randombookswithmj's reviews
519 reviews

 

🌊 The novella "The Most" by Jessica Anthony offers a compelling exploration of an unhappy marriage set in the 1950s. The alternating perspectives between the husband and wife provide unique insight into the couple’s relationship. The themes of betrayal and regret are woven through the story, and a tennis move 🎾 adds an interesting layer of symbolism. Despite the tragic undertones, there is also sense of hopefulness in the story. Kathleen's character defies expectations, showcasing a surprising level of self-awareness and power. For a short story her character is very well developed. Overall, this novella successfully navigates complex emotions and relationships within a concise format, making it a worthwhile read even for those, like me, who typically prefer longer novels. 

🌟 Would I recommend it? Yes! It is definitely worth picking up. 

📖 Thank you @littlebrown and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this advanced e copy of this novella. Thank you to @entertheanthony for writing one of the best novella’s I have ever read. 

 

The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan is a fascinating exploration of Malaysian history and the impact of the British and Japanese occupations during WWII. The novel explores the theme that every side in war loses, providing the reader with a sad reflection on the human cost of conflict. The character development in the book is exceptional, with the four points of view of Cecily, Jasmine, Abel, and JuJube meticulously constructed for the reader to develop a deep understanding of these characters perspectives and emotions. We as readers are able to empathize with their guilt and complex feelings, making for a truly captivating reading experience. 

The Storm We Made serves as an excellent choice for those traveling ‘Around the World with Books;’ offering a rich tapestry of historical fiction set against the backdrop of wartime Malaysia. 

Vanessa Chan's debut novel is a standout work, leaving readers eager to explore more of her writing and storytelling. The book offers a fresh and different perspective on WWII, focusing on the impact of colonialism, occupation, and betrayal. 

Readers should approached this book with caution as there are disturbing elements in the story that may be difficult for some readers. 

Would I recommend this book? Yes! The book stands out for its historical richness and character depth. It is definitely worth reading. 

Thank you @vanchan for writing such a heartfelt story. 

 

Like Happiness was completely unputdownable and such a unique story for me. From the moment Tatum started her letter to M. Domininguez to the last page, I was hooked. 

The book is an epistolary novel, written in the form of a letter from Tatum to her author idol Mateo Domininguez, as she tries to come to terms with the poisonous relationship the two of them shared. Intermittently there are present day chapters written from Tatum’s POV. 

The writing style was beautiful and the story line captivating. The incorporation of the perspective of a Latina character living in a non-Latino world was so concise and revealing in its perspective. It was presented in a manner that made me consider how others are treated. The inclusion of Spanish throughout the novel really helped solidify this viewpoint. 

The character of Tatum was very relatable on so many terms. She is young and naïve, and far from her family. Ripe for someone to come along and take advantage of. 

When I look back at this novel and try to consider what the author should change, I come up blank. This book was so well written and enjoyable that if it isn’t my top read of 2024 it will be very close to it. 

Would I recommend it? Yes! Read it! Pre-order it! Whatever, get your hands on a copy and be prepared to be engrossed into the pages. 

 

This was a book picked by my local library for the February book club read. I was so excited when I saw it was written by an Ecuadorian author and knew I really wanted to read it. It marks my first book by and Ecuadorian. 

The Spanish Daughter is a historical fiction novel set in Ecuador at a time when French landowners were arriving in Ecuador to be farmers and exporters of cacao. The town of Vinces became known as “The Paris of Ecuador.’ 

What I absolutely love about this novel is that Hughes was inspired by the story of a woman who it is believed invented the cacao bean roaster. According to the author’s note she then proceeded to research women inventers, French landowners in Ecuador, women who cross dressed, and from all of this information she developed a generational, historical fiction story, linking two continents, and strong women. This is the bases for some of my favourite historical fiction. It is set in Ecuador with many links to France and Spain. 

The story however is unrealistic at times. In addition, it’s many comments on men versus women became a bit tiresome; I was ready for that to end very early in the book. 

Would I recommend this book? If you are willing to consider the negatives, it is a great piece of historical fiction for learning about this period in Ecuador’s past, as well as the cacao industry. It is decently written and a fairly easy read. I would probably pick up another Lorena Hughes book if the topic was of interest to me. It is a great pick for reading from Ecuador if any of you attempting to travel around the world with books. 

 

True crime podcasts are some of my favourite podcasts to listen to, and in an unusual writing style this book is told from the alternating POV of the main character and a true crime podcast. It touches on the idea of a podcaster infiltrating a person's life and the effect it might have. 

 

The story line was unique and it was laugh out loud funny at times. Listen for the Lie had me turning pages to find out what was going to happen.  It is one of the rare pieces of fiction that I wish I had listened to the audiobook instead of read it. I feel like hearing the podcasts would have worked really well. 

 

The only issue I had with this book was that at times it was a little unrealistic. 

 

Thank you to @celadonbooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel.