Book Review: SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOES by Jojo Moyes

 

Title: SOMEONE ELSE’S SHOES

Author:  Jojo Moyes

Read: July 2023

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 all the stars!

 

Book Description:

 

Who are you when you are forced to walk in someone else’s shoes?

Nisha Cantor lives the globetrotting life of the seriously wealthy, until her husband announces a divorce and cuts her off. Nisha is determined to hang onto her glamorous life. But in the meantime, she must scramble to cope--she doesn’t even have the shoes she was, until a moment ago, standing in.

That’s because Sam Kemp – in the bleakest point of her life – has accidentally taken Nisha’s gym bag. But Sam hardly has time to worry about a lost gym bag--she’s struggling to keep herself and her family afloat. When she tries on Nisha’s six-inch high Christian Louboutin red crocodile shoes, the resulting jolt of confidence that makes her realize something must change—and that thing is herself.

My musings:

 

Let me introduce my feel-good book of 2023! It’s often obvious in the first few pages whether we will love a book, in the way we relate to the characters, and I felt instantly drawn to Sam Kemp and her daily struggles. Even the prickly Nisha Cantor was strangely compelling, perhaps also aided by the wonderful audiobook narration, which gave her quite a unique voice.

 

What would you do if you had to walk in someone else’s shoes for a day (or more), quite literally? After a mix-up at the gym, Sam finds out the hard way as she stumbles off to a stressful work meeting with important clients, teetering precariously on Nisha’s expensive red Louboutin heels.

 

The concept of walking in someone else’s shoes is not new, but taken so literally it made for a most intriguing and very “visual” read. I could picture the two women clearly and forged an instant emotional connection with both of them. I laughed, I cried, my heart full of rage one minute, and full of love and hope the next. Ultimately, the story soothed my soul and set my world back on its right axis – and I really needed that at the time. Moyes writes with the warmth, humour and conviction of a master story teller, and thee wasn’t a moment I didn’t enjoy. I was sad when the book ended, though it was a very satisfying finale!

 

Do yourself a favour and pick up this heart-warming, uplifting story to recharge your batteries and restore your faith in the power of female friendships, new beginnings and discovering your own inner lioness.

 

Book Review: IN A HOLIDAZE by Christina Lauren

 

Title: IN A HOLIDAZE

Author:  Christina Lauren

Read: December 2020

Expected publication: out now

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

Book Description:

 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.

My musings:

 

I don’t normally read romance. Not ever. But hey, who can’t do with a little bit of Christmas magic? Somehow Christina Lauren managed to channel my inner 26-year-old hungry for some love, and push aside the grumpy old me who craves murder and suspense and scoffs at any hint of romance. This book was a perfect escape from reality: sweet, hopeful and innocent, where bad things may happen but good always wins out and everyone finds love in the end. It comes as a surprise to me, too, when I say that I really enjoyed it. And was that a little tear running down my face when Mae ....? nope, no spoilers!

 

I think everyone who believes in Christmas magic will enjoy time in this snowy little cabin with a bunch of friends and family who may have had their share of tragedy and drama but just like hanging out together. I loved the descriptions of the Christmas traditions that have kept this group of people united for years, and I would have loved to sit in their midst near the fire sipping hot cocoa and listen to their happy bickering. It was all so very wholesome! Perhaps it channelled some deeply buried memories of Christmases past when our extended family came together for a feast and gift giving, and there was still magic in the season for little innocent me. Or maybe it was the longing for such carefree happy days that instantly drew me to the story. Whatever it was, it worked for me, and the lasting happy glow after the last page had been turned renewed my faith in the magic of Christmas, and the love of family and friends as the true meaning of the season. Does that sound soppy?

 

I have heard some readers complain that the time travel / groundhog day element was not sufficiently explained in the story, and thought that the petty, absolutely-can’t-suspend-disbelief me would surely stumble over that hurdle as well. But-surprise! It didn’t bother me. To be honest, who can really pull off time travel in a way that makes sense? Apart from Stephen King’s novel 11/22/63, I have never read any story that explained that element well enough that it was believable, so I didn’t even try. And it all worked, in a weird, Christmas-magicy sort of way.

