Book Review: The Penniless Peer by Barbara Cartland

    I took an offer to listen to Barbara Cartland's The Penniless Peer on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda audio! 

 Barbara Cartland was a prolific writer and her novels number approximately 723 give or take, and they have been estimated to sell over a billion books.  The Penniless Peer was first published in 1974, and it is getting a re-release on audio as part of Bolinda's Eternal Collection. Cartland certainly has cemented herself in the romance world with such a prolific body of publications. 

I was pretty excited to read The Penniless Peer!  With the success of Bridgerton and The Buccaneers and the ongoing popularity of Jane Austen in the reading community, I felt like the Penniless Peer was certain to be a winner. And, I did want to find out something of the Queen of Romance. 

In short order, this is the story of Fenella - an adorable young woman without guile who is entirely infatuated with with Second cousin Periquine. 

ALAS- Periquine is infatuated with Hettie, a beautiful young woman who does seem to be, however, highly focused on finances - of which Periquine has none. Alas... Alack... oh dear...

   Fenella and Periquine get up to several wild escapades in order to secure funds until a kindly uncle puts an end to this entirely inappropriate behavior and takes a strong hand to both Fenella and Periquine - hoping to shape their future. Periquine is off to India until a sudden windfall occurs.

Fenella is presented to the Ton and is a raging success.  Her dear uncle expects her to make a superb match. 

Will she make such a match, or will her heart forever belong to Periquine? Will Perquine marry the snobbish Hettie now that funds have come through legitimate gain, rather than smuggling or stealing? 

You'll want to read to find out. 

   Susie Riddel does the narration and I felt it was delightful. There were lots of changes in inflection, and I never had trouble identifying which character was speaking. She made the story easy to follow and I was a bit sad when the story ended, as I would no longer have her bell like voice coming across my speakers. 

     I myself, am quite torn on this volume. This novel was originally published in 1974.  Although it is set in the Regency Era, it really does reflect 1970's ideals as well.   I am so curious as to how it will be received by modern romance readers.  For me, I did not find the character of Fenella to reflect a strong woman, nor did I like the choices she made in the end - making it one of the most unsatisfying "Happily Ever After" endings I've ever read! But, I am not all readers, and I did find it fascinating to discover the differences in romance over the decades. This would be a fun read for romance readers, especially those interested in how the genre has changed and evolved over the decades. 

First Published :  1974

Pages: 200

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes - Bolinda ~ 6 hours. 

Trigger Warnings: landed gentry poverty, dueling, gambling, thievery, skulduggery (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Zero Sum Game by S.L. Huang

 Earlier in April I reviewed  The Language of Liars  by S. L. Huang. 

I thought it was a really solid work of Sci-Fi fiction that I decided to check out more of their backlist.  One of the things I enjoy about this author is that they've written lots of books over time and not all are exactly Sci-fi. I know I'll get a good story but what exactly I'll get is a surprise!   

Zero Sum Game popped up as the first in the series, featuring a character named Cas Russell. 

I cannot decide which cover I like better. So I posted images of both, as they both sort of show different aspects of this high octane thriller style novel. 

Without spoiling this one... Cas is a loner, she mostly sticks to the periphery of society. She takes dangerous jobs and has good results- mostly because she is wicked good at math.  Let me tell you, I was ready for a novel where a math genius is also a total badass with a gun, fast motorcycles and an attitude to match.  I loved it. 

Cas takes a job after she was recommended by one person she trusts. Once she's working the job, she can't seem to disentangle herself from the situation. And, the situation is not safe or actually very sane. Has she uncovered a governmental secret agency or a strange society of insanity?  You'll want to read to find out. 

   I did feel this was maybe a bit rough around the edges, here and there, but, I also loved that it felt like I was immersed in an action thriller full of dangerous twists and turns.  This allowed me to overlook some of the uneven characters, and repetitive dialogue. It really didn't matter that much to me, as I was really in it to win it with Cas and her adopted crew.  I will be picking up book 2. 

First Published :  10/2/2018

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book :  YES

Trigger Warnings: Violence, death, references to drugs, mind control, LA traffic, guns, Math, vague religious trauma (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Milk, Blood Heat By Dontiel Moniz

 I picked this back list book up for a reading prompt from my local bookstore. I felt like I hadn't really been reading enough diverse books and the cover was beautiful. 

I would like any reader to recall that I am not a literary critic, and that all opinions are just my own when I admit that I really... really did not enjoy this collection of short stories. In part because I am not often a short story fan, and in part because I just...didn't. The writing is good, the stories are well constructed, and they really were self contained nuggets of Florida life.  I still...just kind of got the ick. I missed the electrifying, enchanting and thrilling aspects of a story about a teen suicide, a woman dying of cancer, and depression after a miscarriage. 

         This could be a book for a Book Club, but it would need to be a club with a skilled leader as the topics involve miscarriage, suicide, cheating, death and disease, all of which are extremely relatable in one form or fashion.  It is an excellent read for anyone studying literature or a writer wanting to improve their craft, as Moniz does handle the short story form with ease. 

I'm glad I delved into it, and I was also glad to return it to the library. One more notch on my book challenge done! 

First Published :  2/2/21

Pages: 208

Available as an Audio Book :  YES

Trigger Warnings: Disease, violence, killing/death, SA, Miscarriage, child loss, religious trauma (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

  

Book Review: SoulGazer by Maggie Rapier

 Soulgazer by Maggie Rapier is a full blow Pirate Romantasy that I ate up with no regrets!

  I found the book on NetGalley and decided to give it a go to see if I would enjoy it. I love pirates and I like romance but I've been reading some disappointing romantasy lately so I didn't have high hopes. 

I honestly have no idea why Book Tok hasn't discovered this gem as it is EVERYTHING that Book Tok loves. I LOVED it too! 

   If you are a reader who really enjoyed Fable and Namesake by Adrienne Young, you are going to love Soulgazer! There are a lot of similar themes, as well as boats and pirates and passion, but the two stories aren't copy/paste at all. 

Soulgazer falls out of the YA area and is solidly for adult romance readers, allowing a lot more "romance" to occur on page. Magic and old celtic traditions inspire Soulgazer giving it a distinctly different feel than that of Fable's rough and ready "The Narrows". 

That said, I enjoyed both immensely. 

   

   As a synopsis, Saoirse's been raised to believe she was cursed with a difficult to control magic that causes more harm than good.  Isolated from the world, she dreams of legends- like "the wolf of the wild".  Saoirse longs for acceptance and to contribute to her family and society. She knows she going to have to follow her father's wishes and wed a cruel stone king, but, on the eve of her marriage she seeks out the Wolf,  Faolan, and takes matters into her own hands. Faolan recognizes her magic for the power it is and desperately needs her to help him navigate to an Island of lost souls.  Saoirse knows this is madness, and thus exerts the only power she has by forcing Faolan into a handfasting.  The two- now linked- pursue the isle. Saoirse learns that she's not the only one with a secret blessing or curse and comes into her own to wield her power. By the end of the book I knew I had a new "Book Boyfriend" in Faolan.  

    Readers are left with a Happy for Now ending with clearly more story left for book two.  I can't wait for it to come out in August!

STATS

First Published: 7/8/2025

Pages: 480

Available as an Audio Book :  YES  ~ 12 hrs

Trigger Warnings:  violence, death of sibling, death of child, magic, pirates, on page sexy times, almost forced marriage, almost patricide

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

 

Book Review: River Spirit by Leila Aboulela

 

It seems like quite some time since I finished a book.  I did finish River Spirit earlier this week but I didn't have time to sit and write a review. Work has been - not good at all. I am hopeful it will improve. My dream job more and more is just... Retirement. 

Anywhoo.

This book was so interesting and engaging. This is a bit of historical fiction, but if you are thinking of various poorly written romances with a historical setting- be prepared to have your socks blown off! 

Aboulela is truly a master.  The prose is readable and the story she weaves is compelling. 

In short - this is an epic tale set in 1880's-1890's Sudan. Using SEVEN points of view (count them!!!) Aboulela gives readers a rich and textured account of Sudan in the time of Mahdi wars.  Not only do we explore the view points of the major players, (known generals and revolutionaries), readers also meet "regular" characters of all social stations, giving a glimpse into all aspects of society at this time. There is love, treachery, fanaticism, conniving and thriving throughout the book.  I will freely admit that at the start I did have some trouble following all the points of view in the audiobook, but I suspect had I read it on page this would not have been a concern.  The audio narrator did use different voices, but I still struggled a bit. I am now VERY interested in this time period in Sudan, as it seems so eventful! 

As the perspectives unfolded, I was oddly reminded of a different Multi-POV story - There There by Tommy Orange. Although these books are set in wildly different times and spaces, they both do explore themes of identity/belonging, and violence and colonialism. I don't know that I recommend reading these in tandem but I do think if you like one of these, you will likely find the other to be interesting.  

This was my first read of Leila Aboulela.  I found myself interested in reading more of her work, so I expect I will continue to pull books of hers throughout this year. 

This is a great read, if you've set a goal to "read around the world" as it gives a good story and also explores culture of the area. 

STATS

First Published :  03/07/2023

Pages: 320

Available as an Audio Book :  YES (~9hrs) 

Trigger Warnings: Dubious consent, sexual activity, violence, religious fervor, War violence, violence against women, poison, racism (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Sex on The Moon by Ben Mezrich

 If you've been looking for Non-fiction that reads like fiction, this 2011 Beat the Backlist book is one you will want to read! 

 While normally I might say the title of the most audacious heist in history is overblown, in this case, I think it meets the criteria! Not so much that it was pulled off in any sophisticated manner, but that someone would decide that was the "thing to do" at all. 

