Wulf C. Krueger

This is a pretty standard thriller with nothing special to recommend itself over any other of its kind. Basically, a whiny shrink, Joseph “Joe” O'Loughlin, who keeps making stupid decisions throughout the entire book ends up being man-hunted as the prime suspect in a string of murders, starting with a former patient of his. Very early on, when being asked to help in the investigation of the murder, Joe decides it's a brilliant idea to withhold essential information from the police: “All the while I'm thinking, I should say something now. I should tell him. Yet a separate track in my brain is urging, It doesn't matter anymore. He knows her name. What's past is past. It's ancient history.” This stupidity annoys me without end: The cops will find out about such connections anyway so Joe should have told them right away. After all, he will have read this in countless books or seen it a hundred times at the cinema or on TV. Such lies by omission never help. Robotham still using this dead-beat plot device made me groan with despair. Joe O'Loughlin is pretty daft all around, though: He's seriously best friends with a man who – after more than a decade – still tries to get at Joe's wife. When confronted with having Parkinson Joe doesn't talk to his wife but hops into bed with a former prostitute. Yes, the parts where Joe is on the run are suspenseful and I kept on reading but at the end of the day, suspense is not enough. Suspense is not sustainable and provides no “food for thought” and even in a thriller there should at least be a very small bit of that or it will taste stale quickly – just like Michael Robotham's “The Suspect”. Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram

“[b:City of Stairs 20174424 City of Stairs (The Divine Cities, #1) Robert Jackson Bennett https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1394545220l/20174424.SY75.jpg 28030792]” came highly recommended by many friends and I was so looking forward to a murder mystery, an espionage story, a post-war drama, a piece of fantasy, and alternative history. Yes, maybe the sheer breadth of this should have forewarned me but what can I say...The story was... mediocre: A lot of divinity-this, divinity-that, people who want to bring back the “golden days”, profiteers, evil brothers, evil aunts, and other relatives. In short: lots of bullshit.Also, the characters: Shara, the granddaughter of the Kaj, the saviour of his people, and the killer of gods, faultless master spy, genius, is our heroine and she's... boring. Absolutely, breathtakingly boring. She keeps being lucky and only in the end do we see her dealing with her evil scheming aunty. In between, she mostly lurches from one disaster to the next.Part of her luck is called Sigrud. An almost excessively inventive name for what amounts to a Viking. Huge, strong, pragmatic, silent, world-wise, a perfect companion and bodyguard who fights his way into and out of hell. Also: Steampunk. I hate steampunk; steampunk's illogical and impractical approach to technology is so annoying: They have cars but the term “battle-axe” is still present. They have “common firearms” but shoot bolts from crossbows. They have gunpowder and combustion, they work many kinds of metal and into huge projects to boot but they use traditional sailing ships.As so often, steampunk here, too, feels more like a superficial exercise in aesthetics than a thoughtful exploration of science fiction or social commentary. And yet there's a lot of heavy-handed kitchen philosophy to be found in this. Worst of all, though: This novel is so boring! Nobody is relatable and I didn't give a rat's ass about anybody. Despite featuring quite a few characters, most of them essentially “sound” and “feel” alike. For example, Shara and Mulaghesh sound exactly the same from what they say and do.The writing is nothing special either: There are absolutely no highlights but no crimes against language either. In its mediocrity, it feels very fitting.Since the ending was at least somewhat amusing, this garners it two stars instead of the one I originally intended. Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

By this 19th instalment in the Josie Quinn police procedural series, Josie, our heroine, has gone through many traumata: The death of her ex-husband, the shooting of her grandmother, and the death of a colleague - things have amassed and despite being in therapy, Josie suffers from severe insomnia and now there's bad blood between her husband Noah over... something new!No wonder Josie follows her therapist's advice and goes on a retreat with a renowned trauma therapist in a remote, isolated location in the wilderness - what could possibly go wrong?!In a setting that reminded me of Agatha Christie's classic “And Then There Were None”, Josie faces her fear(s) when one of the other participants is murdered... A wild bear also makes an appearance and to top things off, a snowstorm suddenly starts and causes everyone to hole up together - a murderer among them!Without her team, Josie must not only work on her mental health but also find out who killed the victim. A very dense story unfolds brilliantly with a very interesting cast of characters, some chapters from Noah's perspective who involuntarily approaches the case from another angle, and breathtaking descriptions.Investigating without her team, without contact to anyone but the therapist and the other patients around, we get to spend a lot of time in Josie's head. Her thought processes are clever, a delight to read and mostly very plausible. At other times, the action happens at breakneck speed but Regan manages to always find a fitting pacing and blend from one state to the next.Even though the area Josie and the others are confined to is very small, Regan masterfully uses every nook and cranny to weave a strong and complex web about murder, guilt, abandonment, child abuse and much more. We dive deep into the past of most of those at the retreat and, of course, especially the much-bemoaned dead granny and the posthumously-sainted colleague take some room - the latter as a “ghost voice” in Josie's head and in the narration. This is reminiscent of the previous novel during which mourning the dead relegated the actual mystery to the lower ranks. Thankfully, it's by far less prevalent here.And while I hate the despicable abomination of a word, this novel for me was basically “unputdownable”. I'm still on sick leave after surgery, so I had ample time to read and this novel was devoured in six hours and 44 minutes.The usual niggle with these novels is that they contain about 85% actual content and the remaining 15% consist of advertisements for and excerpts from Regan's other novels. This is annoying and leads to the subtraction of one star from this unusual but very thrilling and satisfying read!Four out of five stars.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

There's really not much to say about this beyond the fitting blurb. It's a nice little story of little consequence and length. If you like the author's other works, you will neither regret reading this one nor missing out on it. Three stars out of five.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

I've been in need of some light reading entertainment lately and “[b:The Paradise Problem 199797582 The Paradise Problem Christina Lauren https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1697744363l/199797582.SY75.jpg 204370087]” by [a:Christina Lauren 6556689 Christina Lauren https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1730746046p2/6556689.jpg] certainly fits that bill. Due to Anna, its strong, independent, smart, self-confident, and down-to-earth female lead, it felt surprisingly fresh and real.At its core, “The Paradise Problem” is a delightful blend of wit, charm, and a touch of the absurd, anchored by an emotional resonance that feels authentically raw. While it veers slightly from their earlier works, such as “[b:The Unhoneymooners 42201431 The Unhoneymooners (Unhoneymooners, #1) Christina Lauren https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1548201335l/42201431.SY75.jpg 65813986]” (which I also enjoyed), it still boasts that inimitable Christina Lauren spark, albeit with a stronger focus on individuality and the intricacies of self-discovery. The setting—a tension-filled reunion with Liam's dysfunctional family—only heightens the stakes, making me appreciate the story even more.Centred on Anna, our brilliant and self-possessed protagonist, the novel immediately strikes a balance between lighthearted banter...[After Liam asks her not to use certain words]»“You've just ensured that these words will now be staples in our marital relationship.”«... and poignant moments of genuine vulnerability. Anna's relatability is what makes her so engaging—she's smart, confident, and real, yet still grappling with the chaos that life throws at her. One of my favourite moments from early in the book is perfectly encapsulated in Anna's excitement over impending chaos:»She leans forward and hugs me. “This is going to be a disaster. I'm so excited!”«This clever perspective on calamity helps establish Anna's resilience and wit, making her both hilarious and human. While Christina Lauren often excels at crafting relatable heroines, Anna stands out with how she handles the challenges of navigating family drama and new romance—all while grappling with “robot luggage”:»I'd love to change but I have no idea where my robot luggage is. I assume it's followed us of its own volition somehow.«Compared to other works by Christina Lauren, “The Paradise Problem” feels slightly more introspective. While it retains their signature romantic element, it's not all swoon-worthy grand gestures. Instead, the book champions quieter, more meaningful demonstrations of love, as Anna beautifully reflects in the epilogue:»The world tells girls we should want romantic, flashy grand gestures, and those can be great. But if I had given it deeper thought, I know I'd have dreamed up something just like this—an offer given with honesty and communication and mutual respect—over anything showy.«This simple thought reflects perfectly the kind of relationship Anna and Liam formed, as wonderfully written by Christina Lauren. I also appreciated the slow evolution of Liam, Anna's romantic counterpart. His personality, shaped by a strict father and rigid upbringing, pales at times in comparison to Anna's dynamism. Yet, his growth feels earned, inspired by Anna's influence. Still, I found him a touch overshadowed by Anna's vibrance, his evolution, however, felt natural.If you're looking for a feel-good read with some substance and just the right amount of emotional depth, I highly recommend this one. Anna's journey is ultimately about finding joy and authenticity, and by the end, it'll likely leave you cheering her on.Five out of five stars.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

