REVIEW: The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

Ah, I feel a mystery/thriller binge coming along. Especially with audio books.

Seth is, admittedly, a polygamist. He currently has three wives. He stays with them for a couple days a week then moves on to the next wife as scheduled. It’s not a very ideal arrangement but the wives seem to treasure every moment spent with him. All of them are crazy over him even if they only get him for three days max. The wives have never met and per arrangement, should never meet.

The first part was definitely a full 5 stars. The set up of the whole “multiple wives” idea was so smooth. Every(other)day, this guy goes home to a different wife and they are coded depending on what day he comes home to them. The book’s POV is the Thursday wife. It’s made clear at the beginning that this is a polygamous relationship and not simply a secret affair he’s holding with many women. The Thursday wife seemed to be “okay” with the arrangement and basked in the attention he was giving her during their time together.

But that doesn’t mean she was not curious. She knew of the other wives but of course, she doesn’t know them personally. Their arrangement involves them never meeting or not exchanging any personal information. Until Thursday sees a seemingly random communication bearing one of the other wives’ names. Curiosity gets the better of her and she decides to investigate.

This opens a whole network of deceit and manipulation. Who are these other Wives? Who really is this Husband?

Then we get to the second half of the novel where everything starts to unravel. And everything got out of hand too fast. At least for me. It wasn’t bad per se. It wasn’t even too-too predictable. But it wasn’t that… satisfying? I appreciate the fact that it did keep me guessing until the very end. However, it was all over the place. So many things happened one after the other and it didn’t click all that well. The ultimate fates of some of the main players in the book only had a sentence of explanation and after a set-up like this one had, that simply wasn’t satisfying enough.

The book dealt with a lot of things: polygamy, loss, mental health, abuse. I love that the reader was kept in the dark from a lot of things by using a single POV to tell the story. It kept me wanting to know more and while I was disappointed with the ending, reading the set-up part was totally enjoyable.

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars. Maybe a 3.75 even.

REVIEW: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

(I haven’t posted a review on this blog in literal years. On Goodreads, it’s spotty at best but I’m trying, okay?)

For my first read of the year, I went with a little novella about… well, a convenience store woman by the Japanese author, Sayaka Murata. I saw this available on Hoopla Digital and for a little over three hours of that day, I had something to do.

I felt that this was a perfect read for to ease myself into the year and into one of my “resolutions” of reading more books by Asian authors. And I’ve always wanted to read this since I first saw it at Kinokuniya. The narrator, Nancy Wu, did a good job of pronouncing the character names so it was a win-win for me.

What is a “convenience store”? Here in the US, we have 7-Eleven and gas station mini shops, and specifically in the Los Angeles Union Station, a Trimana. In Japan, they also have 7-Eleven and other stores called Family Mart, Lawson, Daily Yamazaki, and so many more.  So what is a “convenience store woman”? It is what it says… a woman working in a convenience store. And she is our main character in this story.

(The Japanese title 「コンビニ人間」 literally translate to “convenience store person”.)

Keiko Furukura is 36 years old but still works parttime in a convenience store (when I was reading this, I was picturing a Family Mart). She shows up early the same time everyday, restocks shelves as needed, greets patrons with fervor, promotes timed sales, and is just an all-around yet unassuming part of the team. This book is a hilarious slice of life of everyday Japanese people. There’s a convenience store in every corner, especially in the big cities. A lot of them are open 24/7 and there’s always a person there greeting you “いらっしゃいませ！(Irasshaimase!)” But probably not as lively as Keiko would. 😉

I loved this so much. I was so engaged! If you don’t know, I spent a good part of 2019 traveling to Japan, where this book is set, and there is pretty much a convenience store (or three) at almost every block. It honestly kept me fed for the most part of my trips whenever I was too tired to go to a proper restaurant… or if my brain to too fried to manage in what little Japanese I know. I’ve become very familiar with convenience stores in Japan – as a customer, of course. If it carries onigiri, I might’ve gone through their doors. The hotel I frequent has a Family Mart at their ground floor and that’s where I tasted the best napolitan thus far.

I found myself nodding and laughing at so many parts of this book. From the greetings to how they arrange their wares to “make sure you get out of the way when you see a customer looking at something on the shelf”. It was such a slice-of-life, not just for the konbini workers, but also to the patrons of such establishments. If you’ve been to one, you would probably agree with me lol.

The author even expanded to Keiko’s life when she’s not working. It gave a peek at how Japanese society view age, jobs, family, and social status. While Keiko’s former classmates and “same-age friends” have married and had children and careers, she was content with her baito – part time job – at the convenience store and being single. This fact is disappointing to her parents and even to some of her friends. She finds support from her younger sister but that doesn’t stop her from hoping more things for Keiko.

