Noll's 2015 Book Blog

[muggle not]

Good luck with the interview. Unquestionably, you will do a great job. Keep us all informed.

[Nollaig]

Awww thank you, that's so kind of you to say! Will do

[Nollaig]

The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes - Anna McPartlin

 

Synopsis: Here is a truth that can’t be escaped: for Mia ‘Rabbit’ Hayes, life is coming to an end . . . Rabbit Hayes loves her life, ordinary as it is, and the extraordinary people in it. She loves her spirited daughter, Juliet; her colourful, unruly family; the only man in her big heart, Johnny Faye. But it turns out the world has other plans for Rabbit, and she’s OK with that. Because she has plans for the world too, and only a handful of days left to make them happen. Here is a truth that won’t be forgotten: this is a story about laughing through life’s surprises and finding the joy in every moment.

*** 

Review: There is only one Anna McPartlin book I have not read, and I will get to it, but I think I can still safely say that this one is her most accomplished work to date. I have never not enjoyed a book by this talented lady, but this one kept me up until half four in the morning reading to the end.

The last days of Mia (Rabbit) Hayes are shared with us by a vast cast of family and friends, to whom we are introduced in retrospective recollections of a quirky childhood; loveable and loving people each distinctively wrought by a talented hand. We see elderly parents attempt to deal with outliving their child, we see the daughter to whom no adult will admit her mother is dying, we see the siblings trying to figure out their own futures amidst the knowledge that their sister has none. All of these things are portrayed powerfully, heartbreakingly, and honestly - they bring out the best, and the worst, in everyone, but through it all the love and support for each other is unrelenting.

Rabbit herself is an admirable character, who we see in many stages of her life; awkward adolescent developing a crush on someone who ultimately becomes - in the most heart-breaking way - a lifelong friend.  Brave writer and blogger with a fierce will to overcome this disease. And finally a physical shell of her former self, drifting between the present and the memories of her past as she lives her final days in a hospice. This is not the first book I have read about a person (or persons) dying, but it is the most realistic one. It is at times darkly hilarious, and I occasionally found myself laughing through the tears, wondering at some of the things being said and done - but this novel just goes to show that there isn't really an appropriate way to deal with the death of a loved one, there are just ways to cope and to go on. Some of that involves inappropriateness and laughter amidst the moments of panicked realisation that they are leaving you.

And the ending? I get shivers thinking about it now. Just... perfect.

A turbulent and evocative read for which you'll need tissues at the ready, but The Last Days Of Rabbit Hayes are not to be missed.

Rating: 5/5

[Anna Begins]

Another high rating!  You've gotten some good ones lately!  And I love that Fault in Our Stars

And I totally did not mean to type HUGH instead of HUGE  (Even though I was thinking, "I hope Howey is one of their inspirations!"  )

 

I'll totally ask them about their working relationship and genre inspirations for you, they're perfect questions for the interview.

That would be rad, thanks!  I can't wait- I am such a nerd lol

[Athena]

And I totally did not mean to type HUGH instead of HUGE  (Even though I was thinking, "I hope Howey is one of their inspirations!"  )

A purely accidental pun, got to love it .

[Kylie]

  Awww what's up Kylie?

 

Just frustrated and disappointed by my ex. I've taken steps to make myself feel better. (And no, it didn't include whacking anyone with a big book ) Thanks for asking. 

[Nollaig]

Oh oh I've always wanted to say this - EMOTICONS CULLED!

 

Another high rating!  You've gotten some good ones lately!  And I love that Fault in Our Stars

And I totally did not mean to type HUGH instead of HUGE  (Even though I was thinking, "I hope Howey is one of their inspirations!" )

 

That would be rad, thanks!  I can't wait- I am such a nerd lol

 

You're gonna have to wait a while hahaha, I probably won't even get to doing it for another few weeks, because I've so much reading to do first! And I love my Fault In Our Stars too! Been waiting months for it to arrive, and its so pretty!

 

A purely accidental pun, got to love it .

