Take a photo of a barcode or cover
jstilts's reviews
126 reviews
The Cowboy SEAL's Jingle Bell Baby by Laura Marie Altom
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Okay, not my usual read at all - my first time reading a light romance (in that it isn't deeply serious nor an out-and-out comedy) and it's an actual Mills & Boon imprint to boot.
I was surprised to find this was quite funny, especially early on, and while the constant swapping of opinions of the couple should have been annoying, it was kind of amusingly absurd. The tale is basically one of an in-lust rather than in-love couple agonising over whether they should adopt off their unexpected pregnancy or marry, and much is made of their failure to communicate their true feelings to each other and to themselves - although it all dragged on a bit two-thirds in.
Kudos however that it doesn't quite end when you'd expect, there's a perfectly happy ending a few chapters from the end when a dose of real life seems to intrude to keep you guessing.
As a bonus, the out-there Southern cliche characters reminded me of Blanche Devereaux from The Golden Girls (a patriarch is even called 'Big Daddy' for goodness sake) which helped give richly over-the-top voices to many.
Now why 3 stars? I've never bothered to explain my rating system but this book being out of the usual for me, I feel I should justify it:
- 1 star is outright offensive or written so poorly as to be unreadable.
- 2 stars is when it fails to deliver on what it sets out to do, or fails take me along for the ride.
- 3 stars is passably good, enjoyable enough - but I wouldn't actually recommend it to people (I'm a librarian, so this is an important line to draw).
- 4 stars is well written and compelling, would definitely recommend.
- 5 stars is life-changing, exceptional, faultless.
This is a 3, not a 3.25 or higher - but a solid 3 that gave me some chuckles. I will have to poke about more in the Mills & Boon arena!
I was surprised to find this was quite funny, especially early on, and while the constant swapping of opinions of the couple should have been annoying, it was kind of amusingly absurd. The tale is basically one of an in-lust rather than in-love couple agonising over whether they should adopt off their unexpected pregnancy or marry, and much is made of their failure to communicate their true feelings to each other and to themselves - although it all dragged on a bit two-thirds in.
Kudos however that it doesn't quite end when you'd expect, there's a perfectly happy ending a few chapters from the end when a dose of real life seems to intrude to keep you guessing.
As a bonus, the out-there Southern cliche characters reminded me of Blanche Devereaux from The Golden Girls (a patriarch is even called 'Big Daddy' for goodness sake) which helped give richly over-the-top voices to many.
Now why 3 stars? I've never bothered to explain my rating system but this book being out of the usual for me, I feel I should justify it:
- 1 star is outright offensive or written so poorly as to be unreadable.
- 2 stars is when it fails to deliver on what it sets out to do, or fails take me along for the ride.
- 3 stars is passably good, enjoyable enough - but I wouldn't actually recommend it to people (I'm a librarian, so this is an important line to draw).
- 4 stars is well written and compelling, would definitely recommend.
- 5 stars is life-changing, exceptional, faultless.
This is a 3, not a 3.25 or higher - but a solid 3 that gave me some chuckles. I will have to poke about more in the Mills & Boon arena!
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After a slightly laborious first chapter this becomes a very compelling and emotional set of stories that honestly moved me to tears.
It's a quirky Japanese Comfort Novel set in a cafe where one seat - guarded by a ghost - allows you to travel in time, but only to that seat in that cafe for a very short time, and your actions in the past will not change the present, they can only change your heart.
The four stories - while following the same ground rules - are each very different, and yet also intimately interlinked. There are a number of sequels I haven't yet read, however this volume has a very satisfying ending and stands beautifully by itself.
It's a quirky Japanese Comfort Novel set in a cafe where one seat - guarded by a ghost - allows you to travel in time, but only to that seat in that cafe for a very short time, and your actions in the past will not change the present, they can only change your heart.
The four stories - while following the same ground rules - are each very different, and yet also intimately interlinked. There are a number of sequels I haven't yet read, however this volume has a very satisfying ending and stands beautifully by itself.
The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
For the younger age-group this is aimed at, this is a great self-contained graphic novel, with literary references that is sure to make them curious about classics from a range of genres.
