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A Summer of Surprises: And, an Unexpected Affair
Book
An Unexpected Affair After her divorce, Eleanor Mace decides to begin a new life running a quirky...
This is an incredible debut novel. Yamaye is a young black woman who is immersed in the Dub music scene of the 1970s and 1980s. She spends her free time clubbing at The Crypt (it really is a crypt) where Dub music is the music that young black people all want to listen and dance to. Yamaye works so that she can go clubbing and buy the clothes that she wants to wear there (which all sound very cool, by the way).
But there’s a cloud that hangs over Yamaye’s life. Her mother left when she was young, and she has been raised by a father who seems thoroughly heartbroken by his wife’s departure. There’s also the spectre of racism and police brutality looming over her. Yamaye becomes involved in police brutality protests, and then becomes embroiled in a gang in Bristol, leaving London and her troubles there behind. Or so it seems, because it looked to me like she was just swapping one set of problems for another.
I loved this book, and I wish that it had come with a playlist on Spotify (the actual book may well have a playlist, but I read the NetGalley download) - but never fear! I went looking myself, and was ably assisted by my 16 year old drumming mad son. Now he LOVED the music, and regularly drums along to these new bands and songs that he has discovered for himself.
This is an engaging, exciting story with a vibrancy through its descriptions of inner London as much as those of rural Jamaica. The Jamaican patois was for me the icing on the cake. It made such a distinctive voice (quite literally!), and I soon fell into it’s rhythms.
It’s a book that reminded me of how I felt about music as a young woman (ok, it was different music, but still!) and how it crept into everything in my life.
Themes include: race, misogyny, police violence, oppression of people of colour, gangs, the legacy of slavery, music and belonging. At least these are the themes that I could pick out!
It’s an amazing book - just read it!
But there’s a cloud that hangs over Yamaye’s life. Her mother left when she was young, and she has been raised by a father who seems thoroughly heartbroken by his wife’s departure. There’s also the spectre of racism and police brutality looming over her. Yamaye becomes involved in police brutality protests, and then becomes embroiled in a gang in Bristol, leaving London and her troubles there behind. Or so it seems, because it looked to me like she was just swapping one set of problems for another.
I loved this book, and I wish that it had come with a playlist on Spotify (the actual book may well have a playlist, but I read the NetGalley download) - but never fear! I went looking myself, and was ably assisted by my 16 year old drumming mad son. Now he LOVED the music, and regularly drums along to these new bands and songs that he has discovered for himself.
This is an engaging, exciting story with a vibrancy through its descriptions of inner London as much as those of rural Jamaica. The Jamaican patois was for me the icing on the cake. It made such a distinctive voice (quite literally!), and I soon fell into it’s rhythms.
It’s a book that reminded me of how I felt about music as a young woman (ok, it was different music, but still!) and how it crept into everything in my life.
Themes include: race, misogyny, police violence, oppression of people of colour, gangs, the legacy of slavery, music and belonging. At least these are the themes that I could pick out!
It’s an amazing book - just read it!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Sundered (Nevermore book #1) in Books
Jul 19, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
Author Warning: This book has a cliffhanger. Proceed with caution as you may fall off the edge screaming for more.
My name is Mara and I want desperately to become a mother. All of my dreams were dashed when the world was promised hope but instead became a place of danger, death . . . and monsters.
Living in a rural part of Canada, I thought life with my adoring husband was finally moving in the right direction. We had an idyllic home, friends, and plans for a future together.
The only thing missing, was the child we both so desperately wanted.
Hope came in the form of a single medical miracle. Yet the drug was not as it seemed and instead of healing, it beget a world of monsters.
Now we must find the will and strength to survive with only each other to hold onto.
But a deadly secret threatens our love and very survival .
So I'm new to Shannon Meyer and I really enjoyed this book it's the first in a trilogy and it kept me interested from the fist word to the last!
It's a spin on the zombie apocalypse and yes one that is quite obvious. What I like about this book is the connection you see between the nevermore's.
The only thing I kinda was annoyed by was the author warning of a cliff hanger. It wasn't what I was expecting in a cliff hanger I mean it was quite obvious what she was going to have to do!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
My name is Mara and I want desperately to become a mother. All of my dreams were dashed when the world was promised hope but instead became a place of danger, death . . . and monsters.
Living in a rural part of Canada, I thought life with my adoring husband was finally moving in the right direction. We had an idyllic home, friends, and plans for a future together.
The only thing missing, was the child we both so desperately wanted.
Hope came in the form of a single medical miracle. Yet the drug was not as it seemed and instead of healing, it beget a world of monsters.
Now we must find the will and strength to survive with only each other to hold onto.
But a deadly secret threatens our love and very survival .
So I'm new to Shannon Meyer and I really enjoyed this book it's the first in a trilogy and it kept me interested from the fist word to the last!
It's a spin on the zombie apocalypse and yes one that is quite obvious. What I like about this book is the connection you see between the nevermore's.
The only thing I kinda was annoyed by was the author warning of a cliff hanger. It wasn't what I was expecting in a cliff hanger I mean it was quite obvious what she was going to have to do!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Midland Red Double-Deckers
Book
Throughout their existence from 1904 until 1981, the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company...
