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Deep Down Dead
Deep Down Dead
Steph Broadribb | 2017 | Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fast-paced page turner, but a bit predictable
From the opening scene, this book hits the road running. Lori, a straight-talking bounty hunter, formerly a stripper, is focused solely on her daughter and keeping her safe. Her job is to bring in her former bounty hunter mentor JT, who slowly reveals the truth behind his arrest and the reason for him becoming a fugitive. It definitely depicts the darker side of the Sunshine State.

It's exciting to read but not a literary masterpiece as such and definitely predictable. The plot is light on surprises and depth, but it's an enjoyable page-turner.
  
A Horse Walks into a Bar
A Horse Walks into a Bar
David Grossman, Jessica Cohen | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
5.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Comedian's nervous breakdown is like watching a train wreck
An intriguing look into bereavement and trauma in the guise of an unravelling comic. Set on a stage, the comedian performs an intimate act in the presence of a former student and colleague. It is a gritty, disturbing and excruciating read to see how he undoes himself in the space of one night. It is also revealing how little sympathy and empathy he receives. It is a well structured piece of literary fiction, moving back and forth through past and present narratives. Well deserved of a Man Booker Prize nomination.
  
Magpie Murders
Magpie Murders
Anthony Horowitz | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
9
7.4 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Absolutely innovative and intriguing listening
Listened to on Audible.co.uk.
Listening to a murder mystery about a murder mystery was as intriguing as listening to a book about a book. A total reinvention of classic Agatha Christie type tale revamped for the modern reader. Is it guessable? One of the mysteries is, but the other solved by fictional PI Atticus Pund was definitely more of a mind bender. It leaves you analysing clues in the same way the narrator tries to do. As an Agatha Christie fan, I was hooked.

Well read and written by the literary genius that is Anthony Horowitz.
  
One of us is Lying
One of us is Lying
Karen M. McManus | 2017 | Young Adult (YA)
9
8.3 (41 Ratings)
Book Rating
Couldn't put this down
You know you're on to great book when you read 200+ pages in one evening sitting and have to tear yourself away to go to bed. This isn't a great literary masterpiece, but it's a fantastically gripping YA whodunit. The plot was interesting and I liked the structure, splitting it between each character's point of view. The main characters themselves are all well developed, flawed but still loveable. My only criticism is that I was slightly disappointed with the ending as I predicted it beforehand. But this is still a hugely entertaining read.
  
Illuminae: The Illuminae Files: Book 1
Illuminae: The Illuminae Files: Book 1
Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman | 2015 | Children
10
9.2 (19 Ratings)
Book Rating
Unique narrative style (1 more)
Human-AI relationship
This book is ****ing epic!
The unique format and the eventful plot are just part of the reasons that make Illuminae an incredible reading.
The struggle of the cold logic of an AI that tries to stay true to its core programming but still finds itself evolving, trying to grasp human nature, even feeling emotions that it cannot completely understand (envy, rage, love, fear) reaches peaks that have something of the lyric typical of literary fiction shelf.
And this is just one of the plot line!
I can't wait to find out what's next.
  
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ClareR (5589 KP) rated Lanny in Books

Apr 11, 2019  
Lanny
Lanny
Max Porter | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A piece of literary beauty.
What can I say to describe a book that had me entranced from the first to the last page? It made me laugh, it had my holding my breath with anticipation, and it made me shove the book under my husbands and children’s noses to show them the meandering words of Dead Papa Toothwort as they crawled across the page. It’s just a glorious book!
I marvel at the mind of someone who can write something as original and beautiful as this - it’s poetry in prose form, and I loved reading every word.
  
The One Who Wrote Destiny
The One Who Wrote Destiny
Nikesh Shukla | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sweet but thin storyline
Nikesh Shukla's latest literary escapade is sweet, exploring familial ties and how fate plays a role in this family. The narrators include terminal cancer patient Neha, Kenyan-born father Mukesh, and hapless comedian brother Rakesh, each playing a role in their so-called pre-determined destinies.

The writing is witty and it's always wonderful to hear voices that represent BAME communities in modern Britain. But unfortunately it is a little thin in plot and storyline. It is a host of voices speaking about their perspectives and intricately joining together. An easy read.
  
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John Berendt recommended The Magic Christian in Books (curated)

 
The Magic Christian
The Magic Christian
Terry Southern | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"I include this quirky novel in my list, because it is a satiric gem and one of the guiltiest of guilty pleasures. Terry Southern was a comic genius (Dr. Strangelove, Candy) who has never quite been given his due. The argument of The Magic Christian is a simple one, namely: There is no limit to what you can make people do, if you give them enough money. Everyone has his price. In this slim volume, Southern illustrates this point in a story that becomes increasingly outrageous and culminates in one of the most absurdly comic scenes in the American literary canon."

Source
  
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
J.K. Rowling | 2014 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
10
9.1 (271 Ratings)
Book Rating
Everything (0 more)
nothing (0 more)
If you haven't read this yet....why?
This book is literally the most magical journey ever. No, it is probably not the best book ever written. Yes, it was written for children. Given these facts you should still give it the chance to to win your heart because the lessons of friendship, bravery and true heroism surpass the age group it was written for. The following books include acts of literary justice that are truly moving and teach that standing up for what is right, even in the face of danger or at the risk of one'e own life, is the most important thing.
  
What We Lose
What We Lose
Zinzi Clemons | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Gender Studies
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wonderful variety but something missing
This is an interesting literary debut from Zinzi Clemmons, with many semi-autobiographical elements discussing her heritage.

Thandi, a girl of mixed race, has to endure taking care of her dying mother, all the while battling various social aspects of living as a daughter of a South African and an American parent. Written in different formats, from a text message to hip hop lyrics, Clemmons explores the rich tapestry of her life and layers it with various threads.

While I mostly enjoyed this story, I do feel there is something missing and could have been weaved together a little more clearly.