Random Things Tours: The F**k It! List by Melanie Cantor

 

We still live in a world where women, including the highly educated, successful ones, should conform to society norms and expectations that were set for them, sometimes against them, but rarely by them. As women, we may be born with a to-do-list that strolls to age milestones. But what about if there is a reverse of it?

The F**k it! List by Melanie Cantor, a PR professional working as a celebrity talent agent, is an inspiration for everyone - every woman - that needs encouragement and support to just say it loudly to The List. Any List. 

A successful interior designer, full of life and optimistic, Daisy is having a party to celebrate her 40th anniversary. A birthday party that ends up in an apparent disaster. Her beloved successful boyfriend is caught with someone else and shortly after Daisy is returning back to her childhood home. Her childhood bad. 40, not married, without a property on her name, no children. But she is not alone, and with the help of a trustworthy network of friends and there is also someone who may catch her broken heart when she was expecting less.

This book is for anyone going through a heartbreak but also for any woman who needed at least once in life to face the social pressure and discover the resources and strength laying ahead for getting over the bad times. In the end, it may be all for good.

I really appreciated how Cantor is treating the story in a very straigthforward way, brave and less melodramatic. The topics she approaches are important and difficult, and being storified in a romantic setting doesn´t make them less relevant for our everyday life.

A book that will make you think and hopefully better understand what really matters in life. F**k it! and start your life again and again. 

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Corylus Books Blog Tour: Murder under the Midnight Sun by Stella Blómkvist translated by Quentin Bates

While the debate about the real identity of writer Stella Blómkvist haunts the world of crime writers in Iceland and abroad, without any clear results in sight, Corylus Books is offering another translation of one of her suspenseful crime novels. 

I really enjoyed Murder at the Residence, therefore I couldn´t resist the temptation of reading Murder Under the Midnight Sun, also translated by Quentin Bates.

Investigator Stella Blómkvist is taking over two separate sensitive investigations that may lead the reader deep into the intricacies of Icelandic politics. In the last 3-4 years, I had the chance to read quite a lot of crime and thriller books set in Iceland and it is surprising how different image emerges from the literary realm, compared to the outsider´s perception of the country (pristine landscape, Northern Lights, lonely yet content people enjoying a good middle class life). The crimes investigated in this novel do reveal unexpected underground networks were politicians and their networks of power are prevalent, although only for the trained eyes. Like Stella´s.

I am a big fan of Stella - the fictional investigator: lover of whiskey, seductive and when necessary, seductress, smart and hard to stop. The book - shortly over 200 pages, therefore a good time investment for a weekend crime read - it is written at the first person, which gives a certain subjective particular tone to the story. 

Murder Under the Midnight Sun is eventful, surprising and realistic. I don´t necessarily want to know the real identity of Stella the writer but I may expect more books written by her. Her crime riddles are one of a kind and to not be missed.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources Book Tour: Murder at Raven´s Edge and Murder at Ravenswood House by Louise Marley

One of my biggest issue with having so much to read and blog about it is that I can rarely follow books in series. I can start falling for some characters or settings and would burn to see if the continuation will be as good as it promises, but with such a limited amount of time on my sleeves and so many books to review, it may take a long long time, if ever, until I will be back.

Thus, my highest pleasure of being able to read not only one, but two books in a series: Murder at Raven´s Edge and Murder at Ravenswood House by Louise Marley. 

Set in a quaint village - Raven´s Edge, a name that promise a lot of mystery -, the novels do have a touch of mystery and old folktales. An impressive team of detectives - professionals and hobby ones - are involved in solving out of the ordinary crimes, which involve mysterious rituals and dark characters. And, in  addition to the crime story, there is also place left for a bit of romance, which make the story even more exciting, as it was not suspenseful enough.

The novels are atmospheric and sometimes the ambiance is Gothic-dark, but do also focus on character development, which make the series unique in both of approach and cast of characters. Knowing that I have not only one, but two books set in the same environment and most likely featuring a similar distribution, I was able to focus on details and behaviors that helped me to better understand the next episode of the saga.

In full honesty, I hope there will be more books in the series, as I already feel at home in the ambiance of the book. A recommended read for anyone looking for some serious crime riddles for the coming weekend or summer vacation.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Books offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources Book Tour: Her Husband´s Lie by Amanda Reynolds

One happy couple, Nicole and Matthew. Middle class, in love, trusting each other. They have a beautiful house, a safe and predictable everyday life and a healthy and charming daughter. The perfect family picture for everyone to envy and emulate. And then suddenly, in just one week, Nicole´s world is getting upside down. Matthew disappears lefting Nicole with a huge riddle to solve: who is actually her husband to whom she gave her heart and full trust?

As in the case of previous books by Amanda Reynolds I had the chance to read and review, Her Husband´s Lie is advancing slowly but firmly towards a revelation towards the end of the book, and I really appreciated the ways in which the suspense is created through the pieces of smoking mirrors that are obliterating the truth. 

Crime psychological thrillers evolving in a family environment may be a genre apart those days, and it´s justly so, as the everyday life may be the perfect unexpected source of surprises, as things are rarely indeed so glossy as they may look like at first sight. 

