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amys_hygge_reads's reviews
48 reviews
Trespasses by Louise Kennedy
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Trespasses by Louise Kennedy was the @tiredmammybookclub January book. Unfortunately I didn’t make it to the Zoom, so missed the chats on this one!
The Story 📚
Set in Northern Ireland during the time of the Troubles, we meet Cushla - a young Catholic, primary school teacher. In her family’s bar, Cushla meets Michael, an older, married, Protestant man. The pair begin to develop a relationship, as we follow the events that follow and how Cushla’s environment impacts her daily life.
The Review 👩🏻💻
I really wanted to give this book a higher rating, but I didn’t enjoy the love story - and realistically it’s the main plot of the book. Honestly it gave me the ick! I really felt like there was no chemistry between Cushla and Michael. The large age gap, and how Michael treated Cushla, I just found it all a bit weird and unenjoyable as the main plot. Maybe we weren’t supposed to enjoy it, but it took away from the book for me.
That being said, I loved the book otherwise, and would have preferred more time spent on the subplots. The descriptions of life in the North during the Troubles were incredible. I felt like I was there in each moment. Horrible events which the author bluntly and brutally depicts, constantly lurking in the background of every aspect of Cushla’s life.
The other characters in the novel were brilliant, especially Davy! The relationship Cushla formed with Davy and his family was equally special and complex. Also the dynamic between Cushla’s immediate family, and her relationship with her coworker Gerry.
I recently bought Kennedy’s book The End of the World is a Cul de Sac when I found it on sale in a bookstore here in Copenhagen. Really looking forward to reading it as I enjoyed her writing style.
The Story 📚
Set in Northern Ireland during the time of the Troubles, we meet Cushla - a young Catholic, primary school teacher. In her family’s bar, Cushla meets Michael, an older, married, Protestant man. The pair begin to develop a relationship, as we follow the events that follow and how Cushla’s environment impacts her daily life.
The Review 👩🏻💻
I really wanted to give this book a higher rating, but I didn’t enjoy the love story - and realistically it’s the main plot of the book. Honestly it gave me the ick! I really felt like there was no chemistry between Cushla and Michael. The large age gap, and how Michael treated Cushla, I just found it all a bit weird and unenjoyable as the main plot. Maybe we weren’t supposed to enjoy it, but it took away from the book for me.
That being said, I loved the book otherwise, and would have preferred more time spent on the subplots. The descriptions of life in the North during the Troubles were incredible. I felt like I was there in each moment. Horrible events which the author bluntly and brutally depicts, constantly lurking in the background of every aspect of Cushla’s life.
The other characters in the novel were brilliant, especially Davy! The relationship Cushla formed with Davy and his family was equally special and complex. Also the dynamic between Cushla’s immediate family, and her relationship with her coworker Gerry.
I recently bought Kennedy’s book The End of the World is a Cul de Sac when I found it on sale in a bookstore here in Copenhagen. Really looking forward to reading it as I enjoyed her writing style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Hate crime, Violence, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Paper Cup by Karen Campbell
Paper Cup by Karen Campbell was chosen for @another.chapter.podcast January read along, and when I found out the book centred around a main character who is homeless, I knew I had to join along.
The Story 📚
Kelly has been homeless for years. She rough sleeps on the streets of Glasgow, drifting in and out of various services - ultimately trying to stay alive. After an encounter with a stranger, Kelly finds herself on a journey to return something that does not belong to her. We follow Kelly and get an insight into what her life is like, and also the various people she crosses paths with on the way. But, the journey is in the direction of her hometown, and Kelly knows it’s time for her to look at what happened in her past.
The Review 📝
As a social care worker who has worked in homeless services in Dublin, I loved Kelly. I feel like I have met so many people like her through my work. The descriptions were so accurate of her daily life, the struggles of being a woman who is homeless while battling an addiction. On a personal level I enjoyed her insight into the professionals and services she interacted with - and how they either supported or failed her.
I won’t lie, parts of this story did bore me however. There was a lot of descriptions of the pilgrimage route that she took, which is just something that doesn’t interest me. But for Kelly’s story, I stuck with it and enjoyed. Will definitely recommend it to some social care friends.
The chats have been great around this book, really interesting to hear everyone’s take! Honestly a topic I could talk for hours on! So apologies for the the long messages to anyone in the group chat 🙈
Would definitely recommend as an insight into homelessness. The book really came alive as an audiobook book, great narration 🎧
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Do they think folk want to live like this? Crusted with their own filth? Cold and old and hungry? Wanting to be seen, and be unseen. Wanting to be present, even in their self-appointed margins. Do they think it’s a choice to be scared and lonely? For life to beat you up so fucking hard that you welcome the beatings, because it’s all you’re good for?
