More contemporary lit about how childhood trauma is processed than a haunted house story. Not that what happened to this family wasn't so so horrific.More contemporary lit about how childhood trauma is processed than a haunted house story. Not that what happened to this family wasn't so so horrific. Some really powerful bits of writing, not a lot of plot. Content warnings for child abuse and homophobic language....more
I do enjoy Ali Hazelwood's writing but I wish she would write something other than enemies-to-lovers at this point. (view spoiler)[The main character I do enjoy Ali Hazelwood's writing but I wish she would write something other than enemies-to-lovers at this point. (view spoiler)[The main character doesn't wanted to be treated differently for being a woman in the gaming industry and so he treats her different to everyone else, but that's fine because he's hot? (hide spoiler)] Surely she could come up with better ideas for why they don't get together at the start....more
A melancholy collection of stories connected in pairs. I spent far too long wondering how the first story connected to the next, but it doesn't! The fA melancholy collection of stories connected in pairs. I spent far too long wondering how the first story connected to the next, but it doesn't! The first and final stories are connected, the rest are presented together. Some of the pairing worked better than others, and I found the first to be the strongest of the lot. I also really enjoyed the stories about the Great Auk, which was one example of the stories working best as a pair.
Not my usual cup of tea but the audiobook narration was excellent. I especially liked Nick Offerman reading the story about the logging camp. Perfect fit!...more
I found the contemporary story a lot stronger than the sci-fi story, which is ironic considering how it ends. The story of the robots is condensed to I found the contemporary story a lot stronger than the sci-fi story, which is ironic considering how it ends. The story of the robots is condensed to fit within the story of the author, so it does a lot of info-dumping to get you up to speed.
Zelu's tale explores attitudes towards disability and bodily autonomy that is reflected at times in the robot tale. It also looks at the myriad of ways the idea of"death of the author" applies in modern times. Not only in the reading, but the film adaptations, on social media, etc....more
Jerry's the perfect person to do this nostalgic look back on the making of Parks and Rec. The audiobook has the perk of having a bunch of the cast andJerry's the perfect person to do this nostalgic look back on the making of Parks and Rec. The audiobook has the perk of having a bunch of the cast and crew read their own parts....more
I really liked the dynamic between Kathy and Connor. Kathy has found herself pregnant and separated at age 42, and is unsure if she'll be a good motheI really liked the dynamic between Kathy and Connor. Kathy has found herself pregnant and separated at age 42, and is unsure if she'll be a good mother. Connor is a deceased grumpy teenager, who thinks Kathy's old but at least she's trying to help him. For some reason they reminded me of Walt and Jesse in Breaking Bad. As Kathy helps Connor by finding his killer, he helps her come to terms with her ability to be a good mother.
The mystery maybe had too many red herrings, so it was hard to me to feel like I could work it out myself, but overall I enjoyed this first instalment....more
The cover is cosy but it didn't hit the right notes for it to be a cosy read for me. Belle's stressed at work, with an awful boss who made me cringe wThe cover is cosy but it didn't hit the right notes for it to be a cosy read for me. Belle's stressed at work, with an awful boss who made me cringe with his behaviour. I did not understand how the bookshop owner was OK with it. Belle is constantly at odds with the people in her life and has to face a trial to keep her magic. Not that anyone told her about any of this. It's a super unsupportive environment if you ask me. Not getting the cosy vibes at all.
I do not need to hear the word "witchy" ever again. There's witchy folk and the non-witchy. The witches even refer to themselves as witchy. It really got on my nerves. I might have enjoyed this more not on audiobook, as I felt it was a bit overacted with silly voices, and the main character sounded perma-annoyed. ...more
I think this could have been spun out into a novella. I was just getting into it and, wham, it was over. Cute but her novels are better. Maybe romanceI think this could have been spun out into a novella. I was just getting into it and, wham, it was over. Cute but her novels are better. Maybe romance just needs a few more pages to get invested in the characters?...more
This was silly fun, with a ridiculous contest for academics to run all over the place after birds. However the ornithology could have been any subjectThis was silly fun, with a ridiculous contest for academics to run all over the place after birds. However the ornithology could have been any subject. It did not feel like a book written by someone who geeks over birds, and it was hard to believe the characters cared beyond winning the contest. The romance was OK, but I zoned out a bit listening to the audiobook (which is very posh)....more
Kind of a cross between a cosy mystery and a gore-filled horror. I was disappointed there wasn't more about the funeral parlour, since that was the hoKind of a cross between a cosy mystery and a gore-filled horror. I was disappointed there wasn't more about the funeral parlour, since that was the hook that made me pick it up....more
I loved this! Charles is a little like Red Dwarf's Kryten, a service robot unable to break his gentleman's valet programming and seeking a new master I loved this! Charles is a little like Red Dwarf's Kryten, a service robot unable to break his gentleman's valet programming and seeking a new master to serve, who meets someone determine to get him to do things for himself. But Charles wants to serve, it's what he does. If the robot uprising ever happens, this is probably the most realistic scenario. They are what we programmed them after all.
Believe it or not, this is the first Adrian Tchaikovsky book I got round to reading and it won't be my last. He did a great job narrating the audiobook too. The humour and observations reminded me of Jasper Fforde....more