Friday Mini Reviews Audio Edition #45: Amy Lane, Ann Leckie & Jenny Colgan
The Winter Courtship Rituals of Fur-Bearing Critters by Amy Lane (I'll Be Home For Christmas)
bought on audio
Synopsis from Goodreads
Narrated by Philip Alces
Rance Crawford is an alpaca rancher, fiber mill owner, and self-proclaimed grumpy bastard. When sweet, charming tenderfoot Ben McCutcheon moves onto Crawford's rural road, Rance is very aware that Ben makes it a grand total of two gay men in their tiny town, and even though he is instantly, painfully smitten, any move he makes could be simply chalked up to being hard up. Using his best weapon and favorite skill, Crawford launches an awkward, wordless effort to make sure Ben is kept warm during the cold Colorado winter, every last piece of him - especially his heart.
Rance Crawford is an alpaca rancher, fiber mill owner, and self-proclaimed grumpy bastard. When sweet, charming tenderfoot Ben McCutcheon moves onto Crawford's rural road, Rance is very aware that Ben makes it a grand total of two gay men in their tiny town, and even though he is instantly, painfully smitten, any move he makes could be simply chalked up to being hard up. Using his best weapon and favorite skill, Crawford launches an awkward, wordless effort to make sure Ben is kept warm during the cold Colorado winter, every last piece of him - especially his heart.
Audible US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK
7.5/10
Okay. Guys? This was freaking adorable! A very Christmasy adorable short-novel from Amy Lane about a grumpy, awkward alpaca grower with a knitting shop and a new comer computer whiz trying to do some off grid living. I listened to it last January while chopping wood, which was sooo apropriate, and smiled all the way. It's funny and it has a genuine love for knitting shining through. The price for audiobook is very cheap as well, so grab it.
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Ну милейшая просто короткая книженция от Эми Лэйн с очень рождественским настроением. Я слушала её в прошлом январе, распиливая поленья, что прямо подходило этой книге по духу, и всё время улыбалась. Фермер, выращивающий альпаку и владеющий магазином по вязанию в холодной американской глуши встречает милого молодого соседа, компьютерного инженера, который пытается научиться жить офф-грид. Смешно и пропитано любовью к вязанию. Рекомендую!
bought on audio
Synopsis from Goodreads
Polly Waterford is
recovering from a toxic relationship. Unable to afford their flat, she
has to move miles away from everyone, to a sleepy little seaside resort
in Cornwall, where she lives alone above an abandoned shop. And so Polly
takes out her frustrations on her favourite hobby: making bread.
But what was previously a weekend diversion suddenly becomes far more important as she pours her emotions into kneading and pounding the dough, and each loaf becomes better and better. With nuts and seeds, olives and chorizo, with local honey (courtesy of local bee keeper, Huckle), and with reserves of determination and creativity Polly never knew she had, she bakes and bakes and bakes.... And people start to hear about it. Sometimes, bread really is life...and Polly is about to reclaim hers.
Audible US/UK | Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository
But what was previously a weekend diversion suddenly becomes far more important as she pours her emotions into kneading and pounding the dough, and each loaf becomes better and better. With nuts and seeds, olives and chorizo, with local honey (courtesy of local bee keeper, Huckle), and with reserves of determination and creativity Polly never knew she had, she bakes and bakes and bakes.... And people start to hear about it. Sometimes, bread really is life...and Polly is about to reclaim hers.
Audible US/UK | Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository
7.5/10
Another lovely read especially because I love reading about small communities and cooking or baking. In this heroine gets a chance to start a new life on a grim island which has no decent bread or baked goodies, and she is slowly changing its residents lives. Also, there is a slightly eccentric, sexy American beekeeper! *grinning*
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Ещё одна нежная, милая книга, прочитанная мною в прошлом году. Я люблю читать о маленьких городках и о готовке еде или выпечке. Здесь героиня пытается начать жизнь снова, переехав на полкмёртвый остров без нормальной пекарни. Она начинает печь свой хлеб и медленно меняет жизнь своих соседей к лучшему. Готовьтесь также к экцентричному и очень симпатичному американцу-пчеловоду... *смеясь*
bought on audio
Synopsis from Goodreads
Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel 2014
The spectacular debut novel nominated for every major science fiction award in 2014, Ancillary Justice is the story of a warship trapped in a human body and her search for revenge. Winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Nebula Award, the British Science Fiction Association Award, a James Tiptree Jr. honour, and a Kitschie. Currently shortlisted for the Hugo Awards.
They made me kill thousands, but I only have one target now. The Radch are conquerors to be feared—resist and they'll turn you into a 'corpse soldier'—one of an army of dead prisoners animated by a warship's AI mind. Whole planets are conquered by their own people. The colossal warship called The Justice of Toren has been destroyed - but one ship-possessed soldier has escaped the devastation.
Used to controlling thousands of hands, thousands of mouths, The Justice now has only two hands, and one mouth with which to tell her tale. But one fragile, human body might just be enough to take revenge against those who destroyed her.
7.5/10
Alright, I know it won all the awards, but I found it slightly off kilter. It was very dry, probably because it's told from the point of view of AI, Justice of Toren, but the ending is pretty epic, and I enjoyed it and some other parts of this book as well. The human companion was a great touch, but I don't think I'll be listening to the rest of this series.
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Значит так, я знаю, что эта книга выиграла много наград, но для меня она была слишком странной, повествование очень сухим, что хорошо подходит по духу главному персонажу - искусственному уму - Правосудие Торена. В основном читала с удовольствием некоторые части и особенно эпичную концовку, и скучала между ними. Я не думаю, что продолжу эту серию.
