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jstilts's reviews
116 reviews
Nothing Lasts Forever (Basis for the Film Die Hard) by Roderick Thorp
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Published 1979 and certainly reads like it - and you also can't help but compare it to the movie "Die Hard" which was based on this book. The bare bones of the plot is basically identical, but with some major character changes that make this a very different beast. Imagine Die Hard but entirely humourless, with an older lead character that has a much more tragic history and lonlier personal life - all of which are rawly exposed, examined and agonised over as he goes through the mental and physical exhaustion of a dehumanising 36 hour ordeal of terror.
Interesting for fans of the film, but while this is a page-turner of a thriller and an emotional rollercoaster to boot, it is still of an old-fashioned enough type of prose that I probably wouldn't have spent time on if not for Die Hard.
Interesting for fans of the film, but while this is a page-turner of a thriller and an emotional rollercoaster to boot, it is still of an old-fashioned enough type of prose that I probably wouldn't have spent time on if not for Die Hard.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
The Travelling Companion by Ian Rankin
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A very short story, so cannot say much without spoiling it - however it concerns a student studying Robert Louis Stevenson, and you should be familiar with "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" before reading this short story by Ian Rankin.
It is perhaps rather too short: most of the book is spent setting the stage very nicely, and at the same pace as a regular novel - but then the tale takes a rather sudden twist and it's done. The obvious twist is out of the blue (which saves it from being too obvious in the moment), very on point thematically but seemingly with no reason - leaving everything rather unresolved. On reflection I think I can see what triggers it if we don't take the rather nonsense reason briefly put forward, but the motivation escapes me. Would definitely have enjoyed this had it been expanded significantly.
It is perhaps rather too short: most of the book is spent setting the stage very nicely, and at the same pace as a regular novel - but then the tale takes a rather sudden twist and it's done. The obvious twist is out of the blue (which saves it from being too obvious in the moment), very on point thematically but seemingly with no reason - leaving everything rather unresolved. On reflection I think I can see what triggers it if we don't take the rather nonsense reason briefly put forward, but the motivation escapes me. Would definitely have enjoyed this had it been expanded significantly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Murder, and Alcohol
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family From a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
Almost a memoir, this book is a wonderful uplifting read about how to clear out your home both for personal happiness and - if you are nearing the end of your life - so as not to be a burden.
Not a sad book by any stretch, it reads as a long slightly rambling but utterly charming domestic conversation with the Swedish author "somewhere between 80 and 100" as she imparts her advice along with rel vant stories from her life - some of them had me hooting with laughter - where you quickly understand her point of view but keep turning the pages to slowly reveal her life and character.
I think I was about a third of the way through when I discovered she is an artist, and the illustrations in the book were all her own!
A great book if you are facing a big clear-cut, or just want a cozy convesational read. I've had this book in my to-read pile for years, and having just hired a skip this seemed the perfect moment to read it - but I wasn't expecting such a charming experience!
Not a sad book by any stretch, it reads as a long slightly rambling but utterly charming domestic conversation with the Swedish author "somewhere between 80 and 100" as she imparts her advice along with rel vant stories from her life - some of them had me hooting with laughter - where you quickly understand her point of view but keep turning the pages to slowly reveal her life and character.
I think I was about a third of the way through when I discovered she is an artist, and the illustrations in the book were all her own!
A great book if you are facing a big clear-cut, or just want a cozy convesational read. I've had this book in my to-read pile for years, and having just hired a skip this seemed the perfect moment to read it - but I wasn't expecting such a charming experience!
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death and Death
Saltwater Boy by Bradley Christmas
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Saltwater Boy is an excellent book for mature juvenile or younger Young Adult readers, but was great to read as an adult. As an adult I wished some themes and plots could have been expanded upon, but the book plays fair as mostly these are somewhat out of the young protagonist's view/control. Nevertheless a good quick read, and well worth your time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Letters from the Emu War by James Adrian Bryden
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
It's a potentially very funny true story to tackle, and tackling it from the perspective of the Emunis inspired. However the execution is lacking: the charcters and humour are one-note, but worst of all is the inexplicable decision to split the book into "letters from the front" "letters from family" and "letters from command" make following events and jokes both confusing and repetitive.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
The Hound of Death by Agatha Christie
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Long ago I had managed to read every single Agatha Christie novel and collection of short stories - with the exception of this one. So it's fair to say I was unfairly hyped to finally ready this, but nevertheless it's definitely not Christie at her finest.
This collection of short stories are - as the title suggests - all of a supernatural bent, and while the supernatural has occasionally added great flavour to Christie's books, it's not her greatest skill as a writer - and that shows in the stories that are wholly concerned with the supernatural (including the titular tale which is unfortunately the worst of the lot). They're all a bit twee and obvious, with twists you'll see a mile off.
However, thankfully Christie just cannot resist a good murder - or attempted murder - and her usual cleverness and wit shines through in quite a few of the stories.
For a completest this is worth your time, but if you are someone looking to first experience Agatha Christie's works then this isn't the book you are looking for!
