BLOG TOUR: The Octopus, written by Tess Little

Hi everyone! Today I’m excited to participate in the blog tour for The Octopus, written by Tess Little, hosted by Hodder and Stoughton.

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My three 3-star(-ish) reads | Mini Review edition

Hi everyone! After my last post on my weekly reading update, I kinda ignored my blog for four days. I thought about writing a full review for the three books individually but Sea Monsters and The Cold is in her Bones are short reads so I’m posting a Mini Review for all three of them. Scroll down to read my mini-reviews of Sea Monsters, The Cold is in her Bones, and The Glass Woman:

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Sea Monsters by Chloe Ardidjis(3.5/5 stars): Set in a picturesque town/city of New Mexico,Sea Monsters by Chloe Aridjis offers us a look into some of teenage Louisa’s days. While reading the book, it was as if I was walking along with Luisa and even though there was no plot, I enjoyed the utter languidness it offered me. If you asked me to sum up the story for you, I’ll say that it was a coming of age story of a teenager called Luisa who is bored with her everyday life; so she decides to go on an adventure to find some missing circus dwarfs. Sea Monsters by Chloe Aridjis is not a must-read for everyone but I’d recommend it to someone who likes character-driven stories where the writer will immerse you into the character’s life with dreamy prose.

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The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea(3/5 stars) : The Glass Woman pulled me in with the promise of a haunting tale set in Iceland. The cover and the title goes perfectly with that imagery however, I was a tad bit disappointed after reading it. The story is set in the year 1686 and tells of a young woman called Rósa who had to leave her home to marry a wealthy stranger so that she could provide for her family. Life for a woman was hell in this place and this era. Misogyny reined and I felt so damn uncomfortable (to say the least) reading the way women especially Rósa were treated. The story had the vibe of Rebecca and The Miniaturist but it didn’t thrill me as much as I had expected it to. Rósa’s character was wonderfully written and I felt as if I was experiencing the story vicariously through her. I liked the writing; it perfectly resonated with the eerie atmosphere of the book. 

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The Cold Is in Her Bones (3 stars):The Cold Is in Her Bones by Peternelle van Arsdale is a fantasy novel inspired by the myth of Medusa. The prologue glued me in but the story lost its rhythm somewhere along. This was set during a time where women were always supposed to be subservient and if anyone was not, then they were feared to be possessed by a demon. In here, we’re told of Milla’s story where she was always ignored by her parents and told to be obedient. She lived a quiet, unhappy life but all that changed when a girl called Iris arrives and soon after, a demon. I loved the atmosphere and the theme of female friendships. However, I lost interest in the story and the characters right around a pivotal moment. Overall, if you want to try a dark fantasy inspired by the story of Medusa,then you should add this to your TBR .

Thanks to the publishers for providing me with review copies in exchange for my honest opinions.

How did you like my mini review? Did any of the books catch your interest ? If you’ve read Sea Monsters or The Glass Woman or The Cold is in her Bones, then let me know yout thoughts in the comments below!

Why should you read The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton |Spoiler-ish Review

Synopsis: GRACE ATHERTON HAS FALLEN OUT OF LOVE … AND INTO LIFE

Between the simple melody of running her violin shop and the full-blown orchestra of her romantic interludes in Paris with David, her devoted partner of eight years, Grace Atherton has always set her life to music.

Her world revolves entirely around David, for Grace’s own secrets have kept everyone else at bay. Until, suddenly and shockingly, one act tips Grace’s life upside down, and the music seems to stop.

It takes a vivacious old man and a straight-talking teenager to kickstart a new chapter for Grace. In the process, she learns that she is not as alone in the world as she had once thought, that no mistake is insurmountable, and that the quiet moments in life can be something to shout about …

For fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Keeper of Lost Things, The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton is the story of a woman who has her heart broken, but then puts it back together again in the most uplifting and exquisite way.

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REVIEW | WHY SHOULD YOU READ THIS BOOK ?

I hate it when books have cheating (among other things) and of course, this book had it #spoileralert . This is not mentioned until after you read a couple of pages so I was outraged and wanted to stop reading it.

However, I am glad I didn’t.

Let me tell you a bit about this book. You might have guessed from the title of the book, our protagonist is Grace Atherton. Grace is a violin maker and her entire life revolves around her partner of eight years, David (besides her violin shop).

Grace continues her affair with David knowing that he is married and hoping that one day he will divorce his wife and marry her. This is where I almost stopped reading this book. Then I realized, this is one of Grace’s Truths.

She can’t be without David, he is the only person who Grace thinks is her family. There are a number of things Grace went through especially during her time at college and I will not spoil that for you.

