Robotswithpersonality

pick

Spectacular. Equal parts joy and sadness with regards to the potential of developing a skill, a creative outlet, sharing life with family and friends, addressing loss that comes with war, with the death of a parent. The sinister element of the liches, the idea of refusing death, spirits not at rest hungering for power, also feels like a metaphor for how war devastates, can traumatize survivors. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/2 Visuals in the final reveal gave me actual chills, so I think we'll put this as an 'older kids and up' suggested reader age range.
The world building and art had me smiling the whole way through (minus the creepy parts).
Also, hurray for trans character rep with acknowledgement of top surgery! Still feels exceptional to see, so glad whenever I do. 1d

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Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find and Save the World's Largest Owl | Jonathan C. Slaght

OMG, the descriptions get better!
“defiant, floppy goblin“ vs “dour trash can“
😆 Loving the writing.

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Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find and Save the World's Largest Owl | Jonathan C. Slaght

Having the best time with this mental image. 🦉😁 Big and fluffy!

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The Left Hand of Dog: An extremely silly tale of alien abduction | SI CLARKE

“Check out your floopy, floppy ears! How adorable are you!“

What do you say upon first contact with the (rainbow pastel, dog-sized) rabbit-looking aliens. 🤦🏼‍♂️[6 minutes into this audiobook, already in love. ] 😆

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Sonny Boy: A Memoir | Al Pacino

so-so

I can say I listened to the audiobook from start to finish, but I can't say I absorbed all of it. When I was paying attention, Pacino's voice and his recounting of days gone by was on the whole a charming experience, but I found it very easy to drift off to other thoughts in the process. 1/

Robotswithpersonality 2/? There are sadder, darker moments interwoven, but my overall impression is of an older gentleman reminiscing, recounting for a grandchild all those moments they'd want to hear about him experiencing first hand, the milestones. His mother's influence and loss is clearly a thread throughout the narrative, and as with Richards' biography, I'm left with the impression that this individual loves and admires the craft 1d

Robotswithpersonality 3/3 involved in his profession, that his work has been pivotal, primary, in his life. If you want details, maybe pick up the print version, or make sure you're not distracted or sleepy while listening to audio only. 😅
⚠️mention of mother's suicide attempt, mention of friend experiencing single episode of child abuse/SA, alcoholism 1d

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Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life | Anne Lamott

Worth putting the Acknowledgements at the front of the book when you get material like this. ☺️🦖⛰️

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Convenience Store Woman | Sayaka Murata

pick

I feel like I'm wading into the deep end of terminology I don't have enough knowledge of, but I'd be surprised if some of the most common keywords in reviews for this book weren't neurodivergent and masking. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? The protagonist is on the outside looking in, providing a unique perspective: when you feel excluded because your behaviour is considered abnormal, being a cog in society, being homogenous is desirable, a convenience store job is not repellant or soul-sucking but fulfilling, communal.
Considering retail jobs in my past, this was a completely different perspective from my own and I really enjoyed experiencing it. 2d

Robotswithpersonality 3/? A different type of nonconformity than the more radical punk variety, but it still boils down to being happy in a harmless way regardless of how others might view it.
Not sure how much the author was heightening judgement/conflict for the sake of the plot, but I was staggered by how entitled her family and coworkers felt to investigate and critique her life. 2d

Robotswithpersonality 4/? I shouldn't draw conclusions about the culture from one novella, but there are some very archaic reinforcements of gender roles and sexism on display.
It feels like part-slice of life, part-satire, people are more accepting of a person when they see themselves reflected back, a shallow form of connecting to another person. 2d

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? Shiraha needs to not be stuck in a society that demands certain markers of toxic masculinity, but he also needs several feminist seminars and therapy, and to accept that as long as we're all putting along in a capitalist hellscape, he needs to do his part in a work or home setting. 2d

Robotswithpersonality 6/? I get why he exists and why he had to be so awful, but it's worth emphasizing that even if he was pointing out some major flaws in society, the fact that he was a breath away from incel behaviour should not be swept under the 'he is speaking some hard truths' rug of man-behaving-badly-is-a-rebel-and-so-automatically-forgiveable. Do the work, jackass. Thankful that Keiko did eventually ditch his B.S. 2d

Robotswithpersonality 7/7 ⚠️ harrassment, stalking 2d

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Convenience Store Woman | Sayaka Murata

Most of the time I'd like to think I would not wish a set of instructions (aside from the mostly unvoiced, implicit, learned the hard way set achieved via the struggle to adulthood) to dictate my behaviour. But there are days when a manual for functioning in society would come in very handy...

