Book review: The Coordinates of Loss by Amanda Prowse

Book Cover

Title: The Coordinates of Loss

Author: Amanda Prowse

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication date: 25th September 2018

My rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ✰

Summary:

When Rachel Croft wakes up on her family’s boat in Bermuda, it’s to sunshine and yet another perfect day…until she goes to wake her seven-year-old son, Oscar. Because the worst thing imaginable has happened. He isn’t there.
In the dark and desperate days that follow, Rachel struggles to navigate her grief. And while her husband, James, wants them to face the tragedy together, Rachel feels that the life they once shared is over. Convinced that their happy marriage is now a sham, and unable to remain in the place where she lost her son, she goes home to Bristol alone.
Only when she starts receiving letters from Cee-Cee, her housekeeper in Bermuda, does light begin to return to Rachel’s soul. She and James both want to learn to live again—but is it too late for them to find a way through together?

My review:

I decided to read this book after finishing Anna by Amanda Prowse which I really enjoyed. Needless to say, it didn’t disappoint. She chose a very complex subject matter and explored it through Rachel and James’ relationship after their son Oscar disappears at sea. Grief is a particularly difficult topic to discuss which I believe she handled well with a lot of carefully chosen words and phrases. Most notable of all were the different stages of loss that Rachel struggled through which I felt were especially well documented through the first person narrative.

Character development plays an important part in books written in this style and I must say that we saw all characters grow through expressing their thoughts and reflecting on the past. Cee-Cee was a very pleasant character, often driving the plot forwards and supporting Rachel with the healing process. Her empathy and kindness is so comforting and she quickly became my favourite character.

The Coordinates of Loss is an emotional and poignant book, perfect for readers who are after a true to life story and are keen on exploring family dynamics. However, it should also be noted that this book lacks a fast-paced plot and does not provide any relief until the very end, which is something I believe many readers may also be looking for.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

Studious Saturday: My favourite places to read

 

studious saturdays

“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are” – Mason Cooley

Hello and welcome to another Studious Saturday post! I am one of those people that can read almost anywhere. I was almost tempted to pick up my book when I was waiting my turn for the dentist! This made me think about some of my favourite places to read and I decided to create a quick discussion post to discuss in more detail. So in no particular order my favourite places to read are…

• On public transport

If you are from the UK, you probably know how awkward it can be locking eyes with the person sitting opposite you. This doesn’t tend to happen in Spain but even so, I much prefer reading my book, especially on my commute to work or when I know a long journey is ahead.

• On a flight

I guess this is linked to public transport although the journey tends to be longer meaning more time for reading. I sometimes get through a whole book when flying and I love the feeling of completely ignoring anything and everything else on the plane and getting lost in the story.

• In the park

The park is probably my favourite place to read, especially on a sunny day with a slight breeze. Unfortunately we don’t get many days like this here in Madrid but when the odd day suggests the perfect weather I love to pick up my kindle and head to the park.

• At a café

On gloomy days I find nothing more appealing than walking to a café, making myself comfortable at a table by the window and starting a new book. Sometimes hours pass by and I finish one book and start another without even thinking about leaving.

• At home

My usual reading place is my bed or sofa, both of which are comfortable enough to get lost in a book, sometimes a bit too much when the plot is engrossing enough to keep me awake into the small hours of the night. Then I find myself tired at work the following day but I don’t mind too much because this is usually how I discover my favourite authors and books.

Question

What is your favourite place to read and why?

Have an amazing weekend and thanks for reading!

 

Book review: The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth

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Title: The Family Next Door

Author: Sally Hepworth

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication date: 22nd March 2018

My rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Synopsis:

The small suburb of Pleasant Court lives up to its name. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows their neighbours, and children play in the street.
Isabelle Heatherington doesn’t fit into this picture of family paradise. Husbandless and childless, she soon catches the attention of three Pleasant Court mothers.
But Ange, Fran and Essie have their own secrets to hide. Like the reason behind Ange’s compulsion to control every aspect of her life. Or why Fran won’t let her sweet, gentle husband near her new baby. Or why, three years ago, Essie took her daughter to the park – and returned home without her.
As their obsession with their new neighbour grows, the secrets of these three women begin to spread – and they’ll soon find out that when you look at something too closely, you see things you never wanted to see.

