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Books 31-46
Jul. 26th, 2018 07:34 pm31-40: The St Mary's Institute series, by Jodi Taylor
The ninth book came out this year, and so I re-read 1-8 plus the short stories (which I'm counting as one book, since most of them actually came in a collection book). I thought I might not really enjoy it, because I've noticed that some of the twist got a little repetitive, but I actually did really like the re-read. Sure, there are some points that might have benefitted from a stricter outline for the whole series, but on the whole, reading them all in one go was definitely a good thing because I was reminded of all I loved about the series (especially how much you can tell the author loves fun with history) and the ninth book, featuring a bit of a different sort of plot, didn't disappoint at all - quite the contrary! Read the summer short story and now can't wait for the next book - whenever that comes out!
41-44: The Invisible Libary series, by Genevieve Cogman
I stumbled upon these on kindle during my holidays and downloaded the first one, not expecting all that much - but I was pleasantly surprised! These books are really neat, a sort of Urban Fantasy that has, at its core, the premise that there are multiple universes held together, in part, by a giant library that collects books from all the incarnations of worlds (all the worlds are sorts of variations on each other) trying to find unique books that define the universes. The heroine is a Librarian who kicks arse, and the books are real fun romps through different universes, with the promise of an over-arching mystery about the deeper, gritty secrets of the Library - unfortunately, since the series is far from ending and book 5 is coming out in December, I can't say yet whether the overarching mystery plot will hold up, but so far, I can definitely recommend!
45: Competence by Gail Carriger
I'd really been looking forward to this since I've quite fallen for her universe, and I wasn't disappointed at all. The adventure plot was not all *that* exciting, although nicely done, and the love plot was meant to be foreseeable, but the journey towards the resolution was very rewarding, because the character development was very convincing. There is a very very strong LGBT-positive vibe in the book that I found very refreshing, although of course it was obvious that the author also has an agenda there. But hey, I've read books with far worse agendas, and this was very diverting and didn't drift into preaching territory. I do hope she continues the series. I want, in particular, a story about Percy.
46: The Grand Sophy, by Georgette Heyer
I found this in a charity shop for a pound, and picked it up for nostalgic reasons, because it was one of my very first Heyer reads. I can't actually remember liking it this much when I first read it, but this time around, I really rooted for the main couple and couldn't stop reading even though I knew how it would end!
The ninth book came out this year, and so I re-read 1-8 plus the short stories (which I'm counting as one book, since most of them actually came in a collection book). I thought I might not really enjoy it, because I've noticed that some of the twist got a little repetitive, but I actually did really like the re-read. Sure, there are some points that might have benefitted from a stricter outline for the whole series, but on the whole, reading them all in one go was definitely a good thing because I was reminded of all I loved about the series (especially how much you can tell the author loves fun with history) and the ninth book, featuring a bit of a different sort of plot, didn't disappoint at all - quite the contrary! Read the summer short story and now can't wait for the next book - whenever that comes out!
41-44: The Invisible Libary series, by Genevieve Cogman
I stumbled upon these on kindle during my holidays and downloaded the first one, not expecting all that much - but I was pleasantly surprised! These books are really neat, a sort of Urban Fantasy that has, at its core, the premise that there are multiple universes held together, in part, by a giant library that collects books from all the incarnations of worlds (all the worlds are sorts of variations on each other) trying to find unique books that define the universes. The heroine is a Librarian who kicks arse, and the books are real fun romps through different universes, with the promise of an over-arching mystery about the deeper, gritty secrets of the Library - unfortunately, since the series is far from ending and book 5 is coming out in December, I can't say yet whether the overarching mystery plot will hold up, but so far, I can definitely recommend!
45: Competence by Gail Carriger
I'd really been looking forward to this since I've quite fallen for her universe, and I wasn't disappointed at all. The adventure plot was not all *that* exciting, although nicely done, and the love plot was meant to be foreseeable, but the journey towards the resolution was very rewarding, because the character development was very convincing. There is a very very strong LGBT-positive vibe in the book that I found very refreshing, although of course it was obvious that the author also has an agenda there. But hey, I've read books with far worse agendas, and this was very diverting and didn't drift into preaching territory. I do hope she continues the series. I want, in particular, a story about Percy.
46: The Grand Sophy, by Georgette Heyer
I found this in a charity shop for a pound, and picked it up for nostalgic reasons, because it was one of my very first Heyer reads. I can't actually remember liking it this much when I first read it, but this time around, I really rooted for the main couple and couldn't stop reading even though I knew how it would end!
Books 3-30
May. 1st, 2018 05:15 pm3-14: C.S. Harris, The Sebastian St. Cyr Series, 1-12
I'm not going to list all the titles separately :) Shem kept raving about this series so I tried it out since the first books were rather cheap on kindle. With the first two or so I wasn't convinced, but I kept going, and they really got much better. The mysteries are sometimes a bit too convoluted and you could start a drinking game with the scenes where Sebastian kills attackers in self-defense, but I really like most of the returning characters (except Kat, but she gets less annoying!), most especially Hero. I also like the slow-burning over-arching mystery about Sebastian's past and whatever Jarvis end-game might be.
15-25: Rhys Bowen, The Royal Spyness Series, 1-11
So when I finished with the Sebastian St. Cyr I wanted a new series to binge (still on the kindle, more thoughts about that later) and I stumbled on this one while browsing and remembered I always wanted to give it a try. I really loved this too. There are some weird plottings where too many dead herrings just make you wonder why they were ever introduced, but it's such a fun, fast-paced, light romp with such quirky recurring characters and a wonderful main man for our heroine (and a really lovely relationship development so far) that I was very quickly hooked. Can't wait for the next book to come out this summer.
26: Sophie Kinsella, My Not So Perfect Life
I was at a loose end after the two series' and picked this up from the library. It was nice, rather. I liked how the happy-ever-after developed, not the stereotypical "Surprise, he was in love with her all along!"
27: C.S. Harris, Why Kill The Innocent (Sebastian St. Cyr 13)
So of course I had to get this when it came out :) It took me a bit to get into it, but I did like it as a new installment. Just a bit disappointed that the new puzzle pieces about Sebastian's past and what happened in the Jarvis household were few and far in-between. Guess I'll have to wait till the next one.
28: T.C. Boyle, The Terranauts
Ugh. This was one of those books that try too much and end up being just a disappointment. I was really interested in the premise, and it was nicely-enough narrated, but when I was through with it I felt that I had missed something. It was like the author built up to a big climax that just never happened because he decided to end the book just before it was to go down, as if he couldn't be bothered any more. Also, none of the characters were likeable, which wouldn't have been a big thing, but it was written as if we were to sympathise with them.