 

I was thinking Hugh Howey, but I have no reason to have been thinking Howey. Does he write serialised fiction too? All I know about him is he wrote Wool, which I haven't read

 

Just frustrated and disappointed by my ex. I've taken steps to make myself feel better. (And no, it didn't include whacking anyone with a big book ) Thanks for asking. 

 

I'm sorry to hear that Hehehe 'taken steps'. Does sound rather ominous You seem disappointed you didn't get to whack anyone with a book. You can whack me if it helps, just maybe not too hard Well if you ever want to chat/rant etc I am always happy to listen, be it here, facebook, pm whatevs. I don't doubt you've got plenty of people you can already talk to but the offer is there

[pontalba]

Great reviews, Noll.   

 

You should read Wool, it's good stuff.

[Athena]

I was thinking Hugh Howey, but I have no reason to have been thinking Howey. Does he write serialised fiction too? All I know about him is he wrote Wool, which I haven't read

I'm not sure but I thought Wool was originally released as five seperate episodes. I thought Anna meant Howey because she's a big fan of him. In the end though it was just an error .

[Anna Begins]

I'm not sure but I thought Wool was originally released as five seperate episodes. I thought Anna meant Howey because she's a big fan of him. In the end though it was just an error .

Yup- most of Howey's stuff are short stories or longer works (like Wool and Sand) which were originally released as installments.  I don't know if it is right or not, but I sort of see Howey as a leader of the movement, since he was- in my knowing- one of the first to have his installments go from an independent work to a published work.  But Platt and Wright have that great story about The Green Mile coming out as inspiration and maybe they will tell that. 

 

It was a funny error though!

 

 

Great reviews, Noll. 

 

You should read Wool, it's good stuff.

I can't wait to get to Wool.  I've read so much of his stuff, I am embarrassed to say I haven't read it yet, but it is on the list for this year.  Originally, I planned on reading it as installments, as they are all about 100 pages (I am reading Sand in installments), but I fear it will be so good I will devour it all one after the other

[chesilbeach]

I read a couple of Anna McPartlin books a few years ago after you recommended her, and I remember thinking they were great, but I've not picked up any more since.  Thanks for the reminder, I'm off to look up the rest of her work to wish list!

[Kylie]

I'm sorry to hear that Hehehe 'taken steps'. Does sound rather ominous You seem disappointed you didn't get to whack anyone with a book. You can whack me if it helps, just maybe not too hard Well if you ever want to chat/rant etc I am always happy to listen, be it here, facebook, pm whatevs. I don't doubt you've got plenty of people you can already talk to but the offer is there

 

I said 'taken steps' because I didn't want to bore you with the details. Thanks for the offer to whack you, but that wouldn't be kind, as you haven't done anything to wrong me! (That I know of...   ).

[Nollaig]

Some emoticons culled.

 

 

Great reviews, Noll. 

 

You should read Wool, it's good stuff.

 

Thank you! Wool has been on my wishlist for quite some time, I'll definitely get to it eventually.

 

I'm not sure but I thought Wool was originally released as five seperate episodes. I thought Anna meant Howey because she's a big fan of him. In the end though it was just an error

 

 

Yup- most of Howey's stuff are short stories or longer works (like Wool and Sand) which were originally released as installments.  I don't know if it is right or not, but I sort of see Howey as a leader of the movement, since he was- in my knowing- one of the first to have his installments go from an independent work to a published work.  But Platt and Wright have that great story about The Green Mile coming out as inspiration and maybe they will tell that. 

 

It was a funny error though!

 

 

I can't wait to get to Wool.  I've read so much of his stuff, I am embarrassed to say I haven't read it yet, but it is on the list for this year.  Originally, I planned on reading it as installments, as they are all about 100 pages (I am reading Sand in installments), but I fear it will be so good I will devour it all one after the other

 

You're far more versed in this serialised fiction stuff than me, I may have a chat with you about that before the interview so I know about that angle. My interest has purely come from the story side of it. I had no idea that Wool was originally serialised!

 

I read a couple of Anna McPartlin books a few years ago after you recommended her, and I remember thinking they were great, but I've not picked up any more since.  Thanks for the reminder, I'm off to look up the rest of her work to wish list!

 

Definitely read Rabbit Hayes, whatever about any of the rest. Definitely her best work.

 

I said 'taken steps' because I didn't want to bore you with the details. Thanks for the offer to whack you, but that wouldn't be kind, as you haven't done anything to wrong me! (That I know of...   ).

 

As I said, I'm happy to listen any time. I'm less happy to be whacked, so I'm glad you don't feel the need!

[chesilbeach]

Definitely read Rabbit Hayes, whatever about any of the rest. Definitely her best work.

I've wish listed it, but have plenty of books on TBR and not reading a great deal at the moment, so not sure when I'll get round to it, but I will definitely read it at some point.

[Nollaig]

Oh there's no rush, I wasn't trying to push

[Weave]

The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes - Anna McPartlin

 

Synopsis: Here is a truth that can’t be escaped: for Mia ‘Rabbit’ Hayes, life is coming to an end . . . Rabbit Hayes loves her life, ordinary as it is, and the extraordinary people in it. She loves her spirited daughter, Juliet; her colourful, unruly family; the only man in her big heart, Johnny Faye. But it turns out the world has other plans for Rabbit, and she’s OK with that. Because she has plans for the world too, and only a handful of days left to make them happen. Here is a truth that won’t be forgotten: this is a story about laughing through life’s surprises and finding the joy in every moment.

 

*** 

 

Review: There is only one Anna McPartlin book I have not read, and I will get to it, but I think I can still safely say that this one is her most accomplished work to date. I have never not enjoyed a book by this talented lady, but this one kept me up until half four in the morning reading to the end.

 

The last days of Mia (Rabbit) Hayes are shared with us by a vast cast of family and friends, to whom we are introduced in retrospective recollections of a quirky childhood; loveable and loving people each distinctively wrought by a talented hand. We see elderly parents attempt to deal with outliving their child, we see the daughter to whom no adult will admit her mother is dying, we see the siblings trying to figure out their own futures amidst the knowledge that their sister has none. All of these things are portrayed powerfully, heartbreakingly, and honestly - they bring out the best, and the worst, in everyone, but through it all the love and support for each other is unrelenting.

 

Rabbit herself is an admirable character, who we see in many stages of her life; awkward adolescent developing a crush on someone who ultimately becomes - in the most heart-breaking way - a lifelong friend.  Brave writer and blogger with a fierce will to overcome this disease. And finally a physical shell of her former self, drifting between the present and the memories of her past as she lives her final days in a hospice. This is not the first book I have read about a person (or persons) dying, but it is the most realistic one. It is at times darkly hilarious, and I occasionally found myself laughing through the tears, wondering at some of the things being said and done - but this novel just goes to show that there isn't really an appropriate way to deal with the death of a loved one, there are just ways to cope and to go on. Some of that involves inappropriateness and laughter amidst the moments of panicked realisation that they are leaving you.

 

And the ending? I get shivers thinking about it now. Just... perfect.

 

A turbulent and evocative read for which you'll need tissues at the ready, but The Last Days Of Rabbit Hayes are not to be missed.

 

Rating: 5/5

 

Great review Noll

[Anna Begins]

You're far more versed in this serialised fiction stuff than me, I may have a chat with you about that before the interview so I know about that angle. My interest has purely come from the story side of it. I had no idea that Wool was originally serialised!

After Season 2, there is an interview and some bits (as Gaia would say ) at the end from them and it is pretty interesting.  I'm sure it was in the afterword, not the Introduction.  Anyway, ya I'll talk books any day

[Nollaig]

Okay so I'm gonna do a quick quarterly review that looks at what I've read so far this year compared with goals I've set myself! This is probably going to be immensely boring for anyone but me

 

Overall stats:

 

Read so far: 33/100

Reviewed: 23/23*

Abandoned: 0

 

*I'm probably only going to review the first title in a series, when reading a series, and then append thoughts about subsequent entries to the original review, to avoid spoilers and to avoid repeating myself. I also didn't review the 7 Harry Potter books (because who am I to judge an institution), or my re-read of The Book Of Lost Things.

 

New paperbacks: 5 (including 2 gifts)

New ebooks: 34 (including 1 borrowed)

 

Pre-2015 TBRs read: 8

Added to Wishlist in 2015: 33

 

Genres:

 

Childrens/YA (mostly fantasy, dystopia and fiction): 11

Fiction: 9

Horror: 4

Thriller: 3

Non-Fiction: 0

Short Stories: 1

Sci-Fi: 1

Fantasy: 1

 

Goals:

 

[complete] Read all 7 Harry Potters (7/7)

[Perfect] Keep up with reviews (30/30)

[in progess] Review one author for every letter of the alphabet: (22/26, two this year)

[in progress] Read 10 new Irish Authors (5)

[in progress] Read 100 books this year (33)

[barely/not started] Read 10 culturally diverse books/authors (1)

 

Thoughts:

 

Okay so just filling that out for myself was quite enlightening!

 

What I'm reading: I knew I was having a bit of a YA year, and I'm happy to do that, but I want this to be a year of branching out, as per my Goals, so I need to make sure I'm working on that too.

Reading/Buying: It works out that for every 1 book I read, I'm buying just over 1 new one and adding exactly 1 new one to my wishlist. Read 1, buy one, add 1. That seems fair! I've also made a clear move to ebooks, but I am keeping a list of ebooks that I love want to eventually purchase in hardcopy.

Goals: A third of the way to my total-read goal, a quarter of the way into the year! Wahey! I haven't yet read any non-fiction, but there are two non-fiction books I want to read so I must try and get on those. I'm doing well with reading more Irish authors, and most of the books have been brilliant. Not doing so well with authors from outside the UK/US/Ireland, only one Scandinavian author read, and another on my wishlist. Also have a Japanese book on my TBR, so I must get to those and add more. I read a collection of short stories, first time ever, so yay for branching out there. I have completed my Harry Potter goal, and am close to completing the alphabet of authors on my blog, as well as having kept up with reviews, so wahey!

 

All in all, I think I'm doing really well so far, considering there's still loads of time to dig into the areas I haven't looked at much yet.

[Little Pixie]

Congrats on 33 books ! 

[Anna Begins]

I'm not ignoring you Noll, my computer is just down. Be back later, tapping drives me nuts (I am on my Fire).

[Nollaig]

Congrats on 33 books ! 

 

Thank you!

 

I'm not ignoring you Noll, my computer is just down. Be back later, tapping drives me nuts (I am on my Fire).

 

Haha that's totally fine, you don't have to reply at all, let alone right away

[chesilbeach]

Okay so I'm gonna do a quick quarterly review that looks at what I've read so far this year compared with goals I've set myself! This is probably going to be immensely boring for anyone but me

Are you kidding … we all read for fun!!!!

 

Sounds like you've had a great start to the year, Noll … hope it keeps up for you

[Anna Begins]

I can totally believe the 33 books in 12 weeks, you read like mad!

 

If you want to try something different, Midwives by Chris Bohjalian is a thinker and for a non US/UK/Irish author, Khaled Hosseini, from Afghanistan (if you haven't already) I recommend. For non fiction, you can not miss Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo. I like the monthly stats

[Athena]

Noll, well done on your reading so far ! I loved reading your post. You are doing really well with your goals! I hope the rest of the year will bring lots more fun reading times .

[Nollaig]

Are you kidding … we all read for fun!!!!

 

Sounds like you've had a great start to the year, Noll … hope it keeps up for you

 

I know but we don't all read statistics And thanks

 

I can totally believe the 33 books in 12 weeks, you read like mad!

 

If you want to try something different, Midwives by Chris Bohjalian is a thinker and for a non US/UK/Irish author, Khaled Hosseini, from Afghanistan (if you haven't already) I recommend. For non fiction, you can not miss Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo. I like the monthly stats

 

Awesome, thank you for the suggestions. I haven't actually read anything by Hosseini, but I have seen the name around a lot. I'll check those out, thanks

 

Noll, well done on your reading so far ! I loved reading your post. You are doing really well with your goals! I hope the rest of the year will bring lots more fun reading times .

 

Thank you!