The New Book of Snobs: A Definitive Guide to Modern Snobbery
Book
'Hugely enjoyable' AN Wilson, Sunday Times 'Thoughtful, entertaining and enjoyable' Michael Gove,...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Wolfhunter River (Stillhouse Lake, #3) in Books
Aug 11, 2021
126 of 250
Kindle
Wolfhunter River (Stillhouse Lake book 3)
By Rachel Caine
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
She can’t ignore a cry for help. But in this remote hunting town, it’s open season.
Gwen Proctor escaped her serial-killer husband and saved her family. What she can’t seem to outrun is his notoriety. Or the sick internet vigilantes still seeking to avenge his crimes. For Gwen, hiding isn’t an option. Not when her only mission is to create a normal life for her kids.
But now, a threatened woman has reached out. Marlene Crockett, from the remote town of Wolfhunter, is panicked for herself and her daughter. When Gwen arrives in the small, isolated rural community, Marlene is already dead—her own daughter blamed for the murder. Except that’s not the person Marlene feared at all. And Gwen isn’t leaving until she finds out who that was.
But it may already be too late. A trap has been set. And it’s poised to snap shut on everyone Gwen loves. Her stalkers are closing in. And in a town as dark as Wolfhunter, it’s so easy for them to hide…
Another brilliant book in the series I really really enjoyed it! Only one star off a 5 because I did find some bits a bit of a rush. I love the strong chap the kids are dealing with it all so much better. It’s just a shame we only have 2 books left knowing we’ll never get a 5th is heartbreaking. I have nothing but love for this author.
Kindle
Wolfhunter River (Stillhouse Lake book 3)
By Rachel Caine
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
She can’t ignore a cry for help. But in this remote hunting town, it’s open season.
Gwen Proctor escaped her serial-killer husband and saved her family. What she can’t seem to outrun is his notoriety. Or the sick internet vigilantes still seeking to avenge his crimes. For Gwen, hiding isn’t an option. Not when her only mission is to create a normal life for her kids.
But now, a threatened woman has reached out. Marlene Crockett, from the remote town of Wolfhunter, is panicked for herself and her daughter. When Gwen arrives in the small, isolated rural community, Marlene is already dead—her own daughter blamed for the murder. Except that’s not the person Marlene feared at all. And Gwen isn’t leaving until she finds out who that was.
But it may already be too late. A trap has been set. And it’s poised to snap shut on everyone Gwen loves. Her stalkers are closing in. And in a town as dark as Wolfhunter, it’s so easy for them to hide…
Another brilliant book in the series I really really enjoyed it! Only one star off a 5 because I did find some bits a bit of a rush. I love the strong chap the kids are dealing with it all so much better. It’s just a shame we only have 2 books left knowing we’ll never get a 5th is heartbreaking. I have nothing but love for this author.
In Strange Woods
Book
In the stormy coastal woods of the Pacific Northwest, roots run deep and passions run wild. ...
Contemporary MM Mystery Gothic Romance
Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud and the Last Trial of Harper Lee
Book
The stunning story of an Alabama serial killer and the true-crime book that Harper Lee worked on...
A Childhood: the Biography of a Place
Book
A Childhood is the unforgettable memoir of Harry Crews' earliest years, a sharply remembered...
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Husk in Video Games
Jun 19, 2019
Husk is a game with some great potential going in. The horror game is set in 1995 and involves a man with a questionable past taking the train home to his rural hometown of Shivercliff with his wife and teenage daughter along for the trip.
When the train derails and you are unable to find your family, players make their way into the small town to find it deserted with no signs of life anywhere.
There is a toxic fog about the town and soon strange creatures appear which forces players to look for keys, weapons, and other items of use in order to survive as they attempt to unravel the mystery, find your family, and escape.
The premise is compelling enough to take a look but sadly there are many issues with the game which really hamper the experience. I can overlook the dated graphics and the jerky controls and camera transitions, but the game made me feel like I was stuck in the 90s with the numerous glitches in the game. Keys would not be visible on a counter and I at times had to search wildly waiting to get the indicator that keys had been located.
Combat was very uninteresting as I had to simply flail about with a pipe at first without any real indication my blows were landing or doing damage until an enemy fell. I had hoped locating a pistol would make things a bit easier but once again the combat mechanics proved to be lacking.
If you do not mind bugs and glitches, dated graphics, and gameplay, then you will finds yourself entertained by Husk but for me the promising setup went away after the first hour or so of play and I found myself paying more attention to the numerous issues rather than the game.
http://sknr.net/2017/02/07/husk/
When the train derails and you are unable to find your family, players make their way into the small town to find it deserted with no signs of life anywhere.
There is a toxic fog about the town and soon strange creatures appear which forces players to look for keys, weapons, and other items of use in order to survive as they attempt to unravel the mystery, find your family, and escape.
The premise is compelling enough to take a look but sadly there are many issues with the game which really hamper the experience. I can overlook the dated graphics and the jerky controls and camera transitions, but the game made me feel like I was stuck in the 90s with the numerous glitches in the game. Keys would not be visible on a counter and I at times had to search wildly waiting to get the indicator that keys had been located.
Combat was very uninteresting as I had to simply flail about with a pipe at first without any real indication my blows were landing or doing damage until an enemy fell. I had hoped locating a pistol would make things a bit easier but once again the combat mechanics proved to be lacking.
If you do not mind bugs and glitches, dated graphics, and gameplay, then you will finds yourself entertained by Husk but for me the promising setup went away after the first hour or so of play and I found myself paying more attention to the numerous issues rather than the game.
http://sknr.net/2017/02/07/husk/