Truly, Madly, Guilty – Book Review

As an avid reader, I love to be told interesting stories set in different locations. Liane Moriarty is an Australian author who has never let me down and always knows how to stir up a good amount of intrigue. Recently I finished another of her Australia based novels – Truly Madly Guilty.

Going to a barbecue never got more awkward than this.

My Review

Liane has a way of writing in the close third person that draws the reader in very close to each character and shows them a story from different angles.

Her relatively short chapters lead you through a variety of situations that build to form a complex and fascinating drama.

When Clementine gives up a few hours of cello practise to attend a barbecue at her old friend’s neighbour’s house, she isn’t ready for an air ambulance. Before she walks round to that dreaded back yard, her friend corners her with a request that makes her squirm.

The story jumps around before, during and after the barbecue and takes in events that challenge, excite and destabilise the three couples who drive this narrative forward.

Characters include a hoarding mother, a couple desperate for a baby and a wife who met her husband in a strip club.

The writing is delicious. Every sentence means something and helps you to absorb the feelings and background that fill this context.

And Finally…

I loved this book a lot. Its clever way of giving just the right nuggets of information at the right time is very entertaining. I was satisfied by the pace and fascinated by the characters and their dilemmas.

I totally recommend trying this book if you enjoy contemporary dramas. Also try another of Liane Moriarty’s masterpieces, such as ‘Big Little Lies’ or ‘Apples Never Fall.’

For another of my book reviews, check out:

Biographies Can Be Eye-Opening

As an avid reader, I love nothing more than getting sucked into a good book. Although I often write about a range of fiction genres, I hardly mention another favourite of mine – biographies.

Non-fiction books are just as popular these days and I especially love books written by famous people about their own lives.

It can be a real eye-opener to get inside a celebrity’s head and learn about the way that they became who they ended up being.

Biographies I Have Loved

Going back to when I was young, I remember enjoying the quirky but honest recollections of Roald Dahl. He wrote ‘BOY – Tales of Childhood’ and then ‘Going Solo’ all about being a young adult.

Similarly, I loved finding out about Julie Andrews and how she became an actress. She had quite a challenging upbringing with a horrible step dad. Her book ‘Home’ was followed by ‘Homework’ which took the reader through the Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music period, when she had moved to America.

Having read about various people, I am still enjoying the funny recollections of Miriam Margoyles. Called, ‘This Much Is True,’ this autobiography is full of anecdotes about childhood in Oxford and fascinating facts about historical figures she came across.

Final Thoughts

I love getting to know what celebrities have experienced. It somehow makes them feel more real and gives interesting insights into their journeys to fame.

On my shelf is a biography about Demi Moore which I am really looking forward to. Look out for ‘Inside Out’ and I will post a review when I get into it.

How many biographies have you read?

Which is your favourite famous person’s biography?

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. For more book suggestions, have a look at my recent Reading Right Now article. Please also consider following my blog for more book, TV and film reviews as well as climate change thoughts.

Can Reading Be Passive?

Being an avid reader, I spend a lot of time thinking about books. Not only do I daydream about them but I also chat about them lots. Luckily many of my friends and colleagues are almost as obsessed with literature as I am.

My work mates are always recommending or slating books. Word of mouth is so valuable and I can see how authors benefit from people telling their friends about the novels that left a mark on them.

Whatever reading is, it definitely isn’t passive. Books are immersive experiences and it would be difficult to pick up a well written story without getting absorbed into the narrative.

Here are my three reasons why I believe that reading is an active sport.

1) Sucked In

When I read a good book, I soon become immersed in the pages. My mind wonders to the locations that are described and I lose touch with my surroundings. Not only that, but I usually lose track of time as well.

Getting sucked into the narrative is a complement to any writer. It shows that they are entertaining, intriguing and weaving a tale that distracts the reader from the monotony of their daily lives.

2) Talking Points

When people read novels and short stories that they like, they tend to want to talk about them. My friends often come in and excitedly proclaim how amazing their latest read is.

Enthusiasm is infectious. If I see someone being excited by a good book, I know that I have to read that book and fond out why it is so special.

3) Investments

If you were passively reading a book then you would not begin to empathise with the characters. This is hard to do. I certainly become invested in Joanne Harris and Liane Moriarty books and love when sequels come out.

When you are invested in storybook worlds, you cannot help but care about the main characters and want to discover what happened next in their fabricated lives.

Final Thoughts

If you love books as much as I do (and let’s face it – books are a multibillion dollar industry these days) then you will identify with the reasons I gave above.

It is impossible to passively read books because they are thought-provoking and, when written well, immerse you in their fictional landscapes, making you want to love or hate their characters.

Have you ever been sucked into a good book?

Has a character ever enraged you?

Do you think that reading can be passive?

Check out a recent review I wrote about Truly Madly Guilty by Liana Moriarty. Please also follow my blog for more book, TV and film reviews as well as climate change articles.