A MAGIC-INFUSED FAMILY SAGA traces the lives and the gifts of three generations of Dominican-American women. Beautifully realized characterizations and lush prose shine. B PLUS
'A Volga Tale' by Guzel Yakhina is a richly imagined and beautifully written novel that tells of a people, of a little man in Big History, of relationships between fathers and children, of the love and dangers of language, and of a river that runs through it all.
My #bookreview is brief/won't spoil, to spread good, great, & spectacular #horror#books far & wide.
THE LAST HAUNT is the perfect appetizer to start your Halloween feast. There are ghouls aplenty, but not the kind you may expect.ax Booth III PUSHES you into the world of Extreme Haunts- it's timely AND entertaining as hell. It's poisoned candy, but it sure tastes good on the way down. (Cemetery Gates Media)
"Dax is thirty-one. His past has not been easy, but he’s survived. Lane is twenty-two, and is very naïve. He’s also keeping secrets... absolutely rocked... Harper brings out all the warmth, caring, romance and love from her wonderful characters."
#Bookreview Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh
read on audio
Narrator: Marie McCarthy
Harpercollins
Pub. 1962, 251pp
This is a classic crime read set in a village among a group of neighbours who’re related in various ways. I knew I was going to get on well with the #audiobook from the start as the narrator was instantly engaging, expressing the dialogue brilliantly.
The action centres around the home of snobbish Percival Pyke Period, an eccentric figure who’s writing his memoirs, alongside the cook Mrs Mitchell, his loyal servant Alfred and his new lodger Mr Cartell who has a rather troublesome dog, Pixie. The first chapters set up the world surrounding this household with the introduction of a cast of distinctive characters. I particularly liked Mr Cartell’s ex-wife, the Flamboyant Desiree Bantling, and this great description:
“with her incredible hair brushed up into a kind of bonfire, her carefree makeup, her eyebrows and her general air of raffishness she belonged, asMr Period mildly reflected, to Toulouse Lautrec rather than any contemporary background.”
She’s known for her amusing parties and there’s a long build up to her April Fool’s treasure hunt which is set to end in tragedy. In fact, as the murder doesn’t take place until about Chapter 14 I felt I knew everyone involved very well and of course there were plenty of strong motives for possible killers.
The central idea of a letter being sent in condolence to someone for the death of a loved one before the deceased was discovered was unique and played out well.
One thing that surprised me was the lack of period details to root the story to the 1960s. It seemed to me that it could’ve very easily been set in the 30s or 50s, though there were a few passing references like mentioning TV. I guess it stuck out as my other read for the #1962Club was the Miss Marple which was very much about social change.
This is my first Ngiao Marsh novel and I’ll be returning to her in future. #Bookstodon@bookstodon
A TALENTED, PRIVILEGED, COMPLICATED family unravels long-buried secrets in this keenly observed, expertly crafted novel alive with details of its vibrant Cape Cod setting. B PLUS
One of the greatest Southern novels was written by a New Yorker in the early 1960s, William Melvin Kelley's 'A Different Drummer'. It's the story of what happens in a backwater town in a fictitious Deep South state when Tucker Caliban frees himself from his history and in doing so inspires others to do the same.
Very very entertaining. Can be made into a feature film, it is really good. Laughed and enjoyed reading this action filled book. Terry Deary must probably have a nice sense of humour.
This book definitely had me gripping its pages and wanting to know what was going to happen next. I love a good #mystery#thriller novel, and I also love the concept of #timetravel, so combining the two was perfect. Did I know this book would be about time travel initially? No. I wanted to read it because it's a mystery/thriller. But as soon as Jen woke up on Day Minus One, then Day Minus Two, I knew. At first, I was confused by the frequent time skips and didn't understand why they were so random, but after learning that they may be happening so that Jen can pay more attention to the details of her surroundings and interactions, it made more sense. Like, if you had a chance to go back and do things differently, would you do it?
Side note: I thought I had it all figured out when Ryan was talking about his older brother and said his name was Kelly. I was like 'gasp Ryan is going undercover to infiltrate this gang that Kelly is involved with... What if they were estranged and this is how they met again and Kelly knowing Ryan's true identity is what gets him killed???" But there turned out to be another twist in the story. The new twist was better than what I initially imagined.
Tim Johnston's DISTANT SONS: 5* A multilayered book that is so much more than the mystery at its focus. I'll say right up front that Johnston just wows. This one of my top reads of the year.
Huda F Cares? by Huda Fahmy: 4* for this this #MiddleGrade#GraphicNovel that explores what it's like to be a practicing Muslim in the United States from a young teenage girl's perspective.
Book Review: Imager by L.E. Modesitt Junior Mr. Modesitt would probably be annoyed about this novel being compared to Fullmetal Alchemist. @bookstodon @fantasy#books#bookreview