...he felt connected to the outback in a way that he loved. There was something about the brutal heat when the sun was high in the sky and he was watc
...he felt connected to the outback in a way that he loved. There was something about the brutal heat when the sun was high in the sky and he was watching the slow meandering movements of the herds. Looking out over the wide-open plains and seeing the changing colours in the dust. It was the only time when he felt something close to happiness.
I loved Jane Harper's writing in her debut, The Dry, but preferred the story line in Force of Nature. In The Lost Man she manages to combine both these elements to produce her best book yet. Through her vivid descriptions of the outback, the setting becomes one of the central characters of the book - one that you can see, feel and smell. Kristin Hannah did the same thing for Alaska in The Great Alone.
I loved that this was more of a psychological drama than just your standard who-dunnit. The main protagonist is a multifaceted character and I enjoyed getting to know him and his thought processes.
I think it is save to say that Jane Harper is now one of my favorite suspense writers, second only to Tana French. I can't wait to see what she does next....more
I never thought much about my personality before, but when I did, I took it for granted that it was mine, you know?
Tana French is one of my favorite a
I never thought much about my personality before, but when I did, I took it for granted that it was mine, you know?
Tana French is one of my favorite authors, and I couldn't wait to read this. I find it very difficult to rate my best-loved authors, as my expectations are so much higher compared to reading a new author.
Some of the elements that I love most about Tana's writing: -The relationship between the detectives, and the focus on interviewing techniques -Her ability to create a feeling of eeriness (almost unease) in her descriptions of nature -The Irish setting
Unfortunately none of these were truly present in The Witch Elm. So why the 4 stars? The writing is still exquisite, and I think her books are just in a different league than other mystery books. There is a much stronger focus on characters thoughts and feelings - more introspective than high-adrenaline. Toby's struggle with the acceptance of how an incident early in the story changed him, and how she used this throughout the book is interesting.
I must admit that I found the first 50% of the book a bit slow and I think this could have been cut quite a bit, but I really enjoyed the second half. Although different in many ways to her previous novels, I would probably say this is most similar to The Likeness.
So if you're in the mood for a slower, but well written mystery then definitely give this a try. ...more
3.5 stars. This has been on my kindle forever, but I needed a short book as I'm still trying to make my GR challenge. I really liked it, this is defin3.5 stars. This has been on my kindle forever, but I needed a short book as I'm still trying to make my GR challenge. I really liked it, this is definitely not your standard YA book. First of I loved Cadence (very unreliable) voice - at times overly dramatic, bitter and cynical. Her descriptions of pain are truly beautiful. The author did a good job with slowly revealing Cadence lost memories, leading to the unexpected ending. Maybe because of Cadence very self-involved teenage outlook we never really get to know the other characters, and this is the reason the book does not get more stars. A quick, well-written story about a horrible family in a beautiful setting.
The Story: The book is centered on the wealthy, seemingly perfect Sinclair family, who spend every summer gathered on their private island. However, not every summer is the same—when something happens to Cadence during the summer of her fifteenth year, the four "Liars" (Cadence, Johnny, Gat and Mirren) re-emerge two years later to prompt Cadence to remember the incident....more
It was wise enough to know itself, and brave enough to be itself, and wild enough to change itself while somehow staying altogether true.
3.5 stars. A
It was wise enough to know itself, and brave enough to be itself, and wild enough to change itself while somehow staying altogether true.
3.5 stars. A lot of the current reviews focus more on the author than on the book. So let me start of by saying that although I thoroughly enjoyed Patrick Rothfuss previous two books, I'm no groupie. I'm also not in the defamer camp - I really don't care when he decides to release his books. Okay so about the book - it was beautiful. The writing is lyrical, imaginative and otherworldly. To be able to write a whole book with only one character is quite amazing. It probably helps that the character is Auri - whimsical, mysterious and lovable. I never read a book twice, but in this instance I'm going to follow the advice of the author and make time to do this in one sitting, and read it slowly while disregarding all other things. I had too much going on, and could not immerse myself 100% in Auri's world. If words are not your thing, and you are more focused on action then this is not for you.
