Book review - Sandcastles by Lily Lawson

This writer can write!

If you are familiar with my blog and reviews, you'll know that I have reviewed Lily Lawson before and that I've always enjoyed her writing. Having read both her Red / Orange collection of poems and a Christmas story (Santa's Early Christmas), I knew that Sandcastles would be a juxtaposition to my previous reading of her work and I was excited for this. 

I, myself, do not consider myself a poet as all my poems seem to rhyme and I end up feeling like Julia Donaldson! Therefore, I have admiration for someone who can so seamlessly switch between the two. Lawson herself (when asked) said this to me:

By default I am a poet, but I have written stories and non-fiction alongside for most of my life too. Every day I sit down to write never knowing what will come out until it does. Sometimes I use prompts (I have favourites I use regularly). It is my belief that my poetry comes from my soul, my fiction comes from my head and my non-fiction is a response to what is going on in the world. I enjoy writing all of it but if I had to choose poetry would always win. 

I like Lawson's explanation of her 'methods' as such. So, let's delve into some fiction 'from her head'...

Firstly, I want to say that I enjoyed all the stories in the collection and found it to be a good mix of humour and pulling on heartstrings mixed in with some that left me wondering! I have pulled out my favourites from each U section here:

Unexpected 

- The Dating Game: The Dating Game made me laugh. The boldness of the character and the unexpected turns it took. Sharp, witty and good use of dialogue versus thoughts.

Unconditional 

- Surprise Discovery: The story Surprise Discovery is one of the longer ones in the collection and it's thought-provoking and left me with goose bumps (not for the first time in the book, may I add).

- Storm Chasers: This story is another one that pulls on the emotions. Great descriptions and excellent characters.

Unending 

- It's in the Cards: Lawson writes with such heart and love. This story is beautiful. Enough said.

- A Shock to the System: Great pun on the last night. This tale made me chuckle!

Unexplained 

- Bridge Echoes: This one will make you wonder and the 'Unexplained' makes sense. I loved the inclusion of the newspaper. 

- The Stranger on the Bridge: Ooooh...this story made me want to know more. Tantalisingly good and really made me think. I think I have worked out what, but I could be wrong!

My overall thoughts are that Sandcastles is just as good as Lawson's poems because she writes from the heart, in my opinion. These stories don't feel contrived or over-planned. They feel realistic, touching and like there's something behind most of them. I always enjoy when writing moves me - to goose bumps or tears, and Lawson is very capable of making me get right to the edge of my emotions and evoking each reaction. 

I have already, personally recommended Sandcastles and hope that further readers come her way after reading.

I wish Lily Lawson continued success with her work and I am glad that I purchased this collection. 

Book review - The Garden Party by B P Walter

A strong four-star read!

My review does not contain spoilers.

I devoured this book in four days! Reading only in the morning for a while and then the evening.

This was my first read of a B.P Walter novel (although I have The Dinner Guest and Notes on a Murder) waiting for me on my Kindle and I am excited to read them even more so now!

 

Often, after I finish a book, I read other reviews to (a) see if my opinions compare, (b) support other book bloggers, (c) ensure my review on retail/review sites is unique and personalised.

Whilst I will have an ‘even better if’ opinion, I avoid leaving hugely negative reviews and instead like to post reviews for books that I recommend. Recently, a NetGalley read was dire, so I simply left my one-star review there and haven’t posted it to my blog.

Why am I putting this as part of this book review? Well, let me explain…

As I said in my opening, I sped through this book and couldn’t wait to read more. I enjoyed it! I had just finished an awful book and, in contrast, The Garden Party was the light to the shade of that book. It was an easy read, and I knew who each character was, what was happening and was thoroughly comfortable with Walter’s style.

If you sense a ‘but’ coming, you are right. Here it is: BUT, there are a few things that I would say would make it even better if. For example, if a TV company picked up the rights to it then the changes that I am about to list would be welcomed on my part. Whereas changes to books when transferred to screen often bug me.

1.      The prologue (I can’t explain why - I said no spoilers) but I would just remove it all together. The first chapter is strong and gripped me anyway.

2.     The ending. Other reviews that I have read say what I felt – it feels a little rushed. I don’t mean this in a truly negative way though as I was SO enjoying the book that I would have willingly read on and on and on. I wanted to see more of what was going to happen rather than be told or have it implied. Therefore, I WOULD want to see this on screen playing out, extending the ending.

Often, I am disappointed when I finish a good book – a bit like saying goodbye to family/friends after a lovely day/time etc. Here, I ‘turned’ the page and was like ‘Oh!’ as it ended so abruptly! Some people would say the inference of what follows is there. I agree. I just didn’t want it to end and was disappointed that it did!

3.      I can’t explain this point fully or I will create a spoiler so all I will say is that although I guessed ‘who’ does something you do get to read ‘why’ they do it. So, in that sense, it works, but I do think if it would be more powerful if you didn’t guess (I imagine most readers will). I expected a twist and to be wrong…yet there wasn’t one and I wasn’t wrong either.

Now, on to what I really liked about it!

As I said at the beginning of this review, I really enjoyed The Garden Party overall. I think the front cover is beautiful – with the red wine playing homage to Walter’s red and white themed covers and the green making it feel like the perfect summer read. I am glad that I read this one whilst I had more spare time as I know I would’ve been annoyed waiting to get back to it as it had me keen to read on!

There were some unexpected scenes that I thought were sensitively written. At other points of the book, I would say it’s ‘nearer the mark’ in its explicitness, but, again, I think Walter has delivered these scenes with good effect.

Personally, I really felt for the character of Harris and, without going into detail, I think that this was a strength of the book – the way the characters are shown and developed. All characters – minor or major – are distinctive and memorable to the point where I could pick who I would cast as them if this were to be on TV.

Moreover, I liked how the three sections detail the ‘crimes’ of certain characters and thought this to be a unique way to present the novel. Due to this, it does mean the time frame jumps about but the helpful time frame notes at the start of each chapter allows you to know where you are. I didn’t get muddled at all.

Walter’s description is appropriate – not too much, not too little. Just the right balance to allow me to picture the scenery, the scene itself and the characters within in. For me, the dialogue is also effective and pitched well to match the characters you are introduced to.

So, if you like a ‘dark’ (Cooper, C) and enjoyable read, with some brutal family reveals that tug on the heartstrings, then I recommend you giving it a read as there’s no doubt that Walter’s style is one that many readers will enjoy.

 

 

I'm back...

 Where I have been...

Well, 'Hi there' I didn't intend on disappearing for almost a month! I have still been reading (I have even typed a couple of reviews) and, of course, there have been adventures!

In July and into August, I prioritised my reading/reviewing - especially for the electronic ARCs from NetGalley. Then I went away for a few days...and since I have been super busy/back to work. Plus, I think a break is healthy.

I know I am always curious when people I follow don't post - albeit on socials or YouTube. Hopefully you were curious too!

However, I actually DID post a review on NetGalley for a book that I didn't enjoy...so in wanting to keep here for books I do recommend, didn't post it here.

Then, I finished a book and typed the review ready but wanted to check it a different day - have a bit of space from it - before posting...and only just got the chance (as I said, I have been busy!) and the review is now coming tomorrow.

Anyway, I hope you are ready for more reviews...a return to blog posts and maybe even some Sunday Snippets!