Well, this wasn't my favourite of this author's books. Interesting concept, one of those books within a book, kind of scenarios. Interesting twists, bWell, this wasn't my favourite of this author's books. Interesting concept, one of those books within a book, kind of scenarios. Interesting twists, but I had hoped to be gripped and held tight by tension, and this didn't do that. Our main character is a pain, he was so entitled and needy that I came to feel that he deserved all the awful things that happened to him. He seemed to be able to afford an extraordinary amount of fine whiskey for someone so poverty-stricken.
All kinds of rollicking good fun. Plenty of snark and excellent banter. If you liked the first one, you'll enjoy this one too. It feels so familiar anAll kinds of rollicking good fun. Plenty of snark and excellent banter. If you liked the first one, you'll enjoy this one too. It feels so familiar and it is just like sinking back into your comfort zone and it's nice to be immersed again in Evie and The Villian's world. ...more
Having read myself up to date on the St Mary's books, I was delighted to spy this new book. If you've been pootling along with Max and the disaster maHaving read myself up to date on the St Mary's books, I was delighted to spy this new book. If you've been pootling along with Max and the disaster magnets of St Mary's, you will have encountered Smallhope and Pennyroyal, this is their backstory. I'm pretty sure that the lovely Jodi Taylor is setting us up for another spinoff series, and I have no problem at all with that. This is all kinds of good fun, just as you'd expect. There are guns, misunderstandings, Time Police misadventures and some dastardly criminals and baddies. Lots to love, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Bring on another one please!...more
I needed a short novel and so I borrowed this one. I came close to walking away after the first quarter and then got drawn in. Lots of subterfuge and I needed a short novel and so I borrowed this one. I came close to walking away after the first quarter and then got drawn in. Lots of subterfuge and mystery, this is a locked door mystery, set in the 1930', a Golden Age mystery. Our main character is a magician who solves crimes on the side. He is summoned to a house in the middle of the night where a psychiatrist has been murdered, but how could it happen? Apart from a mysterious masked man, nobody has entered or left the room.
A bit of froth. Not my favourite but I might pick up another one of these as there is potential for the magician to solve all manner of crimes.
I learnt a heap about the sport of diving from this novel, the focus required, the tensions, the dangers and the amount of training required to get toI learnt a heap about the sport of diving from this novel, the focus required, the tensions, the dangers and the amount of training required to get to the top of the sport. This is Ingrid's story, she's been badly injured after getting distracted during a dive. It shouldn't have happened; she is a champion, but she can't stop thinking back on the moment she crashed into the board and what made her so out of balance. As she reflects and feels awful about the injury and her inability to train until she is better, she starts to think about what happened. What was going on with her coach, her teammates and her Dad? She lies awake at night, unable to sleep, and she starts to notice that there is activity at the empty house next door. It is associated with activity with the house across the road where her old friends live, friends she no longer sees.
I loved this book, lots of complex relationships with Ingrid's family, the reasons why she lost her friendship with the lovely Van and his family and about first love. It's a big messy story and I was completely drawn in. Great YA novel which explores all kinds of mental health aspects. ...more
I'm a big fan of the YA thrillers that abound at the moment. This is a novella, short and sweet and a little bit creepy scary. I do like an unreliableI'm a big fan of the YA thrillers that abound at the moment. This is a novella, short and sweet and a little bit creepy scary. I do like an unreliable narrator and Harley is definitely in that category. He is suddenly in the spotlight at school, nominated for a supreme award, one of 4 up for it, but there can only be one ultimate winner. The nominees start to meet with dreadful ends and Harley is scared, rightly so, because it seems that someone is now after him too.
Bit of fun. Short, sharp, snappy read and ideal for those who need something really engaging and short. ...more
I'm in a long term relationship with the inhabitants of Crosby, Maine. We are friends. I miss them when I'm waiting for a new book from Elizabeth StroI'm in a long term relationship with the inhabitants of Crosby, Maine. We are friends. I miss them when I'm waiting for a new book from Elizabeth Strout. They occupy my mind and my heart and they are all wonderful. Even the awful ones are wonderful. That is all. ...more
I've been meaning to read this for years. This is my year of reading lots of NZ novels that I should have read years ago.
Patricia Grace is such a beaI've been meaning to read this for years. This is my year of reading lots of NZ novels that I should have read years ago.
Patricia Grace is such a beautiful writer, this atmospheric and beautiful novel drew me in and held me tight to the end. Coincidentally, it showed up yesterday on the suggested texts list for senior English students in the new curriculum. I think it is a good suggestion, there are layers and layers of things to write about. The drift to the city for young Māori, the changes in lives over time in their whānau, family relationships, and expectations. Great story, I thoroughly enjoyed it. ...more
Set in WW2 this is the story of sisters Eva and Anna. Anna is capable, strong and caring, she looks after her little sister Eva who has physical and mSet in WW2 this is the story of sisters Eva and Anna. Anna is capable, strong and caring, she looks after her little sister Eva who has physical and mental challenges, she is very frail and sickley. They keep her close to the home so that she isn't picked on or sighted by the Nazis because they've heard that those considered imperfect and not the Aryian ideal are taken away and that terrible things can happen to them. This book is about the challenges they face, the dangers that lurk around every corner and about always wondering who they can trust as the net around them draws ever tighter.
This is a lovely story written with warmth and heart but I just wanted a little bit more. It has a teeny bit of clunkiness. I'm guessing, however that if a child wanted to read about WW2, that this would be a nice book to have sitting alongside others of it's kind. My hypercritical eye might have been a bit active and from a child's perspective it might work really well....more
Ollie and her sister Cat are kids of a diplomat, they have moved all over the world, having to start new schools and make new friends. It can be toughOllie and her sister Cat are kids of a diplomat, they have moved all over the world, having to start new schools and make new friends. It can be tough. When they end up in an ordinary town in the States it seems like the friend groups have been together since kindergarten. Ollie is never the best at meeting people and making friends, she isn't really a fitter inner. She is however, mad keen on Manga and obsessed with a particular series and eventually discovers that there are others who love it too. This is a great graphic novel about knowing who you are, about the challenges that family can bring, about being true to yourself and your culture. A great book for kids at all levels. ...more
I felt very seen. A book which reflects on a life full of family and kids and the evolution over the time of how it feels to grow older and lose your I felt very seen. A book which reflects on a life full of family and kids and the evolution over the time of how it feels to grow older and lose your children to the grown up world, parents to the afflictions that come with age and the changing of relationships as time alters the way you feel. I cried and laughed. It’s a glorious celebration of aging and the bonds that carry you through tough days and joyous moments. Gorgeous. ...more
What if Armstrong and Aldrin got to the moon, but then couldn't get home? This takes the moon landing, the families of the astronauts and imagines exaWhat if Armstrong and Aldrin got to the moon, but then couldn't get home? This takes the moon landing, the families of the astronauts and imagines exactly that scenario. A journalist is embedded with Aldrin's wife and family, and in an extremely uncomfortable and unwelcome situation. As the disaster unfolds, the novel explores his relationship with the family and also the situation unfolding on the moon. I was obsessed with this book. Could not put it down. It's an alternative history that gave me all the feels even though it is written without emotion. Lots of interesting characters, not all of whom are likeable. It's a really good time. ...more
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