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tej_reads's reviews
723 reviews
Your Neighbour's Table by Gu Byeong-mo
Some of the moments that stood out to me, were where the fathers response when asked by the mother if he understood what it meant to watch the kids was “if you don’t write down instructions… how would I know what to do?”, and it just goes to show how widely it’s understood that men weaponise their incompetence. Similarly, the six-year old daughter being expected by the father to help out and look after younger kids and in his opinion the mother being upset over this was an over reaction.
It was so easy to become invested in the characters and want them to overcome the issues they were struggling with but it was also so easy to dislike some of the characters. Overall, it was a quick read, that I think if you like slice of life, social commentary and realistic characters, you’ll like this.
Thank you to Headline, NetGalley and Gu Byeong-Mo for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.5
I had such a visceral reaction while reading Your Neighbour’s Table. The story focuses of a communal living group, and the different families that live in this community. We get a POV from each ‘family’ so to speak and experience a slice of their life, their thoughts, feeling and response to this communal living situation.
There was so much that I thought was so realistically written, that I could not help but empathise with the characters and topics that I think were brilliantly showcased:
There was so much that I thought was so realistically written, that I could not help but empathise with the characters and topics that I think were brilliantly showcased:
- Gender Roles
- Weaponised Incompetence
- Sexism
- Marital Affairs
- Expectations of New Mothers/Mothers
Some of the moments that stood out to me, were where the fathers response when asked by the mother if he understood what it meant to watch the kids was “if you don’t write down instructions… how would I know what to do?”, and it just goes to show how widely it’s understood that men weaponise their incompetence. Similarly, the six-year old daughter being expected by the father to help out and look after younger kids and in his opinion the mother being upset over this was an over reaction.
It was so easy to become invested in the characters and want them to overcome the issues they were struggling with but it was also so easy to dislike some of the characters. Overall, it was a quick read, that I think if you like slice of life, social commentary and realistic characters, you’ll like this.
Thank you to Headline, NetGalley and Gu Byeong-Mo for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Cold Enough For Snow by Jessica Au
3.75
The girl knew so much without seeming to try, and she seemed complete defined in some way that I wasn't.
At some point in her life, there had been things worth screaming and crying over,
Hyo the Hellmaker by Mina Ikemoto Ghosh
This book was so different than what I thought it was going to be, the synopsis and cover made me initially think Hyo the Hellmaker was a YA novel but I was very wrong. It is gritty and meaty, a story to sink your teeth into.
I loved the mystery storyline and was trying to piece it together myself, as the story developed, the plot twists were so much fun. I enjoyed the illustrations, I think it added to uncomfortable/unreliable narrative, they were creepy and amazing at the same time.
I very much want to read another Hyo the Hellmaker novel, I’m so excited for what Gosh does next.
4.0
"Oh no, it's an extrovert,"
This book was so different than what I thought it was going to be, the synopsis and cover made me initially think Hyo the Hellmaker was a YA novel but I was very wrong. It is gritty and meaty, a story to sink your teeth into.
Although, our gaze makes people feel death's shadow, we have to act remembering, honouring, and loving people's brightness."
I loved the mystery storyline and was trying to piece it together myself, as the story developed, the plot twists were so much fun. I enjoyed the illustrations, I think it added to uncomfortable/unreliable narrative, they were creepy and amazing at the same time.
People risked alot for "one", "last" and "time".
I very much want to read another Hyo the Hellmaker novel, I’m so excited for what Gosh does next.
We're not alone. We're together, in this hell of ours.
The Young Man by Annie Ernaux
4.0
I would like to be inside you and come out of you so I could be like you.
The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
The Rainfall Goblin Market appears during the rainy season and allows guests to exchange lives for better ones. Serin a young girl, who hopes for a better life receives a golden ticket to the market.
I liked the social commentary throughout that no one is ever happy with what they have, and that even someone who had that ‘ideal life’, was still at the Market wanting a better life. Serin also wishes in, I suppose the ‘right’ order for the social commentary to progress, from something small like a place at her dream university (so is she older?) to freedom to money. At each instance seeing why having that kind of life might not make her happy. The subplot with the Goblins was confusing mainly as it all came to play in the later chapters, but it does play into the social commentary aspect of the novel.
