Review: We Should All Be Feminists

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An interesting essay on why feminism is needed and why it benefits people of all genders to be feminism. I think a few of things that Ngozi Adichie covers probably wouldn't apply to the UK - though, perhaps, it's better to say that sexism in Nigeria is more blatant than it is in the UK. Just because a waiter wouldn't completely ignore a woman, as they apparently do in Nigeria, in the UK doesn't mean they won't give the wine to the man to taste (I have no clue about wine, but it would be nice if waiters didn't just assume that).

I think this is the perfect read for anyone wondering why feminism is such a thing at the moment and why, whether they are a woman or a man, they should become involved with it.

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Review: Five Children on the Western Front

Five Children on the Western Front by Kate Saunders
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I randomly came across this when I was helping out at a mobile library for homeless people - it was among the books being given away for free and, as no one else appeared to want it, I decided to pick it up.

I don't think it's absolutely necessary to have read Five Children and It (or its two sequels) to understand this book, but it probably helps as there are several allusions to events that occurred in that story.

Ultimately, this is a story about how the First World War affected everyone - regardless of how rich or poor they were - and how everyone came to realise that it wasn't the jolly adventure they initially thought it was as the fighting dragged on.

There is a subplot about the Psammead finding redemption for past misdeads that occasionally feels a bit contrived but does have moments of real poignancy.

Given the book has some serious themes, it is definitely best reserved for older children/teenagers. I think nostalgic adults (such as myself) have a lot of gain from it as well.

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Review: I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death

I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death by Maggie O'Farrell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first heard of this book, I did wonder how unlucky someone could be to have had 17 encounters with death. But actually, apart from the ones discussing serious illness or a truly frightening attack, most of the essays focus on brushes with death that everyone has but doesn't really think about - stepping back from the curb just in time to avoid being squashed or misjudging how deep the water is. That said by the time I was halfway through the book, I did start to think O'Farrell has a bit of a death wish - she certainly finds herself in situations that could have been avoided (such as don't jump into the sea for a dare when you have problems with perception). But, O'Farrell does address her reckless behaviour and the reasons why in the penultimate essay ("Cerebellum").

All in all, a beautifully written book that raises interesting questions about how close we are to death and how often we ignore its presence.

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Review: Record of a Spaceborn Few

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the first two books in the Wayfarers series - they were wonderful feel-goods reads that gave a glimpse of what life could be like if we just accepted each other's differences. This one is also "feel good" but I think it has more depth to it. I found myself relating to the characters a lot more than I did in the previous novels; that's probably because they're mainly humans to be fair with typical human concerns - such as Tessa who is wondering where her life went or Kip who is wondering where his life will begin.

Chambers makes obvious parallels between the Exodus Fleet society and our own - for example, the plight of immigrants and concerns about AI taking over people's jobs - but it's not so obvious that you'll feel she's hammering the points home.

Even if this proves to be the last in the series, I will definitely read more of Chambers' work. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

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