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Drunk on All Your Strange New Words | Eddie Robson

Current read colour palette. It's giving sunrise on the sea pastels. 🌅

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Gwendy's Magic Feather | Richard Chizmar

so-so

I had a decent time with this book, but I'm finding it impossible to categorize for the sake of recommending it to the right audience.
A bunch of cozy moments, even set around Christmas/New Years holidays, but also worrying about political situations, social issues, parent's health, husband's well-being, the doom that the button box might unleash, and missing girls. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Less out and out horror moments now that King's not co-writing, a bit more focus on missing, possibly murderered people, wouldn't say it's full on fantasy considering that there are fantastical premises but not much in the way of fantastical moments. There is the theme continued from the first book of the box's potential influence and destructive power as well as it's rewards, but it too felt like an element that was downplayed this time. 3d

Robotswithpersonality 3/? Somewhere between jarring and unexpectedly pleasant that these books contain formatting I'm more used to associating with middle grade novels: Larger, more spaced out text, short chapters, illustrations dividing some chapters.
Paranormal suspense? And yet, not kept in suspense about anything for very long. 3d

Robotswithpersonality 4/? Were it not for a few key details I'd consider this cozy speculative, but there's definitely some not for kids stuff here. I think Chizmar's writing shines in cozy mystery-adjacent with speculative elements. Hopefully that doesn't lead prospective readers too far wrong! 3d

Robotswithpersonality 5/6 Going back to my qualifier of 'decent', there's a lot that almost happens and doesn't, and then there's an element that pops out of nowhere to save the day, and those two things in the same narrative make it feel less about the plot and more about the characters. 3d

Robotswithpersonality 6/6 I'm happy to finish out the trilogy, though having experienced Chizmar's writing alone, I'm a little concerned what having King re-join the co-writing team for the third book will do for Gwendy. Hoping for the best!

⚠️child death 3d

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The Thing The Book: A Monument to the Book as Object | Jonn Herschend, Will Rogan

pick

Chalk this up as another book doing battle with its own subtitle 'a monument to the book as object', based on the introductory discussion of The Thing periodical, it's clear that non-traditional formatting is key in the minds of those putting together the magazine. So when they decided to make a book, what you get is partly an exploration of books, their components, the way they tell stories, 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? but also partly an art object, something to engage with rather than read.
There are a number of written pieces I find interesting for different reasons, but I'd argue there were an equal number of entries that I can't review because I didn't interact with them as I do with a book. As little as I might find myself qualified to discuss the merit of a book, that dwarfs my readiness to talk about the relative values of art. 3d

Robotswithpersonality 3/? Regarding the written works that I perceived and enjoyed as short stories or essays, my favourites:
Footnotes by Jonathan Lethem, yep, the entire text of the essay is in the footnotes. Terry Pratchett would be proud. 3d

Robotswithpersonality 4/? The Artist as Bookmaker by Gwen Allen, a short history of other objects introduced as books, and artists making books that were art first, nad where that blurred line might be going in the future. Loved delving into the creative minds of the past, a little worried about the implications of the conclusion. 3d

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? A Note to My Students by Andrew Leland, cheeky commentary, the role of academia in determining textual value meets the wide-eyed wonder that is realizing how much can be done with text to make stories. 3d

Robotswithpersonality 6/? The Fire This Time: Razing the Book by Andrew Hultkrans, could be dismissed as a product of its time diatribe against ebooks, but I think the concern around information retention threated by format viability and licensing is a perennial concern it's always good to add more well-spoken voices to. 3d

Robotswithpersonality 7/? Endnotes by Rick Moody, a tad surreal, but I happily floated along, again, once you realize the author is choosing to tell some kind of story entirely in end notes it's just fun to bounce about in the creativity for ten pages 3d

Robotswithpersonality 8/? Questions for a Reading Group by Starlee Kline, reading group questions feel like a ripe format for creativity and parody, and the author makes a short narrative that seems to poke fun at how off topic a reading group might get, how provocative or awkward questions might get, how nitpicky they can get, but also how a person might approach a work written by someone they know, and how people can be petty, and the good old standby 'divorce/having 3d

Robotswithpersonality 9/? an acrimonious ex means you might start blurting out grievances regardless of the time or place
3d

Robotswithpersonality 10/10 ⚠️ The Hearing Trumpet: A Character List, big warning on this one, among the dated language used is a particular transphobic character description; while telling a tale solely through a character list and accompanying descriptions is a neat premise, it's not so great that you can't skip it to avoid the harmful sentiment (may just be a result of being published in 2014?) 3d

