Plot-wise, in some ways was predictable, but the details (e.g. knowledge of the soil, the delivery of placenta which is so often overlooked in fiction, the excellent writing skills of a character being explained) lifted the story from being maudlin. I particularly appreciate that rape wasn’t used as a plot point, and the willingness to make space for a not happy ending.
User Profile
Pakeha New Zealander, trying to read more and be a bit more grounded in the real. Huge Goodreads fan but also a fediverse fan and keen to try this thing out. Grateful to the volunteers with their ethos that have established all this.
This link opens in a pop-up window
Delia's books
2024 Reading Goal
33% complete! Delia has read 10 of 30 books.
User Activity
RSS feed Back
Delia reviewed Go As a River by Shelley Read
Delia reviewed Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton
Grim and yet…
4 stars
The strength of this book is how it details geneological forensics. I had mixed feelings about the authors description of her own parenting and road trips, I couldn’t really relate to it, but over time I could see its value in context- especially when it was clear her imagination about who people may be was laid aside for the reality of who they were; ie that her altruism truly was for the people and the memory of them, not just her (or my) own macabre fascination with the crime or tragedy surrounding their death. Great audiobook.
Delia finished reading Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton
Delia reviewed Dune: Dune #1 by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #1)
Loved the desert descriptions, meh about the messiah.
4 stars
Listened to the audio book after watching the first film (having not ever read the books before). I loved the world building in the first half, and the dynamic between Paul and his dad the duke. The second half dragged a bit with the mystic politics, and the messianic theme. Would have loved more consistency in characters and strategic gain of power rather than magic, but I guess that’s the guts of sci-fantasy. Not sure about what almost sounds like appropriation of Islamic terms to describe foreign culture but overall some beautiful descriptions and I enjoyed listening. Not sure whether I want to read/listen to more though.
Delia finished reading Dune: Dune #1 by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #1)
Dune: Dune #1 by Frank Herbert (Dune Chronicles, #1)
La mayor epopeya de todos los tiempos, en nueva edición con la traducción corregida en 2019.
En el desértico planeta …
I love the story of how it was written more than the story I think
3 stars
This is the first book I’ve read where I think the movie was better than the book. Also, as the review title says; I love that the authors niece was able to take on the task of bringing the book into being. I think it’s a worthy addition to books remembering the horrors and waste of war. However, the main issue for me with the premise of the book were the letters; some of which felt very true to time, and others feeling more like emails or text messages in their interplay (especially the short ones between Juliet and Mark). Correct me if I’m wrong but a letter sent saying “meet me at 8?” Is unlikely to have three or four messages back and forth in a day to confirm place and time unless… they share an office and are passing notes? It took me out of the world she …
This is the first book I’ve read where I think the movie was better than the book. Also, as the review title says; I love that the authors niece was able to take on the task of bringing the book into being. I think it’s a worthy addition to books remembering the horrors and waste of war. However, the main issue for me with the premise of the book were the letters; some of which felt very true to time, and others feeling more like emails or text messages in their interplay (especially the short ones between Juliet and Mark). Correct me if I’m wrong but a letter sent saying “meet me at 8?” Is unlikely to have three or four messages back and forth in a day to confirm place and time unless… they share an office and are passing notes? It took me out of the world she was building; like seeing someone in Downton abbey wearing an Apple Watch. I enjoyed reading it and would probably recommend it, but feel it could have been tightened a little more by her editors in this regard.
Delia finished reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Delia reviewed The piano shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart
When I close my eyes I can visualise the triple string and hammer action.
4 stars
Meandering and sweet, I didn’t realise until quite a way into it that it was based on reality, not a fictional world or a fictional Luc. I loved the chapters discussing the concept that music is not music unless shared; and the pressure and performance anxiety that can induce. Made me want to play again, which is a lovely thing.
Delia finished reading The piano shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart
Delia reviewed Moloka'i (Moloka'i #1) by Alan Brennert
Delia rated Year of Magical Thinking: 4 stars
Delia finished reading Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
I read this with a friend, whose wife died suddenly.
I think it’s important to recognise Joan was writing her own specific situation, but that specificity has somehow made it more generalisable, more recommended to the recently bereaved. I don’t intend to suggest this book is some guide to grieving or something. It’s isn’t and it can’t. But it’s still very very very good.
My friend stated “If there is one thing from that book that hit me right in the ‘hell yes’, it’s the first section of chapter 17. This is the absolute truth of it and I’m glad she wrote it.”
So there’s that.
Delia reviewed I'm Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
Ain’t no friends here
4 stars
I found the initial chapters starting with her descriptions of micro-aggressions initially a little annoying, to be honest; but her story telling laid layer upon layer became rich and strong and explained well why “smaller” discourtesies can fire off painful responses. Deeply relevant for USA, still relevant for NZers. The chapter around white guilt in particular was really excellent, and the closing chapters were practical. An excellent book. #whitefragility @feijoatrees@mastodon.nz
Delia finished reading I'm Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
I'm Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
The author's first encounter with a racialized America came at age seven, when her parents told her they named her …