I can very much see this being turned into a movie - it's fun, exciting, has character development for the kids and the adults, a few twists and an emotionally satisfying conclusion that wraps everything up but allows for the tantalising possibility of future adventures.
I can very much see this being turned into a movie - it's fun, exciting, has character development for the kids and the adults, a few twists and an emotionally satisfying conclusion that wraps everything up but allows for the tantalising possibility of future adventures.
The 47 Ronin: A Graphic Novel by Sean Michael Wilson
adventurous
challenging
informative
sad
fast-paced
2.25
A story worth telling, but this isn't the book to tell it - it's too brief, on top of which the dialogue is sparse. The artwork unfortunately does not help: the characters are given minimal features and at times identical clothing making it hard to tell them apart, there is rarely a good sense of movement and geography, and at times panels with no dialogue fail to convey much meaning.
A pity - there's clearly potential here.
A pity - there's clearly potential here.
More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If you haven't read the first in the series, it's essential that you do. In my review of that I noted it was almost two linked novellas, and this sequel is really the third act it was missing to make it a complete story - and as such it would lose much if read alone.
However it is slightly different - the first book showed that life just goes on until you choose to make changes happen, but this sequel very much has some dramatic twists that propel it onwards, and perhaps that is reason enough to make it two seperate volumes.
I didn't fall in love with this book as much as the first - it really does feel like a third act padded out to make a full book, but it was satisfying to complete the story.
However it is slightly different - the first book showed that life just goes on until you choose to make changes happen, but this sequel very much has some dramatic twists that propel it onwards, and perhaps that is reason enough to make it two seperate volumes.
I didn't fall in love with this book as much as the first - it really does feel like a third act padded out to make a full book, but it was satisfying to complete the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Shattered Empire by Greg Rucka
adventurous
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Actually not bad at all - it picks up in the closing moments of "Return of the Jedi" from slightly different characters perspectives, mostly from that of an everyday rebel pilot. We see what happens now the Emporer is dead - there are celebrations but inevitably there are more battles as his troops either don't know or don't believe he's dead, or believe they can be victorious without him, or want a scorched-earth revenge.
Surprisingly engaging, and the art style is detailed and pleasant. Apparently the beginning of a Princess Leia helmed series that I would be curious to read on with, but this volume is good in it's own right.
There is a secondary story starring just C3P0 and a small band of droids escorting a prisoner (also a droid) across a hostile planet. With droid-only dialogue and a pretty rough art style I didn't expect much from this, but it's worth preserving as it's quite a touching and philosophical tale of war, loyalties, age - and the extensial angst of being prone to having your memories erased on the whims of humans.
Surprisingly engaging, and the art style is detailed and pleasant. Apparently the beginning of a Princess Leia helmed series that I would be curious to read on with, but this volume is good in it's own right.
There is a secondary story starring just C3P0 and a small band of droids escorting a prisoner (also a droid) across a hostile planet. With droid-only dialogue and a pretty rough art style I didn't expect much from this, but it's worth preserving as it's quite a touching and philosophical tale of war, loyalties, age - and the extensial angst of being prone to having your memories erased on the whims of humans.
The Permanent Resident by Roanna Gonsalves
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
A collection of short stories, but the themes are so tight they mostly read the same - someone new to Australia (mostly from India) is a little disillusioned with life and gets a divorce. There are variations (mostly grim), but it's definitely repetitive - it probably would have worked better if they'd picked one and expanded it into a full novel.
One highlight: there's a two-pager of jumbled words from the government immigration website that acts as a slightly nonsense but politically cutting piece of poetry that would look good on a gallery wall.
One low point - the final story's happy ending is pretty sick, as SPOILERS a mother's neglect leads to her daughters death and her eventual divorce, then she picks up a new ready-made family of a father and daughter at the same pool! A monstrous ending.
One highlight: there's a two-pager of jumbled words from the government immigration website that acts as a slightly nonsense but politically cutting piece of poetry that would look good on a gallery wall.
One low point - the final story's happy ending is pretty sick, as SPOILERS a mother's neglect leads to her daughters death and her eventual divorce, then she picks up a new ready-made family of a father and daughter at the same pool! A monstrous ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Child abuse
Concrete, Volume 1: Depths by Paul Chadwick
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Imagine if you were "The Thing" from the Fantastic Four, but living in our world with no supervillains and world-breaking peril. What would you do? How would you live? How would the world treat you?