   Readers are given an inside story of Thad Roberts, a one time fellow in a prestigious NASA program in Texas. While at NASA Thad, made a name for himself by being audacious, bold and curious. It didn't hurt that he was - by all accounts- very bright and conventionally attractive. 

Thad started out with an idea involving "decommissioned" moon rocks- those used for education, rather than hard scientific uses.  He and a friend dreamt of selling some of these "trash" moon rocks, and came up with a brave but not very sophisticated plan.  He was sure he'd never go through with it, but the more he dreamed and schemed, the deeper he got, until he found himself meeting a supposed buyer and being arrested by the FBI. 

   I enjoyed this book, but I will say, no matter how hard the author tried to make Thad likeable, I found him to be a complete Jack-Hole. This man had so many advantages in life, and decided to just be pushing the envelope in ways that didn't even make sense.  I suspect there is some sort of mental health issues at play in these decisions, but honestly, I feel like his time in prison was actually too short. This was a man with multiple opportunities ahead of him, and decided this was the most appropriate way to move through the world.  So not a fan. Not impressed, and deeply disturbed that he's now out in the world giving... TED talks. 

The writing is OK. I had the audiobook and for being only 320 pages, it did seem to drag on. So... 

revising my first statement, this is a book you MAY want to read. I have become obsessed with Axel Emmermann, a rock enthusiast who tipped off the FBI and assisted in multiple ways. So there is that.  This is a most interesting book and while I can't say I liked the main character, I did find the entire thing interesting.  So 3 stars out of 5 from me. 

STATS

First Published :  7/12/2011

Pages: 320

Available as an Audio Book :  YES (~8 hrs) 

Trigger Warnings: Heist, discussion of heights, drug and alcohol use, thievery, mild sexual behavior (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: The Plotters by Un-su Kim

                                            

 So last year when I wanted to add some translated works to my TBR, I put several audiobooks on hold. They then all started to become available in the past few weeks. So, it looks like I may do better than last year on my books in translation. 

    This is a bit of a hidden gem, I have not heard many people discussing this one, and I found myself to be listening with delight as this Crime noir/thriller unfolded.   It is also a beat the back-list type of novel as it was first published in 2018.  This is one novel that I could see as a television mini-series. 

     So without spoilers- this is a novel about assassins, and the people (or plotters) behind the assassins. Our main character is a likeable, well read young man who was raised unconventionally by Old Raccoon, who is essentially a kingpin in the Assassin world in an alternative by contemporary South Korea.  Our main character follows orders, he pulls triggers when asked, and otherwise lives a quiet and bland life. He is, however, thoughtful, and observant. Eventually he carries out a plan, but doesn't quite follow the instructions to a T, and finds himself privy to a bizarre scheme put into motion by the most unexpected of players. Will he join them, or remain a cog in the machine?  I really was rooting for our main character, because, after all, who can dislike a man with cats named Desk and Lampshade? And He's a man who takes care of those cats. 

  I really loved this one. There's a lot of dark humor, and wry commentary on the state of life in general, the plot has a lot of twists and turns and goes places that I didn't imagine it would. While I did find the ending to be less satisfying than I would have liked, it certainly fit the story. 

The translator is Sora Kim-Russell, and they have done a wonderful wonderful job. Sarcasm, suspense, dry humor, and implied tones are difficult to translate, and I felt that I didn't miss any of that in this novel, it was all there, in spades. 

  Now I've seen people say if you enjoy Han Kang, you'll enjoy this, but I don't think that's necessarily the case.  The two writers are very different. I see this more as a novel for folks who love the noir genre and want to explore it in other cultures other than the sort of UK/USA area. For me, I really enjoyed it as it was so well plotted, grabbed me in the beginning, held me through the middle and had me on the edge of my chair for the end! 

                                 First Published :  August 2018

Pages: 310

Available as an Audio Book : Yes  

Trigger Warnings: death, death of dog, death of child,  classism, medical issues, body horror, misogyny.

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Behold The Dreamers, by Imbolo Mbue

 This is a blast from the Backlist, as it was first published in 2016.  At that time it won lots of awards, and somehow, I never ever saw it.  I was reading less back then, I suppose. 

This debut novel for Mbue  has a lot to love and it remains relevant today! 

      

  In short, readers are given the story of a Cameroonian couple who are determined to make in the America.   Jende did not have it easy in Cameroon, so when he arrives in the US and gains employment as a chauffer for one of Lehman Brother's top men, he's thrilled.  He's well paid, and he and his wife are able to start planning a future. Neither have the correct visas nor a green card, but they are encouraged to not worry too much about the future as no one can predict the future. Through his job, Jende has a view of the ultra-wealthy in the US- and gives readers the same view. 

    All goes along as one might expect until the 2008 financial crisis.

