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tien's reviews
3859 reviews
Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby
3.5
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
<i>Icefall</i> is a coming of age tale where a young girl finally realises her worth. The protagonist, Solveig, struggles with being the middle child and "plain" looking. Her older sister is as beautiful as her mother and her youngest sibling is a boy and therefore, her father's heir. She, the one her father always passes over, does not believe she has anything to offer her family nor anyone else. However, in this story, we see her kindness, generosity, and intelligence. And despite her heartache, she will finally start to find that she is worth quite something after all. But she was not the only one who needed to find their feet.
While this story is told in an isolated island, it was told well and with a 'locked room' sort of mystery, rather engaging. Even if, I didn't think it was really that hard to guess who. There was a slight twist which I wasn't quite happy about though. Yet, I just loved Solveig as a protagonist. We could all learn from her.
<i>Icefall</i> is a coming of age tale where a young girl finally realises her worth. The protagonist, Solveig, struggles with being the middle child and "plain" looking. Her older sister is as beautiful as her mother and her youngest sibling is a boy and therefore, her father's heir. She, the one her father always passes over, does not believe she has anything to offer her family nor anyone else. However, in this story, we see her kindness, generosity, and intelligence. And despite her heartache, she will finally start to find that she is worth quite something after all. But she was not the only one who needed to find their feet.
While this story is told in an isolated island, it was told well and with a 'locked room' sort of mystery, rather engaging. Even if, I didn't think it was really that hard to guess who. There was a slight twist which I wasn't quite happy about though. Yet, I just loved Solveig as a protagonist. We could all learn from her.
Namesake by Adrienne Young
3.5
Adrienne Young is an author I liked because I just love the setting of her worlds. From the mountainous cold to the heat of the open ocean and they are all such harsh world yet her heroines are made even stronger. I have to admit I have a thing for pirates too so I really had to read this series.
I had a discussion with a friend the other week that we hate miscommunication trope and perhaps are growing out of our love for YA. Even as characters promise to do better by being honest and open, then they go ahead and do the opposite. That is one reason I've taken a star off for this book. That was a bit frustrating; this is book 2, can we just work together already!? But okay, all relationships need work and they obviously need to work better together.
<i>Namesake</i> was fairly easy to read and was even difficult to put down at the start (until we reach the rocky bits, for me anyway). I had to agree with a minor character about why does it always have to be about Fable 🤣 It's besides the point that Fable is the main protagonist, of course! However, I loved that she sorted out her father issue in this book. It was even really quite heartwarming. On the other hand, while I enjoyed the read, I didn't find it as intense as her other books.
<i>"It was one long series of tragically beautiful knots that bound us together"</i>
I had a discussion with a friend the other week that we hate miscommunication trope and perhaps are growing out of our love for YA. Even as characters promise to do better by being honest and open, then they go ahead and do the opposite. That is one reason I've taken a star off for this book. That was a bit frustrating; this is book 2, can we just work together already!? But okay, all relationships need work and they obviously need to work better together.
<i>Namesake</i> was fairly easy to read and was even difficult to put down at the start (until we reach the rocky bits, for me anyway). I had to agree with a minor character about why does it always have to be about Fable 🤣 It's besides the point that Fable is the main protagonist, of course! However, I loved that she sorted out her father issue in this book. It was even really quite heartwarming. On the other hand, while I enjoyed the read, I didn't find it as intense as her other books.
<i>"It was one long series of tragically beautiful knots that bound us together"</i>
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
4.0
Woo! I just read this in a single sitting! It's a wet day outside; 22C today when it was 37C yesterday so it's been so good to snuggle down with a good read. I only meant to read a few chapters and then to pick up my buddy read book. Well, let's just say, buddy read didn't happen today 🤫
I love nearly everything about the book except that I found the main protagonist, Lila Macapagal, annoying at times and it was also pretty easy to guess who the killer is. It was just too obviously placed. But, I love the setting, the diversity of the characters, and all the food. Oh my goodness, this book is not doing my hips any favours. I am plotting for my meal tomorrow and will be fitting in all the cuisines (Filipinos, Korean, Japanese, and waffles!). I am currently salivating for some kimchi so excuse me a moment while I check my fridge....
