Elinor’s Bookshelf

My rating: ★★★★★ Kit is an ER doctor living a normal, if solitary life, in California until she catches a glimpse of her sister, who died 15 years ago, on Australian news. When her Mother tells Kit she saw Josie alive on the news too - Kit gets tasked with finding her sister in Auckland. What and who will she find on this journey through half-truths, denials, and hidden treasures? This moving account of growing up too fast, the tragedies of our childhoods sealed at the seams by secrets and lies, drives us all the way to beautiful New Zealand, its incredible waters, and lush nature. I almost feel I’ve been there in a vivid dream. This was talented writing, with good pace and a hopeful ending - loved it! View all my reviews I read this book as part of the UNO-2021 Challenge on GoodReads (team Mystic Pizza).

My rating: ★★☆☆☆ This starts really well: Ford Prefect deals a cynical blow to insurance companies, revenue & income, and other generally annoying institutions such as fools and bad news, when gradually the plot itself gets caught in a slow-motion time warp - or so it felt. My eye-lids got unusually heavy despite a leisurely catch-up with Arthur Dent, and the introduction of infinite possibilities (or was it probabilities?), and various programming teasers. The middle of the book was tedious. I may, of course, have missed some mind-blowing references which would explain this not-so-positive perception. The pace picks up at the end of the book (a Good Thing for Bob's sake!), and everything goes back to being as it always was or should have been – the perfect ending for this utterly bonkers trilogy of five. View all my reviews I read this book as part of the UNO-2021 Challenge on GoodReads (team Mystic Pizza).

My rating: ★★★★★ Wow. Well, this made me weep. I don’t think I have ever read quite such a heart-wrenching account of Achilles’ life from a young age to adulthood - and, ultimately, certain death. This book is exquisitely crafted; like the fine coats of armour and beautiful interiors it describes; and poetic as the woods and mountains that peel away from its pages in fragrant images. It is a story of mythology through the lens of Patroclus’ love for Achilles. An aching, live and embracing love that forgives all, denies nothing, and defies the gods and death itself. View all my reviews I read this book as part of the UNO-2021 Challenge on GoodReads (team Mystic Pizza).

My rating: ★★★★☆ What a hoot - this was fun! Henry Farr is a typical middle-aged Wimbledonian: overweight, bored, and fed up with life. And his wife. Above all else, he is angry and determined to top his wife, Elinor. Will he succeed or is even that too much to ask of the loser he has become? In this utterly off-the-wall story, Nigel Williams delves into the murky waters of the deepest and most secret desires of a psychopathic poisoner. And somehow, in a dark and twisted way, it makes for an appealing read because it's peppered with dark humour. Despite a predictable plot, this had me laughing out loud - you'll need your warped humour cape for this one though, so be forewarned. I can't wait for the next instalment (which happens to already be on my shelf - lucky me :)). View all my reviews I read this book as part of the UNO-2021 Challenge on GoodReads (team Mystic Pizza).

My rating: ★★★★☆ Step into a world of cards, magic and miracles! This made for an enjoyable, suspenseful read with stolen children and magic tricks. Or are they? View all my reviews I read this book as part of the UNO-2021 Challenge on GoodReads (team Mystic Pizza).