I'm a sucker for thunder and lightning! I love a good thunderstorm, especially sitting watching the skies light up in a frenzy while rain batters the I'm a sucker for thunder and lightning! I love a good thunderstorm, especially sitting watching the skies light up in a frenzy while rain batters the windowsill and deafening thunder crashes all around.
This offering in the Earth series by Reaktion books really fed my obsession. Elsom writes brilliantly about lightning; looking at everything from the technical "how is it formed" to centuries of folklore and deity worship, to human injury to environmental hazards. The colour photographs are absolutely stunning and would be worth getting the book just for the photos!
A 5 star read that had me enraptured from beginning to end. Onto my weather shelf it goes! ...more
This was an excellent book. It had me reading through the night with a bout of insomnia that was made all the more bearable by this book.
Kathryn MileThis was an excellent book. It had me reading through the night with a bout of insomnia that was made all the more bearable by this book.
Kathryn Miles has made a fantastic job of investigating the murders of two young gay women in the Shenandoah National Park. The level of sheer incompetence, negligence, hubris and pigheadedness she uncovers is truly shocking but by now something I seem to be getting used to in reading about US law enforcement. Absolutely nothing was done correctly to help solve the murders of these two women. Miles seems to be the only person giving enough of a shit to look into the case properly. And look into it she does.
I really admire how she covers everything, from looking at the girls' lives in a holistic manner to maintain the fact that they were two humans in love, not just "bodies", "victims" or "remains". She interviews copious individuals to get a truly global picture of their lives, the events leading up to their murders and the aftermath of the tragedy. Then Miles throws the net out wider to look at the inherent misogyny not only in wilderness organisations but in the wider community. She looks at women's misgivings about hiking/camping alone or in female only groups. She looks at the discrimination faced by marginalised groups accessing the outdoors and what if anything is being done to mitigate this discrimination. She then looks at the justice system and their gung-ho, often politically motivated willingness to throw the wrong people under the bus for a quick conviction if they're feeling the pressure to "solve" a crime (and I use that word loosely with these apparent incompetents).
This book is truly brilliant. I feel that Miles covers all the bases and provides a really rounded look into the the case of not only Lollie and Julie, but other women that were kidnapped/murdered/raped /assaulted in that same geographical area over the course of those years in question. And sadly it all comes back to the same old thing for me: some men are right evil bastards, and many men sadly let them get away with it.
A 5 star read that would be higher if I could give it more. ...more
This was a beautifully poetic book by Laura Pashby about all things fog. I seem to have ventured into a weather journey this month on the book front aThis was a beautifully poetic book by Laura Pashby about all things fog. I seem to have ventured into a weather journey this month on the book front and I'm loving it.
I too am a sucker for fog, I find it haunting, eerie yet strangely beautiful; in fact where we live it often gets named Dragon's Breath for where it sits in the valley.
I found the writing here engaging, fascinating and informative. Laura has a real ease with the way she imparts her knowledge and experience to the reader. I especially love her black and white photographs of foggy landscapes that serve as chapter headers.
I love how everything is covered here from folklore, fairies and ley lines to lighthouses, bargemen, shipwrecks to moss, lichen and estuary birds. There is a real mix of subjects covered.
Needless to say, this book is a firm favourite and is going straight on my shelf named just that.
Honestly, I'm glad this is my first book of the year to review as it is a stunning read.
Whatever your thoughts on the rights or wrongs of the situatiHonestly, I'm glad this is my first book of the year to review as it is a stunning read.
Whatever your thoughts on the rights or wrongs of the situation Chloe Dalton found herself in, there is no denying the absolutely magical experience she was exposed to by nurturing a hare to adulthood. What a privilege to encounter such beauty, mysticism and elusiveness. I was completely mesmerised and captivated by the writing and totally invested in Hare's survival.
This book restored my faith in humanity and it warmed my soul at a very difficult time.
Thank you Chloe for your honest, tender writing and I have to say, had I found the leveret that day, I'd have done exactly the same. ...more
Taylor has the Strout factor! That ability to take simple occurrences, interactions and relationships and turn them into something quite magical via the very ordinary.