29: Ethan Cross, Spectrum
Another disappointment this one. Unevenly paced, far too much telling-not-showing, contradictory (and not in the good way) characters that just aren't engaging, weak mystery and somehow the author seems to think that white people are an oppressed minority in South Africa. Total waste of time.
30: Petra Hülsmann, Wenn Schmetterlinge Loopings fliegen
I needed a brain cleanser after #29 and this was just what the doctor prescribed. It's a German romantic comedy. Not at all the innovative, "edgy" stuff that 28 & 29 tried to be, but guess what? Believable characters with real chemistry (with each other and the reader), good pacing, well-tied plot and no weirdly racist messages in the subtext.
About the kindle reading:
Objectively, what's not to love about the kindle? I love that I can get all the books, instantly, it's on my phone so I almost always have them all with me, can read wherever, and unless they're brand-spanking newly out, the books are cheaper. It's ideal for bingeing longer series and I used the hell out of that. However - big HOWEVER - it just doesn't feel like the real thing! I just love having to hunt down a book in the library, having to lug it around with me and it just feels like a much more real experience when I have it in my hands and can turn the actual pages and feel like I'm reading an actual *book*. I do know that I will continue to use the kindle app (there's a few series that I'm still having an eye on - I'm also very open to suggestions! - has anyone read the Molly Murphy series by Rhys Bown, or anything by Deanna Raybourn?) - I think it's going to be very useful too when I go on holidays - but I do need me some real books too!
I'm not going to list all the titles separately :) Shem kept raving about this series so I tried it out since the first books were rather cheap on kindle. With the first two or so I wasn't convinced, but I kept going, and they really got much better. The mysteries are sometimes a bit too convoluted and you could start a drinking game with the scenes where Sebastian kills attackers in self-defense, but I really like most of the returning characters (except Kat, but she gets less annoying!), most especially Hero. I also like the slow-burning over-arching mystery about Sebastian's past and whatever Jarvis end-game might be.
15-25: Rhys Bowen, The Royal Spyness Series, 1-11
So when I finished with the Sebastian St. Cyr I wanted a new series to binge (still on the kindle, more thoughts about that later) and I stumbled on this one while browsing and remembered I always wanted to give it a try. I really loved this too. There are some weird plottings where too many dead herrings just make you wonder why they were ever introduced, but it's such a fun, fast-paced, light romp with such quirky recurring characters and a wonderful main man for our heroine (and a really lovely relationship development so far) that I was very quickly hooked. Can't wait for the next book to come out this summer.
26: Sophie Kinsella, My Not So Perfect Life
I was at a loose end after the two series' and picked this up from the library. It was nice, rather. I liked how the happy-ever-after developed, not the stereotypical "Surprise, he was in love with her all along!"
27: C.S. Harris, Why Kill The Innocent (Sebastian St. Cyr 13)
So of course I had to get this when it came out :) It took me a bit to get into it, but I did like it as a new installment. Just a bit disappointed that the new puzzle pieces about Sebastian's past and what happened in the Jarvis household were few and far in-between. Guess I'll have to wait till the next one.
28: T.C. Boyle, The Terranauts
Ugh. This was one of those books that try too much and end up being just a disappointment. I was really interested in the premise, and it was nicely-enough narrated, but when I was through with it I felt that I had missed something. It was like the author built up to a big climax that just never happened because he decided to end the book just before it was to go down, as if he couldn't be bothered any more. Also, none of the characters were likeable, which wouldn't have been a big thing, but it was written as if we were to sympathise with them.
29: Ethan Cross, Spectrum
Another disappointment this one. Unevenly paced, far too much telling-not-showing, contradictory (and not in the good way) characters that just aren't engaging, weak mystery and somehow the author seems to think that white people are an oppressed minority in South Africa. Total waste of time.
30: Petra Hülsmann, Wenn Schmetterlinge Loopings fliegen
I needed a brain cleanser after #29 and this was just what the doctor prescribed. It's a German romantic comedy. Not at all the innovative, "edgy" stuff that 28 & 29 tried to be, but guess what? Believable characters with real chemistry (with each other and the reader), good pacing, well-tied plot and no weirdly racist messages in the subtext.
About the kindle reading:
Objectively, what's not to love about the kindle? I love that I can get all the books, instantly, it's on my phone so I almost always have them all with me, can read wherever, and unless they're brand-spanking newly out, the books are cheaper. It's ideal for bingeing longer series and I used the hell out of that. However - big HOWEVER - it just doesn't feel like the real thing! I just love having to hunt down a book in the library, having to lug it around with me and it just feels like a much more real experience when I have it in my hands and can turn the actual pages and feel like I'm reading an actual *book*. I do know that I will continue to use the kindle app (there's a few series that I'm still having an eye on - I'm also very open to suggestions! - has anyone read the Molly Murphy series by Rhys Bown, or anything by Deanna Raybourn?) - I think it's going to be very useful too when I go on holidays - but I do need me some real books too!
Book 2: The Essex Serpent
Mar. 28th, 2018 07:39 pm2: The Essex Serpent, by Sarah Perry
Part of the reason why it took me so long to get books read this year was that I had started this late in December and it just took me a long time to read it. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but it's one of those books where you really want to savour every line.
I'm not even sure how to describe it without giving too much away. When I was reading it, I was constantly wondering if it would turn out to be an Urban Fantasy Novel, a character study, a murder mystery, a novel of manners or something else altogether.
The premise of the book is that in an out of the way Essex village, there is a mysterious reptile(ish) animal that may or may not be killing people on the coast. Drawn there is a London widow, who herself brings a whole cast of characters in contact with her.
It's an incredibly vivid, detailled, many-facetted story of the late Victorian times, with a rich cast of characters and a lot of surprising developments.
While reading, I was wondering if she'd manage to keep it all together and give us a satisfying solution/ending, but in the end, she did.
I should think quite a few of you might enjoy reading it - little caveat tho: there is adultery, I know some of you don't like that cropping up. It's actually plot-relevant though and I found I could make my peace with it.
Now I'm reading my way through the Sebastian St. Cyr series - almost caught up just in time for the new book to come out in April. I'll write more about that, and reading on the Kindle app (very mixed feelings about that!!) when I'm done with it.
Part of the reason why it took me so long to get books read this year was that I had started this late in December and it just took me a long time to read it. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but it's one of those books where you really want to savour every line.
I'm not even sure how to describe it without giving too much away. When I was reading it, I was constantly wondering if it would turn out to be an Urban Fantasy Novel, a character study, a murder mystery, a novel of manners or something else altogether.
