tommycanyouhearme (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tommycanyouhearme) wrote2024-06-03 02:49 pm
tommycanyouhearme) wrote2024-06-03 02:49 pm
Entry tags:
- author: emily henry,
- author: hannah morrissey,
- author: neil gaiman,
- author: pope paul vi,
- author: roger daltery,
- author: terry pratchett,
- autobiography: roger daltrey,
- book: funny story,
- book: good omens,
- book: thanks a lot mr. kibblewhite,
- book: the widowmaker,
- book: when i'm dead,
- encyclical: humana vitae,
- series: black harbor
9. The Low-Down
Alright, folks. Here are my book reviews for the month of May. Apologies for any misspelled character's names, as this was all via audiobook so I haven't seen most of the names in print. It's been a very lean month because I've been going through some stuff, and my wedding is fast-approaching on June 8th. Let's dive in.
Books listened to in May 2024:
1. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
Off to a strong start in May, with a Neil Gaiman book! This edition of the audiobook has a full cast, including David Tennant (The 10th Doctor) reprising his role from the show as Crowley, and Michaen Sheen (Aro in the Twilight movie series, Lucian in Underworld) as Aziraphale. The pair are joined by Arthur Darvill (Rory in Doctor Who, and Rip in Legends of Tomorrow), and Rebecca Front (she also appeared in Doctor Who), among others. Gaiman himself narrates his forward. I found the book entertaining, but I always approach stories like these with some healthy caution, as with Supernatural, and especially any dealings they've had with demons, angels, the end of the world, etc. That said, I did enjoy the book. I was expecting more with Crowley and Aziraphale than there turned out to be, and there were so many different characters. It was hard to get into and enjoy at times. I especially found the scenes with Adam and his friends, The Them, sort of boring and even obnoxious at times. I don think this was the fault of Gaiman and Pratchett, nor the narrator. I just had my own preconceptions about what the story would be like, and admittedly, had been hoping for more of David Tennant and Michael Sheen in particular, and there just seemed to be a lot going on at once, that I know was ultimately all related, but that I wish had at least not included so many seemingly inconsequential side characters that I would even deem tertiary, rather than secondary. Overall though, highly entertaining, and you can't go wrong with British humor. I definitely want to read more from Neil Gaiman, as I have always intended to do.
2. Thanks a Lot Mr. Kibblewhite by Roger Daltrey
A lovely and poignant reflection on his own life by Roger Daltrey, and also narrated by him. I actually started this book in print form years ago when it came out, but as always, life got in the way and made it hard to consistently read it, so I finally went and finished the audiobook this month. Some of the things Roger talked about, I already knew about, and some of them, I didn't. It was nice, in both regards, to hear his account of things, and his reflections on events throughout his life, and the life of the others in The Who. Roger is the opposite of bitter about any disagreements he and Pete ever had throughout the years, and you can tell he truly loves Pete (and John and Keith, RIP) dearly like a brother. He is never judgmental, and in fact quite understanding of the things Pete went through, and stands by him to the bitter end throughout everything. He has a very mature outlook on the drugs and drinking his bandmates partook in, the falling out when he was briefly cut out of the band due to his temper, when Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp were blatantly stealing money from the band, on his marriage to Heather, his previous marriage to Jackie, his children born in and out of wedlock (and the ones he learned about later), growing older, and all of it. It's especially listening to this book, now in 2024, just a couple of months after Roger turned 80 in March. The book, at the end, doesn't so much sound like a goodbye, but a reassurance to fans that he's had a very good and fulfilling life, filled with very few regrets, and he reflects on all of it with such humble gratitude and dignity. The things he does regret, that he can't change, he faces with honesty, maturity, and acceptance, and a good dose of retrospective thoughts on things he might have done differently, or how. I respect the hell out of Roger. Be lucky!
3. Humanae Vitae by Pope Paul VI
I realize that this will not be a read for everyone, no matter how short it is. Nonetheless, as a Catholic it's helpful for me to be reminded of The Church's stance on things like contraceptives and such in marriage. This was insightful and to the point, and is an oft-cited encyclical letter from one of our former pontiffs of the 20th century, Paul VI. It's also a precursor to Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, which is also on my to-read list. About 20 years in the making, really. A good read if you're curious.
