The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa

March 11, 2022Book ReviewContemporary, Japan, Yoko Ogawaskyebjenner

Title: The Housekeeper and the Professor
Author: Yoko Ogawa
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Japan
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Year: 2003

I had no idea what to expect from this book. It looked pretty, and seemed intriguing. That is about the extent of my knowledge when I began this. And, honestly, this was one of those stories that so far overwhelmed my expectations that I can’t wait to read more of Ogawa’s books.

I’ve always found maths kind of soothing. There is something about the universality of numbers that makes me feel… comfortable. Ogawa obviously understands this feeling. Maths is used throughout this tale to communicate and highlight how sometimes we use different methods to communicate with one another.

Another part of this story that was strangely relatable and drew me straight in was the role of the housekeeper. Although I haven’t actually worked as a housekeeper, I have worked as a support worker for people with disabilities. The roles and the nuances of the housekeeper’s job were very similar to that role. The difficulties and the joys. The unbelievably difficult yet fulfilling role.

This was one of those stories that just made my heart soar. It was so wholesome and loving. Beautiful in a myriad of ways that I just want expecting. It definitely is the kind of novel that will stick with me for a long while yet.

<- Hotel Iris

The Memory Police ->

Image source: Wikipedia

Get Well Soon! by Kristy Chambers

March 10, 2022Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Humour, Kristy Chambers, Medical, Memoirs, Nursingskyebjenner

Title: Get Well Soon! My (un)Brilliant Career as a Nurse
Author: Kristy Chambers
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Humour, Medical, Memoirs, Nursing
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2012

Nursing is a career path and life choice that holds a lot of fascination for me. It’s such a powerful thing to do, but I honestly can’t imagine dealing with people’s shit (both literally and figuratively) like that. I also have a couple of girlfriends who are nurses I’m different fields, so understanding their day to say lives is also enthralling.

Chambers manages to write about a pretty hectic and serious career with an amazing amount of sass and humour. I particularly like when she points out that ultimately her decision between teaching and nursing came down to who do I hate less, teenagers or sick people… and teenagers are assholes. It’s a sentiment that had me laughing out loud.

Alongside all of the wit and humour throughout this, there are some pretty powerful emotional moments. It’s a start reminder of the intensity of this kind of career. But, also a brilliant way to highlight how some people are able to deal with the horrors of a fairly intense career path.

This is one if those memoirs that I will read again and again. It has my preferred level of dry, witty humour; plenty of sass; and a subject matter that ceaselessly fascinates me. I may have read this through my kobo plus account, but its going on my wish list for a physical copy too…

<- Rolling with the Punchlines

It’s Not You, Geography, It’s Me ->

Image source: BookDepository

The Disasters by M.K. England

March 9, 2022Book ReviewLGBTQI, M.K. England, Science Fiction, Space, Young Adultskyebjenner

Title: The Disasters
Author: M.K. England
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: LGBTQI, Science fiction, Space, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2018

Just from the title, I knew that I was quite likely to love this. I mean, it’s about a group of Disasters. I’m always a sucker for a tale of misfits and outcasts. And the fact that it’s set in space? Brilliant!!!

It was almost impossible to put this down. One insane high jinks after another had me laughing and smiling at the sometimes-bizarre difficulties the crew finds themselves in. England certainly has a gift for weaving a story that draws you in. I look forward to seeing what else she can do.

The variety in this cast added to my enjoyment. There is cultural diversity, sexual identities and familial relationships galore. Each and every character has a great structure and identity that is completely unique. One that quickly makes you bond differently with each of the characters.

This is definitely a book that I’ll read again. It’s fun and an easy read. One that took me on a fun and light adventure. Alright, there’s death and betrayal… but still…

<- More M.K. England

Spellhacker ->

Image source: Goodreads

Confessions of a School Nurse by Michael Alexander

March 8, 2022Book ReviewMedical, Memoirs, Michael Alexander, Nursingskyebjenner

Title: Confessions of a School Nurse
Author: Michael Alexander
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Medical, Memoirs, Nursing
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2015

After reading through Confessions of a Male Nurse, I knew that I needed to get Confessions of a School Nurse. I did start reading a book on Thredbo (Survival) before I actually put this onto my Kobo. But then I couldn’t stop myself from also picking up this book. And, because it is such a great and easy read, I managed to read this before I’d even finished the first chapter of the other books that I had started… I mean, there is something kind of humorous about the fixes that people find themselves in in the medical world. And there is just a sweetness about Alexander that I can’t get enough of.

Having never been to boarding school, or come from the kind of money that Alexander talks about in this novel, I was transported into a whole new world. One that I’ve only imagined from some of the more ridiculous movies that I’ve watched. This might have taken me a little step closer to such an unfathomable world. But, honestly, that’s as close as I ever want to get. It was most definitely an interesting world to step into for a few hours, but one that I found a little terrifying. Although, I suppose that those who Alexander sees and writes about are the extremes – there’s no point in writing about the boring, everyday occurrences now, is there?