Paper Cup by Karen Campbell was chosen for @another.chapter.podcast January read along, and when I found out the book centred around a main character who is homeless, I knew I had to join along.
The Story 📚
Kelly has been homeless for years. She rough sleeps on the streets of Glasgow, drifting in and out of various services - ultimately trying to stay alive. After an encounter with a stranger, Kelly finds herself on a journey to return something that does not belong to her. We follow Kelly and get an insight into what her life is like, and also the various people she crosses paths with on the way. But, the journey is in the direction of her hometown, and Kelly knows it’s time for her to look at what happened in her past.
The Review 📝
As a social care worker who has worked in homeless services in Dublin, I loved Kelly. I feel like I have met so many people like her through my work. The descriptions were so accurate of her daily life, the struggles of being a woman who is homeless while battling an addiction. On a personal level I enjoyed her insight into the professionals and services she interacted with - and how they either supported or failed her.
I won’t lie, parts of this story did bore me however. There was a lot of descriptions of the pilgrimage route that she took, which is just something that doesn’t interest me. But for Kelly’s story, I stuck with it and enjoyed. Will definitely recommend it to some social care friends.
The chats have been great around this book, really interesting to hear everyone’s take! Honestly a topic I could talk for hours on! So apologies for the the long messages to anyone in the group chat 🙈
Would definitely recommend as an insight into homelessness. The book really came alive as an audiobook book, great narration 🎧
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Where I End by Sophie White
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I did not enjoy this book, but I did love it. Although saying I love it feels very wrong.. Where I End is Sophie White’s first entry into horror, and it’s honestly the perfect match.
Set in a fictional island off the coast of Ireland, we are introduced to nineteen year old Aoileann and her family. Aoileann did not have a happy and loving upbringing. She remained at home with her paternal grandmother to care for her mother, while her father visited only occasionally. The other islanders are deeply suspicious people, who want nothing to do with the family on the edge of the island. They are separated from the rest of the world, and Aoileann never knows why. However, when an artist, Rachel, moves to the island from the mainland with her newborn baby, Aoileann experiences a connection for perhaps the first time. But how will her upbringing affect this relationship, and the world that she currently knows?
The descriptions of the island set the eerie back drop for an extremely difficult read. Sophie handled complex topics in such a beautiful, creepy and chilling way. Where I End examines the extent of how cruel humanity can be, while balancing the question of are we products of our own environments? I was uncomfortable and repulsed for the majority of this read, but equally could not put it down. Not the lightest note to start of the new year with, but one I would highly recommend.
Honestly, if you are considering reading this book, I would strongly advise you to check in with yourself first. The book comes with so many content warnings. This is not a light read, or one to start if you do not have the head space for.
Set in a fictional island off the coast of Ireland, we are introduced to nineteen year old Aoileann and her family. Aoileann did not have a happy and loving upbringing. She remained at home with her paternal grandmother to care for her mother, while her father visited only occasionally. The other islanders are deeply suspicious people, who want nothing to do with the family on the edge of the island. They are separated from the rest of the world, and Aoileann never knows why. However, when an artist, Rachel, moves to the island from the mainland with her newborn baby, Aoileann experiences a connection for perhaps the first time. But how will her upbringing affect this relationship, and the world that she currently knows?
The descriptions of the island set the eerie back drop for an extremely difficult read. Sophie handled complex topics in such a beautiful, creepy and chilling way. Where I End examines the extent of how cruel humanity can be, while balancing the question of are we products of our own environments? I was uncomfortable and repulsed for the majority of this read, but equally could not put it down. Not the lightest note to start of the new year with, but one I would highly recommend.
Honestly, if you are considering reading this book, I would strongly advise you to check in with yourself first. The book comes with so many content warnings. This is not a light read, or one to start if you do not have the head space for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy
Foster by Claire Keegan
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
‘You don’t ever have to say anything,’ he says. ‘Always remember that as a thing you need never do. Many’s the man lost much just because he missed a perfect opportunity to say nothing.’
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Welcome to Your Life by Bethany Rutter
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The truth looks different when you’re fat
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
He found himself asking was there any point in being alive without helping one another? Was it possible to carry on along through all the years, the decades, through an entire life, without once being brave enough to go against what was there and yet call yourself a Christian, and face yourself in the mirror?
The Year of Living Danishly: My Twelve Months Unearthing the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country by Helen Russell
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Boys Don't Cry by Fíona Scarlett
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I used colour for this one; black ink would never ever do you justice, the colour of you always too bright, too hard to capture.
They say that time heals, but that’s just so fucking wrong. There’s this big gaping hole that will never be filled, that will never be healed, but it does become more bearable, I will give them that.
Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5