The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

The Almost Moon
Alice Sebold

Front cover

Date read: 19 - 25 April
Length: 291 pages
Published: 2007


Helen helps to care for her mother, a woman in her 80s with dementia. On her latest visit, her mother soils herself. This leads Helen down an unexpected path, and the next 24 hours will seal her fate. Told with flashbacks, we learn how her past may have led her to where she is now.


The Almost Moon has a very shocking beginning! I was totally unprepared for what happened and very much taken by surprise.

As I read more of the book I began to realise I don't much like Helen. She is a very strange character and doesn't really seem to have a strong connection with everyone. All her relationships with people are weird. She has two grown up daughters that she doesn't really seem to keep in touch with, an ex husband who she doesn't even know where he lives, yet he's suddenly back in her life, and a best friend, who she doesn't actually seem to care all that much for. Not in a selfish way, almost in a not able to way.

Some things seem obvious that she seems oblivious to, mainly the state of the mental health of her parents, particularly her mother, but though flashbacks it's also revealed that her father was struggling too. In a way I can see how growing up with a mother with mental health issues might just seem normal to her, but even when she was a teenager I would think she would begin to realise what's really going on, yet she seems totally oblivious to it all.

One part I didn't really like was the ending. It was a very unsatisfying ending, it almost seemed rushed. Without saying too much, basically there were three options for Helen at the end. Yet when the end came, there was no real conclusion and it's basically up to us to decide which ending happened. There are clues to point you in the right direction I suppose, but still unsatisfying.


So my real rating for this book is probably between 2 and 3 stars. I went with 3 because some parts were interesting and kept me going, but in general I wasn't really a fan of this book. It's a shame because I read The Lovely Bones, and although it is also about really difficult subject matter, it was a good book! This one, I'm sorry to say, not so much.

Alice Sebold

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Jo's Boys (Little Women #3) by Louisa May Alcott

Jo's Boys
Little Women #3
Louisa May Alcott

Front cover

Date read: 11 - 18 April 2020
Length: 304 pages
Published: 1886


Ten years after Little Men, nearly all the boys have grown up. They're off doing their own things; sailing, being a musician abroad, even going to jail! But they all come back to Plumfield as often as they can.


My favourite boy is Nat. He's so pleasant and eager to do what's right, even to his own detriment. When he gets himself into a sticky situation he finds a way out and works hard for it.

Not surprised Dan went to jail. Although he made some improvement over time, he was always a bit selfish and dismissive of other people. He does what he wants regardless of the consequences, and that's part of what landed him in jail. He was always my least favourite boy.

I felt ready for the series to be finished, and I got the impression Alcott was too. Perhaps she was under pressure from fans or her publisher to keep producing stories, and it amused me to get to the last chapter to find it titled "Positively Last Appearance", as if she was telling everyone there would be no more.


Although I began to feel less connected to the March family as the books went on, I have very much enjoyed reading these stories. It was good to read about Jo's life in more detail, but the first 2 volumes (Little Women and Good Wives, or Little Women Volume II) will always be my favourite.




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Watership Down (Watership Down #1) by Richard Adams

Watership Down
Watership Down #1
Richard Adams

Front cover

Date read: 30 March - 10 April 2020
Length: 478 pages
Published: 1972


When Fiver predicts something terrible will happen to their current warren, a few rabbits decide to embark on a journey of a lifetime; the search for a peaceful place to have their new warren. They face many dangers, including General Woundwort, the leader of Efrafa. Will they come to an agreement, or is this war?


So I first read this book many, many years ago, when I was a child. I'm not even sure if I read the whole thing, so it was pretty much like reading it for the first time again. I've also seen the film, but anyone who knows me knows I'm rubbish at remembering what happens in films, unless it's one I've seen many times or really, really like. Anyway, this book is so good!

On the back of the book it says that Richard Adams wanted to write "a proper grown-up novel for children", and this is that book. I would say he achieved what he set out to do. Although the novel is about rabbits and features other animals as well, it could also have been about humans. The characterisation of the animals is so real, sometimes you forget it's about rabbits.

My favourite rabbits are probably Hazel and Bigwig. At first Hazel seems an unlikely leader, especially since having no experience in the previous warren. However, he soon proves himself to be a fair and methodical leader. He thinks about what is best for the whole warren and not just a few rabbits or himself. Bigwig is loyal and also willing to work for the whole of the warren.

Kehaar is a bird that helps the rabbits to fight General Woundwort, and also helps them to find their new home. The rabbits first meet Kehaar after he is injured, and they help him recover. It is an unlikely friendship, but one that I think does both parties good.

General Woundwort is an idiot, to put it plainly. He is against any type of change, and if any change were to happen, it would have to be his idea only. A few rabbits travel to Efrafa seeking some does and possibly a few bucks for their new warren. Even though Efrafa is overcrowded and this suggestion would favour everyone, General Woundwort refuses to let anyone leave, including the rabbits from Watership Down. Idiot.