The Story: Deep below the university's bustling halls lies a complex and cavernous maze of abandoned rooms and ancient passageways - and in the heart of it all lives Auri. Formerly a student at the University, now Auri spends her days tending the world around her. She has learned that some mysteries are best left settled and safe. No longer fooled by the sharp rationality so treasured by the University, Auri sees beyond the surface of things, into subtle dangers and hidden names....more
Death drives every creative and destructive impulse we have as human beings. The closer we come to understanding it, the closer we come to understandi
Death drives every creative and destructive impulse we have as human beings. The closer we come to understanding it, the closer we come to understanding ourselves.
I struggled with this book. It was very interesting and I especially found the idea that most of us are not in touch with our mortality and that we try and avoid death and everything related to it at all cost thought-provoking. On the down side I couldn't figure out if it was supposed to be a memoir or not, and it felt a bit like the book was all over the show - telling you a bit about this, then jumping to something else etc. I do however admire her absolute passion! If all of us puts this much energy into our interests, the world would be a very different place....more
I don't look up. It's such a little thing - knowing where to put cutlery - but I feel like I've failed an important test. A little piece of me is gone
I don't look up. It's such a little thing - knowing where to put cutlery - but I feel like I've failed an important test. A little piece of me is gone.
What a wonderful debut novel. It was funny, sad and suspenseful. What makes this book unique is how well the author describes Maud's descend into Alzheimer’s, without making it the focus of the entire story. We get a first-hand experience of what it would be like to lose your memories, basic skills, sense of time and other people's respect. All that said, there were moments when I was screaming with laughter at some of the situations Maud got herself into. She definitely is one of my favorite characters for 2014. Highly recommended.
The Story: Lately, Maud's been getting forgetful. She keeps buying peach slices when she has a cupboard full, forgets to drink the cups of tea she's made and writes notes to remind herself of things. But Maud is determined to discover what has happened to her friend, Elizabeth, and what it has to do with the unsolved disappearance of her sister Sukey, years back, just after the war....more
I'm stranded on Mars. I have no way to communicate with Earth. I'm in a Habitat designed to last 31 days. If the Oxygenator breaks down, I'll suffocat
I'm stranded on Mars. I have no way to communicate with Earth. I'm in a Habitat designed to last 31 days. If the Oxygenator breaks down, I'll suffocate. If the Water Reclaimer breaks down, I'll die of thirst. If the Hab breaches, I'll just kind of explode. If none of those things happen, I'll eventually run out of food and starve to death. So yeah. I'm screwed.
I read almost any genre, but sci-fi would probably be my least favorite. The only reason I actually tried it is because my husband forced me to. I LOVED it - super funny, interesting (well researched, so everything is based on current technology) and action-packed - in other words the perfect holiday read. Most of the technological/how-to bits was over my head, but it did not lessen my enjoyment at all. It was like watching MacGyver doing his thing on Mars. I also loved the fact that the author self-published, and became a bestseller on Amazon, selling 35,000 copies in three months. I can't wait for his next book!!!! The story: NASA astronaut Mark Watney, a botanist and mechanical engineer, is left stranded on Mars when the crew of the Ares 3 mission is forced to evacuate their landing site in Acidalia Planitia due to a dust storm with high winds. Watney is impaled by an antenna during the evacuation, destroying his EVA suit's bio-monitor computer, and his five crewmates believe him to be dead. His injury proves relatively minor, but with no way to contact Earth, Watney must rely on his scientific and technical skills to survive, growing potatoes in the crew's Martian habitat (or Hab) and burning hydrogen to make water. He begins a log of his experiences for some future archeologist who might discover it long after his death....more
I loved this book, and was sad when it ended. It's right up there withWhat Alice Forgot. Although an eas
Mothers took their mothering so seriously now.