 

 

Summary:

Long story short, I really enjoyed this story, loose plot ends and all, and the atmospheric, snowy cabin setting really made for the perfect Christmassy read. And whilst I don’t think romance will ever be my go-to genre, it made for a lovely escape. Merry Christmas!

Audiobook Review: AKIN by Emma Donoghue

Title: AKIN 

Author: Emma Donoghue
Read: January2020

Narrator: Jason Culp

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟1/2

“The whole point of travel is to learn there's no such thing as normal.”

Book Description:

Noah Selvaggio is a retired chemistry professor and widower living on the Upper West Side, but born in the South of France. He is days away from his first visit back to Nice since he was a child, bringing with him a handful of puzzling photos he's discovered from his mother's wartime years. But he receives a call from social services: Noah is the closest available relative of an eleven-year-old great-nephew he's never met, who urgently needs someone to look after him. Out of a feeling of obligation, Noah agrees to take Michael along on his trip.

Much has changed in this famously charming seaside mecca, still haunted by memories of the Nazi occupation. The unlikely duo, suffering from jet lag and culture shock, bicker about everything from steak frites to screen time. But Noah gradually comes to appreciate the boy's truculent wit, and Michael's ease with tech and sharp eye help Noah unearth troubling details about their family's past. Both come to grasp the risks people in all eras have run for their loved ones, and find they are more akin than they knew.

Written with all the tenderness and psychological intensity that made Room an international bestseller, Akin is a funny, heart-wrenching tale of an old man and a boy, born two generations apart, who unpick their painful story and start to write a new one together. 

My musings:

Emma Donoghue’s novel THE WONDER is one of my all-time favourite books, so I was very excited to pick up her latest novel AKIN.

Old people in fiction really intrigue me. There is so much history there for the taking, plus the potential of some of life’s wisdom being imparted after a lifetime of experiences (even if the lifetime is only fictional). Also, if older characters behave oddly, this can be excused because of their age, giving the potential for the author to have a lot of fun sending their protagonist on all sorts of adventures and speaking their mind. Noah Selvaggio fits that bill perfectly. At 79, he faces a lonely old age after the death of his wife Joan a few years ago, and more recently his younger sister Fernande. In the winter of his life, he certainly did not expect being asked to become the ward of his deceased wayward nephew’s young son (whose mother is in jail for drug dealing). Especially as he is about to embark on a long awaited journey to his childhood home, Nice (France) before he has to follow his wife and sister to the grave.

As the title suggests, AKIN is about family ties, but there is so much more at play here. As Noah reflects sadly on the obstacles of old age – bereavement, loneliness, a slowing of the mind and body – he is also a character who doesn’t shy away from an adventure. Trying to reconcile early childhood memories of living in Nice, he is also on the search for information regarding some old photos he has found among his sister’s effects, which he believes were his mother’s. The images are mysterious, depicting seemingly random objects and people, as if the photographer had accidentally pressed the shutter. Noah thinks this is unusual for his mother, who was the child of a famous photographer after all. Maybe they have a meaning he has not yet uncovered?

Suddenly saddled with the responsibility of looking after eleven-year-old Michal, Noah’s trip may not start out as he had expected, but it will certainly provide some excitement, - and maybe also the answers he had been looking for.

AKIN was such a joy to read! Witty, heart-warming, touching, thought provoking and sometimes laugh-out-funny, the contrast between the travel experience of the old man and the young boy provided all the feels. With Joan living on as a voice in Noah’s head, she was also a character in her own right, providing a running commentary on the two unlikely travellers’ experiences.

Donoghue writes well, setting the scene very early and breathing life into her characters. I got so much out of this book: there is the heart-warming relationship between the man and the boy and the refreshing contrast in their views as they explore Nice. Then there is the mystery behind the photos, which had me totally intrigued. Noah is like an encyclopaedia of Nice’s history and sights, which provided an armchair travel experience that was almost like one of those guided tours on top of a tourist bus across the city. I enjoyed every minute of it!

