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Jackpot

Nic Stone’s Jackpot follows Rico Danger and Alexander (‘Zan’) Gustavo Macklin, who could not be leading more different lives. Rico lives pay cheque to pay cheque, having to juggle being a teenager with quite adult responsibilities, whilst Zan has to concern himself very little about whether or not he’ll see a meal when the sun rises and sets. His family business ensures that he has a back-up plan, should school not end as he would have liked, directly contrasting Rico’s uncertain future. It is when Rico discovers that a lottery ticket she sold whilst working her shift at the petrol station is a winning ticket that she encounters Zan and both agree to find the victor of the six-figure prize. Rico hopes that hunting this fortunate individual down may mean she gets a sum of money to take home to her family, unbeknownst to Zan, who simply fancies a change of pace and scenery with a girl whom he finds intriguing. The reader seeks to find out if they ever locate said jackpot winner.

I grew very fond of the female protagonist, Rico, because I found her to be so relatable: bumbling along, trying to make ends meet without losing her head in the process. She was written to be such a sweet girl, merely attempting to pick up the pieces at home, with her mother and little brother depending on her to put food on the table and a roof over their heads.

Similarly, Zan did well as the male protagonist, portrayed refreshingly as a sensitive, happy-go-lucky yet determined and driven chap. He reminded me of my all-time favourite male character, Finch, from Jennifer Niven’s All the Bright Places (high praise indeed, if you know my affinity with that story!)

The book was insightful regarding class and how living in an affluent area, like Rico did, did not make her feel any richer. Her lifestyle would lend itself to desiring more than her job at the petrol station offered. The book illustrated how easily, at times, class can label a person, both rich and poor. I was reminded of the privilege that is the NHS, here in the UK, a gift we so often can forget is just that: an entitlement that warrants high appreciation.

This book also did well to remind the reader of the sweetness of love – those first couple of butterflies that one experiences upon seeing the person of their affection, not to mention the feeling as though one is with their very best friend. Nic Stone addresses love as, albeit not a focal point of the novel, rather in a very real manner that is entirely easy to conceptualise.

All in all, Jackpot was an absolute delight to read from beginning to end and it was just what I needed for my lazy summer days basking in the thunderstorms that the UK has in abundance!

It is ideal to read if one wishes to live out an adventure from the comfort of one’s armchair.

Sincerely,

Sheeza

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Forever, Interrupted

“We have to find little ways to smile. No matter how strong you are, no matter how smart you are or tough you can be, the world will find a way to break you. And when it does, the only thing you can do is hold on.” t.j.r.

I’ve said it before and I will not hesitate to say it again: Taylor Jenkins Reid knows how to write a story that takes her readers on a journey that is, much to their dismay, fleeting but, fortunately, completely unforgettable. Forever, Interrupted is no exception – it follows our protagonist, Elsie, who loses her husband in a freak bike accident a week after marrying him.

The book explores grief and how it has many forms depending on the person experiencing it. It sheds light on how life goes on, no matter how much an individual may wish for it to be put on hold, even if for just a moment. I find this to be a very important read because of how it discusses the process behind mourning and how, though heart-wrenchingly difficult, it is a normal, natural and necessary process to experience.

Like every other book of hers I’ve read, Forever, Interrupted is an absolute page turner, with nearly every chapter ending on a cliffhanger that makes it impossible to stop reading on.

The book is structured very cleverly, with it going back and forth between the past and present, a form the writer is masterfully skilled at executing in every book that she has crafted, including Forever, Interrupted.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has become the author whose works I could read blindly, simply because they are her design – her work is consistently captivating and I am never disappointed by her stories. She always includes a plot twist that could come at any time (I for one am never prepared, hence the multiple gasps that take place whenever there’s a book of hers in my hands!)

I caught myself smiling like a Cheshire cat oftentimes at the relationship explored in this book – it’s one that anybody would and does want, which is what it makes it so compelling to read about.

I’m not sure how long it’s been since I read an ending and felt this immense sense of closure. The way Taylor Jenkins Reid closed this story is a testament to how important it is to assure your readers that they are taken care of, from the very first page turn to the last. It’s that careful attention to detail that makes for loyal readers who will always return to the writer who promises to deliver just that.

