randombookswithmj's reviews
519 reviews

 A page turning novel about how things are not quite as they seem. I definitely had a hard time putting this one down and will be reading We Are The Brennan’s. Does anyone know, are these the Brennan’s who own the pub in this book? 

Lange did a great job of bringing the read along on a journey that was unexpected and both heart breaking and heartwarming. It provides a different perspective on the lives of people we may view as criminals and I appreciate that. One of the strengths of this novel is the way Lange delves into the inner lives of Tara, her siblings, and her nephew, revealing their motivations and vulnerabilities. The only inconsequential problem I had was with the pacing – the last part of the book felt a bit rushed and could have benefited from more space to elaborate certain plot points. Nevertheless, The Connelly’s of County Down is definitely worth picking up. 

This is a #CeladonReadsTogether initiative. @CeladonBooks grouped me with 4 other Instagram Book Influencers and we were to read this and discuss it together. 

Thank you also to @netgalley @Celadonbooks for the opportunity to read and review this book, plus the opportunity to join an author discussion last night with @tracey_lange. 

 Melt by Ele Fountain is one of my favourite books of 2023 so far. It is an engaging and thrilling middle-grade adventure story that seamlessly weaves together important themes such as climate change and its devastating effects on the Arctic region, the beauty and diversity of the Arctic landscape, and the power of human connection and resilience. 

In this novel, we follow Yutu and Bea, two preteen children who happen upon each other in dire circumstance. Throughout the book, the author does an excellent job of presenting the Arctic region as a complex and diverse environment. From the stunning natural beauty of the Northern Lights to the unique wildlife that inhabit the area, this book paints a vivid image of the Arctic that goes beyond the white landscape we all envision 

The novel also raises awareness about the many anthropogenic activities that are putting the Arctic habitat in danger, both from an ecological point of view and the human’s who call it home. Despite the heavy themes, Melt is a captivating adventure story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The plot is well-paced, and the characters are well-drawn. 

One of my favourite aspects of the book is the lesson that things aren't always what they seem on the surface, and even adults you trust can misjudge a situation. 

Overall, Melt is a perfect read for middle-grade readers who enjoy adventure novels. The book is informative, beautifully written, and hard to put down, making it an excellent choice for even reluctant readers. It also includes useful information about the lifestyles and climate issues facing people living in the Arctic region. Highly recommended! 

 

Thank you to @netgalley and @pushkin_press for the opportunity to read and review this book. 

 What an interesting format for a novel. It is almost short stories about different people, with one exception, the same book touches them all in different ways. The story evokes empathy for the characters and an understanding of the difficulties they are living through but at the same time there is hope in the form of a book. 

Unquestionably a novel everyone should pick up and read and is best entering into not knowing very much. 

Thank you @stmartinspress and @ericabauermeister for my prize copy of this. Also @netgalley for providing me with an advanced ecopy. @knightedbooks I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. 

 What an interesting documentation of the life of one wolf called N258 by researchers. In the first few chapters I kept thinking, ‘Walker, give him a name not a number, even if just for us.’ Finally, a few chapters in Walker did just that; The Wanderer. 

For anyone interested in reading about the lives of wild animals or animal research this is the book for you. It does discuss some of the issues that wild animals in Alaska and Canada’s Yukon have had to deal with in terms of anthropogenic interference. It also to demonstrated the loneliness of a lone wolf. 

What I really appreciate is that the author makes it clear where there is conjecture and where there are actual facts in order to complete a story of the life of The Wanderer. 

Thank you @netgalley and @tantoraudio for the opportunity to listen to the journey of The Wanderer. 

 What an amazing read! It is a book every Canadian should read, and anyone beyond the borders interested in modern Canadian history. 

I particularly like how Hughes views are national and not province centered. How the 10 days he chose are about many Canadians trying to work towards a united Canada, even when at times the country seemed very divided. 

