Tuesday 13 November 2012

Throne of Glass - Sarah J Maas


I knew nothing about this book when I started reading, just that my ex's daughter thought I'd enjoy it and had brought it over for me - I decided to give it a try.  From the cover it was pretty obvious that it was a teen fantasy novel, aimed at teenage girls.

The story tells of the Celaena, a trained assassin, the best in the world (but who has managed to get caught and sent to a death camp) who is brought to her enemy's castle to fight with others for the prize of becoming the King's Champion and thereby earning her freedom. 

Despite being a rather generic story (Cinderella springs to mind), and being very clichéd, I enjoyed the characters, and the storyline.  My only criticism would be the contradictions in Calaena's character - she's supposed to be the best assassin in the world with a heart of stone - but gets mushy over a prince, loves wearing gowns, and appears to show her weaknesses easily.

But, I've now found out that this the author's first novel, and that she gained fame as a self publisher on the internet - seems this story and a clutch of novellas are big news on various websites.

Anyway, if there are more in the series (and it seems there will be), then i'll probably read them - not high fiction, but good of a bit of magical sword play.

Lent to me by Caitlin.
November 2012

Thursday 4 October 2012

Jim the Giraffe - Daren King


On hearing that I like giraffes a friend at work lent me this book, on the proviso that I understood that she didn't recommend it, and whilst it wasn't a bad book, she felt the need to distance herself from it!

Jim is a giraffe, but not a normal one, he's a ghost giraffe. Not only that, he appears in Scott's wardrobe one night, and is obsessed with beer, pizza and sex.

Scott does not really care for beer, pizza, or sex - despite the fact that he considers himself to be happily married. Jim is about to change Scott's life.

I can understand Jo's reluctance to 'recommend' this book, it is totally surreal, very rude, and lacking any narrative particularly. It's has if the author's mind has thought of an animal and then wandered off into a dream.

It's unlikely I'll be looking out for any of the author's other books - and this isn't a book I'll be recommending - even to someone who likes giraffes.

Lent to me by Jo at work
26th September - 4th October 2012

Friday 28 September 2012

Hunger Games trilogy

The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockingjay

I saw the film of the first book a while ago, and whilst I would describe it as being aimed at teenagers, I did really enjoy it. So when a friend offered to lend me the books I thought 'why not', and anyway I've been ill and needed a distraction when I wasn't sleeping.

Also, I happen to very much enjoy dystopian novels - I know, I'm strange like that.

The first book was exactly the same as the film - in a future world (that was once America), annual Hunger Games are held, where from each district male and female teenagers are placed as 'tribunes' in a giant outdoor arena to fight until the last one standing - the victor (who is showered with wealth, fame and a way out of the poor and brutal lives they lead).

There can be only one winner - and so things can get very nasty, as all citizens are almost forced to watch the action live on TV.

The story in all three books centres round Katniss and Peeta from district 12, one of the poorest districts, their struggles to survive and their time in the games, and afterwards.......

I'm not gong to give any of the plot away, but suffice to say that these books are actually very well written, the plot lines are engaging and fast paced. The characters are engaging and I really did come to care what happened.

The worlds with the arena are fascinating and well conceived, I look forward to seeing the film adaptations of the next two books.

Although I was ill and therefore had extra time, I still think I would have found it hard to put these books down (I read the first in 36 hours, the second in about 8 hrs and the third in 24 hours), I hope there will be more - but if there isn't that's fine as all the loose ends were tidied and plots completed well - I certainly didn't feel I wanted for anymore, or either that the author had run out of things to say.

So, these books aren't high literature, or aiming to be anything spectacular, but they are highly enjoyable and well worth reading.

(on thinking about it my only criticism would be the 'America' centric view point - whilst everything is going on you get the impression that there is no world beyond Panem (once America), but then to many Americans that's the case I guess!)

Borrowed from Jamie
Read during September 2012


Monday 20 August 2012

Malinche's Conquest - Anna Lanyon

I think when I got this book (and I can't remember where it came from), that I thought it was a novel - it isn't. It's hard to describe but I guess it's part travel log, and part biography.

Lanyon is an Australia scholar who teaches and studies women's issues and in particular Spanish and historical issues. This book explores the life of Malinche, a native of 16th century Mexico who translated for the Hernan Cortés during his conquests of her lands (and surrounding lands).

Through the telling of her visits to libraries, museums and various historic sites connected to the little understood life of Malinche, Lanyon gives as good an outline of her part in the Spanish conquest is as possible from the scant traces which remain. Also looking at how her name has become synonymous with 'traitor' in modern Mexico.

It hadn't been what I was expecting, but I did enjoy the story and learning a little bit of the history of Mexico and the conquest. I struggled with most of the names, and even now I'm unsure how to pronounce 'Malinche'.

July - August 2012


The woman who died a lot - Jasper Fforde

I was so excited that this was published that I couldn't wait for the paperback this time - and rushed out to get the hardback, getting a signed copy (at no extra cost).

However, I'm sorry to say that I think Fforde should actually retire Thursday Next. In this book she's sort of in retirement anyway, and an interesting plot device is used to give her the energy and speed she needs to fight Goliath (and Jack Schitt) again.

Although partly set in a library, and with some really clever (as usual) in jokes and little sub plots, I really miss the book world and wish that she'd get back there (in this book she's lost the ability to read herself into books).

So, as I say, I'd like to see Thursday and Landon pensioned off, and if Fforde insists in writing some more 'Next' books perhaps he should think about focusing on Friday (their son) as a Chronoguard, or Tuesday (their daughter) as a mad scientist.....or even Jenny?

Bought at Waterstones
August 2012



Friday 22 June 2012

The High Deeds if Finn Mac Cool - Rosemary Sutcliff

I'm not sure how this Puffin book got onto my bookshelves but suspect that it came from Dads at some point (it's a 1967 edition). John picked it for me to read, and I'm glad he did.

It's really a collection of short stories of the Irish mythical king Finn Mac Cool, telling of his life and adventures, and those of his friends and enemies.

Having visited Ireland (a long time ago now), and some of the places mention it was great to read the stories.

Although connected by the characters, each story is separate, and since this book was, I think, written for children, each is quick and easy to read.  It's made me think that I should look out some folk stories about
England - King Arthur? Robin Hood?

Inherited from Dad
Read June 2012

Sunday 10 June 2012

Times Arrow - Martin Amis

I'd be tempted to say that this book has overtones of 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button', but that would be unfair as I've not read Benjamin Button, only seen the film. But the device of time moving backwards is used to great affect in both. Times Arrow is narrated by sort of conciousness within the mind of a doctor (when we first meet him), who views the life described backwards - from being a doctor in America, to working in the death camps of Nazi Germany. Although a short book it took longer than usual to read as many of the sections needed re-reading in order to get my head around them, especially the dialogue (which often needed to be read backwards to make sense). The author has clearly thought through many things backwards, descriptions of some bodily functions are not nice to think about! However, the way the narrator sees and understands day to day life is fascinating, the giving of gifts, or administering of medical treatments - think about a person coming to a doctor feeling pleased and well, only to go through an opertation which makes them worse! Although it took a while to get into, and I didn't much care for the character, the unusual method of telling the story kept me gripped. No idea where I got the book, read on John's recommendation. May 2012

The Third Policeman - Flann O'Brien

Jen wrote her MA English dissertation about this book, and when she told me about it I was intrigued.

'Weird' is a good word for it, another is 'Surreal', especially since the book was written in 1939 but not published until 1966 (the writer failed to find a publisher so withdrew the book, it was published after his death).

The unnamed narrator of the book tells the story of his life; being orphaned, discovering the writings of de Selby, breaking his leg (and having a wooden one fitted), returning to his family home to a man who is obviously a crook, murder, a quest for a box full of money, ghosts, policemen, imprisonment, unbelievable things and bicycles.

I'm not going to tell you what happens, it's a short book and well worth a read - very surreal in places, make sure you read the (sometimes extensive) footnotes, and certainly worth the effort.

Green Metropolis
24th January - 3rd March 2012




Sunday 1 April 2012

Mr Toppitt - Charles Eldon

I can't say that this is a good book, in fact I'd go so far as to say that it's a let down. The story begins with the writer of the 'Hayseed Chronicles' being hit by a bus in London, and taken to hospital by a passing American tourist. Told from the perspective of the son of the writer, the story centres around the fall out of the author's death, and what happens to the family. But the answer is 'not much', and I was left wanting so much more. I'm sure that it's ripe for being made into a film, in fact that's what it read like in many sections - a film treatment. Shame, it won't be staying on my bookshelves (in fact it's already gone!) Bought on Green Metropolis

Monday 19 March 2012

Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsover


It's been a while since I've read a book that I really couldn't put down, but this one has probably come before many things recently!

The story of a family, who are taken by their father, a missionary, into the Congo, at a time of massive upheaval (1960s).

Each chapter is written through the eyes of the women; the wife of the missionary, and their four children.  They tell of their life amongst those they first regard as 'savages', slowly becoming involved and entangled in the Congolese rural way of life.

As you'd imagine, things are not easy; for the Westerners who want to impose their ideals and their god on the natives, but not for those who were born and raised in the harsh environment either.

A series of disasters occur, and these are seen by those who witnessed and took part.

I loved this book, it was totally fascinating, the descriptions of the country, the customs, and the believes of all the characters.  I learnt more about the history of the Congo (mainly though looking up places and names mentioned in the text), and I came to care what happened to the women.

If I had to compare with any other book I'd compare it to Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey - another story of misguided religion.

3rd - 19th March 2012

Tuesday 24 January 2012

The Home - Bill Bryson


I really do enjoy Bill Bryson books, but strangely not the travel ones so much. I tend to go for the factual ones, like The history of nearly everything or Mothertongue.

Even when explaining something really difficult like quantum physics or language construction his writing style is engaging and understandable - even if I don't retain much of the information I have at least understood it at the time I'm reading it.

So, I was looking forward to this explanation of the everyday things we find in our homes.

Bryson is famous for the fact that he's an American very happily living in the UK, and he used his old rectory home in Norfolk as the basic outline for this book. Each of the rooms in the building were used to explore the elements of our homes, things such as electricity, gas, toilets, or even bricks, chimneys or stairs.

Fascinating facts about mundane items that we take for granted, and the people who invented, designed or utilised them, are discussed.  If I were to have any criticism about this book it would be that great chunks of it are about America (when I'm sure British examples could be found), but that's unfair, as I said at the beginning Bryson is American!

Bought in Waterstones.
22nd January - 23rd February 2012

Sunday 22 January 2012

The Death of Grass - John Christopher

First off I should point out that this book was originally published in 1956 - lots of things have changed, but so many things haven't!

The story tells of two brothers, one becomes a farmer of a valley farm in Cumbria, the other an architect in London.  When a worldwide virus destroys all variants of grass, and people start starving to death due to food shortages, London (and other cities) obviously becomes a dangerous place to be, especially when the plans of the government become known.

So a group of two families set off from London aiming for the Cumbrian valley, and hopefully safety, picking up others along the way across country.

I envisaged this book to be bleak and chilling (as described on the cover), but perhaps due to the state of the world now, or the fact that I've read The Road by Cormac McCarthy, I found this to be rather sedate and less brutal than I expected.

I guess above all, it's very English - stiff upper lip and do the right thing - especially think of the women and children.  It seems that the author thought that civilisation would fail first in the cities (probably right), but it's in the northern counties and towns which he shows personal brutality and survival instincts.

Like The Road, I read this book in two days!  If anything it's a bit of an extended short story, and very easy to read with no difficult or in depth plots - just the story about the main characters and their trip across the country.

I understand a terrible film was made of it - perhaps a remake is due, but it would need to be low budget and English made for it work - and it would need to be set in the 1950s (this is so not a Hollywood blockbuster).

Since I seem to be drawn to dystopian/post-apocalyptic books I was bound to like this one - I'll be looking out for his other books.

21st - 22nd January 2011

Thursday 12 January 2012

One of our Thursdays is missing - Jasper Fforde

I can't tell you how much I enjoy these books!  There are few authors who I keep a close eye on to see when they publish a new book - Jasper Fforde is one.

The Thursday Next series, of which this is the latest, are brilliant.  Set in the BookWorld, with a cast of characters form not just the Thursday Next books themselves (including a Dodo), but also characters from many other well known books.

In this one the BookWorld has undergone a remake, and is now a collection of landmasses on the inside of a sphere - so everything can be seen from a single point......hard to explain.   Thursday has gone missing, just before she was supposed to attend peace talks, and it's up to the written Thursday to try and figure out what's been happening, and where Thursday might be - that might sound confusing, especially since at one point there are lots of Thursdays, but it is easy to follow really (except when the characters themselves get confused!).

I love the characters, the descriptions of the BookWorld (there is a wonderful map in this book), and they way everything works.  The books are full of literary in jokes (many more probably pass me by!), and interesting comments.

The design  of the BookWorld is pure genius, and even the RealWorld in Swindon (where the real Thursday lives) sounds interesting (unlike the real Swindon!).

Anyone wanting to read this really should start with the first in the series, The Eyre Affair - a treat really does await anyone who is discovering Fforde's books for the first time......I hope I don't have to wait long for the next Next in the series!

Oh, and my favourite joke of the moment comes from this book.......

How many Sigmund Freud's does it take to change a lightbulb?

I don't know, how many Sigmund Freud's does it take to change a lightbulb?

Penis!........No, no, Father!

5th - 12th January 2012

Tuesday 3 January 2012

Delirium - Lauren Oliver

What of love were a disease? If on your 18th birthday you underwent a procedure that took away the disease and then you were matched with another 'cured' for life. 

Would life be easier? Probably, but not as enjoyable - I truly believe that in order to appreciate the highs, the lows have to be there too. This book tells the story of Lena, a 17 year old who is months away from the 'procedure', her last summer of freedom before she is 'cured' and matched. I'm sure that this book is aimed at teenagers (the sleeve notes mention Twilight), but I've always liked dystopian novels (think Handmaids Tale or 1984), so that's why I picked it up. 

The story is engaging, and characters interesting and likeable. The writing is easy and non-taxing, but even then I got so involved with the story I found myself skim reading as I wanted to know what was going to happen next! Also, for the first time ever I actually found a passage that I thought was so beautiful I typed it out and posted it to my blog. 

I'm sure if the author wrote something for adults it would be stunningly written. Looking online, I understand this is the first of a trilogy (what a surprise, isn't everything a trilogy these days?!), and the next one is already on my wish list, and I'll probably be recommending it to a few friends. 

Bought on Green Metropolis
Mid December 2011 - 3rd January 2011