If you came here looking for the third instalment of [a:Abby Jimenez' 18446724 Abby Jimenez https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1651706989p2/18446724.jpg] “Part of Your World” funny and fluffy romance series, you'd be both right and wrong. While starting out on a fun premise, “[b:Just for the Summer 195820807 Just for the Summer (Part of Your World, #3) Abby Jimenez https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1727946234l/195820807.SY75.jpg 197775193]” evolves into areas that are anything but fun and light, and—for me—Jimenez pulled it off really well. Justin and Emma both feel “cursed” - they date someone and once it's over, their respective ex meets their “soulmate”. When they realise they share this, any romance's direction is clear: they have to date each other to “break” the “curse”, and, afterwards, meet their respective soulmate.During the early parts of the novel, they meet, they like each other, and proceed to date—it's all nice, light, and (mostly) easy...»I dropped to one knee.She sucked in air. “Uh, what are you doing?” she said, her eyes darting around.“Romance.”“Justin, stop it,” she whispered. “Get up! Get up!”I took her hand and did my best to make my face straight. People were already stopping to watch. I made my voice low so only she could hear it. “Emma, would you do me the honor of delousing my family with me?”«Emma is a travelling nurse, taking temporary jobs all over the US with her best friend, Maddy, always at her side. From early on, there is a feeling of unease about her—something feels not quite right...Justin seems to lead a successful professional life, has a good relationship with his mother and his siblings—but there is also some avoidance, much anger, and a lot of hidden tension... The typical romance would have gone on to scratch the surface of these issues, create some drama based upon them, thrown in a few common tropes, and secured a happily-ever-after (HEA). This is what I expected and came for.When times are difficult, romance with its guaranteed HEA is my refuge.Instead, Jimenez takes time to explore Emma's constant travelling and detachment, as well as Justin's own issues of a different kind. She does incorporate a few typical romance traits like some (very short-lived) miscommunication, a third-act breakup (even though it's very different from the usual annoying ones), but, towards the middle of the novel, she really starts exploring her characters. And that's where my perspective and expectations were turned upside down.»She shrugged. “You don't have to forgive [...]. You can still love someone that you've decided not to speak to anymore. You can still wish them well and hope for the best for them. Choosing a life without them doesn't mean you stop caring about them. It just means that you can't allow them to harm you anymore. But if you don't think your life would be better without them in it, then accept that they have cracks. Try to understand how they got them and help fill them with something that isn't ice.” She peered at me. “If you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy, Justin. It's so much healthier than anger. For both of you.”«Slowly and sensitively, Jimenez lets her story evolve, and I realised that my coveted HEA was far from assured. From the moment of this realisation onward, I practically became glued to my Kobo. I became immensely emotionally invested in both Emma and Justin as well as their families. Because the author carefully depicts not only our heroes but also the secondary characters. Especially Justin's family was so relatable and likeable that I couldn't help but root for them as well.Just like them, I simultaneously hated and understood Justin's and Emma's third-act breakup. It was the mature and sensible response to their respective discoveries about themselves and, thus, a departure from the usual crap a third-act breakup is. Both of them took their responsibilities to themselves, their respective families and each other very seriously and Jimenez found a great way to show us.“Just for the Summer” with its carefully handled issues of panic attacks, anxiety, PTSD, depression, depictions of undiagnosed mental health issues, a toxic mother, and past child neglect is not typical for the romance genre and especially not for Abby Jimenez. It surpasses its roots and while I understand the criticism “not a romance”, I applaud this successful attempt to create something that expands on the traditional romance genre—a romance, though, it is.I also happen not to agree with those who reject this as “depressing chick-lit”: While parts are certainly not fun at all, the approach Jimenez chose is consistently and coherently life-affirming, though not always easy on the reader.Furthermore, I take issue with the term “chick-lit” as it is dismissive and condescending. It trivializes its targets, by framing them as light, insignificant, or less valuable than other books. Plus, it assumes these books are only for women, which I find completely unfair. As a man, I've read and enjoyed many novels that get slapped with this label, and it frustrates me how it perpetuates gender stereotypes about storytelling and readership. It discourages diverse readership, and marginalizes stories that center women's experiences, unfairly implying they're frivolous or less universally meaningful.Just like love is love (between consenting adults), a good story is a good story, regardless of who writes it or who reads it.I would have loved to read a little more about what happens after the ending and at some points, I wished for a slightly faster pacing. On the other hand, the writing was good (albeit not great) and, ultimately, for daring to rise beyond the usual confines of its genre, while also having to apply slightly more rigorous standards for that reason, I award this four stars out of five.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

A funny story, literally, was promised but what I actually got was a(nother) luke-warm novel by the [a:Emily Henry 13905555 Emily Henry https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1573928938p2/13905555.jpg] of “[b:Beach Read 52867387 Beach Read Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589881197l/52867387.SX50.jpg 67832247]” or “[b:Book Lovers 58690308 Book Lovers Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638867089l/58690308.SY75.jpg 92341790]” which were similarly uninspired.After having read “[b:Happy Place 61718053 Happy Place Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660145160l/61718053.SY75.jpg 97321939]” and “[b:People We Meet on Vacation 54985743 People We Meet on Vacation Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618913179l/54985743.SX50.jpg 67832306]” before, I approached this one with a sense of anticipation, although perhaps with a slight hint of trepidation, given the mixed experiences I've had with her writing.“[b:Funny Story's 194802722 Funny Story Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691777485l/194802722.SY75.jpg 196167481]” plot is not without its merits; there are moments of genuine wit and insight that had me smiling in recognition. However, I found the overall experience to be somewhat lacking in substance.The characters are a mixed bag: They're not unlikable, by any means, but they lack the depth and complexity that would make them truly compelling. Their interactions are often predictable, and their motivations often feel muddled and unclear. This is particularly true of the main character (whose name I've already forgotten), whose internal struggles and conflicting emotions are a central focus of the story.The plot itself is engaging enough, although it does suffer from some pacing issues. There are moments when the story drags, and others where it feels rushed and overwhelmed. This inconsistency made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the narrative.Henry's writing style is, as always, pleasant and easy to read. Her prose is clear and concise, and she has a knack for creating vivid, evocative images. However, her writing often feels surface-level, lacking subtlety and nuance.In comparison to Henry's previous works, “Funny Story” falls somewhere in the middle. It's not as strong as “People We Meet on Vacation”, which I found to be a compelling exploration of home, love and friendship, but it's not as disappointing as “Beach Read”, which felt like a missed opportunity. It's a solid, if unremarkable, addition to her oeuvre.In conclusion, “Funny Story” is a decent read, but not more. It's a shame, actually, as there are moments of genuine brilliance in this novel, moments that hint at the potential that Henry has as a writer. It's a perfectly fine way to pass the time, but it's not a book that will linger in your memory long after you've turned the final page.Three out of five stars.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