The premise of the book is that in an out of the way Essex village, there is a mysterious reptile(ish) animal that may or may not be killing people on the coast. Drawn there is a London widow, who herself brings a whole cast of characters in contact with her.
It's an incredibly vivid, detailled, many-facetted story of the late Victorian times, with a rich cast of characters and a lot of surprising developments.
While reading, I was wondering if she'd manage to keep it all together and give us a satisfying solution/ending, but in the end, she did.
I should think quite a few of you might enjoy reading it - little caveat tho: there is adultery, I know some of you don't like that cropping up. It's actually plot-relevant though and I found I could make my peace with it.
Now I'm reading my way through the Sebastian St. Cyr series - almost caught up just in time for the new book to come out in April. I'll write more about that, and reading on the Kindle app (very mixed feelings about that!!) when I'm done with it.
Books 8-20
May. 31st, 2016 11:23 am(Or, part two of the long-overdue book backup)
8. As Chimney-Sweepers Come To Dust, by Alan Bradley
I liked this, but I didn't love it as much as previous Flavias. I feel that all that background-y stuff about the secret organisations is becoming a bit ... weird? Thoughts, anyone?
9. Total Control, by David Baldacci
10. The Target, by David Baldacci
11. First Family, by David Baldacci
Okay, so the first one of these was mildly enjoyable mostly for retro-fun and the big bad turning out to be a Trump By Another Name, but I hated the second and have no idea why I even read the third. Yeah, no. Not going to read again. Too dumb.
12. Tuesday's Gone, by Nicci French
I read the first one in this series last year, and if I recall correctly, found it mostly okay but not that intriguing. I liked the second one much better, especially the way that the over-reaching arch was set up.
13. The Taming of the Queen, by Philippa Gregory
This is the one about Kateryn Parr. It was enjoyable, mostly, but a few things were a bit weird. Like when she basically had Kateryn quote the Tilbury speech to Elizabeth, implying that she made it up all along.
14. Waiting for Wednesday, by Nicci French
15. Thursday's Child, by Nicci French
16. Friday on my Mind, by Nicci French
I continue to like the series, and wait for my library to have the Saturday book. I was a bit disappointed though about the Sandy development in Thursday and Friday, I feel that the character deserved more. Still very nice mysteries though.
17. The Shepherd's Crown, by Terry Pratchett
Oh, Pterry. I will miss you.
18. Call the Midwife, by Jennifer Worth
Absolutely fascinating to see where the idea for the show started and Jennifer Worth is a really interesting narrator (though she could have benefitted from a better editor). But is it sacrilege to say I like the nuns on the show better?
19. The Sacred Art of Stealing, by Christopher Brookmyre
Two thumbs up! Very enjoyable, irreverent read. Not for the faint of heart :)
20. Thin Air, by Ann Cleeves
I think what I like best about the Shetland mysteries is not the crime story but the fact that they always make me want to emigrate to the Shetlands.
Whew! All caught up now!
8. As Chimney-Sweepers Come To Dust, by Alan Bradley
I liked this, but I didn't love it as much as previous Flavias. I feel that all that background-y stuff about the secret organisations is becoming a bit ... weird? Thoughts, anyone?
9. Total Control, by David Baldacci
10. The Target, by David Baldacci
11. First Family, by David Baldacci
Okay, so the first one of these was mildly enjoyable mostly for retro-fun and the big bad turning out to be a Trump By Another Name, but I hated the second and have no idea why I even read the third. Yeah, no. Not going to read again. Too dumb.
12. Tuesday's Gone, by Nicci French
I read the first one in this series last year, and if I recall correctly, found it mostly okay but not that intriguing. I liked the second one much better, especially the way that the over-reaching arch was set up.
13. The Taming of the Queen, by Philippa Gregory
This is the one about Kateryn Parr. It was enjoyable, mostly, but a few things were a bit weird. Like when she basically had Kateryn quote the Tilbury speech to Elizabeth, implying that she made it up all along.
14. Waiting for Wednesday, by Nicci French
15. Thursday's Child, by Nicci French
16. Friday on my Mind, by Nicci French
I continue to like the series, and wait for my library to have the Saturday book. I was a bit disappointed though about the Sandy development in Thursday and Friday, I feel that the character deserved more. Still very nice mysteries though.
17. The Shepherd's Crown, by Terry Pratchett
Oh, Pterry. I will miss you.
18. Call the Midwife, by Jennifer Worth
Absolutely fascinating to see where the idea for the show started and Jennifer Worth is a really interesting narrator (though she could have benefitted from a better editor). But is it sacrilege to say I like the nuns on the show better?
19. The Sacred Art of Stealing, by Christopher Brookmyre
Two thumbs up! Very enjoyable, irreverent read. Not for the faint of heart :)
20. Thin Air, by Ann Cleeves
I think what I like best about the Shetland mysteries is not the crime story but the fact that they always make me want to emigrate to the Shetlands.
Whew! All caught up now!
4: Imperium, by Robert Harris
5: Lustrum, by Robert Harris
6: Dictator, by Robert Harris
I really liked this series. I know a lot of what went into it had to be guesswork by necessity, but it was pretty meticulously matched to historical detail as far as I can tell, and I really liked the analysis of Cicero as a character. I also very especially liked how the narrator was a slave and was pretty honest about how he had it good, but it still essentially sucks to be a slave and that it's nice that Cicero and the like can forget he is a slave, because he himself can't, but at the same time the narrator is treating slavery as the everyday occurence it was in Ancient Rome. It all rang very true.
7: Leibniz, Newton und die Erfindung der Zeit, by Thomas de Padova [title literally translates to 'Leibniz, Newton and the Invention of Time,' there doesn't seem to be an English translation, unfortunately]
This was an altogether brilliant book. It was such a unique take on the cultural history of the 17th and early 18th century and also featured a lot of the mathematical and physical principles that went into the measuring of time in a way that even I could understand most of it. And then it also was a very interesting biography of the titular characters.
More books to come :)
5: Lustrum, by Robert Harris
6: Dictator, by Robert Harris
I really liked this series. I know a lot of what went into it had to be guesswork by necessity, but it was pretty meticulously matched to historical detail as far as I can tell, and I really liked the analysis of Cicero as a character. I also very especially liked how the narrator was a slave and was pretty honest about how he had it good, but it still essentially sucks to be a slave and that it's nice that Cicero and the like can forget he is a slave, because he himself can't, but at the same time the narrator is treating slavery as the everyday occurence it was in Ancient Rome. It all rang very true.
