I didn't realise Jemima would be so young when I started this. I expected she'd be 15 - 16 rather than 12, and that put me off a bit for some reason. I didn't realise Jemima would be so young when I started this. I expected she'd be 15 - 16 rather than 12, and that put me off a bit for some reason. I can't really explain it.
This book is focused on Jemima's weight, but I could never visualise how big she was. As a person who was overweight from around Jemima's age, it wasn't an experience that I could relate to. I was overweight, but I wasn't endlessly teased about it. So, was Jemima just really big? I could just never get on board with how she was treated, based on my own experiences.
As the book progressed, I did like it more though. I loved Gina's effect on Jemima and how things changed throughout.
The ending didn't feel as satisfying as I wanted, but over all it was an ok read....more
I was really enjoying this book and the budding relationship between Hanne and Thea, as well as seeing aspects from the others in the village. It was I was really enjoying this book and the budding relationship between Hanne and Thea, as well as seeing aspects from the others in the village. It was also interesting to learn about a time and religion I knew almost nothing about. Unfortunately, about half way through everything falls apart.
I can't believe a book can start so well and then end so poorly....more
I enjoyed the beginning of this book as all the pieces were weaved together of McKinnon, central Australia and the treatment of Aboriginals throug2.5*
I enjoyed the beginning of this book as all the pieces were weaved together of McKinnon, central Australia and the treatment of Aboriginals throughout history. However, it doesn't come together well in the end. The last chapter/s felt like extra pieces/notes that McKenna had wanted to add, but wasn't sure where, so tacked them onto the end which leaves for a bit of an unsatisfying read....more
This book felt like it had the beginning of a lot of good stories that we never get to find out the end too.
Some of them feel complete, but most of thThis book felt like it had the beginning of a lot of good stories that we never get to find out the end too.
Some of them feel complete, but most of them don't.
I mostly enjoyed the characters but felt taken out of the experience by not knowing the time period they were set it, especially as there were multiple timeframes throughout the book. Some mentioned modern technology (or the lack of) and covid, but for the most part it leaves you guessing....more
In The Direction of the Wind we meet Nita in 1998 and her daughter Sophie in 2019.
Nita has felt trapped in her marriage and culture and flees to 2.5*
In The Direction of the Wind we meet Nita in 1998 and her daughter Sophie in 2019.
Nita has felt trapped in her marriage and culture and flees to the city of her dreams, Paris. She imagines this life of freedom and beauty and time to pursue her art.
20 years later Sophie finds out that her Mother Nita wasn't dead like her family had told her all those years ago, but had actually left them for Paris.
I was hoping for a story of a woman who gets to find out who she is when she isn't a mother, daughter or wife but the story goes in a completely different direction and I was disappointed that the lesson of the book seemed to be that (view spoiler)[ if you leave your culture you will end up seduced by a charming French man who leads you to unprotected sex, alcohol and drugs. Sure, there is mention of Nita's mental health struggles, but it would have been amazing to see this play out differently. (hide spoiler)]
Sophie decides to go to Paris to find her Mother but (view spoiler)[gets swindled on her first moments in the city and then ultimately ends up where she started. (hide spoiler)]
I really liked where this story began but was severely disappointed in where it ended....more
As someone who works on a YouTube channel of roughly the same size as All About Eva, some of this was very relevant! Especially the discussions on spoAs someone who works on a YouTube channel of roughly the same size as All About Eva, some of this was very relevant! Especially the discussions on sponsor work. Fortunately, mine isn't a vlog and I am not a teen trying to live their life.
I enjoyed this book, but Eva's parents were definitely over the top and hard to deal with. Eva's Mum was all about the channel, nothing else matters, just views and sponsors and being happy families (even when they're not).
I don't watch family vlogs, but it is sad to think that this is the reality for many kids who don't know any better or don't know how to tell their parents to stop filming them.
Also some great lessons for younger readers on how to talk to your parents about hard conversations. ...more
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