Another quick read, literary fiction this time. This was an insular peek into a married couples slide into infidelity, and the dark way in which the sAnother quick read, literary fiction this time. This was an insular peek into a married couples slide into infidelity, and the dark way in which the scorned dealt with the betrayal. A strange payback, a mother still looking after her children while doling out certain strikes of punishment. Reflecting on her upbringing, the effects of family violence. Children really do absorb more than those tasked to care for them do realise. Is she the harpy, merging into this evil mythological creature. She’s pretty odd, and hard for sure. Fans of litfic will like this. I did....more
Maybe I should take heed of the title. Never mind, one more book ticked off.
Apart from my incessant internal ageing monologue/dialogue that's been keMaybe I should take heed of the title. Never mind, one more book ticked off.
Apart from my incessant internal ageing monologue/dialogue that's been keeping me busy lately, I'm just too old for this stuff!
Nothing wrong with this for all the fans out there, I was just wondering about the consistent porn search, in what I assumed was the communal living space, and please just get a bloody job.
My 23 year old reading daughter did say I wouldn't love it.
I listened to this novella via the BorrowBox app and my public library....more
I finally have read Matthew Reilly! I am on a short story kick. This is not my genre, but if it was, it would get a five.
This narration was amazing, I finally have read Matthew Reilly! I am on a short story kick. This is not my genre, but if it was, it would get a five.
This narration was amazing, completely suiting the action, the vibe and the super heroes fighting it out for their prospective countries.
Russia and America. The supreme fight between good and evil, each country having their superpower rulers. Each one had a family of supreme offspring, whether they were conceived naturally. Or not. Cobalt was my fave.
An action pack fight for good and evil, the evil was pure hatred. It was kind of slapstick, the younger audience will love it. Lots of death, though.
This was fun and wild, I am not target audience, but if I was, it would be a 5⭐...more
I went into this novella blind, and I am glad I did. Initially I thought I was going to meet some sinister vibes, but I wasn't led down that path. We I went into this novella blind, and I am glad I did. Initially I thought I was going to meet some sinister vibes, but I wasn't led down that path. We are told of a small story - small in size only - which centres around a select group of interns and how they make it through their training.
It's another gentle story, it meanders and shows us the way through the world of these young doctors. How they try and capture more sleep, the ways in which they order dinner, look after each other, or not. Their superiors are deplorable, they reek of righteousness and entitlement.
Tasks which they are expected to do without knowledge, figures to be robbed from thin air, operating suites to also be clutched out of nowhere. Some are more confident, some completely lack.
This story has no certain rush about it, there is no expectation of excitement. It surely tells the reader how hard all this stuff must be, then then to lead a life of socialisation outside of the hospital. It all sounds dreadfully hard to maintain.
One senior doc seemed to receive their comeuppance, but this road seems like a long, tiresome and thankless task. This is not the first book I've read on this topic, this really is an issue. Mental health and suicide is mentioned here.
A satisfying and provoking read.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my local library....more
Another new to me author, I picked this up on my foray into novellas. The premise of a mother/daughters relationship interested me - I am both these tAnother new to me author, I picked this up on my foray into novellas. The premise of a mother/daughters relationship interested me - I am both these things.
This mother is ageing, the trip is Japan. I sense a deeper issue to this story. The women hail from Australia, the daughter more forthright. Tradition, subservience, the inability to speak out created a constriction within the mother which to me felt quite cumbersome.
A well written literary fiction piece, with much said beneath the surface. Important themes of family and relationship, I felt a disconnect between these women, though I am not sure this was the desired outcome. As they investigate museums, galleries and other areas of interest, the trip was a meandering one, certainly not filled with adventure. The trip is a simple premise, the resulting layers are not.
Those who enjoy literary fiction will enjoy the intricacy of this novella, it's not my fave genre but that's ok. I like delving outside my zone.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library.
Anne Tyler's writing, to me, is like being enveloped by a gentle warmth. This writer writes the minutiae of life, but it is not plain or boring, it isAnne Tyler's writing, to me, is like being enveloped by a gentle warmth. This writer writes the minutiae of life, but it is not plain or boring, it is rich and oh so enjoyable to read.
I wholly enjoyed this small audiobook, a novella lacking fanfare which seems to be a style I enjoy. Micah is a mature man, he's a good guy, goes to work, does the right thing, and that is that. I loved his measured response to his clients (he runs his own IT company) who tend to dither when paying his call out fee - which he always quotes in advance. I am in small business. I know people are nuts come payment time. For example, texts run hot and fast ALL the way through the job, but come payment time.. RADIO SILENCE. I digress!
