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Tag: whatYouReading

Posted on July 27, 2022February 16, 2023

Sea State by Tabitha Lasley. This is a memoir about a former journalist, who after


Sea State by Tabitha Lasley.
This is a memoir about a former journalist, who after having her laptop (and her novel in progress) stolen and a suffering a bad breakup, decides to leave her job writing for a magazine to write that book.
She wants to write a book about oil rig workers in the North Sea and heads to Aberdeen to interview hundreds of those workers. Her initial question is what happens to men when women are not around? She interviews 103 different men in all types of bars, clubs and settings and it gets rough and ready.
The first man she interviews is a guy called Caden. He's married and they start an affair.
Her writing is pitch perfect and it's a unique voice we have here. She evokes the city of Aberdeen so well, a place where it seems to rain or snow all the time.
Caden becomes a study of what it means to really be an oil rig worker, its uber and toxic masculinity is clear.
This started off quick then went very slow but once I started to see the signs of Caden and how they the reveal of the plot and indeed the overarching theme of the book, I could not put the book down!

The concept is fresh as is the writing and it does answer the initial question of what happens to men when there are no women around?

The whole subject of oil rigs and the oil corporations was unknown to me. That exploration in itself is brilliant reading.

I just hope Caden( not real name) reads the book. I'll say no more.

I've been quite obsessed with Tabitha Lasley since then. Googling photos of her and then trying to see if I could get one of her and Caden for though she writes him well, I'd still love to see what he looks like.

I hope Tabitha is happy or happier and that she has met someone who will realise what a gem she is and what a talented writer she is. 

I'd really recommend this book if you fancy something different but extremely readable. It will leave you thinking, for sure.

***** review

Posted on March 27, 2021February 16, 2023

A Crooked Tree by Una Mannion. I have always admired Una's short fiction so I


A Crooked Tree by Una Mannion.

I have always admired Una's short fiction so I was excited to get my hands on her debut novel.
It doesn't disappoint though it's a slow, slow start and it remains slow but by the time you get to end, you will enjoy that relaxed pace as it suits the story and the characters.

Libby is out for a drive at night with her siblings. Her mother is driving. We feel the tension but when Ellen, Libby's younger sister frustrates her frazzled mum, her mum basically dumps Ellen on the roadside and speeds off.
 
The story rocks on from this one awful decision and we learn about Libby and her connection with her father who has passed away.

This novel, set in an 80s rural Philadelphia, has all the feels of a  Goonies movie or an episode of Stranger Things. Una's writing never falters but I found the descriptions of nature and trees a little bit lengthy at times. It's clear she revels in writing about nature.

Overal, I found it to be a mesmerising read. Una's writing is carefully placed throughout and her plotting is excellent.

Posted on March 27, 2021May 22, 2022

A Crooked Tree by Una Mannion. I have always admired Una's short fiction so I


A Crooked Tree by Una Mannion.

I have always admired Una's short fiction so I was excited to get my hands on her debut novel.
It doesn't disappoint though it's a slow, slow start and it remains slow but by the time you get to end, you will enjoy that relaxed pace as it suits the story and the characters.

Libby is out for a drive at night with her siblings. Her mother is driving. We feel the tension but when Ellen, Libby's younger sister frustrates her frazzled mum, her mum basically dumps Ellen on the roadside and speeds off.
 
The story rocks on from this one awful decision and we learn about Libby and her connection with her father who has passed away.

This novel, set in an 80s rural Philadelphia, has all the feels of a  Goonies movie or an episode of Stranger Things. Una's writing never falters but I found the descriptions of nature and trees a little bit lengthy at times. It's clear she revels in writing about nature.

Overal, I found it to be a mesmerising read. Una's writing is carefully placed throughout and her plotting is excellent.

Posted on June 25, 2020February 16, 2023

The Tortilla Curtain by T. C. Boyle. Current read. Devouring but let's wait till the


The Tortilla Curtain by T. C. Boyle. Current read. Devouring but let's wait till the end till I make up my mind. No sense in making a snap judgement now...

Posted on May 16, 2020May 22, 2022

American Dirt. This is a good book. She writes well. If it's a drama, plot


American Dirt.
This is a good book. She writes well. If it's a drama, plot based book you want, you might like this. I'm not sure if it really got to the surface of migration though.

Posted on May 16, 2020February 16, 2023

American Dirt. This is a good book. She writes well. If it's a drama, plot


American Dirt.
This is a good book. She writes well. If it's a drama, plot based book you want, you might like this. I'm not sure if it really got to the surface of migration though.

Rozz's books

Tender
3 of 5 stars
Tender
by Belinda McKeon
Davy Byrnes Stories 2014
4 of 5 stars
Davy Byrnes Stories 2014
by Sara Baume
Foster
5 of 5 stars
Foster
by Claire Keegan
Superb, perfect short story telling from the genius of the form.
Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned
4 of 5 stars
Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned
by Wells Tower
hilarious and dark and funked up!
The Good House
1 of 5 stars
The Good House
by Ann Leary

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