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fee_mak's reviews
53 reviews
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Wow. Such a breathtaking book about the journey of Nuri and Afra who have to flee from their war torn home in Aleppo.
Nuri is a beekeeper who had a successful career alongside his cousin Mustafa back in Syria. The men are close but are separated when Mustafa leaves Syria before Nuri to head to the UK.
Nuri and his wife Afra face many life changing, traumatic events that eventually lead to the decline in their physical and mental health.
The truth of the refugee journey is heavy but Christie writes it so well with humanity and care. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Gutted the end doesn’t reveal whether or not Nuri and Afra are granted asylum but I’m glad they’re reunited with Mustafa.
Nuri is a beekeeper who had a successful career alongside his cousin Mustafa back in Syria. The men are close but are separated when Mustafa leaves Syria before Nuri to head to the UK.
Nuri and his wife Afra face many life changing, traumatic events that eventually lead to the decline in their physical and mental health.
The truth of the refugee journey is heavy but Christie writes it so well with humanity and care. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
The Details by Ia Genberg
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
*trigger warning: rape*
If you’re looking for a quick read, The Details does the job. A wonderful book about 4 people that’s transformed the main characters life and the way strangers have profound effects on the trajectory of our lives.
I enjoyed especially the way Ia describes feelings and emotions we experience on a day to day in such a moving and detailed manner. These moments are so relatable to the everyday person.
If you’re looking for a quick read, The Details does the job. A wonderful book about 4 people that’s transformed the main characters life and the way strangers have profound effects on the trajectory of our lives.
I enjoyed especially the way Ia describes feelings and emotions we experience on a day to day in such a moving and detailed manner. These moments are so relatable to the everyday person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Rape
Rootless by Krystle Zara Appiah
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Absolutely gut wrenching 😭
LOVED Krystle’s writing style and the use for foreshadowing throughout the book. Every time I thought something would happen, Krystle caught me off guard!
I had a love hate relationship with the protagonists, Efe especially, however, Rootless really displays the raw truth of being married as well as find your identity within and outside your relationship. Dark and brutal at times but genuine throughout.
I enjoyed learning about Ghana and Ghanaian culture and proverbs. And the deep message of forgiveness at the end of the book.
If you’re looking for your next book to read, look no further!
LOVED Krystle’s writing style and the use for foreshadowing throughout the book. Every time I thought something would happen, Krystle caught me off guard!
I had a love hate relationship with the protagonists, Efe especially, however, Rootless really displays the raw truth of being married as well as find your identity within and outside your relationship. Dark and brutal at times but genuine throughout.
I enjoyed learning about Ghana and Ghanaian culture and proverbs. And the deep message of forgiveness at the end of the book.
If you’re looking for your next book to read, look no further!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
One of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I can’t believe it took me so long to get round to it!
The book follows 12 characters through a vignette of their lives. All from different generations, leading differently lifestyles and ways of thinking but are interlinked through Amma, the first person were introduced to.
Bernadine’s writing style is super engaging and literally transported me to different worlds throughout each chapter in the space of 20-30 odd pages. The nuances in fashion, society, attitudes & ideologies of race and relations were so distinct. No two chapters were the same, although I did find it difficult at times to remember particular characters; their stories & relationships to others.
I really enjoyed the chapters of the older ladies like Shirley (THAT PLOT TWIST THO!!!!) and Grace because we rarely hear about stories from the eyes of women born in the 40-60s and their lives before being wives and mothers.
Honestly a refreshing body of work of different stories that tie in together so effortlessly.
The book follows 12 characters through a vignette of their lives. All from different generations, leading differently lifestyles and ways of thinking but are interlinked through Amma, the first person were introduced to.
Bernadine’s writing style is super engaging and literally transported me to different worlds throughout each chapter in the space of 20-30 odd pages. The nuances in fashion, society, attitudes & ideologies of race and relations were so distinct. No two chapters were the same, although I did find it difficult at times to remember particular characters; their stories & relationships to others.
I really enjoyed the chapters of the older ladies like Shirley (THAT PLOT TWIST THO!!!!) and Grace because we rarely hear about stories from the eyes of women born in the 40-60s and their lives before being wives and mothers.
Honestly a refreshing body of work of different stories that tie in together so effortlessly.
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It’s TUFF reading a book where the main character is annoying as HELL.