His family love him, and he loves his 'woman friend'. Set in his ways, a day for the floors, he'll clean the outer kitchen doors cyclically, rotating so it all gets done, no time wasted.
His plodding days become tested when a young man knocks upon his door, raising questions to his teen years and the way he conducted himself all those years ago. It seems he has not changed an awful lot.
This was a lovely story, narrated well. I was invested the whole way through and loved Micha's way. He was a good man, surrounded by a loving family. He was a loving person, in a different way to others. And what of it?
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library. Recommended to those who like methodical reads, reminiscent (to me) of Elizabeth Strout and John Boyne....more
I am on a little crusade to find small books. BorrowBox and my public library have been able to furnish a large choice. First published in 1984 by @teI am on a little crusade to find small books. BorrowBox and my public library have been able to furnish a large choice. First published in 1984 by @textpublishing, here we have stalwart Helen Garner tell a simple yet affecting story of Athena and Dexter more firmly bound by the care of their boys, one ‘severely disabled’. “There’s nobody in there” proclaims Athena.
This parenting of a disabled child is hard work, Garner does not shy away from this. I am stating nothing revelatory here when I say HG is amazing, her books are course material at universities. She takes us into the world of the 1980’s Melbourne, reading of times before tech, a phone free music gig, normal things. This is what she does, tells the reader the comings and goings of the ordinary, delivered in a way that is as far away as the ordinary one could imagine.
Athena’s imagination veers toward the deaths of family members, the delivery of this revelatory info just popped out there, nothing flash.
This married couple’s life is disrupted by the arrival of sisters Elizabeth and Vicki. The elder having been involved with Dexter in times gone by. The arrival of the sisters and the musician partner of the eldest, forms a collision of people in Melbourne suburbia.
..they held eyes the woman made the grimace and Elizabeth returned it. Corners of the mouth go down, head tilts to one side, shoulders come up in a shrug. ‘Are they worth it?’. It was a secret showing of badges, of scars. Had Poppy seen? It would contaminate her. But Poppy was finishing a chapter.
Garner lacks fanfare, I love this. She says a lot about a lot, using the bare minimum. I wonder what teachers would say about this, in real academic terms. I wish these were my texts in my HSC in 93’ it would have been perfect timing. I instead was delivered Chaucer. As if my little brain could understand that!...more
I had not heard of this author when I chose this audiobook, listed as one of the new books on BorrowBox. The synopsis appealed and I placed hold. I amI had not heard of this author when I chose this audiobook, listed as one of the new books on BorrowBox. The synopsis appealed and I placed hold. I am not sure if I should be doing this as I am not at all getting through my tbr!
It had a different feel to other thrillers, the locked door vibe was fun, as well as the cast of many weird and odd characters and cultish vibes morphed the story into an unusual one. I immediately felt safe with DC Nicola McKenna who from the outset showed the reader her unhappiness with boyfriend Matt. As each chapter was told from alternate POV, we see how hard Matt is clutching at a family with Nicola and her quiet and lovely six-year-old son.
He has a definite odd vibe, something is definitely off and this is all a little unsure as Nicola surely would be on top of things given her career choice. Added to the odd bunch of occupants in a Scottish guest house (of course with a sinister history), are interspersed chapters of a true crime podcast. These were funny in a strange way, the banter seemed real and a little corny, in a good way. I found myself listening hard and smiling at the banter. The author's acknowledgements explained this in away. Interesting.
I found this an enjoyable read, definitely an original storyline which had an almost literary fiction vibe, or that could just be me. I’d rate this more of a 3.5 star read.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library....more
This book was more than a thriller, labelling it as another missing persons case just doesn’t cut it. Even if the mystery was to be solved (I don’t waThis book was more than a thriller, labelling it as another missing persons case just doesn’t cut it. Even if the mystery was to be solved (I don’t want to spoil) it felt to me the importance was the impact to those left behind. Those who were there. And those who witnessed something, big or small.
The loss of a young person in her prime has widespread effects on the small Caribbean Island and its long term inhabitants for generations to come. Her immediate family deal with this in a closed off way, the remaining daughter a strange young woman, her choices understandable but breathtaking.
The author deftly weaves the lives of the locals and the visitors, who are cleverly portrayed more as impostors to this idyll.
The astute observations of well to do holidaymakers, those who will forget the name of this beautiful island as they go home and renter their affluent lives. Those who are immensely relieved this did not happen to them, even going as far as being asked to relocate their room away from the grieving family whose daughter’s naked body turned up on the immaculate sand. Alison was the girl noticed by staff and revelers alike, there was one every time. Alison imbibed, frolicked and enjoyed it all, and the admiration.
