many trigger warnings, kind reminder to look them up, they appear very often.

I was really looking forward to this book. Both my favourite author (Becky Chambers) and an instagram friend with whom we usually enjoy the same books recommended this book.
Ouf... it was a task to read, let me tell you. I buddy read this with my partner and we started this one 9 months before we actually finished it. If we had not decided to go for it and power through finishing the book together, I would have simply put it down and never look at it again. I am sad to this but I am really frustrated and puzzled as to how this book has been so praised. The plot was incredibly nonsensical, the whole premise was based (in my opinion) on people who just cannot actually communicate with each other (a trope which I loathe), and we do not even get to know the characters all that well at all to the point where I was asking who is who all the time. The reading experience was truly painful. I was shouting 'what' out loud a number of times and only some sentences here and there gave a moment of clarity as to where we are, who we are with and what is actually going on. I felt there were too many details that were just mentioned once and it was extremely unclear what was worth retaining or not. All in all, what i remember now one day after I completed the book, is that it was written by someone in the fanfiction mentality, trying way too hard to be smart and weird and quirky and just had outdated hipster vibes all-round. a no from me, sadly.

Like everything has to revolve around sex? Can’t people just be good without wanting to have sec with a teenager? Cheeses!

Shoestring Theory by Mariana Costa is a delightfully quirky read that manages to be cosy and whimsical but also veers into darker, more serious territory. It’s not the sort of book that fits neatly into any one box, and that’s part of its charm. The story has a unique blend of mystery and magic, with Eufrates and Tig providing some of the most fun, memorable moments in the book through their banter and distinct personalities.

One thing I appreciate is the way the world feels both grounded and fantastical at the same time, giving you just enough information to keep you intrigued while leaving plenty of mystery in the air. The stakes are much higher than one might expect from a cosy story, and while I wouldn't compare this book to Legends and Lattes, it does have its cosy moments mixed in with more intense, sometimes dark, elements.

However, I did feel that the pacing was inconsistent. At times the action slowed, giving us a chance to really get to know the characters, and then at other times, events moved too quickly, especially towards the end. The fast-paced conclusion didn’t allow the story to fully breathe, and I couldn’t help but think it might have worked better as a duology. Splitting the story in two would have allowed more time for the characters and plot to develop without feeling rushed.

Despite the pacing issues, the characters remain the heart of the novel. The interplay between Eufrates, the main characters, and Tig is one of the highlights, bringing out a lightness and humor that contrasts with some of the darker plot threads. The banter and their quirks gave the book its personality and kept me engaged throughout.

You can tell this is Costa's debut, but there's so much potential here. Her storytelling style feels refreshingly different from current trends, with a narrative structure and tone that stand out. I’m excited to see where she goes from here and would definitely read more of her work in the future. Her distinctive voice is one to keep an eye on :)

Thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot Books for the advanced reader copy, as always. I really appreciate most if not all books you put out in the world. You are the best! Happy publication day for tomorrow!!!!

Doing It All by Ruby Russell, published by Basic Books/Seal Press, deeply resonated with me, especially as a single mother—a role I did not choose. This book goes beyond simply discussing the difficulties of single parenthood; it highlights how society is not designed to accommodate families like ours, often making us feel like outcasts. This portrayal doesn't reflect the reality of single parenthood in the slightest.

I appreciated how the author weaves in facts, politics, and political theory, presenting them in a direct, no-nonsense way that is so necessary. Some phrases struck a chord with me, such as "carrying the sexual mental load" and "these days, most of us are women who detonated nuclear families we couldn’t tolerate." Other points that resonated include:

"Mothering in a dysfunctional partnership, and redefining my motherhood beyond it, made me rethink deeply held assumptions about love, sex, relationships, family, autonomy, dependence, responsibility, and care."
"We need a post-nuclear family revolution on a societal level," emphasizing the need to bring societal infrastructure to the forefront.
I absolutely loved this book—it made me feel seen and heard. I’ll carry with me this powerful line: "Single-minded isn’t precisely what mothers don’t get to be. Our attention split, our identities kaleidoscoping."

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Basic Books/Seal Press for providing this advanced reader copy. I hope it reaches the audience it deserves.