We Were Liars by E Lockhart

Rating:

4 Stars

Themes:

Young Adult, Mystery, Disability, Thriller, Contemporary Fiction

Thoughts:

Interesting story. I didn't see the ending with the deaths coming but at the same time it seemed to poetically describe the lives of the Liars and their family. Especially with the seeming cover up so that Cady didn't know what had happened and also didn't face any kind of legal reprecussions (or find out while giving evidence), it fitted the messy lives of the young Liars and also the way in which the family interacted with each other.

I also felt a connection to Cady struggling to come to terms with the reality of her life becoming sick and coping with her new condition while feeling suffocated by family and just wanting to feel normal. This was very realistic, especially in a dynamic condition as sometimes you can be your old self and all of a sudden symptoms flare and it can feel like grief for the old you al over again.

Favourite Quote:

"I don't want to be labelled with a disability. I don't want more drugs. I don't want doctors or concerned teachers. God knows I've had enough doctors."

Comments

Vincent: A Graphic Biography by Simon Elliott

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Comic, Non-Fiction, Biography Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great little book on Vincent van Gogh. It is very detailed containing pieces of his life such as changing careers and failed love interests that are often not considered when we think of van Gogh, instead favouring his art and mental health. The illustrations were really well done and at times helped to bring levity to the story which isn’t often the happiest of lives.

The War of Sober by Edward Rand

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Addiction, Psychology Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book not just for addicts trying to establish and maintain their sobriety but also psychologists, counsellors and the people working with them. It approaches the experience of addiction from the perspective of going to war and may help those who can’t get along with the 12 steps, contingency management or other forms of therapy traditionally used. It’s also helpful to have Edward detail his own experiences and approaches throughout so it feels less clinical and shows he does know what he’s talking about when he mentions the difficulties so it comes across less patronising than some self-help addiction books. Favourite Quote: "It doesn't matter what happened yesterday. Win or lose, if we are still alive, we must decide to be different today and then make the correct choices today, because friends, ...

Broken Glass by Sarah Kay

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This collection is mixed for me, some of the poems were really good and all were definitely emotive but I think so many poems on the Hamas attack and subsequent war which is highly politically charged a little difficult to tackle. Favourite Quote: "What good is it to open my heart when in the end, you will stab it in the back?"

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