I have read six books in the first half of October.
I read two ARCs. The Forest City Killer by Vanessa Brown and Entanglement by Andrew J. Thomas. I've written individual reviews for these so I won't repeat myself.
I finally picked up Bookwanderers by Anna James. This is a children's fantasy book about Tilly who can "bookwander." That means she can literally pull favorite characters out of books and she can go inside a book to live out the story. This was very cute. There is a sequel that is already out in the UK and will be released in the US in spring 2020. I will likely pick up the next book. I gave this book 3 stars.
Then I listened to Confessions by Kanae Minato. This is a Japanese psychological horror story focusing on a middle school teacher and the events surrounding her daughter's death. There were many twists and turns and I couldn't consume the story fast enough. Definitely a page-turner! I gave the story 4 stars.
My library hold of This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger became available so I picked it up next. It's a historical fiction novel set in the Great Depression about some orphans who run away from their state care facility and survive in the wilderness. They meet people along the way, some good and some evil. Krueger wrote beautifully and I was very pleased with how the story turned out. I gave the book 4 stars.
Lastly, I picked up Christodora by Tim Murphy. Another historical fiction set in the 1980s, 1990s, up to 2021. This largely focused on the HIV/AIDS crisis and the people who were affected. The story focuses on Milly and Jared who choose to adopt a little boy who was orphaned when his mother died of AIDS. The stories interweave with several characters who impact the story in meaningful ways. The characters are mostly unlikable but I still enjoyed the story. I gave the book 4 stars.
Monday, October 21, 2019
ARC review of Entanglement by Andrew J. Thomas
I received an ARC of Entanglement by Andrew J. Thomas.
The book opens with a secret government building just disappearing. Why did it disappear? Is it related to other odd things going on? The author says he was inspired by Douglas Adams who famously wrote The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. There was definitely some whimsy and absurd humor reminiscent of Adams which I liked. However, in the beginning, there are 5-6 main characters whose stories have not yet converged. Because the author chose to focus on so many characters, I felt they were one dimensional and I had trouble connecting with them. Additionally, the "mystery" of the disappeared building took too long to resolve. There wasn't enough intrigue and I felt the story only really got going in the last 20-25%. The last part was very enjoyable and Thomas set up the ending to have a sequel or two. I feel I'm unlikely to pick up the sequel but I haven't completely ruled it out. I gave the book 3 stars. I would definitely recommend for people who enjoyed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and want another absurd sci-fi romp.
This book was released on September 10, 2019. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
The book opens with a secret government building just disappearing. Why did it disappear? Is it related to other odd things going on? The author says he was inspired by Douglas Adams who famously wrote The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. There was definitely some whimsy and absurd humor reminiscent of Adams which I liked. However, in the beginning, there are 5-6 main characters whose stories have not yet converged. Because the author chose to focus on so many characters, I felt they were one dimensional and I had trouble connecting with them. Additionally, the "mystery" of the disappeared building took too long to resolve. There wasn't enough intrigue and I felt the story only really got going in the last 20-25%. The last part was very enjoyable and Thomas set up the ending to have a sequel or two. I feel I'm unlikely to pick up the sequel but I haven't completely ruled it out. I gave the book 3 stars. I would definitely recommend for people who enjoyed The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and want another absurd sci-fi romp.
This book was released on September 10, 2019. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
October TBR
It's not really getting cooler where I live but its officially autumn and I am in the mood for some more atmospheric books. Here's what I want to read:
1. Tilly and the Bookwanderers by Anna James
2. This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
3. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James
4. Christodora by Tim Murphy
5. Confessions by Kanae Minato (Translated by Stephen Snyder)
6. No Visible Bruises by Rachel Louise Snyder
7. Naughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
8. A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore
9. Entanglement by Andrew J. Thomas
1. Tilly and the Bookwanderers by Anna James
2. This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
3. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James
4. Christodora by Tim Murphy
5. Confessions by Kanae Minato (Translated by Stephen Snyder)
6. No Visible Bruises by Rachel Louise Snyder
7. Naughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
8. A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore
9. Entanglement by Andrew J. Thomas
Review of The Forest City Killer by Vanessa Brown
I received an ARC from Netgalley called The Forest City Killer by Vanessa Brown. This is a true crime about a serial killer and rapist operating in Canada in the 1960s and early 70s. Vanessa Brown is not a journalist but a citizen who lives in the same area where the serial killer was targeting victims. She interviewed surviving family members, read detective's notes, and even tried to interview potential suspects.
Unfortunately, this case is still unsolved which made me feel very unsatisfied with the story. She will talk about a location and then includes snippets of her life. For example; suspect went to this church then she will mention her grandma went to the same church. She includes unnecessary details about where everyone lived which may be interesting if you lived there, but not if you don't. She also included random information about fires and a potentially related case that was solved. The writing was disorganized, at times way too detailed, and ultimately led nowhere. I now realize I do not like reading true crime if it's unsolved. My interest is more in who did the crime and why they committed it. It was a slog to get through. I gave the book 2 stars.
This book comes out October 4th. The only people I recommend it to are people who live in London, Ontario and/or knew the victims.
Unfortunately, this case is still unsolved which made me feel very unsatisfied with the story. She will talk about a location and then includes snippets of her life. For example; suspect went to this church then she will mention her grandma went to the same church. She includes unnecessary details about where everyone lived which may be interesting if you lived there, but not if you don't. She also included random information about fires and a potentially related case that was solved. The writing was disorganized, at times way too detailed, and ultimately led nowhere. I now realize I do not like reading true crime if it's unsolved. My interest is more in who did the crime and why they committed it. It was a slog to get through. I gave the book 2 stars.
This book comes out October 4th. The only people I recommend it to are people who live in London, Ontario and/or knew the victims.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
September Wrap Up # 2
Since my last update, I've read 5 things.
I'm not a huge thriller reader typically but in the autumn, I sometimes enjoy one. I heard about The Chain by Adrian McKinty and decided to pick it up. The premise is that a woman gets a call that her daughter has been kidnapped. She must do two things in order to ensure her child's safe return; she must pay a ransom, and she must kidnap another child to continue to chain. Similarly to the last thriller I read, this was a bit far-fetched but held me captive. I read the book in just two days. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed but overall, a good read. I gave the book 4 stars.
I then picked up The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa translated by Stephen Snyder. This was a Japanese dystopian that I had been hearing a lot of buzz about. The characters live on an island and things keep disappearing. The people then forget the things and destroy any remnants that exist. There are some people who don't forget and they are taken away by the Memory Police. It was very reminiscent of the book 1984 in which a society is being controlled by a group at the top, but what fell flat for me is the citizens didn't do much to protest or rebel. Overall, disappointing and something that will quickly fade from my memory. I gave it 3 stars.
I only have two more challenges for my Book Riot Read Harder challenge so I decided to use this next book to cross off one more task. I read Under the Painted Sky by Stacey Lee as my historical romance by an author of color. This was a YA western/romance so not in my wheel-house at all but it was fairly enjoyable. A young woman of Chinese descent runs away with a slave in the 1800s to find freedom, safety, and love on the Oregon Trail. The book was fast-paced, with minimal cringe-y scenes. I gave the book 3 stars.
Afterwards, I picked up George Takei's graphic memoir called They Called Us Enemy which documents his time in a Japanese internment camp in the 1940's. This was a period of history I knew little about and felt that the story was informative and interesting. I found it especially poignant when he compared his time being unlawfully detained to the border camps that are currently detaining incoming immigrants. While not the same thing, it's important to learn from our mistakes and I felt this information was crucial to current day events. I gave the book 3.5 stars.
The last book I finished was Almost Love by Louise O'Neill. This book was described as a book about an unhealthy relationship, an obsessive love, and possibly abuse. It definitely wasn't quite how I expected. A woman does get in an unhealthy relationship with a man 20 years her senior but he makes it clear from the start that he just wants no-strings sex. She agrees to that but then keeps wanting more. When he's clear that he has nothing more to offer her, she goes back and forth wanting him but being afraid to ask since she knows what he'll say. She was an extremely unlikable character with very little growth. I didn't connect to her and felt she was whiny and in a situation completely of her own making. I gave the book 2.5 stars.
I'm not a huge thriller reader typically but in the autumn, I sometimes enjoy one. I heard about The Chain by Adrian McKinty and decided to pick it up. The premise is that a woman gets a call that her daughter has been kidnapped. She must do two things in order to ensure her child's safe return; she must pay a ransom, and she must kidnap another child to continue to chain. Similarly to the last thriller I read, this was a bit far-fetched but held me captive. I read the book in just two days. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed but overall, a good read. I gave the book 4 stars.
I then picked up The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa translated by Stephen Snyder. This was a Japanese dystopian that I had been hearing a lot of buzz about. The characters live on an island and things keep disappearing. The people then forget the things and destroy any remnants that exist. There are some people who don't forget and they are taken away by the Memory Police. It was very reminiscent of the book 1984 in which a society is being controlled by a group at the top, but what fell flat for me is the citizens didn't do much to protest or rebel. Overall, disappointing and something that will quickly fade from my memory. I gave it 3 stars.
I only have two more challenges for my Book Riot Read Harder challenge so I decided to use this next book to cross off one more task. I read Under the Painted Sky by Stacey Lee as my historical romance by an author of color. This was a YA western/romance so not in my wheel-house at all but it was fairly enjoyable. A young woman of Chinese descent runs away with a slave in the 1800s to find freedom, safety, and love on the Oregon Trail. The book was fast-paced, with minimal cringe-y scenes. I gave the book 3 stars.
Afterwards, I picked up George Takei's graphic memoir called They Called Us Enemy which documents his time in a Japanese internment camp in the 1940's. This was a period of history I knew little about and felt that the story was informative and interesting. I found it especially poignant when he compared his time being unlawfully detained to the border camps that are currently detaining incoming immigrants. While not the same thing, it's important to learn from our mistakes and I felt this information was crucial to current day events. I gave the book 3.5 stars.
The last book I finished was Almost Love by Louise O'Neill. This book was described as a book about an unhealthy relationship, an obsessive love, and possibly abuse. It definitely wasn't quite how I expected. A woman does get in an unhealthy relationship with a man 20 years her senior but he makes it clear from the start that he just wants no-strings sex. She agrees to that but then keeps wanting more. When he's clear that he has nothing more to offer her, she goes back and forth wanting him but being afraid to ask since she knows what he'll say. She was an extremely unlikable character with very little growth. I didn't connect to her and felt she was whiny and in a situation completely of her own making. I gave the book 2.5 stars.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
September Wrap Up #1
So I've done a poor job updating you on my reading but so far I've been sticking pretty close to my TBR.
I'm going to split this into two parts, the first covering the first five books I read this month.
I picked up the graphic memoir Hostage by Guy Delisle. This was his account of being kidnapped in a part of Russia during his time with Doctors Without Borders. The story was captivating but also captured the boredom he endured being trapped in a small room for weeks on end. The art style wasn't my favorite, with only shades of blue and gray but his story was definitely interesting. This was translated from French. I gave it 3 stars.
Then I listened to Before I go to Sleep by S.J. Watson This is a amnesia thriller about a woman who loses her memory every night when she goes to sleep. She starts to embark on writing down her truths and finds she cannot trust her husband. Is he lying to protect her or is he hiding something? This was a bit unbelievable but still a compelling read. I will say that there is not much of a twist but since I do not read many thrillers, I did not need something too shocking. I gave it 2.5 stars.
Eagerly, I picked up my pre-order To be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers. I have read her three previous books and enjoyed them immensely, but unfortunately, I was disappointed by this novella. I think the thing Becky Chambers does best is create really well-rounded characters but because she decided to use the majority of the book with world-building instead, the characters were pretty flat. It is an adventure story of future astronauts going on a habitable world tour to learn more about different planets that can host human life. There were some interesting ideas on how they could adapt to specific challenges but overall, I just wanted more. I gave it 2.5 stars.