So, my first review of 2024 which starts with one of the two Christmas romances I decided to squeeze in - and sadly, it was slightly disappointing.While I liked both Christian and Megan, the protagonists, who fake-date two weeks before Christmas in their hometown, they continuously threaten to get lost among all the characters and all that's happening.Because we pretty much meet the entire cast from the first instalment, [b:Holiday Romance 61401417 Holiday Romance (Fitzpatrick Christmas, #1) Catherine Walsh https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1657109678l/61401417.SY75.jpg 96871836], in this one as well - plus a few new characters, like Isaac - Megan's ex-fiancé from whom she ran on the day of their wedding. The film “Runaway Bride” sends its regards...Due to the time we spend with them all, a lot of things are happening and Christian's and Megan's relationship can't really develop. When they're finally really snowed-in like the title promises, the setting of a cabin-in-the-woods is not really used. Yes, there are some cute scenes but it left me waiting for more which never materialised.Another major issue is the role Molly and Andrew from the first novel play: While I'm usually enjoying short “cameos”, this novel actually tried to keep telling more of their story (including major occurrences!) in Christian's and Megan's novel which distorts the focus and is weirdly irritating.»Andrew seems to think so too. He can't stop glancing at her. Nor can he stop tapping his fingers against the steering wheel, a nervous gesture that I doubt he's even aware of. But even if he wanted to, he can't do anything with Christian and me in the car.«There were quite a few things I liked, though: Mental health issues are addressed on an aside but neither do they feel “tacked-on” nor are they over-explored but are just a small part of the story: »I am not having a good day.I would actually go so far as to say that I'm having a bad day.And that's fine. They happen.«I also liked how Christian respects Megan and simply defers to her instead of “manly” deciding what she should do. (And don't I know all too well how difficult that can be...)»Christian catches my gaze, raising a questioning brow. Whatever you want to do, he seems to say. And I know he means it. If I want to go and talk with Isaac, then he'll deal with my brother, so I can. If I want to fight my own battles, he'll stand back and support. He's got me. Just like he said.«At the same time, though, there are truly grating examples of overly banal pathos and clichés that sometimes made me cringe:»And as the exclamations of wonder start behind us, as the bonfire crackles and the stars glint overhead, I lift my lips to his once more and seal it all with a kiss.«Something like that is just a tad overly dramatic - for me at least! If you want to read a fun Christmas romance, go for the first novel in this series instead. (And if you sign up for Walsh's newsletter, you'll get a free short story, [b:A Mistletoe Kiss 203883882 A Mistletoe Kiss (Fitzpatrick Christmas, #1.5) Catherine Walsh https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1702725769l/203883882.SY75.jpg 209742392], continuing the fun.)Since it was still a mostly satisfactory read, I'm at my all-too-common three stars out of five.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

2024 in Reading — And Otherwise2024 has been a challenging year on many levels that ended positively. On a global (rather than personal) level, the worst event was the election of Trump. I fear for friends and their children in the US. I fear for women in the US. As a queer man, I fear for the LGBTQ* community in the US (and worldwide). My thoughts and deeds are with you every day.On a personal level, I've tried to learn, to listen, and to be a better person. As of 31 December, I've been married to the best person I've ever met for 25 years. And I keep discovering just how unbelievably awesome she is even after all this time. I love you, C.Reading helped counteract the negative aspects of 2024 and enhanced the positive ones. Looking at my year in books, I'm especially amused by the stark contrasts: The great “[b:Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow 58784475 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow Gabrielle Zevin https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1636978687l/58784475.SY75.jpg 89167797]” by [a:Gabrielle Zevin 40593 Gabrielle Zevin https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1503541462p2/40593.jpg] was shelved by 2.5 million of my fellow readers, whereas “[b:Dashing All the Way 221764632 Dashing All the Way Chelsea Curto https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1732141858l/221764632.SY75.jpg 228758912]” by [a:Chelsea Curto 20681411 Chelsea Curto https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1656107823p2/20681411.jpg], a contemporary romance that I also greatly enjoyed was shelved by exactly zero people. I've successfully destroyed fond childhood memories by re-reading some classic comics like “Tintin”, which—in general—turned out to be full of colonialist attitudes, xenophobia, and other ideas that I simply didn't notice or understand as a child from Generation X. (And I've come to discover that I deeply respect Generation Z for much of their cultural beliefs. They take in stride what took me decades.)In contrast to that, “Saga” remains the “gold standard” for comics for me. The unwaveringly life-affirming, inclusive, progressive, and simply kind ideas expressed in that comic, and its success give me hope. I wish there were more novels like it. In short: Discover Saga yourselves — it's brilliant!Apart from these individual books, there have, again, been many surprises: I read very few fantasy novels and mostly didn't even enjoy those. Maybe the appeal of it has worn off? I'm going to find out in 2025! (For example by reading “[b:Drumindor 208141987 Drumindor (The Riyria Chronicles, #5) Michael J. Sullivan https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1707559070l/208141987.SX50.jpg 59577640]” by [a:Michael J. Sullivan 2063919 Michael J. Sullivan https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1433443335p2/2063919.jpg], whose style—writing and otherwise—and stories I've loved for many years.)Scrolling over my year in books on Goodreads (which, despite all its shortcomings and changes by Amazon, is still my favourite social media platform for reading), I cannot help but grin at the wild ride it has been — and I very much hope it will be another one in 2025.Happy New Year 2025!Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

“[b:Foster 8143909 Foster Claire Keegan https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328146652l/8143909.SY75.jpg 12942254]” by [a:Claire Keegan 274817 Claire Keegan https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1309920304p2/274817.jpg] is a short story about (parental) love. A girl from an economically-challenged family is sent to relatives, Mrs. and Mr. Kinsella (who have lost their only child), to be temporarily cared for. The Kinsellas seem to be slightly better off than the girl's parents but certainly not much.The strength of this short story lies in what's implied: From the very beginning the unnamed girl is treated with kindness. When she wets her bed, her foster mother scolds herself (and the mattress!) for putting the girl on an old “weeping” mattress and simply goes on to clean it with the girl's help.The girl's foster father takes her on a walk and while talking to her, gives her all the room to respond or to remain silent (and explicitly tells her so) - whatever the girl needs. He simply takes her hand and guides her along her way. Letting her go and return, letting himself be carried by the girl's quiet joy...During her stay over the summer, the girl lives through completely ordinary situations but the Kinsellas do not just give her food and lodging but share their lives and love. They completely open up to the girl and allow themselves to feel for her and treat her like the girl was their own child.The girl herself realises her own incipient tender feelings only at the very end of this story.The writing is immaculate, the pacing is great and the length of less than 15.000 words is perfect. This is probably the most emotional, tender, and kind short story I've read so far.Five out of five stars for the shortest masterpiece I've read. Highly recommended!Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