Sincerely,

Sheeza

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The Wild Robot

“I’ll tell you what: If I could do it all over again, I’d spend more time helping others. All I’ve ever done is dig tunnels. Some of them were real beauties too, but they’re all hidden underground, where they’re no good to anyone but me.” p.b.

Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot is a children’s book that narrates a robot’s need to survive life in the wilderness – such an otherworldly concept that I was so eager to find the answer to! As a teacher about to teach her very first class in a few months time, I was excited to embark on the pursuit to discover literature for my class kiddos, commencing with the reading of The Wild Robot.

The story begins with a robot delivery gone wrong – several boxes filled with robots are deposited onto a remote island, in pieces. All but one are destroyed & it is Roz who survives the unfortunate accident that brings her to the wild, making her the foremost robot to pay a visit to this desolate land.

She does well to portray the standard robotic creation, running only on pure logic. That’s what makes this book so page turning: the reader cannot help but wonder what will become of her and it is what got me to be so quickly attached to her. The reader witnesses her develop into a being with emotion, purpose & meaning; I found myself wanting her to survive the obvious dangers that can and do arise with living in unfamiliar surroundings.

Slowly but surely, Roz finds a routine in the wild, her loving personality lending itself to making friends who were like family to her, with ease. When all seems to be going well, it’s then that the unthinkable happens … as if the book wasn’t gripping enough! I’ll spare you the spoiler so I’m not that reader, but I promise you that it’s the most heartbreaking yet captivating plot point I have come across in a while, much less in a children’s novel.

There is a lot to be learned from this book, from children & adults alike:

how to make friends

how to be a parent

how to not only survive but thrive in a place that is completely out of one’s comfort zone

valuing that which truly matters

living a more purposeful life

I feel that as much as this book needs to be picked up by every primary school educator, it would also provide solace for anybody who feels that either they or somebody they know could benefit from reading about complex human concepts that have been explained in a straightforward and colourful manner.

My favourite part about reading The Wild Robot As somebody who didn’t speak English at home and who didn’t read until the age of about 9, I have very little recollection of reading children’s literature when I was a child myself. I think that plays a massive role in how much I enjoyed reading The Wild Robot – I was able to feel the pleasure that can be taken from reading about a robot who learns, through experience, the art of surviving in the circumstances that, though she did not choose for herself, handled with grace and humility (attributes not commonly associated with a manufactured creation) A big thank you to Mr. Brown for showing 24-year-old me the magic that lies within children’s books such as this one.

Sincerely,

Sheeza

My rating:

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
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The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change your Life & Achieve Real Happiness

“We do not lack ability. We just lack courage. It all comes down to courage.”

~ I. K. & F. K.

Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga’s The Courage to Be Disliked is a personal development book that retells a conversation between a young man & a philosopher. It is the book’s structure that I find most captivating – addictively easy to follow, I found it such a pleasure to accompany two polar opposite individuals attempting to answer burning questions about:

human behaviour, growth amidst insecurity, love, loyalty, confidence in oneself, taking control over one’s life, reasons for misbehaviour in children, handling conflict, managing negativity

This unique novel reminds the reader to strike a balance between work & play, not by simply stating one to do so, but rather by providing the analogy of how closely associated a lifestyle similar to that of a workaholic’s is to disharmony, which nobody wants to be responsible for feeding (right?)

If there was anything to dislike, it would have to be the youth’s attitude throughout the book. On the whole, I found him to be rather dismissive of whatever it was the philosopher had to say. I suppose it does well for the purpose of the book, which is to illustrate the young man becoming better informed. I just wish he was more open-minded about another’s views, is all. That said, I’m sure he represents a large chunk of our population who act in a similarly stubborn way – human nature cannot be helped!

The primary message that I will be taking with me: change is easy once one adopts the courage to do so. Courage is all it takes. Courage gets rid of external factors that would ordinarily discourage somebody from making some serious moves to change their lifestyle for the better – familial, economical, perhaps even mental.

I am truly sad to see this book come to an end, but I am reminding myself that my journey with it will always go on.