After reading some meh books, I decided to listen to a re-read of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. I find listening to a favorite can sometimes jump start me out of a slump. It was phenomenal and I finished it within a few days. I'm hoping to hold on to this last one so I can finish sometime around Christmas.
Finally, my library hold on The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead came in. This is a story based on a real-life reform school in Florida. The story is about a teen boy named Elwood who has a promising future when a simple association with crime gets him sent to this school. The corruption, beatings, and sexual assaults are horrifying and it especially hurts because he doesn't deserve to be there. This left a strong impression and I will search out other books by this author. I gave the book 4 stars.
I'm going to split this into two parts, the first covering the first five books I read this month.
I picked up the graphic memoir Hostage by Guy Delisle. This was his account of being kidnapped in a part of Russia during his time with Doctors Without Borders. The story was captivating but also captured the boredom he endured being trapped in a small room for weeks on end. The art style wasn't my favorite, with only shades of blue and gray but his story was definitely interesting. This was translated from French. I gave it 3 stars.
Then I listened to Before I go to Sleep by S.J. Watson This is a amnesia thriller about a woman who loses her memory every night when she goes to sleep. She starts to embark on writing down her truths and finds she cannot trust her husband. Is he lying to protect her or is he hiding something? This was a bit unbelievable but still a compelling read. I will say that there is not much of a twist but since I do not read many thrillers, I did not need something too shocking. I gave it 2.5 stars.
Eagerly, I picked up my pre-order To be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers. I have read her three previous books and enjoyed them immensely, but unfortunately, I was disappointed by this novella. I think the thing Becky Chambers does best is create really well-rounded characters but because she decided to use the majority of the book with world-building instead, the characters were pretty flat. It is an adventure story of future astronauts going on a habitable world tour to learn more about different planets that can host human life. There were some interesting ideas on how they could adapt to specific challenges but overall, I just wanted more. I gave it 2.5 stars.
After reading some meh books, I decided to listen to a re-read of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. I find listening to a favorite can sometimes jump start me out of a slump. It was phenomenal and I finished it within a few days. I'm hoping to hold on to this last one so I can finish sometime around Christmas.
Finally, my library hold on The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead came in. This is a story based on a real-life reform school in Florida. The story is about a teen boy named Elwood who has a promising future when a simple association with crime gets him sent to this school. The corruption, beatings, and sexual assaults are horrifying and it especially hurts because he doesn't deserve to be there. This left a strong impression and I will search out other books by this author. I gave the book 4 stars.
August NEWTs Wrap Up
I did it! I became a Hogwarts Charms Professor.
I needed 7 NEWTs and I completed 10.
I needed A,E,O in Charms. I needed A, E in Defense against the Dark Arts, and 2 additional A's in other subjects I wished to teach.
Charms
Acceptable: Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton
Exceeds Expectation: Monster Volume 2 by Naoki Urasawa
Outstanding: Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Acceptable: An Unrestored Woman by Shoba Rao
Exceeds Expectation: Spellslinger by Sebastien de Castell
Transfiguration
Acceptable: The Binding by Bridget Collins
Herbology
Acceptable: Becoming by Michelle Obama
Care of Magical Creatures
Acceptable: As the Crow Flies by Melanie Gillman
Exceeds Expectation: Dawn by Selahattin Demirtas
Arithmancy
Acceptable: The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia
I needed 7 NEWTs and I completed 10.
I needed A,E,O in Charms. I needed A, E in Defense against the Dark Arts, and 2 additional A's in other subjects I wished to teach.
Charms
Acceptable: Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton
Exceeds Expectation: Monster Volume 2 by Naoki Urasawa
Outstanding: Nomadland by Jessica Bruder
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Acceptable: An Unrestored Woman by Shoba Rao
Exceeds Expectation: Spellslinger by Sebastien de Castell
Transfiguration
Acceptable: The Binding by Bridget Collins
Herbology
Acceptable: Becoming by Michelle Obama
Care of Magical Creatures
Acceptable: As the Crow Flies by Melanie Gillman
Exceeds Expectation: Dawn by Selahattin Demirtas
Arithmancy
Acceptable: The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia
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