In Her Husband´s Lie though, there is an unique game of emotions that are built through the story, which involves the reader into the story in a very direct and brutal way. You may encounter a lot of untrustworthy characters, hard to like, but they are actually the salt and pepper of the book. There are hardly likeable characters in this book and many of them do also act in a very unempathic egoistic way. But, how could you write a great thriller with good, likeable characters, after all?

Some of the characters, particularly Nic, may act so erratically at times, that it is very hard to show any solidarity towards her. As for Matt, it´s impossible to give him any excuse, as he seems the perfect soulless manipulator.

As the ways in which the story evolves from the very beginning - a relatively bourgeois family setting is shortly degenerating in a chain of deceit and lies - it was very hard to predict what will happen next. Thus, I felt compelled to follow up carefully every single detail of the events, hoping that somehow near the end, all those pieces will come up together to give the right key to solve the riddle. 

For lovers of psychological thrillers, this is a very inspired choice for anyone looking to an eventful read, with many psychological turns and densely emotional as well. Once starting the book is very hard to put it down, as you are getting more and more curious to discover how far some characters went in pursuing their secret dark aims. Actually, very far.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

The Falconer by Dana Czapnik

I am rarely impressed by coming of age novels. The main reason is that most characters, particularly young girls are completely unrelatable for me. In addition, there is a certain tendency towards stereotypying the characters who sooner or later will all sound the same: rebelious, playing with sex, some recreational drugs etc.

I´ve heard many things about The Falconer - inspired by the homonymouos statue in Central Park and interpreted by one of the protagonists as a symbol of freedom and nonchalance of young age -, the debut novel by Dana Czapnik and therefore included it on my TBR, but wasn´t sure what to expect. Maybe some easygoing coming of age story, with just another rebelious girl folllowing the same ingredients of the same old recipe...But it´s far from it.

Jewish-Italian Lucy Adler is a young girl, not too rebelious, playing basketball and asking questions. Her questions and questioning though, reflect a process of acknowledging the reality. Adulthood is few steps away, but until she will reach this point, she adds the information bridging one age to another. Like when she is trying to understand her parents, how, for instance, her father abandoned his writing career - he published a book once - for a more lucrative profession of lawyer. 

Lucy, the main storyteller, is like sitting in the center of the world, reflecting herself through the mirror fragments of other people´s realities, be it adults or other fellow youngsters. This is how I used to see myself as a late teenager as well. Many bonus points for the basketball playing, few of the sports I loved to play - in comparison with tennis, which I find utterly noninteresting. 

The historical ambiance of the novel - end of the 1990s - it´s an unique choice, and it really sound like, with the middle class social shifts during the Clinton years and the typical youth realm during those times. 

The Falconer is a story of an inquiring young girl trying to intellectually map the world. I just hope Czapnik will release soon another novel, as this debut novel announces a mature voice that may keep telling stories.

Rating: 5 stars

Canción by Eduardo Halfon

 

Although my Spanish used to be more than decent - read it B1 to B2 in terms of officially certified languages - for years already, I didn´t dare to read literature in this language as I was definitely lacking that local, native touch of the language. As improving some of my languages and perfecting others was one of my objectives for this year - and we are almost half through it - I tried my best to keep track of my promises. With once the week full immersion into Spanish language - thanks to my lovely friend M., my knowledge of native nuances and subtleties improved considerably, hence my audacity of reading this month not only one, but three books in Spanish - covering various geographical areas of the language.

My first ever book read in original Spanish to be reviewed on the blog is a book I wanted to read for a long time: Canción by Guatemalan author Eduardo Halfon. The book was recently longlisted for Dublin Literary Award - but haven´t made it to the shortlist. 

A short partly auto-fictional work, the book exposes the multi-layered identity and the treachery of memory. An author from Guatemala is invited in Japan to take part to a colloquia of Lebanese writers. His Lebanese part of identity is shared through his grandfather who was actually born at a time when Lebanon and Syria was one, as a Jew. The same grandfather who, as Halfon´s grandfather as well in 1967, was abducted by a faction involed in the Guatemalan civil war. One of his captors was called Canción.

As in my previous Spanish-written book I´ve reviewed a couple of days ago - read in translation thou - I am very much interested in auto-fiction set in the modern world, where personal destinies are notwithstanding with global or regional events. We cannot escape history and historical events do leave a trace even on the most recluse individual destinies. It leaves so much freedom of choice for the writer as you can combine individual destinies with way too many political events in infinite ways, but we may also realize that at the personal, real-life level, it really leaves us with a high-range of inter-personal stories.

Canción will for sure remain in my literary history as my first ever novel in Spanish read fully in the original, but my excitement for this personal achievement put aside, it´s a really intriguing book and I am looking forward to read more by Halfon, in Spanish as well.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Rachel´s Random Resources Book Tour: The Takedown by Evie Hunter

´Well, we´re both here with a common aim. It would make sense for us to work together´.