It really is that deep!

I urge you to read it.

Sincerely,

Sheeza

🦋

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Lullaby

“This is what it’s like, being a mother. It makes her a bit silly sometimes. The most banal moments suddenly seem important. Her heart is stirred by the smallest things”

~ L. S.

Trigger warning: suicide, depression, anxiety, graphic content

Leïla Slimani’s Lullaby is a dark tale set in inner Paris about a couple, Myriam and Paul, who employ a nanny named Louise to look after their two children, Mila & Adam. From the beginning, the reader is told that Louise murders these two children. Her simple exterior & quiet demeanour most certainly does not lend itself to an unlikeable character, much less a murderer. Hence, the reader is left having to constantly ask themselves as the story goes on: why?

I was fortunate enough to attend the BBC’S recording of their World Book Club podcast to hear Slimani discuss her book at length with Harriett Gilbert. The floor was open for questions from the audience & many were curious to know more about what inspired the author to write about the rather perverse subject matter of a murderous nanny. She revealed that she writes with no set aim, neither to provoke nor to create tension, rather to move her readers. She spoke of her enjoyment in steering clear of clichés, which she most definitely succeeded in doing by creating a character like Louise who the reader cannot help but feel sorry for, bizarrely enough. I credit Slimani’s talent for character development for almost compelling the reader to feel sympathy for a woman who, due to differences in class, has had to deal with tribulations all her life & who, it is believed, ultimately snapped.

What I find most intriguing about the experience of reading this novel is how readers differ on their opinions of the book’s characters. I, for one, was not much of a fan of Paul, as I found him to be unsupportive & bitter about her return to work. However, I know that not everybody agrees, as it is insisted that some fathers are as Paul is portrayed. Fascinating.

Gruesome, evil & downright creepy, it is no wonder that this book can allegedly be read in one sitting, for it certainly packs a punch, which does well to keep you reading on. I do not recommend it for the light-hearted, but then I do, too, because I really believe it has the power to speak to all, in some form or another.

Sincerely,

Sheeza

🌷

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One True Loves

“If you want to do something, you have to do it”

~ T. J. R.

She’s gone & done it again for me – Taylor Jenkins Reid’s One True Loves follows Emma Blair who finds herself at a crossroads when her once-thought-to-be-deceased husband, Jesse Lerner, comes back. Thought to have died in a helicopter crash, it is a surprise to all when he returns three years later & has been in search of Emma the entire time. What should be a happy ending transforms into a crisis when Sam Kemper is added into the mix – the man she moved on with.

I appreciate the concepts behind her books; her blurbs are captivating & tempt me to find out more! Having read another one of her books, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I was in awe of the way in which Reid handled the fairly cliché concepts of a well-known actress’ controversial journey to fame. Fortunately, Reid did not disappoint here either, handling the otherwise banal power struggle between heart-throb Jesse & the more introverted Sam in a way that provided myself with almost a new perspective on what has now become a traditional trope.

Cliché (but I like it) I grew to love reading what I have seen been done so often in films before, but only because of – or rather, thanks to – Reid’s immaculate suspense building!

Team Sam There is no contest in my mind as to who Emma should choose (personally).

Jesse’s character development is immense … Yay! It was a relief to see a character who I initially found to be nauseating evolve from an entitled teenager to a husband ready to see the world with his partner by his side. Huzzah!

I’m just not sure I really like Emma. Her ambivalence really started to grate on me; I felt that it set the tone for the rest of the novel, perhaps to its detriment. That said, I am slowly making peace with the possibility that it may just be a case of, as a discerning reader, having very little patience for the way in which she would take actions with uncertainty … Maybe.

All in all, a delightful book to dive right into when in the mood for a blanket, coupled with a cuppa & cosy read.

Sincerely,

Sheeza

☃︎

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Reasons to Stay Alive

“Read a book without thinking about finishing it. Just read it. Enjoy every word, sentence, and paragraph. Don’t wish for it to end, or for it to never end.”

– M. H.

With school, work & family being at the forefront of my everydays, there was no better book to choose in which to fully immerse myself than Matt Haig’s Reasons to Stay Alive.

