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libbysbookshelf's Reviews (745)
HOTEL WORLD by ALI SMITH
I absolutely adored this. It’s an early Smith novel; published in 2001, and it follows — in true Smith style — a cast of characters whose lives intersect in various ways. In this case, they are mostly united by a young girl who worked at a hotel.
This novel is mostly about death and ghosts and grief and isolation, but somehow it managed to be heartwarming and hopeful.
It’s impossible for me to choose a favourite among Smith’s novels, so I’ll just say this is as good as all the rest.
Can you pick a favourite Ali Smith?
#alismith #hotelworld #book #booksbooksbooks #bookworm #bookstagram #bookstagramreadsthebooker #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreading #bookreaders #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram
I absolutely adored this. It’s an early Smith novel; published in 2001, and it follows — in true Smith style — a cast of characters whose lives intersect in various ways. In this case, they are mostly united by a young girl who worked at a hotel.
This novel is mostly about death and ghosts and grief and isolation, but somehow it managed to be heartwarming and hopeful.
It’s impossible for me to choose a favourite among Smith’s novels, so I’ll just say this is as good as all the rest.
Can you pick a favourite Ali Smith?
#alismith #hotelworld #book #booksbooksbooks #bookworm #bookstagram #bookstagramreadsthebooker #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreading #bookreaders #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram
THE GREENGAGE SUMMER by RUMER GODDEN
I ordered this and paid an extortionate amount to have it delivered to Italy because I needed it as soon as I’d read @naomisbookshelves review.
I wasn’t disappointed.
I was sold on this book because it is set in a hotel in France in the 1950s and follows a group of siblings. The oldest sibling is beautiful and attracts the attention of all the pervy old and young men. Herein (and elsewhere) lies the drama.
I loved that a lot of the dialogue was in French because it made me work hard to understand. I loved the feeling of long summer days. I loved the reminder of teenage angst. And I loved the tension, especially as it heightened towards the end as the mystery unravelled.
Recommend if you enjoy books set in France and 1950’s English literature.
#thegreengagesummer #rumergodden #book #books #bookstagram #bookstagramitalia #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreaders #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookrec
I ordered this and paid an extortionate amount to have it delivered to Italy because I needed it as soon as I’d read @naomisbookshelves review.
I wasn’t disappointed.
I was sold on this book because it is set in a hotel in France in the 1950s and follows a group of siblings. The oldest sibling is beautiful and attracts the attention of all the pervy old and young men. Herein (and elsewhere) lies the drama.
I loved that a lot of the dialogue was in French because it made me work hard to understand. I loved the feeling of long summer days. I loved the reminder of teenage angst. And I loved the tension, especially as it heightened towards the end as the mystery unravelled.
Recommend if you enjoy books set in France and 1950’s English literature.
#thegreengagesummer #rumergodden #book #books #bookstagram #bookstagramitalia #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreaders #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookrec
BOOK LOVERS by EMILY HENRY
I know! I’m as shocked as you are that I read this! But I needed something light and it fit the brief. It was a very self-aware romance, which was ok at first, but then it became a little tired. By ‘self-aware’ I mean the protagonist’s job was literary agent and she regularly discussed tropes of romance fiction, and how she subverted it because she’s the blonde bimbo that nice men usually break up with at the beginning of the book before falling in love with the girl next door. I appreciated this.
The male love interest is pretty great — I don’t think there’s a man in the world like him, but that’s irrelevant.
I think I’ll steer clear of romance for a while!
#book #bookstagram #books #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookrec #bookreviewer #bookreccomendation
I know! I’m as shocked as you are that I read this! But I needed something light and it fit the brief. It was a very self-aware romance, which was ok at first, but then it became a little tired. By ‘self-aware’ I mean the protagonist’s job was literary agent and she regularly discussed tropes of romance fiction, and how she subverted it because she’s the blonde bimbo that nice men usually break up with at the beginning of the book before falling in love with the girl next door. I appreciated this.