Once I am falling for an author - in terms of topics, writing, characters development, you name it - the reason I am interested in following their writing is because I am looking to see how a writing pattern is maintained, although the content is adapted to the requirements of the topic. Evie Hunter, for instance, is one of the authors I cannot refuse to feature on my blog, as at least until now, they never disappointed.

In The Takedown, her latest, I was pleased to meet the same cast of bold main female character - Freya makes it into a very relatable character - caught in a net of deceiving weak and cruel manmade world. Feeling guilty for not saving her sister in due time, as she was falling slowly for her drug addiction, fuelled by the meeting with Falcon, a cruel oportunistic entrepreneur with way too many shades of black in his biography.

I was interested in Freya. but Falcon was a more complex presence. Particularly his family background - the troubles with his children particularly - makes you curious to understand his personality and eventually to find an explanation of his behavior and attitude. He is a bad character, with evil tendencies and an attitude that would only help him gain mortal enemies. Evil people may always run alone in the end.

Although the intentions of the characters are clear from the beginning of the book, it does not make it less suspenseful, as how exactly the revenge if ever, will take place guides the reader´s interest alongside the unfolding episodes of the book. Especially before the end of the story, everything went confusing and most assumptions about who´s who may got jeopardized.

The Takedown is a great weekend or vacation book, for readers interested in psychological suspense and, why not, playing the devil´s advocate in understanding some evil characters.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Random Things Tours: Wild Treasures. A Year of Extraordinary Encounters with Cornwall´s Wildlife by Hannah Stitfall

One of my biggest regrets of the last four years of almost no travel, is that I haven´t continued my exploration of the English countryside. Its wildlife and pristine nature is like no other landscapes I ever encountered during my wanderings and wonderings around the Globe.

But it´s never too late and with summer just around the corner I am just looking for the right inspiration before being able to plan something. Thus, my delightful encounter with Hannah Stitfall account of ´A Year of Extraordinary Encunters with Cornwall´s Wildlife´. 

Hannah Stitfall is a different type of journalist. In a world when speed and accumulation of any kind - of audience, followers, experiences - she is slowly taking her time to capture intimate moments of nature life - a hedgehog, a plant, a moving landscape. Hours on end for a perfect understanding of an animal behavior or a change slowly taking place within the nature is never enough. What it matters is to capture the moment and understand its implications. 

Her writing reflects her love for nature, her passion for observing the nature. It´s part of her priviledge of living in this corner of paradise to track her observations and discoveries, and her dedication is a love letter to this tremendous advantage of living so close to nature. I loved how she carefully plans her expeditions, aimed at lead her to new discoveries. She is breathing the rhythm of nature, therefore she is able to go beyond the usual passionate take on nature. Although a writer, she behaves first as a scientist ready to first discover the phenomenon and only afterwards, when she has all the proper details, to share her observations with the rest of the world.

Wild Treasures is a gem of a book, an inspiration both in terms of nature writing and of dedication to nature. I would really love to read more such books that may help us understand that there are always better and respectful ways to (re)connect with nature.

Rating: 5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Undiscovered by Gabriela Wiener translated from Spanish by Julia Sanchez

 Dedicated to my dear friend Giuliana: We should have talk about this book instead...

´I realize I´m trying to build something out of pieces lifted from an unfinished story´.

I am incredibly late going through the Booker Prize Longlist - meanwhile, the shortlist was already announced few weeks back. But with no publishing pressure in sight - I am independently writing this blog, not on any commission therefore free to review what and when I want - I rather prefer to take my time and eventually explore an author nominated for more than one book - the case of Rodrigo Blanco Calderón, an author I am currently reading in the original Venezuelan-Spanish version and very much enjoying it. Kairos was definitely not my cup of tea at all, maybe because I am different audience than the one envisioned for the English-version of the book.

As I am spending a lot of time this year exploring Spanish-speaking literature and countries, Undiscovered by Gabriela Wiener, translated from Spanish by Julia Sanchez. Wiener, a Peruvian journalist and author, lives currently in Madrid. 

My favorite part of this book is the way in which the world itself reflects into her personal story - in the way similar to Annie Ernaux, which fascinates me. A relative of a famous anthropologist whose writings perpetrated the ´white man´ scientific civilizational views, Wiener is exploring her trauma and personal history of desire, her life choices and relationships. There is a historical constraint in it and with the same openness and curiosity of an anthropologist she is deconstructing first her own identity shreds proceeding next to the rather society, global level.

Undiscovered has shortly over 100 pages, but it is that amount of knowledge that may completely challenge your ready-made ideas about society, civilization, Spanish culture and also love and sex.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Rachel´s Random Resources: My Second Life by Simon Yeats

 

Already present on my blog with a collection of out-of-ordinary travel stories, Simon Yeats is back with a lengthy memoir of resilience. The joy of reading memoirs, at least for me, consists in the chance of getting to know individual destinies and various ways in which life prepares us to cope with unexpected episodes. This is very much available in the case of Yeats whose life - or rather said, many lives - is bigger than life itself.

