Thursday, August 16, 2018
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Personal Info Dump
Last Exit Reading Event
So I went to this on Friday. The authors read excerpts from their work and then took turns asking each other questions. When it was over they stuck around for a bit to sign books and mingle with the socially skilled people. I bought two books and managed to say something stupid to each author, despite not saying much. But other than that, I thought it went well. :)
Ana Carrete was also there, but she read from zines.
Ordeal by Innocence: A Review
Elliptical Rating: 4 / 5
Note: I received a promotional copy through the First Reads program.
I've read several by Christie and this one holds up pretty well against the others. It's certainly one of the faster-paced novels I've read by her. In the absence of a dominant detective (Poirot, Marple) she does a good job of juggling the different characters. The solution makes sense. The ending is cute, but a bit silly.
(I don't like the cover, as there are seven suspects. Not a factor in the rating though.)
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Off the Shelf: This or That Tag
Courtesy of Dr. Sterkel at this fine blog:
http://ajsterkel.blogspot.com/2018/07/this-or-that-tag-stressful-edition.html
1. Series or Stand-Alone?
Stand-alone. Too many authors write series so they don't have to come up with new ideas. It's also a way to get readers because they feel obligated to continue what they started, not because the books are good.
2. Magic Earned or Magic Born?
Neither. The only good thing we got from the Harry Potter books was Lindsay Lohan's SNL skit.
3. Enemies to Lovers or Friends to Lovers?
Friends to Lovers. I think it's more realistic. Not that I've ever wanted a friend to be my lover. But some of the basics needed for a good romance are the same as the ones for a good friendship.
4. Hilarious Banter or Emotional Ruin?
A spot of humor can be good. But I think a heavy dose of cynicism is part of a healthy diet. Not like 'my brother's dying from cancer'. More like people are horrible and the world sucks. So more like jaded and dead inside than whining and crying.
5. Love Triangle or Insta-Love?
Love triangle. I think insta-love is stupid. It's either lust or people desperate to find somebody to latch onto.
6. Keyboard-Smash Names or All Names Start with the Same Letter?
Keyboard-smash. The same letter thing just seems lazy.
7. Mean Parents or Dead Parents?
Dead. I don't care about your parents. I don't want to read about them.
8. Supermodel Looks or Constantly Complaining About How Plain They are?
Supermodel looks. Plain people are all over the place. I don't need to read about them. I don't need to read books about complaining either.
9. Face on Cover or Typography on Cover?
Face. Typography just seems lazy. If you can't be bothered to come up with a good pic for your cover, why should I be bothered to read your book?
10. Villain Turning a Little Good or Hero Turning a Little Bad?
I feel like villainess who's good in bed should be an option. I'll go with hero who's a little bad though. Not turning. Just already is. Like Rick in Casablanca.
If you would like to do this tag, have at it. After you've visited Dr. Sterkel at the link I posted above.
Monday, July 23, 2018
City of Devils - A Review
Note: I received a promotional ARC through the First Reads program.
I thought this was an interesting and informative read. French brought a lot of different elements together: business dealings, drugs, gambling, war, poverty, etc. Having not been previously familiar with 1930s Shanghai, the international culture of the city really stood out to me. The pacing and readability are decent, and at 276 pages there's enough meat on the bones without being too daunting.
Shanghai between the world wars was a home to those with nowhere else to go and no one else to take them in... The city asked nothing of them, not visas nor money nor status. Shanghai became a city of reinvention.
Food inflation; firearms deflation - that's the Badlands' law of supply and demand.
Monday, July 9, 2018
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