Brat: A Ghost Story really did satisfy my weird fiction/body horror needs. It’s about one man’s descent into madness after experiencing grief, showingBrat: A Ghost Story really did satisfy my weird fiction/body horror needs. It’s about one man’s descent into madness after experiencing grief, showing his sanity slowly beginning to unravel. The writing style is unique, it consists of short, sharp, chapters - which suit this bizarre type of story well. There are some bold and imaginative elements that make for a stand out debut novel, it makes me intrigued what this author will write next. It has more gothic elements than the full gross-out horror that I was expecting, although there are obviously moments that are exactly that.
Gabriel’s skin is falling off. His Dad is dead. He owes his editor a novel. His girlfriend won’t answer his calls...
The first time where Gabriel goes back to read his Mother’s old manuscript for a second time, and there are unexplainable changes feels truly unsettling.
I’m unsure if this book will be for everyone, but it’s definitely for me, as I love horror/weird fiction. It feels like my brain has been reset and I’m ready to read a lot more of it now lol
’When the TV show “Dig Deep!!” faces online backlash, Ruby manages to swing the controversy in her favor to boost her own rising popularity. Sensing s’When the TV show “Dig Deep!!” faces online backlash, Ruby manages to swing the controversy in her favor to boost her own rising popularity. Sensing someone else's influence in Ruby's sudden attitude shift, Aqua seeks out Ichigo Saitou, missing president of Ichigo Production. Ichigo has his own reasons for wanting to avenge Ai, and to Aqua's dismay, the young actor learns that his own quest for retribution may not yet be resolved...’
This one made me so emotional bc Aqua and then so worried for Kana at the end omg…! ...more
Nicola Dinan’s writing style is so addictive - she has a talent at making her characters, and their stories, feel so *real*. From the first few pages,Nicola Dinan’s writing style is so addictive - she has a talent at making her characters, and their stories, feel so *real*. From the first few pages, I felt as though I knew the main character - Max. It has echoes of her debut novel - Bellies - which I also loved. This is a, refreshingly, modern take on a stereotypical story of a woman finding love in her thirties. There’s a dual POV happening here; Max in the present day, and Vincent (mostly) from a decade ago. At no point does this become confusing and disjointed, thank goodness. The passage of time feels very natural in this book.
Both these main characters come from a Chinese background, Vincent’s parents in particular appear to have traditional values, which cloud his relationship with Max. Max is the perfect woman for him; headstrong and intelligent. They met on a dating app, with initial sparks flying. She just so happens to be transgender. Vincent has dated a trans woman in the past that he met on holiday with his friend, Fred, called Alex. How will Vincent’s past experiences with Alex and Fred affect his present day relationship with Max? One thing is for sure, Max doesn’t want another failed relationship, she wants (and deserves) to find her person.
Bellies is remarkable. Especially considering that this is the author’s debut as well. It is a moving tale which explores the complexities of relationBellies is remarkable. Especially considering that this is the author’s debut as well. It is a moving tale which explores the complexities of relationships in your twenties, with recognisably imperfect characters. The two main characters, Tom and Ming, are written with such care and affection though. Their story feels so real, with raw emotions laid bare. There is so much nuance and details added to what could be considered a simple love story. The layers and depth make you really care about the characters. The opening to Chapter 19 is written so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes. I could talk about how much I loved this book all day, and it’s made me very excited to check out more of Nicola Dinan’s work.
”Maybe that’s what people are supposed to do, sponge out the bad, wring out the suffering, as much as we can, even if it stains our hearts and hands”
A group of four university students stumble upon a decaying village deep in the mountains, only to find an enormous perpetual motion machine still at A group of four university students stumble upon a decaying village deep in the mountains, only to find an enormous perpetual motion machine still at work there. Before they can answer the questions of who made it and to what end, the friends begin to disappear, one after the other. Another story sees the return of the stronge Hikizuri siblings! A girl weighed down since birth by an invisible burden meets three odd siblings, and moves in with them in to understand the truth about herself. But after a string of bizarre occurrences, the siblings' uncle appears on the scene…
The Liminal Zone, Vol. 2 is not my favourite Junji Ito story collection I’ve ever read, but it’s solidly decent. It consists of four stories; the strongest being Village of Ether. Ito is at his strongest when his stories contain a good amount of the body horror artwork that he is well-known for.
Bad brain days call for reading poetry. The Orange, and Other Poems by Wendy Cope is a short, and often-times humorous, collection. The humour is inteBad brain days call for reading poetry. The Orange, and Other Poems by Wendy Cope is a short, and often-times humorous, collection. The humour is interspersed with some very emotional lines, which moved me. There’s a lot of musings about love and life, and everything in between.
”My heart has made its mind up. And I’m afraid it’s you.”
Ugh. Bought a preowned bundle of the first 4 volumes of Chibi Vampire physical copies, and Vol.1 and 3 were the Manga, and Vol.2 and 4 were the Light Ugh. Bought a preowned bundle of the first 4 volumes of Chibi Vampire physical copies, and Vol.1 and 3 were the Manga, and Vol.2 and 4 were the Light Novels ...more
Sarah ♡ (let’s interact?!)
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