The Escape, Mary Balogh
This book is part of Mary Balogh’s Survivor’s series, and I will probably write about it in more detail when I finish the series, but for now, suffice to say that I liked it much more than I expected to.
Malibu Rising, Taylor Jenkins Reid
Finally I managed to segue into something that is neither regency romance nor Louise Penny. Obviously it had to be something tres special and this one pretty much fit the bill.
This is by the author of Daisy Jones and the Six, which came highly recommended and I remember enjoying it except that I can’t for the life of me remember the exact plot. I remember there was a whole list of (fictitious) songs at the end though.
If this takes off from Daisy Jones in any way, it’s because it’s got a pop star at its heart. But this is less about his journey than the family he left behind and his history repeats itself and then it doesn’t.
It is told through flashbacks during a crazy Malibu party and if I have one quibble it’s that sometimes I couldn’t remember who the characters were (which is probably how Nina Riva, the host of the party, probably felt). But the main characters were memorable, and if it made me cry, it also had a happy ending which made up for it.
The Maidens, Alex Michaelides
I came to this expecting something literary like that Greek secret society Donna Tartt book and since I didn’t love that book I should be relieved but this read like a normal pulp fiction thriller.
The whole idea of Mariana, a group therapist, deciding to play detective, was strange, and then idea of a random guy she met on the train offering to help with the investigation is also strange.
The cult around a charismatic professor rings true though. But because Fosca is the obvious suspect, clearly the culprit can’t be him.
That she would even think of going over the police line to view the body in the second murder and that the police would let her because Julian said so (and why does he want her there anyway).
If two girls were murdered and you suspected the professor who is your niece;s advise, would you let you niece stay at the university?
How is it ethical to have group therapy session with people you’re investigating for murder?Some of the antiquated Cambridge traditions like bedders and porters and waiters and high table and fellows garden ring true though.
Also, I’ve realised being inside the mind of a psychopath is of no interest to me.
Can you tell I didn’t like this book?
Widows of Malabar Hill, Sujata Massey
Loved it. Read my thoughts here.
Such a fun age, Kiley Reid
Avoided this book for ages thinking it would be too triggering or serious It wasn’t. It’s about the nuances of race today.
The complicated notion of why we do the “right thing” (Kelley wanting to post the video which Emira sees through immediately or Alex wanting to save Emira from Kelley which are really about her own feelings about him).
The idea of dating black women (or people of a particular race) as a kind of fetish – yes, it’s something I instinctively find weird, but also… I dunno. People are allowed to have kinks. Does it necessarily mean you don’t see that person as a person?
The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennett
The novel has a very Toni Morison feel, the start especially had resonances of Sula for me, especially the whole thing about a town only light skinned black peoples.
Throughout I had the feeling that something bad is going to happen, though honestly it was manageable.
By having a trans character in a novel about racial passing, the novel raises the question of trans as a kind of passing too.
I liked that it skipped time, so that it wasn’t a litany of suffering.
Mad and Good: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger, Rebecca Traister
This was the antidote to all the regency romance I was reading. I read it in bits across a couple of months. It’s well written but also slightly repetitive
The Lions Daughter, Loretta Chase
After reading and love Lord of Scoundrels, I decided to give this one a try. I admire the character of Esme, as a fiesty, tomboyish heroine, but the whole thing being set in Eastern Europe struck me as sort of Orientalist, although she is clearly trying to avoid Orientalist tropes. Although I don’t know much about Albania, it seemed to be filled with cliches.
Esme is mistaken for a boy, then a very young girl and Varian is disgusted with himself but he still acts on his desire but we know it’s ok coz she’s actually 18 and attracted to him too.
Also, her whole he doesn’t really love me thing is annoying
Honestly the whole plot with the chess piece escaped me and I speed read to the romantic parts
Clearly, this book did not work for me.
If I Had Your Face, Frances Cha
I was bound to like this one because it’s about women and overall I did but also I disliked that every single story was so sad and all(?) of them didn’t have parental figures they could relate to.
Also wondered if the book was so popular because it was catering to an impression of oppressed Asian women + the whole sex parlour thing.
But those women stayed with me, so I can’t say I didn’t like the book.
Ransom, David Malouf
What more can be said about this story told in the Illiad?
I was bit disappointed with the beginning, which is a very bare summary of what happened leading up to Hector’s death But later it’s clear Achilles is not the point.
Rather it’s almost a philosophical text – the journey of Priam to Achilles is a journey of self discovery – of what it is to a mortal and ordinary.
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, Lauren Willig
I very much wanted to like this series which are inspired by The Scarlett Pimpernel, but I couldn’t.
First, it’s bracketed by a chick lit storyline about a PhD candidate trying to research the eponymous Pink Carnation and meeting the arrogant nephew of the woman who has the papers she needs. I get scatty chick lit heroines, but a PhD candidate who is so Bridget Jones just didn’t work for me. Ironically, I was such a PhD candidate, but still.
The parts with Richard and Amy were nice, and was real chemistry between them.
I get that the novel is meant to be a parody, but honestly, there were parts that beggared belief – such as Miss Gwen rapping Napoleon with an umbrella or Amy stealing into his study and looking through important papers on the invasion of England.
I tried, but I couldn’t finish this.
The Borrowed, Chan Ho-Kei
This is a series of novellas that work backwards in time, each revealing more about the detective protagonist. It’s strange reading about the police at a time when the police’s reputation is so compromised, but apparently Chan also had this problem while writing it.
The first story set in my neck of the woods, and the detective is unconscious. The second with triad and film stars and twists and turns is worthy of the Hong Kong police procedural. This is the Asia’s finest at their finest – doing what it takes to protect the public. The last chapter on the riots really has resonance in the present moment.
Neon Gods, Katee Robert
Read my thoughts here.
Fifty Shades of Grey, E.L James
Fifty Shades Darker, E.L. James
Fifty Shades Freed, E.L. James
Yup, I’m about ten years late, but anyway I have thoughts.