This was another quick, entertaining free audible original. I really enjoyed Dakota Fanning's narration and the podcast chapters. The Story: A disgracThis was another quick, entertaining free audible original. I really enjoyed Dakota Fanning's narration and the podcast chapters. The Story: A disgraced journalist starts a crime based podcast and picks a local cold case as her first story.
Merged review:
This was another quick, entertaining free audible original. I really enjoyed Dakota Fanning's narration and the podcast chapters. The Story: A disgraced journalist starts a crime based podcast and picks a local cold case as her first story....more
I had a great reading year, especially because most of my best-loved authors released a new book in 2022. Holding thumbs that 2023 will be as good.
BelI had a great reading year, especially because most of my best-loved authors released a new book in 2022. Holding thumbs that 2023 will be as good.
Below are my favorite books for the year, with a link to my review. 1. To Paradise ***** Three exquisitely written dystopian stories, only linked by theme (my review) 2. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow ***** An immersive, intelligent and passionate exploration of work and love (my review) 3. Shrines of Gaiety ***** Kate Atkinson does it again! The plot is fun, complex, and fast-paced, the characters are vivid, multi-faceted and very memorable. (my review) 4. All the Broken Places ***** John Boyne is a master storyteller, and in All the Broken Places he explores the emotional aftermath of war. (my review) 5.Sea of Tranquility ***** I loved how the three dystopian stories connected with each other and the ending blew me away! (my review) 6. Homegoing ***** Historical fiction with interesting structure, beautiful writing, huge scope and a big emotional impact. (my review) 7. Young Mungo ***** A brutal yet tender story about a teenage boy growing up in Glasgow - not for sensitive readers. I recommend the audio. (my review) 8. What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma ***** A well-written, informative, sometimes funny, sometimes sad exploration of C-PTSD. (my review) 9. Started Early, Took My Dog ***** If you enjoy literary suspense infused with dark humour, you need to read this series. (my review) 10. The Buddha in the Attic ***** I loved how the author is able to give us glimpses into so many possible lives. She is also able to summarize a lifetime or a scene in a sentence that is more impactful than some complete novels. (my review) 11. Again, Rachel ***** A book that will make you smile while the tears are running down your cheeks. I highly recommend the audio book. (my review)
Goodreads is my happy place, and I love reading everyone's reviews and comments. Thanks so much for sharing my passion. I hope you all have an amazing 2023!...more
3.5 stars. This is my second Emily Henry and I really enjoy her characters, especially the leading men - introverted and nerdy. Her balance of heartwa3.5 stars. This is my second Emily Henry and I really enjoy her characters, especially the leading men - introverted and nerdy. Her balance of heartwarming and laugh out loud moments is perfect. Lastly, I really like her brand of humor. I'll be reading everything she writes in future, especially when I need something light and funny.
The Story: An upbeat and breezy romance about two best friends who travel together each summer. ...more
I really enjoyed The Atlas Six, but I'm sorry to say that The Atlas Paradox was extremely boring. I still enjoyed that the focus was more on the interI really enjoyed The Atlas Six, but I'm sorry to say that The Atlas Paradox was extremely boring. I still enjoyed that the focus was more on the internal thoughts of the characters rather than the external action, but this book needed to be MUCH shorter. I definitely won't be reading the third in the series....more
As always, I enjoyed reading this Lisa Jewell book. What I like most about her writing is the fact that her characters always feel very real. And althAs always, I enjoyed reading this Lisa Jewell book. What I like most about her writing is the fact that her characters always feel very real. And although this wasn't one of her best, it was perfect for beach reading.
The Story: Mysterious, life-threatening injuries to a teenage girl cause previously close-knit neighborhood families to examine each other with concern and suspicion....more
3.5 opgerond tot 4 sterre. Soos altyd was dit lekker om tyd saam Kassie te spandeer. Ek het veral van die vervlegde drie stories en kort hoofstukke ge3.5 opgerond tot 4 sterre. Soos altyd was dit lekker om tyd saam Kassie te spandeer. Ek het veral van die vervlegde drie stories en kort hoofstukke gehou. Ek kon glad nie dink hoe al die karakters se stories bymekaar sou uitkom nie, en was eintlik so bietjie teleurgesteld toe die laaste hoofstuk klaar is.
Die storie: Omstrede en skatryk oud-politikus Armand Deysel is vermoor, en Kassie en Rooi het nie minder nie as ses verdagtes. ’n Britse ondersoeker is op die spoor van die waardevolle Doolhof-halssnoer, en ’n platsakman steier telkens terug van die samelewing se dwarsklappe....more
I watched Silver Linings Playbook and loved it. And even though I've read many warnings that the book and the movie were very different, I think I expI watched Silver Linings Playbook and loved it. And even though I've read many warnings that the book and the movie were very different, I think I expected We are the Light to be a "lighter" read. I enjoyed the epistolary style and the Jungian analysis information tidbits mixed into the story.