Finally, credit must go to the narrator, Jason Culp, who breathed life into Noah until I could picture him vividly in my mind. In contrast, he provided the perfect mix of attitude and vulnerability for young Michael’s voice. It’s not easy to find an audiobook that really resonates from both the writing and the narration, but this fit the bill. Highly recommended!

Book Review: SAVING MISSY by Beth Morrey

Title: SAVING MISSY

Author: Beth Morrey
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
Read: November 2019

Expected publication: 20 January 2020

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Book Description:

Missy Carmichael’s life has become small.

Grieving for a family she has lost or lost touch with, she’s haunted by the echoes of her footsteps in her empty home; the sound of the radio in the dark; the tick-tick-tick of the watching clock.

Spiky and defensive, Missy knows that her loneliness is all her own fault. She deserves no more than this; not after what she’s done. But a chance encounter in the park with two very different women opens the door to something new.

Another life beckons for Missy, if only she can be brave enough to grasp the opportunity. But seventy-nine is too late for a second chance. Isn’t it?

My musings:

SAVING MISSY  is the third book I read this year that features an older heroine (Missy is rapidly approaching 80), and I am so glad to see older people making a come-back in fiction! There is something irresistible about books that reflect back on life’s journey, and knowing that wonderful new things can still happen in the winter of your life.

If I had to sum up this book in just a few words, I would say it is about friendships, and the power of people to save each other. Missy is a woman in her late seventies living in her big empty house in London, feeling the silence suffocating her. To escape her loneliness and to have something to write about to her grandson on the other side of the world, she takes long walks through the park, which does little to improve her isolation. Until an accident put her in the path of strangers who will end up changing her life forever – through the most unlikely friendships.

The narrative of SAVING MISSY unfolds slowly, as Missy’s life gradually changes for the better through the budding friendships she has recently – and reluctantly – forged. Throughout the book, she reflects back on her life and the choices she has made that have brought her to this place in time, her lonely existence, her empty house. Although Missy can be prickly at times, and tends to close herself off when she feels stressed, she is a very different character to Eleanor Oliphant, which is a comparison that has been made in the media. So if you weren’t a fan of Eleanor, be reassured that Missy is completely different. And if you were, then this book will still offer you a very unique character who is worth your time getting to know.

I’m not sure if this book is being marketed as “uplit”, but I thought it fits the genre well. There is some tragedy, as life most often serves up through one’s lifetime at some stage, but the general message is one of hope and salvation when one has all but lost hope. I loved the way the author brought out this feel-good vibe in a way that never sounded preachy, or stereotypical, or cheesy – indeed a difficult balance to achieve. If this cynical reader claims that – then this is saying something! As the story took me on its roller coaster ride of life’s ups and downs, I laughed, I cringed, I shivered a little and I shed quite a few tears. There will be triggers for some readers, which I can’t discuss because of spoilers, but just be prepared to have your heart ground in the dirt and stomped on a few times, and have some tissues handy!

I read about an interview with the author, in which she said that she “wanted to write a book that could make people cry, but with happiness, not sadness.” I feel that she has totally fulfilled that criteria.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.

Book Review: THE GIVER OF STARS by Jojo Moyes

Title: THE GIVER OF STARS

Author: Jojo Moyes
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
Read: October 2019

Expected publication: out now

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟1/2

Book Description:

Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve hoping to escape her stifling life in England. But small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic, especially living alongside her overbearing father-in-law. So when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically.

The leader, and soon Alice’s greatest ally, is Margery, a smart-talking, self-sufficient woman who’s never asked a man’s permission for anything. They will be joined by three other singular women who become known as the Horseback Librarians of Kentucky.

What happens to them—and to the men they love—becomes a classic drama of loyalty, justice, humanity and passion. Though they face all kinds of dangers, they’re committed to their job—bringing books to people who have never had any, sharing the gift of learning that will change their lives.

