I discovered Stephanie Oakes from the credits to the tv series Sacred Lies (watch it!). This new book is set in a future after the great collapse of civilisation due to climate disaster, in a new technological authoritarian society. Overall I found it a bit light and slow, but wasn‘t bad. The sci fi elements weren‘t deep but the hair transplant module was interesting. Some YA does grab me, but this probably more for the teens.

I didn‘t realise until well into it that this was an abridged version. I enjoyed it. It made the film make more sense to me. Still not entirely sure how I feel about it all. An insight into the world of early - mid 19th century aristocracy and class divisions and identity within the ranks of the working class. I‘d liked to have read the original text, but kinda glad I didn‘t and I don‘t see myself ever doing so now.

Music bios are hit and miss for me. This was a total hit. Not really a biography, more anecdotes and reflections on life in music, specifically heavy metal, and as a gay man who was in the closet for so much of it. I laughed a lot, he has a great English wit and is very much not in the closet now! It was a wonderful time being stuck into this one.

❤️absolute love, my favourite book of 2024. I picked this up on Book Street in Hanoi and it was the perfect read for coming home. A story of three generations, written as a long letter to his mother, increasingly in poetic form. Love, pain, the American experience, a Vietnamese experience. The view of a ‘refugee‘ sees things we may not, loves words we throw aside. I‘m totally enraptured.

A fairly detestable character but it was an easy enough, kinda interesting read over a few days. Short bursts of a certain way of life set during 1940s LA and NY. Alcoholism, horse racing, womanizing, a detest of work (which I understand but dude, sometimes, suck it up!), trying to be a Man with a capital M. I felt mixed, but it wasn‘t a terrible read. Flipped between so-so and pick but pick it is, some of the paragraphs and writing really good.

Overall a good read. I bought this upon returning from a trip to Vietnam - visiting places gets me thirsty for content and it gave vividness to the story. I enjoyed the dialogue style, the subject and journey interesting. The characters felt like caricatures, the situations gradually more absurd - unsure if that detracted but it made an interesting way to explore subjects. The pointlessness & lack of a clear ‘right‘ in war my main impression

I picked this up at an Op shop based on the name and cover, took it as my recent read while travelling. The plot is far fetched and too much of a stretch and it just did not do it for me.

A well written and insightful look at the strongman ‘leaders‘ throughout the world and modern history and the commonalities, themes and environments which allow them power. Not a huge amount of hope was given when reading it at our current point in history, but I think important nonetheless at least in understanding our situations.

I knew nothing about this book or its author when I picked it up. Highly recommend. I laughed a lot, enjoyed the adventures and descriptions of both people and non-human animals. The word ‘lugubrious‘ is now etched into my vocabulary, not due to the book being morose but the words use which I had hardly seen before. I was sorry to learn that Larry‘s then wife was written out of the story, I guess it made it easier to write but still, unfortunate.

This one is too much work for me. Bailed at page 50. It isn‘t that it is poorly written of course, or that there aren‘t moments that I thoroughly enjoyed. I can see how it pushed various boundaries at the time and explores concepts of love, sexuality, partnership and imperial England. However I don‘t particularly care about the people nor how the rest of the day turns out. Clarissa‘s exclamation of “utterly base” was a favoured moment.

Classic pulp fiction, and my first Perry Mason. Always assumed he was a detective, but is actually a lawyer.

A product of its time, I still wonder how he could analyse a broad‘s legs through binoculars while she‘s driving a car, perhaps the greatest mystery of all. Having said that he is happily working with intelligent women he respects, it wasn‘t all chauvinism.

Fun read, and I love the well journeyed cover.

A journey recounting the multi generational experience of a First Nations family line in occupied ‘Australia‘. Stories still not told nor respected enough on this land. In ways it was a hard read - the abuse & trauma - it also became at times not the most riveting. Overall it did link the generations and provided what felt like an authentic insight, for this I am grateful.

I felt troubled by this. I never got why Alaya was so determined to invade and brutalise the humans from the outset. Nor why the mayor jumped right in with the religious group rather than turning them in, although it kinda makes sense given the threats. Aside from that, it was a good exploration of war and intolerance. Interesting SF aspect with the silents. Kinda depressing to read straight after Maus. Very well illustrated and packaged.

Incredibly powerful account of the genocide of European Jews during WW2. Harrowing, human. The mix of the depiction of the story in its historical place interwoven with the telling of the history by father to son made it exceptional. The graphic novel form worked so well. I would recommend to all. Sits alongside Joe Sacco in my shelf. Does anyone know other great history works in graphic novel form? Would love to find more.

What a feel for 1930‘s - 40‘s Ireland. Strict Catholicism and British occupation in a misty land. At first the style was difficult (you, he, she) but it‘s not so bad. I, father, mother. The story settled in and carried me along through this Irish village life, which could be hard for all but especially it‘s women.

It became apparent this was never going to do much for me. Had a strong start, and a rambling haunted mansion which helps. Ultimately too exaggerated and not very engaging, my mind kept wandering. The final straw was the multi page yawnfest intro of the protagonists siblings, all high fliers. Doctor, entrepreneur etc. Like Kelman was trying to make this ultra cool set of people but no family is that perfect, and I don‘t care much for them.