Amazingly, Haig transforms his personal struggles into life lessons that he has come to gain, taking inspiration from figures such as Abraham Lincoln to have “an ‘irrepressible desire’ to accomplish something while he lived.”

He does well to remind the reader of the possibility to step out of one’s parameters if they feel all too confining and/or restricting; of the possibility to bestow more power onto oneself & less so on negative feelings, emotions or circumstances.

I feel inspired having read how far Haig has come: there truly is so much to look forward to.

The fact that anti-consumerism is not quite the norm in our day & age is an important one as the reader is left better informed into the underlying yet largely prevalent way in which our society functions, with consumerism- the idea that all can be fixed with the handing over of a sum of money- prevailing.

Haig touches on highly sensitive topics, which deserve a disclaimer, addressing suicide, depression & addiction. That said, I cannot help but feel motivated & mightily uplifted. It is truly awe-inspiring to feel empowered after reading a fellow human’s fight to stay afloat. It is for this reason that I am as thankful as I am to be a lover of the written word.

All in all, considering that I found it tricky to get through a couple of the initial chapters, I could not have savoured this book more. There were nights where I was tempted to read more than just my allocated daily chapter, but I refrained, for fear of burning the midnight oil one evening too many!

If there were any main takeaways from this novel, it would be the bare necessity of:

Making every minute count & accepting oneself

His raw & real writing leaves the reader feeling helplessly compassionate towards Haig’s mental health journey as he talks us through encountering, then later overcoming, hardships big & small, including the composition of this very book, for starters. Could not thank him enough for mustering up enough willpower, not to mention confidence, to share his advice with the rest of the world. I thank my very fortunate stars that his words from the heart have come into my life, with the intention to leave an unforgettable mark.

Sincerely,

Sheeza

✏︎ ✏︎ ✏︎

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Whiskey Words & a Shovel II

“You are rare.

I mean, there’s something inside you that can’t be found elsewhere.

Avoid anyone who treats you like you’re ordinary.

Avoid anyone incapable of seeing what you’ve always seen in yourself.”

– r.h. Sin

r. h. Sin’s Whiskey Words & a Shovel II is a pocket-sized instruction manual on self-love. Encouraging ideas connoting feminism, this second instalment of poetry of his does very well to remind one of the necessity of never settling, in life, love, work & when finding one’s passions.

What I love most about reading r. h. Sin’s poetry is the way in which he says what the reader finds difficult to think, let alone verbalise. Sin hints at the possibility to love profoundly once more, despite it looking as though once is enough, as many a lesson can be learned from first times that can be applied to second- or better yet, third- tries. Very uplifting indeed as he reminds the reader of the reality behind being able to overcome just.

About.

Anything.

In my twenty-something years of reading poetry, I’ve read associations between hurt people & not being ready to love again or having committed grave &/or irreversible errors. Sin, however, paints such individuals with an alternative brush, illustrating the fact that hurt people house the best kind of love & it is their bravery to love ardently that lands them into the hands of hardship sometimes.

Sin is that ideal companion who delivers the reminders that one requires regarding why one has to do what one has to do, whether that be

staying

walking away

vocalising

remaining silent

In short, Whiskey Words & a Shovel II did what its predecessor had so effortlessly achieved : move me in a most ‘never going back’ manner. It’s his ability to speak my very heart & soul’s language that drives myself to digest his words in a sitting & feel like several more volumes could be read in rapid succession.

Sincerely,

Sheeza

✍🏼

Posted on by sheeza

Worlds of You: Poetry & Prose

“People are oceans. You cannot know them by their surface.”

– B. T.

Another blog post, another Beau Taplin shoutout, this time for Worlds of You.

I picked this book up knowing I’d need that pick-me-up that poetry offers. As I didn’t have my trusty journal to hand, I have with me now a quote- that I scribbled on an appointment letter of mine-, which I couldn’t not make a note of:

“Love is supposed to have sharp edges, it is supposed to be messy & unsensible, & if you go your whole life trying to keep your heart out of harm’s way, you miss out on all of love’s magic.”