Not only did this memoir give me an insight into what it is like being a school nurse and treating children in a boarding school, it also gave me insight into the school system and realities for some people in Europe. Actually, a lot of the different students and people that are discussed in this novel are from the Northern Hemisphere. A totally different life to immerse myself in, one that I enjoyed doing so. I mean, a lot of my memoirs lately are based around some pretty horrific moments in modern history, so it was nice to read about something that was a little lighter and fluffier.

As with Confessions of a Male Nurse, I absolutely adored this novel. It was fun and engaging. A little lighter than the other memoirs I have on the go at the moment and just, generally fun. Definitely the kind of memoir that I will be buying a physical copy of. And one that I look forward to sharing and recommending to others.

<- Confessions of a Male Nurse

Radio Okapi Kindu ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Confessions of a Male Nurse by Michael Alexander

March 7, 2022Book ReviewMedical, Memoirs, Michael Alexander, Nursingskyebjenner

Title: Confessions of a Male Nurse
Author: Michael Alexander
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Medical, Memoirs, Nursing
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2012

I’ve definitely been on a bit of a medical memoir kick lately. Maybe because I recently had major surgery and have a whole new appreciation for what it’s like to be a patient. And a whole lot of love for the staff that made a potentially traumatic moment into something that was good and I can think of fondly. Regardless of why, as soon as I saw this title in my Kobo Plus section, I knew it was a book I wanted to read.

Any nurse memoirs is going to be interesting – they do tend to have a whole lot more patient interaction than doctors when it comes to hospitals. But I was intrigued to read about interactions that involved a male nurse. After all, a different gender is going to have different experiences. Add in the fact that the man’s a Kiwi and I was sold.

I love how Alexander separated each of the sections if this memoir into the different areas if nursing he’s worked in. It gives a common theme to each section that creates a more cohesive narrative from some very disjointed stories. It was also interesting that alcohol related issues are so predominant within his work life that he created a whole section just on alcohol abuse. It’s a good reminder to imbibe responsibly.

After reading Get Well Soon and thoroughly enjoying it, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy another nursing memoir so thoroughly. It was a pretty tough act to follow. But, luckily for me, I most definitely did. This wasn’t quite as sassy, but wonderfully open and honest. With just the right amount of dry, what the hell humour thrown in.

<- The Zookeeper’s Wife

Confessions of a School Nurse ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Bad Behavior by Alexia Arthurs

March 6, 2022Book ReviewAlexia Arthurs, Contemporary, How to Love a Jamaican, Raceskyebjenner

How to Love a Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs

Title: Bad Behavior
Author: Alexia Arthurs
In: How to Love a Jamaican (Alexia Arthurs)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Race
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2018

I can’t imagine the difficulties and perils of raising a daughter (I’m about to find out and I’m terrified). But adding into that mix being immigrants and having to balance different cultures? Wow. This story was a good way to show how difficult that can be.

I enjoyed the way in which the reform for the daughter didn’t come from tough love. It didn’t come from being sent back to the “homeland”. Rather, it came about because the grandmother stopped and TALKED to her granddaughter. It was such a powerful driver to end on and a reminder that communication is important.

The jumpy nature of this story was thoroughly enjoyable. The disjointed nature of the prose felt like life. After all, things aren’t exactly straight forward in life and they certainly aren’t easy. But there can always be a silver lining.

<- Slack

Island ->

Image source: Goodreads

Blackout by Sarah Hepola

March 5, 2022Book ReviewAlcohol, Biographies, Memoirs, Mental health, Sarah Hepolaskyebjenner

Title: Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget
Author: Sarah Hepola
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Alcohol, Biographies, Memoirs, Mental health
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2015

As someone who has had a few years of drinking too heavily and experiencing blackouts… this hit a bit too close to home. But in a good way. Because rather than being judgemental and harsh, Hepola talks about her journey with acceptance, honesty and a good dose of humour. Brutally honest and wonderfully open, this book was definitely well worth the read.

Not only does this memoir delve into issues with alcohol, but also talks about what its like to be a woman. We’re in a world where being a drinker as a woman is impressive in your late teens and early twenties. But by the time you start edging towards the thirties? Expectations change. Its a hard reality to walk and Hepola did such justice to highlighting how difficult it is to navigate.

One of the many aspects of this memoir that I loved is that Hepola doesn’t blame her insecurities and reliance on alcohol on anyone or anything. In fact, she mentions friends having concerns about their kids following the same route she did and pointing out that there’s nothing that can be done. There is no blame or fault throughout this, and its… a refreshing way to talk about an issue that affects a lot of people.

Once I opened the first one of Blackout, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. There is something intense and honest about this. And a little too relatable. It’s definitely a journey that I look forward to taking again and again. I reminder of the line that we all need to draw, and how some people have more difficulties with that than others.

