![Ziggy, Stardust and Me – A book review]()
review, Romance, YA |
Once in a while we get to read books that are too difficult to read because they speak of raw and unflinching truths. Ziggy, Stardust and Me by James Brandon is one such book. Read on to hear more on my review of Ziggy, Stardust and Me.
About the book
Book Name: Ziggy, Stardust and Me
Author: James Brandon
Genre: Fiction – History, Young adult
Characters: Jonathan Collins, Webster, Starla, Dr Evelyn
Setting: Missouri , The USA
Plot Summary
Jonathan has been waiting for his final “therapy” session so that he can be cured of his “disease” and be the son his father wants.
The sixteen year old is bullied at school and ignored for most of the time by his alcoholic father, who is still mourning his wife’s death. At a time when being gay is considered a mental illness and is punishable, Jonathan just wants to be a boy who is “normal”.
When his only friend Starla, a biracial neighbor leaves the town for the summer, he realizes he is truly alone. Except for Ziggy Stardust. He worships David Bowie and has long (and only) conversations with his dead relatives and Ziggy.
But everything changes when he meets Web, a Native American/ Indian kid in his school. Web is everything he wants to be – fearless and not ashamed of being gay.
What happens when their homophobic neighbours, classmates and mainly families know about his secret forms the rest of Ziggy, Stardust and Me by James Brandon.
Book review
For a setting that is inherently doomed and heartbreaking, Ziggy, Stardust and Me surprisingly is not. There are many sweet moments and is full of hope, especially in the end when Jonathan starts accepting who he is gradually.
That being said and given the time it is set in, the book has so many homophobic and racist characters that it broke my heart. Unfortunately not much has changed in the last 50 years or so.
I think it is essential for us to learn from our history to understand how homophobic we have been as a society. Ziggy, Stardust and Me also talks about how internalized homophobia affects people, especially younger ones.
If you like David Bowie, there are so many references to his songs and characters and you will love it. Unfortunately, I didn’t know much about them and the references flew over the top of my head.
What worked for me
- Ziggy, Stardust and Me is a must read to learn about our mistakes in terms of understanding homosexuality. And it is definitely a hard to swallow pill.
- Despite the gloomy background, there were several sweet and romantic moments between the main characters.
- The book also talks of music and music icons can play a huge role in saving people from trauma and from others.
- While I can’t speak for its accuracy, I loved Web and his Native American (Lakota) representation.
What may have been better
- I didn’t get or connect with Jonathan’s monologue, in this first person narration. And that bothered me quite a bit.
- I hate the closeted homophobic bully trope. It is a personal thing for me, and I am getting tired of this trope of “oh the homophobes are all secretly gay themselves“.
Content warning:
conversion therapy, (internalized) homophobia, electroshock therapy, homophobic slurs, suicidal thoughts, Bullying, hate crimes, racism, racist slurs, past death of a parent, alcoholism, mentions of drug use, sexual assault,
Bottom line
Ziggy, Stardust and Me is an essential read to understand what the LGBTQA+ community had to overcome to just exists. It is a harsh, intense and raw book that is worth reading.
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Drama, review |
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is one of the most anticipated and well loved book of the year 2020. I have had some great and a few not so good experiences with Backman’s books. Read my book review of Anxious People to know how it fared on my scale!
About the book
Book Name: Anxious People
Author: Fredrik Backman
Genre: Fiction – Drama
Characters: The bank robber, Roger and Anna Lea, Zara, Linnart, Estelle, Ro and Julia, Jim and Jack.
Setting: Sweden
Plot Summary
When things go spectacularly wrong, a bank robber tries to escape by entering into an apartment across the street. In a moment of panic, the robber ends up taking everyone there as hostages.
And the hostages being the apartment viewers scheduled in by the realtors. Unfortunately for the bank robber turned hostage-taker, the eight people in the apartment end up being the worst hostages ever.
They are anxious puddles themselves, they do not fear the gun nor the robber, they fight among themselves and they even order pizza for dinner. They even are worse at helping the police capture the bank robber.
