Inland by Kate Risse

Rating:

3 Stars

Themes:

Dystopian

Thoughts:

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I found this book soo conflicting, while the premise itself was intriguing I found most of the characters insufferable. Juliet is so selfish and self-important which would rub me up the wrong way in most books but in an end of the world as we know it situation when she’s (internally) whining about having to help Martin’s friend with a severe snake bite or helping a toddler in the beginning even though she was supportive after they had already started helping the child. I understand the mothers need to get back to her child, especially when the world is upturned but the seemingly total overriding of compassion for anyone else, including Martin who is helping her stay alive, is irritating. Billy himself is also somewhat selfish but that is completely understandable considering he is only a teenager and they behave like that in normal circumstances nevermind a catastrophe and for most of the book he is pretty much alone in the world so it makes sense to be angry whenever Martin takes the phone to ask about his family as communication with his own mum is sooo scarce. I did think that Risse could have spent more time actually explaining why phones had been banned in her world as the beginning of the book stated that they were and how the rules had been broken by Juliet and Billy but there’s not much real explanation as to why and even though a few more details are splattered throughout it’s still not 100% clear why such a drastic action was taken. I also felt that the ending felt like there was something missing as we never really get any form of answers or resolution.

Comments

Mint and Murder by Carly Winter

Rating: Stars Themes: Short Story, Cosy Mystery Thoughts: Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I had to read this book, seeing it was available, after reading Pipers Piping and Puppies last year. I did read it as a standalone (it’s not the first time I’ve read a series out of order and likely won’t be the last) I managed to follow along fine although I’m sure I’d have understood the relationship dynamics better had I read it in the correct order. I found the story great and as for the mystery I was guessing myself right the way through until Sam figured it out. Sam is a strong female main character who feels worth investing in so I may have to go search some more of the Heywood Herbalist series out. I enjoyed seeing Sam interact with her friends as they had great chemistry and it felt real, and also really liked Sam’s interactions with Doug as it added another layer of humanity to her and reality to the town. I would love ...

Porn is Not Sex Ed! by Jessica Melendez

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Young Adult Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. In the age of lessening sex education this book could be a great tool to help bridge the gap. I appreciate the talk to an adult bits that can encourage children to start to have conversations that are important but they often think are cringy. The note to trusted adults bit at the end is great too and there’s quite a few useful activities to help the messages really sink in. Some of the points here such as fetishisation and body image are really important ones that I never learned that young (which could be the reason I had such poor body image as a teen) and for the most part the book talks to kids on their level although some areas may feel a little immaturely worded for older teens. With thanks to Hachette UK and Netgalley for my advanced digital copy of this book.

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, ...

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