It’s hard enough doing home improvements. But attempting home improvements on a sentient house that doesn’t really want you… that’s a whole other level of difficulty.
I’ve read a few books in which there is the subject of fae property. It’s always fluid and responsive. But this is the first time I’ve read a story of any kind in which someone has to try and reclaim the fae property. And, in this circumstance, the fae property is not overly happy with being claimed. Leading to one hell of a home improvement job and moving in day…
I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting October Daye in my reading of novels (this shall soon be rectified). And so I really enjoyed not only her characterisation, but also all of her many sidekicks. I loved this odd bod bunch that just want to find a home that can keep them safe… it was quirky and a little zaney. Humorous and just generally thoroughly enjoyable.
I absolutely adored this short story. It was funny and cute. Filled with great drama and world building. And now I just can’t wait to sink my teeth into this series…
Title: Wrecking Party Author: Alastair Reynolds In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams) Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this) My Bookshelves:Cyborgs, Weird western Dates read: 29th August 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Titan Books Year: 2014 5th sentence, 74th page: It’s like a disease.
A series of wrecks of the trains have left the town confused and angry. But when the local sheriff is told the truth by his friend… it’s seriously unexpected and more than a little dangerous.
I’m not sure if I just wasn’t paying overly much attention when I was reading this. Or whether it’s just not my kind of story. But, regardless, I did have to keep flicking back through this story to check out what on earth was happening. And although I love this premise, I really wasn’t all that hooked by it. Which was, honestly, a bit of a pity.
One of the things I did really love about this short story was the idea of cyborgs and this kind of massive conspiracy that reared its ugly head throughout this story. It was somewhat brilliant, and probably why I’m so disappointed that I didn’t get so hooked into this from the very beginning – the premise and conspiracy theory theme was just dang awesome.
This was a nice and easy read, but definitely one that I will try and revisit when I’m not in such a funky mood I think. Just to make sure that it was my mood and concentration which made me score this kind of low… or if the writing was really just not my style…
Title: The Colt Author: Wallace Stegner In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis) Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Westerns Dates read: 27th August 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: Hello, Bub.
This short story is about a colt that is dearly loved. But maybe not quite destined for a happily ever after…
I was kind of expecting a bit of a happy ending here. After all, this is a whole short story about a boy and his colt. And I was thinking that his love for the horse would be one of those that overcame all obstacles. That wasn’t the case. The end of this was a bit sad and gross. But it was still a good little short story.
I did struggle a little to get through this. I kept on getting confused as to how the colt broke his legs in the first place. I may have to read this again to make sure I didn’t just completely miss the point. But I honestly probably won’t. I love that this was about a boy and his horse (effectively), but I’m not really that emotionally engaged like I would have been normally.
This was a somewhat nice and cute short story. But it wasn’t really one that I felt was unforgettable and glorious. It was just… pleasant. Even though it ended kind of sadly.
Title: Everything is Illuminated Author: Jonathan Safran Foer Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Historical fiction, War Dates read: 24th – 27th August 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Penguin Year: 2002 5th sentence, 74th page: It was the same reason that I would not be able to repose.
With only a yellowing photograph in hand, a young man — also named Jonathan Safran Foer — sets out to find the woman who may or may not have saved his grandfather from the Nazis. Accompanied by an old man haunted by memories of the war; an amorous dog named Sammy Davis, Junior, Junior; and the unforgettable Alex, a young Ukrainian translator who speaks in a sublimely butchered English, Jonathan is led on a quixotic journey over a devastated landscape and into an unexpected past.
I really wasn’t a fan of this novel. The best word to describe my response to it – confused. Just. Seriously confused. I had to read this for a book club, so after discussing it for over an hour, I felt less confused. But not really… mostly our discussion was on how much we didn’t enjoy this and how confused we all felt to be quite frank.
One thing I can say about this book is that it is very well written. I loved the technical talent that was being shown. But I think that this technicality drowned out the story that I wanted to read / hear. It also made it a well written book technically, but one in which I really didn’t bond with any of the characters. I finished this and felt…. “eh”.
There was some really good humour and I did like how the language was written. It was written in a way that highlighted the language barriers and differences in translation that non-native English speakers use. It was well done and highlighted Foer’s understanding of being a non-native English speaker.
To be honest, my absolute favourite thing about this book was simply the dog – Sammy Davis Jr. Jr. I like the idea of Seeing Eye Bitch to a man who isn’t even blind. But really, that was the main redeeming factor in my mind…
Title: Bury Me In Satin Author: Seanan McGuire Series: InCryptid #0.11 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy Dates read: 30th August 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Free online short story Publisher: Seanan McGuire Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: Alice would have pursued her amphibious quarry, but was stopped by her mother’s arm being suddenly wrapped around her waist, lifting her off the ground.
Things are starting to hit an easy sort of groove at the Healy house. Alice is growing up, a little spitfire of a girl who adores her father and idolizes her mother. Johnny and Fran have mostly put their ghosts behind them, and are focusing on the future, which has never seemed brighter, or more guaranteed.
Sadly, for some people, the future has already ended.
