Of a similar time setting to Steinbeck's classics which was interesting, and the same societal outlook on poverty, the social underclass and immigrants.
Really cleverly plotted with so many perspectives and relationship details. Best to read in chunks!
I was truly invested in Dodo and his future. Definitely a recommendation!

He's a great writer, this is the third by him I've read this year.
His weaving of narrators, love, science and culture is superb, and the msrine focus is of such importance.
It spanned a good length of time and has such truths.

Another let down for me, though it may be my state of mind. This was highly recommended after I'd read a Sarah Moss book with a similar feel. But this fell short. I got confused with the 1912 dual chapters, then the last few chapters were too much. I guess indicative of the character minds but felt mixed up fir me.

I have been searching fir this book for 2 years after reading Joy School. I found it in a charity shop:)
But it's a bit twee, a bit break up trope and cringy... I'm jot sure I'll seek any of her others...

Cringily out dated but readable and actually touching in places. I do love Gale's writing.

Beautiful writing and a bleak island life. Whilst a little predictable in the romance element, still held its worth. I liked the portrayal of young life and the natural and harsh world. Also a good time of the year to read it.

Adored the first half of this tale. The themes of apples, seasons, women and motherhood. But then it got odd. Then silly and ridiculous. I almost bailed but stuck it out.
Usually I can cope with her cute magicalism but this seemed a bit much.

Oh I love her writing, her characters, Maine description and the weaving of all those residents back into this tale of life and love, love is love.
I feel a yearning to re read all her others.
And I truly hope she writes more about these characters and Maine.
I devoured it during the stirms over the weekend and now feel bereft:(

Bit late with a spooky read but still did it!
So unlike the popular tropes of Frankenstein and included swathes of nature descption and landscape.
I'd not read it before so feel it was needed.

Not a book i'd have chosen but good old book club made me, then Libby delivered!
And it flowed well. Took me a few starts as I didn't anticipate the leap in years, then I was fully invested in Duchess and Robin, their rocky path and the people they were with. I liked the different senses of community and loyalty. I wasn't as bothered by the crime parts, although that was nice and twisty.
Not predictable. Emotive but not ridiculous.

Extremely emotive in its portrayal of young black men in London. Huge swathes of beautiful prose and repeated themes and phrases. I keep recalling the ideas of being seen yet nit seen, heard yet not listened to. And the love and hedonism of summer London Town.

Not what the blurb suggests, or is much more nuanced anyway.
Whilst àn account of her relationship with Kajji, it's also her own journey of self awareness, misogyny and culture and how women fall into that. Her developing friendships which blossom through shared occasions.
Too long in places but a very good and worthy read.

Oh my, that was brilliant!
Forecast one twist but not others. I read it as a recommendation after Yellowface and it didn't disappoint.
Now need to read The Sequel.

I like her books and how she writes about women in Chinese history.
This didn't disappoint. It was interesting and detailed, I liked that she had facts alongside more frivolity such as decor and dresses. Obviously not very nice at times but well done.

I like her books and how she writes about women in Chinese history.
This didn't disappoint. It was interesting and detailed, I liked that she had facts alongside more frivolity such as decor and dresses. Obviously not very nice at times but well done.

An unusual book in terms of plot and characters.
At times it is a love story then a family background. Then almost mysterious. I'm still contemplating if there was actually an ending.

Absolutely brilliant book.
His writing is poetic and conjures upsuch vivid images.
The two men are intricately portrayed, as is their relationship with each other and the world.
It'll stay with me a while...

Wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this as it could have been twee. I've read one other of hers, a YA, but wanted to see how she does grown up books.
And not disappointed! Unlike my usual choices but thoroughly comforting and positive.

Obviously a bit tear provoking but such good sentiments and reminders to us of what matters in life.

Gosh, lots to read but all so softly written. Constance goes to fight instead of Bartholomew. She is strong yet deeply hurt. This story tells of her background, her own mother and those she encounters. His writing is so good.

A slow burner to start and I wondered if I'd end up bailing. But goodness, it suddenly came alive and the plot intensified and whilst still a little slow at times, a good read.

Black History Month and this retelling of Othello is ser in 70s Washington, a group of 11 year old at school when a new student arrives.
Cleverly done, effective in making the reader consider how outsiders can be treated.

Sweet tale of a young man and his first year of forestry in a mountain village.
Full ofvthe natural world, our place in it and a sense of belonging.
I'm thrilled to see there's a sequel.

Have to say I'm relieved to have finished this book. The synopsis was just what appealed but I found much of the story quite dreary and struggled to keep motivated. I liked some of the characters driven sections but overall it didn't entice.

I've saved this as I was so keen to read it! Nothing like I thought... this keeps happening!
The first year, 2019, I couldn't gel with at all. But 2020 and 21 were much more enticing. His prose is precise yet detailed, there's a lot of imagery that is clear to imagine. I'm jot sure any of the characters were likeable really, and thus not sure they needed to be...

