I nearly DNF'd this early on as I couldn't get into it, but I saw a lot of good review so started it over and... I could've just DNF'd. It was fine buI nearly DNF'd this early on as I couldn't get into it, but I saw a lot of good review so started it over and... I could've just DNF'd. It was fine but I just didn't care. I found it jarring at parts - we seemed to jump forward months and would only know when a comment was made about how long since they had been brought to the future and the character development was non-existent. People just.. changed - again, because months would pass and they'd be more settled and starting to integrate into society but in my mind it had barely been a few weeks. Why Graham was joining the ministry felt sudden and random and also why.. WHY.. did we make him an actual person?
We have pretty much no info on who the real Graham Gore was and it just felt a bit off to me to make the character him and give him traits that could be wildly off rather than a character inspired by the man.
I also have no idea what purpose the alternate POV chapters served. I feel like nothing happened in them and they were just boring.
This had such high potential but really fall flat to me. I don't even want to class it as sci-fi as we really don't experience much of that. ...more
This was fine. I've been unwell which hasn't helped me to enjoy much but I think this was just one of those audiobooks that didn't grab me - there werThis was fine. I've been unwell which hasn't helped me to enjoy much but I think this was just one of those audiobooks that didn't grab me - there were quite a few characters to keep track of and I just struggled a bit to keep up with them all to the point that when we had the reveal I didn't really care because I'd barely paid attention to that character when they were mentioned previously....more
Compared to Sain's debut, there was absolutely no atmosphere. The characters felt generic and predictable and the narrator diThis did nothing for me.
Compared to Sain's debut, there was absolutely no atmosphere. The characters felt generic and predictable and the narrator didn't keep me engaged. It wasn't bad, but it just didn't work for me. The whole "reincarnation" type aspect bordered on cheesy (coming from someone who is very open to that idea and would love to see books explore that idea more). When it first was introduced in the book, it had me intrigued as it does make for a really interesting premise but ultimately it felt as if it was just there as an easy way to explain how the characters could know things that would solve the mystery and it fell flat....more
This was such a beautiful audio book - I wasn't sure how it would work given it was originally a graphic novel and was worried I'd be "missing out" buThis was such a beautiful audio book - I wasn't sure how it would work given it was originally a graphic novel and was worried I'd be "missing out" but this was special and I'm glad I listened to it. It was easy to listen to and just made me feel really good and trust in my own journey....more
I've heard nothing but good things about Nnedi Okorafor's books and was so excited for this one. I was struggling to stay engaged with this one - I coI've heard nothing but good things about Nnedi Okorafor's books and was so excited for this one. I was struggling to stay engaged with this one - I couldn't find a speed that suited me along with the speed of the narrator, so I had to go slightly too fast and let it get ahead f me as otherwise it was too slow and I'd have completely turned off. This meant I wasn't really keeping up and not fully invested. I had debated just dnf'ing and accepting it wasn't for me, but I was still interested in where it would go.. however I wish I had stopped.
In the last 20% we are introduced to an evil chief who I don't think was referred to without mention of his fatness - going so far as to say his fatness isn't normal but a literal sign of how evil he is. It also got dangerously close to ableism with my liking when we're first introduced to him and Ejii says he's so fat he can't walk. At one point there is a casual mention of him clenching his fists and it's written as "his fat fist". There is simply no need for it. It made me, a fat disabled person, feel really uncomfortable and honestly a bit angry.
I can absolutely accept characters having problematic thoughts, but this was purely used to evidence how evil this man was. I saw nothing in Ejii to suggest she would be fatphobic and it wasn't used to better her character. There was also a comment in regards to creatures knowing if the person riding them is a man or a woman even if they've dressed as the other which I would have worded better as with it being a throwaway comment, it does risk veering close to being transphobic.
I realise this was originally published in 2007, but I'd have thought one of the benefits of reworking and republishing a book so many years later is that you can change theses sorts of things. I guess not - though I'm not sure what the point would be in reworking it otherwise. It does make me hesitant to pick up the sequel or more of this author's work as if they didn't feel they needed to change this now, I don't really want to risk reading more fatphobic content, which is a shame given how many good things I've heard and how great the plots sound....more
On the one hand, I read it in one sitting, Emezi's writing style is gorgeous and I could feel their passion pouriI'm not really sure how to rate this.
