This poetry collection really affected me, and I found it hard to read. It’s so raw and open that at times I had to stop and run away from it. As someone who has been happily married for two years, reading about someone divorcing after twenty years of marriage scared and upset me. Her confusion,Continue reading “Stag’s Leap by Sharon Olds”
Tag Archives: Reading list
Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov
In some ways I really liked this book, and in others I really struggled with it. I loved the poem, but found Kinbote a very irritating character in the foreword and commentary. Despite that I was intrigued by his identity, and whether he was the king. Personally part of me wants to think he is,Continue reading “Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov”
Dart/Memorial by Alice Oswald
I found it hard at first to get into Dart, but then I stopped and went back to read the acknowledgement at the front. It explained the indications in the margins are to show the change in voice. Knowing this, I understood the poem better and started to enjoy it. Hearing the different point ofContinue reading “Dart/Memorial by Alice Oswald”
Complicity by Iain Banks
This book isn’t usually the genre type I read, a crime thriller, but I have to admit I was gripped all the way through. Cameron is an intriguing character. Even if he isn’t very likeable he is recognizable and even relatable. The murderer’s scenes written in second person are really gripping and disturbing. IContinue reading “Complicity by Iain Banks”
Her Birth by Rebecca Goss
Her Birth by Rebecca Goss This poetry collection is heart breaking, deeply moving and beautifully done. The poems go through the birth, short life, death and aftermath of Goss’ daughter, born with a heart condition. It describes the pain of knowing she will die, but trying to give her everything they can while she’sContinue reading “Her Birth by Rebecca Goss”
The Accidental by Ali Smith
The Accidental by Ali Smith The first chapter I found hard to get into, but halfway through Astrid’s point of view I was hooked. The mystery of Amber was intriguing, but it was more the strong, vastly different voices of each family member and their dilemmas that drew me in. I loved Michael’s chapterContinue reading “The Accidental by Ali Smith”
Engleby by Sebastian Faulks
Although this book was interesting, I did not like Mike’s character. He was very arrogant and conceited. Sometimes I felt sorry for him, but his overall personality made him unlikeable. I imagine this was intentional because it made me question him as a reliable narrator, and I suspected immediately he had killed Jenny. The intriguingContinue reading “Engleby by Sebastian Faulks”
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
Before lecture It took me a while, about a quarter-way into the book, to realise Sarah Waters was also the author of Fingersmith. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t read it, but I did see the mini-series drama based on the book and loved it. The story was dark but intriguing, the characters complex andContinue reading “The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters”
The Bees by Carol Ann Duffy
The Bees by Carol Ann Duffy Like with Simon Armitage I was lucky enough to attend a poetry reading Carol Ann Duffy was part of when I was studying at GCSE level. Duffy doesn’t instantly grip me the way Armitage does, but I usually find a few of her poems I love. This collection isContinue reading “The Bees by Carol Ann Duffy”
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: Final thoughts/opinions
Present day opinions/thoughts: I can safely say my opinions from my first reading were completely wrong due to not remembering details correctly. Susie didn’t force herself into Ruth, Ruth forced Susie in. Ray was very aware who he was having sex with and the experience helped him move on. It’s a bittersweet tale thatContinue reading “The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: Final thoughts/opinions”
Scribbled Thoughts 