Picked this as I've stayed in that area numerous times, visiting my good friends.
Whilst the idea of this was great, I couldn't gel with this book and skimmed it...

Finished the last two pages as I went to bed. I've hear her speak about her ASD and life, in general, a few times and was therefore interested in this. I kind of fell in love with her mannerisms and blunt assessments on herself and her surroundings. Much of it rang true, a huge amount dug up reminders and memory about my youngest as they were growing up. An important read, and one to mull over.

Hmm. Really unusual. Such an unhappy story yet wonderfully written.
The individual perspectives are all bleak and the ending is uncertain... May be researching!

Beautiful, meditative and thought provoking.
I worried it would be too twee and cosy but I was wrong!

So I started this and loved it! The dual narration in different eras was great, and I enjoyed reading about the 50s.
But... the last few chapters seemed rushed, like it was all tying together far too neatly. I'm still deciding my overall thoughts... but I would read more of hers.

Book club choice after we'd enjoyed West With Giraffes.
The style is supposed to he a 13 year old narrator which didn't feel consistent and had a few cringy bits in it. I liked the historical perspective and that it covered important topics but it felt contrived.
Simple read and flew through it.

This was a good read! I've chosen it for our book club and had a worry that I'd picked without researching. However, I think they'll all like either the overall story, or the way n which the theme of Fortune and wealth is represented. The three narrative styles and perspectives work well to unfold the family history.

Lovely and whimsical yet the underlying issue of expectations of women in family and society. Also the idea of doing things that make you happy, finding those things and those people.
Nice autumnal read.

I've not really read any YA before. This kept flashing into my peripheral so I gave it a go. Sweet teenage love, the yuckiness of school, siblings and parents. And the despicable step father, the sad mother and poor Eleanor.
I liked the way Rowell keeps it real, not letting it become sickly sweet at all. Good ending:)

So. Four chapters, four perspectives: the writer, the editor, the critics and the reader (getting Breakfast Club vibes!) I didn't really get it until some pages into The Editor. Then I was gobsmacked. This is seriously brilliant. The writing journey start to finish. The role if The Novel in readership. I've actually underlined sections... I never do that. I keep reading aloud to anyone who listens!!!

A mixture of genres and books in August. I also DNFed two which is completely unlike me, but haven't listed those.

I was really enthusiastic about starting this as I've read a few of his others.
But no. I'm not sure what's missing... limited atmosphere or tension maybe? It felt a bit done before, Woman in Black, Turn of the Screw esque novels. And I guessed both twists/reveals well before... unlike me!

Gosh, a roller-coaster of a book, detailing his journey as a nine year old across Central America to reunite with his parents.
It really shows the love from some people, their instinct to protect whilst also showing the flip side of the smugglers.

An unexpected story, not what I'd anticipated and much much better than I'd assumed.
Liked the style of writing and also the way she told some of the backstory.
I'm keen to watch it too...

Soooo good, I've lost sleep time by staying up too late!
Such a well told story, in all three characters, and nicely brought together. Excellent.

Oh I loved it! Just what I needed to feel good and remember female friendship.
I wish it had been longer :)

I think this was a Litsy recommendation last year. Cool cover and premis.
I have to say, it took effort to get past the first 50 or so pages as there seemed to be loads of characters and their names changed depending on who was with them. But reading larger chunks helped somewhat. Then I discovered the cute family tree at the back...
It was a truly heartfelt story, influenced by the author's family, and I became invested in the relationships.

Well, not what I expected and again, very different to her other books.
Interesting style, and uncertainty of present or past. I thought it was Covid but maybe not?

Okay, I liked this book overall. I liked the chopping and changing between Jess and Mal, and how it biased whom I had empathy or sympathy with. But the subplots were odd. I'm not sure they were really necessary?
Good ending too.

Inspired by The Vulnerables, I found this one. Gotta admit ialmostbailed in the first 100 pages. But... I ploughed on and really glad I did. The story flicks around, and even the narrative switches. It's the writing style that gets me; she is clever, she almost comments on her own writing decisions. I'm impressed!

Slightly belated July roundup. The top book was The Vulnerables, absolutely brilliant. Unexpected good read was Four Letters of Love.

A year of beach walking and observing, with detailed information on the findings. Some of it historical and some of it anecdotal. Lots of natural history and marine biology centred writing which was new to me.

Brilliant! I've never read her books and now need to seek them out. A balsnce of musings, recollection and fact, the author narrates her lovkdown experiences and her literary world.
Plus, how matchy is my new bookmark 🔖

Nicely transcribed account using his memories, journals and rediscovered diaries, and detailing his travels in pre WW2 Germany and Austria regions. Obviously of the era, thus slightly cringy at times, but such a seemingly gentle and innocent time, so much trust in oneself and others. Yet a few years later, atrocity.

Unpleasant. That's all I'll say.
I liked the anthropology involved and the science around the island but not the relationships formed.

Clever memoir style with incredible detail and footnote! Very impressive but just not what I'd wanted to read about.