Much more like a non-fiction history book, this is the background story of Tolkien’s world, from the beginnings, to the end of The Lord of the Rings. Not something I race through, it is a leisurely read to dip into for magical history of a beloved story world.
Pip is a young girl living in a hot, dusty, mining town. She misses her best friend, and her mother’s boyfriend is stealing their happiness at home, so she spends her time at the waterhole. One evening she finds a small, sick dragon, and knows she has to save him. It is a magical tale, though it feels completely realistic. Is about friendship, family, safety, loss, loneliness, and hope. It deals gently with domestic abuse, is heartwarming, and with a beautiful sense of place.
This is the story of five sisters who come together when their father (and King) has been placed under a curse. The sisters are all quite different from each other and trying to discover their path in life. It was a great read and would suit anyone who was looking to try a fantasy novel for a first time, as although set in a fantasy world it was easy to navigate and had a great story to get lost in.
In the days leading up to her wedding, Clare is uneasy and meets an elderly lady who gives her the confidence to call it off. Not long afterwards, Clare finds that the lady has left her a house, which sends her off on a quest to solve a mystery, and bring healing. Set both in the 1950s and modern day, it’s a romantic page-turner with endearing characters, banter, intrigue and bookishness. The language was a little flowery for me at times, but on the whole it had a gentle, nostalgic feel. It sensitively deals with the heavy topic of domestic violence, and is hopeful and sweet, without being cloying.
What a wild plot. Staff at a correctional facility are made to release all of the prisoners. Celine, a prison guard on death row, pursues Kradle who she believes has killed his family and wants him back behind bars. To help her she teams up with an escapee. Throw into the mix U.S Marshall Trinity Parker who is in charge of the recovery of the inmates who has a strange way of dealing with things. The plot sounded great but the characterization and relationships let the story down. It may of worked better as a Hollywood blockbuster.
I am sorry I waited so long to read this. Bluebird is a little beachside suburb in what is clearly the Northern Beaches of Sydney (I pictured Avalon), where the old locals are struggling to hold onto their concept of home amongst the astronomical real estate prices and gentrification. Gordon Grimes is a middle-aged man whose life, and the old cliff-top house he lives in, are falling apart, and he desperately tries to hold it all together. It feels a bit like a funnier, masculine version of The Weekend by Charlotte Wood, ruminating on growing older, adapting to change, the enduring power of secrets, friendships, family, and self-determination. I thought I would dislike all the characters, but they were so sensitively drawn that I ended up feeling such affection for them, as well as laughing out loud at the sharp lampooning of modern life. The audiobook was brilliantly done.
I enjoyed Beautiful World, Where Are You (I’m itching to add a question mark) more than Conversations with Friends and Normal People, in part, I imagine, because it didn’t make me feel as old. It is the story of Alice, a famous novelist, Eileen, who works for a literary magazine, and Felix and Simon, the men they are involved with. It’s philosophical, full of musings on the meaning of life, faith, history, as well as reflections and news from their lives – sex, relationships, mental health, fame, writing, reading, and connecting. Complicated and messy, but deeply hopeful, lyrical, evocative, awkward, and for me, utterly compelling.
Set in a beautiful retirement village in England, this is a murder mystery with quirky, endearing characters, food, twists galore, humour, and a hint of romance, without being overly cute. There are multiple murders, and yet it is an uplifting, relatable story with tender relationships, and a great love of life.
The story is set in France just before WWII and centres on twin sisters Romaine and Florence. Although very different from each other they share a strong bond. There are many betrayals in the story – and enough plot to keep me interested. Everything is wrapped up in the end with an unexpected twist. It is the wooden characterization that let me down – the emotions just did not connect with me.
The second book in Ann Cleeves’ latest series, set in North Devon. Detective Matthew Venn and his husband Jonathon, again find themselves caught up in a series of baffling murders, very close to home. Atmospheric as always, it is set during a heatwave, and is full of twists and turns, engaging characters, and a satisfying mystery.
rrlreads 