KJK Reads

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Short Story, Horror Thoughts: I picked this up quite a while ago as a short horror story when I was trying to get into the genre but aside from it being a horror short story I couldn’t remember much else by the time I started to read. Soren and Leila seem to be a really sweet couple and I have to admit I may be convinced to join a social experiment for those benefits such as their first house too. Some of the neighbours seem unique from the off but then again don’t you always get a few different people in these sorts of things, I mean just look at Big Brother. The way in which the story evolved was well paced and kept me gripped to see where it was going and how far everything would go. I also liked the ending although I’d have enjoyed a follow up or epilogue to see how Soren and Leila have coped with it all afterwards. Favourite Quote: “Holidays always make people a little crazy.”

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Children's Non-Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is such a great little book and I really wish we had something like this when I was little. I liked that such a wide variety of women with different accomplishments were covered from literature and the arts to science and social justice, there's a role model for any and everyone. I liked how different cultures and races were included, especially Mrs Mary Seacole who is often overlooked by the white Florence Nightingale. I also thought that the today's trailblazers were a great touch as even though the book is dedicated to those who changed the world, we know the work isn’t over yet and we should acknowledge those still fighting. 

Rating: 5 Stars  Themes: Non-Fiction, True Crime Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. King shows us the aftermath of a violent murder and how it impacts those left behind while sharing the seemingly never ending fight for justice for her mother. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the psychic element but being what inspired her to write the book I see why it felt important for King to include it. While the book itself is about the murder and wish for justice of Nancy Jo Andrade, I found the differing perspectives on capital punishment as someone who doesn’t believe in it for statistical reasons, it was still emotive and gave me pause for thought seeing the way in which it can be used as a tool for justice. I like how in the preface King mentions advocating for other victims and their families and she also provided resources for ‘families of missing loved ones’ and ‘support for murder victim’s families and crime victim services’ to ...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Children's Fiction  Thoughts: This is a really great way to explain journalism in young kids and hopefully inspire some to go into the field. I loved the dedication, thought the story was well done and the homemade studio with the toys as crew is such a cute idea. The overall message of the story was great and a really important thing to teach children too. I liked that the author provided an understanding the news section at the end to help children fully understand the terms used and ones such as fact and opinion are great things to learn so young.  Favourite Quote: “Journalism is important work. We're not the only people who need you.”

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. These poems are different to the ones I have read prior. The approach of poems coming from an older person and reflecting on life was quite interesting to see how many things we think similarly in and how many are differing. The recent poems around Covid and the Russian invasion were also interesting to see an older persons interpretation of the events which I didn’t have beforehand. Favourite Quote: “Music will outlast the bombs that seek to level Ukrainian cities- cities that will surely be rebuilt and restored to long outlast those who sent them there.”