My Second Life. One Man´s Inspirational Story does have many travel details threfore travel lovers will find a lot of adventurous inspiration in this book as well. The descriptions are vivid and the adventures are his best companion. Cheating death more than once is not easy.

But there is a before and an after and we are repeatedly warned to keep in mind this distinction between the first and the second life. First, there is the preparation. Secondly, comes the test and him becoming freed of fear.

Shortly in the second half of the book, after many exciting travel-related encounters, we are introduced to Simon Yeats, the family man. He just married his Brazilian-born girlfriend and works hard more than one job for raising a family that soon will include a Miami-born son. Seven years of marriage later, he is faced with a dramatic reality: it was all a lie and no matter what he is trying to do, it seems he lost his son, who is now residing with his ex-wife in Rio.

It follows a complex legal imbroglio that reveals the sometimes hopeless. Instead of travel adventures, he is navigating the muddy pathways of Geneva Convention and is having informative sessions at the State Department alongside with other parents in similar situation. It is definitely not too much to learn from this, as in most cases the authorities seem to be hopeless in returning children back from far away lands to their parents. 

All those details of the legal proceedings at the Family Court in Rio may provide important information of what could happen when an international marriage or relationship involving children goes wrong. 

My Second Life is informative and personal, a complex life story that do leave you with a bitter taste. But maybe there will be a chance of a third life as well, after all.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources Book Tour: Love, Julie by Jamie Anderson

Love has many meanings, but sometimes it may start with the self-love. Lonely and far from achieving her potential, Julie wants first and foremost to get herself back on track and puts aside her dreams of everlasting love. In her mid-40s, she feels like something is missing from her life, not necessarily a someone.

Until she is attending her best friend´s meeting and meets a handsome but hard to grasp single dad, Luke. Will he be able to break the ice of destiny and convince Julie that life can finally get only better?

Love, Julie by Jamie Anderson is a great book choice for a weekend of reflection. Through Julie´s story, particularly the struggle, one can maybe better understand what really matters in life and how no matter how much one may fight to get that future of his or her dreams, sometimes it is better to wait or just accept that the focus on present is much more important.

Julie is not a boring or stereotypical character. She is unique especially in the ways in which she is able to reflect on her plans and change accordingly. It´s a character one can relate to, and maybe meet in real life as well. Luke is also a complex presence, and both they are a good story match.

Love, Julie is a completely different kind of love story and I enjoy spending time with the characters. The story keeps the readers focused and may even tempt you to make assumptions about what may happen until the end.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources Book Tour: Silver Wish Farm by KT Dady

21 years have passed since Heath was abandoned by Rhett in the day when they were supposed to be married. With a girl in the front of which they may need to behave for saving the responsible parents appearances. But now it´s the right time to find out why Rhett took the dramatic decision of abandoning Heath. 

Silver Wish Farm by prolific author KT Dady is concise but written in a way that may not disappoint the reader. I like how it started and followed curiously the story until the very end. I had some partial suggestions about the reasons and I was partially right, therefore, the reading journey was more than testing my own assumptions.

I really liked Rhett and her mysterious yet decisive ways to behave, no matter how tragic the price. I also appreciated that the story is taking place in a relatively small community, thus allowing the writer the chance to feature in detail at the same time ambiance, characters and plot.

For a relaxing summer afternoon, Silver Wish Farm is a read that will keep you moderately engaged while leading the reader through a story of love, betrayal and social pressure. I would love to read more from this reader as well.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Auris by Vincent Kliesch, based on an idea by Sebastian Fitzek

I am a big fan of Sebastian Fitzek and even went to see a play based on his novel last year, at the Berliner Kriminal Theater - worth seeing it, and even to come back for more at this niche theater in Berlin. Therefore, when I´ve first seen his name associated with Auris, a thriller novel, I didn´t hesitate and just get it. 

In fact, the novel is only based on an idea by Fitzek, as the main author is Vincent Kliesch. Kliesch, who is also a stand-up comedy actor, is a relatively new name for me, but I am always grateful to discover new German authors. I´ve had access to Auris in the original German language, in the audiobook format, read by some good local actors thus was worth the experience. 

This is just the first installment from a long series featuring forensic phonetician Matthias Hegel and true crime podcaster Jula Ansorge. I don´t remember ever to have heard about such a character as Hegel in my whole crime-thriller reading experience, therefore I was fascinated to find out more about such skills. Hegel is able to gather forensic details useful for a crime, by just listening to the voice of a person and his or her background noise environment details. 

In the first volume from Auris, Hegel is about to spend a lifelong prison term, following the assumed guilt of having killed a homeless woman. However, Ansorge, specialized in finding unique crime details that may reverse court decisions, is decided to prove him innocent, no matter the price, and although Hegel himself seems to be reluctant to such a change of fate. Ansorge, as Hegel, are characters with a complex history, and those details are smartly inserted into the main story.

The audio format is on point, with so many audio details that are increasing the tension in life threatening situations. Maybe if I would have just read the book, my impression would have been one star less, but overall, it is a thriller that delivers what one may expect from such a genre: tension, many many surprising twists and deep delving into human darkness. I am definitely interested in reading or listening more of this series soon. 

