Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (book review) – the overlooked family of the famous William Shakespeare

An imagined story of Shakespeare's family life, focusing on what is usually mentioned only in footnotes - his wife and children, including the death of his son Hamnet during childhood. What's fascinating is that Shakespeare's name is not mentioned once in the story!

Women’s Prize for Fiction – what shortlisted books I read (2003-2021)

With the Women's Prize for Fiction approaching - the 2021 winner will be announced on 8th of September - I thought of documenting what previous shortlisted books I read. Initially I wanted to document what previous winners I read, but there were only two books ... so it would've been a very short post πŸ˜€ … Continue reading Women’s Prize for Fiction – what shortlisted books I read (2003-2021)

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (book review) – the award for the most consuming and heartrending book I’ve ever read

I must have heard of A Little Life from other bloggers. None of my friends read it, something I found out when I was craving to discuss it with someone. So - thank you, dear bloggers, for bringing A Little Life to my life.

How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones (book review) – spotlight on domestic violence in the Caribbean

How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House is a beautiful novel! Yes, it is sad and there are many violent acts illustrated in the story, but the narrative style and the different perspectives make is a very captivating read.

MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood (book review) – what happens after wiping out humanity

There's something bittersweet about finishing a series of books. The bitter part is that the story ended (for good) and there's no "next book" to get to. However, the sweet part is the closure, the conclusion of the journey, and the "freedom" to get to the next stories that await. That's what I felt during … Continue reading MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood (book review) – what happens after wiping out humanity

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (book review) – sisterhood and the struggle to pass for white

The Vanishing Half is a story about secrets and transformation, family and identity, roots and new beginnings. It offers a lot of food for thoughts and it's an immersive journey - beware, starting this book will definitely lead to a reading spree! πŸ™‚

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi DarΓ© (book review) – a girl’s fight for education in Nigeria

The Girl with the Louding Voice tells an incredibly inspiring story of a young girl from Nigeria. It presents the realities of girls born in poor families in rural Nigeria and how domestic slavery is the beaten path for many of them. A story I recommend reading with all my heart!

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (book review) – torn between science and faith

Transcendent Kingdom is a touching story that covers difficult topics such as addiction, mental health, and immigration. The story of Gifty and her family is heartbreaking, and illustrates not only the hardships of Black immigrants in the USA, but also how mental health issues take a toll on the whole family. Definitely one of those books that I'll recommend to all my friends!