Did they succeed in catching the robber? Did these anxious people hold themselves together until the end? Read Anxious People by Fredrik Backman to know more.
Book review
I have read Backman’s few other books and I can safely say Anxious People is very different from them. Anxious People is not a story of a person, it is about people and their quirkiness and their insecurities. It is about them looking out for a connection.
Anxious People is filled with well written and warm characters that will stay with you long after you finish reading the book. As the author correctly says, the book is full of “idiots” and yet you will adore them.
I loved how the author maintained the mystery/puzzle element throughout and the writing style helped it work. For some the writing style might seem slightly odd to get into but you will grow to love it, as I did.
What worked for me
- Anxious People was dark and hilarious and at the same time, it pulls the right strings of your heart.
- If you like Ove from A man called Ove, you are gonna love Estelle. In fact you will love all these characters.
- I loved Backman’s outlook into the human nature and struggle to fit in and be loved.
What may have been better
- The writing style is kinda odd. So if you find it hard to get into, give it a chance. You might end up loving it.
Content warning:
Suicide, Attempted suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Depression, Hostage crisis
Bottom line
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman is an endearing and hilarious book that will surely make you laugh out and even tear up at places. Another fabulous book by Backman!Man called Ove, A by Fredrik Backman
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review, Romance, YA |
I love reading rag tag groups or misfits coming together to save the day. A little into the book, I realized Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee is a feminist historical fiction set in the westerns and falls under the misfits ensemble genre. Did I love reading it? Read my review to know more.
About the book
Book Name: Under a Painted Sky
Author: Stacey Lee
Genre: Fiction – Romance, Young adult, Historical
Characters: Samantha, Annamae, Peety, Cay, and West, Ty Yorkshire
Setting: Missouri, Oregon Trail, The USA
Plot Summary
When a middle aged, rich, white man cornered young Samantha, the same night her father succumbed to a fire accident, she did what she could to defend herself. She didn’t expect Ty Yorkshire to break his skull or his slave Annamae to walk in.
Fortunately for this Chinese American girl, the street smart runaway slave Annamae joins her flee from the law. They take on the Oregon Trail, under the disguises of Sammy and Andy, two young boys heading towards the Californian gold rush.
But when they cross paths with three young cowboys
Book review
I was kinda prepared for tackling the issues of stereotypes and racism, casual and otherwise, peppered throughout this historical fiction seeing that the characters were Chinese and African American.
But I was pleasantly surprised when Stacey Lee so effortlessly weaved the character’s beliefs, culture and ethnic backgrounds into the narrative. A huge win for the diversity factor!
While they met rather accidentally, the friendship between Sammy and Andy keeping growing stronger. Their relationship is matured and supportive of each other, and they are also hilarious! Even when we get some romance angle, their relationship stays the main focus of Under a Painted Sky.
It was easy to get lost in the genuine comradeship among the boys and emotional quotient never dipped either. I loved Stacey Lee’s writing especially the parts where she describes the rich and adventurous journey.
What worked for me
- I loved the strong friendship between Sammy and Andy. They are easily one of the best female friendships I have read recently.
- The funny repartees between the characters made me love them and wondered about a sequel already.
- Under a Painted Sky is a great example of why we need more diversity in the books, especially Young Adults. Kudos to the author for pulling it off so brilliantly.
What may have been better
- I wish we could see Sammy’s goal being reached. I mean Under a Painted Sky ended too soon for me!
Bottom line
Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee is all about strong female leads and their friendship. With well written characters, Under a Painted Sky is a great win for diversity! Read it as soon as you can.
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review, Thriller |
I can’t believe I had not read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie before, given that it is such an acclaimed book. As someone who loves Christie and lists, this is pretty frustrating. Anyway, shall we get on to the book review, then?
