Petrina Binney's Blog

Book Review – Wasp Canyon by Danielle McCrory

First published, 2021

‘Early summer can be a miserable time in southern Arizona. It’s hot, it’s monotonous, it’s boring. No one wants to go outside and sweat and swelter in the heat. So they stay locked inside, watching Netflix and praying that the air conditioner doesn’t break. A few brave souls will venture out in the early morning hours─trying to get some time outdoors before the heat really sets in─but mostly people stay locked up inside and hope the monsoons will arrive early.’
14% in, Chapter Nine, Wasp Canyon by Danielle McCrory

Now, it was very early this year when I first read Danielle McCrory. Foster was absolutely awesome, as I recall (yeah, no, I was right: https://petrinabinney.com/2024/01/30/book-review-foster-by-danielle-mccrory/), and so I couldn’t wait to read her next book. But wait I did. Life and such. Often the way.

Wasp Canyon follows the story of Jessica. Recently bereaved and struggling with her loss, Jessica’s therapist suggests she take up running. Personally, I think journalling is easier on the knees, but nobody’s asking me.

Still, as part of her new normal, our heroine starts out slow, but becomes a pretty proficient runner, utilising the hiking trails of Arizona. But there is a certain something lurking in the canyon. And whatever it may have in terms of claws and teeth, it is working its way out of the canyon and into the surrounding residential areas.

Oh, but this was a creepy one. I really enjoyed it. The storytelling was as sound as ever. The dialogue was strong and the characters believable. Sometimes, and I’m sure it’s not just me, when there’s a novel which contains something of the mythic, it’s very easy to fall out of the story and remember that you’re reading fiction. I didn’t encounter that feeling while reading Wasp Canyon. It’s a belter.

https://shorturl.at/y4vEk

Broken Beyond Repair by Emily Banting

First published, 2022

Classic bit of sapphic writing here, with some gorgeous tropes including the ice queen, the age gap, and learning to love and trust, and all that lovely stuff. 

A famous and elusive actress, Beatrice, who can never keep a PA for more than six months has her work cut out for her when an accident on set leaves her in desperate need of an assistant. Writing her memoirs in the downtime is going to be tough, but if she doesn’t learn to be honest, it’s going to be even harder. And then she meets Sydney… 

Now, the thing is this: I took my time warming up to this one. I kept on, because I’m stubborn and refuse to be defeated by a book, but actually, I think I was just in a funny mood because once I gave it a chance, I really loved the novel. The characters were believable, the dialogue was crisp and it was a very enjoyable story.

https://shorturl.at/tVIq0

Book Review – The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde

First published, 1887

Asking the fundamental question: what is harder to deal with, a centuries old poltergeist or other people’s children? The Canterville Ghost is a classic, comedic, once again, Americans-don’t-do-that-well-in-this-country, romp. I loved it. You can’t go wrong with Oscar Wilde. It’s a quick read, this version is free, and I don’t know, maybe it suits my mood or the season. Either way, how can you resist?

‘Many American ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits. Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language.’

7% in, Chapter One, The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde

https://shorturl.at/FfLT1

The Cost of Living by David Moody

First published, 2014

Well, I have been rubbish at updating you on my reading habits now, haven’t I? Sorry about that. Life and such. It’s been a pretty lousy year. Don’t get me wrong; there were moments of good and the year is not yet done. Getting back on an even keel and looking forward to a smoother 2025, so it strikes me that I should get some reviews jotted down and put out into the world in order to properly draw a line under twelve months of basic mayhem.

Which is all to say: there are going to be a lot of reviews coming at you, thick and fast in the next couple of days. Brace yourselves.

First up, and I loved this novel, The Cost of Living by David Moody. An ordinary man, with a home, a family, a stockpile, and a saviour complex, braces against the coming zombie apocalypse and risks losing everything. Of course, it bears comparison to The Walking Dead, but maybe it feels so different because it’s so British. I’m not sure, but I know I loved it.

‘Just one sick kid.

‘Thing is, if this is as bad as I’m thinking and this is how this infection spreads, then what’s happening is scattershot, isn’t it? One infected person could contaminate a whole street if they’re not stopped and sedated in time.

‘I’m finding gaps in explanations, holes in stories, unexpected spaces where there should be information. And no one else is questioning it.

‘Right now, all this is little more than gossip. No one’s sounding particularly worried, and that’s strange in itself because people are usually happy to panic.’

