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astridandlouise's Reviews (665)
Informative, however the language was technical so I clouded over throughout, hence I didn't retain as much material as I usually would.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Avon Books UK via NetGalley
This book was both hit and miss for me. I felt distracted at the beginning therefore found the first third of the book to be quite slow. Because I felt distracted I also was confused by characters and their names as the narrative is told from the perspective of a few different women so that added to the slow start for me.
The foundation of the story is good. I like that whilst in a similar vein of many mystery/thrillers popular within the past decade, it does try to forge it's own path and end with a stance of female empowerment after a past filled with shame and belittlement. However the ending is where the book fell flat for me. I felt that I was left with so many loose ends that could have left me with a greater sense of satisfaction for myself and vindication for a few of the characters if they had been obviously resolved. Whether this hints at a tease for a second book I'm not sure, but I hardly believe it to be necessary if this is the objective.
This book was both hit and miss for me. I felt distracted at the beginning therefore found the first third of the book to be quite slow. Because I felt distracted I also was confused by characters and their names as the narrative is told from the perspective of a few different women so that added to the slow start for me.
The foundation of the story is good. I like that whilst in a similar vein of many mystery/thrillers popular within the past decade, it does try to forge it's own path and end with a stance of female empowerment after a past filled with shame and belittlement. However the ending is where the book fell flat for me. I felt that I was left with so many loose ends that could have left me with a greater sense of satisfaction for myself and vindication for a few of the characters if they had been obviously resolved. Whether this hints at a tease for a second book I'm not sure, but I hardly believe it to be necessary if this is the objective.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Center Street via NetGalley
I have always loved reading about other people, their stories and how they've navigated their paths. This book was a wonderful one to read. It centered around Arun and his remarkable journey from troublesome boy in India, to respected and very successful cardiac surgeon in America. This was written in an easy to follow style and with Hanc, Singh has been able to articulate what it is to be an Indian immigrant chasing his surgical dreams in America. It highlighted the skills and compassion it takes not only to be a respected and successful surgeon but a humble and courteous man.
I marveled at his determination and discipline to transform his life and become successful on his chosen path. Facing many challenges along the way it was a reminder that the biggest challenge we face in life is oneself. With focus; putting your mind, heart and soul into your deepest desire, along with hard work and perseverance you will be successful. Whether the destination was your original goal or not, you'll go far as you've demonstrated your passion and desire to achieve. Singh is the perfect example of working hard to achieve your dreams and changing your circumstance.
I have always loved reading about other people, their stories and how they've navigated their paths. This book was a wonderful one to read. It centered around Arun and his remarkable journey from troublesome boy in India, to respected and very successful cardiac surgeon in America. This was written in an easy to follow style and with Hanc, Singh has been able to articulate what it is to be an Indian immigrant chasing his surgical dreams in America. It highlighted the skills and compassion it takes not only to be a respected and successful surgeon but a humble and courteous man.
I marveled at his determination and discipline to transform his life and become successful on his chosen path. Facing many challenges along the way it was a reminder that the biggest challenge we face in life is oneself. With focus; putting your mind, heart and soul into your deepest desire, along with hard work and perseverance you will be successful. Whether the destination was your original goal or not, you'll go far as you've demonstrated your passion and desire to achieve. Singh is the perfect example of working hard to achieve your dreams and changing your circumstance.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to St. Martin's Press via NetGalley
Told between two narratives by our protagonist Ginny; present day 1971 and Ginny of the mid-late 60's. We are taken along as Ginny gives birth to her second child Lucy born with Down Syndrome, the choice made by her husband Ab to sign their daughter over to the state and send her off to an institution all before Ginny had recovered from childbirth and without any knowledge of Ab's life changing decision. We are also taken back to when Ginny met Ab, how startling different their plans had been in comparison to what their life slowly became and how Ginny's life changed before her very eyes. We watch as Ginny regains her sense of self and becomes tenacious as she fights to regain custody of her daughter despite the disapproval of her Father-in-Law.
This was a wonderfully riveting book; I raced through it! Whilst the writing was simplistic, the basis of the story was captivating and I felt compelled to keep reading. A heartbreaking but also heartwarming story about the infinite love a mother has for her child.
Told between two narratives by our protagonist Ginny; present day 1971 and Ginny of the mid-late 60's. We are taken along as Ginny gives birth to her second child Lucy born with Down Syndrome, the choice made by her husband Ab to sign their daughter over to the state and send her off to an institution all before Ginny had recovered from childbirth and without any knowledge of Ab's life changing decision. We are also taken back to when Ginny met Ab, how startling different their plans had been in comparison to what their life slowly became and how Ginny's life changed before her very eyes. We watch as Ginny regains her sense of self and becomes tenacious as she fights to regain custody of her daughter despite the disapproval of her Father-in-Law.
