3.5 stars. This was spare and atmospheric and introduced me to a historical event in Scotland I'd never heard of before. I might have given this 4 or 3.5 stars. This was spare and atmospheric and introduced me to a historical event in Scotland I'd never heard of before. I might have given this 4 or 5 stars except for a turn it took toward the end that had me raising my eyebrow wondering... where did that come from!?...more
If Wired + The Atlantic + People Magazine had a baby, it would be this book. This was wildly entertaining. I haven't read or followed much of Swisher'If Wired + The Atlantic + People Magazine had a baby, it would be this book. This was wildly entertaining. I haven't read or followed much of Swisher's work (just her Succession podcast), but she is the rare talent who is SUPER smart and yet knows how to write a juicy, fun book. Because it was so unapologetically her own opinions about the various tech moguls of the last few decades, I took everything with a grain of salt, and also didn't get too lost in the technical weeds, but the stories did not disappoint, and I liked getting some more context for the personalities and companies that make up the Bay Area culture around me. Audiobook....more
3.5 stars. I enjoyed a few of the stories quite a bit, including "The Big Nap", told in the style of a hard-boiled detective story, only the detective3.5 stars. I enjoyed a few of the stories quite a bit, including "The Big Nap", told in the style of a hard-boiled detective story, only the detective is 2 years old, which was very funny. I wasn't sure the collection held together under the premise I was expecting which was parenthood and family, so perhaps my expectations were a bit off. ...more
4.5 stars. If you like curmudgeon stories, if you liked Ove, you will probably like this book, though worth knowing that the story is a bit darker and4.5 stars. If you like curmudgeon stories, if you liked Ove, you will probably like this book, though worth knowing that the story is a bit darker and messier. That said, the food/cooking subplot charmed me, and I was so intrigued by all we learned by what wasn't said in this book. Lastly, worth knowing that there are no chapters in this book, just periodic breaks, which I didn't love, but not the end of the world....more
3.5 stars. This was entertaining, a mostly breezy listen (although it did deal with some pretty serious issues with various characters, so maybe not a3.5 stars. This was entertaining, a mostly breezy listen (although it did deal with some pretty serious issues with various characters, so maybe not as breezy as I might have liked?). The road trip felt *very* contrived and unnecessary for most of the middle of the book, made all the more frustrating when you don't even learn the reason why the bride disappeared (though they teased at the end that perhaps a future book would tell that story?). I snagged on how many details/descriptions/storylines focused on how affluent all of these 20-somethings were, I certainly didn't relate or run in those types of circles in my 20s (or now?), but hey, I suppose some people do! Audiobook....more
For a slow burn literary mystery, I flew through this nearly 500 page book. I loved how the author wove the story through different years and differenFor a slow burn literary mystery, I flew through this nearly 500 page book. I loved how the author wove the story through different years and different characters' perspectives, and a scene at the end devastated me in a way I didn't expect....more
I'm not sure of my thoughts on this one. It was long, it was dark, it was bleak, the characters and relationships were complicated. I was pretty invesI'm not sure of my thoughts on this one. It was long, it was dark, it was bleak, the characters and relationships were complicated. I was pretty invested in the two primary characters and was really rooting for them to find their way out of the dark tunnel/search that is 500 pages of this book and into a better life. I don't know that the ending gave me what I was hoping for, but I was impressed with the way the author brought everything together in the final hundred pages. Audiobook....more
It's Christmas in July over here, and this was delightful. Billed as a rom com, and there are happy endings for all, but really this is more a story oIt's Christmas in July over here, and this was delightful. Billed as a rom com, and there are happy endings for all, but really this is more a story of found family and friendship, which I loved. The main female character could be a bit whiny at times, but I related so hard to the way she was holding onto her friendships as they evolved as the characters grew and transitioned from 20's to 30's. Change is hard! Finally, the pop culture references were too fun for a millennial reader. Audiobook....more
An intriguing story for fans of true crime podcasts and catfish stories. I struggled with the author's accounting of this story, more often finding heAn intriguing story for fans of true crime podcasts and catfish stories. I struggled with the author's accounting of this story, more often finding her an unreliable narrator than the expert sociologist she is. It is interesting to explore the very gray areas that online interactions pose when the harm doesn't slot neatly into established (and legally recognized) categories, but that analysis is such a small part of this book that I wish more had been explored there....more
3.5 stars rounded up. A solid, enjoyable thriller, though I am more tired of the trope of the drunk, unreliable female narrator in 2024 than perhaps I3.5 stars rounded up. A solid, enjoyable thriller, though I am more tired of the trope of the drunk, unreliable female narrator in 2024 than perhaps I would have been when the book came out in 2017. Audiobook....more
I listened to the audiobook which, #1 was very well narrated, and #2 was 24 hours long (big eyes emoji). It took 5 and a half hours to get into the faI listened to the audiobook which, #1 was very well narrated, and #2 was 24 hours long (big eyes emoji). It took 5 and a half hours to get into the fairy tale world which, for me, was much too long, and I didn't feel that extensive character and world building paid off in the end. Once we got into the fairy tale world I was hooked and the world King created was masterful (and reminiscent of childhood favorites like The Neverending Story). While it's not his usual horror, it did have some frightening moments and some gore. Lastly, Radar is everything. A must read for anyone who has ever loved a dog....more
This book is so far out of my wheelhouse, but learning about how the Disney corporation operates, and especially the executives who run it, was fascinThis book is so far out of my wheelhouse, but learning about how the Disney corporation operates, and especially the executives who run it, was fascinating (especially for someone who works in a media corporation myself). The author did a fantastic job of weaving together interviews and research that took place over the course of decades into a satisfying and entertaining narrative, and gave me much-needed perspective that all corporations have issues. Again, as someone who has limited experience in this category, it felt to me like "The Devil in the White City" meets "Succession" meets "Lion King." Audiobook.