Based on a true story rooted in America’s past, The Giver of Stars is unparalleled in its scope. At times funny, at others heartbreaking, this is a richly rewarding novel of women’s friendship, of true love, and of what happens when we reach beyond our grasp for the great beyond.

My musings:

I don’t think I have ever read a book by Jojo Moyes that I haven’t enjoyed, and this one was no exception! And as soon as I heard it was all about books, and horseback librarians, I knew I had to read it.

Enter Kentucky in the 1930’s, those dark lean years during the Depression. People work hard, and they are poor. Women are expected to stay at home, raise children and run a households, whilst eking out a scarce living with very little money to buy essentials. School is a luxury many simply can’t afford, and there is a lot of illiteracy among the mountain folk (up to 31% of all people in Eastern Kentucky couldn’t read, a huge number!). This is where the horseback librarians come in. As part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s incentive to improve literacy among the poor, these women are employed to deliver books to the poorest and most outlying families scattered among the mountains. The terrain is rough, the weather often hostile, and not all families welcome the intrusion. And yet Margery, Alice, Beth and Izzy make their daily journey to spread the love of books to everyone. For some families, it becomes the highlight of their week, their escape from drudgery, their hope of a better future – the magic of books.

Moyes’ historical novel focuses on the lives of her very different protagonists, who initially have little in common but who will soon be united through the travelling librarian scheme. I loved the descriptions of the remote Appalachian mountains during the depression era, and felt like I was there in spirit, riding alongside these brave women who feared little and who stood out from the typical picture of the perfect wife at the time. Margery, who is from a poor and abusive family background has never married and is not afraid to forge her own path in life, caring little about what others think of her. She is an unlikely friend for Alice, a young English woman who has recently arrived as the new wife of Bennett Van Cleve, the son of the town’s wealthy but ruthless mine owner. But Alice has problems of her own, and the librarian scheme gives her the purpose she is so desperately lacking in her housewife role. Then there is Izzy, crippled by polio, who finds that riding and delivering books is one thing she can do despite her disability. Each woman has an interesting background, and I soon warmed to each and every one of them, invested in their fate.

It didn’t take long for THE GIVER OF STARS to steal my heart, and soon I was laughing and crying and didn’t want to put the book down! What can be better than a book about books, and the joy they can spread among people? I loved hearing about the families living in the Appalachian mountains, whose lives were changed by books, empowered by literacy. It warmed my heart! Of course it wasn’t long until things started going wrong, and men started feeling threatened by those strong, smart and brave females. Some drama ensued, and by now well and truly invested in the story my emotions also ran high as each woman must fight her own battle to remain true to herself.

I admit that I enjoyed the first ¾ of the book more than the later part, in which the focus is more on drama and romance than the librarian scheme and the atmospheric setting I had enjoyed so much earlier. Personally, I would have preferred a bit more grit, which is a common gripe I have with women’s fiction, which so often descends into melodrama at the end as it is trying to tie everything up into neat little bows. But I’m sure that readers who like a feel-good read and don’t mind some romance thrown in will most likely disagree with me on that – it’s just not my thing.  That said, my overall feeling was still one of enjoyment and awe, and I immediately read up on the librarian scheme, which was fascinating and inspiring, especially some of the old photos that came up in my Google search. There are a lot of issues being explored through Moyes’ characters, which were mostly interesting, even though at times I felt that the drums were being beaten a bit too loudly to get the many messages home.

Summary:

All in all, if you love books, plucky female leads and a feel-good story, THE GIVER OF STARS should definitely be on your TBR list. Moyes skilfully brings her characters and her atmospheric setting to life and explores a fascinating chapter of American history that will warm every booklover’s heart. My cold black soul would have loved to see a bit more grit and controversy at the end, but this will present no problems for readers who like things tied in a neat and pretty bow and walk away feeling that the world overall is a good place where magic can still happen. 

Thank you to Edelweiss and Pamela Dorman Books for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.

Book Review: THE LIDO by Libby Page

Title: The Lido

Author: Libby Page
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Read: July 2018

Expected publication: out now

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

Book Description:

A tender, joyous debut novel about a cub reporter and her eighty-six-year-old subject—and the unlikely and life-changing friendship that develops between them.