I loved this book, and was sad when it ended. It's right up there withWhat Alice Forgot. Although an easy read (I finished it in two sittings) it had everything - laugh out loud moments, suspense and a look at some real issues. I loved the characters, not only the main ones like Madeline, but even the very itty-bitty ones like Samantha. I recognize some of them at my kids school. I think it takes real talent to write a beach read that looks at things like bullying, domestic violence, date rape, dealing with ex-husbands etc.
The Story: Pirriwee Public is a beautiful little beachside primary school where children are taught that ‘sharing is caring.’ So how has the annual School Trivia Night ended in full-blown riot? Sirens are wailing. People are screaming. The principal is mortified. And one parent is dead. Was it a murder, a tragic accident or just good parents gone bad? As the parents at Pirriwee Public are about to discover, sometimes it’s the little lies that turn out to be the most lethal…
I enjoyed it, but more for the development of relationships between characters, than for the who-dunnit part. I figured that out quite early on. A welI enjoyed it, but more for the development of relationships between characters, than for the who-dunnit part. I figured that out quite early on. A well-written debut and I'll be on the look out for her next book....more
It belonged only to her, and the secret of it had become as precious as the object itself.
I think this is the first adult dystopian I've read, and I r
It belonged only to her, and the secret of it had become as precious as the object itself.
I think this is the first adult dystopian I've read, and I really enjoyed it. Unlike most books in this genre it's not fast-paced and action packed, but rather had me feeling unsettled through the whole book. Although it sort of off explains what has happened to our world in this not so distant vision of the future, the focus is most definitely on how it affects people and their relationships. If you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories, I recommend this well-written and intelligent debut novel. ...more
I don't scare easily, and when I do read a book that terrifies me it's normally a book about crime, genocide and war, reminding me how quickly a countI don't scare easily, and when I do read a book that terrifies me it's normally a book about crime, genocide and war, reminding me how quickly a country can slide into hell. Living in Africa these matters are always at the back of my mind. I don't however get frightened by vampires, ghosts or any other fantasy creatures. So I did not expect my reaction to Bird Box at all. I started reading quite late one evening, got to 75% and then was so terrified that I struggled falling asleep, when I finally did I had horrible nightmares. I made sure to finish it very early the next evening, and to follow it up with some very light reading before bedtime.
I think the reason I has this reaction is because Josh Malerman never shows or tells you what you are frightened of. This works much better for me, as the unknown is always scarier than any known element. This is not a book with a lot of action or dialogue, but I loved the suspense and I thoroughly enjoyed being scared witless....more
On the outside, sun and reality shrink people back to their actual size. In here, people grow into their shadows.
4.5 stars. This was not an easy read,
On the outside, sun and reality shrink people back to their actual size. In here, people grow into their shadows.
4.5 stars. This was not an easy read, but I loved it. The writing is exquisite, it reads almost like poetry. I've read a few prison books, but this is the first one that feels real, possibly because the author is a fact investigator in death penalty cases, so deals with death row inmates on a regular basis. The book reads like you're in a dream, the main point of view is from a mentally unstable prisoner. I like that the book explores why people do bad things, but it also shows that even if you had almost exactly the same experiences growing up, you can still make very different decisions. So, a very upsetting read, but the magnificent writing and insight into a world I know nothing about made this an unforgettable read. Men who have not been violated don't understand what it is like to have the edges of your body blurred-to feel that every inch of your skin is a place where fingers can press, that every hole and orifice is a place where others can put parts of their bodies. When your body stops being corporeal, your soul has no place to go, so it finds the next window to escape. My soul left me when I was six.
The Story: A prisoner sits on death row in a maximum security prison. His only escape from his harsh existence is through the words he dreams about, the world he conjures around him using the power of language. For the reality of his world is brutal and stark. He is not named, nor do we know his crime. But he listens. He listens to the story of York, the prisoner in the cell next to him whose execution date has been set. He hears the lady, an investigator who is piecing together York's past. He watches as the lady falls in love with the priest and wonders if love is still possible here. He sees the corruption and the danger as tensions in 'this enchanted place' build. And he waits.For even monsters have a story ... ...more
From the smallest things, great wonders are exposed.
