bookswithlydscl's Reviews (639)

I love that publishing has been increasingly picking up Japanese works and making them widely available for English speaking audiences who like me have a deep affection Japan and Japanese culture. Much like Days At This Morisaki Bookshop, this particular publication is a wonderfully cosy and gentle series of interconnected short stories. What makes Goodnight Tokyo different though is that it's all set after 1am and follows the night-time economy of Tokyo society.

The stories can be read as standalone despite the interwoven nature which makes for a lovely and varied series of stories and also makes the book ideal to dip in and out of. The stories and narrative can be quite sparse and direct which enhances some elements of the books, makes others less engaging and in some instances (the telephone courier that seems to dress like a funeral director) makes for quite absurdist imagery in places.

There isn't a large amount of action and overall I felt that this wasn't highly memorable but what it is, is a lovingly crafted, character driven book that is quiet, atmospheric and gives you an effective glimpse into people's lives - like viewing Edward Hopper's 'Nighthawks' but getting to actually eavesdrop on the conversations this time.

3.5* rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and Europa Editions for a digital review copy of "Goodnight Tokyo" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Fun, adventurous, and fantastical. You know what you're getting with a Moira Quirk narrated, Tamsyn Muir story and this one didn't disappoint either.

Fun to listen to but it's certainly not true will rate it as 3.5* as a good horror novel read.

Going with the 'true' elements - it essentially reads like the couple wanted to make up the story of the haunting to a) get some money after losing a load with dodgy dealings and b) disguise and minimise their violence against their children. Possibly some night terrors / paralysis to explain some elements, also some carbon monoxide poisoning. Either way the story doesn't ring true and the parents just don't seem to be on the level at all.

But as a horror novel - 👍

Iconic, classic, no notes

If anyone every wants to tell me they love me then just give me a copy of this book.

Really enjoyed this version of the story of Lady Macbeth that draws more from history to give us an alternative tale from Shakespeare's play. Here we have a true love partnership and a queen who is brave accompanied by 3 wise women. 
I love the play and loved this version as well.

I'm so pleased Elliot Page has found his voice and has been able to speak his truth. This is a powerful piece filled with uncomfortable and traumatic stories.
It does read like a series of stream of consciousness essays though. The timeline isn't linear at all and the narrative will be following one story and within that story will then suddenly slip to a different time that's linked but it does make it a little awkward to follow. 

Easily my personal favourite TJ Klune. I loved the elements that are classic Klune - humour,, love, queer romance, memorable characters and a found family but I also absolutely adored the more adventurous story. This is a loose retelling of Pinocchio but in a sci-fi setting - usually it's the 'machines' seeking to become 'real' but here its a reversal with the human seeking to save his family and understand what it is to be human.

I only read TJ Klune's books via audiobook because his narrators are fantastic. Daniel Henning (who also did House on the Cerulean Sea) is one of my favourites out there and brings the characters and words to life. I laughed at so many points and fell in love with the characters, especially brave little Rambo.
I know this didn't hit the heights for many other readers but for my tastes was exactly what I love.

Described as a steampunk, dystopian fiction that feels like Piranesi, meets Babel meets Murder on the Orient Express, I knew I needed to read this book as soon as I heard about it and it sat high on my anticipated books list. I love a hybrid genre read and with this you have historical fiction, magical realism/fantasy, and horror touches. And overall I am really glad I read it but it didn't quite hit the heights for me as I hoped.

There is no denying this is a beautifully written debut. The words used, the sentence structures, the growing sense of unease and dread, the slow and languid build up - all gorgeous. But unfortunately, for several sections of the book, it was also a bit dull.

The story focuses on the passengers and crew aboard the great Trans-Siberian Express at the end of the 19th Century, on the first crossing since an unfortunate incident occurred a short while before. The journey is risky and filled with danger as they cross The Wastelands, a terrain of terrible miracles that lies between Beijing and Moscow and one which seems to be changing rapidly which the train seems unable to cope with.

We follow several characters as they hope to survive the journey and uncover the secrets and stories of the train, the crossing and the land beyond.

Overall, such a wonderful premise but a few things just didn't quite land for me. Some of the characters felt underdeveloped, especially the male academic types, and the main thing was that I wanted more about the Wastelands. I didn't feel like I could picture fully what it was. We had the perspective of the character's but not enough widely from a world building perspective outside of the train.

I really liked the first and final quarters of the book, and even though I hadn't fully connected with the characters I felt really satisfied as a reader by how it closed and the potential for what could come in the future.

I feel that understanding now the pacing - the slower character focus instead of faster paced action, will help in the future with a re-read. There's so much potential here based on the writing skill alone. I really do appreciate a beautifully written book and that is what has stood out most to me along with the premise. I love a journey and I love a found family which I feel like there's the making of with the story and I think that this is a book that will grow on me and I'll want to come back to again and I think a second reading will be all the richer knowing what I know now. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group | W&N for a digital review copy of "The Cautious Traveller's Guide to The Wastelands" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

I enjoyed this. I do like a survival story and the dark academia element (I'm such a sucker for boarding schools) added a nice thrilling twist. Greer grated on me a little but the trio that came together as things came clear worked well and I'll be interested in how it all develops over coming books in the series. A solid, fun, dark and thrilling opening book.