Tag: novel

Miller Rose Roberts – Book by Joseph Millson

Birthday Gifts, Books, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

They say that the body regenerates itself every 7 years. Then there’s the 7 year itch. Then there’s the Greek saying, “Give me a child for the first seven years and I will give you the man.” Miller Rose Roberts is 7 years old when the story starts in 1983, and we visit her every 7 years to see how her life has changed. Life did not start well for Miller, in small town America where she is not in a fortunate position in her family. At 7 years old, we start to see the turn of her life, and every 7 years it turns again, with milestones along the way.

Written by Joseph Millson, this novelette is only 127 pages, and an easy read. It goes into enough depth on Miller Rose’s life that you can find empathy for her and be gripped by the twists in the story (there are several) but it’s not so heavy that you either spend months reading it or having to keep up with the multiple storylines. The storylines are entertaining through. The character of Miller Rose develops over time and some characters return too. The story is one of achievement over mental health as well as a narrative of the social history of the United States over the past 40 years, but is all the same entertaining.

It’s a great read regardless of whether you’re on the work commute, on holiday or just enjoy sitting and reading for a while to unwind.  Don’t be surprised if you end up with a tear a few times, and enjoy how well written it is.

Available online for £9.49 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Miller-Rose-Roberts-Joseph-Millson/dp/1066844402 or see the official Instagram page: @millerroserobertsbook

@thatjosephmillson @scorpiusbooks #MillerRoseRoberts @literallypr

As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow – book by Zoulfa Katouh

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Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Salama was born and raised in Syria with her brother, who was newly married to her best friend. The Syrian war breaks out and changes everything Salama knew about, including her job. Originally a pharmacist, we soon learn that her one year education suddenly propels her to becoming a surgeon in the local hospital. To us this sounds like a bizarre promotion, but during war, needs must.

The book is beautifully written by new author Zoulfa Katouh. Although she is Canadian, Zoulfa has Syrian roots, which really shows in the detail she goes to to describe life in Syria at the time of the war newly breaking out. The language is descriptive and gentle even if some of the scenes are not, and the story flows as the characters develop.

Part of the character of the book is how it so far removed from our own Western lives as you could imagine. Becoming an unqualified surgeon at age 18? Living without water and electricity whilst the only city you have ever known in the country you love is ripped apart by war? Losing all the members of your close family at such a young age and having to look after your pregnant sister in law? The cultural differences are an education but the emotional side of what the Syrians had to go through are heart breaking, touching and so thought provoking.

The book is a modern classic, with attention-grabbing plot twists and soothing language that rarely find in anything but best sellers, especially not in the storytelling of a first time novelist.  I loved sitting down to read this book, delighting in the imagery and not able to guess what was going to happen next, and that wasn’t just because I was unfamiliar with the culture and enjoyed learning about it.  For anyone who commutes, this is also a good book because the chapters are bite size and the text is easy to follow if you get disturbed. It’s a long book at 464 pages but it’s an easy read. 

You’ll want to find out more about Syria when you read til the end. You’ll also learn a lot about the war and about what the Syrian people went through and in some cases, are still going through. It’s a book that will stay with you for a long time and one which you can read again and again.

Available from £8.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/As-Long-Lemon-Trees-Grow/dp/1526648547/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3S6JBT0GHUHXM&keywords=as+long+as+the+lemon+trees+grow&qid=1689759690&sprefix=as+long+as+the+l%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1