While I was playing the blaming game, I forgot to mention David, who is the real scumbag and I kept banging my head at what could Grace have seen in this man. Again, you’ll have to read it for yourself.

I got off track for a bit. So, what happens is Grace is also preparing for a violin showcase in Italy, where one violin will win an award called the tone prize. This award show is extremely prestigious and Grace is unnerved because she also has to perform a symphony there. Grace has tried therapy but it was to avail. Finally, Grace triumphs will the help of her two friends – a teenage girl named Nadia and an eighty years old man named Mr. williams.

The writing was synonymous with a symphony. It’s ironic of course because violins play a major part in the lives of Grace, Nadia, and Mr. Williams. I had to skim the parts where words related to violin making were used but I loved Anstey Harris’ writing which reminded me a bit of the book Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. 

Grace is a heavily flawed but immensely relatable character. Her character development within the novel gave me such joy and the ending made me emotional but also satisfied.

‘You have to grasp life by the balls,Grace,’ he says, ‘and don’t bloody let go until you have to.’

Overall, I would highly recommend it. This book was previously released under the title Goodbye Paris and I had no idea until I looked it up on Goodreads. The author has also included a Grace’s Listening List which lists two of my favorite symphonies which are Astor Piazzolla’s Libertango and Vivaldi : La Follia 

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Verdict: 5 out of 5 stars

Author: Connect with Author Anstey Harris on Goodreads.

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Publication Date: 10 January 2019
• Hardcover(ARC): 352 Pages

Let me know if you’re planning to read The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton or if you’re planning to read it. If you loved reading my review, let me know !

ARC Review ​: The Kinship of Secrets by Eugenia Kim

Synopsis: In 1948 Najin and Calvin Cho, with their young daughter Miran, travel from South Korea to the United States in search of new opportunities. Wary of the challenges ahead, Najin and Calvin make the difficult decision to leave their other daughter, Inja, behind with their extended family; soon, they hope, they will return to her.

But then war breaks out in Korea, and there is no end in sight to the separation. Miran grows up in prosperous American suburbia, under the shadow of the daughter left behind, as Inja grapples in her war-torn land with ties to a family she doesn’t remember. Najin and Calvin desperately seek a reunion with Inja, but are the bonds of love strong enough to reconnect their family over distance, time and war? And as deep family secrets are revealed, will everything they long for be upended?

Told through the alternating perspectives of the distanced sisters, and inspired by a true story, The Kinship of Secrets explores the cruelty of war, the power of hope, and what it means to be a sister.

Cover(Goodreads)

Buy on Amazon | Book Depository

Review: There are a couple of words I could use to describe Eugenia Kim’s The Kinship of Secrets and those are beautiful, riveting and heartbreaking.

October wrap-up and November TBR

Hello everyone ! This is my wrap-up post for October(I am a li’l late, I KNOW) and I will also be presenting my tentative November TBR.

*I also want to thank all of you for following me! It means a lot to me *

October Wrap-up :

I have read a total of 12 books this month and they are a mix of hardcovers, ebooks, audiobooks, and paperbacks. Some of these books are advanced reader copies, some are bought while some are borrowed. You’ll notice that I have linked their reviews as well. I have a rating system just like Goodreads and here are my October twelves (get it ?! )

📜My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand,Jodie Meadows,and Brodi Ashton⭐⭐⭐
📜Fight or Flight by Samantha Young ⭐⭐⭐⭐
📜The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar⭐⭐⭐
📜 Cut and Run by Mary Burton⭐⭐⭐⭐
📜Athena’s Champion by David Hair and Cath Mayo⭐⭐⭐⭐
📜The Witch of Willow Hall(audiobook) by Hester Fox⭐⭐⭐⭐
📜Eliza and her Monsters⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
📜The Star Touched Queen ⭐⭐⭐1/2
📜Eve Of Man by Giovanna and Tom Fletcher⭐⭐⭐
📜My Sister,the Serial Killer⭐⭐⭐⭐
📜An Enchantment of Ravens⭐⭐
📜 Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you want to buy any of these books, then here are the links to Amazon. in. (Yes, these are affiliate links but I would receive a smol monetary compensation if you buy using my links!)

November TBR :

These are the books I have planned for November :

1.) Muse Of Nightmares (Finally! Thanks to Samantha@Fictionally Sam )

2.) The Survivors by Kate Furnivall (ARC)

3.) The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje(planned for readathon on Instagram)

4.) The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller(planned for readathon as well)

5.) Unspeakable by Elisabeth Naughton(ARC)

6.) Romanov by Nadine Brandes(ARC)

This is all the books I have planned to read in this month. I have already finished reading The Survivors and it is a brilliant book . I can’t wait to write a full review of it.

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