Rating: 4 stars

After the Party by Cressida Connolly

I am very reluctant to too much historical fiction reading, but I also know that fictionalized historical moments may open up towards less known historical episodes. The fate of Nazi sympathizers in Britain during WWII, mostly associated with Oswald Mosley and their interment in the Isle of Man - where they may have neighbour Jewish refugees from Germany, labelled ´enemies´ only based on their German passport - is a topic I am curious to explore more about. 

After the Party by Cressida Connolly is exploring exactly this topic, an unique take I was curious to find out more about.

Told in an alternance between first and third person account - the third person covers the past, end 1930s, beginning of 1940s while the first is aimed to relate, diary-like, the current feelings of the main character - the book is exploring the feelings and memories of Phyllis, a middle-class housewife who went involved with the movement around ´The Leader´ aka Mosley. It is a story of multiple family betrayal but also of awakening in a changing world while being unable to grasp the new realities and react accordingly.

The book has a relatively short length - 260-page long - but it was really hard for me to go through it (bless the long train rides across Germany with not too much to do on my sleeves for the achievement). The story enfolds as a chronicle, with daily details from her life and the other characters - parties, her sisters - as there is no tomorrow and everyone has the time in the world to read it. There are details accumulating but no scoop and the characters are not getting more reflection or self-reflection depth either. The switch between different timelines do not bring any additional literary encounters. The language however is exquisite as it both reflects the historical timeline and adds a noble touch to the narrative.

I succeeded to read the book until the end, but there were no change in terms of both my opinion about the book and the plot. I may have some questions regarding the Nazi sympathizers in England during WWII - like how high was the percentage of women involved in the movement and eventually some sociological background in this respect - but After the Party was definitely not a great literary fit for me.

Rating: 2.5 stars

Rachel´s Random Resources: The Girls Next Door by Anita Waller

Jess, Erin, Melissa and Chantelle. Born in the same year and hot summer season. Meant to be together and maybe famous too, as their birth was mentioned in the local media. Thirty years after, they are still living in Larkspur Close and are as close as sisters may be. Time has passed, they are adults now doing adult things. But in between news about jobs and business, Chantelle is coping with a dramatic family situation: her husband is cheating on her. But shortly after sharing with few chosen one this secret, the cheater is found death. Does this tragical event have anything to do with her confession?

Anita Waller is an author I´ve featured before on my blog and I am glad to have been given the opportunity to continue exploring her writing.

I really enjoyed the psychological thriller taking place in the context of a girls´ friendship. The thriller part is growing up from one stage of the story to another, in a progression that is just advancing simply once the story is developing. It is like telling a story about four girls, one of which is hit by a family tragedy. The story is more important than its details and this is just one of the many merits of this book.

I´ve found the ending very intelligent and rather unexpected. 

I am definitely in to discover more psychological thrillers, or just novels, by Anita Waller and The Girls Next Door is definitely a book to remember.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

The Write Reads Ultimate Blog Tour: Takeout Sushi by Christopher Green

When my passion for short stories meets my love for Japan, the result is a couple of full hours spent reading. I am trying to feature on the blog as much as possible short stories, particularly with a contemporary touch, therefore Takeout Sushi by Christopher Green was a great choice for the week. 

The book, to be publish soon by Neem Tree Press, an edition house I had the chance to feature before on my blog, is illustrated by Rebecca Purton. I am a big admirer of smart and beautiful covers, and in this case, only looking at the cover without knowing too much about the content of the book, it may be enough to purchase it.

Green is based in Japan and also writes children stories, and Takeout Sushi is his adult writing debut. A collection of 17 stories, the topics are taken from the everyday life, inspired by his own experience abroad, and reflecting unique stanzas. There is a diversity of topics covered, but also quite different writing touches, maybe the stories were written at different moments of the author´s literary journey. 

With humour, nostalgy and heartwarming approach, Green put into motion characters and situations that you may rather ignore in the everyday life. There are stories that makes you both cry and laugh, strange encounters of a lifetime. Robots replacing humans, foreigners in a foreign city, humans longing for belonging. I really loved the diversity of topics and angles in these stories and at the end was definitely longing for much more. 

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources: The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou by Eleni Kyriacou

 

Inspired by a true crime story, The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou by London-born Cypriot author Eleni Kyriacou explores the intersection between crime novel and linguistic and communication challenges.

Accused of killing her daughter-in-law, Zina Pavlou will fight to prove her innocence, with the help of her young interpreter, Eva. The search for the truth and our curiosity, as readers to figure out the details of the crime story, do meet the challenges of being a stranger in a big city, unable to speak the language, and eventually the target of suspicions of all kinds, due to the ´foreign´ status.

As a translator myself, I share some of the challenges of Eva as well, especially when it comes to give voice to the voiceless, surpassing the simple professional role for more human endeavours of protecting and helping those who need to be made understood. 

