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loiscc's Reviews (313)
Sincere, humble and incredibly heartfelt, The Boy who harnessed the wind is a hopeful memoir about a young Malawian boy called William Kamkwamba who overcame widespread fear of magic, crippling famine and poverty to achieve his aspirations of becoming a scientist. At just 13 years old, he built Malawi's first ever wind turbine. His parents were too poor to be able to send him to school, so he begins to teach himself with the aid of library books and from there he learns how to harness the wind to generate electricity and in so doing make a huge difference to the lives of so many.
This story isn't just inspiring but it's also approachable. From it, I learnt several interesting facts about Malawi and Malawian culture and also a thing or two about how electricity works as well. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for William who tirelessly worked on his windmill everyday in like manner surprisingly comparable to the story of Noah building his ark. But more substantial than that was this book's overriding message that seeks to reimagine the possibilities of Africa, one that isn't stifled by ignorant Western rhetoric of backwardness.
This story isn't just inspiring but it's also approachable. From it, I learnt several interesting facts about Malawi and Malawian culture and also a thing or two about how electricity works as well. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for William who tirelessly worked on his windmill everyday in like manner surprisingly comparable to the story of Noah building his ark. But more substantial than that was this book's overriding message that seeks to reimagine the possibilities of Africa, one that isn't stifled by ignorant Western rhetoric of backwardness.
These are the unsung Muslim female voices that everyone needs to read and listen to! The Things I Would Tell You is a collection of short stories, poems, plays and other literary works, written from the perspective of 22 different British Muslim women, ranging from seasoned authors to up-and-coming youngsters and coming from a diverse range of backgrounds, nationalities and sexualities.
This book was challenging and unafraid, full of poignant voices that deserve way more recognition. Within its pages are literary works that expand upon themes such as identity, loss, racism, ignorance and alienation. I was very much impressed by the vast majority of this book and would encourage all to read it.
This book was challenging and unafraid, full of poignant voices that deserve way more recognition. Within its pages are literary works that expand upon themes such as identity, loss, racism, ignorance and alienation. I was very much impressed by the vast majority of this book and would encourage all to read it.
Wilder Girls, was suspenseful and deliciously harrowing! On that note, trigger warnings for violence, gore and child abuse.
It is set in a boarding called for girls which is located on Raxter island, off the American East Coast. There we meet Hetty Chapin and her friends Byatt and Reese along with all their fellow peers and teachers, all of whom have become infected by 'the Tox' a horrifying virus that is conducive an array of gruesome symptoms.
Because of this everyone on the island is forced into quarantine while Navy-based scientists on the mainland search for a cure, but when Hetty's best friend, Byatt goes missing, Hetty will stop at nothing to find her and from there discovers a world of dark and hidden secrets.
I thought Wilder Girls was a hard-hitting and ominous page turner. I loved the sense of mystery, though not all of the puzzle pieces were adequately tied up in my opinion. I also loved the experimentation with the writing. It felt very purposeful and added an extra something to the story.
It is set in a boarding called for girls which is located on Raxter island, off the American East Coast. There we meet Hetty Chapin and her friends Byatt and Reese along with all their fellow peers and teachers, all of whom have become infected by 'the Tox' a horrifying virus that is conducive an array of gruesome symptoms.
Because of this everyone on the island is forced into quarantine while Navy-based scientists on the mainland search for a cure, but when Hetty's best friend, Byatt goes missing, Hetty will stop at nothing to find her and from there discovers a world of dark and hidden secrets.
I thought Wilder Girls was a hard-hitting and ominous page turner. I loved the sense of mystery, though not all of the puzzle pieces were adequately tied up in my opinion. I also loved the experimentation with the writing. It felt very purposeful and added an extra something to the story.
Asking For A Friend by Andi Osho was a guffaw-inducing, Sex in the City -esque contemporary novel, set in London and follows the love woes of three long time best friends, namely, Jemima, Simi and Meagan.
Together they decided to sort out their love lives by playing a dating game, involving approaching men in bars, clubs, what have you, and asking them out, for their friend and not for themselves. But as the game starts to blur into their professional lives and leads them down a path of keeping secrets, their decade-long friendship hangs in the balance.
Will these woman finally confront the hurt of their past which threatens to hold them back, each with their own demons or will their friendship bend past breaking point?
Asking For A Friend was jampacked with quintessentially British humour, with jibes levelled at the London Underground to hipster Camden bars, this book had me in stitches and then some. I loved the troupes in this book, even though some of the characters' actions in this book made me literally facepalm, I found their lives to be compelling and I enjoyed the way in which Osho develops them.
Together they decided to sort out their love lives by playing a dating game, involving approaching men in bars, clubs, what have you, and asking them out, for their friend and not for themselves. But as the game starts to blur into their professional lives and leads them down a path of keeping secrets, their decade-long friendship hangs in the balance.
Will these woman finally confront the hurt of their past which threatens to hold them back, each with their own demons or will their friendship bend past breaking point?
Asking For A Friend was jampacked with quintessentially British humour, with jibes levelled at the London Underground to hipster Camden bars, this book had me in stitches and then some. I loved the troupes in this book, even though some of the characters' actions in this book made me literally facepalm, I found their lives to be compelling and I enjoyed the way in which Osho develops them.
We Had No Rules is an LGBTQ+ collection of short stories centering on the queer relationships.
