This novel depicts three generations of black women growing up in Memphis, and the history and strength and warmth of their family. It is a very raw depiction of the injustice and hardships that they face as black women, but there is also a great deal of joy and love to be found within the … Continue reading Book review: Memphis – Tara M. Stringfellow →

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5  What a Shame is a really clever book, depicting a young woman trying to find her way in life after suffering life events that have left her traumatised and grieving. I loved the way her grief was explored through various attempts by those around her to help her work through it. It is … Continue reading Book review: What A Shame – Abigail Bergstrom →

⭐⭐⭐ 3/5 This book almost reads a bit like a cross between a play and a short story collection. It is built around a quite simple but interesting concept, where people can go back in time by visiting a certain cafe, as long as they only stay a short while (leaving before the coffee gets … Continue reading Book review: Before the Coffee Gets Cold – Toshikazu Kawaguchi →

⭐⭐⭐ 3/5I really wanted to love this book - the premise is so interesting and it very beautifully and lyrically written. For some reason though, I found it incredibly difficult to break through a barrier with it, and found reading it quite long There were definitely things that drew me to it and kept me … Continue reading Book Review: The Water Dancer – Ta-Nehisi Coates →

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 There is a real rawness and undercurrent of violence to many of the stories in this collection - stories about love turned sour, divorce, not fitting in, domestic abuse - the not so pretty but very real aspects of life. This collection had some themes that really spoke to me - lots of … Continue reading Book Review: The Thin Line Between Everything and Nothing – Hannah Storm →

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line is a compelling story about a series of child disappearances from a poor slum in India. We see the events through the eyes of 9 year old Jai, which to me was pivotal to the book's whole charm and appeal. Jai is determined to solve the mystery … Continue reading Book Review: Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line – Deepa Anappara →

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 What can I say about Shuggie, this young lad from Glasgow who  will now be forever in my heart? This story is about Shuggie and his family, and in particular the impact of his mother's alcoholism on her and her family. Abandoned by their father, life for Shuggie and his family is a … Continue reading Book Review: Shuggie Bain – Douglas Stuart →

⭐⭐⭐ 3/5 The Van Apfel Girls are Gone is a really atmospheric book, set during a blazing summer in 80s Australia. You can just feel the heat and sweat dripping off the pages, and smell the stench of the valley. While these descriptions evoke such a strong sense of place and make this quite a … Continue reading Book Review: The Van Apfel Girls Are Gone – Felicity McLean →