Oooh, This was delightful. She is a good writer, and This was fun and pacey and everyone (except poor Frobisher) got what they deserved.

Not all stories were equal in calibre- some strong, some kess so. Overall, kess enjoyable than i expected.

Good Story! Interesting interior portrait of a complicated, smart, vain, kind, interesting, self absorbed person. What a feminist!

Cute story, a bit too rah rah British spirit (not uncommon for books about the “Homefront” during this period - easy, uncomplicated tack, which doesn‘t need to be further questioned in the genre), but an overall fun story with likeable characters

Good! Spare but high drama story with magical realism and love. Interesting interplay between heaven and hell, god and the devil. Brings up the thought of what you would do for love, and what you would sacrifice for what cost

Really liked. Excellent memoir/novel. Such an honest and loving description of the writer‘s relationship with her mother - who sounds pretty fantastic

Great inter generational story! I liked the history of US indigenous heritage. I liked how the story of one boy was told through the eyes of his family

Such a good and clear way to talk about finance in an all encompassing way

Ooof. What a story. A woman is the product of her terrible father, and slightly less terrible mother, living with an emotionally abusive husband who accuses her of the behaviour (whining, needy) that he exhibits. Very well written

Strange, but good. I think the whole thing was structured to be a novel, but elements felt so real. I thought to look him up/explore the facts further, but why? It stands alone very well, and all characters seem real. I was worried at first about a man creating the dual personality young woman, but her arc was satisfying and seemed true.

This was strange. At times I was so irritated by the protagonist, but she admits we should be. She creates different personas for herself, and lies constantly - perhaps to inhabit the mind of her ex boyfriend. So much about Berlin felt true. Good account of a long millennial

Not all are hits, but when she nails it, she nails it. This was great. A 16 century story, infuriating and interesting. I enjoy how she tells history from a fiery feminist lens

This book was strange. Maybe I didn‘t really understand it. But too much going on

First book of 2023. I really liked it. Interesting narrative of early Christians - and how simple act is of kindness and love come from the humblest amoung us, and how our believes can blind us

Loved this book! Love this writer. A feminist, nuanced, modern and funny take on 16th and 19th century life. Beautifully drawn characters

Very well written. The love between friends is beautifully described. The deep devotion, at the utter expense of your own health and contentment, for God and more deeply, your family, is so foreign and tragic. Strange to think that someone I equate with deep thinking, especially about women, would have known such anguish

Claire Keegan says so much in what she doesn‘t say. Shades of Anne of Green Gables. The love between adoptive parents and children. How kindness makes all the difference, especially for those who have not experienced it

Perfect for Christmas. Some moralizing typical for the ‘30s. But enjoyable and nostalgic

Very good, very moving. A book of honest love and triumph

Really good! Better than the first. Selin is coming into her own more, able to make more of her own choices vs influenced by others (Ivan). I would have liked more Svetlana. I hope there is another book!

Such a delight! Loved figuring out which “modern” storylines paralleled Austen‘s stories

So good! Loved the view into early 17 century Germany. Frustrated at times by the treatment of women, but the lovely, steady character of Kath-chen was awesome

So good! She is a great writer, and the stories show glimpses of such real and relatable people

This was ultimately a fun rom com that works out perfectly in the end. Some characters were very annoying, but sensitive material was handled pretty well, and everyone went on an emotional journey.

Great writing, but some of the stories were too philosophical. Some were really strong. I would try more from this author

Interesting. Magical realism and historical Mexican fiction again from Silvia Moreno - well written and with strong female characters

This was great! Feminist book about love and magic and friendship.

This was a pace-y and engaging read, but at the end of the day it was a romance book. I thought it would be more magical realism, but in the end it was garden variety social media stalking - maybe more scary! But she gets the guy in the end, unsurprisingly. I think the book wants to be very literary, but I‘m a bit tired of NYC millennials

This was great! Not a traditional novel, more of a character study or a study of place. I liked the interview style narrative linking the bigger conversations together

Loved. Ali Smith has such a great style - fluid speech and wonderful turn of phrase. Pandemic novel, about a caring daughter who lives a more unusual life working and thinking about words. As well as a medieval young female blacksmith who is resilient and smart. Really enjoyed the human connections

I wanted to like this, but overall the narrative wasn‘t as coherent as it could have been. Nice reminder that doing nice things for ourselves is very important

Loved this! Such a beautiful voice, told with compassion and lots of love. Illustrates that cruelty is universal

This was well written, but I‘m just not that interested in more internal stream of consciousness stories, particularly about 20 something university students. This is probably for a different audience or time in my life

So good! The unusual family dynamics were fascinating- so strange to an outsider (the reader) - but so delightfully normal to the family, that the story seemed effortless. Underscores that kindness and manners are important!

Interesting use of modern storylines to retain fairytales, but overall the story was trite and far fetched

The writing was beautiful. The tropes didn‘t seem particularly new, but told in such a beautiful and honest way. I like the the main character ended up as such a champion for love

Listened to this book. Perfect medium for Ann Cleeves. Enjoyed getting to know the characters more deeply. Jonathan and Jen are delightful

This book was lovely - heartbreaking and honest. Anyone who has lost a parent, but especially a father, will find resonance in this story. The three sisters really struck me

Wow! Loved this book! Beautiful poetic writing that was at times joyful and at time heartbreaking. Will likely reread

What a strange book! I was so delighted by the ending - she shook of the nasty lazy man and lived her truth!

This book wasn‘t bad, but I wouldn‘t recommend it. The protagonist needs therapy. She is very caught up in her own life and insecurities- her anxiety makes her extremely selfish. The tension between her feminist ideals and submissive sexual fantasies could have been explored with more nuance.

The first part - the part in rehab - wasn‘t as interesting as the bits after. With the exception of her abortion, which she discusses honestly but without unnecessary fanfare. Her eventual triumph feels hard earned and well deserved. The actions of millennial men, who should know better but often act outside the bounds of consent, are despicable but ring true, as do her responses and feelings about them.

Period fiction can be trite and silly, but this story is so well crafted and written. I am at times angry with the protagonist, but she has made peace with her life in such a loving and generous way. And the love between sisters is so palpable

This books is amazing! She writes in a gripping style (real page-turner) but also with a fascinating sense of remove. The narrative is honest and brutal, and she doesn‘t reflect on her experiences through an adult lens. I want to read more over her stories

This was escapist pleasure! Really fit the bill of modern re-telling of regency drama. The heroine was strong and smart and resourceful- surprised to fall in love with the most suitable bachelor. Audiobook listing at its best

I enjoyed this book - real page turner. What sets it apart is the lovely Inspector Gamache - an intelligent observant man. The author‘s ongoing unnecessary fat-shaming is irritating - didn‘t take away from the story but then why include it?

Loved this book! Interesting insights into pre-war Vienna. Most interesting, and alarming and sad, we‘re the descriptions of characters grabbing with nazi occupation - many accepting and supportive, many not - always ending tragically for those. Want to read more Seethaler

Excellent! The stories work collectively but also on their own. Sad funny real stories. I enjoyed reading about indigenous lives in the US. There is grief and trauma but also lots of love

Book club choice, which is great because I wouldn‘t read this otherwise. The prose was clearly from the decade it was written in. The story started slowly but was so intense and interesting at the end. The characters are nuanced and drawn in an way that seems unexpected but welcome for the eta.

The second half of the book read like memoir and it was a beautiful real account of dementia and maternal love. The first part was strange - not sure if it fit so well with the later half - perhaps a different way to tell about lost and uncertainty and changing perceptions of reality? Grey writer