"Blue Light Hours" by Bruna Dantas Lobato left me feeling underwhelmed and, frankly, indifferent. From the start, I was hoping to connect with the sto"Blue Light Hours" by Bruna Dantas Lobato left me feeling underwhelmed and, frankly, indifferent. From the start, I was hoping to connect with the story of a young woman navigating the challenges of college life far from home—a theme that usually resonates deeply. However, the writing felt overly pared down, as though any emotional depth had been stripped away in the process. The prose reminded me of Sally Rooney’s style: cool, clinical, and minimalist, but without the warmth or wit to give it life.
Despite its pretensions toward authenticity, the novel lacked the weight and substance I craved. The narrator’s supposed longing for home, for her language, for her mother—central themes that should have stirred empathy—barely registered. Instead, I found myself detached, struggling to care. The whole experience felt apathetic, and while I appreciate minimalism when done right, here it simply left the novel feeling hollow. It’s a shame, because the story had potential, but ultimately it failed to deliver the emotional connection I sought....more
Long Time Gone by Hannah Martian had so much potential, but ultimately left me feeling dissatisfied. As the story progressed, it became overly complicLong Time Gone by Hannah Martian had so much potential, but ultimately left me feeling dissatisfied. As the story progressed, it became overly complicated, with drama that felt exaggerated and unconvincing. I was particularly disappointed by the relationship between Hunter and Quinn. There was something missing there—any real passion or connection. Instead, they came off as stereotypical characters, two traumatized people clinging to each other more because of shared pain than any genuine chemistry.
The mystery at the heart of the book also fell flat. It felt like it could have been wrapped up in a more satisfying way, but instead, the resolution was unconvincing. I was constantly distracted by how little actual investigation was happening. Quinn, supposedly an amazing private investigator, barely did any investigating and often came across as more of a frustrated, immature character than someone capable of leading a missing person's case.
Adding to my irritation were the constant sexual innuendos, which felt unnecessary and out of place in the story. Everyone seemed to be hiding key pieces of information, making the plot feel forced. Ultimately, Long Time Gone had an intriguing premise, but the execution just didn’t live up to its promise....more
"Water" by John Boyne is a novella that, at first glance, seems calm and deceptively simple. The prose flows quietly, like still water, but as the sto"Water" by John Boyne is a novella that, at first glance, seems calm and deceptively simple. The prose flows quietly, like still water, but as the story unfolds, you begin to feel the undercurrent pulling you into something much darker and more profound. The characters are gradually revealed, and with each layer, the story takes on a haunting tone, drawing you deeper into its depths.
Boyne's writing is beautifully understated, yet beneath the surface lies a heartbreaking narrative that lingers long after you've finished. It's a story that left me feeling both captivated and unsettled, a reminder of how the quietest waters can sometimes run the deepest....more
2.5* rounded up A story about love, loss and a mother's decision to put her child first at the expense of her own happiness. This book will appeal to t2.5* rounded up A story about love, loss and a mother's decision to put her child first at the expense of her own happiness. This book will appeal to the romantics out there as it offers a poignant love story between two young, grieving people who manage to find a way to trust each other despite being let down in the past. For me personally, the plot twist was quite obvious and at times the story stalled in unnecessary details regarding the environment at the expense of elaborating more on the characters' past and relations. The side story about Tasha and her IVF treatments, although relevant to many struggling couples out there, was a bit boring for me and I struggled to feel the genuine connection between two best friends in this case.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.
Merged review:
2.5* rounded up A story about love, loss and a mother's decision to put her child first at the expense of her own happiness. This book will appeal to the romantics out there as it offers a poignant love story between two young, grieving people who manage to find a way to trust each other despite being let down in the past. For me personally, the plot twist was quite obvious and at times the story stalled in unnecessary details regarding the environment at the expense of elaborating more on the characters' past and relations. The side story about Tasha and her IVF treatments, although relevant to many struggling couples out there, was a bit boring for me and I struggled to feel the genuine connection between two best friends in this case.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK....more
This is an eclectic collection of short stories that sits somewhere between the unsettling and the tender, weaving together moments of everyday life tThis is an eclectic collection of short stories that sits somewhere between the unsettling and the tender, weaving together moments of everyday life that have the power to devastate in quiet, profound ways. As someone whose track record with short stories is hit or miss, I approached this collection with some hesitation but Carson largely delivered. While not every story resonated, many captured my attention with their delicate blend of the uncanny and the poignant, offering a series of small but deeply affecting devastations.
Carson's stories frequently dabble in the uncanny, a thread that runs through the collection and creates an atmosphere that feels slightly off-kilter, but never too far removed from reality. The title story, Quickly, While They Still Have Horses, along with Grand, So and A Certain Degree of Ownership, stood out as particularly affecting. These stories left a lasting impression, likely because of Carson's ability to infuse ordinary moments with deeper emotional undercurrents. These stories excel because they balance the strange with the relatable, grounding their more surreal elements in the lived realities of the characters.
However, as with most short story collections, there were a few pieces that didn’t fully grab my attention. Some stories felt less urgent or impactful, and I found myself skimming a few of them, searching for a stronger connection. The uncanny elements, while fascinating, sometimes made the narrative feel a bit distant, which in some cases weakened the emotional punch I was looking for.
That being said, what Carson does well—really well—is capture those “little devastations” that accumulate over time, a thematic thread that runs throughout the book. Her characters are often caught in moments of transition, grappling with change, regret, or loss in ways that feel both deeply personal and oddly universal. It’s this combination of the familiar and the strange that gives the collection its weight, even when some individual stories fall flat.
While not every story hit the mark for me, the ones that did made the entire collection worth it. If you're drawn to stories that play with the uncanny and explore the slow build-up of emotional turmoil in everyday life, Carson's latest work is well worth the read....more
I'm in the minority here but a few things gave me pause, which is why I give this book 3 stars. To me the prose often sounded too matter-of-fact and eI'm in the minority here but a few things gave me pause, which is why I give this book 3 stars. To me the prose often sounded too matter-of-fact and emotionless. I like to dive into the psychological side of certain issues instead of just reading about them as mere facts which is the reason why I spent a lot of time vaguely interested instead of being invested in Stella and Elizabeth's story. The characters barely discussed any issues they have in a deeper, meaningful way. The therapy sessions rarely got elaborated on, Stella's depression is diminished to a point where you wonder whether it's really because of her husband's death or because she's finally coming to terms with her sexual orientation. The (possible) panic attack scene was simply stated in a sentence without any further comment either. Overall, it's a a nice book for those who enjoy a slow-burn that only goes skin-deep regarding mental health issues.
Merged review:
I'm in the minority here but a few things gave me pause, which is why I give this book 3 stars. To me the prose often sounded too matter-of-fact and emotionless. I like to dive into the psychological side of certain issues instead of just reading about them as mere facts which is the reason why I spent a lot of time vaguely interested instead of being invested in Stella and Elizabeth's story. The characters barely discussed any issues they have in a deeper, meaningful way. The therapy sessions rarely got elaborated on, Stella's depression is diminished to a point where you wonder whether it's really because of her husband's death or because she's finally coming to terms with her sexual orientation. The (possible) panic attack scene was simply stated in a sentence without any further comment either. Overall, it's a a nice book for those who enjoy a slow-burn that only goes skin-deep regarding mental health issues....more
Gillian Anderson’s anthology "Want" is a daring and deeply moving exploration of human sexuality, one that allows women to be unapologetically and autGillian Anderson’s anthology "Want" is a daring and deeply moving exploration of human sexuality, one that allows women to be unapologetically and authentically themselves. The collection pulls back the veil on intimate desires and fantasies, offering a raw and unfiltered look into the complexities of women's inner worlds. Each narrative presents something distinct and personal, but the common thread that runs through the stories is an uninhibited authenticity. These are not fantasies crafted to please others but honest revelations of what individuals crave, fear, and long for.
The beauty of "Want" lies in its diversity—both in terms of the fantasies shared and the voices behind them. This variety underscores how incredibly complex and multifaceted human sexuality can be, defying any attempts to generalize or simplify it. Anderson doesn't shy away from the vulnerable, often uncomfortable spaces where desire meets insecurity, shame, or fear. The fantasies themselves range from playful and romantic to dark and profound, making the reading experience dynamic and, at times, challenging.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of this anthology is the recurring theme of women’s fantasies surrounding safety and security. These dreams, rooted in a world where women continue to face repression, fear, and societal judgment, serve as a poignant reminder of how far we still have to go. The narratives often echo sentiments that women shared decades ago—feelings of shame about their bodies or guilt for desiring more than what society deems acceptable. This ambivalence, a lingering internal struggle, is painful to read and speaks to the deep-seated issues surrounding women’s autonomy and sexual agency.
"Want" doesn’t just give voice to women’s desires—it holds a mirror up to society, showing how much progress is still needed in terms of sexual liberation, body acceptance, and breaking down the taboos that continue to cage women’s experiences. This collection, while at times raw and unflinchingly honest, ultimately celebrates women in all their complexity. It is a powerful testament to the beauty of being unapologetically oneself, and it leaves the reader with much to reflect on long after the last page....more
While the premise is intriguing—a magical store where dreams are bought and sold—the execution leaves much to be desired. The plot feels meandering anWhile the premise is intriguing—a magical store where dreams are bought and sold—the execution leaves much to be desired. The plot feels meandering and lacks a clear purpose or resolution, making it difficult to stay engaged. The characters, unfortunately, come across as two-dimensional and stereotypical, offering little depth or development. As a result, the story fails to captivate, and by the final chapters, I found myself skipping pages, as there was nothing compelling enough to hold my interest. Overall, it's an okay read, but it doesn't leave a lasting impression....more
I usually enjoy stream-of-consciousness novels, but they really shine when the protagonist is intriguing and compelling. Unfortunately, that wasn’t thI usually enjoy stream-of-consciousness novels, but they really shine when the protagonist is intriguing and compelling. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case with "The Italy Letters". The narrative felt monotonous, with no real plot to hold onto—just a series of disconnected thoughts and vibes. I kept waiting for something to grab me, but I struggled to find any point or deeper meaning in it all. Ultimately, it left me feeling bored and disconnected....more
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