Beautiful. Great insight given.
5/5
Book Review: The Lying Man by Andy Maslen
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
I can’t believe I’m already on the fourth instalment — these books feel like catching up with old friends. The Lying Man is not a literary masterpiece, but it’s thoroughly enjoyable. Fast-paced, entertaining, and filled with familiar faces, it’s the kind of read that keeps you turning the pages without overthinking it. A solid 3-star read if you’re after something sharp, snappy and satisfying.
What stood out most for me was the theme of integrity, and the reminder of why governance structures exist in the first place. State capture, as Maseko so clearly shows, takes root when people are driven by greed and disregard the rules.
He shares his journey with honesty and depth — from his early years as an activist, through the hopeful days of our new democracy, and into the harsh reality of state capture. I’m deeply grateful to him for having the courage to be the first whistleblower. It could not have been easy, especially being ostracised by former friends and social circles. His entire family felt the impact.
The book is sensitively written and genuinely moved me. It reminded me that there are still people who have fought — and continue to fight — for the soul of our beautiful country.
That said, I am still left wondering: how is it that the Guptas have not been brought to book?
Book Review: Like Sodium in Water by Hayden Eastwood
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Two stars—and that’s being generous.
The book begins with promise. Hayden Eastwood paints an evocative picture of his childhood in Zimbabwe during the 1980s and 90s. For anyone who grew up during that era, there’s a nostalgic familiarity in his anecdotes and pop culture references. It’s easy to feel drawn in and curious about where the story might lead.
Unfortunately, it veers off in a deeply uncomfortable direction. What begins as a memoir morphs into what feels like a public airing of intensely private family matters. The amount of personal, painful “dirty laundry” shared about his family is staggering—and quite honestly, unnecessary. It leaves the reader questioning the intent behind the book. There’s a faint glimmer of remorse, especially in relation to his father, but it’s fleeting and overshadowed by what often feels like bitterness rather than reflection.
One can appreciate that writing about trauma and truth can be cathartic. But storytelling—particularly memoir—comes with a responsibility: to handle shared histories with sensitivity and care. In this case, that balance is sorely lacking.
Proceed with caution if you value discretion, healing, and empathy in memoirs.
Had no idea what to expect. Was 11hours long listen, was worried that I wouldn't get through it in the two week period. Binge listened to it with time to spare.
So good! David Miller is a bigamist. Tells wife one he is in the CIA. Rolled my eyes si many times during the book at how he duped everyone around him.
He ends up killing wife two!
Very good book.
5/5
This is the second Alice Feeney book I listened to, and really enjoyed it.
Again, binge listened to it. Love the twists.
We meet Adam an author and playright. He suffers from faceblindness and is married to Amelia. They + Bob, their lab, head up to Scotland for a weekend away that Amelia had won at work.
Very good.
4.5/5
This was very good! Quite long, but I binge listened to this. Intrigue of friends. Paige has lost her son and believes everyone on the street is guilty, Cora is married to a serial philanderer and Georga/Nicola married to an absolute psycho.
Very good narrator.
I would like to read more of her work.
4.8/5
This was a weird one, didn't love it.
A bisexual 23 year old writer has an affair with a 32 year old actor.
Meh.
3/5
Wonderfully inspiring. Go higher.
Michelle learnt how to knit during lockdown, helped her to relax.
Can hear the passion and pain of the new dispensation that has no respect or regard for tradition, others.
4.8/5
Choose discomfort over resentment
Saying no is a moment of discomfort, gives you back 6 months worth of resentment.
Boundaries help you to live with integrity
Extend true compassion when you are clear on your boundaries
Fear, grief, perfectionis gets in the way
For forgiveness to happen, something needs to die. Grief is the biggest barrier to forgiveness.
4.5/5
Written and read by Welsh doctor, Matt Morgan.
Very interesting all the lessons animals teach us in treating human illness.
He encourages Dr to work with vets. Nurses with veterany nurses.
4/5
Enjoyed this book. Interesting to learn about Auction Alliance, their growth and downfal. Had a vague recollection of Wendy Appelbaum taking on some big organisation.
Good lesson on reputation and building relationships and what not to do.
Initially quite a bit of name dropping. But suppose that is part of the story.
4/5
The narrator was so good with all the accents.
Interesting book about women spies in the first world war. It ctosses over between first world war and right after the second world war.
4/5
We grow in the hard times not the good times .
Don't waste a day by being depressed/unhappy
Complain and remain.
Abbie gets fired from a high powered marketing position. She befriends a motley crew that hang out at the coffee shop at a supermarket.
Ethel 84 year old ex ballerina, Bob, a homeless guy who lost everything when he was robbed, Dawn who l suspect is on the spectrum and Viraj who recently moved to Leeds but does not know anyone.
Reason for 3.8. I don't like present tense writing. And, I think it's highly unlikely that Ethel, at 84, after a stint in the hospital, would model clothes on point shoes.
Narrator was very good.
3.8/5
Wasn't too keen on this one, but, it is actually quite beautiful.
But, oh so sad.
Learnt so much about the cast system.
So many layers.
4.8/5
I am so enjoying this series. Vampires & monsters are definitely not my normal genre I enjoy. But, these are such fun. And, the narrator is absolutely brilliant.
Not full 5/5 because I did get a tiny bit confused with the characters.
Even the acknowledgements are fun!
Don't be a stinker thinker.
Your attitude determines a lot.
Definitely want to listen to it again.
4.8 / 5
Why not 5/5 thought it was a book and parts she is laughing with the audience which is great, but clearly something happened was said there that we can't see.
Absolutely loved this! Just love his sense of humour and the narration just brilliant!
4.8/5 not five because some of it was a little bit disjointed and I had to relisten to get back on track.
This book was ok. I can understand that it can be a great resource for some, but I didn't resonate with it.
3/5
Isn't this a great name!
It says it is targeted at Millenniums but, I think there is a lot of good advice for all ages.
Wills, SARS, investments, savings.
4.5/5