"Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art" by James Nestor

I was hoping for much more science-based, actionable information in this book. Use of the word ‘science’ in the title is misleading if you’re hoping for that. The author was part of a scientific study, and he shares his experience with that, but that’s where any notion of the scientific method ends.

Certainly a large take-away from this book is “breath through your nose” (albeit with only anecdotal support), but I already do, so that was of passing interest only to me. The rest of the book was superficial and anecdotal stories of a variety of breathing techniques and exercises - which, while interesting, lack the depth and background to be life-changing. Perhaps this is unsurprising, given the author is a journalist rather than a medical practitioner.

Overall, a disappointment.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

"Pundamentalist: 1,000 jokes you (probably) haven't heard before" by Gary Delaney

I laughed out loud a lot reading this. But then, Gary Delaney writes exactly the kinds of jokes I enjoy the most. Loved it.

My rating: ★★★★★

"Starter Villain" by John Scalzi

This is a lightweight romp with a well paced plot, some interesting ideas, and some good (if not great) characters. The premise that the main character, Charlie, gets sucked into a world of high concept (and quite polite) villainy after the death of his uncle is an excellent set-up for this fish-out-of-water tale.

Charlie is new to the world of villainy, but he has some moments of clarity as he navigates through the potential pitfalls, aided by a small cast of supporting characters. I particularly liked his closest “colleague”, Matilda Morrison - whose pithy and slightly aloof take on a lot of the activity is a nice contrast to some of the more stylised thugs in Charlie’s new circle of acquaintances. If you’re looking for depth and emotion in the characters, then you won’t really find it here - but that’s not what this book is about. The plot unfolds nicely, and comes to a conclusion with all of the loose-ends tied up in ways that you wouldn’t necessarily expect - but I personally would have liked a slightly different outcome.

For me, the talking cats and dolphins were a nice addition (I particularly enjoyed the dolphins) - but other reviewers have mixed opinions about this.

Overall, this was a page-turner for me, with the plot and the enjoyable set-up pulling me forwards through the story.

Thank you #NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the free review copy of #StarterVillain in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: ★★★★☆

NetGalley Review

"Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

I’m afraid I was unmoved and a little bored by this. I thought that the time travel was clumsy and lazy, and the experiences with the Tralfamadorians were shallow and clichéd. Perhaps it’s because I read a lot of science fiction and these types of plot mechanic have been done with more depth and nuance countless times since Slaughterhouse Five was written. Perhaps it’s just showing it’s age. I also didn't connect with any of the characters - Billy Pilgrim was just a little too glib for me to relate to. The observations about war are still pertinent, and still have impact. So the book still has something to say. It just wasn’t for me.

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

"Metronome" by Tom Watson

Wow. This was an absolute page-turner for me, and I completed it within 24 hours. This is a book about hope, forebearance, obedience, and defiance. There is much about the dystopian setting that is unexplained or ambiguous, but there is enough of a framework to support the narrative, and the details aren’t required - in fact, I found some of the amibiguity all the more intriguing.

The characters of Aina and Whitney are incredibly well drawn. As their opinions about how to react to their situations start to diverge, all of their actions and reactions are authentic to the deep and real personalities that the author has created. The believability of these people grounds the story, and gives shape to the bleak world they inhabit.

As their situation begins to unravel, the plot moves along at a satisfying rate - and I was constantly eager to follow their fate through the difficult choices that they make, their actions and consequences.

I can understand how the lack of complete explanations of much of their situation might not be to everyone’s taste - but, for me, it fuelled my imagination and made the story all the more compelling. This is one of the most enjoyable books I have read this year.

Mr rating: ★★★★★

"The Brill Pill" by Akemi C. Brodsky

This book explores the issue “just because you can doesn’t mean you should” through the eyes, and internal monologue, of a deeply flawed character who, nevertheless, has the scientific knowledge to change the lives of thousands of people.

The core idea is interesting - of a world in which lives can be changed by brain regeneration, but many of the recipients are never quite the same. And the internal struggles of someone who can influence the science or act covertly to subvert it, should have been interesting and engaging.

Unfortunately for me, the balance of narrative concentrated far too much on the the internal monologue of the main character, Will. I would have preferred more depth in some of the other characters, and a slightly faster pace in the plot. There are plot elements that should have had excitement, suspense, or jeopardy, but that fell too flat for my liking. Many of these were told through the experience of Will, who was often simply finding ways to procrastinate, avoid issues, or agonise over which course of action to take.

A fascinating premise and an interesting story, though.

Thank you #NetGalley and She Writes Press for the free review copy of #TheBrillPill in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

NetGalley Review