Bookish for life
Anthropology graduate, anglophile, social justice activist, chocoholic, traveler and book lover from the German-speaking part of Switzerland, currently working in the renewable energy sector. Books have been my passion since before I could read.
Considering using this as a replacement for my Goodreads account, where I've been keeping track of what I read (audiobooks included). You can find a record of the dead-tree books I own on LibraryThing. As of now I haven't imported those yet.
Strength of the Pack
I love this story to bits. Since my first read a few months ago, I keep reading it over and over. In short, I've totally fallen in love with Lucas and Noah. I normally have problems with the power imbalance inherent in most werewolf relationships, so it's not a genre I read or enjoy as a general rule. But oh, those two don't conform to any of the cliches, their developing relationship never feels anything but equal (and emotionally very satisfying). And then McKenna puts them into an incredibly indepth and realistic military setting, embedding her brand of werewolf culture seemlessly into it. Hence the constant re-reading on my part. :)
The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet: A Novel
I absolutely had to pre-order this, since I adore the web series to pieces. And it didn't disappoint, capturing Lizzie's voice and providing a lot of additional tidbits & background to a story already rich in detail & depth. *hearteyes* all the way through! :) And now I need to listen to the audiobook, narrated by Ashley Clements, the actress that played Lizzie.
Out of the Black Land
Something completely different to Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher mysteries - not a mystery or crime novel, as the subtitle implies, but instead a compelling look at one of the most exciting periods in Egyptian history: the rise and reign of pharoah Akhnaten, told through the eyes of a scribe and a curious young woman. I don't know how historically accurate the story is, but then, I don't think *anyone* knows (as the afterword points out), and Kerry Greenwood, as always, has done her homework and created interesting characters in a completely believable setting.
Passion & Profession
Technically a Jane Eyre/The Eagle crossover, this reads like a proper historical novel with m/m content - a beautiful and believable continuation of the story of the Reverend St. John Rivers after his departure for India.
Special Forces - Soldiers - Directors Cut
This novel comes with ALL the trigger warnings. Seriously, I was shocked and almost nauseated by some of the violence, both sexual and other - but in the end I was so captivated by the relationship of Dan and Vadim, I couldn't even imagine it happening any different.
Captain America: Winter Soldier Ultimate Collection
After the Winter Soldier movie I needed more Bucky in my life - and since we have Ed Brubaker's Captain America comics to thank for his return, I was curious to see where it's similar and where it differs. The story is quite different, according to comic canon with its history, protagonists and villains, but the emotional impact was the same. The artwork is amazing, too - very dynamic. Altogether I loved it!
The House of the Dead
I had a yen for some Ianto in my ear... A lovely, spooky goodbye piece. Some beautiful closure.
Beyond Duty
This is, I think, the only m/m story I've read that explicitly revolves around the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the US military - and it does it really, really well. There's quite a bit of sex, some D/s content and (for my taste) a few too many repetitions of what manly men the two protagonists are, but at the core it's a love story about two Marines who never thought they could actually be together, even after twenty years of a best-friends-with-benefits arrangement. For them, the end of DADT coincides with the end of their military careers, and the author tells beautifully how they deal with the fallout of both.
Rivers of London
This was recced to me by a friend who obviously knows what I like, because I devoured this in one day and can't wait to read more. Love the mix of everyday life and magic - it reminds me a bit of Neil Gaiman in that respect (a good thing in my book, believe me!). I also really enjoy Peter Grant's voice, which is funny but totally believable.
Phyllida and the Brotherhood of Philander: A Bisexual Regency Romance
DNF (something I hardly ever do). I'm not sure why, but for some reason this book (or rather, how relationships are characters are portrayed in it) made me feel highly uncomfortable. The premise is really interesting, so different from the usual Regency Romance, but I simply had to throw in the towel by the time I started feeling nauseous... It's mostly the violence and ugly language between people I'm supposed to root for, I think. I didn't even get to the spy plot that's been criticised in other reviews.
Admiral Collingwood: Nelson's Own Hero
A birthday present from a friend whose favourite historical characters is Collingwood, I loved learning about this man who I'd honestly not known anything about before. A great biography and def. recommended to anyone interested in the Age of Sail. It actually makes me want to pick up my Patrick O'Brian novels again, since Jack Aubry was apparently modelled quite a bit on Admiral Collingwood.
Sandry's Book
This is my first foray into Tammy's non-Tortall world - and so far, I really like it. The four kids are distinctly drawn and each made me root for them, despite their very different personalities.
The Nature of Alexander
Not a proper scientific biography of Alexander the Great, but written with all the knowledge and love for the subject that's so apparent in Renault's Alexander novels.
Etwas ist immer oder Erziehung ist was für Hunde
Okay, so possibly I'm biased because I know Das Flunkie as well as her cats personally (and can therefore vouch for the complete truth of 100% of the action), but this little book cracked me up. Perfect for the (German-speaking) cat person in your life! :)
The Hobbit, Prequel to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy
I listened to most of this audio book while in New Zealand and finished it on the bus to Matamata, home of the Hobbiton movie set. Felt rather poetic. :)It had been quite a while since I'd last read the book and while I remembered the main things, it was delightful to re-discover many of the small details that show the seeds of what would become LotR. Also, having seen the first two Hobbit movies now, the ending of the battle has gotten more significance, as the movies have made me feel much more attached to the dwarves.
Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the Couple Who Taught America How to Love
Okay, I admit it - I only read this because of the tv show. I think the book offers a lot of insights, both into the research process and its results as well as into the strange relationship between Masters and Johnson.
