Book review: Into the Fire by Gregg Hurwitz

Tuesday, January 21, 2020 Permalink

It’s no secret I love this Orphan X series although I’m kinda astounded we’re up to the fifth book already. As each year rolls around and a new adventure appears in my mailbox I have to go back over past reviews to remember exactly what happened in the previous outing. And weirdly, I’m always a book or two out. This time around I’d completely forgotten the plot of book 4 and was thinking we were picking up after book 3. I suspect I’m in denial about the fact this might ultimately come to an end.

Having said that, it really doesn’t matter when you enter this series as Hurwitz does a great job of effortlessly easing new readers into the world of Orphan X. The Nowhere Man.

Book review: All The Rage by Cara Hunter

Friday, January 17, 2020 Permalink

When I shared that I’d be reading this book a few people commented on how much they love Cara Hunter’s books and the DI Adam Fawley series. I was embarrassed that I’d not heard of them before. It may be because they’re more popular overseas than here in Australia. Either that or I live under a rock, I’m not sure.

But although I’ve started with number four (and I hate entering series’ part way through) I very much enjoyed this book. I suspect I’ve been privy to some spoilers from previous outings but I’d definitely still be interested in reading some earlier books in the series.

Book review: The Flower Girls by Alice Clark-Platts

Wednesday, January 15, 2020 Permalink

Not only has Alice Clark-Platts authored police procedurals, but in her former day job she was a human rights lawyer who worked at the UN International Crime Tribunal.

I only discovered that fact after reading this book though I can better understand the reflection in this book on the concept of retribution as well as some debate over punishment fitting the crime – and if it’s even possible.

FOBO – the fear of better options

Monday, January 13, 2020 Permalink

The stars and planets aligned a few days ago as I was flicking through the current Good Health & Wellbeing magazine at my mother’s and came across the acronym FOBO – the fear of better options. I can’t find any reference to it online but I think (the article said) the phrase was apparently delivered by the same man who gave us FOMO (fear of missing out).

I’m a bit FOMO-ish from time to time (which is why I ditched Instagram), but appreciate the joke you often see on social media suggesting many of we introverts actually delight in JOMO (joy of missing out), needing more down / alone time than many.

Book review: Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

Saturday, January 11, 2020 Permalink

Diane Chamberlain is a hugely popular though I’ve only read one book by the American author, Pretending to Dance, published in 2015.

Her latest, Big Lies in a Small Town unfolds in two timeframes and is centred around two women whose livelihoods – and in some ways their futures – depend on an opportunity they’ve been presented in small-town Edenton, almost 80 years apart.

Book review: Saving Missy by Beth Morrey

Friday, January 10, 2020 Permalink

I was, well am… a huge fan of UK author Anita Brookner. She wrote about loneliness and aloneness brilliantly. Poignantly.

Saving Missy by Beth Morrey is about certainly about loneliness. And aloneness. Two different things in my book. But it’s also a lovely story about hope, kindness, generosity and fate… people arriving in our lives when we most need them.

Book review: The Dilemma by BA Paris

Saturday, January 4, 2020 Permalink

I read BA Paris’s Bring Me Back in 2018 and rated it highly. I follow Paris on Twitter so have been seeing news of her latest release The Dilemma quite a bit. I wasn’t exactly sure when it was out however, so delayed reading it until after 2020 ticked over.

Interestingly this is another book which reminded me I’m a presumptuous smart-arse. I kept considering exaggerated eye-rolls thinking how obvious the plot/s of this book was / were going to be (there are a couple of threads). I assumed I knew EXACTLY what the twists and secrets were. And… I was wrong. Yet again.

Book review: Who Did You Tell? by Lesley Kara

Wednesday, January 1, 2020 Permalink

Astrid’s mother named her Hilary because (when she was born) she had such a sunny disposition. Hilary became Astrid as soon as she was able believing it to be the antithesis of her birth name and almost two decades later, it’s set the scene for the rebellious and unsettled life she’s led since.

Book review: The Weekend by Charlotte Wood

Friday, December 27, 2019 Permalink

I really enjoyed Charlotte Wood’s The Natural Way of Things, released in 2015. At the time I suspected the book – which I took fairly literally – was some great metaphor I just didn’t quite understand and it wasn’t until later I noticed others’ reviews labelling it dystopian fiction and I realised I’d been right.

I loved Wood’s writing, which I thought exquisite. I missed her latest release, The Weekend, when it came out but thankfully won a copy recently and probably (now) need to add it (belatedly) to my ‘favourite books for the second half of 2019’ post.