literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Book Review: "Engleby" by Sebastian Faulks
Now, let's start off with the tone of this review. I appreciate what Sebastian Faulks was attempting to do here but I did find I had some issues with the book. It was not as 'mesmerising' as the reviews would have me believe and I felt like I couldn't lose myself in the narrative because I didn't care too much about our main character: Mike Engleby. Though the premise is promising and it definitely has some strengths where Sebastian Faulks showcases his classic writing style which is both descriptive and existential - I geniunely found some problems with the route this book took. I simply could not immerse myself in it. Let's explore why...
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Shepherd's Hut" by Tim Winton
Tim Winton is perhaps one of my favourite writers of the last year or so because when I read the novel “Cloudstreet” I was completely taken by his writing style. After this, I started to pay more attention to his novels including books such as: “Dirt Music” and “The Riders”. I read his short story anthology entitled “The Turning” and his attempt at a gothic novella entitled “In the Winter Dark”. So far, I have been fascinated by his output and have thus moved on to reading “The Shepherd’s Hut” and yes, I am looking on reading his novel “Juice” in the near future. If you don’t believe that his output is fantastic then please, go back to where you read about “Cloudstreet” and go and read that book.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Plainsong" by Kent Haruf
This is one of the books I'd told myself I'd read in the New Year. As I was finishing off Empire of Things I thought I now needed some fiction to read - but something deep, emotional and immersive. I needed something that perhaps I had not really heard much about as well. I guess we can count this on the list of authors I've never heard of then! Plainsong is set in Holt, Colorado and tells the tense, moving and heartbreaking story of a whole bunch of loveable characters. The chapters move swiftly between them, looking at how each of them need to get through a particularly difficult time. It simply takes you away.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
“Not in My Book” by Katie Holt (5 stars)
I’ll be honest from the beginning here, I read this one because two of my favorite authors had given it glowing reviews. Lana Ferguson said that, “Not in My Book is a fun twist on enemies to lovers with unique perspectives and a fresh voice. With a swoony hero and a headstrong heroine set to the bustling background of NYC - this is romcom perfection” and Alicia Thompson said, “This is an author who understands the power of a happily-ever-after!”. So I really had no choice but to read it. Here’s what I think:
By Kristen Barenthaler2 years ago in Geeks
“Small Space, Big Living: Interior Design to Make Every Inch Count” by Sofie Hepworth (3 stars)
*I received an e-book copy of this book from Edelweiss Plus in exchange for review.* “Sofie Hepworth is an award-winning digital content creator, interior stylist and product designer. She shares her incredible renovation projects on her colourful Instagram page @threeboysandapinkbath, including her most recent one – a tiny 450-square-foot ‘Sheila Shed’ she designed and built for her family of four! She has been featured in the Sunday Times Home supplement and has worked with brands including B&Q, American Express, Sofa.com, Velux, eBay and West Elm.” (Three Boys and a Pink Bath).
By Kristen Barenthaler2 years ago in Geeks
“Kawaii Cafe Ramen: Classic, Fun, and Delicious Ramen Meals to Make at Home” by Amy Kimoto-Kahn (4 stars)
*I received an e-book copy of this book from Edelweiss Plus in exchange for review.* Okay, I’ll start off with the truth: I’ve never had ramen before! I know: shameful! So here’s what I read online that made me want to try this cookbook: “Kawaii Café Ramen covers everything you need to know, including how to put together a bowl of piping hot ramen in a myriad of ways with a choice of four soup bases, ramen noodles (homemade or store-bought), and traditional and non-traditional ingredients. Enjoy bowls of pork, chicken, and beef ramen, or branch out with seafood, vegetarian, and spicy soups - and even cold ramen and a breakfast version topped with bacon and a poached egg. Make your soup base in advance and you have a quick, easy, and special midweek family meal” (Amazon.com). Sounds amazing, right?
By Kristen Barenthaler2 years ago in Geeks
“How to Rate a Cat: Rate Any Feline Friend from Their Boopable Nose to Their Sweet Toe Beans” by Matthew McGlasson (5 stars)
*I received an e-book copy of this book from Edelweiss Plus in exchange for review.* I really only downloaded this book because I immediately went ‘CAT’ in my brain! I’m one of those crazy cat people and it’s best you know that now before reading any further. We’ll only go further down the rabbit-hole. I have two cats currently, named Boots and Pia who are my everything, even though to them I am often simply a way to get more food or a clean litter box. Which I realize is completely normal after reading this, so I don’t feel so bad about it now…
By Kristen Barenthaler2 years ago in Geeks
“The Cat Operator’s Manual: Getting the Most from Your New Cuddle Unit” by Queen Olivia III (4 stars)
*I received an e-book copy of this book from Edelweiss Plus in exchange for review.* I really only downloaded this book because I immediately went ‘CAT’ in my brain! It’s a problem that I’m working on…okay, not really. I’m one of those crazy cat people and it’s best you know that now before reading any further. We’ll only go further down the rabbit-hole. I have two cuddle companions currently, named Boots and Pia who are my everything, even though to them I am often simply a way to get more food or a clean litter box. Which I realize is completely normal after reading this, so I don’t feel so bad about it now…
By Kristen Barenthaler2 years ago in Geeks
“Chasing Headlines” by J. Rose Black (2 stars)
*I received an e-book copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books in exchange for review.* Amazon markets Chasing Headlines as “A steamy, new adult, enemies to lovers comedy series” (Amazon.com), but it wasn’t steamy (they had dreams about each other, but hadn’t even agreed to date by the end of the book). New adult just means that it can’t be too steamy because it’s being marketed for a younger audience and as for comedy, I didn’t laugh once. The only thing being correctly marketed is that it’s an enemies-to-lovers (who aren’t yet actually lovers) romance. I felt disappointed in what I had built this book into based on that marketing, but it barely met the minimum I would’ve expected for this tagline.
By Kristen Barenthaler2 years ago in Geeks
“Cross the Line” by Simone Soltani (4 stars)
I’d never read a formula one romance before, but when I saw this on Audible, I thought “what the heck” and I’m so glad I did! Who knew racing was such a sexy sport? Friends-to-lovers is also an automatic win in my book (pun intended), so I knew immediately that I was going to adore the hidden romantic shenanigans of Willow and Dev. I now have quite a few racing romances being suggested on my feed and I wasn’t aware it was such a big part of the sports romance genre.
By Kristen Barenthaler2 years ago in Geeks