My review:

I feel hesitant posting this review after reading other readers’ thoughts on this book and I think I might be one of the only ones to give it an average rating. This is a quick and engrossing read, similar to other domestic thrillers with confident and headstrong female leads. The story line follows three neighbours from Pleasant Court, a suburb in Australia, who each hide their own secrets, unaware that a huge discovery is about to be made by their new neighbour Isabelle. The pace is steady and secrets are revealed with purpose and in the right doses throughout the book. Despite my initial concerns, the subject matter related to each secret is heavy but unpredictable and very well analysed by the author who delves into each character, narrating their story with close attention to detail.

My main issue with this book is the interaction between the neighbours which I found to be very superficial and gossipy. Some of the themes discussed were dark but this was usually portrayed in the narrative where characters’ thoughts were revealed, unlike the conversations at the suburb which often felt superfluous and repetitive. I understand that perhaps this is also telling of the different ways we hide information from our peers compared to our thoughts when we are alone, but the dialogue left me feeling disappointed and sometimes even irritated. I could not relate to Isabelle or any of the other women and was not impressed by how uninteresting their husbands were portrayed either.

Overall, this book fell a little flat for me and made me question some of the characters’ decisions which I don’t believe was always intended. However, the pace was good enough to draw me into the world of Pleasant Court where relationships are tested and important topics such as parenthood, marriage and mental illness are discussed. It is a quick and entertaining read and perfect for anyone looking for a domestic thriller narrated from a woman’s perspective.

Studious Saturday: How I choose what book to read next

studious saturdays

 

“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking” – Haruki Murakami

Welcome to another bookish Saturday post! Now that I’ve had the opportunity to explore the book blogging world a little more and have published several book reviews, I thought it would be the perfect time to expand my horizons and what better way to do so than try writing discussion posts? After last week’s Three Bookish Things book tag which I greatly enjoyed, I decided that I would start a theme here at Facing the Story called “Studious Saturdays” which would include a tag, discussion or list posted every Saturday with a new topic. Today I plan on discussing how I choose my next book in my constantly growing TBR list.

• Recommendations:

This is by far my favourite method. If a friend or family member recommends a book they read and loved and the description sounds like something I would enjoy, it goes directly to the top of my TBR pile and I usually start reading it immediately after finishing my current book. I am lucky to share the same reading preferences with my family and most of my friends so we are often lending books and discussing our thoughts afterwards.

• Ratings:

This used to be more popular a few years ago when I was a student and books wasn’t yet a commonly discussed topic between my friends so I resorted to Amazon and Goodreads top rated books in genres I liked in order to choose my next book. Needless to say, it didn’t always work for me and on several occasions I was disappointed with my choices. This made me realise that just because one reader may enjoy a book within a genre we both love, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the topics discussed in that book would appeal to me as well. Character development and pace is extremely important to me and I was often frustrated with the lack of these writing techniques in books I chose to read because of others people’s ratings. I am not so easily influenced by ratings any more and instead rely on other means when picking up my next book, though ratings are still a factor I consider on occasions.

• Opinions in the book blogging community:

A much more recent discovery, your opinions are something I really value. Ever since I started this blog, I’ve been so engrossed in reading your reviews, tags and discussion topics that I have since then realised how quickly this became one of the main aspects when choosing my next book. I’ve discovered new authors and special books and, unlike ratings and reviews on Amazon, I find I can relate to other bloggers’ opinions much more.

• Read once and loved authors:

Sometimes I stumble across a book written by an author whose writing style I love for one reason or another so I decide to read previous books that they have written or keep an eye out for any future books published by them. I find this method usually works well, though I am often inclined to wait or read another book in between so it is not necessarily how I pick up my next book even though I may add it to my TBR pile. However, I must say that if I decide that I loved the book that much, I have to get my hands on the author’s next book right there and then. This happened with Khaled Hosseini, one of my favourite authors, and it’s also how I discovered my love for Jodi Picoult novels. (Having said that, I am so excited to read A Spark of Light and Sea Prayer, who’s with me here?!)

• By pure chance:

This usually depends on my mood or other circumstances, such as not having any books around me which happens now and again. I don’t usually stray from my TBR list because it’s so long that it would take me years to get through and deciding to read another book not previously present in the list is nonsensical for me. However, if a book I’ve not heard of before is discounted or suddenly appears on Kindle Unlimited I sometimes decide to buy it, though I may not read it straight away. In the latter category fall books that I have to pick up, often because my kindle is out of battery or not with me at that moment. I am lucky that my parents’ and grandparents’ house is full of books in different languages so when I’m visiting I sometimes pick a book at random and I’m usually not disappointed with my choice.