About the book
Book Name: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Series: Hercule Poirot #4
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Fiction – Thriller, Mystery
Characters: Mrs. Ferrars, Roger Ackroyd, Flora Ackroyd, Ralph Paton, Hercule Poirot, Dr James Sheppard, Caroline Sheppard, Mrs. Ackroyd, Hector Blunt, , Geoffrey Raymond, Parker, Elizabeth Russell, Charles Kent, Inspector Raglan, Mr. Hammond
Setting: England, The UK
Plot Summary
In King’s Abbot, a wealthy widow Mrs Ferrars overdoses on veronal and dies. Within a span of twenty four hours, her fiancé Roger Ackroyd, a another wealthy widower is stabbed to death.
Roger Ackroyd recently had come to the knowledge that the rumors were true and Mrs Ferrars had indeed murdered her violent first husband. He also had suspected that someone was blackmailing her. But before he could act on it, he was murdered too.
With a house of servants, friends and family who had motives and means to do it, it becomes overwhelming for the local cops. When Roger’s niece Flora commissions the now retired detective, Hercule Poirot, to find out the murderer.
Of course he solves it! How he does that forms the rest of the story in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie.
Book review
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd has been named as one the “1001 books to read before you die” list and its twist is said to have changed the detective fiction genre for ever.
I know it seems like a tall praise, but I completely agree with the statement. And I never saw the twist coming (and you know that has been happening often these days, if you have been reading my Christie’s reviews).
I have read quite a number of Poirot cases, and I have never been a fan of his eccentricities. But The Murder of Roger Ackroyd changed my mind. He is hilarious!
Above all, I love the way author had given subtle clues all through the book and until the detective explains it during his dramatic reveal, I never realized them. I had to re-read those parts to check! I think that is the hallmark of detective novels and there is a reason why Christie is the best selling author of all times.
What worked for me
- The twist blew my mind off.
- This is one of those rare Agatha Christie’s books that made me laugh out loud at places. Who knew Christie was this funny!
- I love the subtle hints and clues buried under the nose all through the book, and they become apparent only during the big reveal.
What may have been better
Bottom line
If you are fan of Agatha Christie, you have to pick The Murder of Roger Ackroyd because it is almost as good as And then there were none. And if you are not a fan of the detective/mystery novel genre, this book might change your mind!
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Drama, review |
Ever since I read the Pride and Prejudice many many years ago, I have been obsessed about Jane Austen and her history. And picking up The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner should not come as a big surprise, right? Let us get on with my review shall we?
About the book
Book Name: The Jane Austen Society
Author: Natalie Jenner
Genre: Fiction – Romance, Historical
Characters: Adam Berwick, Dr Benjamin Gray, Mimi Harrison, Jack Leonard, Frances Knight, Andrew Forrester, Esq., Adeline Lewis Grover, Evie Stone, Yardley Sinclair
Setting: Hampshire, England, The UK
Plot Summary
Just after the World War II, a group of unlikely individuals group together to save the last legacy of the late Jane Austen.
In Chawton, Hampshire, England, where Jane Austen spent her last years, with her last few distant relatives wanting to sell their diminishing estate off, it is upto her readers to step up their game.
With nothing but the love for the author’s book to hold them together, would these fan from different walks of life accomplish their mission form the rest of The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner.
Book review
If you had read all the Jane Austen novels, then you would appreciate The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner more. Having said that, it is not mandatory to read them to enjoy this book. Each person in the book has a favorite Austen character whom they love and defend. Talk about “bias”.
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner reads like an Austen novel itself and that means slow burn romance and quite a number of characters to get acquainted.
While I love the premise and I would die to be a part of such an ardent fan club, it took me a long time to get into the the book. And until about 50% into the book, they don’t even form a society. Yes, it got frustrating.
What worked for me
- As a bookworm, I loved the characters discussing and defending their favorite fictitious characters.
- The slow-burn romance and the Austen-esque setting would keep romance lovers interested.
What may have been better
- It took me a while to get into the story. The Jane Austen Society is definitely slow and steady and needs a lot of patience.
Bottom line
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner is specifically directed at the Austen fans and it is worth a read, if you are one. Even if you have not read an Austen novel yet, this slow burn romance book could motivate you to pick one.
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