I enjoy books that plays with time, some of my favorites are The Time Traveler's Wife, 11/22/63 and the The Shining Girls. So obviously there are no time-travelling in this title, more like being stuck in time. The Kalachakra gets born to the same people at the same time, and can remember all their previous lifes. A very interesting idea, and quite thought-provoking. I couldn't figure out why linears (normal people) would live the same life year after year without changing anything. I felt the fact that Harry changed in every life should have affected his parents and their decisions more. Although I enjoyed this part of the book, I wasn't that absorbed by the actual plot - a bit too sci-fi for me, but I'm sure a lot of other people will love this, as attested by the high average rating. I'll try Life After Life soon as I think this may be more my cup of tea....more
They had only ever discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?
My best-loved genre is historical fiction, but a close second i
They had only ever discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?
My best-loved genre is historical fiction, but a close second is books about books, or people who loves books. This was a perfect example of the latter. As I am a sales manager for a publishing house, I loved the jargon and shoptalk, as everything felt very familiar. This is a quick, sweet and very funny story. I adored all the characters, and think this would make such a lovely movie. One complaint though, it was too short - I could have stayed in Island Books for another day or two.
The Story: A.J. Fikry’s life is not at all what he expected it to be. His wife has died, his bookstore is experiencing the worst sales in its history, and now his prized possession, a rare collection of Poe poems, has been stolen. Slowly but surely, he is isolating himself from all the people of Alice Island. And then a mysterious package appears at the bookstore. It’s that unexpected arrival that gives him the opportunity to make his life over, the ability to see everything anew. ...more
3.5 stars. This gritty thriller had me on the edge of my seat for the complete ride. I read it in three sittings as I just could
Art needs an audience.
3.5 stars. This gritty thriller had me on the edge of my seat for the complete ride. I read it in three sittings as I just could not put it down. I thought the characters were well rounded, and all of them had their own unique voice. With the exception of Jonno (whose motivations stayed unclear to me), I felt like I was in their heads, getting an inside view of exactly who they are. Exceptionally well written, Broken Monsters kept me entertained throughout with suspense, humour, empathy and lots of interesting facts (for instance on the process of embalming). As in shining girls, the setting becomes a definite part of the story, and you can feel the Detroit she describes in vivid detail. Unlike her previous work, there is definitely less of a fantasy element in this novel. Although I thoroughly enjoyed this and The Shining Girls, my favorite by her is still Zoo City. I've never read anything like it, and I loved the setting, a futuristic Hillbrow. I am sure that this South African author will be going from strengh to strengh.
The Story: Detective Gabriella Versado has seen a lot of bodies. But this one is unique even by Detroit’s standards: half-boy, half-deer, somehow fused together. And it’s only the first. As winter closes in on Detroit, strange and disturbing corpses start turning up in unusual places, pulling several lives into the killer’s orbit. Gabi has to juggle the most harrowing case of her career with being a single mom to her troubled teen daughter Layla.
Every week was exactly the same as the one before it: five straight mornings of McDonald's breakfast, followed by rape. Hours of boredom from morning
Every week was exactly the same as the one before it: five straight mornings of McDonald's breakfast, followed by rape. Hours of boredom from morning until afternoon.
This book was shocking and extremely sad. I can't believe that one person can have such a morbid life, and I'm not only talking about being kidnapped and being kept captived for more than 11 years, I'm also referring to her depressing childhood. I find it unthinkable that there are such sadistic and sick people out there.