From a story about a sixteen-year-old runaway, grappling with their sexual identity to a lesbian woman's infidelity to her spouse whilst on a hiking trip, these stories explore the messy complications of love and the flawed imperfections that characterise their relationships, both romantic and familial.
This book has a brutally honest worldview, it starkly portrays the complexities of sexual identity, body dysphoria, marginalisation and appropriation
It was raunchy, radical and wonderfully imperfect.
From a story about a sixteen-year-old runaway, grappling with their sexual identity to a lesbian woman's infidelity to her spouse whilst on a hiking trip, these stories explore the messy complications of love and the flawed imperfections that characterise their relationships, both romantic and familial.
This book has a brutally honest worldview, it starkly portrays the complexities of sexual identity, body dysphoria, marginalisation and appropriation
It was raunchy, radical and wonderfully imperfect.
Sister Outsider represents the very best of feminist literature. It includes a collection of essays, speeches and interviews that are timeless, quotable and fiercely inspirational.
The Trickster by Dorothy A Winsor is a propelling young adult fantasy about family ties and companionship.
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In a fictional place called Rinland, the city inhabitants of Lac's Holding are revelling in a three-day winter festival, heralding the coming of a new year. This forms the perfect cover for a group of island leaders, who intend to overthrow the local nobility. Mixed up in all this is Dilly, a once homeless pickpocket who now serves under the lady Elenia and Fitch, an island smuggler with special healing powers. The two forge an unlikely alliance in an effort to thwart the leaders' treasonous plans.
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The Trickster has a youthful, unbridled energy and popular YA troupes that would appeal to younger audiences. The rapid progression of the plot and almost sprint finish felt too rushed for my tastes, leaving much to supposition but it was entertaining.
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In a fictional place called Rinland, the city inhabitants of Lac's Holding are revelling in a three-day winter festival, heralding the coming of a new year. This forms the perfect cover for a group of island leaders, who intend to overthrow the local nobility. Mixed up in all this is Dilly, a once homeless pickpocket who now serves under the lady Elenia and Fitch, an island smuggler with special healing powers. The two forge an unlikely alliance in an effort to thwart the leaders' treasonous plans.
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The Trickster has a youthful, unbridled energy and popular YA troupes that would appeal to younger audiences. The rapid progression of the plot and almost sprint finish felt too rushed for my tastes, leaving much to supposition but it was entertaining.
Enchanted Jones is a talented 17-year-old student who aspires to one day become a singer. It seems her hopes are finally realised when she meets her musical idol, 28-year-old Korey Fields, at a talent show audition. He promises to help her record her very own album and all seems well until the relationship turns abusive..
Running in tandem is a future timeline in which Korey has been killed and all the evidence for his death points to Enchanted.
This book felt like a very intentional work and it had a clear sense of direction. It succeeded in making me feel anger and empathy and confronts hard topics such as abusive relationships, toxic masculinity, gas lighting, internalised misogyny, victim blaming and substance abuse.
At the beginning, the story didn't capture me at all despite all the crime/thriller -esque foreshadowing, which made things fractionally more interesting, I was a lot more invested in the story once things took a darker turn.
Running in tandem is a future timeline in which Korey has been killed and all the evidence for his death points to Enchanted.
This book felt like a very intentional work and it had a clear sense of direction. It succeeded in making me feel anger and empathy and confronts hard topics such as abusive relationships, toxic masculinity, gas lighting, internalised misogyny, victim blaming and substance abuse.
At the beginning, the story didn't capture me at all despite all the crime/thriller -esque foreshadowing, which made things fractionally more interesting, I was a lot more invested in the story once things took a darker turn.
Finished at chapter 35 of Ongoing.
Tobari Of The Dawn is a web manga that was first serialised in 2014 and is still ongoing. It is a touching story about friendships that transcend differences.
Tobari, a yokai, or demon dreams of creating a world where humans and yokai can co-exist peacefully. On his journey, he meets new friends and faces many obstacles. First of all, I love the premise if this manga. The whole idea of imagining a better tomorrow for future generations is an age-old reliable concept that I'm always drawn to. Tobari also has stunning artwork. Most mangas are largely illustrated in black and white so it was nice to have full-colour illustrations to complement the story.
Tobari Of The Dawn is a web manga that was first serialised in 2014 and is still ongoing. It is a touching story about friendships that transcend differences.
Tobari, a yokai, or demon dreams of creating a world where humans and yokai can co-exist peacefully. On his journey, he meets new friends and faces many obstacles. First of all, I love the premise if this manga. The whole idea of imagining a better tomorrow for future generations is an age-old reliable concept that I'm always drawn to. Tobari also has stunning artwork. Most mangas are largely illustrated in black and white so it was nice to have full-colour illustrations to complement the story.
Otolorin Akinro is a thirteen-year-old intersex teen from Ibadan, Nigeria. His lot in life is rife with suffering, imposed upon him by overly zealous family members, for having the audacity to be born different. Fueled by the desire to escape, he convinces his spiteful parents to let him attend one of Nigeria's top boarding schools, but struggles with hiding his true self as well as concealing his feelings for his best friend and roommate.
An Ordinary Wonder is a sensitive coming-of-age story with a unique mythology. It delicately explores the challenges synonymous with adolescence especially for someone outside the boundaries of 'normal' but it also inspires hope from a place of unrelenting misery.
An Ordinary Wonder is a sensitive coming-of-age story with a unique mythology. It delicately explores the challenges synonymous with adolescence especially for someone outside the boundaries of 'normal' but it also inspires hope from a place of unrelenting misery.