"Concrete" is a study in social awkwardness as a shy introverted man finds he can no longer hide from the world - but trapped in a giant rocky body he is ever more subject to the world's ridicule and contempt (even if he is only imagining it half the time).
But also his innate sense of adventure is finally given the body he needed to have the confidence to explore and follow in the footsteps of his childhood heroes.
In this first volume we find out how Concrete came to be and his embarassing oversaturated rise to fame - but the best moments by far are those where we get to see the world anew through his exceptional eyes, in this instance mostly in the sea.
Funny, awkward, awe-inspiring - and at times heart-wrenching.
"Concrete" is a study in social awkwardness as a shy introverted man finds he can no longer hide from the world - but trapped in a giant rocky body he is ever more subject to the world's ridicule and contempt (even if he is only imagining it half the time).
But also his innate sense of adventure is finally given the body he needed to have the confidence to explore and follow in the footsteps of his childhood heroes.
In this first volume we find out how Concrete came to be and his embarassing oversaturated rise to fame - but the best moments by far are those where we get to see the world anew through his exceptional eyes, in this instance mostly in the sea.
Funny, awkward, awe-inspiring - and at times heart-wrenching.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content
Death of a Lake by Arthur Upfield
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A really great entry in the Detective-Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte mystery series - possibly my favourite so far!
Bony is - as I prefer - is undercover again, posing as a horse breaker out on a sheep station where a lottery-winning station hand disappeared one night, allegedly out for a swim in the now fast-evaporating titular lake.
Filled with sharp observations on human behaviour, poetic passages and a few chapters set in a heatwave that will make any reader swear, Boney quietly watches, prods and pokes around to solve the mystery.
As I've mentioned in other reviews, this book has a few (though in this instance VERY few) moments that may offend due to the commonplace racist and sexist attitudes of the era it was written in. However, considering that era this is in fact a staggeringly progressive book for it's time to the point that some Australians would still find it too progressive today.
Highly recommended, and if you've never read a Boney book before this - it's is a great one to start with.
Bony is - as I prefer - is undercover again, posing as a horse breaker out on a sheep station where a lottery-winning station hand disappeared one night, allegedly out for a swim in the now fast-evaporating titular lake.
Filled with sharp observations on human behaviour, poetic passages and a few chapters set in a heatwave that will make any reader swear, Boney quietly watches, prods and pokes around to solve the mystery.
As I've mentioned in other reviews, this book has a few (though in this instance VERY few) moments that may offend due to the commonplace racist and sexist attitudes of the era it was written in. However, considering that era this is in fact a staggeringly progressive book for it's time to the point that some Australians would still find it too progressive today.
Highly recommended, and if you've never read a Boney book before this - it's is a great one to start with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexism, Grief
This Kingdom of Dust by David Dyer
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
"Magnificent Desolation!" - Buzz Aldrin's first words as he stepped on the moon are a good description of this book, describing the moon itself and the emotional state of the astronauts, their wives, and the journalists tasked with capturing this historic event into words.
The historic event, however, goes wrong in this novel which see's Neil and Buzz stranded on the moon with little time to either make their peace or figure out a way to get home.
Swapping each chapter between the antiseptically heroic astronauts and the poisonously poetical journalist keeps tension and interest going.
Buzz's hidden doubts and uncertainties anathema to his training are undoubtedly the highlight of this novel, keeping you guessing which way the plot is going to jump.
My only quibble is with the epilogue, which throws more doubt onto the already uncertain ending which is itself an alternate history - did it really need muddying even further?
The historic event, however, goes wrong in this novel which see's Neil and Buzz stranded on the moon with little time to either make their peace or figure out a way to get home.
Swapping each chapter between the antiseptically heroic astronauts and the poisonously poetical journalist keeps tension and interest going.
Buzz's hidden doubts and uncertainties anathema to his training are undoubtedly the highlight of this novel, keeping you guessing which way the plot is going to jump.
My only quibble is with the epilogue, which throws more doubt onto the already uncertain ending which is itself an alternate history - did it really need muddying even further?