Mary Dunlavy has been Alice’s babysitter almost since the girl was born. When her father stops showing up for work, it falls to Fran to go and see what’s going on. What she finds changes everything.
There is no right and there is no wrong in some situations: there’s only the way things should have been, and the way things are.
Not everyone gets out alive.
It was pretty obvious that this story was going to feature Mary a little more… after all, her unique condition is hinted at in Oh Pretty Bird. But I didn’t quite expect her condition to be what it was. It was great. And I’m hoping that we get more of her as the story unfolds.
I love how even though a few curveballs are thrown Fran’s way, she just continues to take it all in stride. There is something seriously loveable and adorable about how she just goes yup… Mary’s not quite human. Cool. We’ll help her. She can continue taking care of my infant. I want ot be this unflappable in my life…
Alice is just steadily getting so, so, much bigger throughout this whole series. I can’t wait to start reading stories in which she’s an adult (or a teenager) and beginning to take the world by storm. Plus, the Healy household is just plain nuts. So I love how they can’t even find a “normal” babysitter.
Title: Oh Pretty Bird Author: Seanan McGuire Series: InCryptid #0.10 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy Dates read: 25th August 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Free online short story Publisher: Seanan McGuire Year: 2014 5th sentence, 74th page: Well, all right.
It’s been years since the death of their first child, Daniel, but Jonathan and Frances Healy have never been able to catch the person responsible…until now. When word comes that the Apraxis hives are moving strangely, and that a familiar woman with black hair and no history has appeared, it seems like things may finally come to fruition.
And it’s not like they won’t have backup: Enid and Alexander Healy have not forgiven the woman who cost them their first grandchild, and they’re not about to let Johnny and Fran ride out alone. They don’t know much about the situation that they’re walking into. They know enough to be afraid, to be on their guards, and to stay together at all times.
Can they avenge their own without paying more than they can afford? Old questions are finally answered, and old debts are paid as the Healys walk into the most dangerous situation they have faced thus far. It’s for Daniel. There’s no question of whether they’ll go. There’s only a question of whether they’ll come back.
This short story features the first interaction between the Healys and Cuckoos and it is kind of brilliant. I wonder if the child in this is the child that we get to know throughout Discount Armageddon. But it’ll be interesting to find out. I loved the way that this story not only built on the previous short stories, but gave even more background into a new discovery which will feature in the future stories.
This story is violent, blood thirsty and just a little bit angry. Although there are plenty of moments throughout that acknowledge this, and somehow help to diminish the power of the blood thirst and revenge that drives this storyline. I really loved that balance between the two forms.
The biggest thing that intrigues me about this short story is what in the heck happens to the baby after both the parent Cuckoos are removed. I’m not sure whether I feel hopeful or scared…
Title: Woolsley’s Kitchen Nightmare Author: E.E. Knight In: Home Improvement (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Food, Humour, Paranormal fantasy Dates read: 23rd August 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: Unless his accountant was as cluelessly skeevy as his decorator, a few customers were still braving the fugly to eat here every week.
The paranormal version of Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares. But so much better – less swearing and more blood.
This is such a GREAT take on Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares. A fantastic, funny and just all round humorous paranormal version that had me laughing all the way throughout. I love how it took all of the elements of a kitchen renovation show and turned them on their head. Including putting humans on the menu and having zombies as employees… it was a bit gory. But seriously fun and funny.
This story is a great reminder that you really shouldn’t try to be fancy when you’re just not fancy. It’s trying waaaaayyyy too hard. And in this case, trying to be paranormal when you’re just not… it makes you end up kind of dead. Which I loved. But you know… I’m kind of bloodthirsty anyway. So that made me fairly happy.
Throughout all of this story, I did giggle and laugh a fair bit. It was light and funny. And, honestly, in spite of the whole eating humans thing – quite cute. Definitely a short story that I would read again.
Title: The Man With No Heart Author: Beth Revis In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Cyborgs, Weird western, Westerns Dates read: 22nd August 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Titan Books Year: 2014 5th sentence, 74th page: Finally, he had something worth betting on, Ray could tell.
Ray is a betting man. But when he decides to follow the mechanical spiders to try and find out where he truly comes from… all bets are off.
This short story honestly gave me a little bit of a Harry Potter déjà vu. It was such a fun, pleasant feeling. Not that the ting that gave me the Harry Potter déjà vu was all that fun and pleasant, but I love anything that thrusts me back into that world. In this case, it was the idea of “follow the spiders” that had me picturing Ron and laughing. There really was no other actual similarities. But I definitely was filled with thoughts. Happy. Positive. Bright thoughts.
This short story is honestly incredibly light and easy. It also has a great sense of hope throughout. Luckily, there is a happily ever after at the end of the story. At least, it felt like a happily ever after to me. It just finished off that feeling of completeness and hope that the rest of the short story had.
I absolutely loved the idea of alternate realities / worlds and the descriptions throughout this story. Then, there is a brilliant idea of gatekeepers and the idea that the lead character is heavily embroiled within this world. Unexpectedly so. But, still enjoyably so.