Whilst Amy the protagonist (who is unexpectedly widowed during a cruise holiday) may come across as cold, aloof or uncaring, I actually see something of myself in her, with a strong tendency towards semi-hermitism, wanting to shut yourself away in your own cozy surroundings and not be bothered by people (particularly not outsiders). Her introverted and reserved manner is offset by Martha, the brashy, direct, outspoken American who has befriended her and helps her during the dark days of immediate bereavement aftermath.
The story, though short, is very carefully and cleverly constructed, slowly revealing the nuances of relationships between husband and wife, acquaintances, offspring and staff. All the more impressive considering Elizabeth Taylor was dying of cancer as she wrote this book (there is a lovely afterword by her daughter Jo at the end).
An excellent story and one that I will return to in the future. She's a keeper is our Liz. ...more
This book was fabulous! From hirsute women to menopause, from accusations of witchcraft to the agonies of a first period, from feeling "other" and demThis book was fabulous! From hirsute women to menopause, from accusations of witchcraft to the agonies of a first period, from feeling "other" and demarginalised to being undervalued, this book has it all.
Hannah Priest curates a series of essays on all things female werewolf. There are literary, film and art critiques and historical accounts. All the essays are quite academic in nature and I needed a lot of concentration to take in all that they were proffering but it was well worth the old brain cells! I was mesmerised by the reading. All the essays are of an amazingly high quality and though they may be academic, they're also really entertaining and engaging. I was googling every five minutes for source references (which I love when a book provokes further interest in a brilliant subject).
I know I'm gushing but honestly this book was refreshingly the best collection of literature I've read in a while. I'm buzzing moreso because I came across it completely by accident in my local library, mooching the book aisles with no real aim in mind, I was drawn to this title. I'm gonna buy me a copy for keeps.
Pure kudos to Hannah Priest for putting together such an excellent set of pieces on such an extraordinary subject. ...more
Tom Cox is proper funny, I was snorting and cackling my way through much of this whilst listening along. I love that Cox is as mucThis was brilliant!
Tom Cox is proper funny, I was snorting and cackling my way through much of this whilst listening along. I love that Cox is as much a condemner of hunting, shooting and blood sports as myself. It's refreshing to see a writer calling out the "twattery" (as he calls it!) that is men killing defenseless creatures. And his dad who SAYS EVERYTHING REALLY LOUDLY!! Again, pmsl!!
The book is a great mix of nature journal, travelogue, house moving advice, cat wrangling (!!), history, geography, archaeology, there's a bit of everything in there, which keeps it fresh and entertaining.
I have to say the final chapter about Ripley and The Bear had me clearing my throat and blinking away tears but it was still a wonderful piece of storytelling.
Overall an immensely enjoyable listening experience and a title that has gone onto my fabulous favourites (virtual) bookshelf. ...more
A seemingly simple tale of a retired librarian who starts helping out at a senior citizen's centre after guidFantastic storytelling here from deWitt.
A seemingly simple tale of a retired librarian who starts helping out at a senior citizen's centre after guiding one of their forgetful residents home.
The story starts in the present, then reverses to explore the protagonist's younger/mid life then eventually travels back to his childhood.
The characters are brilliant, believable and fleshy. The pacing is perfect and the narrative arc spot on.
I immersed myself completely in the reading, and enjoyed this thoroughly from start to finish. Patrick deWitt has saved me from several reading slumps this month.
Great stuff.
Some lines/passages that stayed with me:-
"..... Bob was certain that a room filled with printed matter was a room that needed nothing"
(about the library our protagonist says)....... " I like the way I feel when I'm there. It's a place that makes sense to me. I like that anyone can come in and get the books they want for free. The people bring the books home and take care of them, then bring them back so that other people can do the same". Bob explained about his happiness on the quiet mornings, of his arrival at the library, the dense soundlessness of the carpeted mezzanine, and the occasional empty illuminated bus shushing by over the damp pavement...........
