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literature book reviews book recommendations reading lists
WELCOME TO MY BOOKSHELF
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![Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_e36a4556ba3241de84f85bdd8557ea8d~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_e36a4556ba3241de84f85bdd8557ea8d~mv2.webp)
Jan 283 min read
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Martyr! is the debut novel by Iranian-American poet Kaveh Akbar and was one of last year’s buzzier books. I’m always curious about...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_e9607d18e1314e768961acbf32cde9d0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_e9607d18e1314e768961acbf32cde9d0~mv2.webp)
![Poor Things by Alasdair Gray](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_e9607d18e1314e768961acbf32cde9d0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_e9607d18e1314e768961acbf32cde9d0~mv2.webp)
Oct 24, 20242 min read
Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
Alasdair Gray's Poor Things is a literary marvel that effortlessly blends surrealist playfulness with a profound commentary on society...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_68eadaa86371477f96a933e87a6a05ba~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_68eadaa86371477f96a933e87a6a05ba~mv2.webp)
![The Invisible Hotel by Yeji Y. Ham](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_68eadaa86371477f96a933e87a6a05ba~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_68eadaa86371477f96a933e87a6a05ba~mv2.webp)
Oct 17, 20242 min read
The Invisible Hotel by Yeji Y. Ham
Yewon, a young woman lost in a society that doesn’t know what to do with itself and its young, dreams of a hotel with infinite keys to...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_c5430adc3c0a4a3ab72477fabb67bca0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_c5430adc3c0a4a3ab72477fabb67bca0~mv2.webp)
![I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_c5430adc3c0a4a3ab72477fabb67bca0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_c5430adc3c0a4a3ab72477fabb67bca0~mv2.webp)
Oct 15, 20242 min read
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
In an underground bunker, in an unknown location, silent and armed men guard a cage that is home to thirty-nine women and one young girl....
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_ce750be120684b9a976b4c0bc606a373~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_ce750be120684b9a976b4c0bc606a373~mv2.webp)
![Baumgartner by Paul Auster](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_ce750be120684b9a976b4c0bc606a373~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_ce750be120684b9a976b4c0bc606a373~mv2.webp)
Jun 6, 20243 min read
Baumgartner by Paul Auster
It has been a good while since I have found the time to sit down and write up my thoughts on a book. So the books I want to review keep...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_22e9db9f1898447bbb373aa5ae668743~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_22e9db9f1898447bbb373aa5ae668743~mv2.webp)
![Possession by A.S. Byatt](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_22e9db9f1898447bbb373aa5ae668743~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_22e9db9f1898447bbb373aa5ae668743~mv2.webp)
Jan 30, 20243 min read
Possession by A.S. Byatt
Roland Mitchell‘s life can only be described as dull. He has dedicated his life to studying Victorian poet Randolph Ash, without making...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_cd22f295c1af4ffe8a638a0f1ad8cd34~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_cd22f295c1af4ffe8a638a0f1ad8cd34~mv2.webp)
![Sula by Toni Morrison](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_cd22f295c1af4ffe8a638a0f1ad8cd34~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_cd22f295c1af4ffe8a638a0f1ad8cd34~mv2.webp)
Jan 11, 20243 min read
Sula by Toni Morrison
Isn’t it wonderful to have these authors you just feel entirely safe with? I can open any Toni Morrison book and I know for sure that I...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_e43617c6b4f446f58768088d973b2ad8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_e43617c6b4f446f58768088d973b2ad8~mv2.webp)
![Gilead by Marilynne Robinson](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_e43617c6b4f446f58768088d973b2ad8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_e43617c6b4f446f58768088d973b2ad8~mv2.webp)
Jan 4, 20242 min read
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
Gilead, 1956. John Ames is dying. In his seventies, the preacher knows his time on earth is coming to an end. He should be ready to meet...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_828cc1b8976845278da68738a7711266~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_828cc1b8976845278da68738a7711266~mv2.webp)
![Booker Prize 2023: Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_828cc1b8976845278da68738a7711266~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_828cc1b8976845278da68738a7711266~mv2.webp)
Nov 23, 20232 min read
Booker Prize 2023: Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry
For nine months now, Tom Kettle has got to enjoy the quiet solitude of retirement after ending his career with the garda. From his rented...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_665f0fab8c6b4b42af98c1710a4f8eac~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_665f0fab8c6b4b42af98c1710a4f8eac~mv2.webp)
![Booker Prize 2023: All the Little Bird-Hearts by Victoria Lloyd-Barlow](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_665f0fab8c6b4b42af98c1710a4f8eac~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_665f0fab8c6b4b42af98c1710a4f8eac~mv2.webp)
Nov 22, 20233 min read
Booker Prize 2023: All the Little Bird-Hearts by Victoria Lloyd-Barlow
