The Last 2019 Bookshelf

A Spark of Light
by Jodi Picoult
This book gave me chills. Action from the first page, as you are immediately transported into a hostage situation at a Women's Health Centre at 5pm. As we travel back in time hour by hour we explore the lives, relationships, and backgrounds of characters who find themselves at "the center". I picked this book up because I enjoy reading crime and suspense novels, but this is more, much more than just a story. Jodi Picoult's writing is elegant, easy to read and compelling, I fell into the world of each and every character and was able to understand their perspective and point of view, even if I didn't agree with it. It is not often you read a piece of work on a heavy topic and get to understand most of the characters and their reasoning behind their actions. I will admit that I did find it heavy and I could never read more than an hour at a time, I understand that the storylines within this book will be triggering to some and that not everyone will be able to read it.  I feel that the topics of conversation surrounding women's health, reproductive health, women's rights, fetal rights and laws surrounding weapons are important. I also feel privileged to live in a country with brilliant healthcare readily available to women of all economic backgrounds, the NHS is something we very often take for granted. The topic of women's rights and abortion is not often spoken about in society unless in a debate or behind closed doors in hushed tones. I, therefore, find it very brave of Jodi Picoult, and all those who helped create this piece and am grateful they have done so.
I would love to tell you how this is an amazing story, filled with suspense, intrigue, danger, and twists up until the last chapter, but I also have to be honest and admit I felt uneasy as I turned from page to page. I wanted to know more about these characters their lives and what finally happens at 6pm "the epilogue", however, I couldn't help but notice what I was reading reflected in headlines on newsfeeds and social media.
If you're looking for a book that will make you think, that will open your mind to another point of view, and that is filled with suspense, and revelations until the end then this the book for you. I had no idea the journey I would take upon reading this book but it has opened my eyes wider to a topic which is often swept under the carpet, I feel for any woman who has ever had to make such an important, tough and life-changing decision. 

The Rabbit, The Dark And The Biscuit Tin 

By Nicolas OByrne 

Yes, this is a children's book, yes I did read it in the Supermarket check out queue, Yes it still counts. As a child who was always afraid of the dark I wish I had read this book when I was little, highly recommend to anyone with little ones. The premise of the story is that the rabbit wants to stay up and traps the nighttime in the biscuit tin, the rabbit soon realises everything that happens at night time and why the dark is so important. This didn't make it onto my Bookshelf but is stored in the "books I could buy my friend's children" category in my mind. 

Hope you enjoyed the last Bookshelf of 2019. 

What was your favourite read this year!?