KJK Reads

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Essays, Horror Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is an interesting collection of essays, as someone who was late to horror (I wouldn’t actually watch horrors in the millennial frame but am catching up now) I found this book very informative. I found the book being separated into three parts made it feel less daunting (especially with the gruesomeness of some of the books covered and thought that remakes getting their own section at the end was cool. I thought that the way in which the last chapter of one chapter leaded into the title/topic of the next was a great touch that made it feel even more cohesive. I also liked the fact that the Saw films and final destination films had their own chapters with them having so many films under the franchise. Finally, the 6 degrees of saw-peration list and graphic at the end was interesting for me to see the way so many horrors can connect and a...

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Poetry  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was an interesting collection of poems that takes you on a rollercoaster. There’s both poems that are happy and lighthearted and some that take a darker route, even with some quite touching deliberations on suicide being included.  With thanks to Booksirens for my advanced digital copy of this book.

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.  With thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and Netgalley for my advanced digital copy of this book.

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Comic, Non-Fiction, Psychology, Therapy Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book was a great introduction to music theory. It isn’t to content dense or utilising too much jargon but still manages to teach us the key concepts of music theory allowing us to understand the practice. It is has a helpful section on dispelling myths and the history of music theory which was really interesting to learn. With thanks to Jessica Kingsley Publishers and Netgalley for my advanced digital copy of this book.

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Children's Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a cute little book that helps teach children the importance of empathy and compassion, helping them consider problem solving for themselves in the future. I liked how Ezekiel and Joel both had different problems in regards to their playing American football but they worked together and found that the same tactic can help them both.  With thanks to Boys Town Press Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced digital copy of this book.

Rating: DNF Themes: Non-Fiction, Essays Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. It felt like the author was using long and complex words just to show off his own intelligence and ability but making it tedius for me to read and must make it impossible for some others (which I tested by reading out 2 sentences to someone and they couldn't make head nor tail of them. I also thought it was unfair to focus soley on male authors when so many were offered and there are also female authors who show excellent wit and ability too despite the prejudices in the time period. With thanks to Booksirens for my advanced digital copy of this book.

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Short Story, Psychological Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was an interesting short story which managed to keep me on my toes all along. I appreciated the pronunciation below the characters name for part 1 as it wasn’t one I’d have managed to correctly guess and appreciated the hints of Haitian culture and tradition throughout (black for a year, views on cremation, food, ect). Saga’s character felt sad and complex and in a twisted way I could understand her motivations more than those of Celienne’s character, but I didn’t really understand the changes occurring to Dieufely.  Favourite Quote: "It was also when I learned that it wasn’t enough to be nice. People were the most comfortable with individuals that were just like them." With thanks to Booksirens for my advanced digital copy of this book.