Wormwood Summer by Kai Butler receives three stars from me. While I think the story is fine, somewhat engaging, I was not taken with the characters noWormwood Summer by Kai Butler receives three stars from me. While I think the story is fine, somewhat engaging, I was not taken with the characters nor the world building.
Since this is an audiobook, let me begin with the reader. Greg Tremblay read this book. I've heard books read by Tremblay before, and I found his performance fine. I checked my reviews and I notice that he doesn't have a large range, which is true for this work as well. However, his performance in other novels was much better than this one, which I think is a comment on the content not the reader (don't blame the actors for the writing.)
Was the book poorly written? Well no, not poorly written, but not captivating. I found myself thinking that the novel sounds like something I've read before. Which might be a comment on the genre more than this book. I just didn't find much of the novel really pulling me into the world. Butler does something the peeves me as a reader: the character says something like this X in the magical realm is too difficult to explain. Well buddy, it's your world, you are creating it, you should be able to explain it. Or drop it. That's lazy world building in my mind.
There is a love story, but I wasn't interested in it. I think that I distrust the main character, Parker. Which could be interesting, but in this novel that's not developed, so maybe my mistrust is a me issue not a writer issue.
Recommended: Humm. Sigh. I don't know. Perhaps I'm not into this genre enough to enjoy it. Perhaps others who are into it can better recommend. But for me, the story is interesting but not so great that I will be going to work tomorrow, saying oh my gawd read this book....more
"Seagulls" by Warren Rochelle receives four stars from me. It's a delightful and touching story.
A side of me agrees with another commenter who stated"Seagulls" by Warren Rochelle receives four stars from me. It's a delightful and touching story.
A side of me agrees with another commenter who stated the story was too short. I understand. There is a magical element that Rochelle could have delved into more. There is the relationship between the two that could have been explored more. Yes, I think that's true--but that's no longer a short story is it. Short stories are more focused, and I feel Rochelle is focused in this story. He seems to be asking the question: what if we were given a second chance, not at life, but at goodbye. What if we were given that chance, what would it look like? Thus, a side of me disagrees with the commenter. I think we want more time with the characters and that makes it seem too short. However, I think for the theme, it is fine.
I think Rochelle made some wise choices in this story. The setting is possibly the wisest. Setting the events in Bath England gives a mythical air. Furthermore, it parallels the main characters feelings of isolation and loneliness by having him placed in an area unfamiliar. At the beginning of the story, the narrator says "back home" a few times in narrating the main character's life. I feel this was also wise. The character undergoes a transformation from looking back to looking forward. This is paralleled with "back home" at the beginning to continuing his travels as planned.
While short, there is a richness in symbolism. It's a good short story, which you could easily enjoy with your morning coffee on a nice Sunday or lazy Saturday.
T.J. Klune's _The House in the Cerulean Sea_ receives four stars from me due to the themes and story.
I do wish it were shorter.
Themes. Prejudice--sinT.J. Klune's _The House in the Cerulean Sea_ receives four stars from me due to the themes and story.
I do wish it were shorter.
Themes. Prejudice--since these are magical beings one could read it as racism, or prejudice against disabled individuals. Or what you like. This theme was strong to me. It is expressed in how the government treats the children, in how the system treats the children, how the public views the children. Lots of this theme. Another is become one's true self. Which is expressed both in Arthur and in Linus.
Is this for children--no. not at all.
recommended: yes. I liked it and I think it is an enjoyable read. ...more
_Haven_ by Morgan Brice receives three stars from me.
The novel has many elements that draw a reader in, the Magic Emporium shop, ghosts, psychics, et_Haven_ by Morgan Brice receives three stars from me.
The novel has many elements that draw a reader in, the Magic Emporium shop, ghosts, psychics, etc.. There is a romance underway, and danger. Still, I felt the novel doesn't excel at the different elements and so left me feeling underwelmed. I wonder if Brice had focused on the ghosts more and invested in that more, the novel could have been much better. As it is, the investigation was interesting, but a bit simple to figure out for the detective. There is an element of the Calvary running in to save the day in the novel which annoyed me. The novel would benefit from a clear bad guy. There are bad guys, but they are underdeveloped and do not pose a clear threat in the novel.
