mrej's reviews
125 reviews

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

4.5

Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

Wow, wow, wow! Emily Henry strikes again with her beautiful and spellbinding writing. No romance author makes me feel as emotional or connected to the characters as Emily Henry. The depths and complexities of the characters just makes me love them more. They are messy and confused but they are so vivid. I was a bit worried that with a cast of 6 main characters I would feel overwhelmed and lost but instead I felt the opposite. I felt that I knew them so well and they didn't just serve a purpose to further the plot but felt like real people whose experiences and feelings were just as important as the main pairing. 

I loved the setting of this idyllic holiday location which made me feel so summery but also loved the importance of this place to the characters who had so many memories there. 

I don't have any criticisms of this book and this is officially my favourite Emily Henry book. It might be enough to force me to buy the hardback edition of Funny Story!

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

emotional inspiring

4.0

This memoir was so moving. It is difficult to believe that Britney suffered and endured so much in her life. Since I was born before the height of her career, I knew little of the extent that Britney encountered. 

I struggled to rate this book as it felt like an honest account from a woman whose voice had been taken from her for so many years. While this is not the best written memoir I have read, this book is full of bravery and strength to share her story. Britney's life has often been spoken about by others - through her family or the media - so reading her unfiltered truth is really amazing. 

But What Can I Do?: Why Politics Has Gone So Wrong, and How You Can Help Fix It by Alastair Campbell

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5

This book was an useful introduction about how to get engaged in politics. I pretend I'm not, but I know I am a hugely political person. I have lots of opinions on many policies and politicians. But I tend to steer away from consuming news about politics because it often feels so disheartening. I hate that this has been my go-to response with politics as it comes from a place of such privilege. But with the upcoming general election, I decided to pick up a book about politics to get the ball rolling again. 
 
The first part of this book focusing on delivering hard facts about the current political climate. Campbell recognises that there are real threats to democracy such as the rise of polarisation and fascism. This section is arguably too depressing. I, however, believe that it is necessary to motivate people who want to see change into action. The recap of politics from the past decade was educational for me who has been unaware of how the nuances of campaigns played about before I was able to vote. 
 
While the first section was depressing, the later half was honestly inspiring and quite moving. The importance of not being cynical and instead engaging in politics to see the change you want to see was really powerful. I often get disheartened at the state of our political landscape but this book reminded me that, if you give up in frustration, change will never happen. I loved how Campbell gave real examples of people who have fought for change for the better, such as Greta Thunberg, Miep Gies and Bill W. The discussion of these remarkable people was moving and demonstrates the power one person can hold. 
 
I also loved that this book provided more practical and reasonable methods to go about campaigning and creating change on a bigger and smaller scale. I liked the honestly of how hard pursuing a career in politics is. I know I am not going to be PM but I want to make a difference. So I appreciated this book giving methods to engage in politics in smaller but meaningful ways.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

adventurous funny fast-paced

4.25

This was a joy to read and I get why its such a cult classic. This book is bonkers and nonsensical in the best possible way. I was laughing out loud at some points from the sheer absurdity and wit. A lovely easy read to break from exam stress. 

Unruly: A History of England's Kings and Queens by David Mitchell

funny informative reflective fast-paced

4.25

This was simply a joy to listen to and majorly satisfied the historian in me. I loved how colloquial this book was with its language and jokes which brought the book and history to life. I don't think I would have enjoyed this book nearly as much if I didn't listen to the audiobook. It reminded me a lot of Stephen Fry's Mythos series which incorporates humour with learning. I also liked that Mitchell talked about the kings prior to 1066 which I was not familiar with. Overall, a fun book that brought a sometimes tedious topic to life.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous fast-paced

2.0

I had such high hopes for this book which is why I'm giving it such a low rating. There was so much potential in the first book but Iron Flame was rushed. There were loads of ideas and many of them were great but they were rushed. I struggled to be invested in plot points that I was told were of major significance but were resolved within 10 pages. 

While I love a 'chosen one' trope and it can be done really well, I struggled with this. How out of the large cast of characters that were introduced, most proved to be useless and the climax relied on Violet or occasionally Xaden. Other characters' strengths and power doesn't reduce the main character's. 

Overall, I'm mainly disappointed and unsure if I want to continue with this series when the next book is released.

In Memoriam by Alice Winn

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I took my time with this one partly out of university stress and partly due to not wanting this book to end.

In Memoriam is such a heart-wrenching and sensitive book. While the romance in this book is wonderful, this book is primarily from the historical genre. Winn paints such as vivid image of the cruelties of the First World War as bright-eyed boys joined to leave traumatised, injured or dead. This book explores the injustice and pain of war through the voice of Henry and Sidney. The change of these characters from the start to the end of the book is so powerful. The hope of romance is overshadowed by the cruelty of war which further adds to the heartbreak.

This was such an amazing read that made me remember how much I love historical fiction.

The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper

emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

informative medium-paced

3.5

First book of 2024! I think I'm out of my reading slump and I've finally finished this book. I loved the audiobook but my library loan ended so I had to wait to finish this one. I loved the way that Gaiman brought the gods to life in this collection of Norse myths. It had a brilliant combination of knowledge, tension and humour. This really reminded me of Stephen Fry's mythology series, which is one of my favourites.

I have to admit the stories often felt very disjointed so I struggled to find motivation to pick it back up. But a brilliant read and great first book!