Best of 2024 - Being Bookish

The Changeover by Margaret Mahy

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 23:13:00 +0100

The Changeover was first published in 1984 so while I am celebrating a milestone, it's not far behind. As I have already established while talking about other 1980s YA novels, these were few and far between during that era. The happy medium where books were written with more grown-up themes targeting an audience that was going through changes was incredibly rare. Sure, we had Judy Blume, Sweet Valley High and the Sweet Dreams series, but really, that was it. The Changeover was an original, probably would be classified as a Romantasy and it's the first book I became obsessed with. A story of growth and change, of realisations and first loves, loss, and awakening. I know it won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I would love if this made you want to give it a chance.

As ever, this episode is spoiler-free, though it was hard to keep it that way!

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Mel

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Babylonia by Costanza Casati

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 23:13:00 +0100

If you love ancient history as much as I do then chances are this book is already on your radar. I tried to resist reading it as soon as it arrived, but, as you can tell, I failed...

But did this book fail? You can probably already guess what I thought, but give this episode a listen and if you haven't already picked it up, see if this encourages you to do so.

Links

Clytemnestra

Raye's Reading on YouTube

The Queen of Poisons by Robert Thorogood

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 00:13:00 +0100

The Queen of Poisons is the third book in Robert Thorogood's Marlow Murder Club series, but does it hit the same spot as the previous two instalments?

This week I take a look at the latest addition (released in January 2024) and figure out whether I actually liked it, or not. As with every episode, while I will talk about the suspects and the murder, I never reveal whodunnit, because to do that would ruin the enjoyment for you if you pick the book up for yourself (which is what I always try and encourage).

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The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:13:00 +0100

In this penultimate episode of Season 5 and 2024, I thought I would go all out and talk about a book that surprised me. As part of my 24 reads for 2024 I kept on skipping over it as it appeared to be rather intimidating. However, once I sank into the world Lawrence created I was presented with a lot of thoughts.

So, did this 2023 novel live up to the hype I was bombarded with last year? Was it worth the admiration? Was the stunning exterior (provided by a special edition courtesy of Locked Library) appropriate for the story within? In a tale about books, a timeless library that seems to constantly grow and learn, it's important to know limits.

This book is about power, but it's also about life, growth and learning. But whether they worked well together in the story is for you to find out by listening to this latest episode!

Polo by Jilly Cooper

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:13:00 +0100

You've seen the TV show, now listen to me talk about the book that is about a character mentioned for no more than 10 seconds as it burns on a sheet of paper in Declan O'Hara's fire!

This week I am talking about Polo, the third book in the Rutshire Chronicles by Jilly Cooper, and probably the one which introduces my favourite characters of the entire series. I know, I know, I keep on saying how much I adore Rupert Campbell-Black (and I do) but for some reason, Perdita MacLeod takes the prize and I feel that after she appears in this book she isn't used enough (or at all).

So, find out what I thought about this 1991 novel, does it bring all the glamour, heartache, anguish and devastatingly handsome men to the yard? Or is it just a damp squib that should be lost to the vestiges of time? I think you already know some of what I think. But give it a listen anyway.

Previous episodes

Rivals (Book)

Rivals Trailer (TV)

Sunbringer by Hannah Kaner

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:13:00 +0100

Just over a year ago I reviewed a fantasy novel by a debut author, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. That book was Godkiller, and as a treat to myself for the end of the month I picked up the sequel, and second book in a trilogy titled Fallen Gods. That second book is called Sunbringer and as well as answering the question 'what happened to everyone after that cliffhanger?' the book also gives us further insight into the battles being fought across the kingdom of Middren. I loved returning to Hannah Kaner's carefully built world, and the reunion with Kissen, Inara, Skedi and Elogast was a very welcome one.

As ever I am not going to spoil anything about the book I am reviewing, but I would love you to join me on my journey to reacquaint myself with old fantasy friends and find out more about Sunbringer.

Featured episodes

Godkiller

Farewell to 2023

Best and Worst (Reads) of 2023 (YouTube)