of the events in this book if I tried and she is the most unreliable narrator I have ever come across, I felt an extreme empathy for this narrator. Perhaps it’s because we all have this dark place inside us and she is the only one talking about it. Or maybe I’m just a crazy bitch too! Either way, this is a remarkable piece of literature and it’s the perfect follow up to The Midnight Library, which was so neat and tidy compared to this messy af little novel.
Read it and talk to me! @pintofbooks I reckon you might like this.
#book #diemylove #arianaharwicz #books #bookphotography #booklover #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecommendation #bookreviews
Favourite book and film of all time. This is the reason for my obsession with the American South and why I will name my first daughter Scarlett! Literary perfection.
Perfectly written. Real, three dimensional characters who are also interesting and unpredictable. Tragic story, but a beautiful read. Not the full five stars because I sometimes had to force myself to read on.