book bingo | Lost in a Good Book

One short, beautiful summer of love, and then a tragedy – and the Vietnam War – will drive four friends apart.
But nothing is straightforward about what has come between them. And nothing is clear, really, until years later, when Nick goes back to where it all happened and trawls through his memory to put the pieces together.

Charles Hall’s novel tells a very personal story set in Australia in the rebellious days of the 60s, a decade of upheaval, when one’s own journey was intensified by the politics of the world – civil rights, feminism, drugs and, at the heart of the upheaval, the Vietnam War and conscription. It was a time of uproar on every level – families, music, film, relationships and a belief that not only did the world need changing but that ordinary people could change it…

Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review

What I love about this book is how Hall manages to capture the feeling of Australia in the 1960s and the following years through war, feminism, personal journeys, and most of all what it meant to be young. As someone who was not even alive during this time I found myself getting sad and reflective about the whole thing and it isn’t even my story, or close to my experiences, but Hall makes you become involved with these characters and care for them and every set back or joyful moment they have becomes yours. I was reminiscing alongside Nick despite the fact I have never experienced anything even remotely close and these were not even my memories to recall.

Part of what makes Hall’s writing work is that he knows how to make the reader understand the emotions and experiences of the characters. He knows how to capture the feeling of being young and doing whatever you want but at the same time also knowing the past is gone and knowing you could never have it again, leaving you to just look back at the past. Hall’s words convey the strength of friendship and the power it has, and through shared experiences there builds a bond and a solidarity that makes you think it can last forever.

The writing is sublime in as much as it is simple and uncomplicated, and the story is so well told it really does become a part of you. As you read you are pulled into these lives almost immediately; the experiences that Nick and his friends have are so real and you know them and pity them and celebrate them intensely. The same can be said of all of Hall’s characters, even the briefest appearances and mentions are able to convey a wonderful understanding of who they are as people and you truly feel like you know these characters.

The story is told through Nick, who alters narrating between the present day and thinking about the past. It is also told out of chronological order which is a brilliant move by Hall as it only adds to the reading experience by flitting around and going backwards and forwards and having memories within memories. Hall blends these different memories and moments together fantastically, he knows when to stop and move on and how to link back to the scenes that have been left unfinished or to slowly reveal hints and clues as he goes.

The amount of forethought and small details that you brush off as insignificant is wonderful, you never know what may be important later and Hall hides it brilliantly. These small details are scattered throughout and seem inconsequential but everything is connected and Hall demonstrates that everything they do and the people they meet are important and do have an impact on their life in some way.

There is an initial mystery that surrounds the story but as the novel progresses this fractures off into multiple issues and as a result shows the complexities of friendships and relationships and life, yet another thing Hall depicts brilliantly.

The best way I could describe this book is that it is beautiful and tragic and wonderful all at once and it is a heartwarming story about being young and in love. From the early pages I wanted to give this book five stars and I am so extremely pleased that the same could be said when I closed the book. A truly amazing bittersweet story.

In celebration of the upcoming release of Summer’s Gone I have ONE PAPERBACK copy to giveaway (Australia only I’m afraid)
Click here to enter via Rafflecopter

Entries close 28th February at 11:59pm AEDST.

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You can purchase Summer’s Gone once released via the following

Fishpond

Margaret River Press

Amazon

All Your Bits and Pieces Needs

Read an excerpt

Pre-Order

Listen to Charles Hall discuss Summer’s Gone

Listen to Charles Hall read from Summer’s Gone

The Liar Charms by Lorain O’Neil

12 Feb 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Book Bingo, General Tags: book bingo, ebook, four stars, lorain o'neil, new adult, suspense

Published: 12th December 2013
Publisher: Self-published
Pages: 226
Format: ebook
Genre: New Adult Suspense
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

Remy’s been kidnapped. Sent to auction! And she doesn’t have the vaguest idea why.

But intractable businessman Isaiah Grommet knows, knows what he’s purchased, knows what Remy was bred for, knows what she is: a Liar Charm. Some training from Pakken, Inc., and Remy will be invaluable to his billionaire’s empire. Voluntary or not.

But hipster Remy has her own snarkily colorful ideas about enslaved servitude and she’s NOT seeking corporate approval. So as long as Pakken doesn’t find out what Remy REALLY is, what Isaiah accidentally did that regrettably requires her immediate execution, Remy might just land it all smack in the Hudson! Either way, get ready for Charmocalypse, Isaiah!

Note: I was provided a copy of this book for review

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I started reading but by the end I was fascinated and wanted more. The story is humorous and there is a wonderful level of sarcasm and defiance that makes it an entertaining read.

The concept is intriguing and well thought out, and the characters are unique. O’Neil uses the dialogue and narrative well to establish who characters are and what kinds of people they are, and while not every character is explored as much as others it doesn’t really matter because an understanding of who they are is evident without needing more detail.

The narrative is written with three points of view and while it can be briefly confusing working out who is narrating when it switches, it doesn’t take long to work out. This is a great approach as various perspectives of the same issue can be expressed and there is not just a “victim” or a “villain” point of view.

The writing is clever and O’Neil is very good at making sure the reader’s sympathies are in the right place. The goal is always to root for the underdog but the writing is so well constructed that there are a lot of times when you almost have sympathy for Isaiah and find yourself coming around to his way of thinking. But what I loved is that every time I found myself almost understanding Isaiah, Remy would say or do something that sling shotted my support back to her.

Remy is a wonderful character, she is smart and resourceful, but she is also clever, calculating, and extremely patient. She is determined to do what she has to do in order to improve her current situation no matter what the cost. Remy’s intellect is evident throughout as well and she is aware of how Isaiah and others try to manipulate her and her emotions in order to gain sympathy or lull her into compliance. This is where Isaiah’s words become quite convincing and you realise how easy it would be for Remy to accept her fate.

In terms of the Charms and their abilities, their purpose and capabilities are explored seamlessly through the narrative. Any explanation that is required is worked into the dialogue and narrative eliminating any awkward paragraphs in order to explain things to the reader. From the start it is hinted at that Remy is more special than most, and when this reason is finally revealed we are given insight into what this means but I would have loved to have seen this explored further. There is enough to make it interesting and it is quite clearly explained but the story is so intriguing that there is always a desire to have more information and see more of Remy’s abilities demonstrated and see her wreak some havoc.

This was the case towards the end as well; while the conclusion was done well, I would have loved to have had the story drawn out further and expanded on. Having said that, the way O’Neil concludes the story is wonderful and I finished it wanting to never finish it which is never a bad thing.

You can purchase Liar Charms via the following

Amazon

Book Bingo: The Road So Far

10 Feb 2015 1 Comment

by Amy in Book Bingo Tags: book bingo

Since I started my Book Bingo it has actually been quite fun. But interestingly, and annoyingly really, after I made this card I thought up so many other ones and made up a second. And I like the second one more than the first but I’ve committed myself to this one now so I will just have to be patient. I have not made any real plan for a Bingo line yet, but I will see how it shapes up with a few more stamped. I know what books I am going to read for most of them which is a great start as well.

The other thing I am doing is I am working on a way to name which books filled what square and aside from just writing an actual list I am not sure how to work that out yet, but stay tuned. I am also thinking that if I review a book that I am adding to the Bingo I am going to add the box it covers underneath the review. But we will see how we go! Ideas will no doubt form in the depths of my mind while I am distracted. All the good ones do.

So that’s where I am currently at, which is not too shabby if I say so myself. If you have decided to do a Book Bingo, which I know a few of you have, I hope it is going well for you too!