The book is hard to be put down, and couldn´t stop myself from following the story without taking too many breaks. The two plans of the story - the psychological part of being a woman and a foreigner, respectively the crime part - do alternate and meet sometimes, which makes the story even more fascinating to follow. There is also a legal part of the novel - involving the legal proceedings surrounding the crime case which are carefully researched and add more crime consistency to the story.

The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou is a recommended read to any lover of crime stories, particularly with strong women characters.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

The Write Reads Ultimate Blog Tour: Guns&Almond Milk by Mustafa Marwan

´There are two types of humanitarians, I realized early in this job: those who run away from something, and those who are running toward something´.

I often cover literary events or movies featuring the war in Yemen, but unfortunately there is way too less information, in any other way about the unfolding tragedy happening there. Even less are novels set there, and Guns&Almond Milk by Egyptian-born Mustafa Marwan makes a difference for more than one reason. 

Set in the world of humanitarian aid workers, it is set during the most dramatic stages of the confrontations in Yemen. Luke Archer, an Egyptian-born aid worker is part of a mission aimed at offering medical support on the ground, and get caught into a hospital siege set by Western mercenaries. As in the case of any war thriller, the characters, especially Archer, may have lots of things to hide, and the dramatic circumstances he is in, may put him in exactly those situations he was expecting to run away from when he took the assignment in Yemen.

Unique for this book is the humour, dark humour to be more precise, reflected through both the game of words - ´Yemen got Guns´ - but also the situations and the circumstances as such, which at first may make you forget that the reporting is made in the midst of a humanitarian catastrophe. But life is never black and white, and those who really went through such situations they know that on the ground, humour is what saves humanity from its enemies. Marwan himself has an extensive experience in this respect, hence the authenticity of the character voices and the depiction of the ambiance. The different settings of the book are rich in details which gives a good foundation to the story while allowing the plot to develop.

I enjoy reading Guns&Almond Milk for the fast-pace and the story itself. As it is only his debut novel, I would be curious to read Marwan´s next novel(s) as well.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Palamedes PR: Bloggers are instrumental in the success of books

Book bloggers are no longer considered ‘fringe media’ but important vehicles to promote new titles, authors and publishers. Unlike mainstream news and feature outlets, which reach a wide but less targeted audience, blogs like WILDWRITINGWORLD are the go-to destination of choice for engaged consumers who return time and time again for expert reviews and advice.

According to Palamedes PR, the UK’s market-leading book marketing agency, bloggers can be instrumental in shaping the overall success of a new release and are an indispensable force in the public relations industry. As a long-time PR executive myself, I can only appreciate this switch of perception, as for a long time, bloggers, particularly in the bookish field, were rather considered as purely hobby writers, without getting the praise and appreciation that any written word made public usually deserves.

Here, we speak to one of its publicists, Anthony Harvison, to find out why book blogs are reshaping the literary marketing and sales landscape, and how they are an increasingly important advocate for underrepresented voices and genres. (material provided by Palamedes PR, the intertitles are mine - WWW)

´...a powerful force in book marketing´

Q: How has the landscape of book marketing evolved with the rise of book blogging, and what role does it play in promoting books?

Book blogging has become a powerful force in book marketing, offering a dynamic platform for readers to share their thoughts and recommendations. It plays a crucial role in creating buzz around books, reaching niche audiences, and influencing purchasing decisions.

Q: In what ways do book bloggers contribute to building a book's online presence and visibility?

Book bloggers contribute significantly to a book's online presence by writing reviews, hosting blog tours, and participating in social media discussions. Their authentic and personal recommendations can enhance a book's visibility and attract a diverse readership.

How to get in touch with bloggers

Q: How do book publicists identify and collaborate with book bloggers to promote specific titles?

Book publicists often research and reach out to book bloggers whose content aligns with the target audience and genre of a particular book. Collaboration may involve sending review copies, organizing blog tours, or facilitating author interviews to generate interest among the blogger's followers.

Q: Can you share examples of successful book marketing campaigns that heavily leveraged book blogging?

Successful campaigns often involve strategic partnerships with influential book bloggers. For instance, organizing blog tours with well-established bloggers, hosting giveaways, or encouraging book discussions on popular platforms can generate substantial online buzz and drive book sales.

´...unique ability to champion diverse voices´

Q: How do book bloggers contribute to the diversity and inclusivity of book promotion, particularly in highlighting underrepresented voices or genres?

Book bloggers have a unique ability to champion diverse voices and genres that might be overlooked in mainstream media. They can bring attention to underrepresented authors and stories, fostering a more inclusive literary landscape and broadening the range of books available to readers.

Q: With the prevalence of social media, how do book bloggers use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube to enhance their book reviews and recommendations?

Many book bloggers utilize social media platforms to share visually appealing book recommendations, snippets of reviews, and engage in real-time conversations with their followers. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube, in particular, provide a multimedia approach to book promotion, enhancing the overall impact of their reviews.

´Building genuine relationships is key´

Q: How can book publicists and authors effectively engage with book bloggers to ensure a mutually beneficial collaboration?

Building genuine relationships is key. Publicists and authors can engage with book bloggers by offering personalized pitches, providing relevant content, respecting their schedules, and acknowledging their contributions. It's essential to approach collaborations as a partnership that benefits both parties and their audiences.