<- The Truths We Hold

A Cup of Water Under My Bed ->

Image source: Booktopia

Black Saturday edited by John McGourty

March 4, 2022Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Australian history, Fire, John McGourty, Natural disasterskyebjenner

Title: Black Saturday: Stories of Love, Loss and Courage from the Victorian Bushfires
Author: John McGourty
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Australian history, Fire, Natural disaster
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Year: 2009

There are moments in Australian history that are seared into my brain. And Black Saturday is one of them. I remember being in high school and hearing about all of the lives lost. We always did bushfire drills throughout primary school. And although the numbers didn’t quite mean as much to me then as now… I still felt… horror at all the destruction.

As such, it’s taken me years to read this book. It was published about a year after the Black Saturday fires and I’ve had it on my shelves since then. But I always knew that it would be a tough read and hit me a little harder. Particularly with the fires that we’ve had over the past few years.

One of the aspects I loved about this compilation was how each chapter covered a different area that was decimated. And at the beginning of each area, there is an overall summary of exactly what happened. How much was destroyed. How many lives lost. It gives a greater overview of the stories that then follow.

It’s always important to personify the tragedies of our past. Otherwise the number of people who died become just that… a list of numbers and names with no real meaning.

<- I’m Glad My Mom Died

We Bought a Zoo ->

Image source: Abebooks

Bad Ground by Tony Wright, Todd Russell & Brant Webb

March 3, 2022Book ReviewAustralian Authors, Australian history, Brant Webb, Memoirs, Todd Russell, Tony Wrightskyebjenner

Title: Bad Ground: Inside the Beaconsfield Mine Rescue
Author: Tony Wright, Todd Russell & Brant Webb
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Australian history, Memoirs
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2012

I’ve been hanging to read this for about 6 months now. But, considering my other half actually works in an underground mine that is very similar to Beaconsfield (albeit much bigger), I decided to wait until he had a huge chunk of time off… I didn’t really need to be imagining him in this position in the long week that he’s away…

There are always moments of local or global history that will stick in our minds. Todd and Brant walking out of the mine on national news is one of them for me (Steve Irwin dying is another one). Which made not only visiting Beaconsfield, but reading this incredibly surreal. I mean, I was in high school when this happened. And I remember it being plastered all over the news. But to my teenage self… it was so removed from reality. Not anymore and I’m incredibly glad I got a chance to read about this rescue and tragedy.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book so much. Mostly because I thought it would just be a recount of Todd and Brant’s experiences. Instead, it focused a lot more on everyone else who was impacted. Larry Knight’s family gets a lot of attention (as they should). The crew supervisor and the rescue team. The families who were topside waiting for news. It’s a great reminder that tragedy doesn’t just strike one person, but rather impacts everyone I our little vortexes of life.

Most of the time I read memoirs, biographies, and true stories because they’re easy to put down and walk away from. Perfect for when life is busy, and I don’t have heaps of time to read. That’s not the case with this. I was constantly itching to pick it back up and bury my nose between the pages. I don’t know if it’s because this is so much closer to home than most booms in this genre, or if it was just brilliantly done… but regardless, definitely at the top of my recommendations list.

<- The Salt Path

The Things I Wish I’d Known ->

Image source: Murdoch Books

Babies & Toddlers by Kaz Cooke

March 2, 2022Book ReviewChildren, Humour, Kaz Cooke, Non-fictionskyebjenner

Title: Babies & Toddlers
Author: Kaz Cooke
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Children, Humour, Non-fiction
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Year: 2018

Since I absolutely adored Up the Duff and found it incredibly calming and useful while I was pregnant, I figured that it was probably a good idea to get the follow up book. After all, I’m a first time mum and there is SOOOO much advice. Which is really quite overwhelming and scary. Plus, I’m now responsible for this tiny squishy thing and, like all first timers, I really have no freaking idea what I’m doing.

Like Up the Duff, Kaz Cooke is able to deliver information and advice in a fun and engaging way. As someone who had to have a c section and is struggling to breastfeed, the lack of judgement for the different alternatives was amazing. It made me feel safe and that there was information that was actually accessible.

I like that this book is logically laid out and follows a pretty good pattern of topics. It makes it incredibly easy to have a quick read through (as I did) in preparation for a baby coming. But then also makes it very easy to go back and troubleshoot your new human. The index at the back just helps that all the more.

Furthering the awesomeness of the information imparted in this… Kaz Cooke is an Aussie so the information is ACTUALLY RELEVANT. The information is updated every year with a new edition so you don’t sit there wondering what the heck to some of the advice. And, lastly, after each small subtopic, there are a bunch of links and contacts to further deep dive if needed. Definitely a fantastic book for all parents… existing and first timers.

<- Up the Duff

More Kaz Cooke ->