After having watched the TV shows “Bosch” and “The Lincoln Lawyer”, both based on novels by [a:Michael Connelly 12470 Michael Connelly https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1539114448p2/12470.jpg], I decided it was high-time to read a Bosch novel. Titus Welliver's stellar performance as Bosch raised my expectations sky high...In the novels, Detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch is a homicide detective in Los Angeles, who was named after a painter and whose mother was killed when he was young. He has a daughter with his ex-wife, and follows his own code of ethics. He is a loner and a maverick, who often faces conflicts with his bosses and peers. He is also a Vietnam War veteran where he served as a “tunnel rat”, a soldier who explored and cleared the underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong.He is flawed, damaged, and sometimes reckless, but he is also loyal, brave, and compassionate. He has a strong sense of duty and honour, and he never gives up on a case. He is also very human, and he struggles with his personal relationships and his emotions. He is not perfect, but he is real.In this first novel, “[b:The Black Echo 32508 The Black Echo (Harry Bosch Universe, #1) Michael Connelly https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344265342l/32508.SY75.jpg 48262]”, this is a prominent feature right from the start because a murder victim is found in a drainage pipe which quickly leads to Bosch investigating a bank heist which was carried out through the sewers...“Echo” is an intelligent, well-written police procedural with a Bosch who could have jumped from the TV show back onto the pages of the novel: He's disillusioned, tired, annoyed and angry most of the time and despite all that cannot help but do what's right. He may stretch or break some rules along the way, but he always follows his conscience. I felt myself rooting for him all the way.At least in the beginning of the novel, the writing shows that this was Connelly's debut: It's somewhat wooden and feels slightly clumsy. »He became restless. He looked down into the green glass ashtray and saw that all the butts were unfiltered Camels. Was that Meadow's brand or his killer's? He got up and walked around the room. The faint smell of urine hit him again. He walked back into the bedroom. He opened the drawers of the bureau and stared at their contents once more. Nothing turned in his mind.«After about the first third, though, the writing consistently improves; livelier, more engaging, and more elegant. The pacing was a little slow in the beginning but picked up once Bosch had established rapport with the FBI. The more the story developed, the more fitting and even the pacing felt. From sedate pondering during observations to a wild chase through dark sewage tunnels, overall, Connelly did a great job.“Echo” also seemed a bit dated - when Harry claims dibs on using a typewriter or asks people to look things up for him on the only computer in the department, it is obvious that this novel was first published in 1992. Also, people using public payphones all the time reminded me of those bad old times. I'm glad the TV show pushed things forward in time. I also appreciated the supporting characters: Wish was a highly interesting partner and love interest. Lewis and Clarke, fittingly exploring what Bosch is doing, and trying to find something against him deliver comic relief and, ultimately, get their due... Last and least, Irvin Irving ist an interesting bureaucrat compared to Bosch's relentless pragmatism.The twists during the investigation were quite predictable but that didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the story. Especially since the excellent ending precisely demonstrated what kind of person Bosch is...Four out of five stars.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

DNF. It's definitely me, not you, book!

This is the second time I'm reading “[b:When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit 54283 When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit (Out of the Hitler Time, #1) Judith Kerr https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1339840922l/54283.SY75.jpg 1877851]”. The first time was when it was compulsory reading at school more than 30 years ago. I don't remember much of my reading experience back then but that I felt with Anna, the protagonist and narrator, who had to leave Pink Rabbit back in Germany when her family emigrated to escape the rising Nazism...Now, at 45, I'm impressed for different reasons: First moving from Berlin, Germany, to Zurich, Switzerland, then Paris, France and, finally, London, United Kingdom, both Anna and her brother Max are relatively quick to adapt to their new surroundings.While it's rarely easy for either of them, their resilience in the face of difficult circumstances and optimism is deeply inspiring.Nazism always looms in the background; be it through German tourists who prohibit their children to play with Anna and Max for the sole reason of them being Jewish or the Paris concierge.Both children picture Hitler as personally enjoying the toys they had to leave behind - the eponymous Pink Rabbit and a games compendium - and, thus, make the darkest period in Germany's history ascertainable.The book ends abruptly in a cab in London, shortly after Anna thinks...»“What a pity,” [Anna] thought. “I'll never be famous at this rate!”«Dame Anna Judith Gertrud Helene Kerr, Officer of “The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire”, wasn't too far off the mark: It would take her children's prodding about her childhood to make her publish this semi-autobiographical novel in 1971. This publication and the two following novels laid the foundation for Kerr's fame that she had dreamt of as a child.The Kerr family had escaped Germany just in the nick of time - a day later and they would have been arrested by the Nazis who went on to burn Alfred Kerr's books. Alfred Kerr died 1948 by suicide, aided by his wife, shortly after visiting Hamburg, Germany, for the first time after the war. His wife Julia died in 1965. Judith Kerr wrote children's books and illustrated them, married in 1954 and stayed married for more than 50 years.Judith Kerr died in 2019 at the age of 95. She had outlived the Nazis who wanted to extinguish the entire family by almost 75 years. Poetic justice.Five out of five stars. Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram

“Lydia is dead.”, these three words mark the beginning of Lydia's journey which we're about to embark upon. These three words make you think it cannot possibly get worse. Right until it gets worse. A lot worse.I can relate to this book on so many levels: First and foremost, I'm a father. I'm not prone to nightmares but there's one that has haunted me countless times since my first child was born - losing a child. Fortunately, the nightmare didn't become reality and I hope it stays that way.This is what this book is (partly) about, though: Losing a child. The reasons, the family, the friends (or lack of); everything is believable and feels shockingly truthful. Painfully so, even.Secondly, as the husband of a woman who made being independent a prerequisite for her moving in with me. A woman who spent the next 20 years lovingly caring for our children, as wise as Solomon, as strong as Hercules, as clever as Gandalf. A woman who then decided - quite unlike Marilyn - there was even more she wanted to do and moved on to get an apprenticeship in a field she loves and where she can apply her skills and learn new ones. She will have finished this apprenticeship before our own children finish theirs.As we know, Lydia, 16, is dead. She was the daughter of Marilyn and James Lee and had two siblings - her older brother Nathan (“Nath”) and Hannah, her younger sister. “Everything I Never Told you” explores their pasts, their present and, in tiny glimpses, their futures. At the beginning, we find ourselves in 1977 but we're going to take a ride through the decades that will likely forever be “before Lydia” to the family right to the point where past and present tragically converge.Unobtrusively and narrated with empathy and understanding, it tries to answer the one question every parent would ask: Why?James is the son of Chinese immigrants. Born in the USA, he is American as he never ceases to tell himself. He knows he looks different compared to his caucasian compatriots and then as, unfortunately, today, this does matter. Thus, James always wants to blend in, tries not to stand out but to do what he feels he has to do. Like being the sole provider for his family and, without wanting to, destroying his wife's dreams.He never quite manages to overcome his inhibitions due to him being different, though, and he projects his own wishes on his children.Because Marilyn wanted to be a doctor. She excelled in her classes, she studied hard in pursuit of her life's dream. All the while harassed by her own mother to instead meet a “nice Harvard man”, marry him and be a good wife and mother.Life happened, though, and instead of a doctor Marilyn became James' wife and later on she came to the false conclusion “It was a sign, Marilyn decided. For her it was too late.”Years later, she tries to start anew but fails to achieve her goals once more. She, too, just like James, reacts by putting pressure on her daughter Lydia to achieve Marilyn's dreams. Lydia doesn't have a childhood but a series of learning events, “extra credit assignments”, competitions. She doesn't get to be bad at something or she's met with even more “incentives” to work harder. Feeling deeply indebted to her mother, Lydia complies. She doesn't quite know why because she doesn't really want to do all this.Nathan on the other hand knows exactly what he wants:“That fall, when the guidance counselor had asked Nath about his career plans, he had whispered, as if telling her a dirty secret. “Space,” he'd said. “Outer space.” Mrs. Hendrich had clicked her pen twice, in-out, and he thought she was going to laugh. [...] Instead Mrs. Hendrich told him there were two routes: become a pilot or become a scientist.”Nathan wants to go to space and - similarly to his father - he does what he has to do. He tirelessly works towards his goal all the while understanding the tearing his parents do to Lydia:“Do what everyone else is doing. That's all you ever said to Lydia. Make friends. Fit in.”, Marilyn tells James and goes on to state that she “didn't want her to be just like everyone else.” The rims of her eyes ignite. “I wanted her to be exceptional.””.Nathan is Lydia's cornerstone and anchor; the one person who truly understands her and who tries to alleviate her situation. When he, too, seemingly deserts her, Lydia feels put on a path that can only lead to one conclusion...And, yet, whereas we, the readers, know what is to come from those first three words, Lydia herself finds a way to deal with all the pushing and pulling in opposite directions by her parents:“If she fails physics, if she never becomes a doctor, it will be all right. She will tell her mother that. And she will tell her mother, too: it's not too late. For anything. She will give her father back his necklace and his book. She will stop holding the silent phone to her ear; she will stop pretending to be someone she is not.”Last but not least there's Hannah, the youngest daughter and the one mostly overlooked by her parents. Even though she may not be able to express her fears and thoughts, she's often spot-on with her observations and is very sensitive to the mood in her family. Whenever she gets any attention from her parents, she grows, only to wilt soon after in Lydia's shadow.Ultimately, “Everything I Never Told You” is about what all characters never told each other. It is about open and latent xenophobia in our society. It is about parents trying to model their children according to their, the parents, wishes instead of the children's. Celeste Ng spins all this elegantly and seemingly effortlessly into a force of a nature of a novel that blew me away, reduced me to rubble and helped rebuild myself.Ng's writing is beautiful and evocative:“[Her hair] darkened from golden-wheat to amber. It kinked and curled like a fiddlehead fern. It amazed him that he could have such an effect on anyone. As she dozed in his arms, her hair slowly relaxed, and when she woke, it had stretched back to its usual waves.”If it hadn't been for the ending as it is, this book would already have been a solid four-star read. With the terrible and crushing conclusion that still allows for hope and redemption, though, “Everything I Never Told You” becomes an instant classic that everyone but especially parents should read - right after telling their children the one simple truth that can literally and metaphorically save lives:“I love you. You're perfect just as you are.” Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram

This is undoubtedly an ambitious book; something debut novels often are. Just as often, they don't live up to those ambitions as is the case with this one.
The protagonist, Togrim Rygg at first seems to be just some kind of business man - and suddenly, out of nowhere, he acts like James Bond. He refuses to take a map because he has “everything memorized. Safer.” and likewise he declares “All hackers have big heads”. There's absolutely no indication at that point in the book how he would know that - it's completely out-of-character. This is most likely the crudest way I've ever seen an author use to convey to the reader that there might be more to the unlikely hero than immediately meets the eye. 
Similarly, his friend, Marko Marin, tells Rygg “That is what I need from you. Keep us in form.”. At this point of the novel, Marin has no way of knowing that Rygg might be more than a random business man. Such inconsistencies are marring the entire book.
That's not all, though: Throughout the entire book, Rygg switches between being a James Bond parody and a disillusioned business man. His back story in the military is mostly implausible and doesn't really add up nor does it help the book in any real way apart from serving as a vehicle to allow our heroes to travel all over the world - because there hardly seems to be a country in which Rygg doesn't have friends. 
It's not healthy to be friends with him, by the way, because pretty much all of his friends end up dead after talking to him. Who killed them and why exactly usually never gets cleared up as long as they die spectacularly (e. g. being beheaded). Not that Rygg cares either; all of his friends seem to be pretty expendable to him - he never mourns their deaths but just ponders whom to get into mortal danger next.
Speaking of danger: This is supposed to be a thriller. The problem is: There are no thrills at all. Even when in danger, the story never gets beyond luke-warm. The reader knows this can't possibly be the end of the respective character so we're not exactly left biting our nails, worrying for the hero to make it through. In fact, I found myself yawning and just waiting how the disillusioned business man becomes James Bond again and gets himself out of whatever situation he's in. Even if said situation has the potential to get people into fast-paced action, the author manages to drag the story aloooooong.
It's sad because there's everything in this book that could make it a thriller: Danger, corruption, organised crime (which is depicted as fat Vodka-drinking Russians, though...), traitors, etc. It's just that the author is completely and utterly unable to forge a decent story from his ingredients. It feels like he grabbed all clichés he could find, put them into a bucket and mixed them uninspiredly into a novel.
It doesn't help either that none of the characters are fleshed out: Marko Marin is a “kind of journalist” but we never get to really know him. He's simply around, a sketch of himself without any substance. What his real motivation is, we never get to know and nobody will really care about that either. Togrim Rygg isn't any better. He drifts along with whatever happens - mostly being passive, wishing his life hadn't become what it is and to bed the Marin's girlfriend. he latter usually being his greatest worry and desire. She in turn is so forgettable that I've indeed already forgotten her name. Her most important trait is wearing translucent underwear and not wearing bras. That's pretty much all she's doing. After all, she's just someone who happens to be in this book for no discernible reason.
There are quite a few lose ends as well - Rygg's love interest, Marko's girlfriend, gives Rygg strange last minute instructions at one point, supposedly as a messenger of Marko to whom Rygg had talked before. Rygg even wonders about that - but never asks either of them and it's just being forgotten about.
“Forgotten” is something I've used often throughout this review and forgettable is what this book is. It's not a complete let-down, though, so I'll still give it two stars out of five.
I read this as an ebook using Marvin (http://marvinapp.com/), the best ebook reader on iOS.