Sunday has quiet day and currently eats only white foods. She cannot drink anything that is not fizzy and feels best burying her hands in...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_8726abe5902c4161a454015758d0b260~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_8726abe5902c4161a454015758d0b260~mv2.webp)
![Booker Prize 2023: The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_8726abe5902c4161a454015758d0b260~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_8726abe5902c4161a454015758d0b260~mv2.webp)
Nov 21, 20232 min read
Booker Prize 2023: The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
Penang, 1921. Lesley and Robert Hamlyn are expecting an important visitor. “Willie” Somerset Maugham, who has been travelling through...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_8dcf5ccaa86e4fed9111b68f28c88cb3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_8dcf5ccaa86e4fed9111b68f28c88cb3~mv2.webp)
![Booker Prize 2023 - A Spell of Good Things by Ayòbámi Adébáyò](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_8dcf5ccaa86e4fed9111b68f28c88cb3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_8dcf5ccaa86e4fed9111b68f28c88cb3~mv2.webp)
Nov 19, 20232 min read
Booker Prize 2023 - A Spell of Good Things by Ayòbámi Adébáyò
Nigeria – a country marked by extreme poverty and breath-taking wealth – is home to Eniola and Wúràolá, the two protagonists of Ayọ̀bámi...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_d7b13d3b55be4323847478e77dbd57b2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_d7b13d3b55be4323847478e77dbd57b2~mv2.webp)
![Booker 2023: Western Lane by Chetna Maroo](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_d7b13d3b55be4323847478e77dbd57b2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_d7b13d3b55be4323847478e77dbd57b2~mv2.webp)
Nov 16, 20232 min read
Booker 2023: Western Lane by Chetna Maroo
Now that Gopi’s mother has died, it is up to her and her sisters to try and keep their father from falling apart. The only thing he still...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_ae3e84c08b6643abbc3360b0327504fe~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_ae3e84c08b6643abbc3360b0327504fe~mv2.webp)
![Booker Prize 2023: Pearl by Siân Hughes](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_ae3e84c08b6643abbc3360b0327504fe~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_ae3e84c08b6643abbc3360b0327504fe~mv2.webp)
Nov 14, 20232 min read
Booker Prize 2023: Pearl by Siân Hughes
For some reason I expected not to enjoy this novel. Based on some blurb or review, I’d saved it in a similar category to Study for...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_ee90a8d189fb4992b08da7c9b5dd08e6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_ee90a8d189fb4992b08da7c9b5dd08e6~mv2.webp)
![Booker Prize 2023 - The Bee Sting by Paul Murray](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_ee90a8d189fb4992b08da7c9b5dd08e6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_ee90a8d189fb4992b08da7c9b5dd08e6~mv2.webp)
Oct 17, 20233 min read
Booker Prize 2023 - The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Rarely do I sit down to type up my review with no idea how to begin. But first things first: I loved The Bee Sting. There is so much...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_2a00b34d3a9644f2ab31a9f6b8149222~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_2a00b34d3a9644f2ab31a9f6b8149222~mv2.webp)
![Booker Prize 2023 - This Other Eden by Paul Harding](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_2a00b34d3a9644f2ab31a9f6b8149222~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_2a00b34d3a9644f2ab31a9f6b8149222~mv2.webp)
Oct 12, 20233 min read
Booker Prize 2023 - This Other Eden by Paul Harding
I am sad to report that this was quite a disappointing read for me. Not because it was bad but I had such high expectations and it just...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_d02fa639c4554a59bd243c54f9a4d49a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_d02fa639c4554a59bd243c54f9a4d49a~mv2.webp)
![Booker Prize 2023 - If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_d02fa639c4554a59bd243c54f9a4d49a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_d02fa639c4554a59bd243c54f9a4d49a~mv2.webp)
Sep 28, 20233 min read
Booker Prize 2023 - If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery
What are you? That’s the question you are asked by everyone from a young age. Because to a society that is built on a clear hierarchy of...
Sep 5, 20234 min read
Summer by Ali Smith
I didn’t get around to starting the final book in Ali Smith’s quartet, Summer, until that season had almost come to an end. During these...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_64d5600516f049fe9c922ec9c95a7d3c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_64d5600516f049fe9c922ec9c95a7d3c~mv2.webp)
![Love by Toni Morrison](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_64d5600516f049fe9c922ec9c95a7d3c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_64d5600516f049fe9c922ec9c95a7d3c~mv2.webp)
Aug 31, 20234 min read
Love by Toni Morrison
May, Christine, Heed, Junior and L – five women bound together by their obsession with one man. Bill Cosey was the owner of the famous...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_f8a2f0b06cbf4c4ea5c80068d5493d46~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/a67392_f8a2f0b06cbf4c4ea5c80068d5493d46~mv2.webp)
![The Colour Purple by Alice Walker](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a67392_f8a2f0b06cbf4c4ea5c80068d5493d46~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/a67392_f8a2f0b06cbf4c4ea5c80068d5493d46~mv2.webp)
Jun 29, 20233 min read
The Colour Purple by Alice Walker
Alice Walker’s modern classic The Color Purple portrays the lives and struggles of African American women in the last century, marked by...
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