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Gwendy's Magic Feather | Richard Chizmar

Who knows what the tone the second book in a series written by only one of the original co-authors, prefaced by a first book I might term horror-fantasy, might be, but what I do know is this is a very cute owl. ☺️

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Nova Graphica | Kris Bertin

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My only issue is with the subtitle. This can be accurately described as an anthology, but I think it's a stretch to call it a collection of stories about Nova Scotia history. The selection is a bit too fragmented and subjective for that. Ghost stories plural don't usually enter into the histories I encounter, and a decent percentage of the stories told/illustrated, 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? while they may have a foundation in the past, are addressing current issues that Nova Scotians are facing. I think every story contributed is worthwhile in presenting a viewpoint, an art style, even an important message, but shoe-horning it into the framework of history feels awkward and limiting. I would happily encounter a series of such collections, each from a selection of different author/illustrators. 4d

Robotswithpersonality 3/? Favourites:
The Halifax Infants' Home, for the writing.
With Women in Mind, for the art and colour.
Not Perfect, for the message.
Spryfield Rocking Stone, for the inventive format, talkshow interview between lighthouse and geological feature. 4d

Robotswithpersonality 4/? I'm very glad the history of Viola Desmond continues to be distributed through various media.
Half Home introduces a fascinating conundrum I'd never heard of before.
Five Sided House presents the standard dichotomy of a good horror short story: the perfect amount of spookyookycreepy makes you want more, but the mood might be lost if the story continued on. 4d

Robotswithpersonality 5/5 Will definitely be on the look out for other graphic anthologies, it's a great way to be introduced to a number of creators and ideas.

⚠️Racism, domestic abuse 4d

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Life | Keith Richards

pick

The story of a singular life but also music history, British history, cultural history, drug history.
Pros: Respect for, sharing and collaboration with musicians.
Cons: Casual misogyny, and yet love for women, less about sex than affection, mother issues? (She didn't seem overly affectionate.) Not certain how great a husband or father he's been, and the language occasionally reveals his membership in an earlier generation. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Full acknowledgement of calamity, when it originates with Keith, when it doesn't, addiction and friction with Mick.
Very much get the sense of an honest recounting because of the 'warts and all' vibes, as much as there are regrets and justifications mixed in. 5d

Robotswithpersonality 3/? It's disheartening to hear institutions failing a young Richards, school and then law enforcement, but these days, it feels more mainstream left than 60s anti-establishment to recognize that formal school structures are the bare bones in education that can always be improved and expanded upon, and law enforcement is in need of abolition as much as overhaul. 5d

Robotswithpersonality 4/? Likewise, you hope that rehabilitation and recuperation rather than targeted surveillance and search is the plan for those experiencing addiction.
Richards does occasionally toss out a 'don't recommend, don't try this at home' but he also gets pretty detailed about various drug shenanigans, more casual than contrite. Glad to hear he's off it now. 5d

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? Never fun to listen to a band go through a schism, but you're left with an image of Richards' checked-out heroin time being productive but mellow leaving Mick with greater control, and an ego that a sobered Richards didn't want to play second fiddle to. It's a subjective retelling, but the delivery and subsequent recounting of some patching up lends credence to the idea. (edited) 5d

Robotswithpersonality 6/? I've more interest in the history of Richards and the band than the present, admittedly, so I'm willing to let this version of events stand. I can't say I'm a huge Richards groupie, but I think there's a distinct value in the memoirs of elderly cultural figures, dare I say celebrities, because the life span is such that they were involved in the creation of pop culture that was part of the zeitgeist by the time I was culturally aware. 5d

Robotswithpersonality 7/? Fascinating to see that time come to life.

The audiobook was an interesting experience, because there are long chunks of solid deadpan reading by Johnny Depp, then a very lively, lengthy section of what appear to be the most rollicking years by Joe Hurley, more Depp and an end cap from Richards himself, where he wraps up with more recent events. 5d

Robotswithpersonality 8/8 Gets a bit muddled because Keith is happy to quote friends for scenes where he doesn't remember as well, might want an eye witness or outsider perspective, and while Hurley puts on voices to distinguish, Depp doesn't. Who knew the more famous actor would be the drier narrator. Guess audiobooks really are a different medium in terms of performance.

