Zikora by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Rating:

4 Stars

Themes:

Motherhood, Psychological Fiction, Short Story, Parenting, Feminism

Thoughts:

Such a short but poignant read. It is impressive how Adichie can make strong points in such small books.

Zikora is on its surface the story of Zikoras labour and reflections on what led her to this point being a single parent. But interweved through her reflections shows her Nigerian upbringing and the differing traditions there and how they have impacted both her and those around her. From her mothers seemingly cold indifference seemingly caused by her father taking on and moving in with a second wife and sons and her cousins life which was expected of her to marry the rich older man and continue to bear his children we see the different lives that these women lead and the life Zikora was spared by being sent to live in America.

Through the snippets of their lives that we are told we are also able to see just how easy it is to end up feeling alone as all three women are left feeling like they're parenting alone regardless of the father being abscent or in the same house.

Favourite Quote:

"How swift the moment is when your life becomes a different life."

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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