Title: Beauty and the Mustache Author: Penny Reid Series: Knitting in the City #4, Winston Brothers #0.5 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance Dates read: 22nd – 23rd August 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Caped Publishing Year: 2014 5th sentence, 74th page: Elizabeth muttered under her breath, “If you let him, I think he’ll gladly rub you the right way.”
There are three things you need to know about Ashley Winston
1) She has six brothers and they all have beards, 2) She is a reader, and 3) She knows how to knit.
Former beauty queen, Ashley Winston’s preferred coping strategy is escapism. She escaped her Tennessee small town, loathsome father, and six brothers eight years ago. Now she escapes life daily via her Amazon kindle one-click addiction. However, when a family tragedy forces her to return home, Ashley can’t escape the notice of Drew Runous – local Game Warden, reclusive mountain man, bear wrestler, philosopher, and everyone’s favourite guy. Drew’s irksome philosophising in particular makes Ashley want to run for the skyscrapers, especially since he can’t seem to keep his exasperating opinions – or his soulful poetry, steadfast support, and delightful hands – to himself. Pretty soon the girl who wanted nothing more than the escape of the big city finds she’s lost her heart in small town Tennessee.
This novel may be about Ashley, but for me, the brothers just steal the show. There is something about a clan of brothers coming together around their little sister and their mother that makes me incredibly happy. Ashley is great. But it’s the Winston Brothers and Drew that made me feel seriously emotionally vested. Which makes it a brilliant prequel to the Winston Brothers series and a great little teaser into another series that needs to fill my shelves.
This is a reminder that, in spite of what is happening in the world, sometimes you just need to return home. Sometimes it’s the things that you ran away from that truly leave you feeling happy and complete. I like that although Ashley fled her family and hometown eight years before the beginning of this story. And obviously needed to in her own way to figure out who she was. Part of really figuring out what she needed in life was coming home and embracing all that she left behind. Returning home might not always be the answer. But I love that it is in this novel…
Although this is a beautiful and sweet romance, there is a little bit of heartbreak in this story. Namely in the passing of Ashley’s mother and her illness. It is done so well though. It is serious and does wrench at your heart quite a bit, but it also leaves you focusing on all of the positives that take place in the blossoming new relationship and the hope that Ashley finds for the future. Plus, the heartbreak that Ashley experiences highlights the beauty of her friendship with the girls.
This might be the most tragic and sad of the Knitting in the Citystories. But it is also the one that seems to show the power of love and friendship the most. Everyone willingly and lovingly rallies around Ashley and her family. And I absolutely adored this show of love and affection. It’s something that I hope (but kind of doubt) that we all have…
Title: Love Hacked Author: Penny Reid Series: Knitting in the City #3 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance Dates read: 17th – 22nd August 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Caped Publishing Year: 2014 5th sentence, 74th page: We stared at each other, that wolf and me, as the blood ran down my chin and soaked my shirt.
There are three things you should know about Sandra Fielding
1) She makes all her first dates cry, 2) She hasn’t been kissed in over two years, and 3) She knows how to knit.
Sandra has difficulty removing her psychotherapist hat. Of her last 30 dates, 29 have ended the same way: the man sobbing uncontrollably.
After one such disaster, Sandra – near desperation and maybe a little tipsy – gives in to a seemingly harmless encounter with her hot waiter, Alex. Argumentative, secretive, and hostile Alex may be the opposite of everything Sandra knows is right for her. But now, the girl who has spent all her life helping others change for the better, must find a way to cope with falling for someone who refuses to change at all.
Well. I wasn’t expecting this kind of story. It came a little out of left field and was really unexpected compared to the rest of the Knitting in the Citystories so far. But then, Sandra is a little different. Which I love. So I really shouldn’t have been so surprised. And saying that it was completely unexpected doesn’t mean that I didn’t absolutely adore this story. Rather, it was just so wonderfully, pleasantly, and enjoyably unexpected.
As someone with a partner who is somewhat obsessed with BitCoin, it was kind of fun to read about this topic. I don’t know heaps about it (finances and the such are just a little over my head). But it was really fun that I was reading a romance which featured such a common, if not well understood concept. The fact that the NSA and all sorts of conspiracies are further drawn in… it was brilliant. I loved that not only did I get an enjoyable and fun romance, but I got to learn a little more than expected.
Alex as a lead male is wonderfully stubborn, supremely glorious and the kind of lead that just made me want to reach through the pages and wrap him in a big, warm hug. I love a stubborn man (I’m not sure why, because my man is stubborn and often has me growling at him like a bear), so reading about what had me smiling, laughing and bonding a little too strongly from the beginning. In fact, there is something about Alex that is making him my favourite male lead in the series thus far… I also love that he is the epitome of the man who is unwilling to change. Involved with a woman who is constantly trying to change others for the better.
Lastly, there is Sandra. I love her shock factor in everything that she does and says that shouts out from the pages of the book. Partner that with the fact that she is beautifully sweet and loving… she’s such a nice lead. Her sass, wit and sarcasm, alongside with the shock factor are the aspects of her personality that I absolutely adored. Particularly when the story starts with the fact that she makes all of her dates cry…
Earth and Skye 