⚠️animal death, domestic abuse, 5d

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Under Fortunate Stars | Ren Hutchings

pick

I don't THINK any of this is a spoiler but I went into the book knowing nothing at all and had a wonderful time, so maybe just take my recommendation to read it, and come back to this review if you feel like sharing the love (or yelling at me) after you've read it. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Absolutely thrilled to be able to add another author to my shortlist of humanity-forward sci-fi. If you've read any Becky Chambers, you know the vibe I'm talking about. Yes, there are ships, and worlds, and aliens, and even wars, but what counts is the communication and compassion between people, between beings. 5d

Robotswithpersonality 3/? There is another way this book could have been written, pacing-wise, to add a thriller element, and it would have driven me up the wall. There are a lot of things to find out throughout this story, but I never felt like anything was being dragged out for meaningless suspense, that the reader was being exposed to an odious individual just to increase tension. 5d

Robotswithpersonality 4/? Perhaps even more so than is seen in Chambers' Wayfarers series, the people we meet in this book have flaws and vulnerabilities and even traumatic pasts, and it makes all the difference. It's an ensemble cast, and multiple POVs and timelines/flashbacks result in a lot of ground to cover, but again, it never really loses an intimate feel, even if the story is fairly epic in scope. 5d

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? Less chosen one narrative, than introducing the idea that people can choose, that whole 'bravery is being scared and doing it anyway' thing, with a strong element of redemption, 'this is my chance to help' kinda deal. 5d

Robotswithpersonality 6/? I can almost see a reader complaining that they saw a certain story thread coming, but I think that has more to do with a well-plotted tale, you are brought to an inevitable conclusion, the only one that would fit. Not fate, destiny, faith, or even miracles, as much as that last word is bandied about, more a chance to touch history, question the facts, and decide you want to do your part, because it's one of the good things humanity's done. 5d

Robotswithpersonality 7/? The best parts of Star Trek First Contact and Star Trek Generations combined: In a place where time seems to stand still, meeting people who were part of important historical events, meeting your heroes from history and the dawning comprehension of all the edges they contain that history has polished off, if you loved those aspects of those two movies, I think you will really love this book. 5d

Robotswithpersonality 8/8 Suffice to say the only dismaying discovery I made was that this is Hutchings' debut novel, so I cannot immediately dive into her backlist and will now have to wait for her next book, evidently it will be in the same universe as this stand alone, coming out Fall 2025. Highly anticipated! 5d

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Moving Pictures: (Discworld Novel 10) | Terry Pratchett

so-so

1/? I have a feeling someone's going to read this and accuse me of lacking a sense of humour. Know that I find some of Pratchett's writing hilarious, AND I have issues with some of it.
I regularly appreciate how Pratchett weaves social commentary into fantasy comedy, but upon reread I'm not sure that method was successful in this book.

Robotswithpersonality 2/? I think maybe the awe for old Hollywood 'magic' might have gotten in the way of telling a less adventurous, more hilariously critical tale. Maybe Hollywood being so shallow makes even the commentary seem shallow, especially post SAG-AFTRA strike, and this many years after the start of #MeToo. Going into detail about the ugliness of Hollywood, about dreams that can seduce people into accepting unreasonable behaviour, it all leaves a bad taste. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 3/? Exploitation, film execs vs creative people, not paying actors well, and historically, animal abuse:
He's the canny yet oft neglected jester figure of the story who always lands on his feet regardless of whatever life throws at him, but Gaspode permanently being used and cast aside just makes me sad. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 4/? I normally can enjoy the melding of modern institution with ye olde fantasy especially if it's turned on its head, but Pratchett's ultimate message in this book is not that the institution is corrupt but the idea is sound and you need to do the best you can to confront it and make better individual and communal choices, like the City Watch books; instead it's that the institution represents a power that's better at the bottom of the sea. 6d

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? It feels less like the momentary triumph in an ages-long battle against moral decrepitude and more the author, after presenting all the dazzling aspects with a sense of wonder (and foreboding), washing his hands of an industry that has no redeeming features to offer. Upon reflection, possible correct, not in respect to the creative medium of film, but the modern film industry, which is a depressing conclusion. 6d

Robotswithpersonality 6/? And then there's the elephants motif running though as a message of excess and further greed and danger and exploitation, basically everything about the characterization of the people from Klatch and the made up foreign figures (probably a mirror for how they were historically depicted in early films) is winceworthy. I want to put it down to Pratchett's aforementioned fun with puns, and sharp satire, but overall it seems like a bunch of lazy 6d

Robotswithpersonality 7/? jokes and timeworn stereotypes about 'foreigners' while simultaneously attempting to make elephant traders sound like small town British businessman. The line between commentary on and reinforcement of racism and xenophobia is a little too blurred for my taste. 🤷🏼‍♂️ 6d

