Kindle Audiobook: The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth 3/5

 

This book was meh. I wanted to give up on it fairly soon but, according to Goodreads reviews it is got really high ratings. It was lost on me.

Victoria, recently divorced, accompanies Mariah, a former Olympic skier recovering from a severe injury and trauma, on a trip to London, Paris, Morocco and Infia to research a book on cafés that Mariah's mom was working on. Henry, a photographer, joins them along the way. It had all the makings of an intriguing story, yet it felt rather insipid and unfocused.

I also struggled to connect with Victoria. Her questionable choices and affairs (including with two married men) made her difficult to root for. On top of that, the author seemed to try weaving in too many threads and themes, which never fully came together.

Expected more.

3/5

Libby Audiobook: André Du Ruyter, Truth to Power

 

Just shocking, pun intended. While the corruption and sabotage laid bare were deeply unsettling, prompting more than a few audible gasps, the book was so well written that it kept me enthralled from start to finish. What stood out most was de Ruyter’s sense of humour woven through the narrative, which helped balance the weight of the subject matter. I genuinely enjoyed the read, even if parts of it left me reeling at the state of affairs.

5/5

Libby Audbook: It.Goes.So.Fast, Mary Louise Kelly

 

It. Goes. So. Fast. by Mary Louise Kelly. Sweet. It's a deeply personal memoir in which the journalist documents her son’s final year of high school. What begins as a chronicle of juggling school runs, college applications, and the bittersweet milestones of parenting soon expands into a meditation on time itself, and how fleeting it feels.

Kelly balances her identity as a war-time journalist with her role as a working mother. The book feels intimate, almost therapeutic, as she also weaves in the grief of losing her father. 

 

I like that she narrates the book.

3.8/5

Libby Audiobook: Britany Spears, The Woman in Me

 

I have never really paid too much attention to Britney Spears, but listening to her memoir has been heart-wrenching. The level of abuse imposed by her family is shocking. She was given a mere $2,000 weekly allowance while her father paid himself millions, and instead of supporting her, her mother chose to write a book. Also, being sent to rehab for taking energy drinks seemed excessive.

What really struck me is the glaring unfairness of being a woman in the industry (in fact, in any industry). Men can get away with philandering and questionable behaviour, yet women are scrutinised and criticised for every detail of their lives and choices.

At times, the book felt a little thin in certain areas, leaving me wanting more depth. Yet it was still very powerful and moving to gain an inside look at her life, her struggles, and her resilience. 

3.8/5

Libby Audiobook: My African Conquest, Julia Albu

 

I really wanted to love this book, as I enjoy stories about African adventures. Unfortunately, it did not quite capture me in the way I had hoped. That said, I have huge admiration for Julia Albu. At the age of 80, she drove solo from Cape Town to Cairo in a Toyota Conquest, which is an incredible feat of determination and courage.

Quite interesting that she also worked for Adele Lucas! That's where I cut my PR teeth. 

Rating: 3.8/5

Libby Audiobook: Dolly Parton Storyteller

Oh this was such a sweet audiobook. Narrated by Dolly Parton interspersed with snippets of her songs. Quite different to other bios and audiobooks. Really like her and her sense of humour.

She also does not have children, and her godchild is Miley Cyrus.

5/5

Kindle Audiobook: In the Deep by Loreth Anne White

In the Deep by Loreth Anne White is a gripping psychological thriller set along the wild Australian coast, where a woman’s seemingly perfect new life begins to unravel after her husband’s brutal murder. 

Secrets, lies, and betrayals emerge as investigators dig deeper, showing that what you think is happening is not what it really is.

The tension is superbly crafted, though I did not enjoy the narration style, as every last word was drawn out, which became distracting. Still, the story itself is so good, layered with twists that keep you questioning right until the end.

Rating: 4.5/5