Jende's employer is in crisis, which eventually trickles down to Jende. Cash Flow is at stake, but also relationships which everyone believed were based on more than cold hard cash.  Each character is forced to face some unpleasant realities and each makes choices that they could not have dreamed of making in the past. 

Mbue's novel pulled me in and I could not put it down. It pulsed with a rhythm that drew me in and kept my attention. I was particularly impressed at how even some minor characters were fully fleshed out, and had complete side stories that were as engaging as the main narrative. 

  This novel won the PEN/Faulkner aware in 2017 and I can see why. Well written and edited, compelling unique story which resonates well beyond the 2008 setting. 

     5 stars from me. Worth the read! 

STATS

First Published :March 2016

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book : Yes!

Trigger Warnings: parental death, infant death, prejudice, domestic violence, drug use, alcohol use. Not a full list - please read responsibly.

Book Review: Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather

  This is a bit of a Beat the Backlist kind of novella.  I found it oddly, on good reads as part of a challenge for novellas and I immediately was thinking SIGN me UP!  Nuns in space? I felt this was going to be bonkers and I really was not incorrect.  

The cover is not bad, but it really really doesn't do the novel any favors.  (the novel is much more interesting than the cover.) 

Lina Rather is a talent to continue watching. Her writing is tight, and concise while still being descriptive and immersive. While she's not writing in the same genre, I feel her style compares to Georges Simenon. Both have short works that are completely immersive with well developed characters and environments despite sparse word counts. 

   No Spoiler summary here: Readers are given the story of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Rita. These sisters serve aboard a spacecraft "Our Lady of Impossible Constellations"  a consecrated ship that happens to be a living, semi-sentient slug like creature. Like many missionaries of old, the sisters have joined the order for various reasons- some of which were related to religious calling, many not so much. The focus of charitable and practical aid looms larger than proselytizing.  I was initially struck by the similarities between these space nuns and early earth missionaries. I thought I was going to be getting a cautionary tale of colonialism but set in space. Instead, I got much more.  The novella opens with discussion of what to do about the living ship's imprinting on another ship, and as the sister's debate and discuss, a distress call arrives from a new colony. The sister's respond and find themselves embroiled in a conflict with Central Governance, the Church and themselves. 

   For me this was such a treat, in 160 short pages, we explore a living space ship made of muscle, viscera and more, the public and private lives of nuns, the ethics of power dynamics in religion, government, and relationships, all while being treated to space adventure that is propulsive and interesting. 

  I couldn't put it down,  but it was also very short, so there was no need to put it down. 

I did not like the sort of abrupt, cliff hanger-y type ending but the good part of reading back list books- is that the second book, which continues the story of our Nuns and their unlikely allies, is already available. I do want more space faring nuns. 

I did do this on audio.  The audiobook was well done and did not detract from the story. 

I really do recommend this one, and I can't wait to read more from this author. 

STATS

First Published: 10/29/2019

Pages: 160 pages

Available as an Audio Book : YES  (~ 4 hours) 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, colonialism, religion, plague, infectious disease

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review: The Shadow Key By Susan Stokes-Chapman

  I am not sure who recommended this novel, but I wish them all happiness.  This was amazing at every turn!

Because I am still having eye issues, I did do the audiobook, and the narrator- Richard Harrington was fantastic.  I was surprised in the end to realize it was only one narrator. 

  I'm going to try to do this without spoilers, because they are just the worst, but this one may be a bit hard to not spoil a wee bit. 

Readers are taken to a wild rural area of Wales where the majority of men are working in dangerous mines, and Lords and Ladies rule the day.  We join Henry - a disgraced physician who found the only employment available was as a county doctor in what was surely considered a backwater area.  henry is sharp and observant, and as he attempts to settle in, he finds his suspicions aroused, as strange events are going on. He's befriended by Linette, a lady of the estate, who endeavors to teach him the mythology , history and language of the area.  Henry and Linette find themselves becoming fast friends and team up to solve a deep and somewhat sinister mystery that will threaten them all. Along the way, there are so many twists and turns, that my mind was constantly one step behind trying to figure this out! 

  This novel falls into the genre of Gothic novels that have been popular lately. It does not fall, however, into the super trendy "dark academia" or even into "dark romance"  though there is a touch of romance that enters- and exits quite differently from the dark romances. 

As I was reading, all I saw in my mind was THIS: While they lived mor ein a manor house, there were lots of ruins noted....

Views in England, Scotland and Wales: Caerphilly Castle, Glamorganshire. Period: 19th century. Accession number: B1981.25.2145. Amos Green (1735–1807); Harriet Green (1751–1807)

I really loved learning more about this part of Welsh history, the myths, language, the mines and even the "HellFire" clubs!  The plot hung together very well, and the ending was satisfying to me indeed. 

 5 Stars!  Recommend. 

First Published : 5/2024

Pages: 464

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: kidnapping, murder, poison,  more murder, medical situations, death, dreary weather. 

Not a full TW list, please read responsibly. 

