I ripped through the first one and this was available immediately at the library, so why not?
What I’m Reading Now: The Damned by Renée Ahdieh
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Tag Archives: library books
Review: Ten Steps to Nanette by Hannah Gadsby (read by the author)
If you’re familiar with Hannah Gadsby’s body of work, in particular her show Nanette, then you have a good idea what the tone of this book is. This memoir is cleverly structured, taking your through Hannah Gadsby’s childhood, teen years, days at uni, her early career, and the big life changes that brought her to writing her shows Nanette and Douglas. If you’ve seen those shows, the material is familiar, but it’s written in such a touching and thoughtful way and with new details that even knowing they outline of the story, I couldn’t turn this off.
Additionally, the book spends a fair amount of time walking through what it was like growing up in Tasmania in the 90s, when homosexuality was illegal there. I can’t help but think how important this story is in a time when the lives of trans kids are constantly debated. Gadsby has given us the gift of her story and insight into the very personal consequences for the people under debate.
This was a really touching and wonderful memoir and I recommend it. But keep a box of tissues nearby. This book made me openly weep.
What I’m Listening to now: The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu (translated by Joel Martinsen; read by P.J. Ochlan)
Another book brought to me by my public library!
What I’m Listening to now: Ten Steps to Nanette by Hannah Gadsby
Quick Review: The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu (translated by Ken Liu and read by Luke Daniels)
This is now a series on netflix and when I watched it a few months ago and discussed what I thought of the show, a friend who had read the books suggested that I try them out, too. The book is set largely in China either during the cultural revolution or in modern day. A secret military project in the 60s makes contact with an alien civilization and in the modern day we see the fall out of those actions. A bunch of the modern day stuff takes place in a video game, which gives us an interesting third setting that introduces the characters, and us, to the aliens. There is heroism, selfishness, horror, and surprise. A lot to recommend this bit of sci-fi, really.
Luke Daniels brought many of the characters in the novel to life. I enjoyed his voice acting. I also enjoyed the progress of the novel. I am on the wait list for the next two and I do believe I will check them out from the library when they come available.
Review: The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Set on a small island North of the Arctic circle in Norway in the 1600s, this novel follows the lives of women in a fishing village who lose most of their men in a freak storm and then get caught up in the witch hysteria sweeping Europe. It is centered on the lives of Maren, a young girl woman from the island who lives with her mother, sister-in-law and her newborn nephew and Ursa, the Bergen born newly wed wife of the new Commissioner assigned to the town. Their relationship was an unexpected twist that I really enjoyed. Ursa is not prepared to find herself at the edge of the world in a one room house without so much as a maid and Maren is not expecting to stumble into a friendship with this helpless woman. As their friendship grows, a fever of distrust and poisonous religiosity spread through the village.
This book was compelling. I was infuriated, saddened, and touched. The ending caught me by surprise. If you like books that center women’s stories and historical fiction. I recommend you try this one!
What I’m Listening to now: The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu (translated by Ken Liu and read by Luke Daniels)
This is the book that the netflix show is based on. A friend told me that the books were good, so I put myself on the library wait list for all three books. The first one has finally become available!
What I’m Reading Now: The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Another book suggested by a friend from knitting group in what is becoming the convergence of two different trends in my life: reading books suggested by knitters and crocheters and reading actual physical books I have checked out from the library. I know nothing about this other than Grace said it was good. I can’t wait to get into it!
What I’m Reading Now: The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
I realized that I didn’t read as many books in May as I had in previous months this year. So, I thought about why. In my off time, I binged some shows and played games on my phone, completely checking out. Since that’s not really restful, I decided I needed to find something to encourage me towards less screen time. The library to the rescue. I’ve checked out an actual physical book with a due date in three weeks. I’ll actually have to read. I liked Vampires of El Norte, so I’m excited for this one.
What I’m Listening to Now: Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
2 Women, So Many Books 