A slow start, but I ended up enjoying this. Nothing too original - magic, demons, other realms, stroppy teenage heirs - but nevertheless ente3.5 stars
A slow start, but I ended up enjoying this. Nothing too original - magic, demons, other realms, stroppy teenage heirs - but nevertheless entertaining. The audiobook narrator was good other than some words were pronounced oddly/inconsistently - I clocked three different ways she pronounced "commandant" for example....more
Life is short, you can't do everything and you would be happier if you didn't try. Life is short, you can't do everything and you would be happier if you didn't try. ...more
This is my first ever Val McDermid and I have to say, I was expecting something a bit, well, more thrilling. It had just enough to keep me interested This is my first ever Val McDermid and I have to say, I was expecting something a bit, well, more thrilling. It had just enough to keep me interested but only really picked up in the pace in the last quarter. I am not sure if I will continue to the series or maybe try another of hers from a different series.
I listened to the audiobook which I would hesitate to recommend - the narrator was not my favourite, his female voices were especially galling and he did the worst Geordie accent I have ever heard!!...more
I am slightly torn on how to rate this. On the one hand, I found the insight into the life of a sheep farmer to be an interesting one - I particularlyI am slightly torn on how to rate this. On the one hand, I found the insight into the life of a sheep farmer to be an interesting one - I particularly enjoyed learning about lambing season and it has definitely sparked an interest in learning more about sheep themselves. However, I have to say that as a memoir, this worked less well for me, because I found the author to be really rather unlikable. He comes across as arrogant, judgmental and faux-modest with an irritatingly salt-of-the-earth macho blokiness which rubbed me up the wrong way. It might be nice to juxtapose this with the memoirs of a shepherdess perhaps.
I am settling on 2.5 stars, rounded up. The audiobook was ably narrated by Bryan Dick so no issues there. ...more
A raw and honest memoir - difficult to describe but highly recommended read. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author and I think that formA raw and honest memoir - difficult to describe but highly recommended read. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author and I think that format definitely added to the poignancy and emotional impact. ...more
If you like food and have a dark sense of humour, this could be the book for you. Hillary Huber's narration of the audiobook was absolutely perfect soIf you like food and have a dark sense of humour, this could be the book for you. Hillary Huber's narration of the audiobook was absolutely perfect so I would definitely recommend this format....more
Sometimes the only thing that will fit the bill is some form of spooky ghost-story-cum-murder-mystery and this certainly did that. I thoroughly enjoyeSometimes the only thing that will fit the bill is some form of spooky ghost-story-cum-murder-mystery and this certainly did that. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook - the narration was good, the story was gripping and there was a strong cast of interesting female characters (not just victims). Just what I needed to get me out of a run of DNF'd audiobooks. ...more
Violent and seedy and more than a bit misogynistic but holy moly, what an absolutely cracking story! The audiobook is fantastically narrated too and IViolent and seedy and more than a bit misogynistic but holy moly, what an absolutely cracking story! The audiobook is fantastically narrated too and I thoroughly enjoyed this. Yeah, I know, a bit late to the party......more
Amazing book, distressing story. Audio narration absolutely spot on and added to the visceral impact -Well, shit, that has left me in absolute pieces.
Amazing book, distressing story. Audio narration absolutely spot on and added to the visceral impact - in fact while listening to the last few chapters on a long walk, I found tears streaming down my face. ...more
I recently cancelled my Audible membership to spur me into listening to some of the (over 100 - ahem) audiobooks I have accumulated over the 3.5 stars
I recently cancelled my Audible membership to spur me into listening to some of the (over 100 - ahem) audiobooks I have accumulated over the last 4 years. This one was a totally random impulse-purchased Daily Deal from back in 2018 and I clearly didn't notice that it was book 4 :-). Having said that, I soon enough got to know and like Detecter Lavender and his most excellent wife, Magdalena.
Plague Pits & River Bones is an entertaining historical mystery with an assortment of colourful villains and improbable coincidences. The narration by Michael Page was a little on the hammy side but actually, that was perfect for this particular book and I enjoyed listening to this slice of escapism....more
This book is likely to be very much preaching to the choir - I imagine the people who pick it up are those who, like me, have already discove3.5 stars
This book is likely to be very much preaching to the choir - I imagine the people who pick it up are those who, like me, have already discovered the joy of movement! Having said that, it's an enjoyable look at the many psychological benefits of exercise including the "runner's high", the way music can enhance performance and why working out with others forges something akin to a family bond. It's a fun read, maybe a little light on citations and heavy on the anecdotes for my dorkiness but nevertheless, worth a read :-)...more
This is an absolutely excellent book. A book on climate change could (quite rightly) be depressing, but not this one. Yes, the climate emergency is reThis is an absolutely excellent book. A book on climate change could (quite rightly) be depressing, but not this one. Yes, the climate emergency is real and frightening but the authors argue not only that we must act but also give examples of what this might look like. They lay out what we need to do and how to go about doing it and the overall tone is optimistic and inspiring and very readable. I highly, highly recommend this book to everyone on this beautiful planet. ...more
Buddhism with a side order of shamanism. Occasionally strayed a bit too far into New Age woo-woo territory for my comfort but otherwise, a ni3.5 stars
Buddhism with a side order of shamanism. Occasionally strayed a bit too far into New Age woo-woo territory for my comfort but otherwise, a nice introduction to Buddhist ideas interspersed with reflections on the author's own life and the challenges she has faced and overcome. The audio was read by the author herself and she has a very gentle, soothing voice which made this a pleasant listen. ...more
Farmageddon documents the myriad negative effects that industrial farming causes globally. Lymbery considers the damage to the environment, the animalFarmageddon documents the myriad negative effects that industrial farming causes globally. Lymbery considers the damage to the environment, the animal welfare costs, the negative impact on health and more. His writing is clear and engaging but the subject matter is vast and depressing.
In terms of answers, I like that Lymbery did not simply go with "we should all go vegetarian, duh" as might have been tempting but counsels that we need to 1) put people first 2) reduce food waste; and 3) farm as if the future mattered. He advocates for mixed farming rather than intensive farming, for reducing food waste at all points in the process, eating less but high quality meat and so on.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Julian Elfer. The narration was OK but occasionally irritatingly posh, for example pollution being pronounced as poll-yewww-shun. ...more
Witty, clever and dramatic - I can see why it's a classic but I'm not sure it was really my cup of tea, or maybe just not what I was in the mood for. Witty, clever and dramatic - I can see why it's a classic but I'm not sure it was really my cup of tea, or maybe just not what I was in the mood for. Simon Vance's narration was awesome (it goes without saying)...more
Ah, this was great! Winterson's writing is sharp and funny, her characters are well drawn and there is plenty to ponder here about the essence of humaAh, this was great! Winterson's writing is sharp and funny, her characters are well drawn and there is plenty to ponder here about the essence of humanity, identity and love.
I listened to the audiobook which was superb - highly recommend this format. ...more
A bit heavy on the millenial angst and the ending sucked...but the writing was OK and the audiobook narration (by Aoife McMahon) was spot on 2.5 stars
A bit heavy on the millenial angst and the ending sucked...but the writing was OK and the audiobook narration (by Aoife McMahon) was spot on so I'll be generous and round up to 3 stars....more