I love to read. All sorts of books. Thriller. Historical. Romance. Adventure. Memoir. Business.
I share snippets through the Twitter handle @Book_nr
The Life She Deserves – Maggie Christensen
A lovely Australian small town love story revealing all the complexity, frustration and joy that comes with families and relationships later in life. So many relatable moments.
It was nice to spend a few hours as a fly on the wall watching the path that Jo and Col had to follow until they achieved their HEA.
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She’s also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie’s parents banish her to Europe to have her “little problem” taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.
While the Alice Network did not have me waking up at 4.30am like The Huntress did, it was still an extremely well written story taking place during WW1 and WW2, with rich and inspiring female characters and well described locations in France and London. I felt a rollercoaster of emotions as I listened to the book, and had to at times stop, to take a breath, before I could continue. I’m in awe of this author.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee.
This is a big dynasty type story set in Korea and Japan – two countries I know little about. While I know this is a work of fiction it provided wonderful insights into the daily life of a Korean family living in Japan during very dark times.
I took joy in the descriptions: how things were placed; cultural nuances like how people showed manners; how others were perceived.
The name of the book Pachinko references Pachinko parlors which are like games arcades, with multiple machines providing a chance to win – and many opportunities to lose. If I was writing this book I would have called it something like ‘Never a home’, ‘Lost between two countries’ or the ‘Displaced Dynasty’ which more closely reflects the central story thread.
The book doesn’t have a HEA, or indeed a satisfactory ending in my view, which is disappointing as it was a magnificent piece of writing.
The Huntress by Kate Quinn
This wonderful book is told through many perspectives – with each perspective like a gorgeous piece of thread. When the stories or threads become entwined, a beautiful piece of cloth is created as indeed, is each beautifully crafted, action-filled chapter. Finally, the many perspectives and chapters produce a masterpiece of a story.
I was nervous to start this book as I dislike violence. It had been recommended and I could see that it have thousands of positive reviews. I was slowly pulled in. I listened to the audible version and was impressed with the narrator and her capacity to deliver so many accents. (Even though I’ve now finished the book I can still Nina with her charming Russian accent, talking fondly of her ‘sestry’, her beloved sisters in the Night Witches squadron.
I loved the description of emotions; such a depth of feeling and detail. Not your typical descriptions with the flickering of eyes or sucking in of the bottom lip. Something deeper. There was an eye for subtlety with complex characters. As a fellow writer, this is a skill I long to master.
Hidden Valley – The Porter Sisters no 4 by Annie Seaton
Part mystery. Part search for ancestry. Part romance.
I chose this book because the story started in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales where I hail from. I also had in mind the exact macadamia farm where Dee is the manager in the Byron Hinterland. It’s not too far from Possum Creek. Knowing the area makes the story very real.
We travel with our heroine from the Byron Shire to Darwin and then onto a property not too far from the town of Humpty Doo in the Northern Territory of Australia. (I love this name). Clues are hidden throughout the book (like Easter eggs) each one delighting the reader as they reveal more of the mystery around the letter from the lawyer and her curious inheritance.
This was the first book I’d read in the Porter Sisters series, so I found the number of secondary characters a little overwhelming. Otherwise an enjoyable read, snaking it’s way through stunning countryside to the inevitable Happy Ever After.
Me Before You – Jo Jo Moyes
Like many before me, I think this is a great book that hooks you in and has you rooting for our heroine Louise Clark.
It was a little slow to start, but had interesting plot reveals, supporting characters and satisfying ending.
One point of irritation. I listened to the Audible version of the story and felt that the person ‘reading’ Louisa made her come across as 14 years of age, rather than early 20s. It felt incongruous.
This is the first book I have read by Jojo Moyes and I look forward to reading others.
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
While the Alice Network did not have me waking up at 4.30am like The Huntress did, it was still an extremely well written story taking place during WW1 and WW2, with rich and inspiring female characters and well described locations in France and London. I felt a rollercoaster of emotions as I listened to the book, and had to at times stop, to take a breath, before I could continue. I’m in awe of this author.
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