Negatives about the romance. It is there but not as steamy as I thought it would. But, that's my own misunderstanding of the back cover. So, a solid romance, but not a steamy swooning romance.
I did not hate this novel, as I may seem. At times I enjoyed reading it. I liked both the detective and his new sidekick (Austin and Jamie). I felt that they worked well together, and I'd be interested in reading another novel with them in it.
recommended: If you are a fast reader, you can get through this and enjoy it, I think. But if you are a reader that takes more time to read a book, and often finds other books grabbing your attention while you read one book, you may not enjoy this one. ...more
_I Freed This Handsome Cargo Ship From The Suez Canal And Now He's Stuck In My Butt_ by Chuck Tingle receives 3 stars from me. I was a bit disappointe_I Freed This Handsome Cargo Ship From The Suez Canal And Now He's Stuck In My Butt_ by Chuck Tingle receives 3 stars from me. I was a bit disappointed if I'm honest.
It does what it sets out to do, but I didn't find it very engaging or funny. There seems to be a second story after it, but after I was disappointed with the title story, I didn't continue.
_Muscling Through_ by J.L. Merrow receives 5 stars from me. I struggled a bit between 4 and 5 stars. My initial reaction was 5 stars, but then i thoug_Muscling Through_ by J.L. Merrow receives 5 stars from me. I struggled a bit between 4 and 5 stars. My initial reaction was 5 stars, but then i thought--that's really for something exceptional, something that is just overwhelming. Then I realized that this was captivating and I enjoyed it a lot. So what if the narrator, Al, doesn't change that much. That's who he is--constant. So when I think of my experience with the novella, I go with five stars without a doubt. The novel isn't deep, but there are aspects of if that could be discussed in a reading group--self-acceptance, class differences, class prejudice. Possibly, self-acceptance is very strong in the novella.
The writing is solid. Merrow creates a funny, even witty, character in Al who is not mentally challenged, but he's nearly, just above the line as it were. He doesn't understand much of what is being said at times around him, and he notes that. Al's lover is Larry who teaching art history at Cambridge and is really posh. This is one of those opposite attracts kind of novels. And Merrow creates a great fun novella with this. There were lots of funny lines in there, like when they are watching a rerun of a comedy and Al notes that he likes watching comedy reruns because it is easier to get the jokes the second time.
Let me address the self-acceptance theme. Al is aware yet unaware of the effect his looks have on others. he knows he's big and scary, but he doesn't know he's big scary, and hot. He looks at himself in the mirror and doesn't seem to see an attractive person looking back. This could be due to what he finds attractive, which is very different from what he looks like; thus, he doesn't think of himself as attractive. At the same time, Al accepts other aspects of himself very well. He accepts his a bit daft, that he doesn't understand what's being said in the room. He accepts the softer side of himself. He's an all-around good guy, honest (because he's not really smart enough to lie), caring, and creative.
The romance moves along really well, and it is enjoyable watching it develop. The initial meeting is really fun.
My week was really stressful, and this was really a great way to end the week and lift my spirits.
Joseph Hansen's _Skinflick_ receives four stars from me.
This is an audio book, read by Keith Szarabajka. For my comments on his reading see my other Joseph Hansen's _Skinflick_ receives four stars from me.
This is an audio book, read by Keith Szarabajka. For my comments on his reading see my other reviews of the Dave Branstetter series. I'm listening to them in order. However, his voice adds a bit of noir to the reading.
Skinflick was a good tale. There were many points that I thought I had figured it out. The story isn't complicated, but it takes time to put it all together. I think so far this might be the best one of the Branstetter series.
John Boyne's _The Absolutist_ receives five stars from me--elegant, powerful.
Wow!
I love finishing a book and questioning if I should google the charaJohn Boyne's _The Absolutist_ receives five stars from me--elegant, powerful.
Wow!
I love finishing a book and questioning if I should google the characters, where they real? Was this based on a true story? The characters are so real, so alive, I believe them to be based on real people. This is what happened when I finished this novel.
This was an audiobook, so first a word on the reader. Michael Maloney's reading is wonderful. Great tempo, great emotion. He has voice range so the characters do not all sound the same. Moreover, he truly brought the Tristin to life for me. He's reading was elegant.