Question

How do you choose what book to read next?

Thank you for taking the time to read this Saturday’s musings and have a lovely weekend!

 

Book review: Sea of Memories by Fiona Valpy


Book Cover

Title: Sea of Memories

Author: Fiona Valpy

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication date: 1st March 2018

My rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Synopsis:

When Kendra first visits her ailing grandmother, Ella has only one request: that Kendra write her story down, before she forgets…
In 1937, seventeen-year-old Ella’s life changes forever when she is sent to spend the summer on the beautiful Île de Ré and meets the charismatic, creative Christophe. They spend the summer together, exploring the island’s sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, and, for the first time in her life, Ella feels truly free.
But the outbreak of war casts everything in a new light. Ella is forced to return to Scotland, where she volunteers for the war effort alongside the dashing Angus. In this new world, Ella feels herself drifting further and further from who she was on the Île de Ré. Can she ever find her way back? And does she want to?
From the windswept Île de Ré to the rugged hills of Scotland, Sea of Memories is a spellbinding journey about the power of memory, love and second chances.

My review:

Sometimes we all come across a book by chance without realising how special and remarkable it would turn out to be. This was one of those books. Looking back I honestly can’t remember why I chose to read it but I am glad that I did. From the very first page we are immediately transported to another world, the wonders of Île de Ré beautifully portrayed and a life that appears almost perfect. All characters are superbly refined and it was a pleasure joining Ella and Christophe in their adventures on the island during their youth and their struggles after the war. Do not be fooled by the synopsis which hints the usual war romance – the themes explored in this book are heavy but addressed with a lot of care, from friendship to heartache and bravery. Ella’s courage upon volunteering for one of the most dangerous negotiations during the war was impressive and very commendable and was perhaps my favourite part of this book.

The dual story line between past and present day was very well executed, an impressive skill in my opinion when considering how difficult it is to master without hindering the natural flow of the plot. I found myself intrigued in Ella’s story and was anxious to learn how her life developed post-war but I admit that the present day interactions between Ella and Kendra were also engaging. Here we discover Ella’s difficult relationship with her daughter and the reason she turns to her granddaughter Kendra instead when requesting for her story to be written. I would have liked a more complete introduction to Kendra because it felt as if she was only written into the novel to tell Ella’s story but I am sure that there was more to her character that could have been explored.

My principal complaint about this novel is a very specific part at the Île de Ré towards the end of the book which involves Ella, her first love Christopher and her husband Angus. Without giving too much away, this particular incident felt forced and odd for Ella when looking back on all the heartbreak and difficult moments in her life. I almost felt inclined to discard this moment and only consider the positives of the book but I felt this scene too important to overlook when rating the book. Overall, I adored the setting and characters in past day and, had there been a deeper focus on present day, this book would have most likely received 5 stars from me.

Studious Saturday: Three Bookish Things Book Tag

studious saturdays

 

I was tagged by Bibi who you should definitely follow if you aren’t doing so already because her blog is beautiful! I thought long and hard about some of these answers and I think I have finally managed to pick my top three:

Three Read Once and Loved Authors

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris – This book is incredible and Heather Morris is excellent at storytelling. This was her debut and she hasn’t written anything else but if she does I would be one of the first to read it. Find my thoughts on it here.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – I still remember how this book made me feel even though it has been more than a year since I last read it. It is raw and heart breaking but so worth reading. I haven’t read anything else by this author but I should really look into some of her other books.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein – It’s no secret to anyone who knows me well that I love dogs and the first person narrative by Enzo here really attracted me to this book. I’d really like to read Racing in the Rain: My Life as a Dog next.

Three Titles I’ve Watched But Haven’t Read

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood – I am a huge fan of this show and was blown away by the ending of the second season but for some reason I still haven’t read the book. It’s on my TBR list but it’s not the usual kind of book I would pick up due to the heavy subject matter so I’m waiting for the right moment when I feel ready to start it.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel – I loved the movie but I’ve also seen lots of negative reviews on the book which makes me question if it is worth reading.

The Bourne Series by Robert Ludlum – Matt Damon feels perfect for the role of Jason Bourne and I thought the movies were exciting and very well executed. However, I have read some passages of the books by Robert Ludlum and I find his writing style and unusual choice of words unappealing so I won’t be reading the series.