Robotswithpersonality 8/8 Oh, and it's probably just a function of being published in the 90s, but the heteronormative nonsense with Ruby and Detritus, not to mention Victor and Ginger, did not improve my impression of this story taking a little too much inspiration from early 20th century film. 🙄 (edited) 6d

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Under Fortunate Stars | Ren Hutchings

Second instance of Shaan cutting efficiently through the BS. Maybe it's personally motivated, but it propels the plot, and I love her for it. 👏🏻

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Gwendy's Magic Feather | Richard Chizmar

Vibrant colourway vibe from TBR pile. High contrast makes sense for what I'm willing to bet are intense narratives! 💛💙

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Moving Pictures: (Discworld Novel 10) | Terry Pratchett

Careful, Victor!
I've seen Monty Python, you DO NOT offend the rabbit. 🫣

julesG 😂😂 7d

Ruthiella Run away! Run away! Run away! 🤣 7d

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The Thing The Book: A Monument to the Book as Object | Jonn Herschend, Will Rogan

Going to be thinking about this one for a while. The amount of old tech I've seen upcycled into art certainly bears out the idea...

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The Thing The Book: A Monument to the Book as Object | Jonn Herschend, Will Rogan

Not the LIBRARY book! 😱 DUDE! ☹️ Darn right, contract not renewed. 🙎🏼‍♂️

GingerAntics Shocking that they wouldn‘t want him returning to chew up and spit out more of their books. 🤦🏼‍♀️ 6d

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How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? | Jane Yolen

Adorable - and educational! - right down to the endpapers.

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How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas? | Jane Yolen

pick

Yes, it's a 'be good, kids' script wrapped up in a poem, but so was How do Dinosaurs Say Good Night and I love that one too. Wholesome, sweet with wonderful illustrations. If you want a quick, festive read for all ages, I highly recommend.

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Pure Colour | Sheila Heti

pick

Perceptive, relatable observations that feel like simple,contemporary, slice-of -life moments, shot through with increasingly abstract and experimental expansions on previously introduced themes: 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Academia, aesthetics, art criticism, astronomy/astrophysics, love, climate anxiety, the natural world, the nature of youth, seeking connection, intimacy, building personhood, relationships, illness and death of a parent, losing a father, grieving, growing up and apart from a parent even when you don't want to.
Nostalgia for pre-social media life focused on family time, community, contrasts suspicion of modern solutions vs tradition/religion 1w

Robotswithpersonality 3/? The focus on the relationship between a father and child, an aging parent and adult child, a lost parent and a grieving child, hit me pretty hard, especially the moments of seemingly random discussion between father and daughter, debates about facts and beliefs, knowledge transfer from parent to child, got my own waves of heavy nostalgia/homesickness. 1w

Robotswithpersonality 4/4 Could have done without the strong emphasis on spirituality/theology, but overall, depending on the subject matter, I could see reading from Heti again in the future. (edited) 1w

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The Thing The Book: A Monument to the Book as Object | Jonn Herschend, Will Rogan

Well DAMN. 📚♥️

Ruthiella Yikes! 😬 1w

GingerAntics Someone is not playing around! Return his book or so help you! 1w

dabbe 😱 1w

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Pure Colour | Sheila Heti

Unique theme of vivid similes happening...🍑🍆💦🫢👀

willaful 😳 1w

Larkken Ew, no 1w

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Slough House | Mick Herron

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When you write a presumed dead character back into a series, it does make it a little more difficult to believe that you've truly killed off another character at the end of the same book. That being said, I can see where the author might feel he'd done everything he could with River Cartwright. 1/? [It's gonna be a long one]

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Found out how he got framed, discovered the truth about his mother and father, brought the engaging motif of his grandfather the guardian and old spy to a close via dementia and death,brought the barely-hinted love interest back and alleviated guilt at her passing, made him actually appear to act on the idea of moving on with his life, in the face of multiple books making clear that no action taken from Slough House would get a person back 1w

Robotswithpersonality 3/? into the good graces of the Park. If the audience is supposed to be rooting for Cartwright, his death is dismaying, but if that audience is looking for Cartwright's story to have a clear resolution, it doesn't get more resolved than death. 1w

Robotswithpersonality 4/? I feel like over the course of the series, the reader comes to understand that for the most part, Slough House is a rotating cast of characters, and while Catherine Standish and Jackson Lamb might come as a set, Cartwright is capable of being relegated to the background, and so bumping him off is not out of the realm of possibility. Still, spies and subterfuge, I'm not sure I trust the ending, less wishful thinking for a better ending 1w

