2016 Book list #31 and 32: Swordspoint (and Tremontaine: Arrivals)

By Ellen Kushner.

I forgot to blog this when I read it - probably because they are both on my Kindle, rather than 'real books'.  I am having trouble remembering much about these books, but I think, realistically, I am not the target market for 'mannerpunk'.  I found some of the character motivations in Swordspoint a bit unbelieveable. I found Arrival ( which was a bit more of a teaser than a whole book), and I foudn that more intriguing, but have not downloaded yet...

2016 Booklist #30: The Dressmaker

By Rosalie Ham.  (A Bookclub Book).  I was familiar with this book from the movie trailers (I haven't seen the move), so I was expecting a quirky comedy. It was certainly quirky and I guess it was a comedy, but it's a pretty dark book,  with very few sympathetic characters, and an ending that felt like a farce.  There's no doubt that Ham's characters are unique.  Her Australian town is not a typical Aussie town (or maybe it is?? perhaps I should say it's not *stereotypical*), but was it an enjoyable read?  I'm not sure...

(No picture as it was a library book that has gone back to the library!!)

2016 Booklist #29: Soul Kitchen

By Poppy Z. Brite. Brite mentions in her foreward that this book was finished the night before Hurricane Katrina which made reading this quite poignant - how much of the buildings and landscape remained after this book? A good read, Ricky and G-man have slightly more complex problems and are very tired. Perhaps Brite is tired too, as the book feels quite weary, and a conclusion to the main plot line is somewhat demoralising. Still the final *actual* ending is very sweet.
 

2016 Book list #28: Prime

By Poppy Z. Brite. Another charming outing with Ricky and G-man. Two years on, they're not quite as fresh, a bit more weary. This story has quite a cleverly entwined mystery/thriller element that becomes obvious in the end, but otherwise add quite a nice twist to the story. As always, the descriptions of cooking and restaurant life is fascinating.

2016 Booklist #27: Wild

By Cheryl Strayed. I read this for Book Club. I read it very quickly, and it is quite a thrilling read. Strayed accomplished an amazing feat - I think one that I would NEVER attempt. However, I'm not sure it will stay with me long term, not sure why. Even a week or so after finishing,  I don't really feel the impact.

(Still not actually sure how to pronounce Cheryl's last name - i though it was Stry-add, until I read how she came to have it. Actually, just looked it up - it looks like it really is Straid http://www.thenervousbreakdown.com/mbatt/2012/06/hello-my-name-is-cheryl-strayed/)

2016 Booklist #26: Liquor

By Poppy Z. Brite.  OMG - How charming is this book! Poppy Z. Brite was already on my QUILTBAG author list, but the recommendation for this particular series came from a particular friend (Thanks T!).  I'm not sure how to quite categorise this book - cheffy thriller comedy? Ricky and G-man are lifelong friends, lovers and setting up a new restaurant. I loved the level of detail  given about the New Orleans food scene and restaurants in general.  I loved both hot headed Ricky and sensible and calm G-man.  I loved the earthy dialogue, and I have ordered the next two to read.

2016 Booklist #25: Burial Rites

By Hannah Kent.  This was reminiscent of my recent read, Hild, as it's fiction based on true events,  in this case the execution of the last woman in Iceland (Agnes Magnusdottir). It's very well written, and absorbing tale of life in Iceland - I am pretty sure this is the first book in Iceland that I've read! (though written by an Australian). The book weaves 'present day' (which is the incarceration of Agnes with a farming family before the execution), and the events leading up to the murder that she has been charged with.  It seems evident that Kent has meticulously researched the history of the period and the events them selves, I do wonder how much inference she has made about 'what really happened', though I also wonder how important that is (or why I feel it is important to me). Definitely recommended!