7: Leibniz, Newton und die Erfindung der Zeit, by Thomas de Padova [title literally translates to 'Leibniz, Newton and the Invention of Time,' there doesn't seem to be an English translation, unfortunately]
This was an altogether brilliant book. It was such a unique take on the cultural history of the 17th and early 18th century and also featured a lot of the mathematical and physical principles that went into the measuring of time in a way that even I could understand most of it. And then it also was a very interesting biography of the titular characters.
More books to come :)
(no subject)
May. 10th, 2016 09:30 amWut, I never updated my booklist after book 3? Gah, I thought I had. I have all of them jotted down in my agenda, but it's gonna take a while to transfer. I so smart, yes.
Sheesh
Sheesh
2016: Books 1-3 & book goals
Feb. 16th, 2016 02:46 pmBook 1: The Second World War, by Antony Beevor
Because I clearly haven't learnt my lesson from last year, this one was one gigantic big tome that took me almost six weeks to read. How am I ever going to approach Shem's book-numbers? Other than that, it was frightfully interesting and I learnt tons.
Book 2: The Martian, by Andy Weir
I'm normally not at all into sci-fi, but Marie gave it such an interesting review that I wanted to try it. I did really really like it! Objectively, there were a few rough edges to the writing and with all the sci stuff, I have no clue if it would actually have worked or was bullshit especially that spaceship that couldn't just return to Mars? But obviously it made sense within the story. And subjectively the book was a total page-turner!
Book 3: The Ghost, by Robert Harris
That was an intriguing political thriller with a twisted ending! Also, Blair. That guy basically is Blair by any other name. Just saying.
As for 2016 book goals, I seem to be in the mood for a lot of non-fiction right now. I don't feel any urge towards anything supernatural right now, or anything romance-like. All I have on my reading pile right now is either gritty suspense thriller or gritty non-fiction. My goal is to expand the horizon a little :)
Because I clearly haven't learnt my lesson from last year, this one was one gigantic big tome that took me almost six weeks to read. How am I ever going to approach Shem's book-numbers? Other than that, it was frightfully interesting and I learnt tons.
Book 2: The Martian, by Andy Weir
I'm normally not at all into sci-fi, but Marie gave it such an interesting review that I wanted to try it. I did really really like it! Objectively, there were a few rough edges to the writing and with all the sci stuff, I have no clue if it would actually have worked or was bullshit especially that spaceship that couldn't just return to Mars? But obviously it made sense within the story. And subjectively the book was a total page-turner!
Book 3: The Ghost, by Robert Harris
That was an intriguing political thriller with a twisted ending! Also, Blair. That guy basically is Blair by any other name. Just saying.
As for 2016 book goals, I seem to be in the mood for a lot of non-fiction right now. I don't feel any urge towards anything supernatural right now, or anything romance-like. All I have on my reading pile right now is either gritty suspense thriller or gritty non-fiction. My goal is to expand the horizon a little :)
2015: Books 79-82
Feb. 16th, 2016 02:32 pmOkay, let's pretend it's 6 weeks earlier, right? I totally wasn't lazy in updating my book list AT ALL.
79: The Royal Mess, by Mary Janice Davidson
It started getting really repetitive. And so much insta-love from constant boning. It was a neat idea, but it's clear it wasn't going to go anywhere new.
80: The Green Road, by Anne Enright
Uhm. Difficult to say. I liked it, but I couldn't love it. It's certainly a good book, might even be a great one, but it just didn't speak to me. I couldn't have cared less about anything in it. Still, for all that, I don't regret reading it. For those interested, it's a book taking apart a family in 1980s up to contemporary Ireland. It's well done. It's just not a voice resonating with me.
81: High Rising, by Angela Thirkell
My brother lent me this, it's another of his obscure literature finds. It was a very fun, light-hearted book, didn't take itself too seriously. Nice little romp in the 1930s English countryside.
82: To Say Nothing of the Dog, by Connie Willis
I gave myself this book as a Christmas present and OMG loved it SO SO MUCH!!!! Why didn't y'all tell me sooner I had to read this one?
So, all in all, 82 books in 2015. Certainly not my highest number, but then again, it took me a whole bloody month to read that French book alone ... and I'm certainly happy with most of the books I read that year, so there's that :)
79: The Royal Mess, by Mary Janice Davidson
It started getting really repetitive. And so much insta-love from constant boning. It was a neat idea, but it's clear it wasn't going to go anywhere new.
80: The Green Road, by Anne Enright
Uhm. Difficult to say. I liked it, but I couldn't love it. It's certainly a good book, might even be a great one, but it just didn't speak to me. I couldn't have cared less about anything in it. Still, for all that, I don't regret reading it. For those interested, it's a book taking apart a family in 1980s up to contemporary Ireland. It's well done. It's just not a voice resonating with me.
81: High Rising, by Angela Thirkell
My brother lent me this, it's another of his obscure literature finds. It was a very fun, light-hearted book, didn't take itself too seriously. Nice little romp in the 1930s English countryside.
82: To Say Nothing of the Dog, by Connie Willis
I gave myself this book as a Christmas present and OMG loved it SO SO MUCH!!!! Why didn't y'all tell me sooner I had to read this one?
So, all in all, 82 books in 2015. Certainly not my highest number, but then again, it took me a whole bloody month to read that French book alone ... and I'm certainly happy with most of the books I read that year, so there's that :)
Books 70-78
Dec. 15th, 2015 08:59 am70: Blue Monday, by Nicci French
It was an ok crime novel. I thought it got a bit weird towards the ending, but okay. It was fun reading about the shrink's daily life. I kept imagining my own shrink.
71: Foxglove Summer, by Ben Aaronovich
I really loved that one. It started a bit slow but I really liked how it went then. I wish though we'd learnt more about the over-arching mystery of the series, it wasn't really all that present in this one. When's the next one out?
72: The Bride Wore Size 12, by Meg Cabot
I love this series. It's pure brain candy. But it kept irking me that I felt I hadn't read the one previous to this and was missing out on things.
73: Bath Tangle, by Georgette Heyer
The last one in my mini-Heyer re-read and I still liked it tho of course no Regency Buck :)
74: Size 12 and Ready to Rock, by Meg Cabot
So I got this because I thought I hadn't read it, but then half-way through I realised I *had* read it and just forgotten half the stuff and, okay, that was all very irritating but not really the series' fault.
75: The Royal Treatment, by Mary Janice Davidson
Objectively, this series isn't really all that. But it's amusing and funny and fast-paced to read. It's a bit like The Royals (worst TV series ever) but intentionally funny and non-sensical. But the plotting could do with some help and the constant humping (sometimes graphic) gets a bit annoying.
76: Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes
Apparently this book has been hyped a lot? A colleague of mine was raving about it. I raced through it and enjoyed reading it but in the end realised I didn't really like it. Some things were neat, but I hated the overall resolution and found I couldn't like the male lead. It gets even more complicated because the plot hangs on an issueAssisted Suicide and I have complicated and partly conflicting opinions about said issue and I felt that this book partly tried to proselytise me very unsubtly. I can see why this book got hyped, but I don't like it and Will Traynor is an arse.
77: The Great Sea: A Human History of the Mediterranean, by David Abulafia
This was for a uni course, partly, but I liked the idea so much I got the whole book and read it and I can really only give it thumbs up! Abulafia sometimes is veering on the edge of too-snarky-for-a-historian, but it's a very amusing read and he has a really unique perspective on historical connections and presentation and I learned a lot.
78: The Royal Pain, by Mary Janice Davidson
See above for #75. Same opinion still holds.
It was an ok crime novel. I thought it got a bit weird towards the ending, but okay. It was fun reading about the shrink's daily life. I kept imagining my own shrink.
71: Foxglove Summer, by Ben Aaronovich
I really loved that one. It started a bit slow but I really liked how it went then. I wish though we'd learnt more about the over-arching mystery of the series, it wasn't really all that present in this one. When's the next one out?
72: The Bride Wore Size 12, by Meg Cabot
I love this series. It's pure brain candy. But it kept irking me that I felt I hadn't read the one previous to this and was missing out on things.
73: Bath Tangle, by Georgette Heyer
The last one in my mini-Heyer re-read and I still liked it tho of course no Regency Buck :)
74: Size 12 and Ready to Rock, by Meg Cabot
So I got this because I thought I hadn't read it, but then half-way through I realised I *had* read it and just forgotten half the stuff and, okay, that was all very irritating but not really the series' fault.
75: The Royal Treatment, by Mary Janice Davidson
Objectively, this series isn't really all that. But it's amusing and funny and fast-paced to read. It's a bit like The Royals (worst TV series ever) but intentionally funny and non-sensical. But the plotting could do with some help and the constant humping (sometimes graphic) gets a bit annoying.
76: Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes
Apparently this book has been hyped a lot? A colleague of mine was raving about it. I raced through it and enjoyed reading it but in the end realised I didn't really like it. Some things were neat, but I hated the overall resolution and found I couldn't like the male lead. It gets even more complicated because the plot hangs on an issue
77: The Great Sea: A Human History of the Mediterranean, by David Abulafia
This was for a uni course, partly, but I liked the idea so much I got the whole book and read it and I can really only give it thumbs up! Abulafia sometimes is veering on the edge of too-snarky-for-a-historian, but it's a very amusing read and he has a really unique perspective on historical connections and presentation and I learned a lot.
78: The Royal Pain, by Mary Janice Davidson
See above for #75. Same opinion still holds.
Books 62-69
Nov. 2nd, 2015 11:54 am62: The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova
Okay, I'll admit I picked this mainly because it was one quid at Oxfam. I expected a pretty standard vampire novel, but I really liked this one much more than I thought I would. It's very well plotted and right up until the ending, very nicely paced (the ending felt a little bit rushed though) and has a couple of very interesting twists that kept it from being standard. I really enjoyed reading it. My only complaints would be that the ending is that little bit rushed, and that it left a few too many lose ends. I don't mind not everything being tied up neatly, but with one or two things I did wonder why they had been brought up at all if they were never going to be resolved. Still, thumbs up.
63: Cotillion, by Georgette Heyer
Got this from Caro and I really liked it. Surprisingly, I didn't catch on to the endgame until quite late in the book, and even then I was hoping for it rather than expecting it to happen.
64: Secret Place, by Tana French
I really like her mystery novels but they seem to get gloomier and gloomier all the time. This one was really good but such a depressing ending!
65: Regency Buck, by Georgette Heyer
Okay, so Cotillion brought with it an urge to reread some favourite Heyers and of course this one tops the list. Objectively, I know that the hero is a total creep, but I can't help it, I put on my rose-tinted glasses all the time and just love this novel to bits. It's my guilty pleasure.
66: Life after Life, by Kate Atkinson
Shem's description of this sounded just like my cup of tea and when she was gushing so much about it I knew I had to get it too, and luckily the library had it. I wasn't disappointed. Like Shem, I found the beginning a bit slow to get into, but then it really took off and it was awesome. It's not exactly time-travel, but it touches similar questions as good time-travel novels do and on top of that one of my other favourite topics, alternate universes caused by tiny changes. I loved it!
67: Career of Evil, by Robert Galbraith
As I said to my brother, I really really liked this one, but I liked Silkworm - the second in the series - even better. Also, I think JKR really enjoys diving into the gruesome and gory that she couldn't put into her at least nominally children's books. So, fair warning about that. This book is really gory and amputated limbs feature. I never had the feeling though that it was for shock value. It's just a very gruesome story. Also, in true JKR manner, she left it on a bit of a cliff-hanger - not about the mystery, but the personal story of the main characters (which was really nicely developed) - GRRRR!
68: Venetia, by Georgette Heyer
Something to calm my nerves after the JKR ;) When we were talking about Heyers during the DU, Julie said this was her favourite and talked about why and since it's been years since I read this I wanted to re-read with Julie's analysis in mind and she's right. Venetia really is a total kick-ass heroine and her and Damerel's relationship is awesomely honest. The only reason why this isn't my favourite Heyer is that it isn't Regency Buck because my brain is weird.
69: The Job, by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
I've grown a bit tired of her Stephanie Plums but I do like this new(ish) series and this one wasn't a disappointment. Pure escapist fast-paced action, but nicely done.
Okay, I'll admit I picked this mainly because it was one quid at Oxfam. I expected a pretty standard vampire novel, but I really liked this one much more than I thought I would. It's very well plotted and right up until the ending, very nicely paced (the ending felt a little bit rushed though) and has a couple of very interesting twists that kept it from being standard. I really enjoyed reading it. My only complaints would be that the ending is that little bit rushed, and that it left a few too many lose ends. I don't mind not everything being tied up neatly, but with one or two things I did wonder why they had been brought up at all if they were never going to be resolved. Still, thumbs up.
63: Cotillion, by Georgette Heyer
Got this from Caro and I really liked it. Surprisingly, I didn't catch on to the endgame until quite late in the book, and even then I was hoping for it rather than expecting it to happen.
64: Secret Place, by Tana French
I really like her mystery novels but they seem to get gloomier and gloomier all the time. This one was really good but such a depressing ending!
65: Regency Buck, by Georgette Heyer
Okay, so Cotillion brought with it an urge to reread some favourite Heyers and of course this one tops the list. Objectively, I know that the hero is a total creep, but I can't help it, I put on my rose-tinted glasses all the time and just love this novel to bits. It's my guilty pleasure.
