Rated Doctor Who: The Book of Kells 10/10
I very much enjoyed this historical! I like Tamsin, I like the setting, the twist(s), all of it.
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Wants to read All This Could Be Different
Wants to read The Stolen: Two Short Stories
Rated The Nightlife: New York 10/10
I read this book while riding the subways underground in New York, it seemed appropriate. There were a few times when I wondered if the person next to me was trying to read along as I turned the pages, as some of the scenes are a tad... graphic, and potentially attention-grabbing if one's eye sees a choice word or too while glancing over. <br/><br/>This book assumes you already know a few specifics about how vampires live. It draws from the recent wave of supernatural/vampire-driven books and adds the specifics of a locality. In this case, New York. <br/><br/>I thought the book was immensely readable. Michelle was a well-rounded character, as was Aaron. I wish there was more background on Michelle - perhaps in upcoming works in the series. Aaron's background gave his character a lot of added dimension.<br/><br/>I'd recommend this book for people who like a character-driven story with a few titillating scenes here and there, and of course those who like vampire novels. Looking forward to seeing the series develop. All-in-all, a solid read.
Rated So Far Gone 10/10
<div>Admittedly, I tend to be a Jess Walter diehard, but I absolutely loved this. All his novels (that I've read; I'm missing the earliest two) are great, but this one has to be one of his best. Right up there with <em>Beautiful Ruins</em> and <em>Citizen Vince</em>.<br><br>I know, it helps that I lived in Spokane for 7 years, so all these places are quite familiar to me, including having a bunch of extremists next door in Idaho. They weren't as bold when I lived there in the '00s, but I have paid attention in the years since I've moved away, so I know about these assholes who show up at parades and other events trying to make their militia religion part of the fabric of life. Mostly, they are ridiculous and petrified of their own shadows, despite all the posturing.<br><br>But our main guy here, Rhys Kinnick, is a retired newspaperman, a real old school journalist who once knew the ins and outs of everything around him, but who has spent 7 years retreating to the woods after a family blowup, and life has changed considerably in his absence. When his grandkids show up with a note from their mother, needing someone to watch them, he's pulled back into civilization. Then the militia guys, friends of their father, try to kidnap the grandchildren.<br><br>Walter is very fair to the father, describing how a recovering addict might find themselves attracted to an insular community mixed with strict religion. He's not as "far gone" as some of his fellow men at "The Rampart," but he's also very intense and apt to believe wildass conspiracy theories. Hence the family dinner that led Kinnick to punch him in the face.<br><br>This all sounds very serious, but it's actually a very funny novel. I will not spoil the circumstances, but one of my favorite characters was Jeff, just a humble shrooms salesman who only briefly appears, but he's great. Like, someone adapt this into a limited series so we can see some more hijinks with Jeff.<br><br>Anyway! READ IT. It's so great. Truly. Among my faves this year, for sure.</div><div><br></div>
Wants to read The Ruin of All Witches: Life and Death in the New World