Review: Papyrus

Title: Papyrus

Author: Irene Vallejo

Publisher: 11th October 2022 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 384 pages

Genre: nonfiction, history, books about books

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

An enthralling journey through the history of books and libraries in the ancient world and those who have helped preserve their rich literary traditions 

Long before books were mass-produced, those made of reeds from along the Nile were worth fighting and dying for. Journeying along the battlefields of Alexander the Great, beneath the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius, at Cleopatra's palaces and the scene of Hypatia's murder, award-winning author Irene Vallejo chronicles the excitement of literary culture in the ancient world, and the heroic efforts that ensured this extraordinary tradition would continue. 

Weaved throughout are fascinating stories about the spies, scribes, illuminators, librarians, booksellers, authors, and statesmen whose rich and sometimes complicated engagement with the written word bears remarkable similarities to the world today: Aristophanes and the censorship of the humorists, Sappho and the empowerment of women's voices, Seneca and the problem of a post-truth world. 

Vallejo takes us to mountainous landscapes and the roaring sea, to the capitals where culture flourished and the furthest reaches where knowledge found refuge in chaotic times. In this sweeping tour of the history of books, the wonder of the ancient world comes alive and, along the way, we discover the singular power of the written word.

My Thoughts

‘The papyrus scroll represented an extraordinary amount of progress. After centuries of searching for the right format, of humans writing on stone, mud, wood, or metal, language had finally found its home in organic matter. The first book in history was born when words - as ethereal as air - found refuge in the pith of an aquatic plant.’

What’s not to love when you come across a rare and fascinating book about books. Where the love for the written word is poured into every page. Papyrus is such a book that will take readers on a special journey. Author Irene Vallejo’s ode to books/reading and her knowledge of literature, particularly with regards to history of the written word, is wonderfully written. A definite must-read for anyone who loves books.

‘I suspect that as they searched for traces of every book as if they were pieces of scattered treasure, without knowing it, they were laying the foundations of our world.’

Irene has done her research and provides a smorgasbord of goodness. Readers will learn a little of the history of how books started and complemented with facts, philosophy, thoughts and ideas. It is a wonderful reference that will see you coming back time and again. A plethora of anecdotes and personal notes from the author surrounding the emergence of books - precious moments from the history of literature. 

‘This account is an attempt to continue the adventure of those book hunters. I would like somehow, to be their unlikely travel companion, on the scent of lost manuscripts, unknown stories, and voices in danger of being silenced.’

This is neither a complete academic essay or personal reflection but the successful melding of the two. I thoroughly enjoyed Irene’s writing and thought the weaving of both fiction and nonfiction was well done. The history of papyrus and books is reflected on through personal retellings that results in a rich tapestry for book lovers to delight in. 

‘Let's talk about you for a moment, the person reading these lines. Right now, with the book open in your hands, you are engaged in a mysterious, unsettling activity, though habit prevents you from being amazed. Think carefully. You are completely quiet, eyes moving over rows of letters made into meaning, that deliver ideas independent from the world now surrounding you. In other words, you have withdrawn to an inner chamber where absent voices speak; where there are ghosts only you can see ….  and where the pace of time's passage is the measure of your level of interest or boredom. You have created a parallel world …. a world that depends on you alone. At any moment, you can avert your gaze from these lines and return to the action and movement of the outside world. But in the meantime, you remain on the edge, in the place where you've chosen to be. There is an almost magical aura to the act of reading.’

If you delight in books and reading, you are in for a treat. Looking to learn a little more of the evolution of ancient literature, this proves a most accessible read. It does not adopt a linear approach, or have pages filled with high end vocabulary. What it does offer is an entertaining history of books with interesting back stories and reflections. From the first attempts on clay tablets, to papyrus, to paper books, to ebooks, Irene has written a tale of past, present and future that I highly recommend to lovers of literature.

‘I'm so amazed by the true and recorded history I discover that it seeps into my dreams and acquires, without my volition, the shape of a story. I'm tempted to step into the skin of those who traveled the roads of an ancient, violent, tumultuous Europe in pursuit of books.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Atlas of Abandoned Places

Title: Atlas of Abandoned Places

Author: Oliver Smith

Publisher: 11th October 2022 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 220 pages

Genre: nonfiction, travel, world, history

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

Explore the wonders that the world forgot with award-winning travel writer Oliver Smith - from breathtaking buildings with a dark past to decaying reminders of more troubled times.

