KJK Reads

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Graphic Novel, Teen, LGBTQ+ Thoughts:  Charlie and Nick are so cute and I could really sense the longing and confusion from the pages. I like the way the author placed the month in the story to show how slowly (and naturally) the feelings develop, especially Charlie as he is now questioning himself. I can also see the way in which Charlie felt the need to research when he started to get close as I’m sure many other teens and young adults who are figuring themselves out do. I knew going in there were 5 published books and one just being promoted but I had no clue that ending was coming and I definitely regret only borrowing the first from the library instead of bringing them all home. Favourite Quote: “You can't tell whether people are gay by what they look like And gay or Straight aren't the only two options Anyway, it's very rude to Speculate about people's sexuality”

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Romance, Short Stories  Thoughts:  So this may not be a formal book but I received a copy through Janet’s newsletter and I absolutely love anything Kringle Cousin so I had to read and share it with you all, maybe it’ll inspire you to check the series out a little. Now this installment is really short and falls in after the first three books and includes the main characters from all three while focusing on Rosie and Jack. I really enjoyed this book with the characters being touched back on, especially a hint of Nora and the furthering of the romances between them all. I especially liked the way in which the vows were handled which were soo cute and how they both used their own skills to make the day special in their own ways (flowers for Rosie and setting for Jack). Favourite Quote: “When I was a little girl, my mother told me that snowflakes were love letters from the sky. Each one was different, she said, because each one was meant for someone specific...

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Fiction, Morocco, Historical Fiction Thoughts: This was a little difficult for me to read as it is a culture unlike my own and I had to keep googling things which meant I was rereading to fix the disjointedness I created by stopping but I learnt so much and am glad that I did read it. The king is a complex character with the toughness to rule being in full view when Mohamed reflects on the past but the vulnerability of a dying man shows in stark contrast as he shares the current moments with each other. I also found the contrast of all the different personalities of people in the antechamber interesting and how they got along (or not) when it came to their days and the king's favour. Favourite Quote: “Before harming others, hatred poisons the heart of those who harbour it, and it erodes and gnaws away at you, kills you, bit by bit.”

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Memoir, Holocaust  Thoughts:  This book is so enlightening seeing the sisters journey for so long. The first half of the book covers before the war and their experiences in the concentration camps. It’s interesting that the block leader took enough of a liking to them to ultimately save their lives but it’s such a shame they couldn’t save Sergio as we can feel the guilt and regret that left them carrying their own lives. I enjoyed learning of their time in Lingfield as a Brit I had no idea of the place but I think I’ll be looking further into it now, especially knowing of the work Anna Freud does and that it was a project of hers. It’s great that they were able to get a happy reunion despite thinking their parents dead as most of the books I’ve read there was no such luck and it was great to see the other side since I know some families did have some members survive. I think the ending was so important, especially since it was translated in 2020 so was ...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Graphic Novel, Childrens, Middle Grade  Thoughts: I managed to get my hands on this book second hand for a steal and had to read it to check the age was appropriate for the boy I had bought it for or if I needed to keep it for a few years. Not only is it the perfect age and hopefully able to entice him into reading but it also made me smile in a few points too.

Rating: 2 Stars Themes: Short Stories  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into this book as the reviews seem to either love it or find it a waste of time and after reading it I can kind of see why. The short book is made up of 25 stories each taking its own approach which gives us an insight into lots of different lives to our own. However, there is no flow through each individual one which at times felt disjointed and sometimes it took me till nearly the end of the story to figure out what/who it was about. Though I won't be reading this one again, it is no comment on the author's skill and I may look into a full story written by her instead in the future. Favourite Quote: “Your memories, your youth, your strength, your life: the factory had taken them. All it had left you was weariness, the mortal weariness of forty years of work.”