4. The Widowmaker by Hannah Morrissey
Wow! I am really loving Hannah Morrissey's writing, and this Black Harbor series. Now-Sergeant Nikolai Kole makes a pretty steady string of appearances throughout the book, though he's not a central character this time. You hear references to other familiar names from the police department that you heard in Hello, Transcriber. A very captivating story about a 20-year-old cold case and familial connections. Lots of unexpected twists and turns, and I'll admit, I was wrong about who the killer was. It took me a long time to even SUSPECT Bennett. I was right that creepy Uncle Christopher was the one at The Ruins molesting Morgan. I thought he was the one who murdered his brother, though, not Bennett as a BOY murdering his own father! The entire time, you're trying to guess who's an accomplice, who's a murderer, and what's tied to what, if at all. I went back and forth on whether it had been Christopher, Eleanor, or Eleanor's younger long-term boyfriend of 20 years even. Briefly thought MAYBE Carlyle or David, but likely not. There wasn't enough about them in the book or going on with them throughout to make it seem likely. My guess was they were about as much in the dark as most everyone. I did guess correctly that Morgan was the late Clive's secret daughter, the product of an affair. I think the only thing that I wanted to know more about was the aftermath of all of these revelations including what happened to Clive (that he was murdered after all, not just missing), in the rest of the family, particularly how Eleanor reacted. I know it was more Morgan's story, ultimately and Inspector Hudson's, but still. The entire Reynolds family was fascinating. The book wraps up in a really nice way though, with Morgan connecting with her biological cousins in Ireland, and Hudson meeting up with her there. Morrissey, in her usual style, does an excellent job of mingling the dark and twisted, the mysterious, the flawed and damaged, the light and the good, into one satisfying crescendo at the end. The characters who really deserve to get a chance to move forward and find themselves, do, despite all of the crime and depravity that surrounds Black Harbor.
5. When I'm Dead by Hannah Morrissey
The third and most recent Black Harbor book. You will hear a familiar name, Winthorpe. Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorpe, who's name you hear on the transcribed police reports a lot in the first book, her husband Axel, a police officer on the Black Harbor PD, and their missing, possibly dead, daughter Chloe, are the main characters of this story. Once again, Sergeant Nikolai Kole plays a steady and quite prominent role in this story as a part of the ongoing investigation, as well as some other familiar names like Officer Riley. Morrissey uses her usual very well-timed twists and turns to keep you guessing who the killer is throughout the story, and if Chloe is still alive or not. For a brief moment, I started to wonder if maybe it was all a coincidence (usually not, but still), and these were all separate killers/abductors (watching Pretty Little Liars well tend to get you to start thinking that way). I kept wondering if it was Chloe after all, and on and off I kept suspecting Libby, maybe even in cahoots with Chloe while she's in hiding possibly, until it became apparent through the chapters under Libby's point of view that it was clearly not her. She missed Chloe and had no idea where she was, either. But also, she didn't kill Madison or Sari, either. To be honest, the one person who turned out to be the killer, I TOTALLY did not suspect at ALL! But then again, a lot of the missing pieces weren't revealed until the end. I should have known from the Sour Patch Kids conversation at the grocery store. I just didn't realize Mr. Taylor had gone batshit crazy because Chloe looked like his dead sister. He hardly had many interactions at all in the book with anyone until the end. So, so good. Can't wait to read the fourth book, the preview states that Hazel is coming back! I'd love to see some kind of resolution/rekindling between her and Kole, now that they've had time apart to work on themselves or whatever. Do things better this time. Well done as always, Hannah Morrissey!
6. Funny Story by Emily Henry
A very well-written, funny, and touching novel on letting go and learning to trust again, but also to demand the respect you deserve. I loved the way both Miles and Daphne developed over the course of the book, especially Daphne where her dad was concerned. I was so proud of her that she didn't take Peter back! Also Peter and Petra are TERRIBLE people. I also enjoyed that this book took place in Michigan. I'm not sure if Waning Bay is a real place, but Emily Henry mentioned Traverse City, Mackinac Island, Petoskey, Grand Rapids, and Sleeping Bear Dunes. I don't know if Petoskey fries are a real thing, but I desperately want them to be. Anyway. A very well-developed plotline over the course of months, and a very well-developed relationship between Daphne and Miles, in such a way that allowed them both to grow as individual people, and also as an eventual couple. I love, too, that Daphne made huge strides in the area of friendship, including patching things up with Sophie at the end, not just Ashley. Everything doesn't hinge around her romance with Miles, but it's still central to the plot and her life, but in a healthy way. Those two brought out the best in each other, and forced each other (forced is the wrong word, but more, naturally brought it out I guess, and gently challenged that honesty out of one another) to face deepest parts of themselves that they hide from the world and don't talk about or deal with, even. The way things played out slowly, but not too slowly, allowed for the good ending to be a solid and believable one, because the characters did the work to get where they are by the end. Loved it! Can't wait to read more of her books!