The globe is littered with forgotten monuments, their beauty matched only by the secrets of their past.

A glorious palace lies abandoned by a fallen dictator. A grand monument to communism sits forgotten atop a mountain. Two never-launched space shuttles slowly crumble, left to rot in the middle of the desert. Explore these and many more of the world's lost wonders in this atlas like no other.

With remarkable stories, bespoke maps and stunning photography of fifty forsaken sites, The Atlas of Abandoned Places travels the world beneath the surface; the sites with stories to tell, the ones you won't find in any guidebook.

Award-winning travel writer Oliver Smith is your guide on a long-lost path, shining a light on the places that the world forgot.

Locations featured in the book include:

Europe: Maunsell Forts, Aldwych Station, Paris Catacombs, La Petite Ceinture, Craco, Teufelsberg, Beelitz-Heilstatten, Red Star Train Graveyard, Pyramiden, Salpa Line, Buzludzha Monument, Pripyat, Wolf's Lair, Project Riese, Sarajevo Bobsleigh Track, Albanian Bunkers, Rummu Quarry

The Americas & the Caribbean: New Bedford Orpheum Theatre, City Hall Station, Bodie, The Boneyards of Western USA, Bannerman Castle, Palace of Sans Souci, Montserrat Exclusion Zone, Ciudad Perdida, Humberstone and Santa Laura, Uyuni Train Cemetery, Fordlandia

The Middle East & the Caucasus: Kayakoy, Burj Al Babas, Varosha, Tskaltubo, Palaces of Saddam

Asia: Ryugyong Hotel, Buran at Baikonur, Mo'ynoq Ship Graveyard, Aniva Lighthouse, Ho' Thuy Tien Waterpark, Fukushima Red Zone, Hashima

Oceania: Wittenoom, Wrecks of Homebush Bay, Port Arthur, MS World Discoverer, Second World Remains of Papua New Guinea

Africa: Shipwrecks of the Skeleton Coast, Kolmanskop, Mobutu's Gbadolite, Mos Espa, Sao Martinho dos Tigres

My Thoughts

‘To step into an abandoned place is to cross a kind of threshold into the past - to time travel from the present day to the instant that people departed.’

This is an absolutely fascinating book! A trip not only through time but around the world with proverbial windows into abandoned places. This book features maps and interesting photography of ghostly places - some lost to nature, others to supposed progress. Each location has a compelling tale about the people and society it reflects.

Atlas of Abandoned Places details a range of abandoned locales throughout the world -  ‘some are fallen monuments to impossible dreams. Others are ordinary houses and apartments.’ Featured locations include palaces, mines, trains, planes, hotels, theme parks, theatres, stations and military installations. 

‘We emerge … with questions: who lived here, worked here? What were their dreams? And, selfishly, what would our own world look like decades from now, if it too suddenly became frozen in this instant? What would survive of us? What would wither and decay?’

Oliver Smith has spent years travelling the faraway corners of the world. A four-time Travel Writer of the Year award winner, he has appeared in Lonely Planet, National Geographic, the BBC, The Sunday Times and many more. Here, Smith writes beautifully and thoughtfully and I loved it. Each location includes informative descriptions that are both insightful and thought provoking. Also included is map coordinates, summary sentence, two page story, maps (world location and country specific) and multiple impressive photos. A fascinating and thought-provoking read that I highly recommend for not just coffee tables but also the brilliant discussions that are sure to ensue. 

‘They serve as a postscript to cemeteries: a vision of our deaths not as individuals, but as communities, as a species.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Keeping a Christmas Promise

Title: Keeping a Christmas Promise

Author: Jo Thomas

Publisher: 13th October 2022 by Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Penguin

Pages: 364 pages

Genre: Christmas, contemporary, romance, Iceland

My Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

Four friends

Twenty-five years ago, Freya and her three best friends created a bucket list. The future seemed bright, full of hope and most importantly guaranteed . . .

One promise

Now they are travelling to Iceland in memory of the friend they've lost, determined to fulfil her dream of seeing the Northern Lights at Christmas.

A life-changing adventure

They didn't count on an avalanche leaving them stranded! Handsome local, Pétur, comes to the rescue, showing them how the community survives the hard winter. With Christmas approaching, Freya and her friends throw themselves into the festivities, decorating and cooking for the villagers using delicious local ingredients.

But will the Northern Lights appear so they can honour their friend's wish? And can Freya's own dreams come true, this Christmas?

