Entirely not my standard genre, but I found myself looking for a shorter read, ending up with Eleanor. A smart resilient young woman who finds herselfEntirely not my standard genre, but I found myself looking for a shorter read, ending up with Eleanor. A smart resilient young woman who finds herself in way too many schools by the time we find her here in senior high school, school number 9..
The action picks up fast, finding herself slap bang in the middle of a serious crime. Having had to often fend for herself during her upbringing as the daughter of a hard working young mother, Eleanor is most adept at working things out. She seemed to have things together the most out of the ensemble cast.
Themes of new friendships forming, being the outsider and the possibility of unexpected first love, it was a sweet story. I enjoyed watching her subtly bloom from the outsider status, perhaps wanting to not be so invisible anymore. I am not at all the right target audience for this one, SO many others will love this well written YA book. I couldn't help noticing the Breaking Bad vibes.
I listened to this via the Libby platform and my local library. ...more
This debut novel perplexed me a little. Written by a journalist who tells the story of an abducted journalist. To me seemed to be satirical, kind of hThis debut novel perplexed me a little. Written by a journalist who tells the story of an abducted journalist. To me seemed to be satirical, kind of humorous in a weird way, which created the confusion and disconnect. In the end left wondering if I was the only thinking this way? Which was the main take way, an issue that can’t be a good thing.
Taken and raped by an affronted and troubled young man, who took offence at a drunken remark made by the victim on a girl’s night out.
While being held captive, she looks back into the way she herself reported cases, how her case would be reported now. Her interactions with the abductor were off to me, I think I had the overarching feeling of the crime wasn’t real, there may be something that comes up to sort out the mystery in my head. There wasn’t any answer to this in the end.
The bumbling and slow way the detectives set about the case, the dialogue of the boyfriend who absolutely had nothing to do with her disappearance was almost slapstick. He and the best friend decided to go down to where her mobile phone was found in the Southern Highlands of NSW, their interactions, the way the best friend dropped her dog to a relative to look after, it was all insignificant, missing any kind of seriousness.
A very unusual book full of strange dialogue, I will say this book was in no way badly written, my feeling of confusion was consistent, leading to a disconnect which was disappointing. I am sure many others will enjoy this more, it was a small book which didn’t take me long on the audio format.
I listened to this on the Libby app via my public library. One definite observation was the audio narration by Sacha Horler was definitely presented in a comical way, it was very reactional, busy, and quite manic. I wonder if any listeners had a similar experience with this?...more
A quick fill in on a day off. Nothing much to talk about here, the usual DS. A rich family, successful career, a disaster, a recovery, leading to a haA quick fill in on a day off. Nothing much to talk about here, the usual DS. A rich family, successful career, a disaster, a recovery, leading to a happy ending. The character development is quite weak, though always very French. Good choice for a day of chores and getting other things done. Good company for chores.
The narrator was actually good this time around, a cheeky Irish accent thrown in. Which was a bit odd, the Irish character was meant to be a friend of the protagonist, but he was thrown in randomly, serving no purpose, only to be clearly stated as ‘not a love interest’.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library. As always a good mix between my serious reads....more
Small books really do deliver strongly, this is one of those. I was not aware of this true story, an event taking place at the end of 2013.
What struckSmall books really do deliver strongly, this is one of those. I was not aware of this true story, an event taking place at the end of 2013.
What struck me in this awful situation, and I’m sure as it did the rest of the world, was the forgiveness and lack of hatred, when the expected outcomes could have been entirely flipped. The victim’s family, and the victim themselves showed forgiveness and grace in a world contrary to this.
These two vastly different young people in their space and time lap over for just an 8-minute window on the school bus. The flick of a lighter, a tulle skirt, and a young boy who just didn’t think.
The person burned born a boy, tells their story of gender, their way of arriving at their gender choice (agender), and the intricacies of their lovely friendships, their close knit small independent high school, and their lovely simple life, for most parts without discrimination.
Weaving together the perspective of the different young people, the author delves deeply covering all issues from race, gender, class, crime and punishment. It is rightly serious yet told with a lightness and humanity, not a small feat.
Sasha, a beautiful soul, surrounded by a lovely family, tells their story, as does Richard, the young black boy who caused catastrophic burns to the young white Sasha, who loved to experiment with their clothes, this portion of the story shone brightly, I could feel the passion and quirky style.