The ending wasn't actually as sad as I thought it was going to be, or I remember it being. So when I watched the film I remember having a lump in my throat at the end, but when I was reading the book again, I wasn't that sad. Maybe because I'm older now? I'm not sure.


Watership Down is a very good book, and I highly recommend reading it.




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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Invasion of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #2) by Erika Johansen

The Invasion of the Tearling
The Queen of the Tearling #2
Erika Johansen

Front cover

Date read: 16 - 29 March 2020
Length: 572 pages
Published: 2015


Kelsea has now established herself queen, and seems to be a powerful but fair leader. However, trouble is brewing. She has angered the Red Queen, and it appears an invasion is imminent. As well as dealing with that, Kelsea is also having visions from the past. A pre-crossing woman called Lily keeps popping up. Who is she, and how is she linked to what's happening?

SHE WEARS THE CROWN.

NOW SHE MUST SAVE THE KINGDOM...

I liked the visions from the past. I would flit between wanting to find out more about Lily and eager to learn more about the connections to the world Kelsea is living in. I think it was quite well done in that it didn't reveal too much at once. 

In the present I like Mace, I think he is loyal to Kelsea, although I feel that there is more to him which will explain his loyalty, which I'm hoping will be revealed in the next book! In the past I like Jonathan, working to make the world a better place. I'm glad he was there for Lily, even if at first she didn't realise it.

And of course, one of the things still being kept a secret is the identity of her father! Sometimes I think I have an idea of who it could be, and then I think I don't. I just want to find out!

I enjoyed Invasion more than Queen, I got into it straight away and just wanted to keep reading! I felt that the first book was setting up for something more and I wasn't wrong! I'm so excited to read the final book and find out even more!

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Little Men (Little Women #2) by Louisa May Alcott

Little Men
Little Women #2
Louisa May Alcott

Front cover

Date read: 7 - 15 March 2020
Length: 372 pages
Published: 1871


Jo is all grown up with a husband, 2 sons of her own, and a school for boys. Here we follow their adventures, including introducing girls to their ranks. Will it work or will the boys drive them away?


Jo was always one of the boys, so I don't find it at all surprising that she opened a school for boys. It's almost like a cross between a boarding school and an orphanage. I find it a bit strange that her neice and nephew Demi and Daisy are there. I have no idea what American schooling was like in the 19th century, but to me it seems strange that they don't go to a traditional school.

All the children who go to the school live in the bug house, and when they grow up they go on to do their own things. At that time, a new boy will come to the school. Insert Dan. I didn't like Dan at first. He was unappreciative and just horrible to the other children. But the more I read about him, the more I liked him and he was alright by the end. 

I like the projects the boys have. It gives them something to do apart from their school work, and each project is unique to them. Even if it doesn't work out they are encouraged to learn from their mistakes and not to let it get them down.


I am very much enjoying the Little Women series so far, only one more book to go!




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

More Fool Me (Memoir #3) by Stephen Fry

More Fool Me
Memoir #3
Stephen Fry

Date read: 26 February - 6 March 2020
Length: 380 pages
Published: 2014


The last in the Memoir series, Fry addresses some pretty major issues regarding his habits, mental health, and sexuality. He doesn't hide behind his fame and admits things openly. We learn more about his life since becoming famous.


I like Fry and this series. My favourite Fry era is the work he did with Hugh Laurie. I feel like he does more presenting rather than acting these days. Don't get me wrong, I liked him on QI, but it's not the same.

As much as I like Fry and have enjoyed learning more about him, I was a bit disappointed with More Fool Me. I felt this one had a lot of information from the previous two books, and a quarter was a chunk of a diary! It's almost as if he though 'oh, it's been x amount of time since I published the last one, better get another one out! But what will I put in it? I know! I'll recap the past and add a bit of my diary. Marvellous, that'll do the trick...'

Despite this, I will read more of his books at some point. I have some of his fiction in boxes that will be unpacked at a later date!




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Good Omens
Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Date read: 16 - 25 February 2020
Length: 383 pages
Published: 1990


Crowley is a demon, Aziraphale is an angel. When the son of the Dark Lord is swapped at birth (one too many times), he grows up not realising what he is. Meanwhile, Anathema has a book which predicts the end of the world, written by a very distant relative called Agnes Nutter. Will the world really end?


I am a big fan of both Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, so I'm actually surprised at myself for taking so long to read Good Omens. But now I have, and I enjoyed it very much.

It is subtly amusing, with some points that actually made me laugh out loud. It is the sense of humour that I enjoy from these two authors.

I didn't really like Adam, and I guess that's probably intentional. He seems entitled, and especially within his gang. I suppose despite his upbringing his true self is shining through.

I like Anathema and Newt. They are so clumsy and adorable.


A good read. Now I need to watch the TV series to see how they compare!

Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

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The Wee Librocubicularist