Merged review:
This book is so far out of my wheelhouse, but learning about how the Disney corporation operates, and especially the executives who run it, was fascinating (especially for someone who works in a media corporation myself). The author did a fantastic job of weaving together interviews and research that took place over the course of decades into a satisfying and entertaining narrative, and gave me much-needed perspective that all corporations have issues. Again, as someone who has limited experience in this category, it felt to me like "The Devil in the White City" meets "Succession" meets "Lion King." Audiobook....more
3.5 stars. First, I think this might have been a better reading experience in print, because as an audiobook it was hard to follow, and the way the ma3.5 stars. First, I think this might have been a better reading experience in print, because as an audiobook it was hard to follow, and the way the male narrator performed the women's voices was distracting. The premise is right in my sweet spot: a speculative, dystopian murder mystery set on a mysterious island. The mystery seemed to spiral out, I couldn't find myself connected to the characters or their plight, and while I think there are some interesting themes to explore around what makes us human, the complexity took focus away from those deeper themes. I still find Turton to be a unique and fantastic writer that I will continue to read. Audiobook....more
This was an enjoyable read (and if you are familiar with Sausalito, SF, and/or Austin, TX, even more enjoyable!). I went in expecting twisty, deceivinThis was an enjoyable read (and if you are familiar with Sausalito, SF, and/or Austin, TX, even more enjoyable!). I went in expecting twisty, deceiving domestic thriller, and really it was a bit more of a slow burn suspense with the deceit happening off page and the main character trying to feel her way to the truth. It reminded me a bit of a Laura Lippman novel in that way. You do have to suspend your belief many times, especially with the main character, but what I think felt fresh and had emotional resonance was that it was a story between a new-ish stepmother and her 16 year old stepdaughter who don't have a great relationship but are thrown together and have to learn to work together and perhaps also come to trust each other. Audiobook....more
What a lovely collection of poetry. Even though many times she lands in a different place than I would (especially in her faith journey) I love her usWhat a lovely collection of poetry. Even though many times she lands in a different place than I would (especially in her faith journey) I love her use of myth and biblical stories, and exploring what it looks like to find freedom and your true self. ...more
Two fun facts about this book that I didn't know until I finished it. 1. It was published in 2014 (how have I never heard of this 10 year old book?). Two fun facts about this book that I didn't know until I finished it. 1. It was published in 2014 (how have I never heard of this 10 year old book?). 2. It is 608 pages! I read it in ebook and wondered why it was taking me so long! This is action/adventure sci fi, and I think fans of Blake Crouch would really enjoy this world and story about multiple timelines, bending time, and alternate worlds. It's a series and I want to read the next book, but I have just learned it is 752 pages-- help!...more
Favorite book of the year so far! I think the publisher's blurb is a bit misleading in its description (and as someone who writes these for a living, Favorite book of the year so far! I think the publisher's blurb is a bit misleading in its description (and as someone who writes these for a living, I say that with respect to how hard it is to write them!). So I wanted to try my hand at re-writing it: Set in a not-too-distant dystopian America, I Cheerfully Refuse is the tale of Rainy, a gentle-giant musician and his deeply beloved, bookselling wife, Lark. A stranger at their door sets into motion events that lead Rainy to escape by setting sail alone on Lake Superior. Pursued by a fearful man and accompanied by omnipresent grief, his journey takes him through terrifying storms, landing in various towns where he finds pockets of despair but also communities of hope. Along the way he makes friendships in unexpected places, and has to discover what bravery looks like, the power of found family, and the importance of fighting for the light in the midst of darkness. For those who loved Station Eleven and Our Missing Hearts, this is a must read. ...more
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