Elegant describes the prose as well. The story simply moves along and pulled me into it. I didn't recognize the author's name, so I had no idea of the writing style. I'd like to also say, Boyne gives clues along the way that one should not be surprised by some of the climatic moments. Still, the novel isn't predictable. I didn't expect one climatic moment, when Tristin has THAT conversation with Will. Yet, I felt that I had had those conversations in my own life. Boyne's elegant prose touched me because I recognized so much in the novel. Which is odd because this is a WW1 novel. Boyne connects those characters with readers, I believe, because he focuses on their emotional struggles, their personal battles, the battles with themselves.
_Kidnapped by the Pirate_ by Keira Andrews receives four stars from me. Good plot, interesting characters.
Upon finishing the book, I feel emotional; I_Kidnapped by the Pirate_ by Keira Andrews receives four stars from me. Good plot, interesting characters.
Upon finishing the book, I feel emotional; I feel excited; I feel fulfilled--I can feel my heart beating: I wish there was someone here with me.
I know, I know--A complete departure for me. But over the last years, I've realized that there is more to reading and literature than cannon. I've started reading so much more and enjoying reading so much more too. But, again, I know--a romance? a smutty novel? Yes, I embrace that side of myself and invite y'all to embrace it too.
I don't know how I found this book, but I know it was the cover that pulled me in and said--oh yeah, give this book a try. I think the gay mysteries that I had read previously, where one has so much sex I couldn't understand why it was called a mystery and not erotica pushed me to give romance a try. I wondered if erotica would be much different.
Andrews does write a sex-filled novel. There's no denying that there is lots of action happening in the captain's quarters. Andrews gives it to us in detail. Such fun. However, there is a plot as well that moves along which is interesting because the boat is just sailing around for a month. This is where the Pirate struggles with his desire to get to know Nathaniel, and desire for revenge. This is also where Nathaniel grows up, becomes a man. For me, this was very interesting. In accepting himself and accepting he wants to have a meaningful relationship with the Pirate, Nathaniel matures. So much so, when given the chance, he stands up to his father. I think a good relationship should build us up, never tear us down.
Recommended: Do you like hot action--then yes. Do you want a nice diversion with good descriptions and characters--then yes....more
_2B_ by Mark Allan Gunnells receives four stars from me. I enjoyed it, but disclaimer here. I've only recently started to read horror. Keep that in mi_2B_ by Mark Allan Gunnells receives four stars from me. I enjoyed it, but disclaimer here. I've only recently started to read horror. Keep that in mind.
For me, the prose has an ease and a lightness that pulls the reader into the story. I found myself reading and not noticing the time, and only putting the book down because it was late and I did have to sleep. I found it easy to pick up and continue. This is not a spoiler, but the story is a ghost or a haunting story. However, Gunnells does step outside the typical haunting story, which I liked. I liked his interpretation of the ghost genre. I think that readers of horror will enjoy that as well.
What did I like most about the novella? I liked that the side characters are given enough space that they are full characters (Sasha with her current relationship, her background, for example). I liked Gunnells take on the ghost / haunting story. I felt his choices were smart in this regard. I like the main character and felt disturbed by the situation he was in. I loved the start of the novella and how it put me on edge--why is he in the hospital? What is going on? Is he in danger?
Recommended: if you like horror or ghost / haunting stories, absolutely yes. If you are not a big fan of the horror genre, this might be good for you to try out the genre. If you want to get ahead on your yearly goal and need something short to read, this is a good one. You can read it fast and get a lot of it....more
Joseph Hansen's _The Man Everybody Was Afraid of_ receives four stars from me.
I'm doing these in order, so if you would like to read any of my previoJoseph Hansen's _The Man Everybody Was Afraid of_ receives four stars from me.
I'm doing these in order, so if you would like to read any of my previous reviews, you can do that. My thoughts have not changed. For the books or the audible reader.
I will say regarding this one. I feel that Hansen did a better job at keeping me unsure who was the murderer. Which I liked.
Carved in Bone by Michael Nava receives five stars from me. The writing is solid, but the characters for me make the novel, as well as experiWow! Wow!
Carved in Bone by Michael Nava receives five stars from me. The writing is solid, but the characters for me make the novel, as well as experiencing 70s-80s gay life.