Book Review: Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance by Nisha Sharma

  Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance  is a fun romance set in modern times, that really highlights family relationships, and the struggles of being a teen- especially one saddled with high expectations. 

This is a book meant for young readers,  but it also appealed to me! I wanted to add it to my list to diversify my reading list, and also because I do enjoy reading romance.  While I enjoyed the romance, I also really enjoyed learning about Kathak Dance, a traditional Indian dance form  and Indian cuisine. 

No Spoilers summary- because Spoilers are.... the worst! 

     Radha has been training all her life to ascend the stage as one of the world's best Kathak dancers. She been guided by her Mother, who is caring, but possibly a touch overbearing.  Radha overhears some gossip at a competition that turns her world upside down. She loses her  "Dance Joy"  and has some serious family conflict. This leads her eventually to enrolling in a new school,  where she meets Jai.  Jai comes from a very involved family. He's interested in becoming a doctor, but thinks he might just skip college to focus on assisting his family with their small empire of convenience stores. He's also the team leader of a school dance team the "bollywood beats". Obviously a bit of "destiny"  is involved as the two meet and just "click". Romance blossoms, but not without a few arguments, small breakups and personal crisis. Can Radha get her Dance Joy back?  Will Jai become a Doctor?  You'll have to read to find out! 

   This is a great novel for young adults.  It addresses real problems and concerns, shows some realistic reactions and solutions and has an enjoyable dose of cultural representation. It will not be making my top ten reads of the year, but it is definitely one I'd recommend for gifting. 

First Published : 12/2021

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: medical situations, Cheating (not involving the main characters), parents divorce, parent affairs, mild bullying, depictions of panic attacks.

Not a full TW list, please read responsibly. 

Book Review: Telex from Cuba by Rachel Kushner

   This was a journey.  I picked up this book from the offerings on my library's Libby app.  I had been hoping to get the new history of Cuba but that is on hold. Honestly, I'm probably not going to love the new history of Cuba simply because I don't do that well with Non-fiction that doesn't have a "hook" if you will.  But, I have always been a little bit fascinated by Cuba, so I am still hoping to give that a go when it comes off hold at the library.  For now, the library suggested Telex from Cuba, and I thought... why not! 

   I was attracted by the title- the Telex is one of those odd parts of history that isn't well known, but was my ticket to the outside world when I was working in South Sudan. I did kind of wonder then, why Rachel Kushner  was writing a novel about Cuba.   Kushner's mother lived in the Oriente province during what seems to have been the heyday of the United Fruit Company.  So based on this, Kushner was able to flesh out a full novel which is both personal and historical in scope.  It's a bit of a feat to address this volatile time in Cuba's history, without straying into dramatic maudlin territory, but I think Kushner succeeds. 

      In this novel, readers are able to enter the American community in Cuba in the years preceding Castro's revolution.  We see the beauty and problems of the Cuban environment through the children of executives and leaders sent to Cuba to head the Fruit company and mining operations. It feels very much like a slice of tropical life. Telling the story through a multitude of viewpoints gives us a full immersion into the tense, frenetic situation leading up to the American expulsion in 1958. 

    What I enjoyed most about the novel was the "follow up"- we see the lives post revolution, and get to experience the odd sensation of having had something taken that was more precious now that it was gone. 

   While this book isn't the most popular, I really enjoyed the writing, the stories and the conclusion and do recommend it for readers interested in historical fiction, Cuba, and even the 1950's. 

First Published : 7/1/2008

Pages: 322

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: violent events, war violence, death, poverty, gun violence, drug and alcohol use,  bullying.  

Not a full TW list, please read responsibly. 

Book Review: Celestial Bodies By Jokha Alharthi 3 stars

 Last month I didn't read any translated work and I was pretty disappointed in myself.  August ia Women in Translation month, so I was sure I wanted to read something in translation. 

  A quick perusal of things available from my library brought me to Celestial Bodies. It won the Man Booker Prize in 2019, so I felt pretty sure that it would be at least well written, if not enjoyable. I also was fascinated that it was written by an Omani woman, about Oman, a country that I really could not even point out on a map. I was primed for an interesting read. 

Reading the blurb I was ready to get into a generational saga that allowed me a window into how society changed over decades on both a community and personal level.

What it felt like I got- Gossip Girl, but set in Oman.

Every chapter seemed to be the reporting on the troubles in someone's relationship, the ill advised choices of another, who was doing what with whom or for whom. This was interesting but jumbled up so that if there was an overarching message, I surely missed it.

Not bad, but...also very put-down-able.

Readers follow three sisters, as they are born, mature and marry.  We are present for each sister's  decisions, and the outcome of these choices.  Each sister takes a different path and the paths taken highlights a lot of the societal changes within Oman, and the world over the decades.  I was fascinated by the decisions and options available.  

