#myske-reads

[myske-reviews-0]

The Secret Runners of New York

Reilly, 2019

Finished Sunday, May 5

This book was a fun take on time travel and the thriller genre. The orientation was a little bit slower than your traditional Matthew Reilly opening, but it does build up. It had a really good sense of pace, and although it was gripping, it didn’t seem rushed. In reflection, it was actually quite well crafted.

I loved the take on time travel, that was really interesting. So often, we get time travel stories where the focus is on preventing or changing the future, and I like that Reilly doesn’t bother trying to do that. 

The ‘Mean Girls’-esque take was also an interesting choice that I think worked well. Again, it surprises the audience by putting immense power into the hands of people who wouldn’t traditionally have this power.

I really enjoyed this. I love Reilly’s series, but sometimes it’s nice to read some of his other things. 

[myske-reviews-0]

Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda

Becky Albertalli, Penguin books, 2015

Finished Tuesday, April 11

Teeth rottingly sweet! I love this book! I love Simon! This was so cute and fluffy, I don’t even know where to begin. I read it all in one go. I mean, I really thought that I was going to read about fifty pages then head to sleep, but this book had other plans for me. The novel centres around Simon, who is a gay teenager, and it follows him on his journey of self discovery, coming out, growing up, and finding love. The ending will make you squeal with delight, everyone loves a happy ending.

The story basically included every cute relationship trope that you might find in fan fiction, but I still loved it. It was wonderfully written and I thought it incorporated modern social media platforms quite well. The bulk of the communication between Simon and Blue happen over Tumblr and through email, which means that Albertalli is able to write longer passages to progress the story.

Since I’ve finished it, I’ve been convincing everyone I come into contact with to either borrow my copy or to go out and get a copy of their own. This is that feelgood movie that you watch when you’re feeling sick or down, you can revisit it many times, it’s a bit cheesy, but it cheers, you up every time.

[myske-reviews]

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Truman Capote, Random House, 1958

Finished Saturday December 31

This was a wonderful portrait of a fantastically deluded individual. A quick and easy read. It made me think of the show, ‘Don’t trust the B in apartment 23′. Holly was such an interesting character. I’m surprises that I haven’t read any of Capote’s work before. 2017 will be the year to rectify that!

[myske-reviews]

I know why the caged bird sings

(cover design: Gray318)

Maya Angelou, Random House, 1969 (Virago Press 2015)

Finished Saturday December 31

After reading this, I can see why she is such a celebrated memoirist. This felt so honest. A great story teller brings the reader right the way inside their home and at the end of it you feel like you’ve had a great secret imparted to you, and that’s how I felt at the end of this.

I’m not really sure what more to add. I guess, you never really think about the life experiences of people in the public eye. I mean, you get a glimpse, and you get a sense of it, but this really was something else. Her recollections of Momma, her brother, Bailey, her parents and all the other people in her life, reinforce that idea that it takes a village to raise a child. Just wow.

[myske-reviews]

Wonder

R. J. Palacio, Corgi, 2012

Finished Friday December 23 2016

I read this in one sitting. That’s right, I didn’t even stop to go to the bathroom, or to get a drink, or anything. It was just that readable. And wow, just wow! This was a delightful read, the characters that Palacio creates are all deeply relatable, and the extra Julian chapter at the end killed me. It was a great way to expand the world, and also offer some insight into how our actions and the actions of those around us can impact others. 

The protagonist, Auggie, was delightful and funny and so personable. I loved that although, the character is supposed to be 11 or 12, Palacio does not infantalise him, as some authors tend to do with younger characters. Having parts of the story told from the perspectives of other characters is a stroke of genius! 

There are so many great things about this book; the plot, the structure, the themes, the language! The heartache of the Bleeding Scream! Olivia! And Daisy! I’m going to make sure that everyone I know reads this!

[myske-reviews]

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (illustrated)

J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury 1998; Jim Kay (illus.), Bloomsbury, 2016

Finished re reading, Friday December 23 2016

Ahh, the heir of Slytherin is back, and Jim Kay brings this story to life with his brilliant illustrations. The only criticism I have is that I felt that it was not strictly necessary to have so many spiders, but hey, that’s just me.

What can I write? I loved this story when I read it the first time, and I love it now with the lovely illustrations. I can’t wait for more!

[myske-reviews]

Troll Mountain

Matthew Reilly, Pan Macmillan Australia, 2014

Finished Sunday October 30

This is Matthew Reilly writing fantasy/action fables for, I guess, the younger reader. It didn’t take long to finish and it was a pretty entertaining read. Although the ‘hero’s journey’ trope is way over done, it is still obviously one that grabs readers. It was a cute story about a boy, Raf, who tries to steal an elixir to cure his sister, Kira, of a disease. On his journey, he gets a mentor, converts an enemy into a friend, frees prisoners, saves a princess and destroys an empire. All in a day’s work, really! And at the end, like all good heroes, he learns something invaluable about himself.

As I was reading this story, I couldn’t help but compare it to ‘Rowan of Rin’, the only difference here is that on his journey, Raf gains more companions whereas Rowan loses his as he goes further on. I think I like the message in ‘Troll Mountain’ better, as it highlights the idea that heroes need a strong support network, and success doesn’t happen in isolation.

I guess if I had to put forward criticism, I would point out that the female characters in the novel did little more than wait for the men to save them, or allow the males to speak on their behalf. Sometimes I read these types of stories, and authors often overlook the fact that this invisibility reinforces traditionally held stereotypes about the roles of men and women. Did I want a female heroine? Not necessarily. What I’d really like to see, is just a little bit more agency from the female characters.

I’d recommend this novel to anyone who’s looking for a quick weekend read.

[myske-reviews]

Sandman Vol 2: the Doll’s House

(cover design by Richard Bruning)

Niel Gaiman, Vertigo, 2010

Finished Saturday October 29

I loved this! Neil Gaiman is such a master story teller! I bought this graphic novel ages ago and for some reason, even though I really enjoyed Vol 1: Preludes and Nocturnes, I never picked this one up. I’m glad I have now though. I was such a gripping read. The different stories winding together and the expansion of the world attest to why it has stood the test of time. 

The tale of Nada was so lyrical and sad. It really reinforced in my mind how lonely Morpheus was, and I guess to an extent it justified why he was so hard on his servants. I really hope he gets a happy ending!

At the end of it all, I wondered what had happened to Hob. I feel like I missed something there.

I’m definitely heading out to get the next few installments of this series!