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Bookishreads.com is a place for book lovers to discover their next great read. I am passionate about literature and am dedicated to providing insightful book reviews and recommendations, and sharing my favourite books with you.
Bookishreads.com is committed to promoting a love for reading and connecting book enthusiasts worldwide.
My name is Rach. I’m a wife, mum and retired teacher with a serious passion (? obsession ?) for reading fiction.
I think I'd have been great friends with Frank Zappa, who said: “So many books, so little time.” My belief is that we are never going to read as many books as we want to in our lifetime. So there are very few books that I re-read. Not to mention I have serious fear of missing out on my next favourite book.
Are you like me and sometimes pick a book up, read the first line, and decide whether it grabs you and/or you’re in the mood for it? When possible, I will pop in the opening line/s of the book…hopefully that will make your decision easier.
A quick note: Many books contain potential triggers, so if this is something you're mindful of, I recommend checking individual titles for trigger warnings before diving in.
Please note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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What Makes a Great Book Opening Line?
You know that moment when you pick up a book, flip to the first page, and bam! The opening line grabs you by the collar and pulls you right in? Yeah, that’s the magic of a powerful book opening... and the start of your new journey across age, place, time and even gender. But what exactly makes a book’s first line so captivating? Is it mystery, humour, shock, or something else entirely? Why Powerful Book Openings Matter More Than You Think Ever started a book and thought, “Meh
Rach
2 min read
MY FRIENDS, by Fredrik Backman - Book Review (Contemporary Fiction)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Goodreads: 4.42) GENRE: Contemporary Fiction PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : Fredrik Backman's My Friends tells the story of friendship, art, and the connections that shape our lives. The narrative follows two timelines. In the present day, we meet Louisa, a young woman on the verge of adulthood who suddenly has in her custody a mysterious painting that has captivated her for years. Determined to understand its origins, she sets out on a journey t
Rach
3 min read
The Benefits of Using an E-reader -Why it's worth considering
If you’re anything like me, you probably have a love-hate relationship with books. I adore getting lost in a gripping story, but lugging around heavy paperbacks or hardcovers is not for me. Enter the magical world of the e-reader . Why I Think the Advantages of E-readers Are Worth Exploring First off, let me say this: I was sceptical at first. I mean, how could a tiny device replace the smell of a new book or that satisfying crack of a spine? But after giving it a go, I real
Rach
3 min read
THE FOUNTAINS OF SILENCE, by Ruta Sepetys - Book Review (Historical Fiction)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼ (Goodreads: 4.31) GENRE: Historical Fiction PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : 1957: The Spanish city of Madrid gleams with promise for foreign visitors seeking sunshine and adventure, but beneath the glossy surface lies a darker reality under General Francisco Franco's dictatorship. Sepetys explores the lingering trauma, repression and systemic injustices — especially the black market for stolen babies and the silencing of Republican families — that
Rach
2 min read
Understanding the Term 'Did Not Finish'
Have you ever picked up a book, started reading with excitement, and then... just stopped? Maybe life got in the way, or the story didn’t quite grab you. Whatever the reason, you ended up with an unfinished book on your shelf or e-reader. I’m right there with you. It’s a common experience, and today, I want to chat about what it really means to Did Not Finish (DNF) a book, why it happens, and how to make peace with those unfinished reads. Why Do We Have So Many Unfinished B
Rach
3 min read
THE CHAIN, by Adrian McKinty - Book Review
By Adrian M c Kinty ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼ (Goodreads: 3.78) GENRE: Psychological Thriller PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : This high-concept thriller poses a nightmare scenario: your child is kidnapped, but the only way to get them back safely is to become a kidnapper yourself. Rachel Klein, a divorced mother, gets pulled into an elaborate criminal scheme where victims become perpetrators in an unbreakable cycle. The chain-letter format for kidnapping relies on a parent
Rach
2 min read
ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK, by Chris Whitaker - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½ (Goodreads: 4.27) GENRE: Fiction (Drama and Mystery) PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : When Joseph ‘Patch’ Macauley (AKA ‘the pirate’) witnesses a masked man assaulting a girl in the woods, he intervenes to save her, but, in doing so, becomes kidnapped himself. All the Colors of the Dark ( All the Colors of the Dark for us downunder) explores how this single traumatic event ripples through the lives on the patch-wearing Patch, and those who love h
