Walking Nature Home: A Life's Journey
Book
Without a map, navigate by the stars. Susan Tweit began learning this lesson as a young woman...
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: My Life
Book
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow is Sophia Loren's definitive autobiography, revealing her personal...
A Snow Garden and Other Stories
Book
As read on Radio 4, seven linked stories set in the Christmas holidays - all as funny, joyous,...
Open the Cage, Murphy!
Book
"Top pick of this year's celeb memoirs". (Daily Mail). To describe Open the Cage, Murphy as...
Dancing with Elephants
Book
Want to enjoy the life you are living, even as you face major life challenges? Is your mind...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2510 KP) rated Easter Basket Murder in Books
Jan 25, 2024 (Updated Jan 25, 2024)
All three stories have fun with the theme, and present it in some clever ways. As is often the case, I found the first story the weakest, but the mysteries in the other two stories are strong. Still, I was engaged no matter which story I was reading. All three have some great Easter elements that made me feel like it was spring. And I love the community aspects we get. I’m only a regular reader of Barbara Ross’s series, and I was interested in the updates we got on the characters there. If you are looking for some new dishes to serve this year, you’ll be interested in the recipes we get with the second and third story. Each story is roughly 100 pages, so you can read them in a sitting or two. Overall, this is a fun anthology you’ll be happy hopped on to your to be read pile.
Medea is shunned by her family because of her magic, so when the ever-so-attractive Jason turns up with an exit plan, Medea decides to help him escape and take her with him. She’s obsessed with him: he pays her attention, and she’s never had anyone pay her attention in a good way before. But as his ardour wanes and he realises that Medusa is a liability, he cheats on her in a big way - and Medea is enraged. She will have her revenge.
I don’t blame her.
I liked that we learn her motivation for her radical actions - and I empathised with her. The first person narrative certainly helped with that. I didn’t agree with how she went about her revenge, but it was effective 🤷🏼♀️. You don’t often read about Hekate, either. I’m hoping Nikita Gill’s new book will sort that out (and I have it on my kindle to read!).
This is a dark story. Medea is complex and flawed, but at the same time, she’s so interesting to read about. I’d really recommend this book! Female rage is always good to read about 😉
Kaz (232 KP) rated The Wasp Factory in Books
May 15, 2019
This story is told by Frank, a 16 year old boy, who lives on a remote island in Scotland with his father. This is about Frank, his very dysfunctional family and trying to find his brother, who has escaped from a mental institution.
What I love about this book is the way in which Iain Banks writes characters. Frank is such a complex character that, although in essence he is an evil person, there are flashes of innocence and sensitivity about him, that you can't help but like him. One moment you feel like he is the only reasonable member of his family and then gradually, you realize his true character. Despite that, you feel sorry for Frank and the life that he has grown up in and the next, completely horrified by some of the things he does in the novel. He's not just a bad character, which in turn, makes him all the more believable.
I also liked some of the dark humour in this novel. Some of the more disturbing stories of Frank's family history were told in such a way, as to make them funny. I felt guilty for laughing at times, but I couldn't help it!
Away from the story itself, I liked how the novel comments on human nature's need for power and to overpower others. This idea is relevant in the areas of gender, politics and society.
This novel isn't plot driven, but character driven, so the story was a bit slow at times. However, I was not expecting the twist at the end.
This might not be for everyone, because it is so dark and at times, really intense. However, I thought this was a brilliant first read for 2019.
I would give this 5 starts, but I have to knock a point off, because this book dragged a couple of times.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2510 KP) rated Sealed Off (A Maine Clambake Mystery, #8) in Books
Jan 2, 2020
There is a strong sub-plot, almost a second full mystery, in this book involving a room that has been sealed off since the 1890’s in the family mansion on the island. Between the two stories, this book moves forward at a constant pace, and the pages flew by. I never wanted to put the book down until I reached the satisfying end. Once again, I was left in awe of how the clues were woven into the story. Several series arcs were advanced here, and the chances for character development were put to full use. The new characters are just as strong as the series regulars, which is no surprise to anyone who has read the series. Those looking for recipes will be pleased with the five we get at the end of the story. There is not one wasted word in this story, and I set it down completely satisfied. Well, almost satisfied. As is always the case, I was left wanting to visit Julia and her family and friends again as soon as possible. Fans of the series will be delighted with this book. If you haven’t started this series yet, you need to fix that as soon as possible.