On the one hand, I read it in one sitting, Emezi's writing style is gorgeous and I could feel their passion pouring out of the page. On the other, I didn't connect with it.
There was a lot of biblical imagery in this and that is the sort of thing I will typically avoid as I am not religious and have complicated thoughts and feelings around it so it's always difficult for me to read anything that veers in that direction.
The synopsis mentions this "renegotiating the contract between poet and reader" which really intrigued me but after reading, I don't really know what that meant and it's left me feeling confused about what this was meant to be (or is, that I'm failing to pick up)
I realise I am perhaps simply not the intended reader, and that's okay, but it does leave me at a loss for how to rate it. Normally I'd go down the middle with a 3 but that feels harsh....more
I wasn’t sure what to think of this at first but I did really enjoy it. It wasn’t overly exciting - given it being told via the letters sent between tI wasn’t sure what to think of this at first but I did really enjoy it. It wasn’t overly exciting - given it being told via the letters sent between the characters it made any climatic moments duller as it was being told second hand but that said, it was a nice change of pace and just an enjoyable read to pop on and dip back in to their lives. ...more
This is a really quick read - under an hour if on 1x speed.
The setting was inspired by an area near me that I know well enough that I could easily picThis is a really quick read - under an hour if on 1x speed.
The setting was inspired by an area near me that I know well enough that I could easily picture it in my mind while reading, but Jasbinder's writing was so atmospheric that I didn't need to think of an area I know.
I really enjoyed the narrator - I appreciated the use of the Scottish accent, which felt very natural so I would be surprised if it wasn't a Scottish voice actor. It really kept me engaged.
How a book so short could pack so much, I'm not sure. It passed on a really good message about protecting our oceans and what lives in them.
In some ways, I really wish it had been longer. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for a full length novel - be it middle grade or otherwise - from this author....more
I really wanted to love this but in the end, I lost interest.
This was LONGGGG and to be honest, I could barely tell you what happened as it failed to I really wanted to love this but in the end, I lost interest.
This was LONGGGG and to be honest, I could barely tell you what happened as it failed to keep my interest. I definitely missed out on any excitement of reveals as I'd not kept up with who was who and it just wasn't for me. ...more
I have been waiting for this book since November 2022 and it did not disappoint.
Remember, Remember was gripping, heart wrenching, and full of hope. ItI have been waiting for this book since November 2022 and it did not disappoint.
Remember, Remember was gripping, heart wrenching, and full of hope. It was engaging and kept me hooked - I have never felt tension in a book like when reading Vincent's trial. This book could have taken so many turns and I never knew where we'd go and loved every second. I attended the launch event this evening, and like Elle mentioned there, I am not usually one for quotes to open chapters, however the inclusion of real articles and quotes from the time were really impactful and I truly felt I was there. This was one of those books where I could see every moment - I could see the movie in my mind playing out (and god I'd love this to be a movie, which is saying a lot given I rarely watch them!). It just felt... right?
Reading this felt similar to me as to when I read Les Miserables, and not just because of the themes of revolution. I am very much a light reader. I enjoy fast paced, quick reads that don't simmer. I like to get to the point and the action, no slow building, no setting up (even though it leads to a good reward, typically). But every so often a "simmer" book finds it's way to me and I relish in sitting, taking the story in bit by bit, allowing things to build up. I don't know what makes me latch on to some and not others, but Remember, Remember, like Les Mis (but significantly shorter and definitely much faster paced than the Brick!) had whatever it is I need.
Every character felt real. I cared about them - even if we only met briefly - and of course loathed some! For an author who has only been writing in this style since lockdown, this is beyond a talent. This reads like an author who has honed their craft for decades. I would be green with envy if I wasn't just so thrilled for them. I cannot wait to read more from Elle Machray (I know it's one day post publication but can we have more now, please?)...more
I really don't know how to review this book if I'm honest.