Kate is a twenty-six-year-old riddled with anxiety and panic attacks who works for a local paper in Brixton, London, covering forgettably small stories. When she’s assigned to write about the closing of the local lido (an outdoor pool and recreation center), she meets Rosemary, an eighty-six-year-old widow who has swum at the lido daily since it opened its doors when she was a child. It was here Rosemary fell in love with her husband, George; here that she’s found communion during her marriage and since George’s death. The lido has been a cornerstone in nearly every part of Rosemary’s life.

But when a local developer attempts to buy the lido for a posh new apartment complex, Rosemary’s fond memories and sense of community are under threat.

As Kate dives deeper into the lido’s history—with the help of a charming photographer—she pieces together a portrait of the pool, and a portrait of a singular woman, Rosemary. What begins as a simple local interest story for Kate soon blossoms into a beautiful friendship that provides sustenance to both women as they galvanize the community to fight the lido’s closure. Meanwhile, Rosemary slowly, finally, begins to open up to Kate, transforming them both in ways they never knew possible.

In the tradition of Fredrik Backman, The Lido is a charming, feel-good novel that captures the heart and spirit of a community across generations—an irresistible tale of love, loss, aging, and friendship.

My musings:

Apart from reading and hiking, swimming has been one of my long-time passions, and I was immediately drawn to this book when I found out it centres on a local swimming pool that is put under threat by a large development company. Whilst the term “lido” is not widely used in Australia, the issue is a very topical one here as well. Many small communities are facing the loss of their recreation facilities, as money talks and most public pools don’t make enough income to cover running costs. Our town has been lobbying for a pool for years, so the story seemed very close to my heart! When I saw the gorgeous cover, I knew I absolutely had to have this book, even though it is not my usual genre, lacking the darkness, murder and mayhem I usually look for in books.

Page uses two main characters to highlight the importance of the pool to the community: octogenarian Rosemary, who has been swimming at the lido for forty years, and had countless happy memories of the place, including meeting her husband there; and journalist Kate, who has only started swimming at the lido after meeting Rosemary, but who is discovering that it is helping with her anxiety and self-consciousness. Soon the two women strike up an unusual friendship that will prove not only beneficial for them, but also for the whole community.

I really liked the way Page gives brief snapshots into the lives of other swimmers who regularly come to the lido. As a regular swimmer myself, I could relate to many of the sentiments expressed by the lido’s users, including how addictive lap swimming can become! The story itself is pretty straight-forward and holds few surprises, but it proved to be uplifting and the type of feel-good read I normally rarely pick up. This is definitely a light and undemanding summer read, one that will not require much of the reader but will leave you with a warm glow that good things can still happen and that people are basically good and honest. Sometimes you just need a story like that to escape from the harsh realities of real life!

Whilst I liked the overall concept of the book and was prepared for the lack of action and gore, I felt that I did not engage with the characters nearly as much as I would have liked. Rosemary, who is a most intriguing woman, relives many of her happy memories of the lido, but some of her life is never fully explored, such as the pain of remaining childless and the struggles and conflicts she and her devoted husband George must have had at times because of it. Similarly, we are being told about Kate’s struggle with anxiety, but it remains an abstract concept rather than a real problem showing through in her dealings with happenings in the story. Personally, I like a bit of balance and thought that the story was a lot poorer for the lack of glimpses at the “dark side”.  I guess I am just too old and cynical to see life through those rose tinted glasses any longer (my job as an ED nurse probably doesn’t help there either). There were a few moments where Page really nailed it for me (such as when Kate rubs sunscreen into Rosemary’s back and the older woman reflects on how no one touches her any more since George died – SOB!), but at other times the story meandered along without any real substance and even lost my interest a few times.

Summary:

In summary, if you are looking for a light, summery, escapist and feel-good read that centres around swimming and the friendship between two very different women, then this may be perfect for you. However, readers who prefer a meatier and more substantial read may find that this one is not quite what they are looking for. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Australia for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.