This was a wonderfully riveting book; I raced through it! Whilst the writing was simplistic, the basis of the story was captivating and I felt compelled to keep reading. A heartbreaking but also heartwarming story about the infinite love a mother has for her child.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Harlequin Australia via NetGalley.
I had never read anything by Barrie prior to Devil’s Lair, but the premise of this book in the Tasmanian setting intrigued me. At 448 pages it isn’t a light read, however I had this book finished in 3 days. I did find myself waning during the second third of the book and felt it lost a bit of traction, but nothing that diminished my desire to continue reading.
It had elements that made it a true page turner and I couldn’t wait to uncover the ending. The dark and creepy elements of the narrative definitely contradicted the tranquil setting of Tasmania; the iciness of the mystery worked wonderfully against the backdrop of the Australian landscape. I did correctly guess the perpetrator but there were a few other twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and definitely didn’t predict. Definitely a read for fans of Jane Harper to consider.
I had never read anything by Barrie prior to Devil’s Lair, but the premise of this book in the Tasmanian setting intrigued me. At 448 pages it isn’t a light read, however I had this book finished in 3 days. I did find myself waning during the second third of the book and felt it lost a bit of traction, but nothing that diminished my desire to continue reading.
It had elements that made it a true page turner and I couldn’t wait to uncover the ending. The dark and creepy elements of the narrative definitely contradicted the tranquil setting of Tasmania; the iciness of the mystery worked wonderfully against the backdrop of the Australian landscape. I did correctly guess the perpetrator but there were a few other twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and definitely didn’t predict. Definitely a read for fans of Jane Harper to consider.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to HarperCollins Publishers Australia via NetGalley.
I have so many thoughts swimming around my head after reading this one. As most, I was drawn to this because The Bronze Horseman is a longstanding favourite and I was excited to read what Simons had created for us next. Love story I was expecting, yet all other expectations flew out the window once I began reading. I immediately understood the Time Traveler's Wife comparisons and was surprised with the mystical fantasy route Simons decided to explore. I was concerned that I would come to the ending disappointed, as it isn't a genre/subject I'm highly interested in or drawn to read. However, as Simons reminds me time and time again, her writing carries me with her and I cannot help but get sucked into her vortex. The eloquence she applies with her use of language and the structure of her writing style leaves me heavily invested in her characters and always wanting to know more.
I was concerned after the first half what the story had left to explore, but of course I needn't have worried as the story of Julian and Mary in the second half of the book captured me even more than their beginnings as Julian and Josephine. I cannot wait for A Beggar's Kingdom to discover what's in store for Julian and Mia... or whichever name she possesses next.
I have so many thoughts swimming around my head after reading this one. As most, I was drawn to this because The Bronze Horseman is a longstanding favourite and I was excited to read what Simons had created for us next. Love story I was expecting, yet all other expectations flew out the window once I began reading. I immediately understood the Time Traveler's Wife comparisons and was surprised with the mystical fantasy route Simons decided to explore. I was concerned that I would come to the ending disappointed, as it isn't a genre/subject I'm highly interested in or drawn to read. However, as Simons reminds me time and time again, her writing carries me with her and I cannot help but get sucked into her vortex. The eloquence she applies with her use of language and the structure of her writing style leaves me heavily invested in her characters and always wanting to know more.
I was concerned after the first half what the story had left to explore, but of course I needn't have worried as the story of Julian and Mary in the second half of the book captured me even more than their beginnings as Julian and Josephine. I cannot wait for A Beggar's Kingdom to discover what's in store for Julian and Mia... or whichever name she possesses next.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to HarperCollins via NetGalley.
A narrative about deep illicit love and their lives either side of their relationship with their respective spouses, My Coney Island Baby is a emotively written story about Michael and Cailtin and their profound love for one another in deceitful circumstances. O'Callaghan is a magical writer. He writes with such poetic lyricism and a deep sense of compassion and yearning, that it's hard to feel any sense of contempt for his characters who have shared an adulterous relationship for the past twenty five years. You understand through his use of prose how deeply in love these two people are even though married to others, and it's difficult to condone their relationship when O'Callaghan hands you beautiful tools to see them through such empathetic eyes. He presents you with an awareness and perspective that perhaps you'd have neglected to consider up until now.
As beautifully written as it was, unfortunately I also found my attention span dwindled throughout the book as the pace was leisurely and sometimes slightly dull. It didn't take away from the breathtaking scope of the story, but it made reading more effort than I would care to admit.
