Reading Challenge
16th August to the 16th October
30 books in 60 days
I really need to read more books and get back into the posting habit.
1) I can not buy any new books- they must be on my virtual or physical shelves
2) They must be either
a. Translated fiction
b. Arcs or
c. Science fiction
3) I must update Instagram, Twitter, and my blog regularly.
What are your reading plans?
Photo by Taylor Vick on Unsplash
Salvage the Bones.
Photo by Taylor Vick on Unsplash
by Jesmyn Ward
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ)
General Fiction (Adult) | Literary Fiction
Pub Date 30 Nov 2017
Thanks to Netgalley and Blomsberry for letting me see this work
This book came out at a bad time for me. The events of 2017 meant my mental health was on the floor. My reading was slumped. My review practice patchy. This book was overlooked by me. It should have got a review but didn’t.
A storm is approaching. A family waits for it. They prepare, stockpiling wood and food. In the meantime, Esch the young daughter of the house, looks back on her life. She delves into her relationship with her parents. She explores her emerging sexuality and her relationships with men.
I am not sure how much my mental state affected my relationship with this book. Nevertheless, I remember feeling underwhelmed by the work. It should have been my perfect book. It deals with issues of; sexuality, identity, family, and race. The author creates an atmospheric world. The writing is poetic and lyrical. However, I failed to be engrossed. Wrong time, wrong place. I still highly recommend this work.
Are We Home Yet?
By Katy Massey
I would like to thank Netgalley and jacaranda books for letting me have early access to this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is an immersive journey into the life of a young A woman returns to her childhood home. A family meet to discuss their mother’s future. The author journeys between her past and her present. The reader follows. The book explores the author’s relationships; with her family, with her body, and with the society that surrounds her. The book flips between the past and present, taking the reader into the life and thoughts of the author. It is an immersive read.
This month I am trying to clear my #netgalley tbr. Therefore, you will be seeing a lot of short or joint reviews. I don’t find them enjoyable to write and hopefully, after this month, I will to more exciting things with this relaunched site. I will tell you more later. But, for this month, this is going to be what we will be doing. First a few books that I dnf’d. I received these books from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Library of Ice
Readings from a Cold Climate
by Nancy Campbell
Pub Date 1 Nov 2018
In theory, I should have really liked this book. It has gorgeous prose and a brilliant subject. However, I Attempted to read it on several occasions and failed. I can’t put my finger on why, but I just couldn’t get into this book.
Fight Like A Girl
by Clementine Ford
Pub Date 20 Sep 2018
I thought I would enjoy this book. I have an interest in the subject. In fact, I took a BA Hons degree, and higher degrees, in women’s studies. However, this felt a little 101 and I was bored. If you are new to feminism, and need an introduction, this could be useful. However, if you are advanced in your feminism, then I’d look elsewhere
The Labyrinth of the Spirits
From the bestselling author of The Shadow of the Wind
by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
I really liked the author’s earlier works. However, I don’t know if I read this book at the wrong time, but it just couldn’t grasp my attention. It’s a perfectly serviceable book, but it lost me.
From Slave Cabins to the White House
Homemade Citizenship in African American Culture
by Koritha Mitchell
Pub Date 15 Oct 2020
This should have been my kind of book. I really like the subject matter. But, it may have been the time when I tried to read it, I just couldn’t get into it.
Women in a Patriarchal World
Twenty-five Empowering Stories from the Bible
By Elaine Storkey
I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is a series of devotional readings. Focusing on women in the Bible, It is centred on a bible reading and includes; an inspirational summary and questions. It would be a great devotional aid, either for; personal daily worship or for group study.
Hildegard of Bingen
by Honey Meconi
I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. An interesting book about an interesting woman. My only quibble is that it could have been longer.
Stephen Hawking
A Memoir of Friendship and Physics
By Leonard Mlodinow
This book is the story of a friendship. It is the story of the creation of a book. It is a story of a great man. It is a story of a troubled man. It is the story of a disabled man. Mlodinow worked with Hawkins on his major works. This book explores the relationship between Hawkins and his; work, family, friends, his disability and his own identity. In addition, it places Hawkins, and his work, in a wider historical perspective. Hawkins work was an important part of his life. This book looks at how his work fits into, and changes, the wider physics debates. It would act as a good introduction to modern day physics. Although, the long discussion of theory could prove off-putting to the impatient reader.
This book has been written by a friend and it shows. It is broadly sympathetic to its subject, sometimes falling into the trap of hero worship. In addition, it may be accused of over sentimentalising Hawkins disability, However, I enjoyed this informative work. It is a good place to start if the reader wishes to understand Hawkins; his life and his work. I highly recommend the book.
This Thing Called Life
by Joseph Vogel
Bloomsbury Academic
This book was given to me by the publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Prince is known as a brilliant recording artist. They are recognised as a brilliant live performer and as a sexual transgressive. But, their political, and moral, views hardly ever get a mention. This Thing Called Life Prince, Race, Sex, Religion, and Music seeks to fill this hole in existing writing around Prince. The work explores the artists’ view of various politicians. The author deconstructs princes’ view of race and highlights his views on gender equality in his band and in everyday life. The work highlights the importance of spirituality on his art and life. It is well worth a read
Whose Water Is It, Anyway?
Taking Water Protection into Public Hands
By Maude Barlow
This book was given to me by the publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Whose Water, is it Anyway? Is the story of Maude Barlow’s discovery of water activism. It tells the story of how the author became interested in this issue. It then narrates the stories of various campaigns around water management. In addition, it is a manifesto for the water industry to be owned by the public. This is an interesting read.
Bird Therapy
By Joe Harkness
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Bird Therapy is the tale of two journeys. Firstly, it is a journey from addiction and depression to a healthy life with the help of bird watching. Secondly, it is a journey of discovery in which Joe Harkness seeks to understand that recovery and place it into a broader context. This book is a combination of; personal narrative, psychological study, and journalistic endeavour. It seeks to explore the role of bird watching in a person’s mental well-being. It is an engaging read.
