The Heirloom by Julie Brooks

Rating:

3 Stars

Themes:

Historical Fiction, Dual Timeline, Multiple POV, Feminism

Thoughts:

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. There is a dual timeline in this book and I found myself desperate to know what’s happening in 1821 but not being as interested in 2024, I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to Philadelphia and even Issac but I wasn’t as invested in Mia’s tale. This made it feel a bit disjointed and frustrated when I really got into Philadelphia’s day or the trial and then the timeline changed and suddenly I was in a different time and country. I thought that the ending with the Yarrow where the tale all began like a full circle moment was a great touch but the modern romance felt a little unnecessary but I appreciate that some readers won’t read anything with no romance so can see why it was included.

Favourite Quote:

“Knowledge after all was only dangerous if wielded unwisely.”

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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