Because paradise is a library
Weather is the second book I’m reviewing for Amber Books, and I’m noticing a trend here: powerful pictures selected with care and paired with bite-sized, relevant information. It’s a format I appreciate, because it avoids infodumping on the reader - I’m a big fan of minimalism, you know. Teach me things without overwhelming me, just like Robert is doing here.
I love to read short stories. There was a time when my morning routine consisted in waking up, making a cup of tea and sitting at the small table I had in the kitchen with my pc open on the Daily Science Fiction to read the short story of the day. It's a memory buried in the past now (kids, you know the deal), but I still try to read short stories whenever I can. So when Anomalies & Curiosities came out, I just knew I had to read it. First, I knew some of the authors from a previous Quill & Crow anthology (poetry this time); second, horror short stories with anatomy and medicine as a theme? I was sold. And was I beyond ecstatic when the publishing house reached out to ask me to review it? Yes, yes and yes.
It took me a little while to organize my thoughts about Bison, a book I picked from Edelweiss. I was expecting photography with some info, and I got the reverse, a ton of info with some pictures. Chase and Audrey said, surprise! 😀
The concept behind BB is awesome. Exploring abandoned places, documenting their history, the state of disrepair they’re in while trying to capture a glimpse of their old splendor? It pushes all my buttons. In a good way.
The last time I read a horror book I was a 16 years old wandering alone in Barcelona. I carried three things back home from that vacation: a beautiful dog who's been the love of my life for a very long time, an insane passion for anything created by Gaudí, and the idea that I would never read another horror story ever again. Fast-forward to 20 years later, I'm on Twitter and everyone is raging about how good Ghost River is, and I can't help but be curious about it.
The main theme is nature, the backdrop is (for the most part) the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, but there are various pictures taken elsewhere in the world. Iceland, Italian Dolomites, Scotland, Croatia - they all merge in a beautiful way. I checked the actual locations after I was done reading, that’s how I know; without it, I could have sworn they all came from the same park. The word ‘seamless’ was invented for TJB.
Jamie, your prose and pacing are impeccable. Not a misplaced comma, a wrong word, info are doled out in precise, even amounts. Technically speaking, RH is perfect. It’s a relief for weary eyes ❤
When Alexander contacted me and asked me to review River Queens, my first reaction was ‘Uh. But I don’t know anything about boats!’. No, that’s a lie. My first reaction was ‘Yay, new book!’, the blink-blink omg how am I supposed to review this one when I know, like, zilch about boats? came next. 320 pages and some time later, I’m glad I didn’t let that detail put a damper on my enthusiasm. RQ is a pretty cool memoir 😀
February 4, 2003, promises to be a typical day for Olivia Ross—a greeting card writer whose passion project is a screenplay of her own. But after she and a handsome actor have a magical meet-cute in a coffee shop, they make a spontaneous pact: in ten years, after they’ve found the success they’re just sure they’re going to achieve, they’ll return to the coffeehouse to partner up and make a film together. The only problem? Olivia neglected to get the stranger’s name. But she doesn’t forget his face—or the date.
What a lovely little book! I chose TP because I’m a plant parent too, a hobby I picked up from my mom: her place is chock full of them, bought and rescued both - don’t ask - and every once in a while she knocks on my door with a grin and a new leafy baby.
Book reviews etc...
Books, tags and more
🌈 book reviews, recommendations & bookish talk 🌸
Eclectic Mix Book Blog
provaprovaprova
Best Reasons To Love Dog Doors
eBook Store
Books, Books, Books