Speaking subjectively, most of this was just common sense to me and it did nothing to reallyI really don't know how to review this book if I'm honest.
Speaking subjectively, most of this was just common sense to me and it did nothing to really encourage just doing the difficult things like setting boundaries except tell you that if you do it, it'll help your burnout.
Literally, this book did absolutely nothing for me. It was entirely focused on work/life balance and improving workplace experiences. I don't work. I knew work would come into the book but I really expected to get more general advice and information on burnout and how to handle it, instead I just got "decline the work event" "here's how to tell that person who stops by your desk for a chat to go away". I didn't need any of this. I'm not burnout because I work too much and I don't feel like the description truly conveys that this is a book for career folks who don't know how to set boundaries and are dealing with JOB burnout.
And as I say, even if I look at it subjectively and consider how this book would have helped me when I was working, I don't think it would have helped. It told me nothing new and didn't actually tell me HOW to manage to do certain things. It was just telling people to do things I'd be very surprised they didn't already know they needed to. Perhaps for some, having someone tell you "hey, you need to decline that socialiser" or "stop responding to work emails after 5pm" helps, but for me it feels patronising and it would have just made me feel silly for not being able to do it, and frustrate me that it gave no helpful tips on how to do those things if you were stressed or anxious about it.
My biggest issue is that this is very neurotypial centred. There was a brief touch on neurodivergent people (as in, I recall a passing sentence I believe saying how it's different for us) but really this book is not catered to us, and as burnout is so heavily connected with autism in particular, I feel like this book would do better if the title was "the cure for workplace burnout" so it's obvious from the get-go if it's relevant (which would also help the unemployed NT's avoid it). I'm sure this may be of use to some ND's (we are all different of course!) but ultimately, I feel like I wasted my time on a book that barely considered my experiences with burnout and never really admitted to itself it was dealing with workplace/job burnout, not just burnout....more
I really enjoyed this - it kept me engaged and guessing, though the end slightly let me down. It just felt rushed in some ways and everyone sort of juI really enjoyed this - it kept me engaged and guessing, though the end slightly let me down. It just felt rushed in some ways and everyone sort of just accepted everything too easily but it wasn't entirely unbelievable. Overall, much better than Five Survive so I'm looking forward to Jackson's next one....more
No Rating as did not engage enough to actually give one.
I really wanted to love this one but something about it just failed to keep me engaged. I thinNo Rating as did not engage enough to actually give one.
I really wanted to love this one but something about it just failed to keep me engaged. I think I just struggle to listen to multi-pov when it's just one narrator/one voice. As I need to listen to a fast speed, the chapters start quickly so I miss who's pov it is and it makes it hard for me to keep up.
I could tell you the start of this book, and a bit towards the end, but I just didn't retain enough of it for any climaxes etc. to have any affect.
It's one of those I almost don't want to count as having read because I couldn't tell you more than a basic synopsis.
That all said, I do think for those who predominantly read this genre it will go down a treat, it just wasn't my cup of tea (pun intended). I did however like the writing style and will be keeping my eye out for more of Faizal's work....more
I was really excited about this but it wasn't quite what I expected or hoped for. That said, it was still an enjoyable read, even if I picked it u3.75
I was really excited about this but it wasn't quite what I expected or hoped for. That said, it was still an enjoyable read, even if I picked it up at the start of a 4 month long (and counting) slump so took me a while to get through.
I didn't find myself shocked by any reveals. Not because I saw them coming, but I just.. didn't get gripped by it. I do think the author is one I would read from again and I'd be interested to go back and read their debut....more
I enjoyed this but it didn't quite hold my focus entirely. I love a good mystery, and this one had enough clue solving for my liking but it did lac3.5
I enjoyed this but it didn't quite hold my focus entirely. I love a good mystery, and this one had enough clue solving for my liking but it did lack allowing the reader to figure things out - I think in part as a lot of the clues were anagrams and similar things that i would need to see the text to be able to work out, and also due to the clues relating to the house and having knowledge of that. However nothing felt "convenient", or thrown in with no reason.