My Thoughts

Who do you turn to when you are in search of a ‘breather’ book … you know the type .... one that whisks you away where new ventures are to be had? Jo Thomas of course! And for this trip we kick off the Christmas cheer with a trip to Iceland! Yup … seeing the Northern Lights and learning all about Icelandic culture was one trip I didn’t know I needed. Thanks Jo! Her books are always an immediate teleport to exceptional locales.

‘We may be remote here, but we live with nature. We look out for our neighbours and Mother Nature. She’s our closest neighbour. We work with her and she provides for us. It’s a mutual agreement .’

There is much to love about a Jo Thomas book … all the requisites are there of course …. idyllic location, gourmet cuisine, romantic love interest … but Jo always adds those extra elements that take this genre to the next level. Firstly, Jo takes readers to what I would consider the ‘real’ Iceland, a small village experiencing frigid temperatures yet a window into nature at its most raw and beautiful and a community watching out for each other. There is even a sub plot with regards to the environment which was a worthy inclusion. Secondly, there is culture, customs and cuisine on almost every page that in itself is an eye opener. Finally, this is a book full of life lessons and pep talks to set even the most lost person on the right path. 

‘It wasn’t about seeing the Lights. It was about seeing the bigger picture. Taking time to work out how we want to live the rest of our lives.’

On a personal level, I did find this book a little too heavily laden with advice that it became a bit preachy. Stereotypes and cliches that caused a wince or two. It also is a little repetitive with various characters overly concerned and caught up in their ‘lesson’. Still, for those readers who need a light and uplifting tale, look no further. Friendship, loyalty and love are at the forefront in this tale where an enforced snow-in provides the time out from life for people to reexamine and reconnect in a unique setting. 

‘Now, this is living my best life . . .’ I say. ‘Sometimes you have to take time to stand and stare to realize what’s been and where you want to go.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Kingdom of the Feared

Title: Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked #3)

Author: Kerri Maniscalco

Publisher: 27th September 2022 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 400 pages

Genre: fantasy, young adult, paranormal

My Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

Emilia is reeling from the shocking discovery that her twin sister, Vittoria, is alive. But before she faces the demons of her past, Emilia yearns to claim her king, the seductive Prince of Wrath, in the flesh. Emilia doesn’t simply desire his body, she wants his heart and soul—but that’s something the enigmatic demon can’t promise her.

When a high-ranking member of House Greed is assassinated, Emilia and Wrath are drawn to the rival demon court. Damning evidence points to Vittoria as the murderer and she’s quickly declared an enemy of the Seven Circles. Despite her betrayal, Emilia will do anything to solve this new mystery and find out who her sister really is.

Together Emilia and Wrath play a sin-fueled game of deception as they work to stop the unrest that’s brewing between witches, demons, shape-shifters and the most treacherous foes of all: the Feared.

Emilia was warned that when it came to the Wicked nothing was as it seemed. But, have the true villains been much closer all along? When the truth is finally revealed, it just might end up costing Emilia her heart.

Two curses.

One prophecy.

A reckoning all have feared.

And a love more powerful than fate. All hail the king and queen of Hell.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stalking the Jack the Ripper series comes the steamy conclusion to Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy.

My Thoughts

Kingdom of the Feared is the conclusion of the KOTW trilogy and, as always, it is somewhat bittersweet to say goodbye to characters and this world. Overall, this book provides a resolution that ties the plot together well in a satisfying way that leaves no loose ends for the central characters.

“What if I don't want to be feared?”

Sadly for me, however, this book didn't quite live up to the prequels. It just didn't have the same tension or constant edge-of-your-seat suspense that made the last two so enjoyable. I didn’t feel the same connection to the main characters. Their relationship, whilst it progressed sexually, didn’t really advance in any other way. There was a lack of sweet encounters, conversation and chemistry, which made their interactions feel less romantic and tender. Both characters had separate agendas within the storyline and, as a result, they didn't work together as much to determine who committed the murder or resolve any other plot points.

I felt like there was no real climax/crescendo; everything gets solved - very easily at times - with very little build up or anticipation, which makes the pace of this book feel quite slow. I wanted conflict, drama, action or battles but events seemed to tie up too neatly. There were some plot twists that kept things interesting, overall  however, it was  a little all over the place with the overwhelming smut/spice taking away from it and, at times, feeling extremely out of place. All the sex scenes really failed to add anything to the story and felt unnecessary. Despite this, the portrayal of Vittoria as the book progressed was amazing, and the relationship she and Emilia have was incredibly complex, layered and unpredictable. 

“Shadow witches … ‘Shadow' because you possess a mere shade or shadow of your true power. 'Witch' because with so much dilution of your magic, that is what you are. What all witches are - descendants of goddesses.”

From Kerri, readers come to expect perfection and her crown slipped a little with this final entry. Time and again she gives readers such unique worlds with dark magic and wickedness; whilst this book did have its flaws, it was no exception. The writing style and prose, as is typical of the author, was absolutely superb and totally immersive. Excitingly, there was also the sense that the journey’s of some characters remained unfinished, so perhaps we can expect some spin-offs in the hopefully not-to-distant future (YAY!!)

‘Whatever you do, you must never speak to the Wicked. If you see them, hide. Once you've caught a demon prince's attention, he'll stop at nothing to claim you. They are midnight creatures, born of darkness and moonlight. And they seek only to destroy …’

 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Keeping Up Appearances

Title: Keeping Up Appearances

Author: Tricia Stringer

Publisher: 5th October 2022 by Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA

Pages: 464 pages

Genre: contemporary

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

As tensions simmer in a small country town, three women are going to need more than CWA sausage rolls and can-do community spirit to put things right. From a bestselling Australian author comes a delightful novel full of practical wisdom and dry humour that examines female friendship, buried secrets and why honesty is (usually) the best policy.

Privacy is hard to maintain in Badara, the kind of small Australian country town where everyone knows everyone else's business. So discovers single mum Paige when she and her three children arrive from the city seeking refuge. Paige's only respite from child care and loneliness is the Tuesday gym club, where she had feared the judgement of the town matriarchs, but she is met only with generosity and a plethora of baked goods. Besides, both the brusque Marion and her polished sister-in-law Briony are too busy dealing with their own dramas to examine hers.

Well-to-do farmer's wife and proud mother Briony is in full denial of her family's troubles. Even with her eldest daughter's marriage in ruins and her son Blake's recent bombshell. Suddenly Briony and husband Vince have a full house again - and the piles of laundry aren't the only dirty linen that's about to be aired.

For Marion, the unearthing of a time capsule - its contents to be read at the Celebrate Badara weekend - is a disaster. She was only a teenager when she wrote down those poisonous words, but that doesn't mean she won't lose friends and family if they hear what she really thinks of them - especially as the letter reveals their darkest secrets to the world.

When the truth comes out for Badara, keeping up appearances may no longer be an option for anyone ...

My Thoughts

A small fictional country town called Badara in South Australia, is the setting for Tricia Stringer’s latest offering, Keeping Up Appearances. A place where lies and secrets are about to all come out - don’t they always? Tricia writes a real to life story of the fallout and ramifications of keeping secrets in an effort to ‘keep up appearances’.

“We just got on with it, I suppose ... We were…” Briony felt sick. "Keeping up appearances." Chelsea nodded. The realisation that her daughter had learned to keep secrets like she had hit Briony like a rock to the head.’

As usual Tricia includes a strong cast of characters that cover all ages, from early twenties to those in their seventies, and their accompanying diverse family circumstances. There are some big issues in this book - sexuality, drugs, relationships -  and Tricia deals with them in her usual sensitive way. Some people may find opinions and viewpoints dated but that comes down to Tricia covering a spectrum of  individual ages, experience and personal opinions. 

‘You're not the only one who can keep up appearances - but what's normal anyway? Who really knows what anyone's marriage is truly like? Is anyone's relationship like the images we're bombarded with in the media?’

This is an easy read with engaging characters, encompassing problems and solutions typical to small town living. Yet, delve a little deeper - this is a story about how we each have our flaws and imperfections and the facades and secrets we apply often lead to drama. This is a story of understanding and compassion, growth and development. As the title so aptly indicates, what lengths people are prepared to go to in keeping up appearances for others and more importantly, at what cost? 

This is another great story of family and friends with Tricia, a master at producing authentic and real people and places that takes you right to the centre of the community. A story of the pressures of keeping up the facade as opposed to love and acceptance. 