66: Life after Life, by Kate Atkinson
Shem's description of this sounded just like my cup of tea and when she was gushing so much about it I knew I had to get it too, and luckily the library had it. I wasn't disappointed. Like Shem, I found the beginning a bit slow to get into, but then it really took off and it was awesome. It's not exactly time-travel, but it touches similar questions as good time-travel novels do and on top of that one of my other favourite topics, alternate universes caused by tiny changes. I loved it!
67: Career of Evil, by Robert Galbraith
As I said to my brother, I really really liked this one, but I liked Silkworm - the second in the series - even better. Also, I think JKR really enjoys diving into the gruesome and gory that she couldn't put into her at least nominally children's books. So, fair warning about that. This book is really gory and amputated limbs feature. I never had the feeling though that it was for shock value. It's just a very gruesome story. Also, in true JKR manner, she left it on a bit of a cliff-hanger - not about the mystery, but the personal story of the main characters (which was really nicely developed) - GRRRR!
68: Venetia, by Georgette Heyer
Something to calm my nerves after the JKR ;) When we were talking about Heyers during the DU, Julie said this was her favourite and talked about why and since it's been years since I read this I wanted to re-read with Julie's analysis in mind and she's right. Venetia really is a total kick-ass heroine and her and Damerel's relationship is awesomely honest. The only reason why this isn't my favourite Heyer is that it isn't Regency Buck because my brain is weird.
69: The Job, by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
I've grown a bit tired of her Stephanie Plums but I do like this new(ish) series and this one wasn't a disappointment. Pure escapist fast-paced action, but nicely done.
Books 57-61
Sep. 16th, 2015 09:08 am57: Dr Johnson's London, by Liza Picard
Had borrowed this from Caro last year so really needed to finish it and it didn't disappoint. Very quirky look at particular bits of 18th century London with lots of interesting tidbits.
58: Blackout, by Connie Willis
59: All Clear, by Connie Willis
Can I even say anything new about those, other than that I loved them? I don't think I could come up with anything other than gushing about everything. Like so:OMG COLIN!!!!!
60: Poseidon's Gold, by Lindsey Davis
Managed to find this one in the really, really odd second-hand bookshop in Brighton with the bombsite cellar. Because I have a weak spot for Falco and Helena and am slowly building up my collection of them, although I'd previously read this from the library. Still very nice though. I think they definitely get better too if you read them in order and really see their relationship grow.
61: WARP: The Hangman's Revolution, by Eoin Colfer
This was quick and fun and all that - it's just that any time travel book read after Connie Willis will have very large footsteps to follow in ...
Had borrowed this from Caro last year so really needed to finish it and it didn't disappoint. Very quirky look at particular bits of 18th century London with lots of interesting tidbits.
58: Blackout, by Connie Willis
59: All Clear, by Connie Willis
Can I even say anything new about those, other than that I loved them? I don't think I could come up with anything other than gushing about everything. Like so:
60: Poseidon's Gold, by Lindsey Davis
Managed to find this one in the really, really odd second-hand bookshop in Brighton with the bombsite cellar. Because I have a weak spot for Falco and Helena and am slowly building up my collection of them, although I'd previously read this from the library. Still very nice though. I think they definitely get better too if you read them in order and really see their relationship grow.
61: WARP: The Hangman's Revolution, by Eoin Colfer
This was quick and fun and all that - it's just that any time travel book read after Connie Willis will have very large footsteps to follow in ...
56: The Collector, by Nora Roberts
I wanted something fast and fluffy after the turmoils of Doomsday, so I went for this. I didn't like it very much in the beginning. It felt a little too stilted for me, too formulaic. But once the two protagonists got to meet each other, it got much better. I especially liked that it neither went the 'You're hot, I'm hot, let's boink for insta-relationship and the magic sex will sort everything out!' nor 'oh woes artificial obstacles keep keeping us apart oh the angst' route of relationship development, but instead had them navigate their relationship and gasp! talk about things and settle issues and find compromises. What a novelty notion! Plus there was a neat little mystery in the background.
I wanted something fast and fluffy after the turmoils of Doomsday, so I went for this. I didn't like it very much in the beginning. It felt a little too stilted for me, too formulaic. But once the two protagonists got to meet each other, it got much better. I especially liked that it neither went the 'You're hot, I'm hot, let's boink for insta-relationship and the magic sex will sort everything out!' nor 'oh woes artificial obstacles keep keeping us apart oh the angst' route of relationship development, but instead had them navigate their relationship and gasp! talk about things and settle issues and find compromises. What a novelty notion! Plus there was a neat little mystery in the background.
Books 52-54
Jul. 29th, 2015 11:57 am52: The King's Curse, by Philippa Gregory
Yeah, I know. I said I'd stay away from these after the disappointment of the Elizabeth of York one, what with Incest!Richard and all the incoherent characterisations. However, this one I liked *much* better. It was a very fascinating analysis of the character of Henry VIII and the slippery slope towards his madness as well as a very intriguing view of Katharine of Aragon. It's not necessarily historically sound, there is a lot of speculation, but in itself it makes a lot of sense and is very convincing in its character analysis (also from what I know of Henry and his religion politics, which as you may recall I researched extensively for my B.A. orals). Plus, there is a lot of Margaret Beaufort- and Henry Tudor-bashing (VILE USURPER LONG LIVE KING RICHARD). For those of you like me who're into that sort of thing. Warning however: Katharine of Aragon features prominently, so there is a lot of pregnancy/childbirth/infant death heartbreak.
53: Harbour Street, by Ann Cleeves
This was a very intriguing suspense mystery, but it got rather bleak and depressing towards the end. Not necessarily a cheerful read.
54: WARP. The Reluctant Assassin, by Eoin Colfer
I've grown tired of Artemis Fowl, so I didn't really follow that series anymore, but I love this fresh new YA Timetravel one of his. The first ten or fifteen pages require a bit of patience as you think you may be dealing with an outright Mary Sue, but it gets really fun and quirky after that. It's a fast-paced, quick read, I went through it in an afternoon.
Now reading Doomsday Book and loving it. It took me about thirty pages or so to really get into it but I was sold when I realised that Shrewsbury College was a real place in it and now I'm about a quarter into it and totally hooked!