Meet Ava, an Irish girl navigating her 20s on her gap year in Hong Kong. Aside from spending her parents’ money, she spends her time at a badly paid job teaching rich kids British grammar; and seeking the attention of Julian, a rich emotionally unavailable love interest who spends his time reminder her of his disinterest in her. While he’s away, she meets Edith, who rocks her world but struggles to deal with Ava’s emotional availability.
I loved how layered and realistic Ava’s internal dialogue is, because one thing an over-thinker’s going to do is self sabotage!
It was a somewhat slow start but started picking up quickly in the middle and by the end, I didn’t want it to end. I need some more closure pls
Meet Ava, an Irish girl navigating her 20s on her gap year in Hong Kong. Aside from spending her parents’ money, she spends her time at a badly paid job teaching rich kids British grammar; and seeking the attention of Julian, a rich emotionally unavailable love interest who spends his time reminder her of his disinterest in her. While he’s away, she meets Edith, who rocks her world but struggles to deal with Ava’s emotional availability.
I loved how layered and realistic Ava’s internal dialogue is, because one thing an over-thinker’s going to do is self sabotage!
It was a somewhat slow start but started picking up quickly in the middle and by the end, I didn’t want it to end. I need some more closure pls
Girls by Kirsty Capes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
TW: mental health, suicide
Absolutely gorgeous! Kristy’s only gone and done it. Very different from Careless (the last novel I read of hers) but similar in the sense that she’s not afraid to touch on the reality of mental health + addiction and the many ways anybody can fall victim to it.
A story about the unfortunate demise of a celebrity artist who was famous in her prime & the generational effects of her dwindling mental health.
Girls is such a well rounded book with lots of full circle moments. At times it felt like I was really there with the characters. The living protagonists, Matty, her daughter Beanie and sister, Nora can be complicated at times (especially when suffering from severe mental health).
The ending was bittersweet but life isn’t all about fairytale endings!
A must read
Absolutely gorgeous! Kristy’s only gone and done it. Very different from Careless (the last novel I read of hers) but similar in the sense that she’s not afraid to touch on the reality of mental health + addiction and the many ways anybody can fall victim to it.
A story about the unfortunate demise of a celebrity artist who was famous in her prime & the generational effects of her dwindling mental health.
Girls is such a well rounded book with lots of full circle moments. At times it felt like I was really there with the characters. The living protagonists, Matty, her daughter Beanie and sister, Nora can be complicated at times (especially when suffering from severe mental health).
The ending was bittersweet but life isn’t all about fairytale endings!
A must read
The Good Immigrant by Nikesh Shukla
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A book everyone should read !!!
Touched on race from various POC writers + actors and I learned so much ab other cultures and their traditions.
Touched on race from various POC writers + actors and I learned so much ab other cultures and their traditions.
The Sentence by Christina Dalcher
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Tough book to get through because the initial plot isn’t that gripping (some parts were stretched out for no reason). Partially wasn’t a fan of Justine (the protagonist) and her internal dialogue in between every conversation she had throughout the book.
The plot twist caught me off guard! But although it was fiction, it seemed so unrealistic. Genuinely couldn’t wait for it to end.
Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
An honest love story tbh.
I enjoyed the way the book was written, almost like poetry at times. It’s delves into the culture, politics and identity of Nigeria and its citizens of the time. And also depicts the reality of love, through yearning, hardships, rejection & triumph. Highly recommend 👏🏾
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A full and extremely rich novel that touches on themes of betrayal, heartbreak and loss but most of all the love that’s consistent in between the lines.
The book is split in 4 parts where we learn ab each character and location via the protagonists POV. Her worlds: the jungle (Back Woods), the City (London) and the concrete jungle where dreams are made of (NYC) are prime locations for her evolution, which reveal diff parts of her at diff moments of her life.
The book is split in 4 parts where we learn ab each character and location via the protagonists POV. Her worlds: the jungle (Back Woods), the City (London) and the concrete jungle where dreams are made of (NYC) are prime locations for her evolution, which reveal diff parts of her at diff moments of her life.
Truly a well deserved number NY times bestseller! I finished the book in less than a week (mostly bcos my library due date was coming up) and honestly, Miranda kept me on my toes the whole way through.
So glad I picked this up! Highly highly recommend