Posts Tagged ‘Hachette NZ’

Book Review: Seeing Stars with Aurora

Aurora Kim Stanley Robinson

I have put off writing the review for Aurora, almost entirely because when I love a book this much it’s so intimidatingly difficult to think about how to put it all into words. I’ll try anyway.

I haven’t read a sci-fi novel in such a long time, and yet they were some of the first books I was exposed to thanks to my dad being a bit of a fan himself. Aurora reminded me of how amazing a good sci-fi can be, in a unique way that I never really experience in other genres.

Aurora-cover-novel-by-Kim-Stanley-Robinson

Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson

Summary: This epic novel takes place in space, upon a generational ship on its way to find new, habitable places for humans to colonise. We join this group of 2000 voyagers (who have been born on the ship) as they near their destination in the Tau Ceti solar system, where their hundreds of years of travel and existence on a flying biome will come to its end, hopefully, with settlement on Aurora.

My Thoughts: There is an undefinable romance when it comes to the mystery of Space. The idea of travelling beyond Earth and exploring other solar systems is equally terrifying and exhilarating, and Aurora does such a spectacular job of capturing this in a novel that somehow effortlessly creates a cinematic experience of trying to find a home beyond Earth. Our narrator is the space ship itself, which is such a cleverly executed method of telling this story, and the way that this adventure unfolds was so utterly compelling that I could barely tear myself away.

People have ideas. They live in their ideas, do you understand? And those ideas, whatever they happen to be, make all the difference. – Badim, Aurora

The relationships in the book are also impressive in their thoughtfulness, from the mother-daughter/father-daughter dynamics of our main characters to the group behaviours that unfolded. The characters were interesting, and yet believable which is important in such a huge setting, and a plot that revolved around some complex notions like ecology and politics. Everything in this book was done so perfectly, from the way the events unfolded, to the use of language and our endearing narrator, to the cinematic imagery that was being conjured in my brain with every sentence I read. It was so impressive that I had several of those nights where sleep became a forgotten necessity and all I thought about was how on Earth this could come to an end.

Aurora Kim Stanley Robinson

What I liked: I loved the whole experience, and there isn’t often a book where I get so emotionally invested. I think it was a true sign of KSR’s talent that despite Aurora taking place over such a long time period, and involving so many events and characters, it still felt immediate, and real, and personal. There was enough science and explanation that I felt like I learnt something, and yet not too much as to remove any of the drama of the story itself. I was so emotionally invested in the outcomes of this ship and its inhabitants that in some way it was a relief to have it end and be able to breathe again. The thing I liked most about the book was the narrator and the ingenious ways in which it developed throughout the story. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it before being used in a novel, but it worked so incredibly well.

What I didn’t like: The ending something that I can see others potentially not loving, I however thought it was perfect, and linked back to the beginning so ingeniously.

Worth a read: For anyone with an interest in sci fi/ecology/artificial intelligence/sociology, I would say yes. For anyone who is happy to go sleep-deprived, and come across as a little crazy when people happen to ask what you are reading, yes.

Rating: 5 stars, all of the stars.

*ps. Aurora was provided for me to read, with no obligation to review, and I couldn’t be more elated that I was given the chance to get back into such a fascinating genre with such a beautiful book. All opinions are my own.

**pps. If you want an awesome song to go along with this review there’s is Sea of Voices which felt strangely appropriate.

The Little Paris Bookshop – Book Review

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

I’ve been lucky enough to be sent a few books to read from Hachette NZ and thought I would throw up quick reviews, at least for the ones worth talking about! Aside from my usual reading roundups, I haven’t really reviewed books before so please feel free to give me feedback on how I can make these more interesting and/or helpful. Or just comment below and let me know you love me, ’cause we all need some love every now and again.

The Little Paris Bookshop

Where most of my reading takes place. In bed.

Summary: The Little Paris Bookshop was published at the beginning of April, and as soon as it turned up at my doorstep I dropped my other book (sorry Outlander, I promise to return!) so I could dive right in. The beautiful cover was enough to perk my France-loving interest.

This story starts off in Paris and centres around Jean Perdu, the owner of a barge-based literary apothecary (I was sold as soon as I saw those two words) on the Seine where he prescribes books to his customers based on their ailments and needs. All of a sudden, he sets off with his young neighbour, searching for writing inspiration (aren’t we all!) down the country in search for closure.

My thoughts: The Little Paris Bookshop was the perfect way for me to escape into a Parisian story of love and friendship, and moving on from events we shut off in our past. Set in one of the most beautiful settings in the world, and with incredibly likeable characters (almost too likeable), it would be hard not to enjoy this book.

It was the kind of read where people interrupting me pissed me off, and I was only slightly ashamed of being rather unfriendly with colleagues. But when you are absorbed in a beautiful story set amongst Paris and Provence, with such vivid descriptions and characters, it can be a rather rude awakening to be brought back to reality. Sorry.

‘Most often he asked, “How should the book taste? Of ice cream? Spicy, meaty? Or like a chilled rose?” Food and books were closely related. He discovered this in Sanary, and it earned him the nickname “the book epicure.”’ – The Little Paris Bookshop

What I liked: The dreamy setting (obviously, France will always be my escape from life), the funny little emotional descriptions our main character came up with, the ending that ties everything up in one satisfying bow and then gives you a few Provençal recipes to leave with (lavender ice-cream is a thing guys!).  The Little Paris Bookshop is an easy, relaxing, feel good read, and you can’t finish it without a little bubble of happiness slowly descending over you. All the talk of delicious food can also make you quite hungry, fair warning to all.

What I didn’t like: Sometimes the characters were all a little too perfect. I loved them all, but sometimes I don’t want to love everyone and its nice to have a bit of variety. And we all know the French, they can’t possibly be all that lovely.

Worth a read: Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment immersed in this and felt better off having read it. Any book lover/francophile would enjoy The Little Paris Bookshop. In fact almost anyone would enjoy it, it’s heartwarming in the best sense of the word and would also make an excellent gift.

Rating : 4 stars

*The Little Paris Bookshop was kindly provided to me with no obligations and this has not influenced any of my opinions. I can barely keep track of my own thoughts, let alone someone else’s. 

Paris

The best part of this book was how vividly it brought to mind my memories of Paris and that beautiful Seine River