I feel like, too often, one deems love a messiah, which it sort of is, but many forget that love has no universal manual; it is so dependent on the two persons involved (& whatever may be brought to the table with them) When two friends, partners, siblings- whosoever- interact, it would be near impossible (not to mention dull) for them not to bring with them their own special uniqueness, that which makes them them. A big thank you to Beau for reminding me of this one.

He writes about the kind of love that we all secretly or explicitly, low-key or high-key, are looking for. The reader may well find themselves coming face-to-face with lessons that are difficult to learn & accept. Taplin, though, writes about them in a way that consoles the reader, making them feel that little less alone in their hurt or worry.

Having said that, Taplin brings to light the necessity to find beauty in the little things, which love helps us to do, as we put on our rose-tinted glasses with our hearts urging us to never feel less than how we do: happy to be in the present.

Taplin teaches the importance of forgiveness towards moving on from a hardship, of looking pain in the eye with the resolve of one who will see it through.

He reminds the reader of the healing & restorative power that comes with the written word, as it can express feelings that are otherwise too difficult- or private- to say aloud to another.

Taplin provides a safe space with his poetry & prose for coming to terms with home truths, one of them being in relation to pain from a loved one being most felt. As I find myself doing with his poetry, Taplin allows for the reader to realise the inevitable hurt that can come with love … & jumping in anyway.

Taplin writes:

“Soon enough, we will all be bones in the ground, the oceans will dry up, the sun will burn out, & nobody will be around to remember we were here at all. So go, spend your time here with heart. Find what matters to you & manifest it while you can. Because while this universe we inhabit may be infinite & unfeeling, we are not, & that is our gift.”

Already anticipating the next arrival, with open arms x.

Sincerely,

Sheeza

✍🏼

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The Little Prince

“Only the children know what they are looking for”

– A. S. E.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince (translated by Katherine Woods) tells the story of two men who meet after finding themselves both stranded in the Sahara.

One of them- known as the little prince– embarks on informing the other about all that he’s seen on his adventures around the universe, which in actual fact represents a microcosm of society, one that the little prince found he wanted very little to do with, since it revealed

gluttony

usurpation

insecurity

the fear to be oneself

& the thirst for power

Many are confused as to what type of story the book is (if it is an allegory or fairytale, a parable or folktale) I quite like how it is all of them, yet none: it needs no label to have done its job of reminding the reader to hold on to their inquisitive child self. I for one was certainly made to believe the notion that ‘grown-ups’ are overrated because they let go of whimsical dreaming & settle for reasoning. It is ‘being a child’ that allows for one to show genuine interest & actual presence in the today before them.

Finding beauty in all things, finding the treasure in the little things Saint-Exupéry lets it be known that things of beauty are destined for greatness, inspiring the reader to remain steadfast in maintaining a mind, body & soul that is rid of toxicity & rather coated with authenticity:

“& since it is beautiful, it is truly useful”

With imagination comes beauty, magic, power & ample miracles, of that I have been made more sure, having read about the little prince, who represents the miracle that comes with being a creative sort, as creativity paints the banality of life in a less harsh colour & helps individuals such as the little prince to look past realities of the world, like greed for power & authority, for instance.

Grown-ups are just as human as those a little less aged, who are simply trying their hand at life, who are neither as enlightened nor as learned as children tend to assume. The little prince affirms this & now I do, too.

A takeaway I can’t get out of my mind is the following fact: in everyone we meet, there lies a lesson, something to learn. This is particularly true of those we may encounter who we feel do not bring out the best in us. The least we can do is figure out what lesson they’ve taught us- how not to talk, act or carry ourselves, for example- so that we may become better selves anyway.

The little prince from Asteroid B-612 has my heart, as do the illustrations provided by Saint-Exupéry. As such, I would’ve preferred a different end to the tale (tempted yet?)

To my honest surprise, all in all: a short book full of complexity & meanders. Having said that, post-reading me was full of questions. Thus, the book is thought-provoking & compelling as it encourages the reader to think outside of the box, just like the narrator wanted when he first illustrated an elephant being swallowed whole by a boa constrictor …

…

… You’ll just have to read the book to find out what I mean. Very worth your while, I think you’ll find.

Sincerely,

Sheeza

✍🏼