The thing that bugged me was that something felt off with Lucas and I couldn't understand that none of the characters were addressing it - obviously the reason for this became clear towards the end of the book. This is one of those books where I wished that I read the acknowledgement section before the story, as it would have put me in the correct mindset and prepared me for the darker issues addressed in We are the Light.
The Story: A widower takes in a grieving teenager and inspires a revival in their small town....more
I didn't think this was horrible, but almost all the mysteries I read in 2022 were more enjoyable. I knew who the killer was at the 20% mark, which isI didn't think this was horrible, but almost all the mysteries I read in 2022 were more enjoyable. I knew who the killer was at the 20% mark, which isn't great. I did not enjoy Chloe - she made bad decision after bad decision and her character wasn't written in a way where I could feel any sympathy for her. Lastly, I though the gazillion twists before the final reveal was too much.
The Story: Twenty years after Chloe Davis’ father was convicted of killing half a dozen young women, someone seems to be celebrating the anniversary by extending the list....more
I listened to this one and the narration by Cynthia Farrell was really well done. This is my fifth romance this year, which is very unexpected seeing I listened to this one and the narration by Cynthia Farrell was really well done. This is my fifth romance this year, which is very unexpected seeing that I've never been into this genre before. And even though most of these only get a three star rating, as I probably won't remember them in a month or two, I really enjoy the time I spend with them.
The Unhoneymooners ticked all the boxes for a quick bit of feel-good escapism, I especially enjoyed their trip to Hawaii, which had me giggling. The ending felt a bit dragged out which lost it half a star....more
I've awarded 5-star ratings to five of the nine books I’ve read by Kate Atkinson, so I guess it’s safe to say that she’s one of my best-loved authors.I've awarded 5-star ratings to five of the nine books I’ve read by Kate Atkinson, so I guess it’s safe to say that she’s one of my best-loved authors. Shrines of Gaiety now joins Life After Life and A God in Ruins as my favorites by her.
Although the story spins around Nellie Coker, a notorious nightclub owner based on real-life club maven Kate Meyrick, we are introduced to a host of vivid, multi-faceted and very memorable characters – many with chapters of their own. The plot is fun, complex, and fast-paced. But as always, the thing that sets Kate Atkinson’s novels apart from everyone else is the way she plays with words - creating literary magic - as well as her wicked sense of humor which makes all her books a joy to read.
The Story: It’s 1926, and in a country still recovering from the Great War, London has become the focus for a delirious new nightlife. The pages of Shrines of Gaiety are filled with runaway waifs, toffs, female pickpockets, “merry maid” hostesses, bent coppers, a melancholy detective, an intrepid librarian, a horde of ominous ruffians, showmen, hookers, and a surprisingly large number of corpses....more
This was a quick, entertaining and heartwarming story. Tabitha lives an uneventful life. She isn't super unhappy with her routine, but she does occasiThis was a quick, entertaining and heartwarming story. Tabitha lives an uneventful life. She isn't super unhappy with her routine, but she does occasionally wish there was a bit more excitement in her life. After some unexpected news from her father, she finds a ring in the vintage shop which allows her to travel back to the 1980's.
It was so much fun experiencing the 80's from a millennial's perspective. I also did not realize how much the world has changed since I was a teenager and loved being reminded about all the fun stuff we did. If you're looking for your next beach read (or listen - the narration by Yolande Kettle was perfect) then look no further....more
I’ve had a fantastic reading year, and Fairy Tale sounded like something I would I enjoy, so I decided to check it out. Stephen King can spin a good yarn, and I especially enjoy his tongue in cheek style. I also liked the correlations he draws between our world and the fantasy world he creates – for instance how can we possibly think that an otherworldly monster is so scary when we have nuclear weapons instead?
The book could have been a bit shorter, and it definitely felt like it should be classified as YA, which is not my favourite genre. The first third of the book which introduces us to a young Charlie and is set firmly in our own world is without doubt the strongest section in the book.
Based on the above I will be (selectively) adding Stephen King books to my to-read list, while keeping in mind that I prefer stories where good and bad are more nuanced.
The Story: Charlie Reade is a 17-year-old who inherits keys to a hidden, otherworldly realm, and finds himself leading the battle between forces of good and evil. ...more
This was a fun, quick read. I enjoyed the setting (a beautiful lake on the Welsh/English border), the banter between Ffion and Leon and the twist. I tThis was a fun, quick read. I enjoyed the setting (a beautiful lake on the Welsh/English border), the banter between Ffion and Leon and the twist. I thought the ending could have been more convincing though.
