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astridandlouise's Reviews (665)
I received an advance reading copy of this book thanks to Simon & Schuster (Australia) via NetGalley
I have read a few mixed reviews on this one, and having now read it I can see both sides of the discussion. I myself enjoyed it. I enjoy most YA novels and especially now as a woman in my thirties I tend to take a different perspective whilst reading, can draw parallels to my nature during my teens and find myself less quick to judge a character as I know how much growth and change happens over these specific years. Hence characters don't tend to grate me as other readers have mentioned as I'm inclined to give the benefit of doubt during formative years. Hell, there's still so much I have to learn about myself!
The premise of the book is good. We all spend so much time on our phones now that I can understand why kids as well as people of all ages communicate within this certain medium. You can basically put yourself "out there" without losing face and that appeals to many people in this day and age. I just wish it ended a little stronger.
I have read a few mixed reviews on this one, and having now read it I can see both sides of the discussion. I myself enjoyed it. I enjoy most YA novels and especially now as a woman in my thirties I tend to take a different perspective whilst reading, can draw parallels to my nature during my teens and find myself less quick to judge a character as I know how much growth and change happens over these specific years. Hence characters don't tend to grate me as other readers have mentioned as I'm inclined to give the benefit of doubt during formative years. Hell, there's still so much I have to learn about myself!
The premise of the book is good. We all spend so much time on our phones now that I can understand why kids as well as people of all ages communicate within this certain medium. You can basically put yourself "out there" without losing face and that appeals to many people in this day and age. I just wish it ended a little stronger.
I received an advance reading copy of this book with thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux via NetGalley
I read primarily to learn, and I have definitely gained knowledge from reading Minoui's work. I knew incredibly little about Iran and it's politics prior to reading this and whilst I'm not an expert, I'm happy that by reading this I've been able to learn a little about Iran the country and it's people. Definitely not an easy book to read, but it made me feel so grateful and thankful to live where I live, and to lead the life I live. I cannot fathom being in similar situations that Minoui faced, but I undeniably share the pride that she exudes for her home country. She grants us an insight into a country during a period that was tough for it's people and portrayed by the western media in an prejudice light. Highly recommended if you're searching for insight regarding the Middle East from a firsthand account; more specifically the relations between Iraq and Iran between 2000-2010.
I read primarily to learn, and I have definitely gained knowledge from reading Minoui's work. I knew incredibly little about Iran and it's politics prior to reading this and whilst I'm not an expert, I'm happy that by reading this I've been able to learn a little about Iran the country and it's people. Definitely not an easy book to read, but it made me feel so grateful and thankful to live where I live, and to lead the life I live. I cannot fathom being in similar situations that Minoui faced, but I undeniably share the pride that she exudes for her home country. She grants us an insight into a country during a period that was tough for it's people and portrayed by the western media in an prejudice light. Highly recommended if you're searching for insight regarding the Middle East from a firsthand account; more specifically the relations between Iraq and Iran between 2000-2010.
I received an advance reading copy of this book thanks to Simon & Schuster (Australia) via NetGalley
An exciting and gripping book from a debut author and I definitely enjoyed reading it. For three quarters of the book, I felt compelled to keep reading and enjoyed the narrative that Bartz created. The ending whilst not obvious, didn't surprise me. Unfortunately I felt that the ending was the downfall of this novel. To solve the mystery that's been kept hidden for ten years, but then delay the ending to throw in a "twist" (which it wasn't) read like a ploy to make the narrative longer. You basically get the ending twice in a space of 50 pages which I don't deem necessary and doesn't add anything to the story overall. I did really enjoy this book, I just wish the ending was perhaps edited or written slightly stronger.
An exciting and gripping book from a debut author and I definitely enjoyed reading it. For three quarters of the book, I felt compelled to keep reading and enjoyed the narrative that Bartz created. The ending whilst not obvious, didn't surprise me. Unfortunately I felt that the ending was the downfall of this novel. To solve the mystery that's been kept hidden for ten years, but then delay the ending to throw in a "twist" (which it wasn't) read like a ploy to make the narrative longer. You basically get the ending twice in a space of 50 pages which I don't deem necessary and doesn't add anything to the story overall. I did really enjoy this book, I just wish the ending was perhaps edited or written slightly stronger.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Transworld Publishers via NetGalley
There is something mesmerising about Japanese literature that captures my imagination so effortlessly. The anaolgies used, the descriptive language selected; it all flows so beautifully and naturally that it makes me feel comforted and absorbed at the same time. Such magical work done by Gabriel to maintain the lyricism of the story in the crossover of translation.
