#BookReview: My Main Haiku by Bette Stevens and Little Bandaged Days by Kira Wilder

Hello everyone. Today, I have two book reviews for you. The first is a review for fellow author and friend Bette A Stevens with her book of Haiku. The second is a review read I had from NetGalley about a mother who spirals into madness and depression. Sad to say, once again, it looks like the indie read is the better one. Here are my reviews >>>


My Maine

Book Description:

Inspired by The Pine Tree State—Maine’s diverse landscape, natural beauty, rural communities, and independent people—the author’s 150 haiku poems, along with 49 of her photographs, reflect the Maine she knows and loves. Bette A. Stevens’s imagery draws the reader into her world of wonder and delight. My Maine takes readers on a poetic journey through Maine’s four seasons. Whether you’re a native Mainer or from away, Stevens’s short story poems and photographs will resonate. The collection opens with a haiku tribute, “Maine Pines and People.” The journey continues with the rejuvenating spirit of “Spring Awakenings” and “Summer Songs”; then on to more of the magic and majesty of the places and people of Maine in “Autumn Leaves” and “Winter Tales.” This is a poetry collection to be slowly savored, made even more delectable with the author’s original drawings and photographs. In addition to its poems and photographs, My Maine includes state symbols and interesting facts about The Pine Tree State.

 

 

 

 

My Review:

 

 

 

 

 

A wonderful collection of Haiku. The author obviously loves the state of Maine in all its seasons. I enjoyed this little book enough to be inspired to put my review into a Haiku too …

Evocative words
Awesome, alluring pictures
A wonderful book!

I’ve read all of Bette Stevens’ books and admire this writer greatly. My Maine gets a solid 5 stars from me.


Little Bandaged Days

Book Description:

Kyra Wilder’s LITTLE BANDAGED DAYS, in which a protagonist experiences a slow slide into insanity as the isolation of her new life engulfs her; moving to Geneva for her husband’s job, she settles in with her two young children; everything seems perfect in their beautiful new home, but her husband’s frequent, extended absences and the weight of the quiet loneliness after her children go to bed soon become unbearable, to Sophie Jonathan at Picador USA, for publication in early 2020.

My Review:

 

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for a free ARC of this book.

While the story started out well enough, it soon proved to be a slow and tedious read. None of the dialogue is within quote marks, which can make for difficult reading at times. Also, we’re in the head of the main character all the time who is slowly spiralling into madness. At no point could I say this was a fun or entertaining read, and with the unsatisfactory ending, I now wonder why I ever spent about five hours reading this novel.

While some of the writing was well executed, I don’t get the point of the book. It isn’t fun. It doesn’t entertain. I can see no message or point to it at all. It gets a soft 2 stars from me.


NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.


Slowly, I’m working my way through my TBR, which is still beastly enough to be scary, lol. 🙂

16 Comments on “#BookReview: My Main Haiku by Bette Stevens and Little Bandaged Days by Kira Wilder

  1. I have Bette’s new book of Haiku on my Kindle and I know I am going to enjoy it. Thanks for shining a spotlight on it!

  2. Bette is a talented poet for sure!

    Little Bandaged Days might be an interesting read for me (even if it’s not fun). I like to see how authors handle a character’s madness. It seems like such a difficult thing to do.

    • I agree that it would be something I think I would find difficult to do. So I commend the author from that point of view. Thanks, Priscilla 🙂

  3. Such a lovely review of Bette’s book, which I also enjoyed. The premise of the other books sounded interesting, but clearly it is a disappointment.

    • Glad you enjoyed the review of Bette’s book. Yes, the second book has a great premise but just didn’t deliver for me at all. Thanks, Robbie 🙂