Let me explain my Wow! Wow!. This novel grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it well throughout. I picked it because it won the Lambda Award for Gay mystery. I love a good mystery and this one is a good one. I was pulled into the characters and enjoyed reading about what life was life back in the day.
Now on to the characters. Henry Rios is a strong character and a good detective, but he’s really a lawyer primarily. There is more character development with Rios than I usually see with the lead in a mystery. In many ways this is not a mystery rather a character driven text. There is plot but the characters are the focus. I never disliked Rios, I never felt like he was compromising his ideals to solve the crime. I felt he was struggling and enjoyed how he grew within the struggle. Bill is another interesting character that really ticks all the boxes for development. However, I liked and I disliked him.
The mystery needs to be address. This isn’t a complicated mystery, but there are plenty of twists and turns in it. When I say it isn’t complicated, I mean it is one death that is being delt with and that is it. I enjoyed the mystery.
I’d like to add as a final remark. This won for mystery, but it could have won for GLBT literature. It is more than a mystery; it is a solid piece of gay lit.
When one is behind on the yearly goal, reading one act plays is a great way to experience good literature and add to the goal.
_The Dark Room_ by TennWhen one is behind on the yearly goal, reading one act plays is a great way to experience good literature and add to the goal.
_The Dark Room_ by Tennessee Williams receives four stars from me due to the interesting characters.
This play has only two characters, Miss Morgan, a social worker; and Miss Pocciotti, the mother of the house. Miss Morgan is there trying to do some social work, but Miss Pocciotti doesn't seem to be helpful.
What I enjoyed about this is the interaction, the play between the two women. One is desperately trying to get the answers to questions she feels she needs, while the other simply can't answer them. Miss P's replies are always unhelpful, and questions need to be repeated. It creates a comic feel in the play. However, I'm not prepared to laugh at or with, more a nervous laugh as I try to determine if Miss P is truly a reliable source. I think that's what I like about this play, this unreliable character who is clearly at her wits end. She has a husband in the mental hospital, two sons who are old enough to help her but have left home and cut contact with her, she has a young son who is running around the streets, but at least still in school, and a fifteen year old daughter who has locked herself in her room and refuses to turn the lights on. On top of this, Miss Morgan is there asking her questions. I don't think Miss P is being deliberately obtuse, rather she's overwhelmed.
Williams loves those vulnerable characters, and this one has them. Miss P for the stated reasons above. The daughter and the husband who never appear are clearly vulnerable. In many ways Miss Morgan is also vulnerable. She's wanting to do something to help but she can't get the answers she needs.
Interior: Panic by Tennessee Williams receives three stars from me. If the reassurance and encouragement that I get from reading this were factored inInterior: Panic by Tennessee Williams receives three stars from me. If the reassurance and encouragement that I get from reading this were factored into the stars--it would be five.
With the main character being named Blanche who lived in a house called Belle Reive, and who is visiting her sister, and seeming to be of a diminished mental state--I thought I might better look up the play and find out more about it. According to one article, Williams was faced with a problem of how to end Streetcar Named Desire. Should Blanche leave to an unknown destination, should she be committed, should she die by suicide? In this one-act play, Williams explores the fourth option--she wins the man and leaves to married life.
There are many aspects of the work that I like. The staging, the ideas of projecting her mental state into the set, the characters. I loved the final monologue where Blanche admits to her sister what she had become. She ends the monologue with "I feel much better". It hit me that one of Blanche's issues is that she keeps the truth hidden and lives dishonestly. When she opens to her sister, her sister accepts her still. Beautiful.
What hits me the most is rather personal. As a struggling writer, I found it reassuring that Williams, who I admire, had questions and issues with his work. He worked on his pieces and considered the options. I hope to adopt this in my own writing in the weeks and years to come. Consider all the options, and then explore them--not in conversation, but in writing.
Recommended: I think this is a good read, so yes. ...more
_Kingdom of Earth_ by Tennessee Williams receives five stars from me due to his amazing writing.
Williams creates vulnerable characters. In this, ther_Kingdom of Earth_ by Tennessee Williams receives five stars from me due to his amazing writing.
Williams creates vulnerable characters. In this, there are three characters with different vulnerabilities. Lot is dying from some lung disorder; Chicken his half brother, illegitimate brother, who runs the family property but was cut out of the inheritance when the father died; and Myrtle a nymphomaniac for the times, but today we might call her sexually free.