The male love interest is pretty great — I don’t think there’s a man in the world like him, but that’s irrelevant.
I think I’ll steer clear of romance for a while!
#book #bookstagram #books #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookrec #bookreviewer #bookreccomendation
A SISTER’S STORY by DONATELLA DI PIETRANTONIO translated by ANN GOLDSTEIN
The second instalment in this series set in Pescara, Italy, and its neighbouring towns; an area of the country I know very well. There’s always that extra special feeling when you’re reading a book and you know all the landmarks. Don’t you love that?
So, the novel. It starts at the end with a mystery to unravel. The narrator takes us back through time to understand how she has ended up in the present moment; alone in a hotel room far from her current home, but close to her old one.
This is a second instalment but you don’t have to have read the first to enjoy this one. Although, I definitely recommend the first — it’s one of my favourite books, and I’m not sure that this one quite lived up to it, although, it could be that this one felt very different. I didn’t really recognise the main character as the same person, even if she had grown up a few decades from the first book.
But the positive aspects, and there are many: the sister (Adriana) is just as beguiling. She is a slight enigma in this novel (which is where most of the tension lies) but I still found her just as wonderful as the first time I met her, frustrating at times, but fully human and very compelling. Also, once the pace got going with the main character’s story, I was very intrigued (no more info on that here for fear of spoilers).
Goldstein’s translations are always fascinating (she did Elena Ferrante books as well) because she retains the Italian syntax in figures of speech and dialogue, which sounds a little clunky in English, so I often found myself translating it to Italian in my head to better understand (flex). I don’t know if that’s just me, actually, and I’d love to know how other people find Goldstein’s translations…?
Well, anyway, I’ll get out of your hair now. Thanks for reading. Bye.
The second instalment in this series set in Pescara, Italy, and its neighbouring towns; an area of the country I know very well. There’s always that extra special feeling when you’re reading a book and you know all the landmarks. Don’t you love that?
So, the novel. It starts at the end with a mystery to unravel. The narrator takes us back through time to understand how she has ended up in the present moment; alone in a hotel room far from her current home, but close to her old one.
This is a second instalment but you don’t have to have read the first to enjoy this one. Although, I definitely recommend the first — it’s one of my favourite books, and I’m not sure that this one quite lived up to it, although, it could be that this one felt very different. I didn’t really recognise the main character as the same person, even if she had grown up a few decades from the first book.
But the positive aspects, and there are many: the sister (Adriana) is just as beguiling. She is a slight enigma in this novel (which is where most of the tension lies) but I still found her just as wonderful as the first time I met her, frustrating at times, but fully human and very compelling. Also, once the pace got going with the main character’s story, I was very intrigued (no more info on that here for fear of spoilers).
Goldstein’s translations are always fascinating (she did Elena Ferrante books as well) because she retains the Italian syntax in figures of speech and dialogue, which sounds a little clunky in English, so I often found myself translating it to Italian in my head to better understand (flex). I don’t know if that’s just me, actually, and I’d love to know how other people find Goldstein’s translations…?
Well, anyway, I’ll get out of your hair now. Thanks for reading. Bye.
ADELE by LEILA SLIMANI
The moral of the story is: always listen to @pintofbooks
This book follows a French woman who is married with a child. She’s a journalist living in Paris and her husband is a doctor. That sounds like a recipe for happiness, but… she’s also a sex addict. Not sex with her husband. Sex with as many different men as possible. And she likes it a specific way (check trigger warnings).
French novels about sex are a whole genre, and ones that I love to read. If you’ve enjoyed Ernaux, or Duras, then you’ll definitely enjoy Adele.
#book #frenchliterature #moroccanliterature #leilaslimani #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreaders #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram
The moral of the story is: always listen to @pintofbooks
This book follows a French woman who is married with a child. She’s a journalist living in Paris and her husband is a doctor. That sounds like a recipe for happiness, but… she’s also a sex addict. Not sex with her husband. Sex with as many different men as possible. And she likes it a specific way (check trigger warnings).
