Book Review: The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by: Stuart Turton

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Book, Book Review, Evelyn Hardcastle, review, Stuart Turton, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Can’t you see, these masks we wear betray us. They reveal us” – The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by: Stuart Turton

Initial Thoughts: It was definitely the title that drew me in. It rolls off the tongue nicely and it is very memorable. I ended up reading a version of the book called The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, but the internet assures me that it is the same book as The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. 

Summary

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered at 11:00 p.m.
There are eight days, and eight witnesses for you to inhabit.
We will only let you escape once you tell us the name of the killer.
Understood? Then let’s begin…” – Goodreads

The Review

It has been a week since I finished this book, and I held off reviewing for a week to gather my thoughts. I could summarize my entire thoughts by just one word, wow. I was expecting a fun murder mystery type of novel with some twists and turns, but I didn’t even begin to imagine the intricacies of the plot and the depth of the characters. There are very few books like these, and they need to be treated as gems of genius.

The novel starts out with a man waking up in the forest grounds of Blackheath mansion. He does not know who he is or why he is there. There is only one word upon his lips. A name. Anna. 

Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by: Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Borrows

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Annie Borrows, Book Review, historical fiction, Mary Ann Shaffer, review, Romance, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, World War II

Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers. How delightful if that were true” – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Borrows

Initial Thoughts: I had found The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by chance while I was browsing through Walmart.  It was the title – the super long and strange title – that drew me in. As I found out later while reading, I wasn’t the only one who was curious about what a potato peel pie was made of. I’ll give you a hint… potatoes.

Summary

Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

“I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.”

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb….

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever. ” – Goodreads

The Review

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie society was an absolute delight to read. My only regret, why didn’t I come across this book sooner!

It’s January 1946, and the war is finally over. Now, London is slowly beginning to rebuild itself. In the mix of everything is writer Juliet Ashton, whose book Izzy Bickerstaff Goes to War, is the best work she has ever written (to her great dismay). While trying to find a new subject to write on, Juliet receives a letter from the island of Guernsey. The letter is from a man named Dawsey Adams who bought Juliet’s previously owned copy of the poetry of Charles Lamb. In his letter, he reveals that he and his friends created a literary society by accident during the German occupation called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Enraptured by this letter, Juliet begins a correspondence with Dawsey and the members of the society. As Juliet learns more and more about the German occupation of Guernsey, Juliet rediscovers her passion for books and for telling stories.

Book Review: Tokyo Tarareba Girls vol. 1 by: Akiko Higashimura

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akiko higashimura, Book Review, japan, manga, Netgalley, review, Tokyo Tarareba Girls

Initial Thoughts: One of my favorite mangas is none other than Akiko Higashimura’s Princess Jellyfish (Kurajehime). When I first watched the anime version, I kept saying to the screen over and over “Tsukimi is just like me. I am just like Tsukimi.” We basically have the same personality, except that I have never drawn a jellyfish before. Now, Akiko Higashimura is back with her new manga, Tokyo Tarareba Girls, otherwise translated as Tokyo’s “what-if” women. I was so excited for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the English translated version from Netgalley.

Summary

I spent all my time wondering ‘what if,’ then one day I woke up and I was 33.” She’s not that bad-looking, but before she knew it, Rinko was thirty-something and single. She wants to be married by the time the Tokyo Olympics roll around in six years, but…that might be easier said than done! The new series by Akiko Higashimura erupts with sharp opinions on girls and tons of laughs!!” – Goodreads

The Review

After being on a short hiatus for a month, it is nice to get back to reviewing books. When I came across Tokyo Tarareba Girls, I had just finished reading volume 1 of Princess Jellyfish. After reading both mangas, I would say that Princess Jellyfish is made for a young adult audience, and Tokyo Tarareba Girls is geared towards women in their twenties and thirties.

Book Review: From Twinkle, with Love by: Sandhya Menon

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arc, Book, Book Review, Contemporary, From Twinkle with Love, Netgalley, review, Sandhya Menon, Young adult

Geeks are smart and talented and passionate. I don’t think that’s a bad thing” From Twinkle, with Love by: Sandhya Menon

Initial Thoughts: I picked up From Twinkle, with Love because of the unique premise. I have read about many young adult teens who loved to disappear into a good book (what bookworm doesn’t?!). But I have never read a book about a young adult with an interest in film making.

Summary

Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy—a.k.a. Sahil’s twin brother? Dream come true x 2.

When mystery man “N” begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it’s Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is that, in the course of movie-making, she’s fallen madly in love with the irresistibly adorkable Sahil.

Twinkle soon realizes that resistance is futile: The romance she’s got is not the one she’s scripted. But will it be enough?

Told through the letters Twinkle writes to her favorite female filmmakers, From Twinkle, with Love navigates big truths about friendship, family, and the unexpected places love can find you

The Review

From Twinkle, with Love is an epistolary novel told through the eyes of Twinkle Mehra, an aspiring filmmaker. Each of her letters are addressed to famous female directors Twinkle has admired ever since she was young such a Sofia Coppola and Nora Ephron.  The format reminded me a little of Stephen Chboksy’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower, where the main character, Charlie, would address each of his letters/ diary entries to “friend.” Twinkle is a wallflower herself who has just recently lost her best friend Maddie to the silk feathered hats (aka the popular girls). Twinkle refers to herself as a groundling, a reference to Shakespeare’s time when the poor (who couldn’t afford the balcony) had to stand on the ground for hours and watch the play.

Book Tour & Review: Wings of Flesh and Bone by Cathrina Constantine

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Book Review, Book Tour, Cathrina Constantine, review, Wings of Flesh and Bones, Xpresso Book Tours, Xpresso Tours

Initial Thoughts: I would just like to say a huge thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of the book tour and to write a review for Cathrina Constantine’s novel Wings of Flesh and Bone.

Wings of Flesh and Bones
Cathrina Constantine
Publication date: April 13th 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

An Angel. A Witch. A Demon. And A Choice.

Creatures from outer realms suck, as any gatekeeper worth their salt will tell you. Welcome to Rogan’s life, an orphaned seventeen-year-old who lives and trains with other misfits under her uncle’s roof, keeping Earth safe from non-human realm jumpers. Rogan’s biggest issue concerns her uncle’s short leash with her freedom—that is of course, until she’s taken by a notorious witch, and her life begins to unravel. Soon, the supernatural beauty discovers there’s a reason her uncle kept such a tight lock on her whereabouts, and that she has more than angel blood running through her veins.

Eighteen-year-old Max is an angel, and Rogan’s mentor and guardian. He’s well aware of her tenacious inability to obey orders, though he also knows she’s a fierce fighter. When he’s involved in a scheme that ultimately gets Rogan kidnapped, he must battle his way back to her in an attempt to save her from the darkness threatening to possess her.

Goodreads / Amazon

The Review

Wings of Flesh and Bones is an exciting and fast-paced young adult fantasy novel. From the moment I began reading Wings of Flesh and Bones, I was immediately impressed by the protagonist, Rogan. She is a strong female protagonist who has had enough of being overly guarded by her uncle, Castle and her mentor, Max. Rogan is strong and confident and a little bit rebellious. When Regan decides to sneak away one night from her uncle, she is suddenly kidnapped by a witch claiming to be her long lost mother. Suddenly, everything Rogan knew to be true about her ancestry and her powers was a lie. Rogan is not only part-angel, she is also part witch with untapped powers. Little does she know, a war is brewing in the realms and she is at the center of a prophecy where her choice will change the course of history forever.