Book Review: Small Game by Blair Braverman

Title: Small Game

Author: Blair Braverman

Publisher: Ecco

Publishing Date: November 1st, 2022

Read: January 3rd, 2023

Pages: 288

Audio Length: 7 Hours 5 Mins

Genre: Survival Thriller

TW: N/A

Series: Standalone

Source: Audio

What it's about:

A gripping debut novel about a survival reality show gone wrong that leaves a group of strangers stranded in the northern wilds

Four strangers and six weeks: this is all that separates Mara from one life-changing payday. She was surprised when reality TV producers came knocking at Primal Instinct—the survival school where she teaches rich clients not to die during a night outdoors—and even more shocked to be cast in their new show, Civilization. Now she just has to live off the land with her fellow survivors for long enough to get the prize money.

Whisked by helicopter to an undisclosed location, Mara meets her teammates: The grizzled outdoorsman. The Eagle Scout. The white-collar professional. And Ashley, the beautiful but inexperienced one who just wants to be famous. Mara’s unusual, rugged childhood has prepared her for the discomforts and hard work ahead. But trusting her fellow survivors Not part of Mara’s skill set.

When the cast wakes one morning to find something has gone horribly wrong, fear ripples through the group. Are the producers giving them an extra challenge Or are they wrapped up in something more dangerous Soon Mara and the others face terrifying decisions as “survival” becomes more than a game.

A provocative exploration of the comforts, rituals, and connections we depend upon, Small Game is a gripping page-turner and a poignant story about finding the courage to build a new life from the ground up.

What I thought:

I'm a sucker for survival books. I always have been. And I thought this would be a really good one. It turned out to be just kind of meh and less about survival and more just drama. 

Cover:

The cover is what caught my eye first, I love the colors, I love the fire in the circles, it just screams woodsy survival.

Story:

I've read a small handful of "goes on reality show to win money but then ends up trying to survive instead" books, and while they aren't usually too unique I never get tired of them. This was your typical story but it wasn't over done.

Pace: 

The first half was slow and nothing happened and then the second half it felt rushed. I feel like with these kind of survival books it's really easy to mess up the pace. You have to do a certain level of building up before you can hit them with the crazy survival. 

Writing: 

Eh, there wasn't anything special or bad about the writing. I didn't feel like she was a bad or exceptionally good writer. 

Characters: 

I was either super annoyed by the characters or indifferent. I read this months ago so I couldn't tell you names or anything specific but I remember while reading it I was getting pissed off at the characters or felt meh if they died. I didn't even hate the characters which I feel is better than feeling indifferent. 

World building: 

The author did a fair job in describing what was around the character. Most of it is set in a forest so it's really not that hard to describe and make it so the reader can picture it. 

Ending: 

It was just kind of over. I remember it felt like the book was never going to end and then just like that it was done. One of those wait what just happened type of endings. 

Narrator:

Nothing special about the narrator. She wasn't annoying and I had no trouble keeping up with her at a higher speed. 

Overall:

Overall it was just an okay read. I don't really regret reading it, but I am disappointed. I wanted a for real survival thriller and instead I got a sort of mystery sort of survival mostly drama no thriller book. 

A little Snippet:

“This is survival,' he said. 'Real survival means using whatever resources you find. That's the whole point of it. You're surviving. Anything goes.'
'This isn't survival,' said Mara. . .
'Look at us,' said Kyle. 'Of course it's survival.'
'It's a survival game,' she said. 'We're playing the game. It's not survival if you have a choice.”
― Blair Braverman, Small Game

Possible books of likeness:

Author's info:

Website

Blair Braverman is a writer, adventurer, and long-distance dogsledder who has completed some of the toughest sled dog races in the world. She is a columnist and contributing editor for Outside magazine and a contributor to The New York Times, This American Life, Vogue, and many other venues. Her third book and debut novel, Small Game, is forthcoming from Ecco in fall 2022.

She lives in northern Wisconsin with her husband, Quince Mountain, and their team of sled dogs, called BraverMountain Mushing.

Prepping to Survive: Baby Bug Out

    

Prepping to Survive is a post where I explain different things you'd need to survive. It's more than just things to buy, it's how to be prepared.

I did furry friends last time (it's been a minute since I posted prepper stuff) and because I recently had my baby girl I thought I would post what I will put in her baby bug out bag. 
I did start her B.O.B but all that's in it is some diapers, a couple outfits, and some first aid. I'm missing quite a bit.

Bag-
I would use a smaller but still good size backpack for the bug out bag. They make molle backpacks that smaller bags can attach to. I think it would be best for baby to have their own backpack, because a small one to attach might be too small. I would suggest trying to find one that whoever isn't carrying baby can carry on their front. 

Colored bags or labeled bags-

Babies stuff is so little. It's so easy to lose their stuff if it's loose in a bag. I would get a different colored or labeled bag for clothes, food, first aid, entertainment, 

Clothes-
Because babies grow so fast I would suggest putting in clothes that are a size or two too big. I put in 12 month onesies, 9 month pajamas and outfits, and then a couple onesies in her size now. It's Texas, it's hot, we can just put her in a onesie. However, for the funsies of this post I'm going to find some outfits I would absolutely love to buy and put in her B.O.B.

Okay I had fun with that. Obviously bugging out means camo, right? But really I would just pack plain colored onesies, pants, jammies, outfits, a pair of shoes or two, a hat or two depending on season. 

Diapers-
Same thing. I would suggest putting a handful of ones in her current size, and then a couple of a size bigger, two sizes bigger, maybe even three. However, cloth diapers are going to be your best option. You can wash them and they are reusable and adjustable most of the time.

Wipes-
Cloth wipes. Reusable and have many many uses besides just to wipe the baby booty. You can also keep a couple regular packs too. I like water wipes because A) they don't seem to dry out as fast, B) They have better ingredients, and C) if you have to use them for other stuff they don't taste or smell bad.

Formula-
There's individual packets of infant formula and there is also ready made formula. The problem with ready made is if you don't use it all it's just a waste unless you can refrigerate it. Plus it's a little heavy, but honestly with powder formula you still need water so I don't think it would be much different.
Don't forget the burp cloth! 

Food-
Now depending on baby's age you might need other snacks too. Baby food pouches are easy and light, so I would definitely do a bunch of those. You can do a small container of puffs and other light snacks. 

Water-
Again, depending on the age you might need to include extra water. 

First aid-

• Gripe water: But be very careful, I've been reading that it's dangerous lately so do your research.Gas drops: if not gripe water definitely include gas drops! You don't want a screaming baby just because they have gas.
• Infant Tylenol: self explanatory.
• Teething tablets: Again, screaming baby isn't fun. Plus a lot of them help them sleep too. More on teething below.
• Sleepy time lotion or calming balm: to help baby sleep or calm them, obviously.
• Salve: there's all kinds of healing salves and balms that would come in handy for not just baby, but anyone in the family.
• Sunscreen: If you aren't going to use it, at least get it for your littles.
• Saline spray: to clear up baby's nose boogies.
• Nail kit, nose aspirator/sucker
• Baby thermometer
• Medicine dropper
• Petroleum jelly
• Bandaids/gauze
• Tweezers
• Hand sanitizer (Mostly for you)/Antibacterial hand wipes

Comfort items-
Pacifiers, a lovey, blanket

Other useful stuff-

• Hand warmers. Babies do not like to be cold and if it's cold at all where you're at, expect a cranky baby. 
• Toy straps so you don't lose anything along the way that will upset baby. Don't want to have to backtrack or have a screaming baby if you lose something
• A soft book. Good for them to chew on and be entertained by
• Teething ring or other teething items. As explained above most definitely include something to help with a teething baby.
• Small lightweight toys. There is rattles you can attach to their arms or legs, though that might be a bit noisy. There's those O-ball things that are super lightweight. There's this lightweight baby tissue box, but it might take up too much room. A lot of times you have light weight toys at home, but you can always go to a toy store (do those still exist?) and see the size and weight of toys. 
• There are pros and cons to each of these items of course. Some might be lightweight, but they might be kind of big. Some are a little heavier but they're small. 

Carrier-
Now how are you going to carry baby? Obviously in a car you have a car seat, but what if you have to get out of the car? What if you have to walk or run? Carrying a heavy clunky baby carrier is no fun.
You can try a stroller. Pros? Places to put things and you don't have to carry baby. Cons? It's clunky and not really ideal for having to run away or go on rough terrain. You can try it and then have something to baby wear in case the going gets too tough.
A better option I think, would be a wagon. Room to carry more stuff, they have all terrain wagons and a baby can lay down and sleep in it. 
Otherwise I suggest a baby carrier for the front, this allows you to calm baby if needed, check on baby, and you can still wear a backpack. There are all kinds of tactical ones that have room for other things. Wanna attach the babies pacifier? Done. Want to hang a small toy or stuffie from it? Say less. They are pricey though.

The other option is to actually baby wear. You can use a wrap or a sling. I have yet to master this and honestly I doubt I'd be comfortable enough to run with my baby in a wrap that's attached to me. But that's really up to your comfort level. Get a wrap and practice practice practice. You never know when you might need to wrap them up and get out of dodge.