A Review of the Tender and Unique Novel “Salt and Skin” by Eliza Henry-Jones
Australian / Book Reviews / The Latest

A Review of the Tender and Unique Novel “Salt and Skin” by Eliza Henry-Jones

Luda is a journalist and she seems to have an almost cut-throat nature when it comes to her reporting. She sees the story and the opportunity to tell it – and not really who is involved in the storytelling and how their lives become swept up in the drama of the story. When Luda publishes the picture of the girl falling to her death off the coastline of the remote community she moves to, she is quickly ostracized by the community. In a moment of profound grief – Luda can only seem to see the opportunity to tell a story of climate disaster with little regard for how the disaster of losing a child might affect the family involved. Continue reading

A Review of “The Seven Moons Of Maali Almeida”: Magic Realism & Art
Book Reviews / queer / Sri Lankan / The Latest

A Review of “The Seven Moons Of Maali Almeida”: Magic Realism & Art

This is all a very roundabout way to say that The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida was an amazing book and went against every apprehension I had. As soon as I started to read it, I could not put it down. I felt completely immersed in the story – carried with the winds of the in-between with Maali – and I was utterly hooked. Personally, it has been a breath of utter fresh air to have found Karunatilaka’s novel at a time where I haven’t always felt on my reading A-game. Continue reading

A Review of “Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan: a powerful historical fiction about teen pregnancies
Book Reviews / Irish / The Latest

A Review of “Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan: a powerful historical fiction about teen pregnancies

Keegan is an Irish author who grew up in Ireland but she has also lived in the United States, Wales, and is now back in Ireland. Her writing, like all Irish writing seems to have to beauty and softness about it that I can’t quite explain, but truly love to read. I’ve written about my love of Irish authors a lot on this blog and one of my favourites is Niall Williams’ This is Happiness. You can read my review of Williams’ book here. Continue reading

5 Life and Writing Lessons From A World Famous Author
Book Reviews / Japanese / nonfiction / The Artistic Process / The Latest / writing

5 Life and Writing Lessons From A World Famous Author

His latest work though is a very different kind of book. Instead of creating worlds in a well or alternate universes through tunnels, Murakami has released a book about his experiences as a career author, and in it, he details all the highs and lows of what it is really like to write books for over 35 years. In this book, he talks about each section being a speech rather than an essay or memoir, and I feel like that is perhaps the best way to think of this book. It does feel like Murakami is talking to you – delivering a speech at a graduation or event. Considering that Murakami rarely makes public appearances, he does this kind of speech writing well. Continue reading

An Authentic Memoir About Dying: “Walking Him Home” by Joanne Tubbs Kelly
American / Book Reviews / nonfiction / The Latest

An Authentic Memoir About Dying: “Walking Him Home” by Joanne Tubbs Kelly

While Kelly memoir is about Alan, it is also about her own journey with finding love in her partnership with Alan, but also being able to love herself. It is a story of discovery through love and loss, and Joanne writes candidly about what her life will be like once Alan is gone. In many ways, it honours Alan and also caries his memory forward. Continue reading

What do “The Code Breaker” & “Klara and the Sun”Have In Common?: Two books about the science and the fiction of gene editing
American / audiobooks / Book Reviews / British / nonfiction / The Latest

What do “The Code Breaker” & “Klara and the Sun”Have In Common?: Two books about the science and the fiction of gene editing

These questions are large and complex and cannot easily be answered, but I loved that Isaacson, like Ishiguro, asks us to address and think about these questions. It seems that many can agree that there is a possibility for gene editing to be used for the good of humanity, but where should we draw the line? Continue reading

Socktober and 5 Spooky Audiobooks to Listen to While You Knit Socks
audiobooks / Book Reviews / historical / Hobbies / nonfiction / Opinion Pieces / The Latest

Socktober and 5 Spooky Audiobooks to Listen to While You Knit Socks

I love October as a month completely dedicated to all things spooky. I love to read scary books, I love to watch scary movies and T.V. shows, and it also coincides with Socktober – knitting as many socks as you can. With still a few days to go before Socktober ends, I am currently sitting on 3 pairs of socks with a fourth pair on the way. I have loved the challenge, but am also very ready to go back to my neglected knitting and crochet projects. Continue reading

“Nightbitch”: Feminine Rage in Rachel Yoder’s Magical Realism Novel
American / Book Reviews / feminism / The Latest

“Nightbitch”: Feminine Rage in Rachel Yoder’s Magical Realism Novel

NOTE: this post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I might make a small commission. This goes directly into funding and keeping this blog free for everyone. It is hard to explain what drew me to Rachel Yoder’s novel – the title, the cover, or the promise of … Continue reading