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bookbeforeuleap's Reviews (863)
This is a fantastically clever coming-of-age tale, told through a set of short stories, told from four siblings’ perspective. Set in the backdrop of Lagos, Nigeria, we follow the family's evolution over a 20-year period as the face all manner of challenges and hardships.
The glimpses into day to day life in Lagos were really interesting, it was compelling reading what each child took from the same situation.
I felt the tone of this book was very similar to My Sister the Serial killer, in that it was quite dry and straight spoken.
Thank you to CanonGate for my #gifted copy in exchange for review.
#BlackSunday
The story starts out with the tragic loss of a famous pianist before her fiancé hears the end of the long song she has written for him. We then meet Bene and his daughter, Beatrix. Finally we are introduced to Evie who has spent years travelling and never managed to find a place to settle.
This story follows three seemingly unconnected lives to culminate in a beautiful ballad to how music can bring people together. I absolutely adored how the characters lives intersected through out and the constant base line of music and poetry. I know that this gets said a lot about books but this one truly is lyrical and I encourage you to pick up a copy and see for yourself!
This is the first of this authors work that I have read but it definitely wont be the last.
The style of writing is not one I am used to but I quickly fell into the flow and became engrossed. I think the short, snappiness of this style makes what is actually being written more powerful as its all there, laid bare, you don't have to sift through all the descriptions and build up.
A very powerful and moving story but may not be for everyone due to the subject matter
The style of writing is not one I am used to but I quickly fell into the flow and became engrossed. I think the short, snappiness of this style makes what is actually being written more powerful as its all there, laid bare, you don't have to sift through all the descriptions and build up.
A very powerful and moving story but may not be for everyone due to the subject matter
If you are looking for your next piece of uplit then look no further...
Sadie lost her father when she was 19 and went on a bit of wild child rampage which resulted in the conception of her son, Norman. She doesn't believe she is a good mum but truly loves her son. Norman had always been left out until a kid name Jax came along and they formed the closest of friendships, then Jaz passes away and Normans world is turned upside down. This is the story of grief, love and finding who you are when your independently of anyone else.
I adored everything about this book, it had the perfect mix of humour, emotion and intrigue, it even had an older character in which is my absolute favourite!
I loved that we got chapters from both Sadie and Jax' point of view as it added another layer of depth and provided additional humour of looking at things through the eyes of an elven year old.
Sadie lost her father when she was 19 and went on a bit of wild child rampage which resulted in the conception of her son, Norman. She doesn't believe she is a good mum but truly loves her son. Norman had always been left out until a kid name Jax came along and they formed the closest of friendships, then Jaz passes away and Normans world is turned upside down. This is the story of grief, love and finding who you are when your independently of anyone else.
I adored everything about this book, it had the perfect mix of humour, emotion and intrigue, it even had an older character in which is my absolute favourite!
I loved that we got chapters from both Sadie and Jax' point of view as it added another layer of depth and provided additional humour of looking at things through the eyes of an elven year old.
This is Jake and Leila's love story, starting from when she is 11 years old and told through charms that are brought for Leila's charm bracelet that she receives on the day her mother walks out.
This book was everything I didn't know I needed in a book, it is simply charming. The characters were so real and raw that I fell completely under their spell within the first few chapters. I have to admit I wasn't Leila's biggest fan during the first half of the book, she was selfish, stubborn and ungrateful but even with that I was still thoroughly invested in her story, which just shows how great the writing is in this book! Jake on the other hand, I adored. He honestly might be my new go to book boyfriend, I loved everything about him and his story broke me.
I cried more at this book than I have in a long, long time, it was not just because the events touched me personally, it was how well they were written, each one tender and honest.
If you loved Somewhere Close to Happy by Lia Louis or Me Before You by Jojo Moyes I think you will love this one.
This book was everything I didn't know I needed in a book, it is simply charming. The characters were so real and raw that I fell completely under their spell within the first few chapters. I have to admit I wasn't Leila's biggest fan during the first half of the book, she was selfish, stubborn and ungrateful but even with that I was still thoroughly invested in her story, which just shows how great the writing is in this book! Jake on the other hand, I adored. He honestly might be my new go to book boyfriend, I loved everything about him and his story broke me.
I cried more at this book than I have in a long, long time, it was not just because the events touched me personally, it was how well they were written, each one tender and honest.
If you loved Somewhere Close to Happy by Lia Louis or Me Before You by Jojo Moyes I think you will love this one.
This was a lot of short murder mysteries peeled back to reveal how each could be easily solved of enough attention is paid. I really enjoyed this one and felt like I was being taught to look at things like Sherlock Holmes would!
This story follows two people after a life changing moment. It is a coming of age story that takes an in-depth look into topics I haven’t seen covered in books before and some that I have like substance abuse.
The important steps to take in an emergency are cleverly woven into the story and means that this book carry’s a very important message.
I was close to tears at the end and then I read the authors note and I was in floods.
The important steps to take in an emergency are cleverly woven into the story and means that this book carry’s a very important message.
I was close to tears at the end and then I read the authors note and I was in floods.
This is story follows a day on a Scottish holiday park in which 12 holiday makers are mostly indoors due to bad weather. We hear from children, mother, fathers, grandparents etc and each one is described and written in such a way that you can immediately picture it.
I loved that we got so many insights from the holiday goers and thought each one was written incredibly well, I loved the chapter about the couple trying to achieve simultaneous orgasms and the mum who gets an hour of peace but doesn’t know what to do with herself!!!
For me the ending came out of nowhere and I’m not 100% sure it was needed, if you have read it and want to discuss let me know!
Overall I think this is a great quick read for a drizzly autumn day and I will be looking out for my by this author. Thank you you @bookbreakuk and @picadorbooks for my #gifted copy.
I loved that we got so many insights from the holiday goers and thought each one was written incredibly well, I loved the chapter about the couple trying to achieve simultaneous orgasms and the mum who gets an hour of peace but doesn’t know what to do with herself!!!
For me the ending came out of nowhere and I’m not 100% sure it was needed, if you have read it and want to discuss let me know!
Overall I think this is a great quick read for a drizzly autumn day and I will be looking out for my by this author. Thank you you @bookbreakuk and @picadorbooks for my #gifted copy.