"Why read at all? Why does anyone do it in the first place ? Why do I? There is the element of escape, which is real enough- that's a real enough comfort. But also we read as a way to come to grips with the randomness of our being alive. To read a book by an observant, sympathetic mind is to see the human landscape in all its odd detail, and the reader says to him or herself, Yes that's how it is, only I didn't know how to describe it. There's a fraternity achieved, then: we are not alone........"...more
This was a fabulous read. What's not to like?? An orc, a succubus, a rat and a hob make an amazing coffee shop out of an old abandoned livery. There aThis was a fabulous read. What's not to like?? An orc, a succubus, a rat and a hob make an amazing coffee shop out of an old abandoned livery. There are laughs, life lessons. descriptions of delicious sounding sweet treats and a hint at LGBT burgeoning romance.
The women are kick ass and insightful, the men are wise and helpful, the "baddie" taught his lesson.
Annnnnnnnnnnnnd there's a HUGE, PURRING, DIRE CAT!!!! Just yes. Perfection in a story. Well done Mr Baldree. ...more
Honestly, I bloody love Jen Beagin! I'm sure she must have been a nurse in a past life because she has a nurse's dark sense of humour.
I love the charHonestly, I bloody love Jen Beagin! I'm sure she must have been a nurse in a past life because she has a nurse's dark sense of humour.
I love the character of Mona, she is such a fuck up but bloody hilarious! I love that she has no filter and I love the freaky ass situations she gets herself into. There are also some dark themes here, rape, incest, molestation, drug use, but the humour offsets the harshness of the topics and stops the story from descending into a depressing quagmire.
All of Jen Beagin's books, this, Pretend I'm Dead and Big Swiss had me physically snorting with laughter and that is such a gift!
This is definitely fabulous favourite of mine and a keeper for sure. Excited to see what Beagin will do next. ...more
I have no idea why I hadn't got to this title sooner. The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of those books that has been floating around my periphery fI have no idea why I hadn't got to this title sooner. The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of those books that has been floating around my periphery for years without prompting much interest, I don't know why. I remember watching a few Sherlock Holmes TV adaptations when I was younger with Jeremy Brett in the titular role.
This was bloody brilliant writing. Arthur Conan Doyle really knows how to set a scene. I could literally see the Baker Street and Devonshire moors settings in my head when reading this. The weather, the atmosphere, the people, all expertly described.
The story itself is so cleverly told; family curses layered upon mysterious figures lurking in the night, dashed with local folklore and murder mystery, all with the ever knowing Holmes silently watching in the background.
I felt like I went on a great journey with this book and let myself get taken along for the fabulous ride. I really enjoyed this read and I imagine I'll be checking out some more of ACD's Sherlock Holmes titles. Any recommendations for good Holmes stories welcomed. ...more
I haven't been so captivated or spellbound by a book in a long while.
Ray Fysh's stories of his career and the cases he has beenThis book is amazing.
I haven't been so captivated or spellbound by a book in a long while.
Ray Fysh's stories of his career and the cases he has been involved in are truly fascinating whilst being horrifying and repulsive at the same time. I remember the majority of the cases he was involved in and it is mad to read of how painstaking the process is to gather evidence and check, check, double and triple check to ensure rigorous standards and procedure are followed, and nothing is left open to interpretation by an unscrupulous defense lawyer.
The cases that upset me the most were "Adam"- the torso in the Thames, and Billie Jo Jenkins. Adam- imagine being a young child that disappears from the face from the Earth in horrific circumstances and no grieving parents are looking for you, no one is making a fuss and your brutal murder goes unpunished. Fysh and his many colleagues did so much to trace the history of this young boy. Their work is so admirable - "we'll be his family now" one colleague had commented- how caring. And Billie Jo Jenkins, heinously murdered by her domestically abusive foster father, who after serving some of his sentence got to walk free! What a complete miscarriage of justice for that young girl. I remember being incensed when I heard that he had been freed.