Claire was the baby sister who missed the opportunity to grow up with her beautiful older sister, the young woman who would never flourish after this fateful island holiday. Grief follows her ever after and this debut creates a particular sense of the eerie, Claire’s obsession and loss will create such a chasm the reader can barely stop thinking about it.
This is an extraordinary debut, so often I ask myself how writers come to their amazing abilities to create story. This is a quality piece of literary work. I’ll have my eyes peeled for what comes next. The characters were painted in such a fashion I really fell into them all.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library. Highly recommended....more
Marcus Aurelius style tips v. comedy and light banter on how to deal with annoying folk at work like Sally in procurement that snacks on one nut at a Marcus Aurelius style tips v. comedy and light banter on how to deal with annoying folk at work like Sally in procurement that snacks on one nut at a time during a meeting, or a the bloke that dresses like a wally, or even toss pots that noisily snack on pretzels while sitting on the men’s toilet to make eye contact on the way out while NOT WASHING HIS HANDS.
I had a few laughs; the author has had numerous jobs in her quest to live a stress-free life while possibly not following her own advice. This was a bit of fun and enlightening at the same time as I’ve not read anything on the topic of stoicism. The author raises points of what not to do in her layman’s terms, finalising with what Aurelius would do (or not).
I like the humility idea, acts of service are pretty much zeroed out if you are going to brag about it – I have a program in my life that abides by this too. If you’re going to get up there at work (or post about it on your socials) and say how amazing you are, please don’t.
The lightness is meant to be just that, light, I’m not sure if this is all real, but I know we all know the ones at work that, ahem, annoy by eating loudly, act poorly on zoom, or just plainly suck.
But keeping it real, where I work the lower paid don’t get to work from home. So, I won’t know what it’s like to be caught with my dacks down. What would Marcus do?
I see the author has Stoic In Love coming up. I’m curious.
Takeaway – you can’t control what you can’t control, and focus on you, your reactions, and don’t seek glory it’s not the way.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library.
I think this book could be funny for a specific audience, but it was not for me. I gradually sped up the audiobook the longer I progressed, added to tI think this book could be funny for a specific audience, but it was not for me. I gradually sped up the audiobook the longer I progressed, added to this the narrator's voice being quite irritating/grating/snobby? Not quite else how to put this, I didn't enjoy it.
It was clever and snappy, I'm sure others will love this more, and I ended up explaining this read as weird, and a bit of an odd duck.
Pru suffers the loss of her husband who shacks up with her best friend, she finds a dark solace in attending funerals she does not know, latches on to a bloke who is going to clearly scam her financially, then hops into bed with someone most unexpected.
She misses sex, wants sex, and finds it. I have nothing against this in any way, this book simply was not for me. There was a good twist at the end.
1.5 stars, rounded up.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library....more
The Moriarty girls always deliver a meaty read, I enjoy the familiar settings of Sydney, and the watching from afar of normal people going about t3.5⭐
The Moriarty girls always deliver a meaty read, I enjoy the familiar settings of Sydney, and the watching from afar of normal people going about their every day lives where ‘normal’ really does not exist.
Human failings stemming from troubled childhoods are usually the key, and Harriet is no exception. She is the woman that appears to have it all, hard hitting and beautiful, she makes her own rules. An open relationship with her husband, who appears to have no say in any of this, makes you really want to wring this man’s neck. She has control of a crowd, calling every shot in every facet of her selfish life.
Told from a handful of perspectives while Harriet lies dying in a pool of blood, a most intricate plot designed to make the reader work hard for the answer.
Malek her long-suffering husband who seems to be completely under her thumb. Her demands on Malek while organising her ‘surprise’4oth are appalling. I did not like a thing about her.
The school mum, Karen, angry and resentful, getting ready to go to this party when she really despises Harriet as well.
Lastly Victoria, a smart woman, under the spell of Harriett who should know better, who we witness growing in strength and gradually reconciling who her lover really is.
The author really does know how to build her crew of characters seamlessly. Each of these flawed individuals crafted for the reader as if they are known to us with insecurities and failings so prevalent with each (mis)step. The plot is remarkably clever, including relevant themes of social media, and the insidious results of untruths and living selfishly without regard for those you really should be treating so much better.
This was a slow build up, I’m not sure this was worth the resulting ending, but the voyeuristic look into the lives of this disparate group was entertaining and draw dropping in equal measure.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my local library, the narration was excellent....more
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