Kindle Audiobook: The School Reunion, Shalini Boland

 

I didn't enjoy this one as much, it felt a little bit 'messy' and all over the show. But, there was still a very good twist, and gets dark!

Most of the characters are a bit grating and I just don't like bullies. 

My favourite book by Shalini Boland is The Honeymoon. 

3/5

Kindle Unlimited: Walt Disney, Hourly History

I had been wanting to read Walt Disney's biography for quite some time.

This version is a very quick read, but boy is it dull. Walt Disney was this incredibly creative force with his brilliance of animation, and this book depicts him as very grey.

I need to find a better biography of him.

3/5

Kindle Audiobook: The Girl in the Corner, Amanda Prowse

I've now read a number of her books, and they are all so good. Cozy novels. Well written.

We meet Rae-Valentine where she meets Dolly as teenagers. Rae marries Dolly's brother Howard. Dolly is marvellous outgoing, but I found her to be a bully. Rae finds out that Howard cheated on her. She and Dolly then go to Antigua to get away from it all. Dolly puts a lot of pressure on Rae to forgive her 'perfect' brother.

Beautifully written.

4 1/2 / 5

Kindle Unlimited, Die Prys is Hoog, C.J. Venter

 

Nie té bad nie. Speel in 1979 af en ons ontmoet 'n koerant redukteur, Hein Malan wat moelike besluite moet neem oor stores wat geplaas, nie geplaas, moet word. Hy is getroud en het twee kinders. En, 'n moontlike liefdesbelangstelling, Tessa. Sy verhoudings is nie baie goed nie, omdat hy 'n werkverslaafde is. 

Daar is groot gevolge as hy verdoemende stories publiseer. 

Iets wat vir my besonders simpel was, is dat hy twee karakters met amper die selfde name het, Ben en Bennie.

'Redelike vinnige en maklik om te lees.

3/5

Libby: As Long as The Lemon Trees Grow, Zoulfa Katouh

 

I was initially a bit worried that this was going to be overwhelmingly emotional. 

This was beautiful. Gave such a good insight and perspective of what is happening in Syria. We hear about the war and refugees, but I don't think, fully get it.

Salama is a pharmacist who is thrown into a surgeon's role. Her Dad and brother were arrested during a protest and her Mom killed in a bomb attack. During this same blast, she got a big head injury. But, is fortunately able to still work. It has caused her to hallucinate 'Kwarf' who she has conversations with and who encourages her to leave Syria. 

Her best friend from school that she grew up with, and now lives with, is married to her brother and expecting their first child.

Salama meets Kenan who she was meant to meet and be introduced to as a possible husband, but they never during that meeting because of the bomb. 

But, their paths still cross and the way their relationship is depicted is incredibly beautiful.

I must admit that I felt so much angst throughout, but it's definitely a book I would highly highly recommend. (Even though it was written in present tense).

5/5

Kindle Audiobook: The Silent Bride, Shalini Boland

 

This is now my third Shalini Boland book, and she is right up there as a favourite crime thriller author for me. Similar to the others, a chapter of then, followed by now, it is present tense writing, but it is ok.

We meet Alice, excited about her wedding day. As she walks down the aisle, she does not recognise her groom! It's not the 'Seth' she knows and loves!

Very good. Binge listened to it on one day.

4/5

Libby Audiobook: The Book of Fire, Christy Lefteri

It's the same author as The Bee Keeper of Aleppo, had heard such good things about it. Had high hopes for this one. But.

Did not enjoy this book. Quite repetitive and laborious at times. It's an emotional topic, but feels like it was trying too hard.

It's about a fire in a Greek forest and a Mom relaying the story  now and of then. What immediately irritated me was that their dog, a greyhound, was  swimming to safety with them, for three hours! Is that possible?

3/5

Kindle Audiobook: The Honeymoon, Shalini Boland

So so good! Stella, from a working class family, falls in love and marries very wealthy, Austin. They head off to Venice, Italy for their Honeymoon. Until Austin disappears.

Only irritating thing is the present tense writing, but it didn't irritate me as much as other books. Maybe present tense is less annoying when it is an audiobook?

Massive twist I didn't see coming at all.

4/5

Kindle Unlimited: One of Us is Lying, Shalini Boland

After all the pretty bleh books I've recently read, this has been a pleasant surprise. I couldn't wait to read more. Easy to follow the three characters of Fiona, Kelly and Tia who grew up together. Fiona runs her own design business, and is married to an utter idiot, Nathan. She unexpectedly gets a tax audit.  Kelly lost her husband, does a ton of volunteer work and a random woman rocks up at her house and Kelly takes her in. And Tia, who I get a sense is a little bit common, married to Ed and has two children, receives explicit photos of herself in a compromising position. 

All ties wonderfully together.

The cover doesn't represent the story.

The only reason I am not rating it higher is because it is written in present tense. Annoying.

4/5

Kindle Audiobook: The Echo of OldBooks, Barbara Davis

A sweet novel. Ashlyn owns a book shop, two books in the format of a diary/letter between two lovers, Belle and Hemi crosses her path.

She can pick up on vibrations of books and is intrigued by these two.

Sweet.

3/5

Kindle: 1984, George Orwell

Very heavy. 

Another classic ticked off.

We meet Winston and Julia. And, Big Brother.

Thought this was funny how Winston introduced himself to Julia:

Written in 1949, way ahead of its time, quite stressful at times. Level of uneasiness throughout. Everything, past and present is controlled and history/news is changed to reflect the views of Big Brother.

3/5