Reading And Watching Joyously

 I enjoyed this book, although I found it took me a long time to read - I didn't ever get absorbed and read it for long periods at a time. I related to the main character's anxiety, and liked the use of and comparisons of language (Irish, English, colonial English, Cantonese). It was an unusual setting (an Irish woman in Hong Kong) and dealt with a lot of issues surrounding identity, which I always enjoy.

 This book was in one of the boxes sent to me by the library, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it. The cover didn't appeal (it reminded me of a book I borrowed and didn't read once before, by the author of The Book Thief) and it was a detective story, which is not my favourite. It was set in a fantasy world though, one with parallel universes and ways between them, and I'd been coming across that concept a lot lately so decided to give it a go. There was an introduction that talked to reader about them potentially having doubt about whether to read the book, but that it would definitely be worth it - so that seemed to be talking to me!  I kind of liked it - I was never fully sure whether I was enjoying it or not. The parallel world concept and the way sorcerers operated was pretty cool - and there were Fae (fairies) which I always like. But the world was pretty confusing and I wasn't entirely sure how things worked through most of it. The main character was not...

 This book was sent to me by the library in my first box of books - when I read the blurb I wasn't sure if I would like it or not - I think I feared that it would be like many other books I've read that were set in Africa - very wordy and deep, with a storyline that was hard to follow and many parts that were hard to understand. (Which is interesting, as one of my favourite books is The Poisonwood Bible, and it's set in Africa and not like that at all). Anyway, I gave The Hunters a go and it wasn't at all what I expected. It was easy to read, had a thrilling story line, with characters who were lovable, some detestable, some bland and some so so interesting - just like in real life. I fell in love with the characters just as the protagonist did - he was incredibly relatable and so was his sister. I liked how even as he gained understanding of why people acted the way they did he wasn't always able to forgive and forget  - again, like real life. The book was dark at ...