Oh, well, this will be a difficult review to write, I guess. I really like this series and its ideas, its wonderful characters, the brilliant writing, etc. etc.Along came “Cibola Burn”: We find ourselves accompanying Holden and his crew through one of the rings into the great unknown - into which a band of settlers from Ganymede made it before him and pretty much started colonising the planet, Ilus, there.Unfortunately for those pioneers, the UN has awarded the “Royal Charter Energy” (RCE), a big Earth corporation, the rights to the afore-mentioned planet - which they refer to as “New Terra”. When RCE tries to get a shuttle down to the planet, it gets blown up by the settlers.Holden is sent to Ilus/New Terra to mediate between the settlers and the RCE guys, only to get caught between both of them.This leads us into a long story about the conflict between the settlers and the RCE people, the “awakening” of the stuff the protomolecule's creators left on the planet, a catastrophic disaster, Miller investigating and, again, leading Holden around. There's sabotage in space and on the planet, a one-dimensional villain whom Amos would have shot on the spot in the previous books and a scientist whom Corey makes fall for Holden - right until she gets laid by someone else and finds out that guy's the real love of her life... Not to mention episodes about “death slugs”, eye-infecting parasites and lots of other “filling materials”.All this just plain made this entire book way too long for its own good. While there was still a lot of suspense, long stretches of describing the atmosphere on the planet after a disaster kept boring me.Last but not least, apart from Holden himself, the entire crew of the Rocinante was somehow not themselves - Alex felt mostly absent, Amos was weirdly subdued, almost completely submissive to Holden and Naomi spends weeks in a brig which we get to witness for far too long.I'm going to take a break from “The Expanse” in favour of another book or two. Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram

I went into this knowing nothing but the title and was somewhat dismayed by the premise of a pocket of survivors of humanity on a destroyed, toxic, dystopian Earth. Nevertheless, the characters seemed interesting enough - Sheriff Holston, Mayor Jahns, Deputy Marnes...And then Howey goes GRRM and kills them all off and leaves us in an even worse situation:»The silo was rotten to the core; an evil man was acting Mayor; a puppet stood where a good sheriff had been; and all the good men and women were gone.«Enter Jules, a gifted technician - who's sent off to face certain death next; or perhaps death is not so certain after all?The entire beginning was slow-paced and disillusioning: We get introduced to potentially interesting people who are promptly taken away. Most of their backstories are never told, many important facts omitted and only ever alluded to but never properly resolved.Sadly, the pacing is also very uneven: Initially, we accompany the characters at a leisurely pace, then things get rushed, literally, through the door. Immediately after, the pace slows down to a crawl but at least some suspense is building up - only to quickly and easily dissipate.This pattern repeats itself: We're watching the protagonists act, everything is moving quickly, then we “zoom in” on some (usually disastrous) detail and wade through endless descriptions of how those characters feel and how incredibly dark the darkness is.Unfortunately, the characters are neither very interesting, nor do they have depth but mostly appear as sketches of well-known archetypes. Thus, it's hard to root for or even like any of them. I for one only liked Jules for her unbreakable spirit and iron will but that's it. Her love interest is an unlikeable, opportunistic, weak individual. Jules' main adversary is a malicious follower who claims to be just carrying out orders and shirks any personal responsibility.Except for Jules herself, I didn't care about the fate of any of the characters. I also kept wondering where the story would go: Will Jules rescue her silo? Will she establish a better society?? (And how?) Will she choose to remain at the other location? What will happen to the people she encounters on her journey? Will we learn more about the backstory of the silo's origins? What will the future look like? None of these questions are ever answered or even alluded to. The ending also felt very rushed and so many unlikely things happened (particularly with one character who underwent a completely unbelievable transformation).So, characters without depth, a likeable heroine, uneven pacing, suspenseful page-turner parts, plot holes that could fit galaxies, a passionate rebellion and friendship, many stairs and much darkness, and lots of good intentions as can be deduced from the story and the epilogue:»This collected work is dedicated to anyone who dares dream of a better place.«For this uneven “ride” of a read: Three out of five stars.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

“My author owned lots of calendars!”, said the mole. “He cut them all up, collected all the calendar sayings and compiled them into one book.”, he added.The fox excitedly added: “He chose a font that makes the reader work to decipher it so that there's a feeling of accomplishment!”“I did the drawings!”, the boy exclaimed. “They may not be pretty but they're mine. They'll make Charlie money, money, money because it's funny!”“Wow”, said the fox, “and people actually buy that book?” “Yes, fox, they're daft like that! Not that anything is totally wrong about these ‘pearls of wisdom'; they're just so trite that nobody should pay money for this stuff!”The horse was neighing: “»Tears fall for a reason and they are your strength not weakness.« - they actually think that's “profound”. Or so amazingly cute. Just because we're anthropomorphized animals and we look good on Insta!”One star out of five!Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

“‘Who the hell are you?' Geralt asked again, leaning forward. ‘What are you doing... in this forest? How did you get here?' The girl lowered her head and sniffed loudly. ‘Cat got your tongue? Who are you, I said? What's your name?' ‘Ciri,' she said, sniffing.” Once more we return to Geralt of Rivia, the eponymous Witcher, and his deeds. Mostly, though, “Sword of Destiny” serves to define Geralt with respect to his friends. We get to meet Dandelion again, and, of course, Geralt and Yennefer of Vengerberg cross paths several times as they are... Well, whatever they are, they certainly don't know themselves. Most importantly, though, Geralt meets Ciri, the Child of the Elder Blood, for the first time. Ciri, who will become so important in Geralt's life. We meet her three times throughout the stories in this book which are loosely connected to each other but mostly show us who Geralt truly is. The more I read, the more loose threads I dimly remembered from the entire saga actually turned out to be picked up and resolved. I liked this book the first time I read it but I only came to really appreciate its narrative depth and immersion this second time around. Whereas Geralt – to me at least – was a very likeable person, he really grew on me and I deeply sympathized with this fictious man. Especially fascinating were his travels with Yurga, a travelling merchant he rescues, and on whom he invokes the Law of Surprise (for those (yet!) unenlightened among you: That means Geralt – as a reward – asks for something his debtor finds at home but didn't expect, e. g. a child.). What is revealed as part of that voyage about Geralt is fairly astounding and deeply moving. I was engrossed with the switches of perspective – Geralt alternatingly hallucinating and being clear-headed. When the borders between what he imagines and what's real get murkier, the story becomes almost philosophical and we cannot ever be sure what was actually real and what was not. And, in fact, this is not being resolved. It's up to the reader to decide for himself which makes me feel the author takes me seriously and I greatly appreciate that. Ultimately, this is probably the best introduction any fantasy hero could hope for. What starts lightly and with witty sarcasm by “monsters”... “‘That is right,' the dragon interrupted. ‘Well, it's the times we live in. For some time, creatures, which you usually call monsters, have been feeling more and more under threat from people. They can no longer cope by themselves. They need a Defender. Some kind of... witcher.'“ ... goes to great length to end on a very serious and positive tone: “‘It's like they said! Geralt! It's like they said! Am I your destiny? Say it! Am I your destiny?' Yurga saw the Witcher's eyes. And was very astonished. He heard his wife's soft weeping, felt the trembling of her shoulders. He looked at the Witcher and waited, tensed, for his answer. He knew he would not understand it, but he waited for it. And heard it. ‘You're more than that, Ciri. Much more.'” Neither Geralt nor Ciri actually know at this point how right they are and, thus, I strongly encourage you, dear reader, to join them on their journey... Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram

This review may contain spoilers!
Since I got this book in a give-away, I really hoped I'd like it. Alas, it was not to be.
First of all, the plot is thin. Thinner than a sheet of ice on a puddle. Evil Danes (or rather: a single evil Dane, being blackmailed by clichée russians) attacking Canada with a bunch of common criminals.
On the other side are some non-descript Canadians (our bland hero), some noble natives (one of them constantly drunk, corrupted by the evil white men!) and a compassionate American nurse which fight the evil criminal Danes. Oh, and there's the hero's love interest who happens to be around for no discernible reason - she adds nothing to the story, doesn't seem to have any useful talents and is usually just being an accessory.
I'm absolutely willing to suspend my disbelief; I might even have accepted the ridiculous notion of a small country like Denmark attacking Canada, an ally, if the storytelling hadn't been so incredibly boring. The entire story is so unbelievably predictable that only a feeling of obligation towards the author made me finish it.
The characters are so one-dimensional and uninteresting, I didn't even care who was going to win (even though there never was any doubt), live or die. None of them are fleshed out enough to even remotely care about any of them - the heroes are always virtuous and brave, the villains are always bad and evil and the two not-so-evil Danes are daft and boring - one of them suspects something's not right from the very beginning, then witnesses a cold-blooded murder but instead of notifying his boss' (the single evil Dane) superiors and ending things right there and then, just plays along - endangering his life and that of his partner.
The one endearing quality of this book is its shortness - I finished it as quickly as I will have forgotten about it completely.
If you want a real thriller in an arctic setting, get “Ice Station Zebra” by Alistair MacLean and stay away from this book.

