KJK Reads

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Fiction, Mystery  Thoughts: I don’t quite know what to think about this one. I went in thinking it was a thriller mystery type book but while a child does go missing in the first chapter, the story felt like it was missing those elements for me. Especially when we were getting towards the end of the book as Lily’s being found/rescued wasn’t really covered and was more of an afterthought in Rachel’s story. Rachel herself was a character I really couldn’t get along with, while I can see where her dissatisfaction could be coming from she seemed to be completely selfish and centering herself in everyone else's (especially that of Deborah and Mia) trauma. The way in which she spoke about Mia centered herself and almost reduced her as if Rachel had really wanted a doll she could dress and control forever and not an actual child who would grow and develop their own mind. I also disliked the way that as soon as she knew who it was with Lily, she tried to reconstruct...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Graphic Novel, Romance, LGBTQ+ Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a sweet and slow burn romance. It is advertised as an age gap which is more evident with the older man being a university lecturer but I didn’t realise how small (only 11 years) it actually was until the characters brief bios at the end. I liked that the majority of the story took place either in a library or on scenic car rides as it felt more like a love story for introverts which I don’t see too often. The artwork itself is in black and white which adds a lovely touch as the story isn’t too in your face intense and neither are the pictures. The cover warns of graphic content but that is only in the Bonus Story so those who are interested in the story but not that content can easily skip it without missing out context. Favourite Quote: “I think I was looking for a place I could belong. The more people I interacted with and the ...

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Fiction, Short Stories, Poetry, LGBTQ+ Thoughts: This is such a beautiful and vibrant book for a Pride read or for those learning to accept and love their identities. I absolutely loved the pride in our identities and the right to be us that flowed throughout the book. Some of the stories were more in depth in and tackling much more complex issues like On the Run and The Other Team but others took a sweeter and little funny look like Penguins (worrying about being outshone by a penguin is both hilarious and totally something I would do). I also liked that it didn’t just take a Europecentric view with The Phoenix’s Fault being included. All the artwork was stunning and complimentary to the stories perfectly, it was also cool to see so many different artists and authors were included to get a taste of all their different works. Favourite Quote: “Remember you have the right to be proud Remember you have the right to be you.”

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Poetry  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I liked the way in which the poems and essays were set with the essay essentially outlining how Campbell approached each topic and contextualised her poems a little and then the poetry following with the emotive content. I found the way in which she covered loss as it approaches the loss of a relationship that is no longer working on the author's own terms but how it still leaves a mark on us as individuals anyway. The illustrations are sparing but compliment the poems they are with really well and are beautiful in their simplicity.  Favourite Quote: “as i get older i'm starting to realize that nothing's safer if it costs your peace”

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Holocaust Thoughts: I may have picked this one up at the library and got half way through before I realised that it’s book 2 but it’s a credit to Gleitzman’s writing that I could read it as a standalone and I’ll be going back for more in the series. I really felt for Felix and he kept referring to Zelda as a child since she is so little but after everything he’s been through he doesn’t see himself like that despite only being 10 himself. Genia threw me at first when she found the pair but I can see why she had to behave that way at first and I warmed to her instantly. It was sweet that they could all act as part of the missing pieces for each other since Genia has a missing person and the kids have both lost their parents. The ending felt so rough and made me sad but I appreciate that it's an important piece of history and many people had similar experiences in the War.  Favourite Quote: “Asking for help can be risky these days. A lot of grown-ups aren't...

Rating: 2 Stars Themes: Social Commentary, Satire  Thoughts:  I’m really quite conflicted with this one. One one hand, I can see the satirical take on institutional racism in those type of start ups and sales teams. Equating a cafe to a crack den in the first few pages is definitely a strong choice since he works in a coffee shop at the time but it lets us know exactly what type of satire we are getting ourselves into right off the bat. I did enjoy Askaripour’s take on the prejudices in a workplace from Clyde with the outright targeting and white paint stunt on Buck’s first day to no one noticing Buck was the man from Starbucks till it was pointed out and him being compared to several different famous black men who look nothing alike which the individuals wouldn’t have even recognised as prejudice. Buck is extremely self obsessed, seeing all his colleagues at Starbucks as his soldiers and then behaving like the whole of his estate is behaving around and revolving around him. I...