French novels about sex are a whole genre, and ones that I love to read. If you’ve enjoyed Ernaux, or Duras, then you’ll definitely enjoy Adele.
#book #frenchliterature #moroccanliterature #leilaslimani #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreaders #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram
ANNIE JOHN by JAMAICA KINCAID
A coming of age story, written in the 80s and set in Antigua. Yes, it is just as good as it sounds.
I really loved this reading experience and I can’t wait to read more by Kincaid, especially since the rerelease of 5 of her titles by @picadorbooks with stunning covers.
Have you read any Kincaid?
#book #bookstagram #jamaicakincaid #anniejohn #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookrec
A coming of age story, written in the 80s and set in Antigua. Yes, it is just as good as it sounds.
I really loved this reading experience and I can’t wait to read more by Kincaid, especially since the rerelease of 5 of her titles by @picadorbooks with stunning covers.
Have you read any Kincaid?
#book #bookstagram #jamaicakincaid #anniejohn #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookrec
DISORIENTATION by ELAINE HSIEH CHOU
This was an utterly wild ride! But, oh my god, is it an important novel.
It’s a campus novel, dark academia, almost, following a Taiwanese American student writing her PhD thesis on the famous Chinese American poet, Chou. But something is not clicking for Ingrid. Luckily, she has an extremely caring and loving fiancé, who tends to her every need and supplies endless affection. Luckily she has a friend with whom she bonds over a shared hatred of the ultra woke and ultra activist, Vivian. Wait, what? I’m supposed to dislike the character who is fighting against racism and white supremacy? She’s a little annoying, I guess, but I agree with everything she’s saying… why am I following a protagonist who doesn’t like politics and accepts anti-Asian sentiments? Aren’t some of her views rooted in white supremacy? Is that her fault? definitely not! Is it thrilling to watch as a character learns their worth and fights for it? Abso-bloody-lutely.
A thought-provoking comment and attack on the racist institutes of America, and the nuance that sometimes gets overlooked, this novel is massively important and I predict it will be huge.
This proof was gifted to me by @picadorbooks and releases on the 21st July. Get your preorders in because this book needs to be read and discussed!
AD PR
#book #disorientation #elainechou #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookrelease #bookreaders #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram
This was an utterly wild ride! But, oh my god, is it an important novel.
It’s a campus novel, dark academia, almost, following a Taiwanese American student writing her PhD thesis on the famous Chinese American poet, Chou. But something is not clicking for Ingrid. Luckily, she has an extremely caring and loving fiancé, who tends to her every need and supplies endless affection. Luckily she has a friend with whom she bonds over a shared hatred of the ultra woke and ultra activist, Vivian. Wait, what? I’m supposed to dislike the character who is fighting against racism and white supremacy? She’s a little annoying, I guess, but I agree with everything she’s saying… why am I following a protagonist who doesn’t like politics and accepts anti-Asian sentiments? Aren’t some of her views rooted in white supremacy? Is that her fault? definitely not! Is it thrilling to watch as a character learns their worth and fights for it? Abso-bloody-lutely.
A thought-provoking comment and attack on the racist institutes of America, and the nuance that sometimes gets overlooked, this novel is massively important and I predict it will be huge.
This proof was gifted to me by @picadorbooks and releases on the 21st July. Get your preorders in because this book needs to be read and discussed!
AD PR
#book #disorientation #elainechou #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookrelease #bookreaders #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram
ACTS OF SERVICE by LILLIAN FISHMAN
A book about sex, sexuality, and relationships.
A young, queer woman living in New York loves her body, so she puts nude photos of herself online, while sitting on the loo in her girlfriend’s flat.
When the photos attract the attention of a couple looking for a threesome, Eve responds, and so begins a new journey into sexuality.