The premise was great although I think the execution was a bit confusing, in the being you find that Serin is reeling from the loss of her sister and yet, Yerin is younger despite Serin readings as though she is twelve? I’m not sure if Serin is then older towards the late teens. Serins choices and mentality throughout the novel scream young. Also, I’m not sure if the premise or the cover said anything about Goblins?
I'm not entirely sure who the target demographic is for this book, I think it's marketed as a General Fiction (Adult) but I do think it's primarily Teens & YA and that's solely because of the writing style and the lack of in depth social commentary which makes this more suited to a younger audience, so because of that I've reviewed this as if The Rainfall Market was a YA book.
Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, You Yeong-Gwang and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Masks by Fumiko Enchi
Masks was such a strange read, it was unnerving and super creepy. Absolutely no one here had any morals. I liked the writing, the history and the analysis of the Tale of Genji.
3.75
My first Libby read, I can’t believe that it took me this long to head back to my local library to borrow books.
Just as there is an archetype of woman as the object of man’s eternal love, so there must be an archetype of her as the object of his eternal fear, representing, perhaps, the shadow of his own evil actions.
… remaining years of her life seemed destined to pass in the glow of a fine, pale light like the long evening hours of early summer - until into that wan and solitary twilight, disrupting it’s tranquility.
Masks was such a strange read, it was unnerving and super creepy. Absolutely no one here had any morals. I liked the writing, the history and the analysis of the Tale of Genji.
Butter by Asako Yuzuki
I devoured Butter, (and not just literally) it took me some time to finish but that was because it made me hungry! I had to keep stopping to make some of the recipes, I made rice with soy sauce and butter, and pancakes with artisan butter, both were amazing. But onto the novel.
I loved the discussion of feminism and femininity throughout the novel. Kajii from the start is very clear that she hates feminists but in my opinion she’s portrayed as quite the feminist. Kajii chooses to go against the standard of weight, of womanhood and of social expectations in Japan, which to me is what being a feminist is all about having the ability to choose for yourself. Which I found was in contrast to some of things she would say which were very subservient towards men, a direct contrast but as you read on you see how it all plays out together, in a wonderful display of Kajii’s true ability.
The above quote I felt resonate throughout the book, especially at the end, with the public response to Rika - which if you have read the book you may feel the same, but if you have not I will not say more.
I found that Butter is more a vehicle for social commentary that it is a thriller with a murder mystery element, which is fine for me. I enjoyed the social commentary aspect slightly more, but I did enjoy the murder mystery a lot as well, it was enjoyable trying to piece the story together with Rika, and trying to understand Kajii and her motivations.
The pacing was interesting, I found it to be very slow, but looking back on the novel I’m glad it was. One because it’s translated and the translation should be as faithful to the original work as possible but second because Rika’s investigation was over a decent period of time and I don’t think all the plot lines would have come together in a fulfilling way (especially Kajii’s actions) if it had been sped up for the sake of page count.
I was famished for a good book but Butter has me sated. My physical copy is on the way and I look forward to annotating the heck out of it.
Thank you to Asako Yuzuki, Fourth Estate and NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
5.0
There are two things that I simply cannot tolerate: feminists and margarine.
I devoured Butter, (and not just literally) it took me some time to finish but that was because it made me hungry! I had to keep stopping to make some of the recipes, I made rice with soy sauce and butter, and pancakes with artisan butter, both were amazing. But onto the novel.
Kajii had given herself that permission. Ignoring other people’s yardsticks, she had decided that she was enough as a woman.
I loved the discussion of feminism and femininity throughout the novel. Kajii from the start is very clear that she hates feminists but in my opinion she’s portrayed as quite the feminist. Kajii chooses to go against the standard of weight, of womanhood and of social expectations in Japan, which to me is what being a feminist is all about having the ability to choose for yourself. Which I found was in contrast to some of things she would say which were very subservient towards men, a direct contrast but as you read on you see how it all plays out together, in a wonderful display of Kajii’s true ability.
All women should give themselves permission to demand good treatment, but the world made doing so profoundly difficult.
The above quote I felt resonate throughout the book, especially at the end, with the public response to Rika - which if you have read the book you may feel the same, but if you have not I will not say more.
I found that Butter is more a vehicle for social commentary that it is a thriller with a murder mystery element, which is fine for me. I enjoyed the social commentary aspect slightly more, but I did enjoy the murder mystery a lot as well, it was enjoyable trying to piece the story together with Rika, and trying to understand Kajii and her motivations.
The pacing was interesting, I found it to be very slow, but looking back on the novel I’m glad it was. One because it’s translated and the translation should be as faithful to the original work as possible but second because Rika’s investigation was over a decent period of time and I don’t think all the plot lines would have come together in a fulfilling way (especially Kajii’s actions) if it had been sped up for the sake of page count.
I was famished for a good book but Butter has me sated. My physical copy is on the way and I look forward to annotating the heck out of it.
Thank you to Asako Yuzuki, Fourth Estate and NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rewitched is a cozy, magical, autumnal read with a mix of fantasy, contemporary and slow-burn romance.
It’s not a cozy fantasy read without a bookstore, Rewitched follows Belladonna Blackthorn, a witch who receives a summons on her 30th birthday to attend a Equiwitch Trial to test her ability and worthiness as a witch. After being given one month to learn to master her magic, Belle seeks out a mentor to teach her about her magic. Unfortunately, darker magic is working against her, Belle with her mother, mentor and watchman must come together. After all the only thing darkness cannot fight is the light.
Belle has been working at Lunar Books for most of her adult life, living a quiet life, working for a sweet old lady named Violet and her crappy son Christopher (he deserves being called crappy). After hiding her magic for most of her adult life, Belle is out of touch with her magical core, which is not what you want when you are about to tested for magical neglect and if found guilty, you risk losing your magic completely. Belle, is different to other protagonists I’ve read recently in that she’s advertised as recently turning 30 and it’s nice to read about characters that are going from their late 20s to 30. Being 25 myself I have yet to feel the pressure of 30 but that way that Belle, felt turning 30 that sense of wanting and uncertainty in oneself is a feeling I know all too well and was glad to explore. We get to follow Belle as she finds happiness with herself but also finds family. The writing style was lovely and whimsical with a light quality about it, making Rewitched a pleasant read. Rune is so cute, and adorable is his clumsy pursuit of Belle.
Rewitched was a cozy read, I’m almost sad to have read it in the summer in the blistering heat instead of by the window, with mug of tea while it snows. I look forward to a winter reread instead.
Rewitched releases on the 19th of September 2024, and is available at all good bookstores, with a special edition being offered at Waterstones.
Thank you to NetGalley, Pan MacMillan and Lucy Jane Wood for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It’s not a cozy fantasy read without a bookstore, Rewitched follows Belladonna Blackthorn, a witch who receives a summons on her 30th birthday to attend a Equiwitch Trial to test her ability and worthiness as a witch. After being given one month to learn to master her magic, Belle seeks out a mentor to teach her about her magic. Unfortunately, darker magic is working against her, Belle with her mother, mentor and watchman must come together. After all the only thing darkness cannot fight is the light.
Belle has been working at Lunar Books for most of her adult life, living a quiet life, working for a sweet old lady named Violet and her crappy son Christopher (he deserves being called crappy). After hiding her magic for most of her adult life, Belle is out of touch with her magical core, which is not what you want when you are about to tested for magical neglect and if found guilty, you risk losing your magic completely. Belle, is different to other protagonists I’ve read recently in that she’s advertised as recently turning 30 and it’s nice to read about characters that are going from their late 20s to 30. Being 25 myself I have yet to feel the pressure of 30 but that way that Belle, felt turning 30 that sense of wanting and uncertainty in oneself is a feeling I know all too well and was glad to explore. We get to follow Belle as she finds happiness with herself but also finds family. The writing style was lovely and whimsical with a light quality about it, making Rewitched a pleasant read. Rune is so cute, and adorable is his clumsy pursuit of Belle.
Rewitched was a cozy read, I’m almost sad to have read it in the summer in the blistering heat instead of by the window, with mug of tea while it snows. I look forward to a winter reread instead.
Rewitched releases on the 19th of September 2024, and is available at all good bookstores, with a special edition being offered at Waterstones.
Thank you to NetGalley, Pan MacMillan and Lucy Jane Wood for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.