Mini Reviews (December 2021 Reads)

Hi Folks!!

Welcome to my mini review post!!

I didn’t manage to fit all my reviews at the end of December so I thought I would share my thoughts in this mini review post.

(if you would like to know more about the books just click on the book images and you’ll be taken to their Goodreads page)

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig – 💙💙1/2

With the run up to Christmas I was looking for a quick Christmas read!! So, I decided to go with this book. I was hoping to read this one for Christmas 2020 but the hold on it from my library was crazy long, so had to wait. Well I finally managed to hold of the audiobook in time for 2021.

This is another book I’d heard great things about so was looking forward to reading it. This was a quick and cute read but one that unfortunately have mixed feelings about it.

It started off really fun and thought I was onto a winner but honestly as I worked my way through the book I started to feel bored. It’s not the happy story I was expecting in fact I felt it was quite a dark read especially for Christmas. Many have loved this book, but sadly it wasn’t for me. At this point I don’t think I will continue with this series but we shall see.

Although I wasn’t a fan of the book I have loved the audiobook narration. It was done by Stephen Fry and he was fab!!

Before The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi – 💙💙💙💙

My best friend gifted this one to me for my Christmas Eve read!! I’ve had my eye on this one for a while so was so excited to pick it up. This is a translated book so I had to get used to the writing style but one I did I flew through the book. The book has 4 short stories that are all linked together.  

I really enjoyed the concept of this book. How cool would it be to be able to go back in time for a short time (Before The Coffee Gets Cold). I loved the characters and the way they were described.

Although a fun read, this will definitely get you thinking about things. Like things left unsaid to family and friends and if you had the opportunity to go back to one specific time when and where would you choose and why?

I really enjoyed this book and I can wait to pick up the next book. Yes, this is part of series which I only just discovered. There are currently 3 books in the series but as far as I know the third one hasn’t yet been translated. But once it is I will be adding to my collection!! Definity worth reading in my opinion. I didn’t know that this was part of a series until my bestie told me and honestly I can’t wait to pick up the next instalment. There are 3 books so far but as far I know the third one hasn’t been translated as yet. But this is definitely a series I will be adding to my shelves.

Toffee by Sarah Crossan- 💙💙1/2

I was looking for a quick read to round up my reading challenge and came across the audiobook on BorrowBox. I didn’t really know too much about this books but had seen a few promising reviews so thought I would give it a go. The audiobook was just under 4 hours but because I listen to my audiobook at x2 speed so it only took me half the time finish.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I thought the story was good but needed a little more depth. The book felt more like reading poems rather than a book. Which wouldn’t be so bad, but I think this is a book that needs to be written as a full book. 

There are some really hard topics in this mini book that some readers may find very difficult to read. So, if you decide to pick this one up please do check out the trigger warnings. I have mentioned a few below.

Trigger Warnings: Physical Abuse, Mental Abuse, Dementia

HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THESE BOOKS? IF SO LET ME KNOW YOU’RE THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW AND LET’S HAVE A CHAT.

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