Overall, it was a short and very enjoyable read. Now, I miss Tokyo. XD But it looks like I’ll be coming back for a visit some time soon!

(Also, I listened to this in English and found myself translating some scenes back to Japanese. It was THAT relatable to me!)

コンビニ人間 (Konbini ningen) by Sayaka Murata, translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori

Rating: 5 stars.

Review: A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin

A Clash of Kings // George R. R. Martin

Just like what I did with Thrones, I also read this half-and-half with the audio book.  And let me tell you, if you have to audio book an ASOIAF book, make it this one.  Notice I used the HBO tie-in cover instead of the yellow cover.  I planned to stick to the non-tie-in covers but Wal*Mart had these copies at $2 off.  Oh well.

A Clash of Kings introduces new characters to root for.  I say that instead of “to follow” because I honestly related to these new characters as easily as I did in the first book.  Also, minor characters in A Game of Thrones were given bigger parts and this is were I appreciated GRRM a bit more.  He gave each and every character their own life and back story so if ever he decides to expand their roles in following books, the reader would be familiar to him/her already.

This book is called “A Clash of Kings” because after the death of King Robert Baratheon and execution of Ned Stark, Westeros entered a civil war.  Leaders of the different regions declared themselves king as well as all those who claimed they were the rightful successor to the Iron Throne.  Robb Stark is hailed King of the North whom at a very young age won every battle he led.  Robert’s brothers, Stannis and Renly, proclaimed themselves king, not only of their respective lands but the whole kingdom.  In the Free Cities, Daenerys Targaryen became the Mother of Dragons and was set to reclaim her brother’s usurped throne as the rightful monarch of Westeros.

Eddard “Ned” Stark’s death also meant that his children were put in danger from the Lannisters.  Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickon, and Jon Snow were separated from each other and everyone they hold dear.  Robb took on the responsibility of being king, Sansa was trapped with the Lannisters as a promised wife to now-king Joffrey, Arya was disguised as a boy to travel with a band of misfits en route to The Wall, Bran and Rickon were left at Winterfell, while Jon Snow ventured Beyond the Wall for his own adventure.

This book, to me, was easier to read and follow than the first one.  Maybe it is because the introductions were done and the real adventures were about to begin.  We get to see more interesting characters and knowing their stories through different POVs.  It set a steady pace.  But there really wasn’t much happening in this book.  If you’re waiting for something big to happen, it’s not coming.  It’s mostly expositions as to where this and that character will go in his/her own story.

But this had my favorite moment to date, whether it be from the book, audio narration, or TV show:

I first encountered that scene in the audio book and I almost howled in laughter.  It was the middle of the work day and I was bored out of my mind.  And then this part.  I scrambled for my book to mark this exchange between Arya and my new favorite character, Gendry.  Arya’s chapters are always a highlight of the series.  Theon was given POV chapters in this book as well.  I don’t really like him as much but it is nice to expand his character after being an afterthought in the first book.

Overall, the high points of Clash are the build up to each character’s upcoming adventures and the new POV characters.  It still has the intrigue and scandal we all loved in Thrones and more.  The world of Westeros and the Free Cities is big and now that the characters are off doing their own thing, we get to see more of that.

Rating: 4/5.

Recommendation: A great follow up to the adventures in book one.  I dare you to not pick this up after finishing Thrones.

Review: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

A Game of Thrones / George RR Martin

This is a two-in-one review.  It’s a review of both the hard copy and the audio edition of the first book in the Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin.  I could include the superb HBO adaptation as well as the first volume of the graphic novel but that is just too ambitious.

I never planned on reading this book series.  As if I needed another epic to mix in with my already overflowing TBR pile.  But since picking up this book, the other titles in the series shot up to the top of my queue.  It was like The Lord of the Rings all over again.  And like it, I’ve become rather obsessed with the screen adaptation as well.

A Game of Thrones is the first book in the series A Song of Ice and Fire.  It is set in a fictitious country called Westeros.  Several houses rule their own lands, all of them under King Robert Baratheon.  The House Stark rule the North in Winterfell.  Lord Eddard “Ned” Stark is the head of the house.  The sudden death of the Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, starts a series of events that will cause many deaths, betrayals, and wars.

I must admit that the HBO TV series sparked my interest.  I love Sean Bean and frankly, I’ll watch anything HBO.  I watched the first two episodes and was mesmerized by everything about it, especially the superb casting and acting.  Then I watched the second episode and for some reason, I lost interest.  (Maybe it’s because they killed an animal, eh.)  Seasons 1 & 2 came and went until one day at Barnes & Noble, I randomly picked up A Game of Thrones and started reading.  And I haven’t stopped since.

