Having loved Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant last year, I was expecting to have a similar experience with this underwater horror which involves aHaving loved Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant last year, I was expecting to have a similar experience with this underwater horror which involves a similar premise. We have a group of researchers out to sea who are recording video as they dive to a shipwreck to discover what went wrong so many decades earlier.
Unfortunately, I did not feel any character connection and the pacing felt a bit all over for me. I found myself constantly comparing this to Into the Drowning Deep, and it kept coming up short. This was not a bad book, but it just didn’t deliver the tension and claustrophobia I was hoping for. At no point did I find myself scared myself or even concerned about the fate of the characters. ...more
This short memoir about grief absolutely knocked the breath out of me. Amy Lin narrates the audiobook herself as she shares her experience of unexpectThis short memoir about grief absolutely knocked the breath out of me. Amy Lin narrates the audiobook herself as she shares her experience of unexpectedly losing the love of her life at age 32, not long after they had married. Their love was inspiring to hear about, which made the devastation of Kurtis' unexpected death all the more heartbreaking. Lin shares her raw emotions and the ways that grief has changed her as she is also forced to navigate a health scare of her own. I finished this book just wanting to hug her or do whatever I could to help her feel better. She is a gifted writer. Reading this memoir painted such a visceral experience and left me hoping she will find the strength to continue to share more of her story....more
This character-driven story follows Lara, a wife and mom to three grown daughters, who all live on a cherry farm in Michigan. In the midst of Covid, tThis character-driven story follows Lara, a wife and mom to three grown daughters, who all live on a cherry farm in Michigan. In the midst of Covid, the daughters implore their mom to share the story of how as a young actress she once dated a man who went on to become a Hollywood superstar.
The story is quiet and wandering and was enhanced by listening to the audiobook narrated by Meryl Streep. My enjoyment was also improved having just returned from a trip to Traverse City and the surrounding area where the book is set....more
4.5 Stars - A beautifully told literary suspense that begins with the story of Patch and Saint as they are entering their teenage years, living in a s4.5 Stars - A beautifully told literary suspense that begins with the story of Patch and Saint as they are entering their teenage years, living in a small town where they both feel like they don’t belong. Evil has come to town in the form of someone who is taking teenage girls, and this directly impacts the trajectories of Patch’s and Saint’s lives for decades to come.
This is a mystery and a story of unrequited love, a coming of age story and a story of loving someone so much that all the decisions of your life are guided solely by that love. It is wonderfully written, features nuanced, believe characters and has a wonderful sense of atmosphere. Really well done, and one I could see myself returning to down the road. ...more
Honestly, I was so close to DNFing this novel before things took a turn and I suddenly found myself quite invested. Margo is young, and it shows. She Honestly, I was so close to DNFing this novel before things took a turn and I suddenly found myself quite invested. Margo is young, and it shows. She is an 18-year-old college student who has an affair with her married with kids English professor only to find out that she is pregnant. She decides to keep the baby and proceeds to make absolutely no plans for how she will care and pay for the infant. Margo's passivity was too much for me in the first part of this novel, and I was getting increasingly frustrated, which is why I almost put this book down.
That's not to say that I think it was badly written. In fact, I think Margo is meant to be naïve, immature, and frustrating. Thorpe did a fantastic job of taking Margo from that place and developing her character into someone I was rooting for and cheering on as she began to make plans for herself and grow into someone who is determined to provide for herself and her child.
The book managed to blend some great, witty humor with a bunch of serious topics like addiction, sex-work, misogyny, and complicated family dynamics. It ended up being a successful mix of heart, raunchiness, and humor....more
4.5 Stars - Moving and beautifully written, this novel about motherhood speaks the quite parts out loud. I absolutely related to many parts of Soldier4.5 Stars - Moving and beautifully written, this novel about motherhood speaks the quite parts out loud. I absolutely related to many parts of Soldier's story as she recounts the exhausting, sacrificial days of becoming a mother. Soldier's husband is all but useless as his only contribution to their relationship and to fatherhood seems to be that he brings home a check. He himself is rarely home and is detached when present. Soldier falls absolutely in love with her son Sailor while losing herself, questioning her sanity, and struggling to do all that needs to be done. Despite the hard truths of this book, I did not find it depressing. Soldier is witty and the book made me laugh at several points as I rooted for her. This novel was deserving of its nomination for the Women's Prize....more
A compulsively readable literary fiction novel centering a very dysfunctional family. This one felt very much like a memoir, and I had to keep remindiA compulsively readable literary fiction novel centering a very dysfunctional family. This one felt very much like a memoir, and I had to keep reminding myself that these frustrating people who lacked any sense of healthy boundaries were fictional. If you like messy family dynamics and don't need your characters to be entirely likable, this is worth a read. ...more
DNF @ 10% - Given that it won the Women’s Prize for Nonfiction, I assume this book takes a turn and improves, but I am not up to force myself along foDNF @ 10% - Given that it won the Women’s Prize for Nonfiction, I assume this book takes a turn and improves, but I am not up to force myself along for the journey. Up to this point, the book has felt a bit directionless and self-indulgent. Moving on. ...more
Carlotta, who was formerly known as Dustin, is released from a men's prison after twenty years for her unwilling role in an armed robbery. She is on pCarlotta, who was formerly known as Dustin, is released from a men's prison after twenty years for her unwilling role in an armed robbery. She is on parole, given no resources or support, and is set up for failure from the start as she returns to a family who seemingly has no interest in her. The family home seems to be filled with partying people whom Carlotta barely recognizes, and she is trying to get her life together enough to stay out of prison and the horrors she experienced there.
While this book tackles some heave and harrowing themes, it does so using the voice of one of the most vibrant and hilarious characters I've ever read. I laughed more times than I could count while listening to this wonderfully narrated audiobook. Carlotta burst to life off the pages and made her way into my heart. Even when she was making stupid choices, I could not help but root for her. This was a wonderful reading experience....more
3.5 Stars - In this coming of age novel set in Australia, we follow Alice from her days as a little girl. She seeks solace in the beauty of nature as 3.5 Stars - In this coming of age novel set in Australia, we follow Alice from her days as a little girl. She seeks solace in the beauty of nature as she flees from her abusive father and seeks to protect her abused mother who makes excuses for him. Her world is very isolated until a life-changing event happens which brings her into the company of women who are themselves seeking solace and healing.
The Australian setting and the beautiful descriptions of the natural world were probably my favorite aspects of this novel. I enjoyed the audiobook and thought it was very well narrated. While the story kept my interest, I didn't find myself relating to Alice or caring very deeply about her or any of the side characters despite the emotional experiences she faced.
I think the lower rating for this book reflects people going into it with the wrong expectations. I would not describe this as a thriller, though I haI think the lower rating for this book reflects people going into it with the wrong expectations. I would not describe this as a thriller, though I have heard it mentioned that way several times. I would characterize it as a complex family drama with lots of suspense.
Set in Lagos, we follow hard-working, level-headed nurse Korede whose life has been turned a bit upside down by her gorgeous, fly by the seat of her pants younger sister Ayoola. Ayoola has had the misfortune of needing to off a boyfriend or two when the men crossed lines with her, and she has sought Korede's help in cleaning up these deadly messes. Seeing that this has become a bit of a pattern, Korede becomes worried when Ayoola begins flirting with the doctor/coworker Korede has befriended.
The audiobook added to my enjoyment of this compulsively readable book. Korede and Ayoola were both well-written characters and the story managed to address some more serious topics while keeping a lighter tone and quick pace. ...more
3.5 Stars - An Indigenous mystery/horror novel centering a young woman who's boyfriend dies unexpectedly in what the police believe was a suicide. As 3.5 Stars - An Indigenous mystery/horror novel centering a young woman who's boyfriend dies unexpectedly in what the police believe was a suicide. As this woman begins to investigate what happened to her boyfriend, darker horrors are unveiled.
Having finished this a few weeks ago, I can say that while I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, very little of this story has stayed with me....more
A lovely, Sapphic coming of age love story about two friends who slowly find their way to each other’s hearts. This was beautifully written and I enjoA lovely, Sapphic coming of age love story about two friends who slowly find their way to each other’s hearts. This was beautifully written and I enjoyed it more than most YA books I try. It did not have staying power for me, though I enjoyed it while listening to the audiobook. ...more
This haunted house story is set in the 1970's and is told in interview format. I listened to the audiobook, Daisy Jones & the Six but make it Gothic.
This haunted house story is set in the 1970's and is told in interview format. I listened to the audiobook, which was very well done. As this is a Gothic story, you have to be a fan of a slow-build to appreciate what the author is doing here. We follow an up and coming young folk band staying in a creepy old mansion while they work on their next album. We get perspectives from the various band members as well as a few others as the story of what happened to their front-man unfolds.
My only serious critique was that I wanted more hints of an explanation. I am usually fine with open endings and don't like everything to be neatly tied up, but this one really left the reader in the dark with the why behind what was happening. I think diving into that a little more would have added to the creepiness factor for me....more
For two weeks, Sylvie and her parents have joined an anthropology class in the north of England to live like ancient Britons did in the Iron Age. ThisFor two weeks, Sylvie and her parents have joined an anthropology class in the north of England to live like ancient Britons did in the Iron Age. This is not a departure for Sylvie and her strict, controlling father who already insists their family follow these older ways. We follow the group as they survive out in nature by hunting, gathering, and exploring some of the more troubling ancient customs.
This book combined some quiet, lovely imagery of nature with powerful themes of patriarchy, feminism, abuse, and racial purity. The author was gentle in her approach of examining such strong ideas, but they were all there to be explored as we see the ideas that motivate these characters unearthed. ...more
Sissy was born in 1961 to a beautiful muse of a mother who could turn on a dime into a scary and angry force. Sissy's complicated relationship with heSissy was born in 1961 to a beautiful muse of a mother who could turn on a dime into a scary and angry force. Sissy's complicated relationship with her mother leaves her turning to her baby doll Ethel for solace and comfort. The story then takes us back through two prior generations of Yanktonai Dakota women who both turned to dolls as friends when they were taken to residential Indian schools during their childhoods. We follow the ups and downs of their lives and see what lead them to become the people their descendants would come to know.
This is a character-driven story which reveals both the tragic history of this Indigenous community as well as their strengths and beauty. It was filled with sadness but also with love and hope. While I would not recommend this to a reader who prefers a fast-paced or plot-driven story, I found it to be very engaging and worthwhile....more
Adventurine is a dragon whose personality is very befitting of her name. She is tired of the well-meaning rules her family has imposed to protect her.Adventurine is a dragon whose personality is very befitting of her name. She is tired of the well-meaning rules her family has imposed to protect her. Adventurine doesn't want to wait the years and years it will take for her dragon scales to grown strong enough to protect her from the dangers of the outside world. She is ready to go exploring now and can certainly protect herself against any possible danger.
Imagine her shock then when, only minutes after escaping her family's cave, she is tricked into drinking some utterly delicious hot chocolate which turns her into a weak little human girl. Adventurine has unexpectedly discovered her life's true passion, chocolate, and she is determined to find work at the chocolate houses, no matter what curse has been thrown her way.
This was a fun middle-grade fantasy with a spunky female lead character who was quite amusing to follow. Many readers will enjoy this cozy tale with a fearsome hero....more
DNF @ 4% - I started the audiobook for this one not realizing it is a middle-grade novel, which might explain why the tone felt a bit cutesy or twee tDNF @ 4% - I started the audiobook for this one not realizing it is a middle-grade novel, which might explain why the tone felt a bit cutesy or twee to me. I may come back to this when I'm in the right mood now that I know what to expect. ...more
Griz has spent his life with is family on an isolated island away from the mainland where he has been told there are no more people left due the GeldiGriz has spent his life with is family on an isolated island away from the mainland where he has been told there are no more people left due the Gelding, which occurred many years back. One day, a man sails up to his home quite unexpectedly, and as the family begins to awaken the next morning, Griz finds one of his beloved dogs has been stolen. Griz gives chase, bringing nothing but his other dog as he follows the thief's red sails away from the only home he has ever know into the mysterious and dangerous mainland.
A character-focused post-apocalyptic story which I found to be very compelling. Anytime I had to stop the audiobook, I found myself thinking about the story and eager to pick it back up again. This was well-written, had good character work, and kept my interest up from start to finish....more
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