What do you want first? The good news, or the bad news? The bad news is, Panic isn’t as good as Before I Fall. Ever since I read that one, I’ve (probably unfairly) compared all of her other books to its high standards. This one is close, but it just isn’t as powerful. The good news? This book is far and away better than any book that Oliver has written that ends in “ium”. Delirium. Pandemonium. Requiem [sic]. Panic far surpasses those offerings. Panic is […]
You know that thing? When you get all excited for a sequel? And then it kinda sucks? Yeah. That.
I had high hopes for Lola. I enjoyed its prequel (of sorts), the very sweet Anna and the French Kiss, last year. I loved Stephanie Perkins’ story (It’s a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown) in the short story compilation, My True Love Gave to Me. And so I was excited to finally get this from the library, after waiting what seemed like forever. But I was disappointed. This book just wasn’t as fun or cute, or sadly, even as likable. Lola is a 17-year old high […]
Phryne Fisher #3
Phryne and Dot, her maid, are traveling to Ballarat via train (no spoilers here, folks). But there’s one problem – there’s a bad smell and everyone in first class is passed out. Luckily, our hero(ine) Phryne stays awake long enough to shoot out a window, alert the engineer, and rescue most of her fellow passengers. Well, except one – the mean old lady who spent the whole time complaining and being nasty to her daughter. They were in the first car, where the chloroform was […]
Ye Olde Booke Reuieuu
If my review title makes you want to howl and scream with the unparalleled, uncompromising rage of a true English-language pedant, then you are going to love this book. Hard. The full title is Spell It Out: The Curious, Enthralling, and Extraordinary Story of English Spelling, but reading it is a breeze. It is a book for the layperson, so even if you haven’t quite nailed that dissertation defense, you’ll be fine… Full review