“Deep breath in." Courtney dipped her hands below her knees, swept them in a high arc above her head and flung her arms out as they came down. "Throw away your cares.”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre

Title: The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre

Author: Natasha Lester

Publisher: 28th September 2022 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 432 pages

Genre: historical fiction, WWII

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

A compelling and lavish novel from the NYT bestselling author about a young woman striving to forget her part in the war by building life anew as the publicist at the just-launching House of Dior in Paris

1943. After spearheading several successful advertising campaigns in New York, PR wizard Alix St Pierre comes to the attention of the US hgovernment and finds herself recruited into a fledgling intelligence organisation.

Enlisted as a spy, Alix is sent to Europe where she is tasked with getting close to a Nazi who might be willing to help the Allied forces - but there's also the chance he might be a double agent.

1946. Following the war, Alix moves to Paris to run the Service de la Presse for the yet-to-be-launched House of Christian Dior. But when a figure from the war reappears and threatens to destroy her future, Alix realises that only she can right the wrongs of the past and bring him to justice.

The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre is a thrilling, sumptuous work of historical fiction told in three timelines: before, during and after WWII. This completely immersive story takes readers from the dangerous, intrigue-filled rooms in Switzerland where elites of both sides mingled and schemed during the war, to the glamorous halls of the House of Dior in the golden age of French fashion and journalism.

My Thoughts

“There was one brief and shining moment, wasn't there, when it looked like the world would change. For four years we spied and we worked damn hard and we saved people's lives and we made a difference and nobody cared too much that we were women. And then it all ended. Went backwards, even.” ….. "We mattered for a bit, didn't we? Alix said, unable to prevent nostalgia making her voice heavy.”

Honesty from the outset: I am a HUGE fan of Natasha’s and beginning to believe she can do no wrong. I have read and loved everything she has written, always filled with anticipation for her annual release. I am happy to say that The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre is a most worthy addition to her already stellar line up. 

There is a bit of everything in her latest offering - balls and romance, fashion and careers for women, spies and danger. To me, the quality of Natasha’s prose levels up with each new novel she gives her readers. This, more than likely, is a result of the incredible research she undertakes that allows details to be brought to life. Her words literally sing off the page. 

‘…they'd shared both the most awful and beautiful things: spectacular orbs of light within the darkness. It was why some journeys were better not taken alone; sometimes you needed another person to help you find the single star hidden in the storm.’

The story of Alix is presented in three timelines (thus the title) - before, during and after WWII - and it makes for enthralling reading as you witness her development and growth over such a tumultuous period in history. A story starting with loss and innocence, to bravery and sacrifice, to finally new beginnings through fashion and resolution. From orphan girl, to WWII spy, to the marketing genius for the emerging fashionista, Dior - Alix leads an incredible life. 

‘For just a minute, Alix could see the girl from ten years before with red-gold hair and an exuberant smile. Could also see a woman with damp green eyes and an aching heart. But the Alix crossing the bridge now felt like a different one, a third Alix perhaps, made up of the other two but also of so much more.’

The range of secondary characters must be seen to be believed, especially those seeking revenge for the terrible injustices both during and after WWII. The Dior couture is a definite highlight that will see you checking out Natasha’s social media as she keeps her readers well informed with details and imagery to make the reading experience more immersive. The romance meter is off the page with a slow burn that would surely make the record books. All so seamlessly woven together thus allowing the reader to lose themself in the most exhilarating of tales. 

‘… the tears slide down her cheeks anyway - useless tears because there is no physical human response that can possibly express the pain she feels at him asking her to be the custodian of his soul.’

Natasha’s writing leaves me speechless as she masterfully crafts ideas, research and writing to annually provide her readers with incredible historical fiction. Prose that speaks to my heart; plots that are compelling right down to the very last page and many unforgettable characters to add to the ever growing Lester List Hall of Fame!

‘I sometimes wonder, … what I'll regret more when I'm seventy and alone. Will I regret the aloneness, the lack of a husband and children - will I want to reach into the past and tell myself …acquiesce to the life I'm supposed to have? Or will I … want to stand in the doorway and scream at myself right now to never, ever acquiesce? …. How can I know what I'd treasure most when some of those treasures have never found their way into my hands?’

The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre is simply a must read for lovers of this genre - romance interwoven with a great spy mystery, with an incredible nod to the empowerment of women through the ages. I regret powering through this book as I must now wait another twelve months for more from one of the best historical fiction writers of today. 

‘Because she supposed that was all there was in the end. The effort you made to let events shape you and coerce you down a path, or the effort you made to shape yourself and steer yourself in spite of what happened.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.