2016/11/30

UPCOMING RELEASES:
DECEMBER

Can you believe it's almost the last month of the year already? December is not the most exciting month in publishing, but I have found three books coming out this month that I want to share with you.



6th

This is a mystery novel set in a small town in New York where there are four witnesses, all who have widely different stories, and the truth will tear a small community apart.


6th

This is a collection by with stories by five different authors, all which are set in the same creepy house.


27th

Another mystery novel, this is about a marine biologist who suffers from a complex sort of memory loss, and when memories start coming back to her in pieces, they start creating a terrifying image of her own past.

Are you excited for any particular books this month?
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2016/11/27

BOOK HAUL:
NOVEMBER

November is at an end and the last month of the year is arriving quickly. I think November was a kind of shock for the world, with everything that has been going on.

Here in Norway though, things are mostly the same as normal. Winter came early this year and it started snowing in the early days of this month, which cut autumn a bit short I'm afraid, but is generally quite lovely and does help with getting a good feeling for the time coming. As you may know, although I quite enjoy Christmastime, December is all about work for me and I have many busy days with long hours before me, so I don't reckon I will have much time to read.

That didn't refrain me from getting a bunch of books though! I've especially been really into nonfiction history books lately, so I got quite a few of those, along with some poetry, other nonfiction books and a few fiction ones.

















I hope you guys are all doing all right, and feel free to tell me about some books you've gotten recently!
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2016/11/26

BOOKSTAGRAM SPOTLIGHT:
@DONTTELLGOETHE

I have another bookstagram account to share with you guys! This time I want to show you some of the lovely Instagrams from Jenny over at @donttellgoethe.






Go follow!
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2016/11/25

2016/11/24

WINTER TBR

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2016/11/23

BOOK REVIEW:
THE NEW JIM CROW BY MICHELLE ALEXANDER

Title: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Time of Colorblindness
Author: Michelle Alexander
Published: 2010
Language: English
Pages: 290
Rating: 4/5


Summary:
In this book, Alexander discusses the United States history of racial injustice, racial castes, the U. S. criminal system and mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness.


Review:
This was an absolutely fascinating read.

American society, history and culture is fascinating (at least I think so) and the justice system has always been a point of interest for me, but it has especially peaked in the last few years with constant news of racial injustice, so I wanted to learn a bit more about it. And by reading this I did. It is critical, articulate and rather heart breaking.

This book lends more than a new and interesting view on race, it also talks a lot about the justice system in America in general, and how it's generally shifted more towards punishment than rehabilitation, which I, as a Norwegian, think is rather brutal and, as Alexander mentions, doesn't really work. As well as being brutal in general, this shows how it is from the viewpoint of African Americans. I would have loved to hear more of her thoughts on other minorities and especially women, but as she explains in the introduction, she has chosen to focus on those this affects most: African American men.

The writing style is easy to get on with, doesn't overly explain things either which I something I appreciate, but as the subject matter is rather heavy, it is a bit heavy to read. The author doesn't assume you're a moron, she doesn't preach too much, but rather gives a new and well explained perspective. The only slightly negative thing I have to say is that is does get a bit repetitive at times, but it's really not too bad. It's a lesson as well as a reminder of having to keep our eyes open to these things, especially to those of us who don't have to because it rarely affects us.

I think if you find politics interesting, you're going to love this, but even if you don't, I think most people would like this and find it disturbing, fascinating and eye opening.

You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads
*AFFILIATE LINK
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2016/11/19

BOOK REVIEW:
WHY GOD IS A WOMAN BY NIN ANDREWS

Title: Why God Is A Woman
Author: Nin Andrews
Published: 2015
Language: English
Pages: 96
Rating: 4/5


Summary:
This collection of poetry is set on a magical island where women rule and men are the "second sex" and follows a boy through adolescence and to his eventual exile from the Island.


Review:
What a wonderful collection of poetry this is!

This is the first poetry collection I've read that works sort of like a narrative - it's very much like reading a novel, except the chapters are poems and it's a lot more lyrical. You'd think that might take something away from the story, that it would be lacking in some ways, but it isn't - it creates a rather crazy and amazing portrait of this Island that mirrors our own society.

The poems discusses gender in a simultaneously funny and terrifying way. You read it and think this is insane, and then you reflect on a bit and see how it reflects the world we live in. The writing is beautiful and nothing feels too long or too short.

One of my favorite poems in this, and the one best suited to share with you, is the first one:

On the Island where I come from
women rule. They run the country, control the wealth, and decide who will do what, why and when. At the end of the day, when the sun sinks into the sea, the women leave their offices behind and go out on the town to enjoy what is known as the women's hour. In bars, restaurants, and spas designed for women only, they relax and let out a sigh as the day's thoughts and fears rush of their skin like water. There they linger as day fades from the sky, chatting among themselves, making occasional cracks about the guys. Men, they say, are such incomplete souls. They don't even know how to love, they say as they grow calm in the light of their minds before returning to their homes: their men, their children, their dogs.

I would highly recommend this book and don't be alarmed if you don't usually enjoy poetry, because I think this would be an easy one for anyone who enjoys stories to enjoy, seeing as it has a narrative you can follow and it isn't too abstract.
You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads
*AFFILIATE LINK
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2016/11/18

2016/11/17

2016/11/16

BOOK REVIEW:
THE ZANZIBAR CHEST BY AIDAN HARTLEY

Title: The Zanzibar Chest: A Memoir of Love and War
Author: Aiden Hartley
Published: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 446
Rating: 2/5


Summary:
This is the story of the author, a journalist, who grew up and spent most of his life in Africa, as well as the story of his ancestors and their experience on the continent.


Review:
I've had this book on my shelf for quite some time, wanting to read it but leaving it for the right time, until I was in one of those moods where I don't know what I want to read. I'd saved it because I was so sure I was going to enjoy it, but alas, I was disappointed.

In short terms, the story is great but the way it's told is, in my opinion, lacking. There are fascinating things happening, but generally I was distracted by a dislike for the narrator and the way he was telling the story. The whole premise has such great potential, but I generally just found it a bit... just lacking. To me, I could find very little depth and reflection in general, which I think does this whole book and history an injustice.

It's a story that deserves to be told, just better. I am, however, aware that this book is loved by many, so maybe the lack of connection is just me. But I don't think so.
You can get this book at The Book Depository*
You can read more about it on Goodreads
*AFFILIATE LINK
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2016/11/15

2016/11/13

BOOK HAUL:
LONDON

A couple of weeks back, as you may know, I went to London! To no surprise to anyone, we went to some bookshops and I got some books, and of course I have to show you.

I finally went to the Persephone Bookshop, which was absolutely lovely, it had such a calm atmosphere and the people there were really nice. We also went to Foyles in Charing Cross and Waterstones in Piccadilly, both of which are huge and amazing.

















I had such a lovely weekend and now I have loads to read as well (nothing new there, let's be honest).
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