A story for piano and music lovers alike. It's the story of Tomura, his desire to become a piano tuner and the perseverance to turn his dreams into reality. If you're a lover of Japanese literature you'll easily be lifted into the narrative and transported away. If you love the piano, your heart will be warmed reading this wonderfully melodic story.
There is something mesmerising about Japanese literature that captures my imagination so effortlessly. The anaolgies used, the descriptive language selected; it all flows so beautifully and naturally that it makes me feel comforted and absorbed at the same time. Such magical work done by Gabriel to maintain the lyricism of the story in the crossover of translation.
A story for piano and music lovers alike. It's the story of Tomura, his desire to become a piano tuner and the perseverance to turn his dreams into reality. If you're a lover of Japanese literature you'll easily be lifted into the narrative and transported away. If you love the piano, your heart will be warmed reading this wonderfully melodic story.
I received an ARC of this book with thanks to Hachette Australia via NetGalley
The premise of the book sucked me in. With sliding doors references but set within the roles of gender. The same person born in two different lives. One a girl, one a boy. I went into this expecting an exploration of gender roles which isn't entirely what this story is set to portray, which is a misunderstanding on my part heading in. It's a contemporary fiction/women's literature piece, not the deep observation of gender and the variation it plays in society. So I was slightly disappointed, however I still enjoyed the narrative which Cohen developed. It was easy to identify the two stories without being confused throughout and the separate stories meshed well when they were combined. At the heart of it it's a story about 3 kids growing up in a small industrial town and the choices made that alters all their future plans and ambitions, and their friendships with one another and their home town.
The premise of the book sucked me in. With sliding doors references but set within the roles of gender. The same person born in two different lives. One a girl, one a boy. I went into this expecting an exploration of gender roles which isn't entirely what this story is set to portray, which is a misunderstanding on my part heading in. It's a contemporary fiction/women's literature piece, not the deep observation of gender and the variation it plays in society. So I was slightly disappointed, however I still enjoyed the narrative which Cohen developed. It was easy to identify the two stories without being confused throughout and the separate stories meshed well when they were combined. At the heart of it it's a story about 3 kids growing up in a small industrial town and the choices made that alters all their future plans and ambitions, and their friendships with one another and their home town.
A very gripping read written by an author with a strong desire to bring something fresh to the murder mystery genre, which he did well. However the finish fell flat for me. I felt I was left hanging without much satisfaction about certain characters and their outcome post solving the mystery.
Would’ve rated this a 4 if it weren’t for feeling so deflated at the end.
Would’ve rated this a 4 if it weren’t for feeling so deflated at the end.
Hammer's works are long but descriptive. His character development well rounded and complex. My guesses of the guilty changed throughout the book along with my suspicions. I found Silver to be better constructed and the movement of the narrative more enthralling than Scrublands.
Meetup Adelaide Inner South Book Club - July
Easy and quick to read, I enjoyed sections but wasn't as invested in the story as one would hope to be. I found the setting of the alternate history to be weird and slightly unnecessary. The characters development lacked depth and substance - I found little warmth within any of them. Overall, it felt like a pile of ideas merged together that fell quite short of working well together to produce a successful and imaginative narrative.
EDIT
After completing this, I listened to a handful of Podcasts in conversation with McEwan discussing this book (the B&N Podcast was great) which made me look at this story from a different angle and with a different perspective. Combined with a great conversation with the Meetup Book Club members about AI, ethics and morals in relation to this book, my opinion and initial reaction has definitely altered. Sometimes discussing with others makes you reevaluate your original response which is a wonderful thing to be able to open your mind to.
Easy and quick to read, I enjoyed sections but wasn't as invested in the story as one would hope to be. I found the setting of the alternate history to be weird and slightly unnecessary. The characters development lacked depth and substance - I found little warmth within any of them. Overall, it felt like a pile of ideas merged together that fell quite short of working well together to produce a successful and imaginative narrative.
EDIT
After completing this, I listened to a handful of Podcasts in conversation with McEwan discussing this book (the B&N Podcast was great) which made me look at this story from a different angle and with a different perspective. Combined with a great conversation with the Meetup Book Club members about AI, ethics and morals in relation to this book, my opinion and initial reaction has definitely altered. Sometimes discussing with others makes you reevaluate your original response which is a wonderful thing to be able to open your mind to.