This collection of short stories are - as the title suggests - all of a supernatural bent, and while the supernatural has occasionally added great flavour to Christie's books, it's not her greatest skill as a writer - and that shows in the stories that are wholly concerned with the supernatural (including the titular tale which is unfortunately the worst of the lot). They're all a bit twee and obvious, with twists you'll see a mile off.
However, thankfully Christie just cannot resist a good murder - or attempted murder - and her usual cleverness and wit shines through in quite a few of the stories.
For a completest this is worth your time, but if you are someone looking to first experience Agatha Christie's works then this isn't the book you are looking for!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Murder, and Classism
The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Effectively a collection of short stories, but each story is constructed in the same way: somebody experiences Kyoto while searching for the Komogawa Diner, they eat, they move into the Food Detective Agency and pour out their story. The chef detectives ponder how best to solve the problem - then we are transported to 2 weeks later when the client returns to experience their efforts, and more of their personal story is revealed.
If this sounds repetitious, well, it is - but comfortingly so. The meat of the book is in the personal stories and how they are affected or revealed by the efforts of the Kamogawa Food Detectives.
Gentle, wholesome, soulful stories - hopefully they will translate more as in Japan this is currently a 10 book series!
If this sounds repetitious, well, it is - but comfortingly so. The meat of the book is in the personal stories and how they are affected or revealed by the efforts of the Kamogawa Food Detectives.
Gentle, wholesome, soulful stories - hopefully they will translate more as in Japan this is currently a 10 book series!
Power Pack Classic Volume 2 by John Romita Jr., Chris Claremont, Bill Mantlo, June Brigman, Sal Velluto, Brent Anderson, Louise Simonson
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If your children are interested in reading superhero comics books but aren't old enough for the likes of the Hulk and Iron Man smashing and blasting their way through their problems, Power Pack is the perfect introduction: four newly empowered siblings finding encountering people and problems that teach them age-appropriate life lessons as mundane as not cheating at baseball and as weighty as racism. These issues are usually presented in suprisingly nuances ways, and the children's differing personalities guarantee you get many points of view and attitudes.
The mix of the children's powers and varying levels of maturity mean they're only ever really affective together, and the theme of family - and found family - runs strong.
Volume 2 is a pretty strong run, the characters having settled down nicely since their slightly rocky origin stories in Volume 1, but the whole run is solid.
Probably of little interest to adults unless, like me, you remember reading these as a child. But for their target audience of young thoughtful children who dream of being a superhero but aren't obsessed with fighting, this is a solid 3 stars.
The mix of the children's powers and varying levels of maturity mean they're only ever really affective together, and the theme of family - and found family - runs strong.
Volume 2 is a pretty strong run, the characters having settled down nicely since their slightly rocky origin stories in Volume 1, but the whole run is solid.
Probably of little interest to adults unless, like me, you remember reading these as a child. But for their target audience of young thoughtful children who dream of being a superhero but aren't obsessed with fighting, this is a solid 3 stars.
The Devil's Due by Bonnie Macbird
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Another of MacBird's excellent post-Doyle Sherlock Holmes books, and probably one of the best if you want to sample her work before comitting to the much longer "Unquiet Spirits" or slightly gruesome "Art in the Blood".
MacBird is easily one of the best Sherlock Holmes writers: smart, funny, complex - and not afraid to explore and develop the characters of Holmes and Watson more than Conan Doyle ever did.
MacBird is easily one of the best Sherlock Holmes writers: smart, funny, complex - and not afraid to explore and develop the characters of Holmes and Watson more than Conan Doyle ever did.
Unquiet Spirits: Whisky, Ghosts, Murder by Bonnie Macbird
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is a great Holmes book - very witty, complex, full of character and incident.
MacBird writes Holmes and Watson ever so slightly leaning towards the Robert Downey Jr interpretation which gives the pace and energy and a wicked humour often missing from other post-Doyle Holmes novelists. This doesn't at all detract from the seriousness of the cases Holmes and Watson are investigating, with complex and downright nasty individuals under scrutiny with true danger ever present once the game is truly afoot. However there are a few laugh-out-loud moments, but none of them seem out of place nor out of character, indeed some of the humour is found in knowing Holmes and Watson's characters well enough to see what's coming.
MacBird is also not afraid to explore and develop the characters of Holmes and Watson more than Conan Doyle ever did, with Watson gaining some surprising insights into Holmes' youth.
MacBird writes Holmes and Watson ever so slightly leaning towards the Robert Downey Jr interpretation which gives the pace and energy and a wicked humour often missing from other post-Doyle Holmes novelists. This doesn't at all detract from the seriousness of the cases Holmes and Watson are investigating, with complex and downright nasty individuals under scrutiny with true danger ever present once the game is truly afoot. However there are a few laugh-out-loud moments, but none of them seem out of place nor out of character, indeed some of the humour is found in knowing Holmes and Watson's characters well enough to see what's coming.
MacBird is also not afraid to explore and develop the characters of Holmes and Watson more than Conan Doyle ever did, with Watson gaining some surprising insights into Holmes' youth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Medical content, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism