Jane Mansour
@janem.bsky.social
Reading, writing, tea and all the biscuits
Winner: W&A/whitefox'23|LWB p100 Prize'22|#EWPP '22
Winner: W&A/whitefox'23|LWB p100 Prize'22|#EWPP '22
Holiday reads! They were a good mix of quick reads and thought provoking, page turners and paragraphs to revel in. Fingersmith had come v highly recommended and lived up to the hype. Pick of the bunch for me was Girls. Loved it. Characters, setting, story. Fab.
August 26, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Holiday reads! They were a good mix of quick reads and thought provoking, page turners and paragraphs to revel in. Fingersmith had come v highly recommended and lived up to the hype. Pick of the bunch for me was Girls. Loved it. Characters, setting, story. Fab.
This is a study in false memories where the time slips between chapters echo the confusion felt by the MC. The replay of childhood trauma, depression, self-medication is set against a beautifully dressed, self-absorbed, wealthy Manhattan.
August 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM
This is a study in false memories where the time slips between chapters echo the confusion felt by the MC. The replay of childhood trauma, depression, self-medication is set against a beautifully dressed, self-absorbed, wealthy Manhattan.
I have had a v poor reading month. I started a book, read the first hundred pages slowly, realised that was because I had no interest in what happened next, put it down, picked this up and read it, too, very slowly. It was OK. I think the hype probably set unreasonable expectations in my head.
July 30, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I have had a v poor reading month. I started a book, read the first hundred pages slowly, realised that was because I had no interest in what happened next, put it down, picked this up and read it, too, very slowly. It was OK. I think the hype probably set unreasonable expectations in my head.
There is a real thrill to read a book by someone you know so was delighted to read this - and am excited to see it on my bookcase. It's a coming of age tale aimed at a YA audience. I loved the 90s setting - the mix tapes, the music, and the growing understanding of family and friendships. Yay Nina!
June 30, 2025 at 10:20 AM
There is a real thrill to read a book by someone you know so was delighted to read this - and am excited to see it on my bookcase. It's a coming of age tale aimed at a YA audience. I loved the 90s setting - the mix tapes, the music, and the growing understanding of family and friendships. Yay Nina!
I absolutely adored Unsettled Ground, so came to this with (unrealistically?) high expectations. She's a fabulous writer but I just couldn't get into it - maybe it's that I didn't really want to read about a pandemic, maybe it was that I didn't buy the re-visiter. Not sure, but it wasn't for me.
June 30, 2025 at 10:20 AM
I absolutely adored Unsettled Ground, so came to this with (unrealistically?) high expectations. She's a fabulous writer but I just couldn't get into it - maybe it's that I didn't really want to read about a pandemic, maybe it was that I didn't buy the re-visiter. Not sure, but it wasn't for me.
This was the second excellent book of the month. Lots of people recommended it. They were all right. It's so good. You read and you think and you feel like you have also had some time to re-set. It's also short. Bonus.
June 30, 2025 at 10:20 AM
This was the second excellent book of the month. Lots of people recommended it. They were all right. It's so good. You read and you think and you feel like you have also had some time to re-set. It's also short. Bonus.
I've had this on my 'to read' trolley for ages & resisted it because the cover is drab & it's based on King Lear which I studied for A Level and am still VERY OVER. BUT it is SOOOOOO GOOD!!! Engrossing, compelling, capturing a way of life on the way out & KL is much improved by Goneril's perspective
June 30, 2025 at 10:20 AM
I've had this on my 'to read' trolley for ages & resisted it because the cover is drab & it's based on King Lear which I studied for A Level and am still VERY OVER. BUT it is SOOOOOO GOOD!!! Engrossing, compelling, capturing a way of life on the way out & KL is much improved by Goneril's perspective
This was on my 'want to read' list so was delighted to win a @theothersambaker.bsky.social book club copy. It's a v enjoyable read- the interweaving of real events was well done and the pace was propulsive. Would be a good holiday read (especially if you are not with v young children in Lanzarote!!)
June 30, 2025 at 10:20 AM
This was on my 'want to read' list so was delighted to win a @theothersambaker.bsky.social book club copy. It's a v enjoyable read- the interweaving of real events was well done and the pace was propulsive. Would be a good holiday read (especially if you are not with v young children in Lanzarote!!)
And I’ve just finished this. I really enjoyed the opening third but struggled to connect with the adult Dolly. It felt like having lots of info chucked at me rather than feeling it. The sparsity didn’t work for me in the same way it does with Helen Garner or Charlotte Wood or Claire Keegan.
May 28, 2025 at 1:33 PM
And I’ve just finished this. I really enjoyed the opening third but struggled to connect with the adult Dolly. It felt like having lots of info chucked at me rather than feeling it. The sparsity didn’t work for me in the same way it does with Helen Garner or Charlotte Wood or Claire Keegan.
Next up was this, which is remarkable. Sparse and short - the space spoke volumes. Another recco - and I thought the intro was good too, but as ever, much better read at the end
May 28, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Next up was this, which is remarkable. Sparse and short - the space spoke volumes. Another recco - and I thought the intro was good too, but as ever, much better read at the end
I LOVED THIS BOOK. It’s soo sooo good. The characters, the story. I was pulled in from the opening and I think it’s just smashing. Recommend - worth the hardback price!
May 28, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I LOVED THIS BOOK. It’s soo sooo good. The characters, the story. I was pulled in from the opening and I think it’s just smashing. Recommend - worth the hardback price!
This was the book! It's so well written/crafted, I can't believe it's the only book she wrote. It's a coming of age story, a mystery & an exploration of the clash between wild fantasy and grubby reality. About the value of truth to understanding who we are. And it's short, compact, &full of dialogue
May 7, 2025 at 8:34 AM
This was the book! It's so well written/crafted, I can't believe it's the only book she wrote. It's a coming of age story, a mystery & an exploration of the clash between wild fantasy and grubby reality. About the value of truth to understanding who we are. And it's short, compact, &full of dialogue
If you follow Sam, you won’t be surprised to learn his book combines history, personal insights, interviews & opinion well into a compelling story of how/why we're in this political state in an informed & highly readable way. Would’ve loved more on his solutions- challenges, mitigation, mayors etc
May 4, 2025 at 10:33 AM
If you follow Sam, you won’t be surprised to learn his book combines history, personal insights, interviews & opinion well into a compelling story of how/why we're in this political state in an informed & highly readable way. Would’ve loved more on his solutions- challenges, mitigation, mayors etc
I think this one suffered a bit from the surrounding hype. I did enjoy it but was expecting more. It’s pretty long and felt its length, and as can be case with dual POVs, I much preferred one to the other.
April 27, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I think this one suffered a bit from the surrounding hype. I did enjoy it but was expecting more. It’s pretty long and felt its length, and as can be case with dual POVs, I much preferred one to the other.
I got the front seat on a double decker bus this afternoon. Never not a thrill!
April 12, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I got the front seat on a double decker bus this afternoon. Never not a thrill!
I was slightly nervous about reading this as I loved Regeneration so much but needn’t have worried. This is just brilliant. It’s such a different view of war, captures a period but also says so much about now; is such a thoughtful read but also one you have to keep reading. Highly recommend!
April 12, 2025 at 8:32 AM
I was slightly nervous about reading this as I loved Regeneration so much but needn’t have worried. This is just brilliant. It’s such a different view of war, captures a period but also says so much about now; is such a thoughtful read but also one you have to keep reading. Highly recommend!
I read this as (almost) recommended, a mini chapter most days (not every day = v on brand!). Reading it like this offers a chance to re-evaluate approach to life, lists, productivity & busy-ness. I was already persuaded by the 'embrace the mess & crack on' message, but still enjoyed the journey. #💙📚
April 10, 2025 at 11:15 AM
I read this as (almost) recommended, a mini chapter most days (not every day = v on brand!). Reading it like this offers a chance to re-evaluate approach to life, lists, productivity & busy-ness. I was already persuaded by the 'embrace the mess & crack on' message, but still enjoyed the journey. #💙📚
SWW's account of working at FB: corruption, lying, sexual harassment, ignorance, disloyalty. Carelessness? Perhaps. But the absence of care is mostly deliberate. So much power and access granted so readily to an organisation. A fascinating insight into power, both the wielders & those in its orbit.
April 7, 2025 at 10:42 AM
SWW's account of working at FB: corruption, lying, sexual harassment, ignorance, disloyalty. Carelessness? Perhaps. But the absence of care is mostly deliberate. So much power and access granted so readily to an organisation. A fascinating insight into power, both the wielders & those in its orbit.
I've just finished this collection of essays by Charlotte Wood. She's a writer I've admired ever since I devoured The Weekend. There are 17 chapters of her musings and beautiful thoughtful prose on art and ageing and life. I read it over 3 months, a nibble at a time which felt like a good approach.
March 31, 2025 at 5:57 PM
I've just finished this collection of essays by Charlotte Wood. She's a writer I've admired ever since I devoured The Weekend. There are 17 chapters of her musings and beautiful thoughtful prose on art and ageing and life. I read it over 3 months, a nibble at a time which felt like a good approach.
I liked this, but I expected to love it and didn't. There was something holding me back from it, a distance that stopped me fully engaging with the characters. That said, I really appreciated the focus on sibling relationships, their change over years, esp as people move out of home/build lives
March 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
I liked this, but I expected to love it and didn't. There was something holding me back from it, a distance that stopped me fully engaging with the characters. That said, I really appreciated the focus on sibling relationships, their change over years, esp as people move out of home/build lives
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I’m a fan of books set in New England as so enjoy the nostalgic familiarity of the setting. The characterisation and story were great, I really enjoyed the minor characters. Loved how thoughtful it was, and just thoroughly enjoyed the journey!
March 10, 2025 at 10:15 AM
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I’m a fan of books set in New England as so enjoy the nostalgic familiarity of the setting. The characterisation and story were great, I really enjoyed the minor characters. Loved how thoughtful it was, and just thoroughly enjoyed the journey!
Margaret’s is a cracking narrative voice in this linked collection of short stories - unvarnished, in but apart from the world, brutal in its honesty. I’ve never read a book like it.
March 7, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Margaret’s is a cracking narrative voice in this linked collection of short stories - unvarnished, in but apart from the world, brutal in its honesty. I’ve never read a book like it.
I loved this - felt like I should be reading it siping a martini at all times. It's the third book by @amortowles.bsky.social I've read, although it was his debut. It's a corker. Great characters, totally immersive, fascinating insight into the impact of a year on a life. NYC 1938. Bring your own 🍸
March 4, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I loved this - felt like I should be reading it siping a martini at all times. It's the third book by @amortowles.bsky.social I've read, although it was his debut. It's a corker. Great characters, totally immersive, fascinating insight into the impact of a year on a life. NYC 1938. Bring your own 🍸
Glorious sunshine, crunchy frost, throwing ourselves headfirst into the week.
March 3, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Glorious sunshine, crunchy frost, throwing ourselves headfirst into the week.