What made this a difficult read for me was that there really was not a clear set of main characters. The sisters are given about as much attention as every other character in the book, including husbands, parents, aunts, cousins and notable community personalities. As readers travel through these women's lives it is additionally not a linear journey and the story dips and weaves in and out of the past in an unpredictable and dizzying way.  I often found myself reading along about the marriage of one sister, only to be plunged with no warning back to a flashback about the death of one of the husband's parents. In the end for me, I read this almost as a series of "slice of life" moments over time. 

  I have a strong feeling that the translation is very good, but that somehow in the translation the boney structure of the novel was lost and changed into sort of a dreamy, confusing mush. 

   I do think it's fantastic to have a novel from Oman for us to read and I do feel like I understood much more about the role of women, and how it seems to have changed in that country.  What I feel like I missed was a thread that held the work together, and a conclusion that would somehow bring all the different experiences into a sharp focus.  Soooooo for me,  although this book is a lot of firsts, and has a lot of good qualities, it was a three star read. Because of it's place in literature, I might still recommend as a book in translation from a culture that isn't widely represented in literature.  I would love to discuss this one more, and if the timeline wasn't so jostled I would have loved to recommend for Book club! 

STATS

First Published : October , 2019

Pages: 256

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Death, blood, medical situations, violence, childbirth.

Not a full TW list, please read responsibly. 

Book Review: The Hurricane by RJ Prescott 3/5 Stars

 So, I read this because the title  "The Hurricane" fits nicely into my water theme. 

Does it have anything to do with actual hurricanes?  No. Most assuredly no. 

If I really want to spin it, I could probably discuss how often we use water associated terms to describe non-water events, people, things. I don't think I want to delve into things that deeply. 

This is an average, enjoyable sports romance set in the UK.  There's nothing unique about it at all, and for me, that was actually what made it enjoyable.  My mind didn't have to work with this one.

Emily is a broken fragile girl who remains fantastically attractive and fragile. She's struggling financially but she does have her apparent talent for math going for her as she forges ahead in her mathematics degree. Despite her very bad circumstances, she remains physically attractive and unfailingly kind and nice to every one who approaches her, all the time. 

Cormac O'Connell is an undisciplined boxer who grew up with an alcoholic mother. He's desperately seeking a feeling of home.

One day he seems Emily being kind to a homeless man, and decides she is going to be the one for him. 

And he falls hard and fast. Emily falls hard but requires some convincing. 

Together they become stronger. Predictably, both have huge amounts of emotional intelligence and their relationship quickly become bullet proof. (This is honestly the part that really is not that believable, as most folks packing that much trauma between the two of them would have more communication issues/trust issues etc, but this is a novel, it's ok!) Both of them speak to each other as if they had a degree in "trauma -informed" therapy. This novel which is a series of stand-alone but interconnected romances  was put out in 2016- which I think we can all agree was a very different time. 

I enjoyed O'Connell's obsession with Emily and I enjoyed that it was a welcome obsession. I enjoyed the moments where  together they conquered his horrid mother and her vicious step-father on the way to a happy-ever-after ending. 

Pearl Hewitt reads the novel in the audio book, and I think she did a pretty good job with the narration, though maybe I could have used a bit less of the high pitch. That said, it was a clean and clear narration, and easy to follow. 

  I learned nothing about water! 

Do I recommend?  YES - if you want a spicy contemporary romance about overcoming obstacles. No- if you are looking for anything more nuanced. 

STATS

First Published : February 2016

Pages: 432

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Death, parental neglect, alcohol, SA, poverty, violence, sexual content, family drama, toxic relationships. 

Book Review: The Brilliant Abyss by Helen Scales 4/5 stars

 It's been a while since I dipped into some non-fiction!  The Brilliant Abyss was a really good read for learning more about the ocean,  and the life it supports!

Dr. Scales is a marine biologist who is clearly passionate about the ocean, especially the deep ocean - about which- very little is known. 

   I had the audiobook which is read by the author and I really fully enjoyed it. I've clearly been reading a lot of water books, so some of the information wasn't new to me, but I'm no marine biologist so hearing it again, in a different voice was great, it also allowed me to think smugly "I knew that" !

In a very pleasing narrative style, Scales educates readers about the deep ocean and it's creatures, get's readers up to date on the state of the deep ocean and then finishes off with a flourishing call to action, imploring readers to get involved in big and small ways to engage in ocean conservation.  Somehow this is done with out a preachy tone, and it was immensely listen-able for me.

 The one thing that has really stuck with me from this book is that there is a species of snail that uses iron in it's shells. It's called the Scaly-Foot Gastropod and it's shell has one layer made of Iron sulphides.  It is the only known animal to incorporate iron sulphide into it's skeleton!!!  Sadly, even though this marvelous creature lives at deep-sea hydrothermal vents- it is endangered. Efforts to re-coin it's name as a sea pangolin failed as it turns out not too many people know what the regular earth pangolin is. Every time I see an article about the deep sea, there always seems to be some new creature being named or discovered. It's one reason of course we should care to preserve this area, because we don't even know what's there! So many sea organisms have been so useful to humans, that even if one didn't want to preserve this unique deep environment just because it's so cool- the commercial value of new tech and medicines seems to make it a good save.  I promise there's more than a scaly gastropod though! 

