Galleyathon Round 2 Wrap Up
Galleyathon Round 2 took place from the 10-16th of August, and I made great progress, getting through a few books on my NetGalley shelf - so here's a review for each of the books I read during the week!
Book 1: Earthlings - Sayaka Murata
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Granta Publications for providing me with an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger Warnings for this book include: paedophilia, sexual abuse, incest, cannibalism, murder.
Sayaka Murata is one of the most incredibly unique writers I've ever had the honour of reading from. Following her book 'Convenience Store Woman' I didn't think they could possibly produce something more incredible, yet here we have 'Earthlings'.
Earthlings is the story of Natsuki, who we see at ages 11 and 34 being pressured to conform with societal norms, whilst dealing with past traumas and abuse, along with her cousin, Yuu, and husband Tomayo who've also suffered. The trio believe themselves to be aliens from the planet Popinpobopia in order to process what they've been through together.
This book was an absolute roller-coaster, I laughed, I was hurt, I found parts incredibly hard to read - yet when it all came together this was so incredible and intense that I just couldn't stop. Sayaka Murata will definitely be an insta-buy author for me from hereon-out.
If you're seeking an intense, hard-hitting but short novel, 'Earthlings' is the one for you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Granta Publications for providing me with an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger Warnings for this book include: paedophilia, sexual abuse, incest, cannibalism, murder.
Sayaka Murata is one of the most incredibly unique writers I've ever had the honour of reading from. Following her book 'Convenience Store Woman' I didn't think they could possibly produce something more incredible, yet here we have 'Earthlings'.
Earthlings is the story of Natsuki, who we see at ages 11 and 34 being pressured to conform with societal norms, whilst dealing with past traumas and abuse, along with her cousin, Yuu, and husband Tomayo who've also suffered. The trio believe themselves to be aliens from the planet Popinpobopia in order to process what they've been through together.
This book was an absolute roller-coaster, I laughed, I was hurt, I found parts incredibly hard to read - yet when it all came together this was so incredible and intense that I just couldn't stop. Sayaka Murata will definitely be an insta-buy author for me from hereon-out.
If you're seeking an intense, hard-hitting but short novel, 'Earthlings' is the one for you.
Book 2: What It Means To Be A Woman - Jacqueline Pirtle
⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
I requested this book, hoping to feel uplifted as a woman with a self-help/development type book, and give me a more enlightened view on being a woman. Although, this is absolutely not what this book provides.
I found it incredibly hard to get through this book, and considered stopping at multiple points. It was incredibly repetitive, it felt like a copy and paste project gone wrong - and I genuinely thought at times that perhaps this wasn't a real book, but instead just an advertisement for the authors other books that were shamelessly plugged in this book every other page. I especially didn't enjoy the way that the author said that women shouldn't care that men get paid more, but rather that they get paid for being their own individuals?! ok... yes, you want to get paid for your own work, but saying that you shouldn't want to get paid as much as men because YOU ARE NOT A MAN was the straw that broke the camels back for me.
In this book, the author writes that this is a book for women, by a woman - yet, in the next chapter continues to tell you to share this book with all the men in your life which was the first of many contradictions that this book held. Whilst continuing to tell me, that as a woman I can poop, I have boobs and a vagina, thanks for letting me know? I really don't understand the need for this book, and I wouldn't bother to revisit it as I feel as though I've gained nothing from this read.
I requested this book, hoping to feel uplifted as a woman with a self-help/development type book, and give me a more enlightened view on being a woman. Although, this is absolutely not what this book provides.
I found it incredibly hard to get through this book, and considered stopping at multiple points. It was incredibly repetitive, it felt like a copy and paste project gone wrong - and I genuinely thought at times that perhaps this wasn't a real book, but instead just an advertisement for the authors other books that were shamelessly plugged in this book every other page. I especially didn't enjoy the way that the author said that women shouldn't care that men get paid more, but rather that they get paid for being their own individuals?! ok... yes, you want to get paid for your own work, but saying that you shouldn't want to get paid as much as men because YOU ARE NOT A MAN was the straw that broke the camels back for me.