Hughes incorporates a lot of other historical facts into each day so readers unfamiliar with some of the history can understand the significance better. He also includes the diversity of our country and the value that diversity has brought to Canadians. 

This really is a remarkable read and I am so thankful that @netgalley and @ecwaudio provided me with the audiobook to listen and provide an authentic review. 

 

What a unique story about a southern family's drama. 

 

If We're Being Honest is a multigenerational story that takes place in Eulalia, Georgia. It begins at the funeral of Williams's grandfather. It takes place over one week and ends after the wedding of one of his neighbours children. It involves the tension and love that occurs in families and among long time friends. Shook presented a shocking and awkward situation and successfully allowed the reader's view to evolve throughout the story, and see it from other perspectives. 

 

The SQAF Book Club had a chance to video chat with Cat Shook. It was a wonderful conversation and it was great to hear her perspective on aspects of her debut novel. Though not from Georgia herself she is very familiar with the area and attitudes, having grandparents who lived there and having gone to University there. 

 

Shook talked about how funerals are  'fertile ground' for humour and a place for inept or awkward situations to arise. With this in mind she decided to being her debut novel at the funeral of a grandfather. She even used this in the first line of the book; 'Gerry Williams's funeral was a shit show.' Now who wouldn't want to find out what happened at this funeral. 

 

The story weaves it's way through various members of the Williams family and their internal struggles and relationship with each other. Many themes are studied such as sexuality, divorce, love, pregnancy, death, just to name a few. 

 

One criticism is that the book should have a list of all the characters at the very beginning. There are a lot of them and it is difficult to keep track. If you are picking this book up I would start by making a list of them as I read. 

 

People talk about books that should be adapted to movies and series all the time. This is something I never think about, but this one should be a miniseries. I think that is the best format for it. @reesewitherspoon are you reading this? Diane Keaton should play Ellen, the grandmother. Jack Nicholson would play a great Fred, the long time friend of Ellen and Gerry. Grant who appeared on The Bachelorette could be played by Ashton Kutcher. I could just go on and on about who should play which character, but it's more fun to read and envision these people for yourself. 

 

After reading this I want to plant a magnolia tree. Though I am pretty sure it wouldn't survive a winter up here. 

 

Shook has another novel already in the works titled Humor Me, it will be coming out in 2024. It is also set in the town of Eulalia, Georgia but is not a continuation of this story. I look forward to reading it and seeing if any of the characters from If We're Being Honest show up in her second book. 

 

Thank you @celadonbooks and @netgalley for my advanced reader copy of by this debut author. Thank you @catshook33 for taking the time to speak with us. 

 

‘A big-hearted and life-affirming debut about a death doula who, in caring for others at the end of their life, has forgotten how to live her own, for readers of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Midnight Library.’ 

This was the line on the publisher’s page that attracted me to the novel. And yes, if you liked Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine you will enjoy this one. It is not the same story but it is about a lonely person in this world trying to find her way. 

Clover is a Death Doula, well that was the first thing I needed to look up, I had no idea this was a job. Then I was shocked to learn about Death Café’s. Turns out they are held all over the place. If you type it into google for your area I’m sure you will find one. 

Aside from all the new things I learned from this book, it is just a nice story of a woman helping another woman come to terms with her life before she passes on. It is also the story of a woman trying to figure out how to live her best life before she reaches the dying phase that all her clients go through. It is a story of friendship and love. 

 

This story has a great lesson for every child to learn. It is about how to share and get along with others. It is a perfect book to have in a classroom or daycare setting. 

While the lesson in this book is important and effective I found the story to be a little monotonous and the illustrations, though consistent and appropriate to the story, don’t scream out look at me and are easy to disregard. 

Thank you NetGalley and North South Books for the widgets. 

 

What a sweet little book about a little ghost trying unsuccessfully to be scary. Instead, she learns a different lesson about friendship. It is a lovely story and not at all scary but rather funny. 

Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc., for the Widget.