First of a series but I won't be looking for the next. The protagonist is irritating, the police incompetent and the baddies are one-dimensional.
The pFirst of a series but I won't be looking for the next. The protagonist is irritating, the police incompetent and the baddies are one-dimensional.
The plot had some promise but Boyarsky definitely needed a better editor. Not only was The Swap unnecessarily long but if you insert your American characters into a UK setting, you need to make the Brits sound believable. And any UK proofreader would have pointed out that we've never had £100 notes!
I loved the interplay between modern London and the history of the West End, the mythology of the Thames and its triLoved it. So happy it's a series!
I loved the interplay between modern London and the history of the West End, the mythology of the Thames and its tributaries, the slightly inept efforts of a rookie trying to navigate the politics of an institution like the Met Police, the relationships, everything.
And it's funny. Laugh out loud funny at times. Brilliant.
I'm not the target audience for this book, clearly, but everyone like me should read it. As a white woman in a very white area of the UK, this is an eI'm not the target audience for this book, clearly, but everyone like me should read it. As a white woman in a very white area of the UK, this is an eye-opening read which details the challenges faced by black women in Britain today.
I've been reading about unconscious bias (e.g. Wilful Blindness: Why We Ignore the Obvious at Our Peril) and it's clear that people of colour battle this on a daily basis in all areas of society. This book should be required reading for anyone who is a gatekeeper to opportunity - from writers and casting directors to teachers and university staff - as well as anyone who is interested in equality and making the world a fairer, more inclusive place.
The big irritation for me is the lack of intersectionality. The word is mentioned once in relation to how race and gender result in a double whammy of discrimination, but other areas are completely ignored. The chapter on dating is entirely heteronormative. LBTQ and disabled people of colour will not find themselves here....more
This is such an important read - we will all experience bereavement, and ultimately die ourselves. Dr Gawande examines how we got to a point where keeThis is such an important read - we will all experience bereavement, and ultimately die ourselves. Dr Gawande examines how we got to a point where keeping people alive has become more important that helping people to live well - and die well.
...our interventions, and the risks and sacrifices they entail, are justified only if they serve the larger aims of a person's life. When we forget that, the suffering we inflict can be barbaric. When we remember it the good we can do can be breathtaking.
There is real hope and joy to be found in end-of-life care, but we must - as individuals and as a society- be prepared to have these conversations. ...more
It's a slim book but I struggled to get through it. I just didn't care about the characters and it read like a farce. Disappointing.It's a slim book but I struggled to get through it. I just didn't care about the characters and it read like a farce. Disappointing....more
I had no idea what Katie Piper went through before, during and after the acid attack that changed her life. Parts are hard to read, her physical pain I had no idea what Katie Piper went through before, during and after the acid attack that changed her life. Parts are hard to read, her physical pain and emotional torment are so raw, but this is no misery memoir. Katie has forged a new life out of horror and remains a total inspiration....more
In 1939 British cyclist Tommy Godwin cycled 75,065 miles in a single year. Think about that for a second: that's an average of over 200 miles each dayIn 1939 British cyclist Tommy Godwin cycled 75,065 miles in a single year. Think about that for a second: that's an average of over 200 miles each day. And it's a mark that still stands after almost eighty years.
Immaculately researched, this is a well-written history of the year record. Cycling fans - and enthusiasts of human endurance - will enjoy the ups and downs of the challengers, from the record's 1930s heyday to the very recent attempts at reviving the once-forgotten record. Can the advances of technology and equipment outweigh the disadvantage of busy modern roads? ...more
Another fascinating insight into the world of life-saving surgery, this does for the heart what Marsh's Do No Harm does for the brain.
Westaby comes aAnother fascinating insight into the world of life-saving surgery, this does for the heart what Marsh's Do No Harm does for the brain.
Westaby comes across with remarkably little ego for someone who has clearly been world-class for years. His innovative work - including having a piece of surgical equipment named after him - has and will continue to save countless lives.
The descriptions of surgical procedures are quite technically detailed yet always readable and the focus is always on the patient....more
2.5 stars - flawed but I still enjoyed it. Unlikely to continue with the series unless it's another freebie.2.5 stars - flawed but I still enjoyed it. Unlikely to continue with the series unless it's another freebie....more
I was an angst-ridden teen when I discovered Tales of the City and I've been a Maupin fan ever since.
In his memoir, Maupin delves into his past - mucI was an angst-ridden teen when I discovered Tales of the City and I've been a Maupin fan ever since.
In his memoir, Maupin delves into his past - much of which inspired many parts of Tales and also The Night Listener (still one of the best books I've ever read) - to reveal the facts behind the fiction.
From Vietnam to San Francisco, from Rock Hudson to Harvey Milk, one is left with the impression of a life full of love. Funny, fascinating and moving in equal measure. ...more
Published just 12 years ago, I enjoyed the writing in A Spot of Bother but found it remarkably dated. Just the first chapter made me smile wryly at thPublished just 12 years ago, I enjoyed the writing in A Spot of Bother but found it remarkably dated. Just the first chapter made me smile wryly at the mention of high street shops which have since gone out of business - Allders anyone?
George and Jean are only in their late 50s, but come across as much older - more what people of that age were like 25 years ago (i.e. my parents). Now 60 is the new 40 and attitudes are markedly different....more
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