Rosh ~catching up slowly~’s Comments (group member since Mar 06, 2022)

Rosh ~catching up slowly~’s comments from the Aussie Readers group.

Always, Clementine by Carlie Sorosiak

I wish that cute cover would have translated to a more memorable experience. Nevertheless, it's a MG novel and animal-loving tweens will mostly like it far more than I did.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Self-Portrait with Nothing by Aimee Pokwatka

SFF with a literary twist. Not bad, not good.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Picture book fans: Don't miss out on Sallie Bee Writes a Thank-You Note by Courtney Sheinmel.

One heck of an adorable story!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Historical fiction fans: Mixed feelings about The Curious Life of Elizabeth Blackwell by Pamela Holmes

A story based on the life of an admirable woman, but written quite poorly.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Anyone up for a historical crime mystery? Try A Most Efficient Murder by Anthony Slayton.

It was a fun read. If possible, grab the audio version. The narrator is awesome!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Memory Jumper by Amanda Michelle Brown

Great concept, lousy execution especially at the end.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Dust Bowl Orphans by Suzette D. Harrison

A historical fiction worth reading, though it goes a bit OTT towards the end.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

1. Silverweed Road by Simon Crook

A horror anthology perfect for this month, Enjoyed this atmospheric collection.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. You Are Home by Catana Chetwynd

A sweet read to balance out the horror of 'Silverweed Road'. 😄
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

3. Seasons of Splendour: Tales, Myths & Legends of India by Madhur Jaffrey

An amazing collection of folktales from India.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Net Beneath Us: A Novel by Carol Dunbar

An emotional character-driven literary fiction. Works pretty well but slow-paced.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander

A middle-grade novel-in-verse, narrating the story of an eleven year old boy who is captured for slavery. The writing is astounding!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Kinnara by Kevin Ansbro

A genre-bending combination of romantic drama, crime thriller and magical realism. Works pretty well, especially considering that it was a debut work. Loved its portrayal of Thailand.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese

A narration of the fictional woman who supposedly inspired Hester Prynne's character in The Scarlet Letter. Expected a lot from this, but it failed to match up. Yet again an outlier.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Loved Babel, or the Necessity of Violence: an Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R.F. Kuang


An alternative history of 1830s Oxford, combining politics, academia and magical realism.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Statuesque by Ada Rossi

A dark contemporary retelling of a beloved classic. Enjoyed this unusual take, though I hated one scene.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Most welcome. :⁠-⁠)

You need to reselect the drop-down answer to every question, even if an option is highlighted. Only then it goes ahead.

Finally got to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

Definitely worth the wait, though it was somewhat different from what I had expected.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Our Stolen Child by Melissa Wiesner

A thought-provoking albeit predictable family drama. Raises some interesting points. Watch out for the triggers though.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Lost Girls of Willowbrook by Ellen Marie Wiseman

Expected a lot from this expose into a horrifying institution, but the amateurish writing was a dampener. I'm the outlier yet again. :(
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Wishtress by Nadine Brandes

A YA Christian fantasy. Slow and lengthy, but well worth the efforts.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I don't share my picture book reviews in any group, but as most of you are Australian, maybe you would like to give this indie Sydney-based author a try.

I Will Always Be Proud of You by Michael Wong

One of the best picture books I've read. Would work wonderfully even for gifting to expectant and new parents.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...