Q: Looking forward, do you see any emerging trends or changes in the relationship between book blogging and book marketing?

As technology evolves, immersive experiences like virtual book clubs, interactive content, and multimedia reviews may gain prominence in book blogging. The relationship between book bloggers and marketing may deepen as influencers continue to shape literary conversations and bridge the gap between authors, publishers, and readers.

For more information about Palamedes PR and its book marketing services, go to www.palamedes.co.uk or call 0208 1036883

Rachel´s Random Resources: The Upper Crush by Evie Alexander

 

Country girl meet city boy in this enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy by Evie Alexander. Usually, when I am really overwhelmed by daily schedule and way too much work, this genre always helps me to overcome the overcrowded to-do-list. The Upper Crush is hilarious and hot romantic, therefore, guarantees a happy ending to a busy day.

James Hunter-Savage, the worse enemy of the twin brother of Lady Estelle Foxbrooke loves the buzz of London and its attractions. Lady Estelle is rather the introvert type, but in any case, she does not have too much time anyway, as she is busy to save her family estate. James just had a dramatic business failure and retiring to his parents far away from London may save not only this honor, but also the high cost of a life it seems he cannot afford any more. Lady Estelle would love to keep the estate, too long neglected by her messy parents, but the only solution may be to work together with James. Would they be adult enough to be able to follow their business objective?

I loved how the relationship between the two evolves - spoiler: not straightforward - and this part kept me very focused until the very end. The upper class kind of setting sounds genuine and creates that world that enables the interactions and relationship between the characters.

If you are looking for an entertaining romantic comedy, The Upper Crush is a recommended to start the week with. It promises a lot of noble entertainment in a very special social and ambiental surrounding.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Rachel´s Random Resources Blog Tour: Invitation to Italy by Victoria Springfield

As I am working hard towards my New Year´s Resolution of improving some of my old languages - Italian and Spanish, as well as Portuguese - I am getting tons of reading opportunities featuring Italy, and although my summer plans are far from being set, practising some Italian dialects sounds too good to not keep dreaming.

My latest book review, Invitation to Italy by Victoria Springfield, just fuels further my Italian aspirations. It is set on the island of Procida, in the bay of Naples - a lot of details of Italian geography here - and although it has highly detailed atmospheric layers, this book is not at all a travel account about Italy. Far from it, but some places may be more encouraging for adventures than the other (for example, how many beautiful romance books are set during the winter months in Germany, asking for a friend...)

Worried to stay too far away of her daughter, who is about to spend a long vacation in Italy with her ex- and his gorgeous crush, Abi is accepting the invitation of spending some time at a hotel run by Loretta, a complex character, conflicted between her current duties and her unshared past stories. Abi is going through her difficult moments as well, trying to find her place in the recent story of being a single mother and anxieties. And there are also two gentlemen who are distributed in the story, whose role is to challenge the ladies´ narratives about themselves.

I personally loved the many details of the story, and how it follow the duality between Abi and Loretta, their destinies and their life challenges. It made me curious as a reader to understand their decisions and their personalities as we were approaching towards the end of the story.

This was my first encounter with Springfield´s works, but as I´ve seen that she has another novel also set in Italy, I may definitely interested in continuing my, (as for now) virtual journey through Italy.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Random Things Tours: The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher

An octogenarian with a life bigger than life, Florrie has the change to enjoy her last years. Right now resident of a luxury home care where she had to move after losing one leg, there is nothing special to worry about, except a quiet retirement. However, once a crime is taking place in the home care, she is putting into motion her detective skills, and together with another resident, she is decided to find the truth.

The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher is a unique crime novel. First and foremost, I was very much impressed by the beautiful writing. The turn of sentences is a pleasure for the reader and share a noble touch to the story. At a certain extent, it resonates with the character Florrie itself, which is portrayed in a complex way. I may have mixed feelings about the other residents of the home care and was not necessarily finding them relatable though.

The investigation as such is quite creative and was challenging to follow up until the final truth was revealed. The background story do come together with the other details which takes the crime writing to a different level. 

Florrie is a very interesting character and one of the few octogenarians that are portrayed in such genre, particularly as main investigators. It is a really creative way to re-invent the genre through the eyes and brains of a very unique character both in terms of personality and age.

I enjoyed reading The Night in Question also because it inspired good questions about life, time passing and why old age may be in fact a very good age to investigate a crime, among many other things.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Random Things Tours: A Sicilian Affair by Susan Lewis

Leaving behind a broken marriage and a sensible family situation, Catie is looking to enjoy herself while spending time in Sicily. Her short vacation in Taormina is meant to cure her heartbreak and prepare her for a new easier life.

However, when she expected less, the handsome Giancarlo appears into her life and is interested in spending quality time with her. It may be a blessing, unless you have a heavy secret past that weights way too much to leave you time to enjoy the present or think about the future.

As in other books by Susan Lewis that I had the chance to review, A Sicilian Affair is exploring the role of secrecy into one´s life, particularly it´s dangerous influences, but this time there is an unique aspect of the story which stands alone: the game of emotions.

The book is following a double timeline, as the story is switching from present into the past, both episodes important for revealing details of a story who is developing into a constant crescendo. It is one of the most emotional thrillers I´ve read lately, but it is that kind of emotion that does suit the events of the story, without creating tensions for the sake of the creative impulse. The narrative is well paced and made of pieces that come together, aiming at revealing events and facts useful for understanding the story.

Last but not least, although I haven´t been to Taormina and Sicily in general yet, Lewis is able to convene a special ambiance of the place, which adds a layer of authenticity to the story.

A recommended read if you are looking for a different kind of thriller, with an interesting take on old secrets and the ways in which past may alter the future, no matter how decided one is to completely forget it.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are as usual, my own

Blog Tour: Reinventing Democracy by David Kauders

There is no secret that many old traditional democracies, particularly in Europe, are going through a process of re-consideration and re-evaluation. ´Huge economic disparities, the increasing disatisfaction of a large category of population with social and economic policies, corruption and lack of efficiency of institutions and political authorities, as well as their representatives are topics frequently discussed, no matter the system of government and the democratic age of the political system.

Particularly in the UK, the political establishment is often criticized for incoherent policies and weak politicians, The public, the voters are more and more disappointed and such attitudes are in general dangerous for democracies in general. 

Based on carefully crafted financial and economic assessments, David Kauders is suggesting a dramatic but much awaited change of the British system. Reinventing Democracy. Improving British Political Governance is an analysis, a manifesto and a generous invitation to dialogue about burning questions such as the need of changing deeply the government system and the structure of the state as such. He suggests, among others, the switch to a written Constitution, as well as a re-organisation of the territory based on the federal system and devolution principles.

Definitely, each theoretical suggestion always needs a serious nationwide discussion, but the ideas are here and deserve a larger analysis. The reinvention of democracy is a long process, but the final result needs to consider the diversity of opinions and regional requirements.

I consider the book a good contribution to this debate and I can only hope to hear more about this project. 

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own

Calling Ukraine by Johannes Lichtman

Mourning his late father, in the afterwards of a long-term relationship, a failed journalist, John accepts without second thoughts the offer of an old acquaintances to re-train a group of call center employees based in the Western part of Ukraine. With a good salary, one year contract and a native command of English, he is ready to help the team improve their innate knowledge and pronunciation of the English language.

John is an overthinker, with a penchant for self-deprectiation. However, as he (apparently) kills an abusive husband whose wife he was in love with, except some nightmares that may stop after a while, there are no terrible negative effects.

I was very curious about the book, covering 2018-2019, including the moment when the current Ukrainian president, Zelenskyy, was elected. The book is categorized under the sub-genre of ´Americans abroad´, and it does include some usual stereotypes associated with such endeavours. There are some interesting observations about language - the one we speak, we use, we learn as a second language, mispronounce and mistreat, as well as some nonfictional details about the recent history of Ukraine. There are also one or two twists that may have the effect on the reader of waking you up from a deep sleep when nothing really noteworthy happens in terms of plot.

But except those small details, I was left after around three hours of reading largely disappointed. I would have expect a lot of developments and a story, that is just killed due to an apparent lack of plot directions. I wanted to like it and I was almost tempted to do it due to the intelligent remarks on language, but I simply couldn´t.

Rating: 2 stars

Random Things Tours: Clickbait by L.C.North

´Living with the Lancasters has something for everyone. You´re going to love us, and if you don´t, then you´re going to love hating us´.

Since the cover reveal for Clickbait, I couldn´t wait to have the chance to read and review this book. If you are following my reviews, you may notice that I am fascinated about stories that relate to social media episodes, either through the characters interactions or as a main setting or both.

The Lancasters aim at being the British Kardashians. Every Sunday, at 7 pm, there is a new episode on YouTube, revealing daily episodes from their glamorous life: parties, launch of new product lines, daily interactions. But there are cracks in Paradise and once a disappeared teenager appears in one of their videos from 20 years ago, the family is overexposed for all the wrong reasons and there is a tragic chain put into motion.

The story is created through various reports of social media interactions which gives you the impression of being part of a reality show as well. It made me think a lot about way too many glamorous families and couples on screen, struggling in fact against the odds of very miserable private lives. It is sad, indeed, and teaches us to never try to compare our lives with the projections of happiness we see on screen. Comparing in general is toxic, but pushing ourselves under pressure to replicate empty lives is very dangerous for our mental health as well and the reality shows - reality, indeed, but still shows - do deliver us an attractive reality.

The story enfolds like a puzzle game during which the reader should stay alert for not missing any single detail of the story. As you advance from one episode of the story to another, there is a growing feeling that there is something more serious and dramatic about to happen and this expectations are largely met. As for the end, it is very unexpected - at least for me - one last twist after many surprising turnes of the story.

I really enjoyed Clickbait for its engaging plot and the psychological insights into a world we are all writing off, one social media or YouTube like or comment at a time. A fully relatable story of our busy times.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own