Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye. This week, all three are recent releases that have crossed my radar.
The Spill by Imbi Neeme
Summary: Nicole and Samantha both remember the day when their mother, Tina, lost control of their car – but not in the same way. After Tina’s death, decades later, the sisters are forced to reckon with the repercussions of the crash.
I’m thinking: Maybe.
The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-Eun
Summary: Yona works for Jungle, a travel company specializing in vacation packages to destinations devastated by disaster and climate change. She travels to a remote island, whose major attraction is an underwhelming sinkhole (a huge disappointment for customers) and discovers the resort’s plan to fabricate a catastrophe in the interest of regaining Jungle tourists.
I’m thinking: No.
Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin
Summary: ‘Kentukis’ have gone viral – they’re mechanical stuffed animals that have cameras for eyes, and are connected to an anonymous global server. Owners of kentukis have the eyes of a stranger in their home and a cute squeaking pet following them; or you can be the kentuki and voyeuristically spend time in someone else’s life…
I’m thinking: Yes.
And I’m afraid I’m thinking ‘no’. Disasters? Dystopia? Not when life is so abnormal already thanks!
Yes, challenging reading when you consider real life at the moment! The disaster tourism one reminded me of something I read years ago about people who went on tours of where the LA Riots were – the way it was described was really unsavory (the truth is stranger than fiction!).
That really is bizarre. As you say truth is stranger …
I’m not sure I could have that cover of Little Eyes looking at me for the time it took to read the book – super creepy! From what you’ve said of the content, it seems a very clever choice of cover. I suppose on a Kindle it’s not so bad…
Agree, the cover is creepy. The first chapter was really creepy (sucked me in immediately).
I’ve a copy of Little Eyes but haven’t got around to it yet so will be interested to see what you think of it.
The first chapter was hair-raising! Hopefully the author can maintain that pace for the whole book.
I’ve just got a copy of the one by Imbi Neeme. TBH I have no idea why I bought it, I must have seen something about it somewhere…but now that I have it, I doubt that it’s my kind of book.
Maybe this was my fault. I really liked it!
Ah, I should have read these replies in the right order. I’ve got back to read your review, and now I know why I bought it. And it won the Penguin Prize too!
I blame the blurb for putting me off…
See, I knew it was me! 😄
I actually liked it more than the blurb led me to believe I would.
I think it got a glowing review in the Readings magazine… The writing is fine, straightforward and relatively interesting but not my usual thing. I have a feeling the audio is available from my library – I find that these types of ‘mysteries’ are good for listening to, so I might put it on my audio list.
Hmm, yes, maybe that’s where I got it from. It’s my birthday this month so I’m treating myself to a Book Spendathon to tie in with the MWF and maybe I got a bit carried away. Hasn’t the MWF been fantastic!!!!!
If it’s worth anything, I really liked The Spill.
Okay, I’ll add it to the audio list!
It actually would be a good story to listen to, thinking on it.
I liked The Spill a lot.
I loved Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin but was disappointed by Mouthful of Birds. Little Eyes really appeals though.
Not the sort of thing I usually go for but terrific sense of place in the opening chapter drew me in.