A narrative about deep illicit love and their lives either side of their relationship with their respective spouses, My Coney Island Baby is a emotively written story about Michael and Cailtin and their profound love for one another in deceitful circumstances. O'Callaghan is a magical writer. He writes with such poetic lyricism and a deep sense of compassion and yearning, that it's hard to feel any sense of contempt for his characters who have shared an adulterous relationship for the past twenty five years. You understand through his use of prose how deeply in love these two people are even though married to others, and it's difficult to condone their relationship when O'Callaghan hands you beautiful tools to see them through such empathetic eyes. He presents you with an awareness and perspective that perhaps you'd have neglected to consider up until now.
As beautifully written as it was, unfortunately I also found my attention span dwindled throughout the book as the pace was leisurely and sometimes slightly dull. It didn't take away from the breathtaking scope of the story, but it made reading more effort than I would care to admit.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Serpent's Tail via NetGalley.
Set in the 5os-60s we follow the life of Sasha as she navigates her life amidst men that feel entitled to her, men that feel superior to her and men that believe they deserve more than her purely due to their gender. As a woman I recognised the harassment she faced and the discrimination she encountered, even the delicately entwined experiences she faced that perhaps aren't blindingly obvious to all who read the book.
I feel conflicted writing this review as I understand the importance of this book, yet I also didn't feel a connection to or even like Sasha at certain points in the narrative. I grappled with a young white female character who lived with an abundance of privilege trying to wrestle with the unfairness of being a woman in a world catered to men. We've become much more educated and empathetic to so many issues around us since this book was written, so I feel my opinion is quite skewed in comparison to what readers thought and loved about this book upon its release back in the 70s. Yes, what she encountered was something no woman should ever have to experience, yet at the same time she got to experience so much (travel, education etc.) due to her social standing and the colour of her skin. Unfortunately there are still too many circumstances of what Sasha experienced unfolding in our world today. Regardless of how far we believe we have advanced, it's always wise to reflect on how much further we still have to go and to not become complacent. Definitely an important book for it's generation, the era in which it was written and a memoir that has become an influential building block for female writers and commentators who came after.
Set in the 5os-60s we follow the life of Sasha as she navigates her life amidst men that feel entitled to her, men that feel superior to her and men that believe they deserve more than her purely due to their gender. As a woman I recognised the harassment she faced and the discrimination she encountered, even the delicately entwined experiences she faced that perhaps aren't blindingly obvious to all who read the book.
I feel conflicted writing this review as I understand the importance of this book, yet I also didn't feel a connection to or even like Sasha at certain points in the narrative. I grappled with a young white female character who lived with an abundance of privilege trying to wrestle with the unfairness of being a woman in a world catered to men. We've become much more educated and empathetic to so many issues around us since this book was written, so I feel my opinion is quite skewed in comparison to what readers thought and loved about this book upon its release back in the 70s. Yes, what she encountered was something no woman should ever have to experience, yet at the same time she got to experience so much (travel, education etc.) due to her social standing and the colour of her skin. Unfortunately there are still too many circumstances of what Sasha experienced unfolding in our world today. Regardless of how far we believe we have advanced, it's always wise to reflect on how much further we still have to go and to not become complacent. Definitely an important book for it's generation, the era in which it was written and a memoir that has become an influential building block for female writers and commentators who came after.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt via NetGalley.
This book was such a lovely one to read. A mixture of memoir, health (specifically mental health) and self-help Gottlieb invites us into both her professional and personal worlds. She gives us a deep insight into her career as a therapist and her journey through therapy with her own therapist. She shares stories of several patients that whilst we may not all personally relate to, is easy to wholeheartedly connect to. They were informative to read as well as grounding and enlightening. Each patients progress throughout their therapy graciously provides us with "lessons" that anyone can welcome and incorporate into their own lives.
I truly took a lot from this book that I know I will apply to my day-to-day life. I had a few "aha!" moments whilst reading and I love that this book truly endeavors to normalise therapy. There were heart-warming moments and there were soul-crushing moments, but at the end it reminds you of the kindness of humanity and our ability to connect with the people around us if we're bold enough to take down our walls and let people in. Because nine times out of ten they only want to help us, support us and love us.
This book was such a lovely one to read. A mixture of memoir, health (specifically mental health) and self-help Gottlieb invites us into both her professional and personal worlds. She gives us a deep insight into her career as a therapist and her journey through therapy with her own therapist. She shares stories of several patients that whilst we may not all personally relate to, is easy to wholeheartedly connect to. They were informative to read as well as grounding and enlightening. Each patients progress throughout their therapy graciously provides us with "lessons" that anyone can welcome and incorporate into their own lives.
I truly took a lot from this book that I know I will apply to my day-to-day life. I had a few "aha!" moments whilst reading and I love that this book truly endeavors to normalise therapy. There were heart-warming moments and there were soul-crushing moments, but at the end it reminds you of the kindness of humanity and our ability to connect with the people around us if we're bold enough to take down our walls and let people in. Because nine times out of ten they only want to help us, support us and love us.