Having previously read Michael Redhill's Consolation, and having found it a bit boring, I wasn't all that excited for his latest novel. But it sounded interesting enough that when I had the chance of getting an advanced copy, I decided to take it. I'm happy to report that it's definitely not boring. Jean is a… Continue reading Book Review – Bellevue Square by Michael Redhill
One of the signs of a compelling book for me is when I want to tell other people all about it. Or when I lay awake after reading it, thinking over various parts. All We Leave Behind did both. Carol Off is a well-respected CBC journalist with a long career. (For those non-Canadians, that's the… Continue reading Book Review: All We Leave Behind by Carol Off
With her second novel, Hannah Kent confirms that she is a master of historical fiction. As with Burial Rites (read my review here), Kent uses a true historical story to build her novel around. This time the setting is early 19th century Ireland and the tale revolves around "the good people" - the fairies and… Continue reading Book Review: The Good People by Hannah Kent
This collection of short essays (plus an interview and a short story) follows Higashida's previous book translated into English, The Reason I Jump. I haven't read Higashida before and while The Reason I Jump may provide some helpful context and personal history, I don't think it's necessary to have read it first. It also… Continue reading Book Review: Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8 by Naoki Higashida
The Heart's Invisible Furies follows the life of Cyril Avery, beginning in the 1940s and jumping ahead every seven years and, in doing so, also outlining the history of Ireland in the 20th century and many of the changes it went through. We begin with Cyril's mother, publicly cast out of her church, family, and… Continue reading Book Review: The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
Salman Rushdie's latest novel begins with the arrival of Nero Golden and his three sons in New York City, on the day of Barack Obama's inauguration. These four men have appeared in the city under mysterious circumstances, from an unnamed country, with assumed names. They move into a close knit, wealthy neighbourhood with a… Continue reading Book Review: The Golden House by Salman Rushdie
If you ever thought that the Scooby Gang probably needed therapy as adults, this book is for you. Set in the 1990s, the action of Meddling Kids takes place a decade or so after the final case of the Blyton Summer Detective Club. Four kids (and their dog) foil the plans of a grown man… Continue reading Book Review: Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero (Blumhouse Books, 2017)
If you've read Sherman Alexie's work before, particularly The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (which I reviewed here) then you likely know a bit of Alexie's story already. His writing is infused with his own life experiences, particularly growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me… Continue reading Book Review: You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie
You know how, as you get older, you begin to realize that your family is maybe not so normal? That all the things they do that you thought were average, might actually be a little crazy? That's what's happening to Matty Telemachus. Sure, Matty's always known his family is unique. Not many families once travelled… Continue reading Book Review: Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory
Eleanor Oliphant, thirty years old, works in an office, does things exactly how she wants them without worrying what others think. Eleanor Oliphant is perfectly fine on her own, thank you very much, and always has been. She goes to Marks & Spencer every Friday, talks to Mummy on the phone every Wednesday night, and… Continue reading Book Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Karissa Reads Books 