The Story: The Last Party follows DC Ffion Morgan as she investigates the murder of Rhys Lloyd, a homegrown hero who is found floating dead in the water on New Year’s Day, the morning after a party that brought together a feuding community. ...more
This was a fun, fast-paced thriller. What worked really well is the short chapters and the POV change in the middle of the book. If you're looking forThis was a fun, fast-paced thriller. What worked really well is the short chapters and the POV change in the middle of the book. If you're looking for a beach read then get this. I didn't love the last chapter and I probably won't remember the story in a few weeks time, but will read more by this author, as I was hooked from page one.
The Story: When she gets a job offer by Nina Winchester to be a housemaid in the Winchester's beautiful home, she is more than happy to overlook all the small issues that come with the position. But once settled in, the piling mess of all the things that don't add up are getting harder and harder to ignore....more
This is my fifth book by Ian McEwan and the only one I loved was Enduring Love. I really enjoyed exploring the idea that androids are lacking moral soThis is my fifth book by Ian McEwan and the only one I loved was Enduring Love. I really enjoyed exploring the idea that androids are lacking moral sophistication, and that they have problems with ethical ambiguous situations. It was also interesting to consider the possible impact of these artificial humans could have on the future of the human race.
I did not however enjoy the alternate history timeline the novel is set in. It felt like it was intruding instead of contributing to the story - it was also done with a lot of telling and almost no showing.
A thought-provoking, but very detached read about the age-old question of what makes people human. ...more
I was absolutely captivated by this book even though I'm not a sports fan in general or a tennis fan specifically. If you enjoyed Open by Andre AgassiI was absolutely captivated by this book even though I'm not a sports fan in general or a tennis fan specifically. If you enjoyed Open by Andre Agassi or King Richard about Venus and Serena Williams you're in for a treat.
I loved getting to know Carrie (flaws and all) and seeing her character develop throughout the story. TJR does a great job showcasing the fact that it's still not acceptable for female athletes to be "too" competitive, even when this aggression is obviously one of the reasons they got so far. The father-daughter relationship is portrayed beautifully and I ended up shedding a tear or two. But the thing I liked most was the play-by-play of all the tennis matches - I was absolutely engrossed and the descriptions was so vivid I could see, smell and hear it all.
The Story: Carrie Soto is Back is set in the world of the tennis elite, following a ruthless former champion who—after losing her record to a rising star—decides to come out of retirement at 37 in order to reclaim her title. ...more
3.5 stars. Not only does Julia Whelan do a great job narrating Thank You for Listening, she also wrote it. I really enjoyed the balance in the story b3.5 stars. Not only does Julia Whelan do a great job narrating Thank You for Listening, she also wrote it. I really enjoyed the balance in the story between the funny banter, love scenes and the character development. But my favorite elements were the insiders look into audio book narration, Sewanee's special relationship with Blah and the fun Julia had with all the romance tropes.
A fun, charming listen.
The Story: An audiobook narrator and former actress gets more than she bargained for when she performs a book with the audiobook world’s sexiest and most mysterious voice....more
3.5 stars. Although the sections about Daniella's early life in the religious cult, The Children of God, is deeply upsetting, I already knew what happ3.5 stars. Although the sections about Daniella's early life in the religious cult, The Children of God, is deeply upsetting, I already knew what happened in these sects so wasn't surprised by the evil behavior shown by religious extremist. The fact that mothers and fathers could allow their children to be abused for years is unfathomable though.
I was deeply shocked by the parallels she draws between the dogmatic indoctrination she encountered in both the cult and the US army. I never even realized that female soldiers had to deal with an environment of casual and deeply rooted sexism and rape culture, even while fighting a war. I did think this section could have done with some editing, as parts of it felt very repetitive.
An interesting memoir which asks the question: where does a cult end and a culture begin?
I'm very much in the minority with my low rating of this Booker Prize shortlisted title. Case Study opens with the author informing us that he is writI'm very much in the minority with my low rating of this Booker Prize shortlisted title. Case Study opens with the author informing us that he is writing a biography of the radical psychiatrist Collins Braithwaite, who became a celebrity in the 1960s. The excerpts of CB's life story is alternated with six notebooks supposedly written by one his previous clients.
I agree with everyone else that the author does a brilliant job in creating a non-fiction feel in this novel by immersing and surrounding the fictional character with people and events genuinely from the 60's. Some of his ideas on identity - Don't kill yourself. Kill your Self - was somewhat interesting. But mostly I felt bored while reading this. To be fair maybe it's just too clever for me....more
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