I rarely read this kind of “professional career guide” type of book. They're all too often fairly dry, are strongly dependant on the cultural and social environment they're based upon (e. g. US/Europe) and, honestly, range from “difficult to apply” to “impossible to adapt”.Luckily, this book is completely different! David Marquet tells us in plain words how he metaphorically “turned the ship around” from one of the worst to one of the top performers. I would never have believed that the military of all organisations was actually able to apply a culture of “thinking out loud”, (constructively) questioning orders and, generally, turn a culture of classic “command & control” into something much more open and productive.Marquet doesn't ever preach, though, but expertly demonstrates each of his already simple-to-grasp (but not necessarily easy-to-implement!) points by telling us about how he actually implemented them on a nuclear-powered attack submarine.Not only does he display good general insights...»You may be able to “buy” a person's back with a paycheck, position, power, or fear, but a human being's genius, passion, loyalty, and tenacious creativity are volunteered only. The world's greatest problems will be solved by passionate, unleashed “volunteers.”«... but turns those into useful ideas which he is able to communicate clearly:»My definition of leadership is this: Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves.«He also does away with some well-meaning but annoying misconceptions by some leadership approaches like “empowerment programs”:»Additionally, it seemed inherently contradictory to have an empowerment program whereby I would empower my subordinates and my boss would empower me. I felt my power came from within, and attempts to empower me felt like manipulation.«There are a whole lot of inherently simple ideas that Marquet drives home clearly and in a very well-structured manner while not forgetting about us, his readers, who usually appreciate a well-presented big picture. He writes clearly without frills and yet engagingly. I actually found his writing strangely attractive and pulled in.To actually put some of the ideas presented to the test, I “sneakily” applied some of the easier ones at work and was pleasantly surprised how well that turned out.When all is said and done, this is a really well-done book on leadership which I highly recommend for any kind of leader!Five out of five stars. Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram

I have come across many science fiction novels over the years, but none have quite captivated me like “[b:The Martian 18007564 The Martian Andy Weir https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1413706054l/18007564.SY75.jpg 21825181]” by [a:Andy Weir 6540057 Andy Weir https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1382592903p2/6540057.jpg] (apart from “[b:Project Hail Mary 54493401 Project Hail Mary Andy Weir https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597695864l/54493401.SY75.jpg 79106958]”, also by Weir!). This novel tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who is accidentally left behind on Mars after a mission gone wrong. With no way to communicate with Earth and limited supplies, Mark must use his ingenuity and resourcefulness to survive on the harsh and unforgiving planet.Literally from the very first page, I was hooked by the book's gripping narrative and fast-paced plot. Weir's writing style is concise and straightforward, which makes the technical details and scientific explanations easy to understand without being overwhelming. As a result, the story is both entertaining and educational, providing readers with a glimpse into the world of space exploration and the challenges faced by astronauts.What I loved most about “The Martian” was the character of Mark Watney. He is a relatable and likeable protagonist, with a great sense of humour and an unyielding determination to survive. His sheer willpower and clever problem-solving skills are truly inspiring, and I found myself rooting for him every step of the way.Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, Mark refuses to give up, even when faced with one setback after another. His unwavering optimism and can-do attitude are infectious and uplifting. Or, to quote someone whom I still very much admire to this day (2023): “Yes, we can”!Another aspect of the novel that I found particularly impressive was the attention to detail in the scientific aspects of the story (even though I've not much of a clue about their factual accuracy). Weir clearly did his research, though, and the descriptions of the technology and processes at least felt incredibly realistic. This added a layer of authenticity to the story, making it feel like a plausible scenario that could actually happen in the not-too-distant future.Overall, I would highly recommend “The Martian” to anyone who enjoys science fiction, adventure, or just a well-written and engaging story. It's a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, and will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted. Andy Weir has created a modern classic that deserves a place on every bookshelf.In fact, I originally rated this at four stars but will now gladly award five out of five stars!Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

“Be more positive!”, they said, so here we go: “Morbidly Yours” wasn't horrible! Just very bad.30-year-old widow Lark flees her native Texas, her embittered sister-in-law Rachel, who cyber-stalks her, to Ireland to work as an animator for a local studio. She moves into a house next to the undertaker's, our male protagonist, Callum, who is about as interesting as a dead tree in winter.At first, the chemistry and banter between the two was great and I looked forward to lots of fun. What followed, though, was basically this:Lark: Callum is so wonderful but I must not fall in love with him because I practically killed my husband because we had an argument and he drove recklessly around afterwards.Callum: Lark is so wonderful but I must not fall in love with her because I need to marry someone I don't love to keep my business from falling into the hands of a greedy corporation. Lark: Let's be friends with benefits, though! (I cannot emotionally handle that but somehow everything will be ok!)Callum: Yes! (I cannot handle it either but...)Predictably, next came some pretty nice and sensitive intimate scenes (usually I would have written “smut” but that's the only well-written part so the latter term felt too crude).Both Lark and Callum know communication is key and, consequently...»Were we just going to ignore what just happened? The words were right there, resting on my tongue like a piece of hard toffee. I swallowed them down. Better left unsaid.«With that, the vicious circle of “I love (him/her) but must not!” goes on and on and on... Mixed among all this are workplace drama, violence, a token non-binary person, whereas morbidity on the other hand is not really part of all this. Callum is supposed to be demi-sexual and/or demi-romantic (the author herself didn't seem to be sure) but the representation here is just plain bad.Oh, and, of course, there's a third-act breakup so dumb I actually face-palmed.The writing style and use of language is at high school level and the pacing varies between racing and Valium-induced creeping along. One star out of five.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