Rach
2 min read
THE LEDGE, by Christian White - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼ (Goodreads: 4.15) GENRE: Psychological Thriller PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : The Ledge is a psychological thriller that weaves together two timelines to explore the lasting impact of childhood friendships and buried secrets. The story begins when human remains are discovered in a forest. The locals are shocked; none more so than one group of old friends who panic as the secret they’ve kept for over 20 years threatens to be uncovered. Now they
Rach
2 min read
HOMEGOING, by Yaa Gyasi - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼ (Goodreads: 4.47) GENRE: Historical Fiction PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is a powerful, multi-generational novel that traces the legacy of slavery and colonialism through two branches of a Ghanaian family. Beginning in the 18 th century, the story follows the divergent paths of two half-sisters—one remains in West Africa, the other is captured and sent across the Atlantic into slavery. The novel is structured as a serie
Rach
2 min read
THIS IS WHY WE LIED, by Karin Slaughter - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Goodreads: 4.23) GENRE: Psychological Thriller PART OF A SERIES? Yes (Will Trent #12 ) WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : Detective Will Trent and medical examiner Sara Linton are on their long-awaited honeymoon, staying at an exclusive, off-the-grid retreat. The idyllic setting masks simmering tensions, hidden histories, and a trail of deception that leads deeper than either of them expected. It isn’t long before their wedded bliss is shattered, as cracks amongst the gue
Rach
3 min read
A CALAMITY OF SOULS, by David Baldacci - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½ (Goodreads: 4.48) GENRE: Legal Thriller PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : A Calamity of Souls is a historical legal thriller set in 1968 in Freeman County, southern Virginia, during the height of the Civil Rights movement. The story centres on a racially charged murder case that captures national attention. Jack Lee, a white lawyer, is asked to defend Jerome Washington, a Black man accused of murdering a wealthy white couple. Throughout his career,
Rach
3 min read
GROUND ZERO, by Alan Gratz - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼ (Goodreads: 4.34) GENRE: Historical Fiction (YA - Young Adult) PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : Ground Zero is a powerful historical fiction novel that weaves together two compelling narratives separated by nearly two decades. The first storyline follows Brandon Chavez, a nine-year-old boy who becomes trapped in the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks. On that fateful morning, Brandon accompanies his father to work at the North Tower
Rach
2 min read
WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA? by Dervla McTiernan - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼ (Goodreads: 4.07) GENRE: Psychological Thriller PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : Nina Fraser and Simon Jordan seem like the perfect couple — until Nina vanishes during a weekend trip to Simon’s wealthy family’s cabin. Simon returns alone, offering vague and conflicting explanations, and soon, suspicion falls on him. Something about his claim that Nina broke up with him makes alarm bells ring. As Nina’s working-class parents desperately search for a
Rach
3 min read
MAUREEN, by Rachel Joyce - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼ (Goodreads: 3.95) GENRE: Fiction PART OF A SERIES? Yes (Harold Fry #3) WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : Maureen is the third and final instalment in Rachel Joyce's Harold Fry trilogy, following The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy. This novella shifts the focus to Maureen Fry, Harold's wife, offering a deeply personal exploration of grief, forgiveness, and self-discovery. Set ten years after Harold's transformative journey
Rach
2 min read
DUST CHILD, by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼ (Goodreads: 4.23) GENRE: Historical and Contemporary Fiction PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : In 1969, sisters Trang and Quỳnh, desperate to help their parents pay off debts, leave their country village to become ‘bar girls’ in Saigon, where they are paid to drink, flirt (and more) with American GIs. As the war moves closer to the city, the once-innocent Trang gets swept up in an irresistible romance with a young and charming American helicopter pi
Rach
3 min read
A FALL OF MARIGOLDS, by Susan Meissner - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼ (Goodreads: 4.09) GENRE: Historical Fiction PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : Two women are connected by a splendid scarf that has been passed down through the generations… September 1911 — Nurse Clara cannot bear returning to Manhattan from Ellis Island, which holds too many painful memories for her, specifically of the man she loved falling to his death in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. While looking after a sick immigrant whose grief echo
Rach
3 min read
THE TEACHER, by Freida McFadden - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 (Goodreads: 3.93) GENRE: Domestic Thriller PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes (and no) SUMMARY : Eve's life seems perfect. Every morning, she wakes up, kisses her husband Nate, and leaves for her job as a high school maths teacher. Everything appears normal. But… Last year, a student named Addie was at the centre of a scandal involving a student-teacher relationship. However, Eve is aware that these disturbing rumours hide much more. Everyone believes that Addie
Rach
2 min read
THE BRILLIANT LIFE OF EUDORA HONEYSETT, by Annie Lyons - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼ (Goodreads: 4.31) GENRE: Fiction PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : Eudora Honeysett feels that she has lived a full life. She has sent enquiries off to a clinic in Switzerland, so that she may end her life exactly how she wants to. Into Eudora’s life, comes a friendly neighbour, Stanley, and a happy ten-year-old named Rose. Even though Rose isn’t aware, she regularly interferes with Eudora’s plans of getting her affairs in order before travelling to
Rach
2 min read
WEYWARD, by Emilia Hart - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼ (Goodreads: 4.07) GENRE: Historical and Contemporary Fiction PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : 2019: Kate escapes a difficult situation in London to move into a house left to her by her great aunt she scarcely recalls. Weyward Cottage and its surrounds provide Kate with a sanctuary and an escape, away from her abusive partner. Soon Kate realises that her great aunt harboured a secret – one hidden since 17th century witch-hunts.1619: Altha is awaitin
Rach
2 min read
THE WINNERS, by Fredrik Backman - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Goodreads: 4.45) GENRE: Drama PART OF A SERIES? Yes {Beartown, #3} WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO STAND TOGETHER? It all begins with a storm—and a death. But how does it end? Two years have passed since those haunting events everyone wishes they could forget. As the people of Beartown struggle to overcome their past, they stand on the brink of significant change. Someone is making their way back home after a long absence. Someone will be laid
Rach
3 min read
US AGAINST YOU, by Fredrik Backman - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Goodreads: 4.36) GENRE: Drama PART OF A SERIES? Yes {Beartown, #2} WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : Can a damaged town survive another tragedy? Us Against You is the story of two towns, two teams, and what it means to believe in something bigger than yourself. The citizens of Beartown bleed hockey, so are devasted to learn that their beloved team will soon be disbanded. Enter an unusual new hockey coach and a repulsive local councillor. A new team starts to take sha
Rach
3 min read
BEARTOWN, by Fredrik Backman - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Goodreads: 4.29) GENRE: Drama PART OF A SERIES? Yes {Beartown, #1} WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : Beartown is a tale of a small town with big dreams… to be ‘the best’ at ice hockey. Written by Swedish author Fredrik Backman, the novel centres on a community whose hopes and aspirations of the entire town rest on the young shoulders of a handful of teenage boys. The boys can scarcely handle the immense pressure they’re under. The semi-final match becomes the catalyst
Rach
3 min read
THE BRIAR CLUB, by Kate Quinn - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Goodreads: 4.33) GENRE: Historical Fiction/Mystery PART OF A SERIES? No WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : Set in Washington in the 1950’s, The Briar Club tells the story of an eclectic group of women at an all-female boarding-house. The group is drawn together by the enigmatic Grace March, who takes a room in the attic. The women now meet weekly over a meal, thanks to Grace. While Grace is helping all the women, no-one realises that she hides a dark secret. Then a shocki
Rach
2 min read
AND SO I ROAR, by Abi Dare - Book Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ¼ (Goodreads: 4.14) GENRE: Contemporary African Fiction PART OF A SERIES? Yes (sequel to The Girl with the Louding Voice ) WORTH READING? Yes SUMMARY : Tia’s mother is dying and Tia overhears a conversation between her mother and aunt that makes her question all that she believes about her life. Adunni, the gorgeous teenager from Ikati, is lying awake in Tia’s guest room, excited for her school life to begin the next morning. Suddenly, men come and force Adunni to re
Rach
3 min read
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