8% in, Chapter Three, Tuesday, 19 May 10:54am, The Cost of Living by David Moody

Currently, free as a bird on Amazon. Go, devour.

https://shorturl.at/CoaE6

Book Review – Naked Among Thistles, edited by Alison Wren and Katherine McMahon

First published, 2014

Who’s been on a queer nature writing retreat? This girl. And as such, I’ve realised just how little reading about me and mine I’ve actually done. As with every trip away, I’ve returned changed. I think, this time, for the better. Don’t be concerned: I’m a queer woman in my forties, I only ever get better. There was just a lot more work to do this year.

Being around other writers always does me good, and more than that, they’re an especially well-read bunch. I veer towards the classics and people I actually know─we’ve probably noticed a theme in my blog─I’m sure there are others who don’t fall into either category, but will, I’m sure, in time.

Regardless, there’s a lovely thing that happens when you’re around a bunch of well-read, thoroughly educated people. They talk about books all the time. They’ll ask, as a matter of course, if you’ve read so-and-so, or such-and-such. And for the most part, to my utter disgust, I’ve barely had to think about it. Nope. No. Sorry. And can you spell that for me?

And then, I happened upon this utter beauty. I can’t begin to remember if someone recommended it. Big thanks if they did. Naked Among Thistles: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & related identities, Naked Among Thistles and mental wellbeing is a collection of poetry and essays by LBGTQIA+ writers about our lived experience and the issues we, the glorious, gorgeous, alphabetted people, are subject to from a history of misunderstanding and fear.

Some of us were raised to believe that gay people were lonely, and it’s only upon becoming adults that we realise that whatever loneliness is supposed of us is also imposed on us by those who choose not to accept us. But, like everybody else, we are subject to the struggle and this thoughtful collection made this writer feel a little more understood, a little more at home, than a book has in some time.

I’m going to be quite insistent now. Read this collection. It’s free as a bird on Amazon and it’s a stunner.

https://shorturl.at/WyPgh

Book Review – That Boy Of Yours Wants Looking At by Simon Smalley

First published, 2021

What a treat. That Boy Of Yours Wants Looking At is a memoir from Nottingham-born author, Simon Smalley. The youngest of six children, the author grew up fabulous in a tough, working-class area where his penchant for fashion, art and glamour could have rendered him a figure of confusion were it not for the love and support of his remarkable parents. 

Simon Smalley has an incredible eye for detail. His descriptions are rich and vivid, with tonnes of imagery and crisp dialogue. There’s no question, he didn’t have the easiest time growing up─illness, bullies or bereavement are hard to go through, but all three are devastating─however, this important, charming book is ultimately filled with hope. And there are some seriously funny moments, too.

“I jumped when the doctor pulled back the blanket covering my hot legs. He began to knead my thigh with the same vigour that Dad used when he prepared a leg of pork for Sunday dinner. I half expected him to rub a coating of sea salt onto my flesh to produce a nice, crisp crackling. He plucked a black marker pen from his pocket, and its broad tip tickled my blanched skin as he drew two thick arrows pointing to my left hip. His hand jiggled rapidly as he wrote something which I couldn’t see from my restricted position. My visitors looked down at his calligraphy with mild concern. I asked what my new fibre-tipped tattoos were. Dr Walton slapped my leg and left a glowing, rosy imprint of his fingers.

“‘This is to show them which leg to operate on.’

“His joviality was wasted on Dad, who harrumphed again. I looked up at the handsome doctor and admired his even, white teeth.

“‘But it’s not that leg. It’s the other one… my right leg.’

“He didn’t flinch when I informed him of his error but casually accepted the information as if I’d told him that the bus he was waiting for was going to be five minutes late.

“‘Oh…really? I say… oh, I’ll have to change that, then. We don’t want them slicing the wrong leg, do we?’

“He rifled through my notes, flipping the pages noisily. ‘You know─you’re right.’

“He guffawed as if this was an everyday occurrence and not a potentially dangerous mistake. After rummaging in another pocket, he withdrew a second marker pen. He drew angry red arrows pointing to my right hip and scrawled ‘THIS LEG’ several times. His artistic attention returned to my left leg, where he scribbled over the black arrows and added the remarkable instructions ‘Not this leg’ and ‘Other leg’ in even larger letters.”

p 189-190, Chapter Twenty-Three, Don’t Leave Me This Way, That Boy Of Yours Wants Looking At by Simon Smalley

Go, read.

https://shorturl.at/EO3WG

Also, do note, signed copies, with complimentary bookmark are available exclusively from Simon’s website at: http://www.simonsmalley.com

Book Review – Air Fryer Cookbook For Beginners by Mia Welch

First published, 2024

You’d be forgiven for thinking this reader was trying to make healthier choices. A kind thought, but no. My oven packed up last month and buying an air fryer from the nearest supermarket worked out to half the price of getting a guy out from Yeovil to diagnose what’s wrong with my oven.

Naturally enough, I felt very clever for my shrewd investment, before realising I haven’t the slightest idea how to use this new machine. Rather than watch it gather dust on the worktop, I found this ebook, read it and now I’m prepared to make all kinds of things, including cakes (who knew you could bake in an air fryer?) and strudels. There are also recipes for more traditional things like onion rings and fried chicken, but it’s in the dessert section that I’m going to go full Delia.

I’m flouring my surfaces as I speak.

https://shorturl.at/YkNxC

Book Review – Ankle Snatcher by Grady Hendrix

First published, 2023

I know. Twice in two days. Will wonders never cease?

A short story, this one, with dramatic, horror elements. The story follows Marcus, a volunteer at a crisis call centre, whose mother was killed when he was a small boy. As his father was sent to prison for the crime, he issued a warning to the young Marcus which he has kept at the forefront of his mind every time he goes to sleep.

But when Marcus has a date that goes rather well, will he switch the light on in time? And will anyone believe him if he doesn’t?

This is a great example of the short story as art. It grabs the reader (not by the ankles, but) by the shoulders, and does everything it needs to do without wasting a word. The story is powerful, the writing resonant, and I loved it. Ankle Snatcher taps into a primal fear and I look forward to reading more from this author in future. Must read.

https://shorturl.at/8KF2Y

Book Review – Girl A by Abigail Dean

First published, 2021

And it’s been simply ages since I posted a book review. I promised myself at New Year I’d get better at updating this blog regularly so, oops. So, how’ve you been? 

I got caught up in Anna Karenina for weeks only to find I was barely a third of the way through so I’ve put that back on the shelf for a while. No hate, please. I just couldn’t deal with a grown man being proud of mowing his own meadow for six pages so I gave up.

And then I found this book, Girl A, which had been sitting in a pile, waiting for me for two years. I should have found it earlier.

The story follows Lex, a survivor from a family home of abuse. Having been starved and shackled along with many of her siblings, Lex effects an escape and saves her brothers and sisters, but that’s only the beginning. Now an adult, Lex’s tumultuous life has to be put on hold when her mother dies in prison and names her executor of the estate. However, in order to create something positive out of the wretched family home, Lex must get in touch with her siblings─many of whom are no longer in contact, and some of whom don’t remember things the way she does.

A thrilling read about a harrowing story. The fact that this novel has some basis in reality (see the Turpin House of Horrors) should make for a complex read and, arguably, some questionable writing. However, the narrative is handled with deft precision. Our protagonist does not try to sugar-coat what happened, nor does she give it a salacious, tabloid edge. She simply states, and the reader has no choice but to react.

I devoured this book. The characters are exquisitely drawn and I loved that I could recognise them from their child-selves into their adult incarnations. The subject matter is difficult. No one’s pretending it isn’t. But it’s a great novel. Must read.

https://shorturl.at/46jCx

Book Review – Mistakes Were Made by Andy C Wareing

First published, 2020

Mistakes Were Made is a travelogue with a humorous twist. When Andy and his wife Paula, originally from Southport, decide to relocate from the deep south of the United States to Spain, they know there’ll be logistical challenges. Dealing with the sales of their house, cars, furniture (which will surely be too big, bulky and American for Spain), arranging transportation for their dogs, working out where their grown children will go, etc. but what they don’t plan for is the Covid-19 pandemic.

Travelling first to England to visit family, only to be locked down in unforeseen mandatory isolation for fourteen days, collecting an ageing Spanish Mondeo with no air conditioning, and then driving through France and on to Spain, Andy C Wareing takes us through a colourful journey, rich with imagery and humour, and really quite moving at times.

The thing I liked most about this book was the realisation that the dream rarely matches the reality. There’s something very relatable about a person relocating to an area they have known, if only fleetingly, as a sunny spot with tourists and activities, sea air and fun, and then having a crack at living there. Sometimes what appeals to a tourist is mundane, ordinary, and occasionally boring to the point of exhaustion, to the local.

After a move of thousands of miles across the globe, you’d assume they’d last more than a month in Spain. Read the book. You’d be surprised.

https://shorturl.at/qyJX9