A journey of hideouts, waiting, drinking, surviving, desire. I did find it a little immature, a teenagers impatience and desires. Enjoyed the settings and insight into a world of the petty criminal 60s France and she did have a great voice.

As much as I appreciated Sula, at no point did I feel hooked. I slogged through some of the winding lengthy philoso-prose, didn‘t get much of a picture of some of the characters. Kept feeling like putting it down. Through telling of black stories, black community I gained something, the story and book itself a bit meh unfortunately.

Like so many books of its type, there is some generally useful thought and a heck of a lot of filler. Should‘ve been 5-10 pages. It‘s aimed at leadership levels, I‘d be wary of anyone in leadership who got much out of it. One would hope that experience, self reflection and personal growth would have gotten you there. But then management are often some of the least capable people in an org. I wouldn‘t recommend wasting the paper this is printed on.

One of those books I just could not put down. Small town drama, class disparity, murders, pain, violence, inter generational trauma, care wrapped up and delivered in a masterful voice. Finished it mid morning in the bath, felt fitting given Camille‘s situation at that time. I‘m hooked and look forward to reading more Flynn.

I received this as a birthday present. Quick read and utterly enjoyable, just what I needed after recent non fiction. I think one would call this teen fiction. In some ways it reads younger but then some of the events and themes would certainly affect those too young. Really loved this world and tale, will be looking for more of the series now. Books as gifts always appreciated here!

Found the style a little hard to get into at first, but after easing in it was an enjoyable read. Some of the things said may not have got past the editors these days, but the use of these isn‘t so toxic, I believe anyhow. The topics still relevant today, a cynical, satirical dystopian ‘near future‘ with an entertaining plot. Conspiracy, espionage, murder, plenty of dark humour and there‘s even a car chase in there.

Coming from Aotearoa NZ I‘d always been interested to read Mansfield. Not really for me however. The characters and situations lean into ‘hysterical women‘, the events not all that interesting. I enjoyed the descriptions of places, furniture, clothing, transport but ultimately after 50 or so pages I had to put this down.

I‘d watched the multi-part Al Jazeera ‘al nakba‘ and was so impressed by an interviewee speaking fluent Arabic that I looked him up and bought his book. It is a wonderful work spanning the Ottoman occupations (1500‘s) to the mid 00‘s, utilising a vast amount of Arabic material rather than a usual western-heavy approach. Learned so much. If you‘re interested in the region and it‘s events, relevant to us all in many ways - please check this one out.

I‘m struggling to articulate this one. Important; intersectional; staunchly anti capitalist and decolonial. I‘m in agreement with much of the book. A lot of it is very academic in language, and very French in its history covered but not inaccessible. A summary could be single issues will not win in struggles for equality, decolonisation must be strived for and respectability politics is futile. I need to read some fiction to feel less glum now.

In Dark Emu we learn that pre colonial Australia was not populated by unsophisticated nomadic hunter gatherers, but by people who had established agriculture, lived in houses and villages, curated the landscape. Major crops included yams and grains. A people who lived for ~65,000 years with an attachment and respect for land and who did not rely on violence as an integral part of their society. We could all learn so much from First Nations people.

Insightful, heartbreaking, human. Loved this book, the world would be better if more people read this instead of social media comments.

I felt like putting this down half way through, and really I should have. Started strong, it wasn‘t perfect but I enjoyed it to begin with but once the ‘frighteners‘ started it was steadily downhill.

I‘m glad it‘s over! Which is sad to say of one I generally enjoyed. 933 pages was a bit much & would‘ve worked as two books. There is a lot in here. Adventure, danger, love, loss, laughs. Things I didn‘t like were the ego, much of the dialogue, philosophy without ever finding self, too many questionable decisions & unbelievably timed turns. First 2/3 enjoyable and I‘m glad I‘ve read it after occupying a thick chunk of shelf space for a few years.

Loved the vocabulary, the feel and visual writing, with a decent story. Very well done in writing to match the period. Much better than the movie adaptation.

Paul Jennings was funny when I was a child, turns out it‘s still funny. Moments of snorting laughter. Some of the settings feel less foreign to me now that I live in Australia. I enjoy his mix of supernatural into wild relatable life. Overall a welcome short break from my current studies.

I found this copy of Carrie for $2 while travelling. I‘d not read it before so the timing was perfect for a small village AirBnB read. I love the cover of this one.
It‘s much more fulfilling and multi-dimensional than the movie(s). Not my favourite of his work, I think he got a lot better but it‘s the perfect size for what it is, the story & characters & torment of Carrie developed well. I thought the closing line was stupid and unnecessary.

The second Lindqvist I‘ve read - the first being Let The Right One In, of course. Harbour is not a horror. Sci fi and mystery. I enjoyed it, hooked from@the start and did not feel as long as it is. Good character development, I enjoy the Swedish Archipelago setting, it‘s a good read. I do think he cheated somewhat and the end felt a bit too easy, but it didn‘t ruin it for me. Looking forward to reading another.

How happy was I when I found this for a dollar? Pretty happy! A short one. Two brothers, one a teacher, one an addict. Trying to love & understand & survive. An insight into the time and place, conditions & struggles. Wonderfully Baldwin.

A collection of shorts. I enjoyed the first the most - Augustus. A little bit of sci fi here, and being Hesse his hope & struggle with humanity is evident although not so misanthropic.

I enjoyed this collection of short stories. Steinbeck's writing represents a time, place and culture and for a small while I felt like a very close observer of the young boy Jody and his experience, or at least a slice of his time. It isn't exactly an uplifting book, reminding you that growing up on the range kept one close to loss and death.It wasn't depressing though, it was just life.

Cute but also a bit tedious. Not sure if it's intended to be teen fiction but felt like it.
I enjoyed the framing of the invention in question (which I won't name as it's a spoiler) as being pivotal in the world and the bartering between angels and demons in its allowed use.

My first 1940s pulp fiction detective read. It reads like a noir detective film narrative - I suppose they actually are based on this narrative style. To begin with I was edging on bailing, so many ands in descriptive sentences! He's not exactly respectful of women which is at times uncomfortable, but not surprising for the time. Some incredible cutting wit, a fairly well pieced together mystery plot and overall a decent read.

Probably the favourite cover of all my books. A collection of short stories, very old novel extracts, and 'essays' on the occult, satanism & 'witchcraft'.

It took me a long time to get through. A bunch of old long winded & frankly boring pieces. A lot of ridiculous claims in the 'essays' in mid 20th century style.

Also some really fun and interesting stuff in here and it looks so cool so is still a pick from me and staying in my collection.

I was finding it OK but kinda boring.

When I hit a page mentioning "ni***rtown" followed by a plot of radical Sikhs planning to blow people up I bailed. Sure he might be trying to portray a dumb racist, & maybe in 1992 the idea of terrorist Sikhs wasn't so culturally problematic but I just don't have patience for it, especially when it's not very engaging otherwise.

The concept of hologram like thoughts that we all emanate was kinda cool though.

Informative, interesting book on the United Fruit company - which later became known as Chiquita - and their expansion across and exploitation of Central America from mid 19th century toward today. An empire unto itself - with close allies in the US govt - their practices in propaganda, intervening in govts, union busting, pollution, worker exploitation and generally rigging the game they were a blueprint for later globalisation.

I read this during long haul flights from Australia to Spain and back, which felt fitting to the discomfort. Overall it left me unsatisfied. Why is there a Long Walk? What are the Squads? Had any winner survived? What actually happened at the end? Interesting idea but not a book I'd recommend, probably would have enjoyed as a novella but pointless as a novel.

This book shatters the narrative utilised by politicians, corporations, billionaires & moral crusaders. The conditions underpinning Modern Slavery are neither modern nor slavery. Exploitation and the systemic issues underpinning our society are at the root and the Modern Slavery frame is used to deflect the focus while also further criminalising, controlling, deporting people while generating quite an industry for itself. A must read!

Motivating & insightful. King is humble, funny, human & engaging. It‘s all about the story baby. This is no writers retreat or 10 step program, it‘s not a social media gimmick, just advice and truths from one of the masters. Highly recommend if you have any creative pursuit, while I don‘t write a lot I found it very applicable to my music work.

Filing next to ‘Deep Work‘ and ‘The War of Art‘. What it all comes down to is doing the work.

Read this over the xmas/NY break. A top secret group kidnapping children with extra sensory abilities, a genius kid, interweaving storyline‘s converging to a showdown, small town USA. King doing his thing well yet again. The most recent book of his I‘ve read, weird seeing him writing about catching Ubers but he has kept up and stays relevant. Very enjoyable.

Picked up this box of books for $4 at a small town op shop yesterday and under the top layer of books was blown away upon finding a 1st edition (although ‘second impression‘) of Nobody Knows My Name as well as two Solzhenitsyn and a bunch of other great titles (and some straight into a trade-in pile). This was a fantastic op shop day.

It took me a long time to finish, I‘d pick it up, get through a small chunk & then read another book. A classic in anarchism & still generally a worthwhile and relevant critique of capitalism and statist communism. Kropotkin has an optimistic view of humanity and sometimes I found his assertions to be well meaning but unlikely, although much of the general argument is agreeable. Also enjoyed finding other material through the footnotes.

She should have shot him. I really liked how Ann Burden was so capable and a survivor, but constantly excusing this guy who tried to rape her, control her, starve her, shoots her, tries to kidnap her and then leaving him to have everything of hers was not something I admired in this story at all. The bit where she stands in front of his gun and he doesn‘t shoot her is also totally unbelievable. Big let down.

A recent op shop find and reread after 15 years. Very gory, lots of gay sex, necrophilia, the French quarter of New Orleans, drugs. What‘s not to like for a young goth? I‘d recently tried re-reading Lost Souls and found that hard to get into, like it was trying too hard to be super goth, but with this one it wasn‘t as cheesy as I‘d thought it‘d be and more enjoyable. By the closing chapters I was looking forward to it being over though.

Balked at 35 pages. It felt like a rambling teen fiction, was a bit unfocused and I had a high sense of this being very unexciting for me.