Let's just say, READ this book to your hips' peril! It's so easy to swallow and felt pretty good going down.
I love nearly everything about the book except that I found the main protagonist, Lila Macapagal, annoying at times and it was also pretty easy to guess who the killer is. It was just too obviously placed. But, I love the setting, the diversity of the characters, and all the food. Oh my goodness, this book is not doing my hips any favours. I am plotting for my meal tomorrow and will be fitting in all the cuisines (Filipinos, Korean, Japanese, and waffles!). I am currently salivating for some kimchi so excuse me a moment while I check my fridge....
Let's just say, READ this book to your hips' peril! It's so easy to swallow and felt pretty good going down.
There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura
3.75
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
A surprise find when trawling through hoopla ;) It was at first the cover; despite being pastel, the combination of pink and blue grabbed me. And that title! Such pithy phrase, I thought, and I couldn't help myself.
The protagonist left her job due to 'burn out' and after all her savings been used up, she needed a paying job BUT... nothing like before. And so, her "adventure" through some short term contracts starting with a surveillance job. I figure maybe a security firm? I didn't actually catch who she's working for (I'm not great with details on audiobook) but it sounded like her dream job. Working on your own, sitting at a desk, etc. But in the end, she found another stressing component to this job and moved on.
And as she moved on from job to job, she found different things she enjoyed, people she liked but yet more things that stressed her out. Even as none of these jobs are what I think as being 'regular' jobs, they are out there and from this protagonist's experience to the title. The protagonist is 36 yo and I'm a few years older than her but I can already tell you without having to move from jobs to jobs that there is no such thing as an easy job. However, the people you work with and liking what you do (if not passion for it) is IT. A lesson for my kids later in life...
<i>There's No Such Things as an Easy Job</i> is an enjoyable and easy listen. A very much slice in life but with 5 different jobs, there was more than enough variety for an entertaining read. And of course, that ending, almost makes me laugh. That's life, lady!
A surprise find when trawling through hoopla ;) It was at first the cover; despite being pastel, the combination of pink and blue grabbed me. And that title! Such pithy phrase, I thought, and I couldn't help myself.
The protagonist left her job due to 'burn out' and after all her savings been used up, she needed a paying job BUT... nothing like before. And so, her "adventure" through some short term contracts starting with a surveillance job. I figure maybe a security firm? I didn't actually catch who she's working for (I'm not great with details on audiobook) but it sounded like her dream job. Working on your own, sitting at a desk, etc. But in the end, she found another stressing component to this job and moved on.
And as she moved on from job to job, she found different things she enjoyed, people she liked but yet more things that stressed her out. Even as none of these jobs are what I think as being 'regular' jobs, they are out there and from this protagonist's experience to the title. The protagonist is 36 yo and I'm a few years older than her but I can already tell you without having to move from jobs to jobs that there is no such thing as an easy job. However, the people you work with and liking what you do (if not passion for it) is IT. A lesson for my kids later in life...
<i>There's No Such Things as an Easy Job</i> is an enjoyable and easy listen. A very much slice in life but with 5 different jobs, there was more than enough variety for an entertaining read. And of course, that ending, almost makes me laugh. That's life, lady!
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
4.0
I have to admit that I jumped into this book not knowing exactly what it is about. I have been aware of this book for a while but the illustrations did not particularly grabbed me so it didn't get added to my TBR. Picking up this book now, though, I realise that I would have missed out so much if I didn't read it.
While I find the illustrations not quite to my liking (I'm more of a manga person), the content of this graphic novel blew me away. The author tells of her childhood in war-torn Iran, her 'exile' in Vienna, and then her return to Iran as a young woman. She spoke of her traumas, her love for her family, her love for her country (her home) but yet her abhorrence of the Islamic state, her diasporic feelings, and many more issues. I admire her for having remembered all these things that she could share and her ability to write her feelings out fluently. Admittedly, it probably took her a long time to grow and come to terms with all these things. And at the same time, I feel that I haven't lived at all (a very sheltered life is mine).
Highly recommended if you wish to discover what someone like Marjane Satrapi (Irani and emigrant) experienced.
