Wants to read The Principles of Uncertainty
book
Rated The Night Circus 8/10
One criticism I have read about The Night Circus is that it relies too much on set description at the expense of action, and I suppose I can see that point, but I rather enjoyed all the scene-laying. If we are to believe in the fantastic beauty of this place, then we need to be able to see it. The plot, especially the challenge, is a slow-burner, but I didn't mind.<br><br>Part of what makes the book so effective is that it taps into our desires for something greater than ourselves, and our yearning for moments of magic. The circus provides an escape for all who visit it, a place where they have no responsibilities other than to enjoy the experience. Because there are different tents instead of one big tent with different scheduled events, the guests are invited to choose their own path. The circus does not dictate what one should find pleasurable, or when one should see it. A person can spend all night in one tent, or they can try to visit as many as they can before sunrise. It's a lovely idea.<br><br>(My full review can be found at <a href="http://glorifiedloveletters.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-night-circus-by-erin-morgenstern.html">Glorified Love Letters</a>.)
Rated Ghost Stories of an Antiquary 9/10
<div>Very much enjoying my first time reading M.R. James. Perfect reading for October (or Christmas).</div>
Rated Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth 10/10
Like a lot of people, probably, I picked this up after Warsan Shire's poetry was featured in Beyonce's LEMONADE. I am so glad I did.
Reviewed Original Sins: A Novel of Slavery & Freedom
(received this, but haven't read it. It's not really something I'm interested in, but I have added it to Bookswap for someone who might be. No point in it sitting around here unloved, right?)
Rated The Birds & Don't Look Now 8/10
Two great, unsettling stories read by one of my favorites, Peter Capaldi. I will admit to listening to these solely BECAUSE of him and his fantastic voice, but these are legitimately enjoyable stories. I've seen the film version of The Birds, and it's always interesting to note the differences between the film and book versions. Definitely recommend this two-fer download.
Rated Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? 8/10
<div>I was surprised by how much liked this.</div>
Rated Torchwood: The Green Life 9/10
<div>I like it when older Jo pops up in things, and pairing her with Captain Jack worked well. And I gotta say, just hearing about the giant maggots instead of seeing them this time was preferable, ha.</div>
Rated The Age of Innocence 10/10
<div>Edith Wharton is one of the best to ever do it.</div>
Rated Doctor Who: Colditz 8/10
I haven't listened to too many Seventh Doctor audio adventures, but I liked this one. Ace is always good, and it was interesting to hear David Tennant as the baddie, since this was made before the show came back. Decent story, side good characters.
Rated Love and Other Consolation Prizes 8/10
His best one yet.
Wants to read Otherwise Pandemonium / Not a Star
Rated Birnam Wood 9/10
<div>In some ways, this book is the spiritual successor to Catton's previous novel, The Luminaries — nefarious businessmen, money to be made off elements in the ground, and the consequences of entangling yourself with the sort of person who sees you as a means to an end. However, Birnam Wood is definitely not the same book, moving us to the modern day fictional area of Thorndike, New Zealand. There are young idealists, gardeners who just want to save the world a little a time, and the willful ignorance of the always upwardly-grasping rich (and the ultra-rich taking advantage of them all). Everyone is compromised in their own way, despite their posturing and efforts to appear otherwise. You definitely won't like everyone here, but that's not the point.<br><br>If I had any complaints, the semi-abrupt ending left me with a few questions, but I also see what Catton was doing with it. When pressed against the wall, when you only have what is in front of you to work with, all your speeches and myth-making no longer matter. With the time remaining, what are you able to DO?<br><br></div>
Rated The Good Soldier: A Tale of Passion 8/10
This is a sneaky one. At some points, it seems so disjointed that it takes a minute for one to grasp the thread: a tragedy of living by expectations. Can see why people reread this even with nobody to like and a story of nothing but dashed hopes and comeuppances.
Rated Beautiful Ruins 10/10
Let's get one thing out of the way up front: <i>Beautiful Ruins</i> is an absolutely perfect book, and if you read any review that claims otherwise, then that reviewer is trying too hard to be a smug killjoy and they should not be trusted. You should perhaps ask them if they also enjoy popping children's balloons and talking on their phone during movies because only a jerk would hate on this book.<br><br>In Sara-parlance: <i>I wanted to hug this book's face off.</i><br><br>(My full review can be found on <a href="http://glorifiedloveletters.blogspot.com/2012/07/beautiful-ruins-by-jess-walter.html">Glorified Love Letters</a>.)
Rated Northanger Abbey 6/10
<div>For a sense of completion, I carried on with the audio version of this book that's part of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55873397.The_Jane_Austen_Collection_An_Audible_Original_Drama">The Jane Austen Collection: An Audible Original Drama</a>, which is full cast and narrated by Emma Thompson. I liked this fine, but it might be my least favorite of the Austen books. The sendup of gothic romance bits were amusing, and there are the usual excellent Austen-style cutting remarks, but otherwise, Catherine is more or less at the whims of others.</div>
Wants to read Lady Stuff: Secrets to Being a Woman
Wants to read I Miss You When I Blink: Essays
Rated The Rise 6/10
<div>There are way too many characters stuffed into this 85 page story, and not enough dialogue tags, but after recently reading some heavier fare, a simply murder mystery procedural was still an enjoyable balm —though that does sound funny to say, considering the subject matter.</div>