Books listened to in May 2024:
1. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
Off to a strong start in May, with a Neil Gaiman book! This edition of the audiobook has a full cast, including David Tennant (The 10th Doctor) reprising his role from the show as Crowley, and Michaen Sheen (Aro in the Twilight movie series, Lucian in Underworld) as Aziraphale. The pair are joined by Arthur Darvill (Rory in Doctor Who, and Rip in Legends of Tomorrow), and Rebecca Front (she also appeared in Doctor Who), among others. Gaiman himself narrates his forward. I found the book entertaining, but I always approach stories like these with some healthy caution, as with Supernatural, and especially any dealings they've had with demons, angels, the end of the world, etc. That said, I did enjoy the book. I was expecting more with Crowley and Aziraphale than there turned out to be, and there were so many different characters. It was hard to get into and enjoy at times. I especially found the scenes with Adam and his friends, The Them, sort of boring and even obnoxious at times. I don think this was the fault of Gaiman and Pratchett, nor the narrator. I just had my own preconceptions about what the story would be like, and admittedly, had been hoping for more of David Tennant and Michael Sheen in particular, and there just seemed to be a lot going on at once, that I know was ultimately all related, but that I wish had at least not included so many seemingly inconsequential side characters that I would even deem tertiary, rather than secondary. Overall though, highly entertaining, and you can't go wrong with British humor. I definitely want to read more from Neil Gaiman, as I have always intended to do.
2. Thanks a Lot Mr. Kibblewhite by Roger Daltrey
A lovely and poignant reflection on his own life by Roger Daltrey, and also narrated by him. I actually started this book in print form years ago when it came out, but as always, life got in the way and made it hard to consistently read it, so I finally went and finished the audiobook this month. Some of the things Roger talked about, I already knew about, and some of them, I didn't. It was nice, in both regards, to hear his account of things, and his reflections on events throughout his life, and the life of the others in The Who. Roger is the opposite of bitter about any disagreements he and Pete ever had throughout the years, and you can tell he truly loves Pete (and John and Keith, RIP) dearly like a brother. He is never judgmental, and in fact quite understanding of the things Pete went through, and stands by him to the bitter end throughout everything. He has a very mature outlook on the drugs and drinking his bandmates partook in, the falling out when he was briefly cut out of the band due to his temper, when Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp were blatantly stealing money from the band, on his marriage to Heather, his previous marriage to Jackie, his children born in and out of wedlock (and the ones he learned about later), growing older, and all of it. It's especially listening to this book, now in 2024, just a couple of months after Roger turned 80 in March. The book, at the end, doesn't so much sound like a goodbye, but a reassurance to fans that he's had a very good and fulfilling life, filled with very few regrets, and he reflects on all of it with such humble gratitude and dignity. The things he does regret, that he can't change, he faces with honesty, maturity, and acceptance, and a good dose of retrospective thoughts on things he might have done differently, or how. I respect the hell out of Roger. Be lucky!
3. Humanae Vitae by Pope Paul VI
I realize that this will not be a read for everyone, no matter how short it is. Nonetheless, as a Catholic it's helpful for me to be reminded of The Church's stance on things like contraceptives and such in marriage. This was insightful and to the point, and is an oft-cited encyclical letter from one of our former pontiffs of the 20th century, Paul VI. It's also a precursor to Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, which is also on my to-read list. About 20 years in the making, really. A good read if you're curious.