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? for River, more a skepticism provoked by the series itself.
I'll admit this series hasn't really ever been character first for me. The ensemble cast of slow horses are discouragingly constant in their ability to make bad choices, and those that stay for multiple books are repellant for their own reasons, Roderick Ho is insufferable which no amount of satirizing his oblivious ego makes more endurable, River Cartwright is depressingly earnest 1w

Robotswithpersonality 6/? with nothing to show for it, Jackson Lamb is offensive and Catherine Standish is grimly self-flagellating in her withstanding of Lamb's worst and her seeming inability to have anything in her life beyond her recognition that she is an alcoholic always a step away from relapse. 1w

Robotswithpersonality 7/? What works so well in this series is the author's ability to write a taut tale of intrigue without falling into the breathlessly dramatic tropes of thrillers, always a web of dirty dealing unfolding with snappy dialogue and off colour banter (warnings for every type of casually prejudiced language you could imagine) , and always this glimmer of something greater when Lamb makes it clear that regardless of what else politicians, 1w

Robotswithpersonality 8/? movers and shakers and members of the secret service are getting up to, you won't get one over on him, and you don't fuck with his joes. I think that's what makes it so distinct from the thriller subgenre I despise, and makes me curious about whether other spy novels work the same way, there is a thread of clever confident cat and mouse, not flailing about and panicking, and there are those attempting to keep to the side of law and order over 1w

Robotswithpersonality 9/? chaos and corruption. I'm curious to see how Diana Taverner (an opponent that I'm now realizing the series couldn't really exist without) weasels her way out of the latest mess she's gotten herself into, and what Slough House looks like in the wake of River's fate. I could honestly see the next book being the last, which makes the fact that there's a new one scheduled to be published in the coming year particularly interesting. 1w

Robotswithpersonality 10/10 This is a series that I've stepped away from before; I could see doing so again depending on where the next book ends. That being said, the plot and pacing on show in this entry were spectacular, did not feel too dark/dismal, just sucked me right in. A very good series for a quick-paced tandem read, devouring the whole book in a day with the help of 2x audio. 1w

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Gnomon: A novel | Nick Harkaway

“I teach them reading and disrespect for authority...“
Lesson plan approved. 👏🏻

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Under Fortunate Stars | Ren Hutchings

When the cover art is pretty enough to use as the endpapers too. Love it. 😍

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Slough House | Mick Herron

Should I find that funny? The cackle I just let out says I do. Let's call it darkly humourous. 🫢

dabbe Dark humorous is the only place to go these days. 🖤 2w

BarbaraJean I feel like this has to be the philosophy behind Trump's Cabinet picks. 2w

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Godkiller | HANNAH. KANER

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Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. I did not know this was the start of a trilogy when I began the book, I'm glad I found that out before I got to the ending. I wouldn't put this in irritating cliffhanger territory, a lot is accomplished, explained, revealed in this first book, but you can clearly see an overarching plot that has a ways to go. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? With that in mind, I'm very glad from a pacing, character developer, world-building and plot development POV that this is one of three books, and it is under 300 pages, rather than some 900 page mammoth fantasy, it really works, all on on its own. I don't think I can say much more without getting into spoilers, I am invested in each of the character's stories, I love the lore as it is presented, I'm eager to get my hands on the next book. 2w

Robotswithpersonality 3/4 Thankfully I seem to have come to this at the best possible time, because the second book is out and it looks like from my library's 'on order' status that the third will be published soon in 2025. Here's to epic fantasy feel without the page count, the intimate scale of focusing on three people (and a god or two), even as the fate of many hangs in the balance, helps remove that overwhelming factor as well. ♥️☺️ 2w

Robotswithpersonality 4/4 Oh, and huge props for disability and queer rep, and dealing with trauma and PTSD seamlessly woven into main characters identities. 👏🏻

⚠️animal death 2w

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Hera | Jennifer Saint

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pick

WOW. Knocked it out of the park. 🤌🏻
They're always asking the muse to sing of the wrath of Achilles, but when it comes to rage he's got nothing on Hera. Two thirds of the way through this book, I'd say it was a toss up between survivor narrative or villain origin story, considering the Olympian levels of toxic relationships going on. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? This is the first of the Greek myth retellings I've read where I didn't know where it would go, how it would end, even if I could surmise certain plot beats, but I am so, so pleased with how Saint chose to end it. 2w

Robotswithpersonality 3/? It's a little depressing to realize that she had to extend past canon to make a worthwhile ending because Hera's tales really are that dark, discouraging, she is for the most part a thwarted wife and mother who visits vengeance on everyone else because she doesn't have the power to strike directly at Zeus. 2w

