Wants to read Modern Lovers
book
Rated Anansi Boys 10/10
Really enjoyed this. Since this was a radio drama, I'm looking forward to reading the actual book.
Rated The Abortionist's Daughter: A Novel 6/10
I liked The Abortionist’s Daughter, and it reminded me a little bit of another book I’ve read, [b:The House of Eliott|748336|The House of Eliott|Jean Marsh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1177989270s/748336.jpg|734478] by Jean Marsh. Though Marsh’s book is set a decade later, both she and DeCarlo delight in describing the fashions and food of their chosen time period. I’m not an expert, but it <i>feels</i> authentic, and that’s the important thing. Although there are technical and craft missteps that took me out of the story here and there, I’m still pleased that I read it, and anyone looking for a lighter take on early feminism may very well enjoy it too.<br><br>(My full review appears at <a href="http://persephonemagazine.com/2014/11/book-review-the-abortionists-daughter-by-elisa-decarlo/">Persephone Magazine</a>.)
Rated Before You Knew My Name 7/10
<div>This is an interesting take on the "body of a young woman found murdered" mystery genre, and even though how it shakes out feels almost a <em>bit</em> coincidental, I was definitely invested enough before then. I also appreciated that our second protagonist has her reasons for pursuing an answer, and that pursuit does not focus much on teaming up with the NYPD, and it is more circumspect when it comes to "true crime" as a hobby. Her reasons aren't a hobby, but I also wish <spoiler>she had not pursued romance in the end. I get that it demonstrates she's pursuing something healthier, but I maybe would have preferred that, with the help of seeing her new friends, she was more committed to finding out who she was outside of men and the terrible things that they do.</spoiler></div>
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.
Wants to read Loud in the House of Myself: Memoir of a Strange Girl
Rated The Narrow Door: A Memoir of Friendship 10/10
I guess if I were being nitpicky, I'd say it's a 4.5 for me because sometimes I was hoping for the story arcs to be a bit more firm/clear, but I also understand that part of the point is that life does not work out neatly. We do the best we can. Still, this is an excellent book.
Rated The Last Repatriate 8/10
I told myself, “Just because this is a short novella does not mean you are going to stay up late and read the whole thing at once.”<br><br>… And then I read the entire book at once.<br><br>(My full review can be found at <a href="http://www.wordriot.org/archives/4480">Word Riot</a>.)
Rated Doctor Who: The Man Who Wasn't There 8/10
Rated The Great Believers 10/10
What an amazing, beautiful, sad, hopeful, and still-relevant-today story. Reading this during a time where we're dealing with a different virus/pandemic, political protests, healthcare struggles (and the indifference of professionals who might not care about your illness at first), and the weird, heady mix of trauma and hope that can grow in a person... it's a lot. Do read this, if you haven't already.
Wants to read Otherwise Pandemonium / Not a Star
Rated Doctor Who: Whispers of Terror 7/10
Rated The War Master: His Greatest Trick 8/10
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.
Wants to read I Miss You When I Blink: Essays
Rated The Scarlet Letter & the House of the Seven Gables 8/10
(I only read the introductory chapters from the editor and The House of the Seven Gables, so that is what my rating is based on. I've read the Scarlet Letter, and I didn't like it, but that was over ten years ago and I was a teenager, so I'm not sure what my assessment would be today.)
Rated Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair 6/10
For some reason, I didn't connect with this one as much as I did with his Cien Sonetos de Amor, but I still liked it. More thoughts soon.