Girls and Their Horses - Eliza Jane Brazier

65%

31.08.24

I thought this would just be throwaway fun but it turned out to be one of the best things I've read this year. Well enough written that the exposition didn't seem forced, serious enough for the funny parts to be very funny, and a vivid enough insight into a weird wealthy world to be educational and entertaining. The 'murder mystery', such as it was, hardly seemed necessary.

The Comeback - Ella Berman

 57%

18.08.24

Well written and challenging but not ultimately satisfying. It was probably meant to be a realistic portrayal of trauma, but the meandering, unfocused narrative made it hard to understand - or sympathise with - the protagonist's behaviour. Why didn't she even have a therapist when surely that's mandatory in Hollywood? 

Malibu Rising - Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

53%

02.06.22

I was really looking forward to reading this but it turned out to be a struggle to finish. Why should I care about these rich, entitled people with their everyday problems? As well as the trend to set stories in the past just because people don't have cellphones, there seems to be a whole new genre about the relationship dynamics among four or more adult siblings, as if those of us from smaller families should be envious. Meh.

The View was Exhausting - Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta

 

49%

05.02.22

I don't mind an occasional dive into the lives of the 0.1% and this was a fairly intelligent take on the old celebrity story. It was just a shame it lacked a plot and relatable characters.

The Portable Veblen - Elizabeth McKenzie

51%
04.03.17

This was billed as funny. It wasn't, particularly, unless you're into unrealistically eccentric characters with tedious hangups and dysfunctional families navigating shoehorned social commentary.