Robotswithpersonality 4/? As someone familiar with the majority of the incidents depicted, I found it impressive to see the author weave them together into one narrative, but I do worry that those not familiar with the many times Hera finds herself in a no-win situation, will find it a special kind of exhausting to see her encounter what is broadly the same issue, Zeus wins and nothing goes her way, over and over again, before the plot proceeds to anything different. 2w

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? The ending is worth it to me, because it subverted my expectations and went a different way than I've seen any of these modern retellings go, without truly changing any of the myths we know, but again, if I went into this with less knowledge of her story, I might be frustrated that there wasn't a more cathartic climax to compensate for the torturous tone preceding the ending. 2w

Robotswithpersonality 6/? I appreciate that Saint didn't quite aim for reconciliation or resignation, at least not between Hera and Zeus, because that definitely would have read as loving her abuser/accepting her victimization territory.
Part of me is very curious about what Saint does next, because I'm not sure how you top this take on the Olympians as an ensemble cast, the relation to mortals, the ultimate fate of the Olympians, as antiquity slowly fades 2w

Robotswithpersonality 7/7 into a modern view of the world.
I owe the author a lot for finally presenting me with a version of Hera that I don't just sympathize with, but actually enjoy the existence of. I'm a lot happier imagining her where this story ends, and would gladly see more iconoclastic myth retellings.

⚠️SA, misogyny 2w

2 likes6 comments

Robotswithpersonality

Godkiller | HANNAH. KANER

Helping! ☺️

10 likes

Robotswithpersonality

Godkiller | HANNAH. KANER

Squirrel-sized! 😆
OMG, cuuuuute. 🥹😍🥰

9 likes

Robotswithpersonality

Godkiller | HANNAH. KANER

🤨😏

9 likes1 stack add

Robotswithpersonality

The Smart Cookie | Jory John

pick

Art that is both lovely and adorable, and a great message. I will definitely be investigating the rest of this series.

12 likes

Robotswithpersonality

The Smart Cookie | Jory John

A dedication is much improved by macarons high-fiving. ☺️

BennettBookworm Love this entire picture book series! 2w

dabbe 🤩😂🤩 2w

8 likes1 stack add2 comments

Robotswithpersonality

Life | Keith Richards

It was very like a drug...I could kick smack. I couldn't kick music.

6 likes1 stack add

Robotswithpersonality

How To Solve Your Own Murder | Kristen Perrin

so-so

Well-fleshed out characters, a few 'good guys' to get invested in, twisty, dramatic, a bit too close to thriller tropes I don't enjoy, such as a liberal helping of awful people doing awful things, or awful things happening to people, or people who've had awful things happen to them doing unlikeable things. A bunch of juicy scandals, for those who like that sort of thing, and a dual timeline with various mechanisms to draw out the tension. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/2 Other downsides from my perspective:
Something about the protagonists in both timelines were giving me early 2000s historical romance heroine, and I've been there, done that, had my fill.
Never read a book where so many people bite their lips.
⚠️Child abuse, statutory SA 3w

Robotswithpersonality If you're looking for my thoughts on this book in particular, you can stop reading here, what follows is the only reason I'm going to remember this book fondly, because it provided me with a great revelation about my taste in mysteries, that will benefit me as a reader going forward, and probably knock a few dodgy prospects off my TBR. I've had a fairly mystery heavy reading year this year, and though it resulted in a number of duds, 3w

Robotswithpersonality it has the benefit of providing me with a lot of evidence for my conclusion.
I just went through my list of read books on Storygraph, filtered for 'mystery', for the last two years I've been seriously back into reading. Anything that might be categorized primarily as a modern mystery, I didn't really like. Whether a publishing trend that seems to favour thrillers over mysteries, has led to more mysteries being written like thrillers, 3w

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Robotswithpersonality or whether a writing trend rewarded by loyal audiences, has led to more mystery-thrillers that cannot be separated out into straight mysteries, it looks like it's a safe bet for me to eliminate any book that is a contemporary mystery on the basis that it's probably going to read more like a thriller. 3w

Robotswithpersonality If it's a classic (Christie), if it's funny or charming as much as it's mysterious (Osman, Sandford - Virgil Flowers, McDonnell - Stranger Times), if it's fantastical or sci fi but not too dramatic (Older - Mossa and Pleiti, Lafferty - Midsolar Murders, Cogman - Invisible Library - of these, I'm only continuing in the last one!), if it's historical (Raybourn - Veronica Speedwell, Kinsey - Lady Hardcastle), 3w