Scales educates readers about the deep ocean and it's creatures, get's readers up to date on the state of the deep ocean and then finishes off with a flourishing call to action, imploring readers to get involved in big and small ways to engage in ocean conservation.  Somehow this is done with out a preachy tone, and it was immensely listen-able for me.

  I'd pair this novel up with Richard Power's Playground for a Non-fiction/Fiction Mash up.  For a somewhat more engaging read one might try Susan Casey's The Underworld, but I feel like Scales, being an actual marine biologist - might be a touch more genuine.  Of course, it's easy to read all of these novels. 

  This read is a great gift for ocean lovers and budding marine biologists. 

STATS

First Published : June 2022

Pages: 304

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Climate crisis, death, animal death, 

Book Review: We Speak Through the Mountain by Premee Mohamed 5/5 Stars

 Sometimes the middle book in a trilogy is considered the weak one.  If this is the weak one, I cannot wait to read book three!!!! 

 We Speak Through The Mountain picks up right where The Annual Migration of Clouds leaves off.  I highly recommend just reading the two as one novel, because they are novellas, and book two is where this really gains steam. 

(Take a moment to look at this cover!) 

No Spoilers- because spoilers are just wrong. Readers will continue a journey with our main character Reid as she reaches the fabled Howse University. This climate dystopia continues to help readers imagine life after climate collapse; instead of being on the outside looking in, the reader is now taken into the protected domes which had preserved life to pre-collapse times.  We learn some answers to many of the questions raised in the first book.  Reid settles in to university life, although she's uneasy about many things that others seem to accept without question. She's resolute in pursuing her goal to help those outside the glittering protective dome despite strong disapproval from leaders and her peers. When bad news come from home, Reid embarks on a new journey that promises to be full of risky adventure.  (which I am super excited to follow in the next novella!) 

   At the crux of the novella series is an age old conflict between responsibility to self, family and the community overall. This conflict is set in a futuristic, but realistic world which is well imagined and easily understood.  Mohamed's writing remains clear, compelling and cinematic. As I realized I was at "the end" I felt a bit torn away from the setting that I had become immersed in, and I wondered why this hasn't been optioned for film! 

  I really liked this novella, and I think it would be a fantastic one for young adult students to read and discuss. 

I have book three tee'd up thanks to Net Galley  and ECW Press  and I can't wait to come back and (without spoilers...) tell you how it concludes. 

STATS

First Published : June 2024

Pages: 152

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, death, grief, medical situations,  (not a complete list- be responsible!)

Book Review: Curdle Creek By Yvonne Battle-Felton

 Wow.  What on earth did I just read? 

I picked up Curdle Creek on a whim.  I think I saw it as I was browsing through the library and decided it seemed like it would be for me. I liked that it was ostensibly about a creek- even though I could tell from the blurb that the creek was not really part of the plot. Water theme 2025, going strong- ish. 

 I will say this book really gave me a surprise, I felt like I knew what was going on, until I didn't and I found myself so very confused. So to say there is a plot twist is an understatement. There *is*  a PLOT TWIST. 

With (hopefully) no spoilers here is a quick overview.  Our main character Osira is a 45 year old widow living in a strict community where the rules must be followed or one might find themself turned out in a rather grim manner. Osira has always followed the traditions without much thought, and she's always had pretty good luck.  As her luck changes, she starts to question the validity of everything she's learned in this very small, closed community. She is thrown into a well as part of a ritualistic punishment, and finds she can jump realms, or "Well Walk" , thus escaping the community, only to join another at the other end of the Well. 

  Lots of themes up for discussion with Curdle Creek. Family relations, isolated communities (benefits and risks), the value of ritual, motherhood, belonging and home, and likely a few more. 

   What I found most interesting about this book was the roles that people play in each community.   Each new area Osira encounters is different, but they all have a (VERY CREEPY) slot to place a person in, in some cases going so far as to give the new-comer a new name, that is the same as the person he or she is replacing. I'm not sure about others, but many times in my life when entering into a new job/church/friend group I've found that some persons are often quick to try to assign a "role" allowing them to sort of decide who that person is and how they will participate and interact. As a bit of a "weird girl" this hasn't really worked out too well for me, and it doesn't work that well for Osira, though she tries hard to pretend that it is the best way for everything. I don't think that was the author's intent, but I think the story really helped me realize just how much people want things to be well defined and predictable - AND in turn how often, people do a lot to fit that assigned role so that things feel "easy" for those folks. At least in Curdle Creek, this kept the peace, but it kept it in such a way that no one really seemed to feel happy or relaxed or authentic in any way. No one trusts anyone, and no one seems to be capable of love. 