While I find the illustrations not quite to my liking (I'm more of a manga person), the content of this graphic novel blew me away. The author tells of her childhood in war-torn Iran, her 'exile' in Vienna, and then her return to Iran as a young woman. She spoke of her traumas, her love for her family, her love for her country (her home) but yet her abhorrence of the Islamic state, her diasporic feelings, and many more issues. I admire her for having remembered all these things that she could share and her ability to write her feelings out fluently. Admittedly, it probably took her a long time to grow and come to terms with all these things. And at the same time, I feel that I haven't lived at all (a very sheltered life is mine).
Highly recommended if you wish to discover what someone like Marjane Satrapi (Irani and emigrant) experienced.
A House of Ghosts by W. C. Ryan
2.75
🎧Audiobook Review🎧
Truly, I enjoyed this book. BUT. I would have enjoyed it more if there were a better range in narrator's voice. Okay, I get it... it's a ghostly secret intelligence tale so lots of whispering involved. However, you don't have you drop your voice so low that I have to toggle the volume up to hear and then have to bring it back down. I got so sick of it that I just ignored the bits I couldn't hear which means that I am probably missing quite a few bits of the story. I may have enjoyed it better on print.
<i>A House of Ghosts</i> has all the potentials for a great read for me. A sensitive* codebreaker turn spy protagonist with a whodunit (locked down "house") flavour and a freezing chill of spectral presence. Quite an interesting mix in this novel. I could see potential for his protagnist and her love interest as a serial and would be interested if there were more. I think it's a stand alone though. The showdown at the end was great although the ending of the book itself was rather abrupt. And aside from all the bits I've missed, a highly entertaining read.
Truly, I enjoyed this book. BUT. I would have enjoyed it more if there were a better range in narrator's voice. Okay, I get it... it's a ghostly secret intelligence tale so lots of whispering involved. However, you don't have you drop your voice so low that I have to toggle the volume up to hear and then have to bring it back down. I got so sick of it that I just ignored the bits I couldn't hear which means that I am probably missing quite a few bits of the story. I may have enjoyed it better on print.
<i>A House of Ghosts</i> has all the potentials for a great read for me. A sensitive* codebreaker turn spy protagonist with a whodunit (locked down "house") flavour and a freezing chill of spectral presence. Quite an interesting mix in this novel. I could see potential for his protagnist and her love interest as a serial and would be interested if there were more. I think it's a stand alone though. The showdown at the end was great although the ending of the book itself was rather abrupt. And aside from all the bits I've missed, a highly entertaining read.
The Green Mile: The Complete Serial Novel by Stephen King
4.5
I am not a fan of his horror books. I think I made it through [book:It] but haven't been able to go further than the first few chapters of his other horror books. However, I just loved [book:11/22/63] and enjoyed his dark fantasy series, The Dark Tower. I've given up on his horror books but this one stuck around my shelf for long enough.
This was somewhat an experimental writing exercise by King, it seems. He wanted to publish serials like Charles Dickens though of course, of very different topic. I couldn't tell you if it was truly successful as a serial as I read this as an omnibus; I inhaled all novellas in basically one breath. So, it was definitely a great story with epic human interest with a sprinkle of the supernatural and a dose of cuteness (hard to see what's really cute about this novel but just so we're clear, I'm talking about Mr. Jingles).
It's a heavy topic / story to read but I just couldn't put it down because I just had to know what/how things were going to go down. It's not a happy story overall but it is life. As it is, I'm not sure if I'd be able to watch the movie... I'll need a breather just now.
This was somewhat an experimental writing exercise by King, it seems. He wanted to publish serials like Charles Dickens though of course, of very different topic. I couldn't tell you if it was truly successful as a serial as I read this as an omnibus; I inhaled all novellas in basically one breath. So, it was definitely a great story with epic human interest with a sprinkle of the supernatural and a dose of cuteness (hard to see what's really cute about this novel but just so we're clear, I'm talking about Mr. Jingles).
It's a heavy topic / story to read but I just couldn't put it down because I just had to know what/how things were going to go down. It's not a happy story overall but it is life. As it is, I'm not sure if I'd be able to watch the movie... I'll need a breather just now.