Robotswithpersonality if it's fairly cozy (Burns - Baker Street, Popp - Pies Before Guys, Priest - The Booking Agents, Wallace - Evenfall Witches B&B), I enjoy it, but flat out mysteries, not so much!
Here's hoping my rant/revelation helped somebody else! 3w

13 likes6 comments

Robotswithpersonality

4:50 from Paddington | Agatha Christie

pick

Interesting experience listening to a Miss Marple mystery, in audio only format. In some ways the bits that are frustrating are more so, when a character is designed to be insufferable, he is now insufferable with an English accent that makes him sound like a person with a blocked nose that needs to sneeze. When the old man is being callous or the elder brother is being smarmy, I feel like it takes an age to get past the moment of unpleasantness.

Robotswithpersonality 2/? On the other hand, at 1x speed, the pace of a Marple mystery allows me to do all kinds of things with my hands and not lose focus on the mystery. Any clues are spelled out, any surmises are often repeated. While I prefer the Marple mysteries that mean her involvement throughout the story, as in They Do It With Mirrors, Lucy Aislesburrow was an enjoyable alternative, acting in Marple's stead and getting involved in intrigues of her own. 3w

Robotswithpersonality 3/3 The multiple proposals were a bit of an eye roll, as was the general attitude toward domestic servants and women, but I'd be happy to see Lucy pitching in future entries in the series. By my count I've got five left, including the one I've so far had to skip because my library doesn't have A Pocket Full of Rye. Hopefully, interlibrary loan service will come back in the new year. Until then, on to the next! 3w

7 likes2 comments

Robotswithpersonality

The Dark Archive | Genevieve Cogman

pick

Exhausting and entertaining, as usual! There were a few things about this particular entry in the series that made me love it just a little bit more. The Victorian steam punk-mad scientist-masked ball atmosphere of the Grand Technological Exhibition and the techno-gothic atmosphere of the Sagrada Familia cathedral were truly gorgeous set pieces for the rapidly developing action leading to the climax. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Catherine's shift from annoyance to asset and possible friend, all with the highly relatable enthusiasm for librarianship. Satisfying defeats of certain villains, and a confirmation about something teased throughout the series. The hints in the epilogue about where the story will go next... 3w

Robotswithpersonality 3/3 I do remain relieved that it appears there's only one more book in this series. For all that Cogman does insufferable villains, teeth-grinding politics and agonizing interpersonal drama extremely well, I don't think I could face a large number of books prior to the ultimate end. Of course my opinion will shift dramatically if that last book doesn't complete the series with satisfying endings for all characters. 🤨 (edited) 3w

10 likes2 comments

Robotswithpersonality

The Dark Archive | Genevieve Cogman

Pfft. And you can ride them, too! 🤭 🚌🐉

9 likes

Robotswithpersonality

The Dark Archive | Genevieve Cogman

No, no, no! Those with singed clothing proferring experimental devices have not passed my personal health and safety check! 🫣

7 likes

Robotswithpersonality

The Dark Archive | Genevieve Cogman

I don't remember that option being covered in my MLIS. 😆

bookwyrm7 🤣🤣🤣 3w

TheBookHippie 😅 3w

11 likes2 comments

Robotswithpersonality

My Man Jeeves | P. G. Wodehouse

so-so

Given the book is over a hundred years old and I've never read from this author before, it's difficult for me to tell whether the distinctive language style is a product of being on the cusp of the roaring twenties or Wodehouse's particular parlance. Either way, it's the most fascinating part of this collection of stories for me. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? I'd be willing to consider it episodic chapters in sequence were it it for the fact that Bertie and Jeeves' adventures leave off after the first three entries, for the next four with another character called Reggie, who seems to echo Bertie, only for Bertie and Jeeves to pop back for the last story. 3w

Robotswithpersonality 3/? I gather this is a series, so I assume Bertie and Jeeves' will be back, but I guess now I wonder if they're just the one unifying element in a bunch of tales which are a bit formulaic. There's a silly problem that a bit of straightforward honesty would clear up, assuming the one who was interested in living without much effort was willing to take the hit, 3w

Robotswithpersonality 4/? but the complicated machinations taken to avoid such first make things look okay, then grim, then by accident or design, fine and dandy. That and the generalized way women are not always spoken fondly of had me rolling my eyes every so often. The writing style is diverting, and the length of the tales means you don't spend too long with anybody being particularly silly. 3w

Robotswithpersonality 5/5 If you've got an afternoon and the need for a simple distraction, I think this could fit the bill. 3w

11 likes4 comments

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