Yeah, I know. I said I'd stay away from these after the disappointment of the Elizabeth of York one, what with Incest!Richard and all the incoherent characterisations. However, this one I liked *much* better. It was a very fascinating analysis of the character of Henry VIII and the slippery slope towards his madness as well as a very intriguing view of Katharine of Aragon. It's not necessarily historically sound, there is a lot of speculation, but in itself it makes a lot of sense and is very convincing in its character analysis (also from what I know of Henry and his religion politics, which as you may recall I researched extensively for my B.A. orals). Plus, there is a lot of Margaret Beaufort- and Henry Tudor-bashing (VILE USURPER LONG LIVE KING RICHARD). For those of you like me who're into that sort of thing. Warning however: Katharine of Aragon features prominently, so there is a lot of pregnancy/childbirth/infant death heartbreak.
53: Harbour Street, by Ann Cleeves
This was a very intriguing suspense mystery, but it got rather bleak and depressing towards the end. Not necessarily a cheerful read.
54: WARP. The Reluctant Assassin, by Eoin Colfer
I've grown tired of Artemis Fowl, so I didn't really follow that series anymore, but I love this fresh new YA Timetravel one of his. The first ten or fifteen pages require a bit of patience as you think you may be dealing with an outright Mary Sue, but it gets really fun and quirky after that. It's a fast-paced, quick read, I went through it in an afternoon.
Now reading Doomsday Book and loving it. It took me about thirty pages or so to really get into it but I was sold when I realised that Shrewsbury College was a real place in it and now I'm about a quarter into it and totally hooked!
Books 50 & 51
Jul. 12th, 2015 01:59 pm50: Central Park, by Guillaume Musso
My mum liked this so much she kept telling me I should read it, but I dunno. It was a really, really gripping tale with a very surprising ending, but in hindsight there are some really creepy implications. Also I feel that it should come with several warnings, but any of them would be a plot spoiler, so if any of you are thinking about reading this and wonder about warnings, let me know and I'll tell you.
51: The Testament, by John Grisham
Ugh. I had never read Grisham before and I don't think I will read one again any time soon. I really disliked this one. The plot was fairly gripping until it lost steam about 3/4 through and I kept waiting for a twist that I thought had been hinted at pretty bluntly before but seemed to have been forgotten and everything just petered out. But the real annoying thing was the narration which was such a jarring blend of idolising money and evangelical preachiness, with a few choice bits of jingoism, racism, elitism, sexism, classism and a few other -isms thrown in for good measure. The narrator just dumped level upon level of hatred and viciousness on all of his characters (which it seems he created mainly for hating them) for petty reasons such as that they hadn't been able to attend a good school or wore cheap suits, then had his main character undergo a magical personality transplant by finding God because dontcha know it, Christianity makes everything better, even poor naive naked brown people in the jungle who really need to stop worshipping snakes because that's just like totally silly. Ugh. Just ugh.
(Note: I don't mind stories about people finding God, but I'd like it happen a little more subtly than 'money money money yadda yadda everything's vicious people stink especially lawyers BAM!JESUS now my life is on track again. Btw poor brown people what haven't found God yet. Oh plot what plot I guess I'll end the book just now. Money for everyone! MONEY RULZ. Uhm okay God kinda rules too but MONEY!!!!!')
The only funny thing about this book was that it's set in about 1996 so every time the narrator raved about the latest technological gadgets that the ~MONEY~ could buy I was thinking about the brick-like Nokias and crappy little pagers that would mean.
My mum liked this so much she kept telling me I should read it, but I dunno. It was a really, really gripping tale with a very surprising ending, but in hindsight there are some really creepy implications. Also I feel that it should come with several warnings, but any of them would be a plot spoiler, so if any of you are thinking about reading this and wonder about warnings, let me know and I'll tell you.
51: The Testament, by John Grisham
Ugh. I had never read Grisham before and I don't think I will read one again any time soon. I really disliked this one. The plot was fairly gripping until it lost steam about 3/4 through and I kept waiting for a twist that I thought had been hinted at pretty bluntly before but seemed to have been forgotten and everything just petered out. But the real annoying thing was the narration which was such a jarring blend of idolising money and evangelical preachiness, with a few choice bits of jingoism, racism, elitism, sexism, classism and a few other -isms thrown in for good measure. The narrator just dumped level upon level of hatred and viciousness on all of his characters (which it seems he created mainly for hating them) for petty reasons such as that they hadn't been able to attend a good school or wore cheap suits, then had his main character undergo a magical personality transplant by finding God because dontcha know it, Christianity makes everything better, even poor naive naked brown people in the jungle who really need to stop worshipping snakes because that's just like totally silly. Ugh. Just ugh.
(Note: I don't mind stories about people finding God, but I'd like it happen a little more subtly than 'money money money yadda yadda everything's vicious people stink especially lawyers BAM!JESUS now my life is on track again. Btw poor brown people what haven't found God yet. Oh plot what plot I guess I'll end the book just now. Money for everyone! MONEY RULZ. Uhm okay God kinda rules too but MONEY!!!!!')
The only funny thing about this book was that it's set in about 1996 so every time the narrator raved about the latest technological gadgets that the ~MONEY~ could buy I was thinking about the brick-like Nokias and crappy little pagers that would mean.
49: La Vérité sur l'Affaire Harry Quebert, by Joel Dicker
I am done. I am finished with it. Can you believe it took me a month to read this book? Actually, considering that it was 860 pages, can you believe it took me only one month? It felt like AGES. AGES I TELLS YOU.
Now, you may think that the fact that I finished it speaks for my endurance and my tenacity, but no.
The only thing that kept me going was this book.
THIS BOOK, YOU GUYS.
GO READ THIS BOOK. In whatever language you like (don't read it in French if you're as slow as me, although the author writes with a wicked tone and rhythm).
This book is awesome. It is marvellous, or, as my new favourite language would put it, MERVEILLEUX. You won't want to put it down.
I don't even know where to start. The plotting is awesome. The crafting. The characters. The narration. The wicked humour in between. The tension. The whole mystery and the mystery of the mystery and --- well I don't want to tell too much. It's a crime thriller, but it's also a book about writing books, a book about people who write books, a book about books, a book about people - it's COMPLETEMENT FANTASTIQUE.
Go read it. Read it now.
I am done. I am finished with it. Can you believe it took me a month to read this book? Actually, considering that it was 860 pages, can you believe it took me only one month? It felt like AGES. AGES I TELLS YOU.
Now, you may think that the fact that I finished it speaks for my endurance and my tenacity, but no.
The only thing that kept me going was this book.
THIS BOOK, YOU GUYS.
GO READ THIS BOOK. In whatever language you like (don't read it in French if you're as slow as me, although the author writes with a wicked tone and rhythm).
This book is awesome. It is marvellous, or, as my new favourite language would put it, MERVEILLEUX. You won't want to put it down.
