Added Big little truths: a novel to Read Books
book
Rated The Enchanted Greenhouse 10/10
Edited 18d ago
Finished reading Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous
Edited 18d ago
Rated The Spellshop 9/10
Edited 18d ago
Rated The Echo Wife 8/10
Could not put the damn book down!<br/><br/>Very easy book to read, and annoyingly difficult to stop reading late at night. <br/><br/>The story is told from Evelyn's perspective, a brilliant scientist working in the field of human cloning.<br/><br/>There's a lot that goes on in the book, both from the story moving forward and driven by plot twists but also from Evelyn's own inner monologue.<br/><br/>The clone aspect of the story presents a, I think, believable take on the sci-fi concept (specifically the purpose clones would serve) and this easily leads to the messy question of what is a person, how we feel towards others, what we're willing to accept.<br/><br/>The book also shows how Evelyn struggles, or rather, maintains her anger and in particular, frustration towards others she feels (quite often) are incompetent, and it's interesting seeing where this comes from for the character, and how she goes on a journey, that can often get pretty dark (I'm not explaining myself well here, but I'm trying to avoid too much of a spoiler).<br/><br/>A very easy read for me. The story absolutely drives forward. There are lots of (I thought) nice turns of phrases throughout the book that didn't feel too forced. <br/><br/>There's really only one (biggish) plot hole based around the amount of time that passes, which the story does attempt to address, but I was so caught up in the page turning that it didn't particularly impair on the enjoyment.<br/><br/>Fun stuff!
Rated Book Lovers 6/10
A romance story, some clever writing, slightly predictable, not entirely my bag.<br/><br/>I think, because I only started reading in the last decade, that I've not read a "proper" romance novel before. <br/><br/>I can't say that I'm won over by the genre through, but that's my failing and not the book's.<br/><br/>The story does a decent job of not following usual tropes and traps of stereotype literature, and somehow this is the third fiction book this year I've read that's based in the publishing world (unrelated tidbit).
Rated Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow 10/10
Favourite book of my year: wonderful. <br/><br/>I loved the characters. I've loved the story telling. I loved the passion around work. I loved the love between the characters. <br/><br/>Crossing multiple decades but the crux takes place during the height of 1990s PC gaming. i.e. shortly after Doom - and our characters are games makers. <br/><br/>Though the weaving part is their company that makes games, I wouldn't call this a "gamer's book". I'm certainly not a gamer by their measure, but the story put into their game design and the love they have is infectious.<br/><br/>The book left me genuinely inspired. The character _Marx_ makes me want to be more like him. He has purpose in helping others without being a martyr.<br/><br/>What's more, the book left me wanting to **make**. I love that hungry creative feeling (even if it's slightly dampened by having _too_ many projects!).<br/><br/>Loved it. Strong recommend.
Rated Shades of Grey 8/10
Felt like a long read and felt a little like it was trying to be Red Dwarf a few times, but eventually settled into an interesting and fun story.<br/><br/>I do admit I got lost with the length of time reading the book, but suspect it was the speed I was reading (only a handful of pages each night) - the story takes place over a matter of days - not as I thought a matter of months.<br/><br/>There's lots of lore in the world that's not really explained, but doesn't really get in the way. I did expect to find the humour more, but it wasn't really there for me.<br/><br/>Likeable characters, and a good story which stands well on it's own. I'd like to read more, but would hope the pace is a little quicker.
Wants to read The Body Silent: The Different World of the Disabled
Finished reading The Ten Thousand Doors of January
Rated A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail 8/10
This is not the male version of Wild - no hard-earned self-discovery, not many stupid mishaps. Instead, this is a pleasant stroll up the Appalachian trail (or at least parts of it) with sprinklings of history and local color and the stresses of an unlikely hiking buddy relationship. Altogether enjoyable. A nice bedtime read.
Rated The Elegance of the Hedgehog 6/10
I expected a bit more of a story, but was surprised at how well the author kept my interest even with nothing going on. This book will appeal to you if you are enchanted with social and philosophical rumination and commentary. There is some tension in the development of relationships but, for the most part, the work is personality and insight-driven. Small complaint: I was sad to find the voice of Paloma, the girl who is one of the two first person narrators, become secondary about 3/4 of the way through.