All that said, Michelle is such a strong and optimistic person, that I thought her story was uplifting. I hope that the rest of her life will be filled with happiness and love....more
4.5 stars. I loved everything about this. I'm not into self-help at all, so Dan's critical and questioning attitude worked really well in convincing a4.5 stars. I loved everything about this. I'm not into self-help at all, so Dan's critical and questioning attitude worked really well in convincing a sceptic like me. I have even started meditating on a daily basis. His sense of humour is brilliant, and I can't remember when last I laughed so much while reading. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys A.J. Jacobs writing.
The Story: After having a nationally televised panic attack on Good Morning America, Dan Harris knew he had to make some changes. A lifelong non-believer, he found himself on a bizarre adventure, involving a disgraced pastor, a mysterious self-help guru, and a gaggle of brain scientists....more
I was a little girl and then I wasn't. I was a bacha posh and then I wasn't. I was a daughter and then I wasn't. I was a mother and then I wasn't.
3.5
I was a little girl and then I wasn't. I was a bacha posh and then I wasn't. I was a daughter and then I wasn't. I was a mother and then I wasn't.
3.5 stars. I am in two minds about this book. On the plus side I thought the two alternating stories was good, and it really made me think about women's life’s in Afghanistan. Even though we "know" that they have very little power or freedom, it is a shock to the system to read what this means when translated into someone's daily life. Some of the aspects I enjoyed the most were learning about what a bacha posh is, how the parliament works (or doesn't) and that disabilities are so abhorred. I was really upset about how cruel some women could be to other women, especially the mother-in-law characters. I understand that this is because they have no other power, but I still find it very sad. So why did I think this book was good and not great. I have to admit that I'm not a 100% sure. I suspect it has something to do with the author's writing style. I did not deeply connect with any of the characters. This is definitely not the general feeling out there when reading other reviews, so please try this book if you normally enjoy this genre. I am still glad that I read it even though it was not a 5 star read for me. ...more
Is it right to do something only because everyone else is doing it?
4.5 stars. The only reason this does not get a full 5 stars is because it took a fe
Is it right to do something only because everyone else is doing it?
4.5 stars. The only reason this does not get a full 5 stars is because it took a few chapters to hook me. I loved everything else about it though - the writing is elegant and understated. I liked the fact that the book moved around in time, it felt like the story was wrapped up like a parcel slowly being unfolded and shared with us. All the characters were inherently good, and you'll find no evil villians in this book - only people forced to make choices they would not have to make in another time and place. Even though All the light we cannot see focuses more on individual stories, the author showed what a difficult time this was for the German nation - during, but obviously also after the war. I highly recommend this subtle and clever piece of historical fiction.
"It was not", says Jutta, reaching the limits of her French, "very easy to be good then."
To many, I was myth incarnate, the embodiment of a most superb legend, a fairy tale. Some considered me a monster, mutation. To my great misfortune, I
To many, I was myth incarnate, the embodiment of a most superb legend, a fairy tale. Some considered me a monster, mutation. To my great misfortune, I was once mistaken for an angel. To my mother, I was everything. To my father, nothing at all. To my grandmother, I was a daily reminder of loves long lost. But I knew the truth - deep down, I always did. I was just a girl.
I loved everything about this book - the name, the cover, the story, the writing. I enjoy magical realism, but the only authors I've read so far that gets it right is Laura Esquivel and Isabel Allende. I think the reason for this is that you have to include all these magical elements, but you have to write it in such a way that it is totally believable and almost just part of the daily happenings. Well, I am very happy to say that I've added another author to my magical realism stable. Leslye Walton's writing is hauntingly beautiful, and I was bewitched by the characters and the enchanting story. I am not sure that I would have categorised it as YA though, as it is quite dark.
The Story: Foolish love appears to be a Roux family birthright. And for Ava Lavender, a girl born with the wings of a bird, it is an ominous thing to inherit. In her quest to understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to join her peers, sixteen-year-old Ava ventures into the wider world. But it is a dangerous world for a naive girl - a world which may view her as girl or angel. On the night of the summer solstice celebration, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air and Ava's journey and her family's saga reaches a devastating crescendo.
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