An aspect of this text that I enjoyed was not knowing who I could believe. Will they adhere to their promises? Would Chicken really leave Myrtle to die in the rising floodwaters in order to get the property? Williams writes the dialogue so that we can't truly feel secure.
chicken's monologues deliver a punch and explicate a theme that I would like to mention--Weakness (I call it vulnerable, but Chicken calls it a weakness) He states that in life, man and life have to be the same--a rock. He maintains that life will always be strong and will always be a rock. However, if a man is weak, life will beat him down. So the theme of struggling through life In many ways, Chicken recognizes his weakness--the weakness of being illegitimate and at the mercy of his brother to keep his promise. Chicken hates weakness and strives to overcome his weakness. He never directly says this, but it is clear from the text.
I recommend this for any community theater, college, or anyone interested in reading one-act plays or plays in general. Williams is a major force in American literature....more
_The Hell You Say_ by Josh Lanyon receives 4 stars from me; the mystery is fun, and the character development is as well.
First, the Reader: Chris Pat_The Hell You Say_ by Josh Lanyon receives 4 stars from me; the mystery is fun, and the character development is as well.
First, the Reader: Chris Patton. Patton is excellent as the voice of the main character Adrien English. His interpretation of the character was solid. I liked his voices too, especially for Jake. Patton's voice for Lisa reminded me of the Purple commercial with the bigfoot family. I liked it. I think Patton is a solid reader, and I'd enjoy another book read by him.
Now, the story. I don't think this is a very complicated mystery, but it isn't predictable either. I enjoyed the setting, the characters. Perhaps, I enjoyed the characters more than the plot, which is ok with me. I think that Adrien is an interesting character and I enjoyed his interior monologues where he tried to unravel the mystery. Those were interesting to me. Additionally, I feel that there was some development in his character in regards to his relationship with Jake. I found the relationship between the two to be realistic, although perhaps not healthy.
Will I continue to read / listen to the others in the series? I think so. I liked the characters and would enjoy watching the development.
_Some Problems for the Moose Lodge_ by Tennessee Williams receives 5 stars from me. He knows how to write vulnerable characters who are believable.
vu_Some Problems for the Moose Lodge_ by Tennessee Williams receives 5 stars from me. He knows how to write vulnerable characters who are believable.
vulnerability is me the strongest in this play, which might be a bit of a comedy, but I didn't laugh too much. Each character has some sort of attribute that makes them vulnerable--Cornelius: arthritis and maybe beer; Bella: mental illness; Stacy: pregnancy and religious fervor; Charlie: unmotivated for work.
There is an honesty in the fights in this one-act play. Charlie, it seems has had enough of his dad's abuse and stands up to him.
I was struck by the gay character in this play. Chips, who is the son who died, doesn't actually appear in the play, but he is spoken about. What Williams does so well with this character gives us a glimpse into gay life and acceptance at the time. Cornelius has disdain for Chips, but Charlie seems more accepting.
_At Liberty_ by Tennessee Williams receives four stars from me. He's my favorite playwright, and this short 10 min one-act play has all the elements t_At Liberty_ by Tennessee Williams receives four stars from me. He's my favorite playwright, and this short 10 min one-act play has all the elements that I like about Willaims. He creates two real characters each with their own goals and passions. Basically, the play is an argument between a mother and daughter about the daughter's recent nightlife and failing health. However, it is more about being honest with one's self and acting accordingly.
One element that was very strong to me was the idea that we must face our lives directly. The daughter needs to face that she is not in good health. By accepting this, she could work to improve her health. Face one's problems seems to be another theme, in my opinion.
Williams knows how to write and he delivers a lot in ten mins. Recommended: yes ...more
_Slingshot_ by Cyrée Jarelle Johnson receives 4 stars from me. I think the writing is good, but I didn't get as much out of the poems, as I think I sh_Slingshot_ by Cyrée Jarelle Johnson receives 4 stars from me. I think the writing is good, but I didn't get as much out of the poems, as I think I should, or would have liked. This is a fault of the reader, not the poet.
Recommended: yes. I think the poems are visually interesting, and the ones I did like I liked for the story, the characters, and imagery....more
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