Ian McCulloch recommended Transformer by Lou Reed in Music (curated)
Catholicism, Identity and Politics in the Age of - The Life and Career of Sir Thomas Gascoigne, 1745-1810
Book
This book explores the changing aspirations, attitudes and identities of English Catholics in the...
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated The Switch in Books
Jul 31, 2021
The book is split between chapters for Leena and Eileen, a granddaughter and grandmother who are grieving the loss of Leena’s sister. Leena threw herself into work in London while Eileen threw herself into looking after her daughter and Leena’s mother, Marian. After Leena is told by her boss that she must take a two month sabbatical, her and Eileen decide to swap lives for the two months. Leena moving to a tiny, sleepy village in Yorkshire, full of nosey old people and Neighbourhood Watch meetings, while Eileen moves to a tiny little flat in West London and tries online dating whilst making friends with everyone she comes across (whether they want to or not).
Beth O’Leary’s humour is brilliant, and so many situations had me giggling and rereading them multiple times and starting to giggle all over again (my favourite being when asked how a dog ended up in someone’s garden). It is so ridiculous, but not far fetched, and so you can actually imagine the events that make you laugh actually unfolding.
This book has just continued my love for Beth O’Leary and I will definitely be continuing to read her work and looking forward to new releases of hers in the future.
Uptown Oracle (24 KP) rated Clockwork Prince in Books
Jun 30, 2017
Clockwork Prince avoids the middle book slump that a lot of trilogies endure. The first book was good but this book was definitely better in my eyes. One of the main reasons must be because of the amount of backstory. It really felt like Clare had thought out every single little detail. Such as what happened to Will as a child, or what is Tessa really?
Clare also didn't make the mistake of reiterating her previous TMI books. Often writers have a set formula for their books, but Clare has branched out and added extra layers. There's some deceit, secrets and mystery woven within the plot.
I personally enjoyed all the information shown about the Clave and politics. We learn how heads of institutes are chosen, and that it can be challenged. We also learn about how Shadowhunters do cooperate with mundanes to a degree. There's involvements in the monarchies and governments of the time. These may be throwaway lines but I enjoy the world building it brings.
I also enjoyed the travel of England a bit. Clockwork Prince visited Yorkshire. There was also a throwaway comment about Grantham which is in my home county of Lincolnshire. Although it wasn't explored as a location, I enjoyed the reference since I did grow up 20 minutes away.
Overall I enjoyed Clockwork Prince. I hope the third book lives up to expectations.
Both Sides of the Bench
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Barrington Black was for many years one of the UK's best-known criminal defence lawyers and founder...
Keeper of Dreams: One Man's Controversial Story of Life in the English Premiership
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John Hendrie, Barnsley's ex-manager, on Lars Leese: 'Lars Leese is a shambles. He's a loser who...
Twelve Months in the Saddle
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Cycling's inexorable rise in popularity continued 2014 when more than three million people lined the...
Signalling and Signal Boxes Along the Ner Route: Durham, Northumberland and Cumbria: Volume 2
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Over the course of several volumes, Allen Jackson uses an array of photographs to lavishly...
Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Recollections
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Almost immediately following the withdrawal of the passenger service, the Keighley & Worth Valley...