I loved this collection so much. So much so that it has taken me almost two weeks to find the words. I have however, found myself thinking of it often and figured it was time to find some words to rave about it.

I’ll start by saying how much I love Lottie’s writing style. Her prose style lends itself so well to the unsettling fairy tale atmosphere.

Every tale in the book has a clear message/moral behind it, much like the fairy tales we all know and love, but with such depth in terms of societal commentary on disability, connection, and difference.

I was apprehensive at the start of the collection that the stories may inadvertently portray stereotypical views of disability. But I could not have been more wrong. Lottie balanced the references to stereotypes with the community and morals incredibly well.

I find myself being drawn to rereading this one already, and I cannot wait to recommend it to all my short story-loving friends.

It is rare that I give a short story collection 5 stars, but I was truly blown away by this collection and could not possibly see myself rating it any lower. I am so looking forward to what is ahead for Lottie!

If you are in any way intrigued by the idea of dark yet thought-provoking fairy tale-like stories, then look no further. This needs to be your next read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oneworld for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

With Love, Grief and Fury by Salena Godden

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

This is such a wonderful poetry collection, covering so many topics in so much depth.

I would recommend this to lovers of poetry that perfectly encapsulates some of the most vulnerable elements of the human experience.

There were a handful of poems that felt a little repetitive, and some others that felt slightly out of place in this collection. This is the only reason I didn’t give this one 5 stars personally, but I still loved the collection so much.

Selena has such a talent for capturing those types of human experiences that feel unique when you’re in it but really are incredibly relatable and an integral part of the human experience.

With Love, Grief, and Fury felt like a real labor of love. It felt like a true privilege to be able to glimpse into Salena’s world with this collection.

Some of my favorites were: When You Stub Your Toe, But First Make Tea, Wonderful World, and With Love, Grief, and Fury 2 & 5.

Thanks to NetGalley and Canongate for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The Honey Witch, set in 1831, follows Marigold as she discovers magic, love, and the enchanting power of honey.

I was excited about the premise of this book, especially being drawn to its whimsical and sapphic themes. Overall, I had a fun time reading it, and it delivered on its promises in principle. If you enjoy fantasy and romance, you'll likely find this debut novel enjoyable.

However, while I appreciated the premise and atmosphere, I found the pacing and character development lacking, making it difficult for me to fully engage with the story.

One of my main challenges in connecting with the story was the prose, which often read like young adult fiction. Whilst this isn't inherently a problem, personally, I struggle to connect with young adult romance. I couldn't help but feel that the story might have been better suited for a younger audience.

Nevertheless, if you're intrigued by the book and enjoy the genre, particularly cosy regency settings, it's worth giving it a chance, if only for its whimsical sapphic fairytale vibes.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

Human Rights, Robot Wrongs: A Manifesto for Humanity in the Age of AI by Susie Alegre

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challenging hopeful informative reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

‘Human Rights, Robot Wrongs’ delves into the connections between human rights and the past, present, and future of AI. Covering everything from an overview of the risks and benefits of AI to surprising case studies of the recent past, to potential negative impacts of AI on human rights now and in the future.

Susie Alegre provides a comprehensive yet largely anecdotal overview, detailed yet accessible in a manner that proves useful to those who know little about AI and to those well-versed alike.

I chose to request this arc as I've been actively seeking to learn more about the growing field of AI. This book proved to be an excellent starting point for my own education, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to educate themselves.

AI has, continues to, and likely always will impact our day-to-day lives, thus increasingly shaping the ways in which our human rights play out and protect us. Educating ourselves is vital, and this book is as good a place as any to start.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

Babel by R.F. Kuang

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda Leduc

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challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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libraryoflanelle's reviews 636 reviews

libraryoflanelle's reviews
636 reviews