I think I'd have gotten more from this as a physical read but it's definitely put Alexandra Benedict on my radar for future releases!...more
This would've been rated a lot higher had the narrator not had that over-exaggerated "i'm an adult pretending to be a decade or three younger" whiney This would've been rated a lot higher had the narrator not had that over-exaggerated "i'm an adult pretending to be a decade or three younger" whiney tone....more
I enjoyed this contemporary romance and particularly enjoyed it being set in Dubai and during Diwali. I don't know a lot about Hindu culture so it wasI enjoyed this contemporary romance and particularly enjoyed it being set in Dubai and during Diwali. I don't know a lot about Hindu culture so it was really nice to get to experience it through NIkki's family holiday and best friend/boy drama! I really appreciated how real it all felt - sometimes the conflicts between characters can feel forced and unbelievable but that wasn't the case here. The only "fault" I could give is that the "big reveal" at the end I had clocked on to pretty quickly and then it all wrapped up very quickly, but it wasn't done poorly at all! ...more
This was almost perfect for me - it didn't have quite enough "actual" clues that I could pick up on and use to solve the crime, it was more things beiThis was almost perfect for me - it didn't have quite enough "actual" clues that I could pick up on and use to solve the crime, it was more things being laid out then explained how they proved whodunnit at the end which isn't as fun and doesn't keep me as captivated as when there are either subtle hints or direct 'this is a clue, what does it mean?' moments but I still thoroughly enjoyed myself.
I am slightly slumpy at present, so this may have been me, but for a relatively short book, this seemed to drag at points and I'd have liked slightly faster pacing.
Potential (minor) spoilers: Nell is an interesting character. At the start she felt very well rounded but then we learn something and realise she isn't quite what she seems and I'm interested to actually get to know her as the series goes on. She is a very clever woman but also stupid and irritating - the fact she had no common sense at points, going off to the crime scene and going after a suspect. I also felt she too easily got off with a lot of things and there were aspects I just didn't understand - the staying at the scene of a crime overnight (with police permission!!) made no sense. Surely they could've gone somewhere with conor (even dropped off at a hotel) but overall i found these things minor and in a way it adds to the charm of the series that it doesn't take itself too seriously. It's not quite what I'd consider cosy mystery territory (where I definitely am more forgiving of things, such as in The Charity Shop Detective Agency where the police literally give information to the elderly ladies trying to solve the mystery!) but it's pretty close and so I'll allow it!
I definitely plan to keep going with the series - hopefully as I get out of this slump I'll enjoy them more and more!...more
My rating feels harsh because this book wasn't bad - it kept me engaged a lot easier than a lot of audiobooks and I was intrigued as to where it wouldMy rating feels harsh because this book wasn't bad - it kept me engaged a lot easier than a lot of audiobooks and I was intrigued as to where it would go... it just didn't give me enough. I would've liked to spend more time in the hotel just being in the hotel and exploring. I'd have liked to have been able to piece together clues myself more (though this could be the fault of my next point)
I also struggled with points where I think we changed POV but there was nothing in the audiobook to say so except that I noticed when it felt like we'd switched POV, there wasn't a pause - the last sentence barely ended and the next one started. It was jarring and that is 100% an audio-production issue and not the author.
I would recommend this for people who are interested in it, but it's not going to be the mystery that sticks out in my mind. It just lacked a little something for me, which is disappointing as I think otherwise, it was. a really good book and I am planning to check out the author's other works....more
3.75 stars (please can goodreads let us add these so we don't have to round up/down)
I really enjoyed this audiobook. It was the perfect mix of romance3.75 stars (please can goodreads let us add these so we don't have to round up/down)
I really enjoyed this audiobook. It was the perfect mix of romance, serious topics, and just teens going through life. The characters felt believable and the way the interacted felt true - nobody overreacted for the sake of plot, you could understand the reasons behind everyone's behaviour and I felt it showed a number of different issues teens may experience, especially in friendships, that could help them in real life. ...more
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