4. The Widowmaker by Hannah Morrissey
Wow! I am really loving Hannah Morrissey's writing, and this Black Harbor series. Now-Sergeant Nikolai Kole makes a pretty steady string of appearances throughout the book, though he's not a central character this time. You hear references to other familiar names from the police department that you heard in Hello, Transcriber. A very captivating story about a 20-year-old cold case and familial connections. Lots of unexpected twists and turns, and I'll admit, I was wrong about who the killer was. It took me a long time to even SUSPECT Bennett. I was right that creepy Uncle Christopher was the one at The Ruins molesting Morgan. I thought he was the one who murdered his brother, though, not Bennett as a BOY murdering his own father! The entire time, you're trying to guess who's an accomplice, who's a murderer, and what's tied to what, if at all. I went back and forth on whether it had been Christopher, Eleanor, or Eleanor's younger long-term boyfriend of 20 years even. Briefly thought MAYBE Carlyle or David, but likely not. There wasn't enough about them in the book or going on with them throughout to make it seem likely. My guess was they were about as much in the dark as most everyone. I did guess correctly that Morgan was the late Clive's secret daughter, the product of an affair. I think the only thing that I wanted to know more about was the aftermath of all of these revelations including what happened to Clive (that he was murdered after all, not just missing), in the rest of the family, particularly how Eleanor reacted. I know it was more Morgan's story, ultimately and Inspector Hudson's, but still. The entire Reynolds family was fascinating. The book wraps up in a really nice way though, with Morgan connecting with her biological cousins in Ireland, and Hudson meeting up with her there. Morrissey, in her usual style, does an excellent job of mingling the dark and twisted, the mysterious, the flawed and damaged, the light and the good, into one satisfying crescendo at the end. The characters who really deserve to get a chance to move forward and find themselves, do, despite all of the crime and depravity that surrounds Black Harbor.
5. When I'm Dead by Hannah Morrissey
The third and most recent Black Harbor book. You will hear a familiar name, Winthorpe. Medical Examiner Rowan Winthorpe, who's name you hear on the transcribed police reports a lot in the first book, her husband Axel, a police officer on the Black Harbor PD, and their missing, possibly dead, daughter Chloe, are the main characters of this story. Once again, Sergeant Nikolai Kole plays a steady and quite prominent role in this story as a part of the ongoing investigation, as well as some other familiar names like Officer Riley. Morrissey uses her usual very well-timed twists and turns to keep you guessing who the killer is throughout the story, and if Chloe is still alive or not. For a brief moment, I started to wonder if maybe it was all a coincidence (usually not, but still), and these were all separate killers/abductors (watching Pretty Little Liars well tend to get you to start thinking that way). I kept wondering if it was Chloe after all, and on and off I kept suspecting Libby, maybe even in cahoots with Chloe while she's in hiding possibly, until it became apparent through the chapters under Libby's point of view that it was clearly not her. She missed Chloe and had no idea where she was, either. But also, she didn't kill Madison or Sari, either. To be honest, the one person who turned out to be the killer, I TOTALLY did not suspect at ALL! But then again, a lot of the missing pieces weren't revealed until the end. I should have known from the Sour Patch Kids conversation at the grocery store. I just didn't realize Mr. Taylor had gone batshit crazy because Chloe looked like his dead sister. He hardly had many interactions at all in the book with anyone until the end. So, so good. Can't wait to read the fourth book, the preview states that Hazel is coming back! I'd love to see some kind of resolution/rekindling between her and Kole, now that they've had time apart to work on themselves or whatever. Do things better this time. Well done as always, Hannah Morrissey!
6. Funny Story by Emily Henry
A very well-written, funny, and touching novel on letting go and learning to trust again, but also to demand the respect you deserve. I loved the way both Miles and Daphne developed over the course of the book, especially Daphne where her dad was concerned. I was so proud of her that she didn't take Peter back! Also Peter and Petra are TERRIBLE people. I also enjoyed that this book took place in Michigan. I'm not sure if Waning Bay is a real place, but Emily Henry mentioned Traverse City, Mackinac Island, Petoskey, Grand Rapids, and Sleeping Bear Dunes. I don't know if Petoskey fries are a real thing, but I desperately want them to be. Anyway. A very well-developed plotline over the course of months, and a very well-developed relationship between Daphne and Miles, in such a way that allowed them both to grow as individual people, and also as an eventual couple. I love, too, that Daphne made huge strides in the area of friendship, including patching things up with Sophie at the end, not just Ashley. Everything doesn't hinge around her romance with Miles, but it's still central to the plot and her life, but in a healthy way. Those two brought out the best in each other, and forced each other (forced is the wrong word, but more, naturally brought it out I guess, and gently challenged that honesty out of one another) to face deepest parts of themselves that they hide from the world and don't talk about or deal with, even. The way things played out slowly, but not too slowly, allowed for the good ending to be a solid and believable one, because the characters did the work to get where they are by the end. Loved it! Can't wait to read more of her books!