  Did I love this book?  Based on Vibes -NO, no I did not!  It was creepy, dark and foreboding and in each moment, I was feeling deeply concerned and distressed. The author was able to create all of those emotions with just some words on a page, so that's a lot of talent.  Uncomfortable talent, but talent none-the-less and honestly, very amazing. We are primed up for a happy ever after, I don't know that most of us are primed up for an absolute daily grind of horror that Curdle Creek delivers!  

That said, it was very well plotted and executed. As a reader, I was uncomfortable, I did think hard about the plot and how Osira's situation related to our modern situations. None of the characters are particularly loveable, and I did not find myself cheering for anyone at all, in fact, I had to take a break from the novel because I was just feeling all the sad feels.  (and Yes, I read a fluffy Cowboy Romance to help!) I suspect this was the aim of the author so - very successful. The ending was not to my liking because of course- it was entirely open ended, and that just... drives me bonkers, but for other readers this will likely open up avenues to speculate! 

The author herself is interesting - an American now living in the UK.  She's done a nice Ted talk you can view here. 

This book is a great one for "Summerween" or to save for actual spooky season. 

STATS

First Published : October 2024

Pages: 304

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings: death, grief, bullying, racism, cult/religious trauma, paranoia. (not a complete list- be responsible!)

The Architect's Apprentice By Elif Shafak- Book Review 4.25/5

 I told my family that I wanted any book  by Elif Shafak  for Christmas and this arrived from a special Santa Claus.  It was not the book I expected, but I really enjoy Shafak's writing so I was delighted with it. 

   I finally got around to reading it  (via audiobook) this month.  I dove in without any real preparation or thought about this beyond knowing that it would be somehow a story of an architect and an apprentice. In hindsight, I wish I had done a tiny little bit more investigation prior to reading. 

  This is essentially historical fiction- Ottoman Empire style. It feels fanciful- if one is not familiar with the Ottoman Empire.  I am not familiar with the Ottoman Empire so I really for some time thought that maybe this was just sort of a made up Ottoman Empire. This showed mostly my lack of education in world history. Yikes! 

Spoiler? - It is not.  The majority of the characters in the book are indeed actual historical figures from this time period. I suspect had I known that, I might have enjoyed the book quite a bit more. 

    Jahan is a 12 yr old boy who arrives in Istanbul on a ship in 1540- he's befriended an elephant who was intended for the Sultan, and becomes the Mahout- the Elephant keeper.  Chota, the elephant is smart and affords Jahan many opportunities, including the opportunity to get to know the daughter of the Sultan.  Chota is beloved by Jahan, and the entire empire it seems.  (As a side note, there was apparently quite a menagerie in Istanbul back in the day- something that would no longer be looked on favorably, but I was somewhat impressed that they were able to have lions, birds, apes, etc and that they sort of survived in that time period. 

Children Exploring an Elephant. Japan, 1875. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2005678564/.

Through the eyes of Jahan, the reader is able to experience life in the Empire, within the walls of the palace and beyond.  Jahan eventually becomes an apprentice to the architect - Mirmar Sinan  and he's about to again see the process of building some of the fantastic famous structures that we know today.  We experience wars, travel, unrequited love, a cross dressing apprentice, magic, deceit, palace intrigue and deception. Jahan, being pure of heart and a little naive no matter how old he gets, is an interesting lens to view the happenings through.  He is - it seems- always about 3 steps behind, and is often the victim of treachery, but somehow still bumbles on through momentous events and change- mostly by clinging to the elephant. I kept expecting Jahan to have more of a hero's journey type experience, but now that I've finished the novel, this really wasn't a hero type novel, and while Jahan is the central character, he has no "Main character Energy"  and he's more our eyeballs as we observe the Empire change and grow.  With a different expectation, I likely would have enjoyed this a tiny bit more.  I honestly kept waiting for "something" to happen. In truth, so much happened, but it was not packaged into that neat Hero's journey arc that we are very familiar with, so it felt more like a river flowing steadily through time than a tale with certain well known punctuations. 

     Shafak's writing is - as always- immensely readable, and engaging.  She always punctuates her stories with very thoughtful observations that are quite quotable. This book would be an excellent choice for a slow reading book club, where a guide would take the reader chapter by chapter through the fiction and the facts because the overlap is wonderful and for many of us, I suspect, not well known. It certainly made me want to explore Istanbul! 

While I enjoyed the Island of Missing Trees more overall, I think The Architect's Apprentice is also a worthwhile read.  I am also super pleased to have it on the shelf of "read" books in my home now! I can not wait to read more from Shafak, and I love that there's a nice Back list to choose from. 

                                                                                         STATS

First Published : January 2013

Pages: 432

Available as an Audio Book : YES 

Trigger Warnings: child abuse, pandemic, animal mistreatment, death

As always - this is not a complete list, read responsibly!