sareidle's Reviews (180)

This book was a fun treat! I read it quickly and enjoyed the unique setting (train through the Australian Outback) and the parameters for the two murders. Ernest is a cheeky narrator; his clues to the reader were interesting and threw me off the trail. This is a great follow-up to Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone and I will check out the next installment in this series!

This was a heartwarming read and a reminder to be compassionate towards people, as you don't know their challenges. I found the two main characters, Mukesh and Aleisha, very compelling and lovable throughout the book, and rooted for them as they opened up and welcomed new connections in their lives. The author handles the tragic moments in the book seriously and with care. I appreciated how the themes and characters from the books on the reading list were incorporated into the plot, especially when Mukesh imagined Scout Finch running ahead of him on his first visit to the library without his granddaughter. I wish that the later books on the list were more present in the text, but overall it was a very enjoyable read and I've added several of the titles from the titular reading list to my own TBR.

I really enjoyed Taylor's writing and how she described the delicate balance of being in a relationship and the challenging aftermath once it ends. The book's point about how social media tricks us into thinking we understand people and warps our perspective is interesting and thought-provoking. However, I think this point is muddled by the drama surrounding Ana's work environment and strained relationship with her parents. There's definitely something that could be gleaned from the appearance vs. reality of her job, but Taylor does not fully develop this analysis. Lastly, the violence towards women that is shown but never confronted was distressing to me.

Ana is sexually assaulted on her first date with a man she met via Tinder and never tells anyone what happened to her. This is supposed to help lead into the main relationship of the book, but I think it would have been more effective to have Ana meet someone whose real-life persona is entirely different than their dating profile. Additionally, Ana experiences a frightening stalker situation and witnesses a woman who is drugged and presumably raped - both scenarios allow the perpetrator to get away.

In summary, while the book could use some finesse and editing, it shows real promise and I'm excited to read Amy Taylor's future work!

I appreciated Rina Raphael's balanced and informed approach to wellness culture. She has a wealth of firsthand experience and is sympathetic to individuals who seek out alternative solutions to systemic healthcare issues. My main issue was the tongue-in-cheek turns of phrase Raphael used which took me out of the narrative. For example, on page 301: "For those who blur the line between health and business growth, take their product suggestions with a grain of Himalayan salt." Another instance is found on page 277: "Premier health clubs are but a chia seed in the granola bowl of upscale wellness." These twists on idioms are not very funny and distract from the real value provided by Raphael's journalism. Overall, I'm glad I read this book and learned a lot about historical and contemporary approaches to wellness.