In this book, the author writes that this is a book for women, by a woman - yet, in the next chapter continues to tell you to share this book with all the men in your life which was the first of many contradictions that this book held. Whilst continuing to tell me, that as a woman I can poop, I have boobs and a vagina, thanks for letting me know? I really don't understand the need for this book, and I wouldn't bother to revisit it as I feel as though I've gained nothing from this read.
Book 3: When Life Gives You Lemons - Fiona Gibson
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
When Life Gives You Lemons was a nice, light-hearted, easy read following middle-age mum Viv, who finds out her husband has been having an affair and finds herself newly single and has a whole new outlook on life, she has her struggles but makes new friends and relationships along the way to finding herself a new life venture.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was just a calming read and I got through it really quickly, I'd love to check out more of Fiona Gibson's books.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
When Life Gives You Lemons was a nice, light-hearted, easy read following middle-age mum Viv, who finds out her husband has been having an affair and finds herself newly single and has a whole new outlook on life, she has her struggles but makes new friends and relationships along the way to finding herself a new life venture.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was just a calming read and I got through it really quickly, I'd love to check out more of Fiona Gibson's books.
Book 4: The Inheritance Games - Jennifer Lynn Barnes
⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Children's UK for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
I found The Inheritance Games incredibly tedious to read, I didn't feel as though I could relate to any of the characters, or that any of the characters were actually appealing. The Inheritance Games was an interesting concept, although it felt ridiculously far-fetched and nothing interesting actually happened until the last 25% unfortunately.
This book is "Perfect for fans of Riverdale and Knives Out" according to reviewers, the only similarities I can find with Knives Out are an inheritance is left to someone - although under very different circumstances to Knives Out and the comparisons with Riverdale are how completely nonsensical the story-line is.
To be honest, I just didn't enjoy this book, I didn't feel engaged and there were multiple times when I thought I was going to have to just stop reading it because I wasn't interested - but I pushed through just to see how this book would end, which was also disappointing, there were answers but the answers were bland and disappointing, there was no REAL mystery in this book in my opinion and I don't see how this book can have a sequel/sequels in the future.
⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Children's UK for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
I found The Inheritance Games incredibly tedious to read, I didn't feel as though I could relate to any of the characters, or that any of the characters were actually appealing. The Inheritance Games was an interesting concept, although it felt ridiculously far-fetched and nothing interesting actually happened until the last 25% unfortunately.
This book is "Perfect for fans of Riverdale and Knives Out" according to reviewers, the only similarities I can find with Knives Out are an inheritance is left to someone - although under very different circumstances to Knives Out and the comparisons with Riverdale are how completely nonsensical the story-line is.
To be honest, I just didn't enjoy this book, I didn't feel engaged and there were multiple times when I thought I was going to have to just stop reading it because I wasn't interested - but I pushed through just to see how this book would end, which was also disappointing, there were answers but the answers were bland and disappointing, there was no REAL mystery in this book in my opinion and I don't see how this book can have a sequel/sequels in the future.
Book 5: Challenge Everything - Blue Sandford
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Pavilion Books for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Challenge Everything is such an interesting introduction to the principles of the Extinction Rebellion for young people, and gives clear aid to those interested in boycotting or protesting for the state of our climate. I think the conversation about morals in this book is really important, and really interesting to read and question in our own lives whether we are really doing the best we can to counteract our changing climate. Whether or not you agree with Extinction Rebellion principles and actions, I think this is an incredibly important read for any young person who wants to make a change.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Pavilion Books for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Challenge Everything is such an interesting introduction to the principles of the Extinction Rebellion for young people, and gives clear aid to those interested in boycotting or protesting for the state of our climate. I think the conversation about morals in this book is really important, and really interesting to read and question in our own lives whether we are really doing the best we can to counteract our changing climate. Whether or not you agree with Extinction Rebellion principles and actions, I think this is an incredibly important read for any young person who wants to make a change.
Book 6: Churchill's Flawed Decisions - Stephen Wynn
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoy reading historical non-fiction, specifically that of British History in war times, and this was a really interested read. I enjoyed that it wasn't a book blowing smoke up Churchill's arse and spoke honestly about the mistakes he made and just general bad calls that he made. I liked how this book went chronologically through history and reviewing those bad decisions made and the horrible consequences of those decisions, that never tended to truly affect Churchill as much as others.
The only thing I didn't enjoy about this book were the couple of times the author speculated about how Churchill would've been or felt, I don't really like this kind of author commentary in a completely factual non-fiction, but I enjoyed the book overall.
Book 7: Dear Emmie Blue - Lia Louis
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio UK for providing me with an advance reader copy of the Dear Emmie Blue audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Dear Emmie Blue is such a sweet tale of growth, self-discovery, love and friendship. This book was unlike any other romance I've read before - the unique story of two long distance best friends finding one another when they were needed the most. This book contains a sort of 'love triangle' which I don't usually enjoy in books, but this one worked so well, and I felt like I was rooting for Emmie the whole way through the book and just wanted her to end up with someone that made her happy.
This book also touches on grief, abuse, the loss of a close friend and terminal illness which was a really interesting addition to a love story. Whilst listening to the audiobook I felt so many emotions, I was happy, I was hurt, it was so bittersweet to read.
I felt like the narrator for the audiobook really suited the tone of this book, and I could feel as though the narrator could actually have been the main character, Emmie. Although, with most audiobooks I did feel as though the speech was a little slow, and so listened to this audiobook on 2x speed.
Book 8: A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I definitely requested an arc of this book because of the hype, I don't read or enjoy a lot of fantasy, especially YA fantasy, so I was sceptical about reading this book and kept putting it off, but here we are, I've finally gotten around to it.
A Court of Thorns and Roses has some characters that are likeable and others that really aren't, and I think it gives this story a really good balance between love and hate for the reader and 'Rhysand' is quite a morally grey character, which gives him a lot of depth in this story.
I'm definitely going to have to pick up the next book in the series to see what happens next, I never realised I could get so hooked on a YA fantasy series, but i'm dying to find out what happens with my favourite character.
(I'm not telling you who my favourite character is in case something horrible happens to them and you're all reading this and pitying me)
But overall, I'm incredibly glad that I got the push I needed to read this book, I've never read any Sarah J. Maas prior to this, and hadn't intended to - but now i'm hooked!
Book 9: Kiss Me Every Day - Dena Blake
⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books, Inc for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I don't really know what to say about this book, I'm lost for words. I don't think this was a bad book - I just found it to be way too long for the amount of plot and with the "groundhog day"-esque idea, the book became quite repetitive in some parts. I found myself really wanted this book to be over because it just tended to drag on unfortunately. I enjoyed that this was an LGBT romance but it's just unfortunate that the book didn't work for me.
I don't think the "groundhog day" elements complimented this book very well honestly, and personally I would've preferred this story to have been told as a linear love story, but I understand that's not for everyone and this added a different spin to your usual contemporary.
Overall, if I hadn't committed to an arc of this book, I more than likely would've DNF'd it quite early on as I just didn't enjoy it enough to justify spending my time reading it.
And that's a wrap on Galleyathon Round 2! I managed to finish a total of 9 books in the 7 days (way more than I thought I was going to read!!) And I can't wait for Round 3!
⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books, Inc for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I don't really know what to say about this book, I'm lost for words. I don't think this was a bad book - I just found it to be way too long for the amount of plot and with the "groundhog day"-esque idea, the book became quite repetitive in some parts. I found myself really wanted this book to be over because it just tended to drag on unfortunately. I enjoyed that this was an LGBT romance but it's just unfortunate that the book didn't work for me.
I don't think the "groundhog day" elements complimented this book very well honestly, and personally I would've preferred this story to have been told as a linear love story, but I understand that's not for everyone and this added a different spin to your usual contemporary.
Overall, if I hadn't committed to an arc of this book, I more than likely would've DNF'd it quite early on as I just didn't enjoy it enough to justify spending my time reading it.
And that's a wrap on Galleyathon Round 2! I managed to finish a total of 9 books in the 7 days (way more than I thought I was going to read!!) And I can't wait for Round 3!
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