Fysh's book highlights just how cruel and evil humans can be to each other, but also how diligence and determination goes a long way towards catching these evil bastards. His work is commendable and it's amazing to have been allowed an insight into it.
My reading stars seem to have aligned this week after a shitty slump period!
Jen Beagin, you are a friggin genius! I LOVED this book! It was hilarious,My reading stars seem to have aligned this week after a shitty slump period!
Jen Beagin, you are a friggin genius! I LOVED this book! It was hilarious, gritty, interesting, provocative, sad, compelling, all the above!
The storyline jumps straight in with our protagonist, who, whilst her behaviour can be questionable is funny as shit! Honestly, I laughed so much reading this.
I just loved this crazy arse, weird yet madly addictive story. It was a blast!
If you're a Trigger Warning type, there are many here by the way!...more
You know when you anticipate a book will be amazing, and then it is! Yes, this is that book.
Admittedly this asks more questions than it answers and tYou know when you anticipate a book will be amazing, and then it is! Yes, this is that book.
Admittedly this asks more questions than it answers and there are mysteries unsolved in some cases, but Lankford has a fantastic way of writing. I was hooked on the reading and stayed up until 03:00 in the morning on one occasion to read on.
I think this appealed to me as I have no intention of entering the Great American Wilderness and have no shame in saying that I can live vicariously through those who do. Those who go missing in that pursuit are another kettle of fish altogether. What fate befell them? Did they want to disappear away from humanity? Were they the victim of human crime or animal attack? Or were they just unlucky and succumb to bad weather/unstable rock/a misstep from the path?
I thoroughly enjoyed this read, I was completely captivated from start to finish. I definitely intend to re-read.
Honestly, I absolutely loved this. It kept taking me in different directions all the time.
First it seems to be a dissection of a slowly dissolving reHonestly, I absolutely loved this. It kept taking me in different directions all the time.
First it seems to be a dissection of a slowly dissolving relationship from its conception to the present. Then we started to get freaky and I was reminded of the film The Astronaut's Wife (starring Johnny Depp & Charlize Theron). Then we entered the realms of Big Fish.
Julia Armfield's writing is eloquent, intelligent and very very beautiful. She describes the phasing of relationships exquisitely. I felt a real sense of bond between Miri and Leah which made the story all the more tragic.
I just loved this reading experience. It made the hours of my life reading it more valuable.
Re-read Sept 2024. I had to buy my own copy of this book as loaning from the library just isn't enough. Oh man, the writing here is just as sublime as I remember. On a second read I got a real feeling of loss of control, as in Miri knows something is seriously wrong but there is little she can do to stop it. There is a real inevitability to the events being played out. And the ending. Oof, it got me again, right in the bloody feels! Amazing literature from Julia Armfield. One I'll return to over and over. Beautiful. ...more
This entire book was like an ode to the sea. It was beautiful.
Wyl Menmuir explores everything sea related around the Cornish coastline. He does so wiThis entire book was like an ode to the sea. It was beautiful.
Wyl Menmuir explores everything sea related around the Cornish coastline. He does so with finesse, passion and ease. His writing is like having a conversation with a friend over a good cup of coffee.
I just loved this. And the photographs are an added joy.
Highly recommended if you like the Cornish coast, the sea, or contemplation at a remote shoreline spot. ...more
I've just finished this book and oh my, it was exceptional writing. Katie Roiphe has done an amazing job of looking with a critical eye at the final mI've just finished this book and oh my, it was exceptional writing. Katie Roiphe has done an amazing job of looking with a critical eye at the final months, weeks, days and hours of memorable writers.
I love that Katie's interest is sparked from a childhood fear of death after being gravely ill. Facing your fears is a great therapy and Roiphe's book is certainly therapy and then some.
The writing is engaging, informative and objective without being overly sentimental, in fact Roiphe states that she doesn't want to veer into the nostalgic or soppy perspective of death.
I really enjoyed this read as it was intelligent writing which sparked me to think and ruminate and reflect- all the best things a book can provoke from a human.
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