Three Characters You Love

Allan Karlsson – Anyone who has read The Hundred Year old Man who Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared will probably understand why I picked Allan in this category. His quirks and intricacies are delightful and it was a joy following his long and extraordinary journey.

Emma Clifton – You may wonder why I chose Emma over Harry here but bearing in mind how masculine Jeffrey Archer’s novels are, it was refreshing and surprising to read a strong and determined female character.

Robert Langdon – The situations this character gets himself into during Dan Brown’s series are quite incredible and I was in awe of his knowledge and perseverance, especially in Angels and Demons.

Three Series Binged

The Four Streets Trilogy by Nadine Dorries

Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

The Clifton Chronicles by Jeffrey Archer

Three Unpopular Bookish Opinions

This is probably the most unpopular opinion for any bookworm but here goes… I don’t have a bookcase or any physical books in my current home! I know – it’s certainly unusual and might seem blasphemous to other readers but unfortunately it’s true. I live in a very small flat which, quite literally, does not have any space for a bookcase even though I love paper books over ebooks. For now, I make do by reading everything on my kindle and hope to one day live in a much larger place with plenty of space for several bookcases.

I can’t watch others bend a book backwards on its spine. It makes me feel so uncomfortable, especially when they then straighten out the page they want to read by running their hand over the inside of the spine!

I have to agree with Bibi on her tag that I also have lots of trouble with DNFing a book. Once I start reading a book I have to finish it otherwise I feel that I am disrespecting the author who has put so much effort into writing it.

Three Goals for the Year

I hope to achieve my Goodreads challenge of reading 50 books this year. Unfortunately I’m currently 5 books behind schedule but I have been reading a lot lately so I feel it’s still possible!

I’m usually very open to new genres but there are still many genres that I haven’t yet explored and would like to. Sci Fi falls into this category and I already have a few books in my TBR pile that I hope to read this year.

Living in Spain means that I spend most of my time speaking Spanish so this is perhaps the reason I only read in English. However, there are many contemporary Spanish authors who I would like to discover and I hope to do so by the end of this year.

I tag:

You! If you are reading this and would like to do this tag then please do so! I love reading other people’s choices and this tag is especially fun so I recommend it to anyone interested. Thank you to Bibi for tagging me and to anyone who is reading this and have an amazing weekend!

Book review: Close to Home by Cara Hunter

Book Cover

Title: Close to Home

Author: Cara Hunter

Genre: Mystery

Publisher: Penguin

Publication date: 14th December 2017

My rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

HOW CAN A CHILD GO MISSING WITHOUT A TRACE?
Last night, eight-year-old Daisy Mason disappeared from a family party. No one in the quiet suburban street saw anything – or at least that’s what they’re saying.
DI Adam Fawley is trying to keep an open mind. But he knows the nine times out of ten, it’s someone the victim knew.
That means someone is lying…
And that Daisy’s time is running out.
Introducing DI Fawley and his team of Oxford detectives, and a Richard and Judy Book Club pick for Spring 2018, Close to Home is the new crime thriller series to get addicted to.

My review:

What a thriller! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, desperate to find out who took Daisy Mason because I was honestly not convinced that any of the suspects were responsible. Well paced and stimulating, the story line had me engrossed until the end and despite paying close attention to the details that were gradually disclosed, I was still unable to guess who the abductor was. I found the manner in which the story line unfolded with the reveal of each element of the night Daisy went missing particularly commendable and the author admirably paces each reveal to build up the tension and simultaneously keep the reader guessing. Many authors lack this ability and yet it is a crucial technique in mystery novels, one which Cara Hunter handles with ease.

The character building in this book is excellent and the first person narrative from DI Adam Fawley adds to the charm. More often than not writers decide to develop an inexperienced or flawed detective which I find frustrating so I was pleased to discover that DI Fawley does not fall into this category. Even the parents, who are often mediocre characters in other books with missing children settings, were curious and added an extra dose of anticipation as the story unfolded. The most baffling character in this book is Daisy – we get a sense of her charm and intelligence in the beginning of the book but it is not until the final chapter where her brilliance shines.

I often find thrillers of this kind predictable so I was completely blown away by how original and unexpected this ending was. The author saved the best till last in a plot twist so astonishing that I was tempted to go back and find the hints leading to the big reveal. Needless to say, I picked up the second book in the DI Fawley series soon after (review to follow shortly) and it did not disappoint. I will be closely following this series and any other future books by this author.