Every single page of it is an adventure.  It is divided into chapters in the form of points of views of several characters, telling the story through their eyes and from where there are at that time.  The story goes steadily forward even if the POV changes.  My favorite characters to follow are Jon Snow, Arya Stark, Daenerys Targaryen, and Tyrion Lannister.  Jon and Arya’s chapters always go by faster than the others while Daenerys’ scenes happen outside of Westeros, of different cultures and ways of life.  As for Tyrion, he has such a superb mind that it is interesting how he practices his power despite his small stature.

It blows my mind that one person has this all in his head.  Such great creativity and imagination.  And the characters are so well planned that none fade into the background.  Even the lowliest peasant has his own unique character trait that sets him apart from the rest.  And there are so many to root for, not just one hero.  It is easy to find someone to relate with because there are just so many characters.  I wonder how George RR Martin keeps track… but then again, it’s his world.

My favorite thing about this book is the relationships of the characters with one another.  Especially the Starks.  Yes, there is bloodshed and betrayal and all that bad stuff but there is also love.  Even between the two characters I despised, Cersei Lannister and her son Joffrey Baratheon, you can sense the strong love Cersei has for Joffrey even though she uses him as pawn for power.  But among the Stark family, how Catelyn and Ned love their true-born children; how Ned truly loves his bastard son Jon Snow; how Jon is with his half-siblings; and how the kids are with their direwolves… it is so touching and I think that aspect sets this apart from other fantasy novels.

I mentioned wars, conflicts, and battles.  My favorite way of enjoying these scenes are via audio book.   Read by Roy Dotrice (who plays Hallyne in the second season), this unabridged narration stretches for almost 34 hours.  Listening to battle scenes made it seem more active, more adventurous than just reading about it.  I love the voice he does for Tyrion.  He doesn’t change his voice all that often, even for the female characters, but his delivery is done very well.  Also, audio booking also allowed me to enjoy this book even while at work.

Overall, I am in love with it.  Pairing this novel to its pleasantly faithful TV counterpart, I was easily hooked and now am so into the whole Thrones universe.  I want to know what comes next, what happens to these characters I love and hate, and who wins that game of thrones.

Rating: 5/5.

Recommendation: Fantasy nerds unite!  Actually, if you are a book worm, I think this should be in those must-read lists.  It’s not an easy read but it is worth it.

Listen to a sample of the audio book here.

June is Audiobook Month #JIAM2012

Happy June!  🙂  I hope May was good you all of you.  It certainly was for me.

Did you know what June is Audiobook Month?  I didn’t.  Thank you,  GoodReads, for informing me about this.  I love audiobooks.  I think it is a good option for getting your reading done when you cannot physically crack open a book.  Some of us go to school and/or go to work and at the end of the day, we’re just too tired to do much else.  I can certainly relate to that.  Before getting a job, I had all day to read.  But now, my reading time is reduced to hour-long train rides.  No bueno.

But I am fortunate to have a job that allows me to plug on my earphones and zone out the rest of the office.  Thank goodness for Spotify and Talking Classics for being readily available for free online.  (Also, I have been enjoying the Twilight Zone Radio Dramas through Spotify.)  I can always load up an audiobook on my iPod/iPad/nook if I can’t find it online.  I found that whenever I listen to an audiobook at work, time seems to fly by faster.

Over the years, I have accumulated a fair share of audiobooks, both CD copies and mp3 files.  Like a true collector, I have both Generation Kill and One Bullet Away on audio.  OBA is narrated by its author, Nathaniel Fick, which makes it so much more awesome that the book already is.  Patrick Lawlor reads GK and it is probably the most listening fun I’ve had.  Other titles in my collection are Room by Emma Donoghue, The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris, and The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner read by Tom Hiddleston.

There are so many places to get audiobooks.  Bookstores have a special rack for them.  I got my OBA CD set on eBay.  And of course, the Internet.  Ever since the popularity of iTunes and portable mp3 players, authors have released audio versions of their books alongside hard and digital copies.  Some are read by the authors themselves, some read by actors, and there are also books read by a whole cast of characters.  It is so interesting to hear how the words are acted out.

If you have not tried an audiobook, now is a good time to start.  There are many places to get free audiobooks, especially for classics.  I’ve already mentioned Talking Classics on Spotify.  Here are some other sources:

• Books Should Be Free
• Librivox
• Thought Audio
• … and of course, Google is your friend.

So, have you heard any good books lately?