"My God, its full of books"
I have had this sitting on my shelf for such a long time and finally got around to reading it. My knowledge of Napoleon was pretty thin, so this was probably pitched at the right level. Part of the Penguin lives series, a concise collection of biographies by celebrated authors, this was short (around 200 pages), and perhaps more an overview than a detailed biography. That suited me just fine, though I suspect anyone with more knowledge of his life, may have found it less satisfying.
I have had this sitting on my shelf for such a long time and finally got around to reading it. My knowledge of Napoleon was pretty thin, so this was probably pitched at the right level. Part of the Penguin lives series, a concise collection of biographies by celebrated authors, this was short (around 200 pages), and perhaps more an overview than a detailed biography. That suited me just fine, though I suspect anyone with more knowledge of his life, may have found it less satisfying.
I listened to this on audiobook rather than reading the physical volume. I found it not so much a dystopian story, as billed, but more a study of one woman's struggle to survive in a harsh landscape, by coming to terms with the natural world. It was enjoyable, and strangely soothing in its repetitive descriptions of her efforts.
An unusual story, and not entirely what I was expecting, but quite moving in terms of the bonds she forms with her animals, her only companions.
I listened to this on audiobook rather than reading the physical volume. I found it not so much a dystopian story, as billed, but more a study of one woman's struggle to survive in a harsh landscape, by coming to terms with the natural world. It was enjoyable, and strangely soothing in its repetitive descriptions of her efforts.
An unusual story, and not entirely what I was expecting, but quite moving in terms of the bonds she forms with her animals, her only companions.
Added to listMy up next shortlistwith 8 books.
The story of two women, generationally divided, and at first apparently unconnected, whose lives steadily entwine. A tale of infidelity and escalating revenge that was an enjoyable and easy read, darkly comic and well written. The story stretches plausabilty at times, but never quite to breaking point.
The second John Lanchester novel I have now read, and another winner.
The story of two women, generationally divided, and at first apparently unconnected, whose lives steadily entwine. A tale of infidelity and escalating revenge that was an enjoyable and easy read, darkly comic and well written. The story stretches plausabilty at times, but never quite to breaking point.
The second John Lanchester novel I have now read, and another winner.
Added to listMy favourite bookswith 31 books.
Added to listThe Guardian book of the day 2026with 81 books.
The meandering stream of conciousness thoughts of a Stalin obsessed 28 year old woman, teaching at a girl's school on the Eastern seaboard of the United states. It started well enough, but got increasingly bogged down and repetitive, with very little in the way of plot to sustain the interest. I wanted to like this, but sadly did not.
The meandering stream of conciousness thoughts of a Stalin obsessed 28 year old woman, teaching at a girl's school on the Eastern seaboard of the United states. It started well enough, but got increasingly bogged down and repetitive, with very little in the way of plot to sustain the interest. I wanted to like this, but sadly did not.
Added to listMy up next shortlistwith 9 books.
A gothic creepy house story that plays with ideas of time, infinity and permanence. It is a fairly long book and for me it lost its way a little in the last 100 pages or so, but still a fun read that never drags.
Not perfect (it has a lot of very bad poetry, and many of the secondary characters are a little one dimensional), but highly enjoyable overall.
A gothic creepy house story that plays with ideas of time, infinity and permanence. It is a fairly long book and for me it lost its way a little in the last 100 pages or so, but still a fun read that never drags.
Not perfect (it has a lot of very bad poetry, and many of the secondary characters are a little one dimensional), but highly enjoyable overall.
DNF. Just not doing it for me.
DNF. Just not doing it for me.
Added to listGoldsboro books Fresh ink subscriptionwith 6 books.
Added to listMy up next shortlistwith 9 books.
Added to listThe Guardian book of the day 2026with 80 books.
