Tag: Jojo Moyes

Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

As I am tackling my tbr pile, I decided to pick up ‘Someone Else’s Shoes’, especially as I had seen one of my best book buddies pick it up, too. This has been on the shelf for about a year which, for me, is not too long, haha!

I love the concept of this story: how a twist of fate can lead you to walk in someone else’s shoes. And how this, in turn, leads you down a path that you may have never imagined, but also reflect on the past, present and what the future may hold. This book tackles a whole host of topics, including relationships, mental health and identity, but it does all this with charm, wit and sensitivity.

Although to start with, I did not fall in love with our two main characters, Sam and Nisha, as the story progresses and, little by little, you learn more about them, you do start to root for them and hope that they will find the happiness that they are both looking for. And I have to say, the moment where Nisha achieves her revenge on her unpleasant ex-husband is quite a moment.

However, for me, this book was a little too long. It is a fantastically well-constructed story and there is so much among the pages, but I did find the length of the chapters a little long at points. There were odd moments where I found myself skim-reading, while still keeping the thread of the story.

Yet, please do not let that put you off as this is a classic Jojo Moyes with fantastically strong female characters (even if they do not realise it at the time), and warmth and humour that makes the reading experience a joy. I am always keen to see what Jojo Moyes will write, and I do need to make sure that I go back through some of her backlist.

Still Me by Jojo Moyes

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I was first introduced to fabulous Louisa Clark in 2013. I remember it so clearly because my lovey friend Erin Green gave me the World Book Night edition of ‘Me Before You’ and I absolutely loved it. From that moment I was determined to follow the adventures of Louisa Clark and all the characters she meets along the way. After all, Lou feels like a long-lost friend each time you pick up one of the books.

‘Still Me’ is the third installment of Louisa’s adventure as she has taken the huge step to move to New York and work as the companion/PA to the incredibly rich Mrs Gopnik. There is absolutely no way that I can share spoilers to this story because I know that there is a whole world of Lou Clark fans out there. However, I will say that nothing is plain sailing and there is a host of colourful characters who help Louisa realise who she is and that she is ‘Still Me’.

This novel really make you feel like you are in New York (if you have been as a tourist – the Rockefeller Centre scene is perfect). You almost wish you were meeting the people our much-loved heroine is encountering (well, most of them anyway). It is an emotional read; I shed a few tears, but mainly because one event reflected my family experience at the start of the year.

This book has certainly reignited my desire to head back to New York, or at least embrace more adventure in my life. After all, ‘knowledge is power’ and you only have one life, so let’s make it count while we can.

If you have never met Louisa Clark, it is time to go back to ‘Me Before You’ and follow her adventures because you never know she may teach you some important life lessons.

Paris for One by Jojo Moyes

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

A friend of mine who loves books as much as I do shared this beautiful book with me. After I insisted that I would enjoy a book of short stories, even though I love Jojo Moyes, she proved me well and truly wrong.

In fact, I finished the book in no time at all. The simple thing that drew me in was the fact that there were so many fabulous females in the stories. It was great to read about ‘normal’ women who carry the same anxieties and guilty secrets many of us do (I do have rather a weak spot for crisps, like one of the heroines).

My favourite stories were both based in Paris. The lovely story that gives the book its title drew me straight in. In fact, it left me with a burning desire to visit Paris. The romance and adventure that the city can offer all those who visit, for whatever reason, is beautifully created in this story. You root for the heroine from the moment you start reading, as a series of unfortunate events leads her on quite an adventure and, ultimately, to a much better happy ending than she may have been due if she did not seize the day.

My second-favourite piqued my interest, as it is a lovely story that flits between the past and present to tell the story of two newlywed women who clearly knew what they wanted and how to ensure that they had it. However, it also suggests that sometimes there needs to be compromise. It also harks back to the romance of Paris in the early 20th century and the artistic lifestyle led by those who wanted to share their passion for art.

However, overall, the whole book is a joy of stories that are page turners. It has certainly made me excited for the publication of Jojo Moyes new book, ‘Still Me’, in January. I also may be less dismissive of short story collections in future, as it is a real talent to be able to tell a story in so few words and pages.

Bookworm’s Top 5 Books of 2016

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Bookworm really struggles with reaching decisions – just loves books far too much!

  1. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Chris Riddell
  2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
  3. The Illustrated Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J K Rowling and illustrated by Jim Kay
  4. The Return of the Young Prince by A G Roemmers
  5. After You by Jojo Moyes

There were so many though the list could have gone on…