The conversations and sex between them, and Eve’s thoughts and conversations with her girlfriend and housemate, make up this gorgeous novel. It’s my new favourite thing. It felt like Rooney’s Conversations with Friends, and that’s the highest praise I am capable of giving.
Thank you so much to @europaeditionsuk for this ad pr copy.
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram #actsofservice #lillianfishman #europaeditions #europaedizioni
A book about sex, sexuality, and relationships.
A young, queer woman living in New York loves her body, so she puts nude photos of herself online, while sitting on the loo in her girlfriend’s flat.
When the photos attract the attention of a couple looking for a threesome, Eve responds, and so begins a new journey into sexuality.
The conversations and sex between them, and Eve’s thoughts and conversations with her girlfriend and housemate, make up this gorgeous novel. It’s my new favourite thing. It felt like Rooney’s Conversations with Friends, and that’s the highest praise I am capable of giving.
Thank you so much to @europaeditionsuk for this ad pr copy.
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreading #bookreviewers #bookrec #bookreviewersofinstagram #actsofservice #lillianfishman #europaeditions #europaedizioni
MISSING WORDS by LOREE WESTRON
This cute little novella set in the 1980s follows a postal worker who finds a postcard containing a declaration of love with an incomplete address. She knows it’s on the Isle of Wight and she knows the name of the road, but that’s all. So, she takes herself off on her bicycle and cycles all around the island to find the recipient of the post card…
Of course this is a metaphor or a distraction from the heartbreak she faces in her real life, but I’m sure you’d already figured that out.
It’s a quick read, and even though some of the themes are triggering (check warnings), it’s actually quite light and heartwarming.
Thanks so much to the lovely people at @fairlightbooks for the opportunity to read and review this book AD PR.
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreaders #bookrec #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookreccomendation
This cute little novella set in the 1980s follows a postal worker who finds a postcard containing a declaration of love with an incomplete address. She knows it’s on the Isle of Wight and she knows the name of the road, but that’s all. So, she takes herself off on her bicycle and cycles all around the island to find the recipient of the post card…
Of course this is a metaphor or a distraction from the heartbreak she faces in her real life, but I’m sure you’d already figured that out.
It’s a quick read, and even though some of the themes are triggering (check warnings), it’s actually quite light and heartwarming.
Thanks so much to the lovely people at @fairlightbooks for the opportunity to read and review this book AD PR.
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreaders #bookrec #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookreccomendation
KINTU by JENNIFER NANSUBUGA MAKUMBI
I’ve been reading this book off and on for months, maybe even a year, but I didn’t really get into it properly until a couple of weeks ago. And now:
I love this book!
It’s a generational tale — and I know you all love those — following the same family from 1754 to 2004 in what is now Uganda. It tackles generational trauma, colonialism, post-colonialism, tribal traditions, Christianity and curses.
My only issue was that I often forgot the characters’ names and because I was reading on kindle, I couldn’t flip back and check who was who. I’d recommend you have a family tree in front of you while reading!
This was an excellent read; my second by the writer.
Have you read this/do you plan to read it?
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #kintu #kintubook #ugandanliterature #africanliterature #jennifernansubugamakumbi #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookreccomendation
I’ve been reading this book off and on for months, maybe even a year, but I didn’t really get into it properly until a couple of weeks ago. And now:
I love this book!
It’s a generational tale — and I know you all love those — following the same family from 1754 to 2004 in what is now Uganda. It tackles generational trauma, colonialism, post-colonialism, tribal traditions, Christianity and curses.
My only issue was that I often forgot the characters’ names and because I was reading on kindle, I couldn’t flip back and check who was who. I’d recommend you have a family tree in front of you while reading!
This was an excellent read; my second by the writer.
Have you read this/do you plan to read it?
#book #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramuk #bookreview #bookrecommendations #kintu #kintubook #ugandanliterature #africanliterature #jennifernansubugamakumbi #bookreader #bookrecommendation #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookreccomendation