The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois - Honoree Fanonne Jeffers

 

Description

The 2020 National Book Award–nominated poet makes her fiction debut with this magisterial epic—an intimate yet sweeping novel with all the luminescence and force of Homegoing; Sing, Unburied, Sing; and The Water Dancer—that chronicles the journey of one American family, from the centuries of the colonial slave trade through the Civil War to our own tumultuous era.

The great scholar, W. E. B. Du Bois, once wrote about the Problem of race in America, and what he called “Double Consciousness,” a sensitivity that every African American possesses in order to survive. Since childhood, Ailey Pearl Garfield has understood Du Bois’s words all too well. Bearing the names of two formidable Black Americans—the revered choreographer Alvin Ailey and her great grandmother Pearl, the descendant of enslaved Georgians and tenant farmers—Ailey carries Du Bois’s Problem on her shoulders.

Ailey is reared in the north in the City but spends summers in the small Georgia town of Chicasetta, where her mother’s family has lived since their ancestors arrived from Africa in bondage. From an early age, Ailey fights a battle for belonging that’s made all the more difficult by a hovering trauma, as well as the whispers of women—her mother, Belle, her sister, Lydia, and a maternal line reaching back two centuries—that urge Ailey to succeed in their stead.

To come to terms with her own identity, Ailey embarks on a journey through her family’s past, uncovering the shocking tales of generations of ancestors—Indigenous, Black, and white—in the deep South. In doing so Ailey must learn to embrace her full heritage, a legacy of oppression and resistance, bondage and independence, cruelty and resilience that is the story—and the song—of America itself.

Review

At 800 pages this book has kept me busy for some time and I enjoyed it so much.

I only heard of this book because Barack Obama had it on his reading list and I was intrigued. I read the first pages as a preview online and was hooked from thereon in. 

The book begins in the 1700s  in America and the honesty of the writing and descriptions just kept me reading. As with any "saga" I did get a little confused at times with who was who in the family tree, and what era we had leapt from and to. 

Ailey is the 20th century woman we follow through her life up to and after college. She has a sister Lydia and we hear about her and the other siblings lives through Ailey's eyes. What I wasn't expecting was that later in the book Lydia is revisited in her own right. It seemed strange at the time but once her story was told in full I began to see why it was done. I did get concerned that the 800 pages were going to taken up in this way with the story repeating, but in the main the story was sequential, if in a flip flop fashion. 

If you are looking for a read to be all encompassing then this is the one for you. Some American references, especially sororities were lost on me at times, but it didn't detract from the overall story.

My thanks to my library and Bolinda digital for the ebook loan.

Marple: Twelve New Stories

 

Description

A brand new collection of short stories featuring the Queen of Crime’s legendary detective Jane Marple, penned by twelve remarkable bestselling and acclaimed authors.

*The first print run will be a true collector’s edition with a gold foiled design on the cover board – pre-order now*

This collection of twelve original short stories, all featuring Jane Marple, will introduce the character to a whole new generation. Each author reimagines Agatha Christie’s Marple through their own unique perspective while staying true to the hallmarks of a traditional mystery.
· Naomi Alderman
· Leigh Bardugo
· Alyssa Cole
· Lucy Foley
· Elly Griffiths
· Natalie Haynes
· Jean Kwok
· Val McDermid
· Karen M. McManus
· Dreda Say Mitchell
· Kate Mosse
· Ruth Ware

Miss Marple was first introduced to readers in a story Christie wrote for The Royal Magazine in 1927 and made her first appearance in a full-length novel in 1930’s The Murder at the Vicarage. It has been 45 years since Agatha Christie’s last Marple novel, Sleeping Murder, was published posthumously in 1976, and this collection of ingenious new stories by twelve Christie devotees will be a timely reminder why Jane Marple remains the most famous fictional female detective of all time.

Review

A brilliant collection of stories.

I am a big Agatha Christie fan and was intrigued if all these authors could pull off (to my taste) Jane Marple. There are a few that really did that for me and I loved them and most of the others were just about there. A couple of them for me missed the mark, but I will let you decide for yourselves which ones you think did or did not pass the test. 

One of the stories stood out above all else for me, with the beautiful descriptions which really took me away with them. Another stood out for the language which felt so close to that of Jane Marple. There was one story where a phrase felt off for it to be said by Miss Marple, and it did slightly annoy me. The stories however are allowed to cover the period from the 1930s to the 1970s so there is a difference in language depending on when each story is set.

The commonalty all the stories have is that they are wonderful mysteries. Even if you don't like or have never read Miss Marple stories, give these a go, as you will be missing out if you like a mystery. 

I'm not the biggest fan of short stories, but these had me enthralled and I will be reading them again.

I'm giving this collection of stories 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

Alias Emma - Ava Glass

 

Description

Emma Makepeace is about to spend the longest night in her life.

She's on her first operation with shadowy organisation The Agency and is assigned to track down a man wanted by the Russians and bring him in to the safety of MI6. When she identifies her target, Michael, in the northern reaches of Camden town in the late hours of the night, she realises that in order to get him to safety, she needs to reach MI6 by dawn. The only problem? It's on the other side of London and the Russians have eyes everywhere. If spotted, Emma and Michael will be killed.

What follows is an exhilarating chase across London's criss-cross streets, the Regent's Canal, a hidden underground river and finally, as dawn breaks, a painstakingly tense crossing of the Thames.

But what sort of reception awaits them? Who can be trusted? And why do the Russians seem to be ahead of them every step of the way?

KILLING EVE meets JAMES BOND in the first novel of the ALIAS EMMA series: a thrilling, cinematic page-turner starring the most likeable and resourceful of heroines.

Review

A great fast paced read.

Emma Makepeace is newly qualified and undercover in a quiet shop in London. That is until she gets a call that her services are needed for a much more important job. She has to protect a man wanted by the Russians, the only thing is he isn't convinced he's in danger and, wants no part of her protection. The first part of her assignment then is to change his mind.

Once Emma convinces Michael he is in danger the action really takes off. I was then surprised by the book taking a backward look at how Emma became an agent and her career so far. This happened a few times and at first was an irritant until it all came together and added so much more to the this cat and mouse chase.

Just how can two people become invisible in a city covered in cameras and outwit their predators, who seem to be one step ahead of them all the time? 

Emma reminded me of Purdy (Joanna Lumley) from the Avengers - she is a feisty, so resourceful and, it was a joy to read her exploits. It can be difficult to read action scenes and them not be confusing or boring, but I was in no doubt throughout this book what was happening. The book certainly kept me on the edge of my seat.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital - Joanna Nell

 

Description

Three unlikely friends. One chance to save the community. It might just be the perfect blend....

The Marjorie Marshall Memorial Cafeteria is at the heart of St Jude's Hospital. Staffed by successive generations of dedicated volunteers, for over fifty years the beloved cafeteria has been serving up a kind word and sympathetic ear along with tea and scones.

Hilary, the stalwart Manageress, has worked her way up through the ranks; Joy, the latest recruit, is driving Hilary mad by arriving late every day; and seventeen-year-old Chloe, the daughter of two successful surgeons, is volunteering in the holidays and bemused by the older women.

But when they discover the cafeteria is under threat of closure, the unlikely trio must put aside their differences. As they realise the secrets and sorrows they have in common, the women grow closer - but can they bring the community together and save the day?

Full of wisdom and warmth, The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital is a gorgeously poignant, hilarious story about unlikely friendships, growing old disgracefully, and coming together to save the things we love...

Review

I just loved it.

When you just want to read a heartwarming story, no complicated plot, just immerse yourself in another world - then this is the book to read.

I really related to so much in this book, despite it being set in Australia (which I forgot about until half way through) so many things resonated with me. The volunteer hospital experience is one I am familiar with and the author got it spot on, including the career volunteers!

We meet Hilary, Joy and Chloe as they are all volunteers for different reasons at the hospital cafe. They all have a different backstory and the relating of these made me care about them all so much more. Each character is so well defined and the differing ages really made this so realistic too. I also applaud the author for making the older women social media savvy too.

Everything is beginning to settle down for Hilary with her new staff when the cafe comes under threat from closure. This is when the three ladies really begin to rally together and form a team to fight everyone that's against them, despite efforts from others to undermine that.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

The Murder List - Jackie Kabler

 

Description

The brand new psychological thriller from the author of Am I Guilty, The Perfect Couple and The Happy Family

When Mary receives a blank diary as a present, she thinks nothing of it. Until she opens the diary, and sees it’s not blank after all…

1st January MURDER LISA, OXFORD
1st February MURDER JANE, BIRMINGHAM
1st March MURDER DAVID, CARDIFF
1st April MURDER MARY, CHELTENHAM

Is this a sick joke? But…it’s the end of January now. And a woman called Lisa was murdered in Oxford on 1st January.

Could there really be a killer out there, planning to commit a new murder each month? And is the Mary due to be killed on 1st April her?

The clock is ticking for Mary to uncover the truth, before she becomes the next victim on the killer’s list…

Review

Fast paced and a twisty ride.

The book is for the most part narrated by Mary Ellis - receiver of the Murder List.  I really liked the voice she had, so easy going and relatable, she could be anyone you know. So when she discovers her name is potentially on a list of planned murders it hits home and feels so real. 

The author was clever in making me think everyone was possibly the murderer, and I ran ahead in my mind with all sorts of theories.  When one of my theories proved right I thought I had this plot all sewn up, but of course I didn't. A few twists I didn't see coming made me turn pages faster and faster. 

It's a really original concept. A Murder List giving the police the date of who is going to be murdered and where - but it's not quite that straightforward, especially with the name David in Cardiff! From the zoom meetings to the stake outs it was gripping stuff wondering if the police would figure it all out before the 1st April.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to negalley for the ARC to review.

The People on Platform 5 - Clare Pooley

 

Description

Get ready to hop onboard this summer's unmissable book - the perfect feel-good and heart-warming read.

Readers are falling in love with The People on Platform 5:

'Incredible book, full of joy and warmth and love!'
'A great novel with some truly wonderful characters'
'The fantastic cast of eclectic characters will steal your heart & have you rooting for their happy endings'
'A feel-good, once-in-a-lifetime story'
------------------------
Every day at 8:05, Iona Iverson boards the train to go to work with the same group of people who she makes assumptions about, even giving them nicknames. As a seasoned commuter, she knows there are rules that everyone should follow:
· You must have a job to go to
· Don't consume hot food
· Always pack for any eventuality
· You must never speak to strangers on the train

But then, one morning, Smart-but-Sexist-Surbiton chokes on a grape right in front of Iona. Suspiciously-Nice-New Malden steps up to help and saves his life, and this one event sparks a chain reaction.

With nothing in common but their commute, an eclectic group of people learn that their assumptions about each other don't match reality. But when Iona's life begins to fall apart, will her new friends be there when she needs them most?

Review

I loved The Authenticity Project - but I loved this book even more.

What a super read this has been, I loved it from page one. I found myself looking how long was left in the book, not because I was bored, but because I was scared it was going to end too soon.

A host of fabulous characters who all have preconceived ideas about each other on the daily commute. Even when they begin to find out more about each other those ideas persist, until eventually everyone's secrets come out.

My absolute favourite character was Iona - how I am going to miss her and her wonderful stories. She is seen as a dinosaur at work because she doesn't understand what Millennial readers want from her long established magazine therapist column. Soon with the new friends she makes on the train she begins to understand the new ways - including Tik Tok. Afterall she was an original IT girl back in her day.

Each of the characters grows through the book by the connections they make with each other on the train. This comes after years of just seeing each other, observing the rules - no talking to strangers. When they do find each other such marvellous things happen.

If you are looking for a feel good read with so many true to life observations, then this is definitely the book for you.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.

Bullet Train - Kotaro Isaka

 

Description

Five killers on a bullet train from Tokyo are competing for a suitcase full of money. Who will make it to the last station? An original and propulsive thriller from a Japanese bestseller.

*NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE*

Satoshi looks like an innocent schoolboy but he is really a viciously cunning psychopath. Kimura's young son is in a coma thanks to him, and Kimura has tracked him onto the bullet train heading from Tokyo to Morioka to exact his revenge. But Kimura soon discovers that they are not the only dangerous passengers onboard.

Nanao, the self-proclaimed 'unluckiest assassin in the world', and the deadly partnership of Tangerine and Lemon are also travelling to Morioka. A suitcase full of money leads others to show their hands. Why are they all on the same train, and who will get off alive at the last station?

A bestseller in Japan, Bullet Train is an original and propulsive thriller which fizzes with an incredible energy as its complex net of double-crosses and twists unwinds to the last station.

Review

A complex read.

I wanted to read this book long before it was a movie, as it's set in Japan and on a Shinkansen (bullet train) both of which I've experienced. I think without that background I may have stopped reading the book early on.

It took until 50% into this book before I really started to enjoy it. Not that many characters in the book, but the way the action takes place, with it going backwards and forwards between everyone on the train, it was hard to keep track. Then some of the action gets played back again from another character's perspective. 

There's a little respite from the train journey with some back story flashbacks of the characters lives before the train journey. It has to be said that it is indeed a clever psychological thriller but for me most of the time it felt like I was listening to a therapist describe why someone acts they way they do. Whole pages of inner dialogue did not make for light reading.

I can totally understand this book as a film as there's no need for the recaps of who saw what and heard what, that can all be achieved in a moment on film. Reading it is a very different matter and you need to invest serious time in this book to get through 452 pages - it actually felt a lot longer. 

My favourite part of the book occurs towards the end. I can't reveal it as it would totally spoil it for you, but it was one of the times I actually enjoyed, rather than endured the book.

I think this book has a limited audience in the UK, however, now we have the film.

I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.