“[b:My Child is Missing 177529528 My Child is Missing (Detective Josie Quinn, #18) Lisa Regan https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1686850860l/177529528.SY75.jpg 183605300]” is [a:Lisa Regan's 6443334 Lisa Regan https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1589563239p2/6443334.jpg] 18th novel about her Detective Josie Quinn and I've almost universally enjoyed reading every single one of them. Sadly, not so with this latest instalment which steadily ran its course without any highlights nor any major letdowns...Sure, these novels have always been somewhat formulaic: Josie used to drink too much because of her gruesome past (which gets mentioned in this novel every five pages...), fell in love with her colleague Noah (whom she shot at one point), adored her grandmother (who was shot at another point), found her long-lost identical twin sister (who is a famous TV journalist - but nobody ever noticed...), her best friend Misty, ex-stripper and final girlfriend of Josie's ex-husband who died as part of the afore-mentioned gruesome past, and Misty's son from said ex-husband, the entire murder of cops (seems like the most fitting collective noun for US cops these days) are a happy family - it's complicated and yet these novels are usually thrilling and suspenseful to read.Another nice touch to almost every other novel in this series used to be that someone from the extended team (be it a cop, a coroner, whomever) has a special role which lends the story authenticity and makes people much more relatable. Not so in this novel; unless - unlike me - you count the countless mentions of a certain deceased team member...Be warned - spoilers ahead!In this novel, though, everyone is still reeling from the death of their colleague Mettner, whose desk they've kept like it was the day he left - like a shrine to him. As if that wasn't enough, they bemoan his absence on every second page. They keep reminding each other about the pearls of wisdom he used to utter...»“Or he could break the case wide open,” Gretchen said.It was exactly something Mett would have said.«.... because, surely, no other cop would ever say a sentence like that!A suspect is found in the first hours of the investigation (and, thus, very early in the book) and since Josie and friends almost exclusively concentrate on him, it becomes very clear, said suspect is at least a very important part of the cases of missing children that's being investigated.Knowing that, it was just a matter of reading along while our heroes interrogate people (like a nutcase pair of parents or teenager's who blatantly lie despite knowing full well that they could help to solve multiple murders and to find a missing girl...), find proof and, ultimately, convict the perpetrator.The almost-obligatory twist at the end was unconvincingly written towards, crudely done and I was so thoroughly disinterested at that point, I simply shrugged and read on.And imagine my surprise when the book just ended at 85% - the remaining 15% were just advertising for and excerpts from Regan's other novels. While that was no real loss in this case, it borders on cheating the customer.Barely three out of five stars.P. S.: »Did the hunt for [the Woodsman] have you desperately turning the pages and did you gasp out loud at the incredible twist?«No, I just gasped due to disappointment. And I hate it when an author breaks the fourth wall.P. P. S.: »A TOTALLY UNPUTDOWNABLE CRIME AND MYSTERY THRILLER PACKED WITH NAIL-BITING SUSPENSE«To whomever writes such crap: I sincerely and honestly despise you.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam

Hope and New Beginnings: Why You’ll Fall in Love with ”The Wedding People”

I knew absolutely nothing about “The Wedding People” by Alison Espach. I just liked the cover. Once I had started reading it, I didn’t want to stop—for anything or anyone. Now that I’ve finished it, I’m suffering from a severe bout of book hangover.

Phoebe Stone comes to the Cornwall Inn to kill herself. She just wants to splurge on herself one last time, dine nicely, enjoy the sunset and then overdose on… medicine. Before she can do pretty much anything of that, though, Phoebe finds herself amidst the chaos of the “wedding week” of the bride, Lila, the groom, Gary, and the eponymous “wedding people”.

Lila literally barges into Phoebe’s life and room, and sets Phoebe on a path that will drastically change her life.

»No. You definitely cannot kill yourself. This is my wedding week.«

This premise had me hooked very quickly. What really sealed the deal for me, though, was not the “loudness” of the wedding. It was the raw and honest conversations that quickly started between Lila, who is outwardly controlled, controlling, and almost excessively extroverted, and Phoebe, who starts out as Lila’s polar opposite. Their conversations change their respective perceptions of their lives and futures.

»Phoebe looks at Lila and Lila looks at Phoebe. The sadness of the story is so stark, her voice so monotone when she delivered it, they erupt into a laughter so intense it surprises Phoebe. Every time they are about to calm down, the bride says, “Herrbbbballl Essences!” and Phoebe starts laughing all over again. It makes her feel high.«

I deeply appreciated the sensitive and tender depiction of Phoebe’s state of mind that keeps organically and subtly changing throughout the novel. To me at least, Phoebe is immensely relatable.

»The bride doesn’t understand yet, what it means to be married. To share everything. To have one bank account. To pee with the door wide open while telling your husband a story about penguins at the zoo.«

Lila often comes across as abrasive, rash, sometimes rude, and always expressive, to say the least. She is loud and obnoxious among her wedding people. And, yet, in her conversations with Phoebe we get to see other sides of her: The deep-seated insecurity, her doubts and worries. Lila tries to drown all of it in her outward “loudness”, and by planning, executing, and controlling every little detail and leaving nothing to chance.

It is testament to Espach’s empathy with her characters that Lila, too, is shown as a complex character in spite of all that. Like Phoebe, she embarks on a metaphorical journey that leads her to completely unknown shores and gives her depth. Early on, just styled “the bride”, she grows into (De)lila(h), a first-class character.

Gary, the groom, is Lila’s opposite: He basically stands somewhere in her vicinity and, like a spectator, leaves everything to her. His and Lila’s wedding is his second wedding and he has almost resigned to it. Whereas Lila is loud and outgoing, Gary is often a silent witness of the havoc she wreaks. In his interactions with Phoebe, though, we get a glance at the Gary he has buried along with his first wife. Just like the novel in its entirety, it felt exhilarating, joyful, and kind of triumphant to see how Gary burrows himself out of the “grave” he put himself into; the undeserved guilt he feels, the feeling of being constantly overwhelmed by Lila, and the deeply felt love for his child, Mel(anie), who wants to be called “Juice”.

Phoebe and Gary grow towards each other over the course of the novel. Here, again, Espach intricately weaves a narrative web that not only entangles the both of them but the reader as well. It was simply impossible for me not to enjoy their conversations that are very rarely openly intimate but exude a feeling of intimacy that, at times, made me feel like a voyeur.

I could go on to describe my tender feelings for Juice, Jim, Patricia, Pauline the receptionist, Harry the cat, and many other side characters that are amazingly refined in their own rights and so unobtrusively shown in all their grief and overflowing joy of life (Juice), their restrained despair over what could have been (Jim), what should have been (Patricia), what strictly is in the present (Pauline), and what was (Harry). All of them formed an intrinsically plausible and irresistible world that felt real and life-like.

»“It’s not easy being angry at your own creation. It’s like being angry at yourself.”«

Espach’s writing style and language was superb and extremely accessible, yet neither simple or plain nor ornate. Espach writes just as openly and honestly as most of her characters are. It was an irresistible pleasure to devour her prose.

I especially liked the many shades of humour throughout the novel. From dry (and sometimes morbid) humour…

»“I know this is going to be the most beautiful fucking wedding, and if I wake up to your corpse being rolled into the lobby tomorrow morning, you should know I’ll never recover from something like that.”

“Neither will I,” Phoebe says.«

… to sometimes slapstick-like interludes (the first car made me laugh tears till I started choking) that I’ve not encountered before in decades of reading.

»“Well, I think it’s amazing,” Gary says. “How much work we’ll do just to feel something. I don’t think there is anything more human than that.”«

With the exception of maybe a few indulgent moments near the end of the novel, the pacing was excellent. A mixture of short and medium length chapters sometimes kept me reading from sunset to sunrise, losing sleep—the ultimate proof of a book’s enchantment. I quickly stopped caring about sleep, food, and other bodily functions.

If you’re looking for a novel that is both light and heavy, that spins an astounding tale of hope (at a certain point I was reminded of Emily Dickinson’s wonderful poem ““Hope” is the thing with feathers”), and new beginnings, this book is exactly what you need.

»To be alive, she must leave this hotel, despite the uncertainty of everything.«

Five exuberant stars out of five, and a place among my favourite books of all time.

Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam