I had no idea what I was getting into with this novella, but I loved every minute. I have been thinki*Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this novella*
I had no idea what I was getting into with this novella, but I loved every minute. I have been thinking about it and the ideas it presents ever since I finished it.
I do think it is a book that is better without a lot of knowledge going in, however, the story is in the vein of Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene, another one of my favorite books.
What makes this novella so interesting is the way that the protagonist speaks directly to the reader about the idea of truth and history and how both are used and abused by those in power. ...more
This book is everything one could want in a nonfiction title. It has beautiful, human stories told with *Thanks to NetGalley for an ALC of this book*
This book is everything one could want in a nonfiction title. It has beautiful, human stories told with grace, history defining moments told with clarity, and a narrative style that made me never want to put it down.
I know Lyse Doucet from her work as a BBC correspondent and presenter of the BBC News podcast. She does a fabulous job reading her book and bringing the feelings of the Intercontinental hotel to life.
There are real people telling the story of living through the tumultuous modern history of Afghanistan and the use of the hotel as the touchpoint for the history of Kabul and its inhabitants means that the fears and triumphs are concrete rather than abstract news stories.
I cannot recommend this title enough, even if Afghan history is not something that you would usually read, this should be the one book you pick up on the subject. ...more
This was everything I love about a standalone BL manga. The drama, the love confessions, the smut, all *Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this manga*
This was everything I love about a standalone BL manga. The drama, the love confessions, the smut, all well done and well translated.
I really liked that this was a contained story, it had no parts that felt slow or drawn out. The conflict felt legitimate and an issue that was not just a miscommunication but was actually an issue to overcome. There was the silliness that is always a feature of these stories, but I fully suspended my disbelief and enjoyed every minute.
If you like the series Black & White but wish it was shorter, this is the manga for you....more
Unfortunately, this did not work for me. I did not feel any emotional chemistry between the main charact*Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book*
Unfortunately, this did not work for me. I did not feel any emotional chemistry between the main characters and the plot moved so fast that there did not seem to be many stakes for the characters.
While this is pitched as a 'enemies to lovers' story, there is so little 'enemies' that the 'lovers' does not feel earned in the way that I wanted it to. The main conflict of the book is an abusive and controlling father figure, but he seems so outrageously evil that even that conflict doesn't feel real.
I love a male/male hockey romance; however, this one did not work for me and just made me want to reread a Rachel Reid for the hundredth time....more
Though I am someone who is fascinated by Everest and by high-altitude mounta*Thanks to NetGalley for an ALC of this book*
This is not the book for me.
Though I am someone who is fascinated by Everest and by high-altitude mountaineering, this book is more about old surveying techniques and got too in the weeds with the numbers and equipment that I was lost and uninterested.
I also did not realize that this book is rather old. Published originally in 1999, this book feels its age a little as it has no reflections on some of the content of Everest's journal and treatment of native Indian people who were helping him with the project. I also would have preferred more information about the man and the mountain, as the subtitle suggests, but really all I got was a lot of numbers and facts about how the surveying was done.
I cannot fault the narrator; however, he had a fabulous reading voice and did as well as he could have done given the dryness of the material he read.
I did not finish reading this book. If you want a technical review of Everest and his surveying work, this is the book for you. I wanted a bit less technical information and a bit more cultural and personal information, and this book does not have that sort of framing. ...more
This is a compelling and emotional narrative history of one of the most horrible aspects of Argentina's *Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book*
This is a compelling and emotional narrative history of one of the most horrible aspects of Argentina's Dirty War.
Under dictatorial rule, there was a policy of baby removal from "subversives" to pro-Army families that caused hundreds of children to be raised by those same people who were intimately involved with the death of their parents. This book tells the story of the parents and grandparents of the desaparecidos and their unflagging efforts to uncover what happened to their children and where the babies have gone.
As one can imagine from this synopsis, this is a heartbreaking story, even though there is hope and joy in the reunions that do occur. But there is also a lot of pain and tough identity negotiations that must occur and the huge question of whether or not it is better to forget or to litigate after an experience of state violence.
If you want an insight into this period of Argentine history, this is the book for you. If you want to think about the difficult human rights arguments around justice, this is the book for you. If you want to be inspired by a group of women standing up to a violent government while fighting for their children, this is the book for you.
Trigger warnings abound and include death, assassination, rape (mentioned but not on page), children in peril, forced disappearances, forced adoptions, birth in captivity.
This book is a must read and the audiobook is an excellent addition to the reading experience. ...more
This book was a perfect beach read. It had a blistering pace, a sarcastic if mildly unlikable main chara*Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book*
This book was a perfect beach read. It had a blistering pace, a sarcastic if mildly unlikable main character, and enough twists to keep me engaged.
If the idea of someone solving their own murder in seven days doesn't appeal to you, I don't think I could sell you on the book any other way. It gives exactly what it says on the back, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I loved that Jackson didn't pull any punches and was not afraid of giving her characters the consequences that their actions earned.
Where this book really shined for me was in the side characters. Each one was fully developed, believable, and dislikable in equal measure. Also, important to note that nothing bad happens to the dog, I promise.
Holly Jackson made the move up to adult seamlessly and I cannot wait to see what else she produces for this age range. ...more
Somehow this middle grade ended up being my first experience with Paul Tremblay, though I have a couple *Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book*
Somehow this middle grade ended up being my first experience with Paul Tremblay, though I have a couple of his adult books on my tbr.
This book truly gave me the creeps! There was something so unsettling about the story of Morel and Casey is a new fear of mine unlocked. So, thanks for that Mr. Tremblay!
The writing style of this book is fabulous. Tremblay made the switch between an adult audience and a younger audience look easy and fully managed to keep the creepy factor turned all the way up. I felt so bad for Casey and so creeped out by the man on the phone. I know I will now be staying even further away from strange mushrooms and old telephones that don't actually plug into the wall.
This book does take place during the recent zoom school times, so make sure you are ok with the references to that time before reading.
I loved my reading experience of this, and I am even more excited to read the rest of Tremblay's works. ...more
Automatic Noodle is everything I love about cozier sci-fi. Lovable robots: check. Emotional reflectio*Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this novella*
Automatic Noodle is everything I love about cozier sci-fi. Lovable robots: check. Emotional reflections: check. Using robots to discuss better ways of being human: check and more check.
Automatic Noodle tells the story of a group of robots that have found themselves in the dubious possession of a futuristic fast-food restaurant. As they realize that they may soon be scrapped for parts if they cannot pay their debts, the robots begin working together and opening up a fully robot-run restaurant for humans. Between the interpersonal development and drama and the review bombing of their new restaurant by some nefarious individuals, the robots band together and show the reader how new circumstances can create new opportunities, but first we will have to overcome prejudices.
This little novella was everything I wanted it to be. In the vein of Becky Chambers, this story is an absolute delight that packs a powerful reflective punch. Plus, the cover is just stunning. If you are looking for some futuristic tales with heart and hope and a poignant moment or two, this is the novella for you. ...more
Set in West Virginia, in the heart of coal country, The Avallon is a hotel of the highest luxury. The Av*Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC of this book*
Set in West Virginia, in the heart of coal country, The Avallon is a hotel of the highest luxury. The Avallon is lovingly maintained by General Manager June Hudson, an orphan who was informally adopted by the owners and staff of the library due to her innate skill with the special water that runs through the hotel and grounds. June believes in creating luxury at The Avallon and has fostered an environment where the outside world does not affect the standards of The Avallon.
The sweetwater of West Virginia is what makes The Avallon, and the book itself, a unique experience and has propelled June to the heights of hotel aristocracy, though not without significant personal costs. The water cannot go bad; its semi-sentience must be kept happy, and devastation is an ever present possibility. Whenever the water begins to seep into the hotel, June must submerge herself in the waters and give up all of her positive emotions for the wellbeing and happiness of the hotel guests. This speculative element really helps the book to shine beyond a traditional historical fiction novel.
It is into this delicate ecosystem for the wealthy that the war effort invades. An influx of FBI men and foreign diplomats are brought to The Avallon to await their return to their countries of origin. The workers of The Avallon are not too pleased to be waiting on those whose countries are killing their sons. While before the occupations or political proclivities of the guests did not matter to the staff, the boundaries of The Avallon are beginning to crumble under the realities of war.
The arrival of the diplomats also brings a young German girl named Hannelore to The Avallon. This young girl has never spoken and her mother is worried that her being nonverbal will make her the target of the Nazi euthanasia program if she returns with them to Germany. Can June, the woman who can foresee every desire and create luxury even during rationing, find a way for Hannelore to be spared? Is June willing to acknowledge that who people are outside of the hotel matters? Or that she too could leave the hotel if she wished?
Ultimately, this brilliant book asks us to think about all of the things we sacrifice to create community and what luxuries might we give up for the sake of doing what is good. ...more
Tochi Onyebuchi is an auto-read author for me. His stories are all so unique and they each have their ow*Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book*
Tochi Onyebuchi is an auto-read author for me. His stories are all so unique and they each have their own style and voice. Harmattan Season is no exception. (And the audiobook narrator is FANTASTIC.)
Set in French colonial Africa, Harmattan Season is a hardboiled noir mystery with a strong social commentary edge. It also features some light magical elements that really played well into the tone of the book.
A short book with a fast moving plot and a main character who seeks redemption equals a perfect storm for a fantastic read. I read this in one sitting and could easily have read 100 more pages and not been satisfied. I highly recommend this book and Tochi Onyebuchi in general. ...more
I don't have a personal connection to San Francisco, but after reading this novel, I felt every inch of *Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book*
I don't have a personal connection to San Francisco, but after reading this novel, I felt every inch of the emotion of place the author wanted to invoke.
I love slow, dystopian works that focus on the people rather than the circumstances. I find it fascinating to see how others view the possibilities of life after collapse. This is definitely a slow moving story but it is an interesting reflection on the history of San Francisco and how memory and place tie unlikely people together when needed.
I learned a lot about the history of San Francisco, as well as ideas of art and the possibilities that technology has in bringing together in times of crisis.
I did feel that it had a period in the middle of the story that dragged on a bit too much for my preference, but the beauty of the story and of the writing style pulled me back in easily. ...more
I am a huge fan of P. Djèlí Clark's adult books and this middle grade series he is writing is right on p*Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book*
I am a huge fan of P. Djèlí Clark's adult books and this middle grade series he is writing is right on par with the quality of his adult books. Abeni is an amazing character and I love the various magic systems and places that we get to explore in this sequel.
Set in a fantastical Africa, a found family of sorts is looking for the Elder Gods following the happenings of the first book. However, their search is waylaid by a city of Gold Weavers who may or may not be in league with the Witch Priest, the returning evil from the first book. Featuring dragons and dream magic, moth-riders and magic swords, this is a fast-paced middle grade adventure with high stakes and a fantastic group of characters that each contribute to the story in unique ways.
This Abeni series is one that I will definitely be keeping up with and enjoying for as long as possible. ...more
The Last Days of Budapest is an excellent example of accessible history. LeBor does an amazing job laying*Thanks to NetGalley for an ALC of this book*
The Last Days of Budapest is an excellent example of accessible history. LeBor does an amazing job laying out the timeline of the history of Budapest during World War II and even with all the names and titles I did not find myself confused about the events.
Before reading this book, I must say that I knew very little about the Hungarian-specific experience of the war beyond the basics. This book does an excellent job of narrating the history without getting bogged down in the minutiae that can sometimes happen in war history. He also does an excellent job balancing discussing the gruesome details with the need to not be overwhelmingly graphic. I feel after reading this that I know about what happened and what the protagonists went through without being so inundated with gory detail that might feel gratutitous or for shock value only.
The audiobook narrator does an excellent job with the pronunciation of the Hungarian people and place names and has an easy voice to listen to.
I really enjoyed my time reading this book, even though the content was not enjoyable at all, and I heartily recommed this history to any and all who want to learn more about the Hungarian experience that has been less well known due to the historical events after the war. ...more
This book, no this tome, is worth every page. In his usual propulsive writing style, Grandin takes us on*Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book*
This book, no this tome, is worth every page. In his usual propulsive writing style, Grandin takes us on a centuries long look at the different ways North America and South America have worked together and how they have moved ideologically apart.
From the conquest to the 2024 electoral results, there is little of hemispheric history that Grandin does not evaluate. While this is a long work, it is a cohesive examination of this geographic area concerning the idea of what it means when we say 'America' and the ways the Americas have and have not changed since their founding.
Another excellent work by Grandin with insightful ideas and a South American focus that is often missed in the analysis of what 'America' was, is, and can be. ...more
I love the books in this series even when they get absolutely goofy and this volume i*Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book*
Rounded up from 3.5
I love the books in this series even when they get absolutely goofy and this volume is no different.
The author's note says that this is Robert's first gay love story and I think they did a great job with these characters. This one isn't a kink that I enjoy and I always feel like the romances in these stories are very quick to develop. But once you suspend your disbelief a little, these are fun and political stories that I enjoy every time.
For a quick, spicy, fun time read you can do no wrong with picking up a Katee Robert and Sweet Obsession is a fantastic addition to their backlog. ...more
This is a book that I feel will really hold up on reread. There are so many political moves and philosophical ideas in*Thanks to NetGalley for an ALC*
This is a book that I feel will really hold up on reread. There are so many political moves and philosophical ideas included in this story that I think I need another read through to really grasp everything.
Not that this book is bad on first read, in fact, I think it is flawless on first read and will just get better and better as I think about the story and the ideas Nayler presented.
I don't think this is a character story, rather, this is definitely a story with a message that the characters are telling. This might not work for everyone, but I really liked the plot and ideas enough that I loved this experience.
I have thoroughly enjoyed every book Nayler has written so far and I look forward to reading everything else that he publishes....more
![ライトオブマイライフ [Light of My Life]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615734296l/57406010._SX50_.jpg)
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