Richard faced life imprisonment for hate crimes, and the subsequent actions Sasha and their family took to change the course of this outcome will astound you, as will Sasha’s attitudes in the years to come.
A hidden gem, so beautiful. Skilful, empathetic writing, encouraging sympathy from the reader provides a contemplative and striking nonfiction work. This is another one of those titles that should be on all types of recommended reading lists. Law/schools/healthcare/universities.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library....more
Extremely late to the party, I jumped onto this one in the hopes of a quick read. This was successful, and I now believe I have an equivalent author iExtremely late to the party, I jumped onto this one in the hopes of a quick read. This was successful, and I now believe I have an equivalent author in the way I read Danielle Steel audiobooks, except in the case of this author, they will be pop thriller. I think they'll be similarly rated to DS, too.
Like all hyped up authors/titles, I'm probably an outlier. This book was fine, it just felt lacking to me. Strange people that seem to be quite like everyone else, until they're not. It felt like I knew they were off somehow, but seemed cookie cutter in their presentation of a socio/psychopath, and that it was expected to be this way, which led me to feel I've been there before.
As the author is a doctor, it's my expectation she will hone into the way humans interact with each other, and delve into the darker side of this, and the ease of which evil people do evil things. There may be an element of 'telling' here, in this case a lot of internal dialogue which may have been the easy way out, especially with the psychopathic protagonist explaining away their craziness, which felt a little too neat.
Much as I treat DS titles, I'm happy for the easy read and I'm not necessarily disappointed in the lower rating, they just don't pop.
I read this book because I wanted to see what the fuss was all about, and now I've found a good palate cleanser between all my heavier nonfiction reads - and I have a lot of these! I appreciate them so much more, which shows me books fill different needs in my repertoire!
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library.
Spencer is young and beautiful, running her family owned high end clothing store inherited from family. Her father was not a natural, her grandfather Spencer is young and beautiful, running her family owned high end clothing store inherited from family. Her father was not a natural, her grandfather was. Following on with the passion, she runs a tight ship, is excellent at what she does, and loves it dearly.
Having young twin boys and an uninterested husband (so many of DS protags fall hard and fast for entirely unsuitable husbands) she works tirelessly to keep up this amazing store which is located in a seedy area, drawing clients from the more wealthy area to the 'bad part of town.' Putting the store before family with a quality nanny, she's able to keep the store her consuming passion.
It becomes clear she needs financial assistance from investors, though as she is completely opposed to this as she is entirely unwilling to lose any percentage of ownership. Enter the handsome and dashing saviour, who is grappling with personal demons of his own.
This title lacks tension, there is little conflict which leads to a solid lack of reader investment.
A generous three star read, this was a good gap between my very serious nonfiction reads, these novels have become a go to palate cleanser.
I listened to this via the Libby platform and my public library, I would so like to see a change in narrator for DS books, the same male voice forms connections to previously listened to books, which is not helpful. The tone is also quite robotic....more
Sometimes a book comes along and the reader thinks 'how'. I always appreciate the craft of collating a fictional story, but right now I am quite in awSometimes a book comes along and the reader thinks 'how'. I always appreciate the craft of collating a fictional story, but right now I am quite in awe of what I have just read. My reviews are often long, I don't know why, I tend to just talk a lot. This doesn't need to be the case this time around, in keeping with themes of scarcity.
This book developed the opposite feelings of saying too much. A beautifully crafted book, gently told without fanfare. Lyrical prose that seemed to skim along the surface, lots of content weighing heavily, yet not heaped in a way that is too much to bear, an immeasurable suffering in a man involved in something so sad that he would put himself through much torment.
The serious story unfurls without pace, this man who is punishing himself for living while he encounters all kinds of kindness as he runs.
A split second incident to change the lives of two remaining people, with other encounters telling more stories of the human psyche and the way this man interacts with these folk. I loved this man, the humans he collided with on his journey, and the haunting feel which has definitely captured my heart.
When a writer produces a debut that reads as a seasoned piece of literature. That's all I've got to say.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library, excellent narration by Cameron Goodall....more
I found this book to be reminiscent of Claire Keegan, spare writing, extremely powerful, with little use of words with maximum impact. A three-hour auI found this book to be reminiscent of Claire Keegan, spare writing, extremely powerful, with little use of words with maximum impact. A three-hour audiobook, skillfully narrated by Russ Bain, bringing the accents to life; further enhancing the wonderful experience.
This is a small story in size, but huge in heart, left open ended which as I progressed, I was not surprised. The time is 1840’s Scotland. A poor unemployed minister is sent on a mission he probably shouldn’t be doing, he is an obedient man and has taken on the task of evicting a tenant who has occupied a desolate and remote island for decades. The money is desperately needed.
John leaves behind his wife to attend this serious task and runs into much trouble on the way. The story is a meandering weaving of how the tremendous man on the island, Ivar, has fended for himself for many years, his scant way of life, his communication with his animals as his only means of companionship.
Before this mission John shows his commitment to building a free church without money, and his dogged commitment to frugality and living without in these times of anger, frugality, and fear. He is a good man, a man that follows the rules in every way.
The two men do not speak the same language, and as Ivar explains as best he can, John builds his own dictionary, holding onto this and cherishing his notes. As the narrative unfolds from the three characters, including the wife left behind, we learn the motivations and desires to hold connection to each other. Particularly endearing is the manner in which Ivar cares for the unconscious man, and the way each unravel as consciousness is regained, both men blossoming in an unassuming way, almost invisibly so.
As in Keegan’s stories, I was left pondering at the end, in awe of the way these authors tell a very powerful story in a very simple manner. Perhaps these stories are the most powerful of all. I will seek more work from this author. Highly recommended.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library. ...more
The Dinner Party was a well written thriller with an interesting and intricate plot, though being quite full of characters with many to keep track of,The Dinner Party was a well written thriller with an interesting and intricate plot, though being quite full of characters with many to keep track of, I found this to be an average read. I lost interest the further I proceeded, added to this was the terrible narration in trying to distinguish between all the elderly characters which was attempted by cliche voices. Another female was characterised by an almost whisper, so unfortunately my narration decreased my enjoyment.
I did enjoy the occasional glimpse into the 1970’s which is always fun, but again, the small issues I always tend to notice make the experience not so enjoyable. The main character was a new mum, who seemed to have time for chasing a dangerous interloper while looking after her baby, and I feel this has been done so much in a lot of my reads lately.
An unsupervised baby goes missing during a dinner party, what ever happened to this child? The couples of the dinner party are sticking to their story, that’s for sure. The narrative unfolds via a podcast and mostly by a solid character, and her recognition of evil which no one else notices. This is always palpable when snarls, false smiles and an evil comment here and there are bubbling, just below the surface.
This is a well written domestic drama which will hold the interest of most readers, I would have liked to have grasped it with a little more enthusiasm.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library. ...more
What a wonderful audio book this was! Jennifer Vuletic was the perfect rendition of Audrey. On the cusp of something big, Audrey is the voice of womenWhat a wonderful audio book this was! Jennifer Vuletic was the perfect rendition of Audrey. On the cusp of something big, Audrey is the voice of women I’ve been reading of a lot lately, of the age when we realise a lot about ourselves, what we’ve done, how we’ve done it, and who we’ve done it for.
This is a life affirming story about finding one’s voice, going on an adventure, and trying new things, while still maintaining the important relationship of mum. But now Audrey realises she isn’t just a wife and mother, she is no longer the role society expects her to be.
The author gives Audrey an amazing voice, a funny voice, and a serious voice. Realising the husband whom she has committed her entire adult life to has disrespected their marriage union in the worst way possible, Audrey vows to make her situation better. Fleeing to her elderly Aunt in rural France who has been involved in an accident, Audrey takes on role of carer and begins to look after the bed and breakfast there with unexpected flair.
Audrey learns so much along the way, and as she imparts all this goodness to the reader, we can’t help but fall in love with this spirited, quirky yet vulnerable woman. The writing is remarkably astute, witty, and entertaining. So much more so given the outstanding narration, slipping into Audrey’s mind and body; gifting the audience with something special. The growing awareness Audrey has with her boundaries, learning to stop doing that which does not serve.
The cast of characters in France is wonderful, fleshed out to all impart lessons on Audrey’s journey. Audrey’s children fulfill an important role also, in the communication on WhatsApp group entitled Mum’s gone AWOL was rewarding, her adult children gradually understanding their mother, and her many sacrifices over the years.
Observing Audrey’s growth and realisation in her husband’s role in her life, and hers in his, and the candour and lack of callousness she provides in the awfulness of what her husband has done made for satisfying reading, in the right readers hands, this book will be savoured, leaving a smile.
A smart and savvy story, highly recommended.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library. ...more
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