I don't even know where to start. The plotting is awesome. The crafting. The characters. The narration. The wicked humour in between. The tension. The whole mystery and the mystery of the mystery and --- well I don't want to tell too much. It's a crime thriller, but it's also a book about writing books, a book about people who write books, a book about books, a book about people - it's COMPLETEMENT FANTASTIQUE.
Go read it. Read it now.
Books 45-48
Jun. 10th, 2015 10:27 am45: The Last Secret of the Temple, by Paul Sussman
This was marketed as Da Vinci Code, but better and you know how I love me some absurd conspiracies now and then. It was better than I expected. Yes, it was all a bit ridiculous with ancient artifacts etc, but the plot was woven very neatly, the characters were very interesting and the shocking twists, although they came out of the blue, were not completely random as with Dan Brown, but made sense in hindsight. It also avoided some of the traps that Dan Brown always falls into what with all the exposition monologues and such. Also I thought that all the current-day stuff with Israeli/Palestinian/Arab tensions was handled very delicately without undue vilifying of either side. There's quite a lot of swearing, I should warn you though, and of course it runs havoc with Jewish/Christian mythology, which may not be everyone's thing (but I thought it was decently enough handled, unlike some other stories I could mention.)
(As an aside: Should I read Dan Brown's latest (okay, a couple of years old by now) just to snark it? I kinda haven't really snarked anything in a long time, but then I wouldn't want to waste time reading crap ...)
46: Reaper Man, by Terry Pratchett
47: Soul Music, by Terry Pratchett
48: Hogfather, by Terry Pratchett
So worth it to read them in order! I loved them to bits. I get now why you all love this series and Susan so much. Okay, I'll admit it was a bit weird reading an essentially Christmas-themed book in hot June! (None of you mentioned that it was a Christmas book!) but other than that it was awesome.
Now reading the giant big French tome of French, so it'll be ages until I can make another update :)
This was marketed as Da Vinci Code, but better and you know how I love me some absurd conspiracies now and then. It was better than I expected. Yes, it was all a bit ridiculous with ancient artifacts etc, but the plot was woven very neatly, the characters were very interesting and the shocking twists, although they came out of the blue, were not completely random as with Dan Brown, but made sense in hindsight. It also avoided some of the traps that Dan Brown always falls into what with all the exposition monologues and such. Also I thought that all the current-day stuff with Israeli/Palestinian/Arab tensions was handled very delicately without undue vilifying of either side. There's quite a lot of swearing, I should warn you though, and of course it runs havoc with Jewish/Christian mythology, which may not be everyone's thing (but I thought it was decently enough handled, unlike some other stories I could mention.)
(As an aside: Should I read Dan Brown's latest (okay, a couple of years old by now) just to snark it? I kinda haven't really snarked anything in a long time, but then I wouldn't want to waste time reading crap ...)
46: Reaper Man, by Terry Pratchett
47: Soul Music, by Terry Pratchett
48: Hogfather, by Terry Pratchett
So worth it to read them in order! I loved them to bits. I get now why you all love this series and Susan so much. Okay, I'll admit it was a bit weird reading an essentially Christmas-themed book in hot June! (None of you mentioned that it was a Christmas book!) but other than that it was awesome.
Now reading the giant big French tome of French, so it'll be ages until I can make another update :)
Books 42-44
May. 27th, 2015 08:27 am42: Er ist wieder da, by Timur Vermes (English title Look Who's Back)
I don't know whether you've heard of this one, it caused quite a bit of interest in Germany when it came out about two years ago. The premise is that Adolf Hitler, who's the narrator, instead of being dead, suddenly wakes up in Berlin in 2013 believing it's still 1945 and he's just had a really long nap. And then he starts having a career on German TV. It's definitely satire, and it's very good - hauntingly so. Part of it actually is a satire on satire. Okay, some passages dragged a little, but the rest was very uncomfortable. In a good way. The author has nazi-speak down pat and it's creepy. I'm not sure how good any English translations are.
43: Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett
I'm still waiting for Reaper Man but in the meantime, I really enjoyed this one.
44: Night Watch, by Terry Pratchett
Decided to re-read one of my favourites (because time travel) while waiting for Reaper Man. Still like it a lot. I'm just wondering though, did Carcer ever turn up in any of the other novels of the City Watch? Am I supposed to know him and have forgotten him?
I don't know whether you've heard of this one, it caused quite a bit of interest in Germany when it came out about two years ago. The premise is that Adolf Hitler, who's the narrator, instead of being dead, suddenly wakes up in Berlin in 2013 believing it's still 1945 and he's just had a really long nap. And then he starts having a career on German TV. It's definitely satire, and it's very good - hauntingly so. Part of it actually is a satire on satire. Okay, some passages dragged a little, but the rest was very uncomfortable. In a good way. The author has nazi-speak down pat and it's creepy. I'm not sure how good any English translations are.
43: Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett
I'm still waiting for Reaper Man but in the meantime, I really enjoyed this one.
44: Night Watch, by Terry Pratchett
Decided to re-read one of my favourites (because time travel) while waiting for Reaper Man. Still like it a lot. I'm just wondering though, did Carcer ever turn up in any of the other novels of the City Watch? Am I supposed to know him and have forgotten him?
Books 40&41
May. 20th, 2015 10:54 am40: The White Princess, by Philippa Gregory
I think maybe it's time for me to stop with this series. I mean, I knew from the first one in that it was historical crack, but it used to be more entertaining, I think? And less conflicting. Also, I loved that in the previous books, she'd built up Richard III (LONG LIVE KING RICHARD) as yes, ambitious, but above all, an honourable man, devoted to the memory of his brothers and in love with Anne Neville. I didn't buy that in the very first chapter of this one, she suddenly decided that Richard not only fell in love with the niece he had protected from birth, but took to shamelessly flirting with and courting her under the eyes of Anne Neville, even going so far as having Richard shag his own niece while promising her to make her queen, all the while Anne Neville still lived! I think Gregory fell for the Shakespearean propaganda she'd tried so hard to avoid there. The book got better in the later chapters, but not really all that good. It seems the author had decided that Elizabeth would have conflicting feelings for Henry VII (THE LYING USURPER LONG LIVE KING RICHARD) but instead of really going with that and analysing it, she settled for Elizabeth having different feelings for Henry (THE LYING USURPER LONG LIVE KING RICHARD) every chapter without really explaining the changes beyond some vague allusions to sexual pleasure. Also while there was very entertaining craziness by Grotsky Margaret Beaufort, there was not enough. There can never be enough Grotsky Margaret.
(If you think about it, and this is not really related to this book, but to the whole series, Henry Tudor (THE LYING USURPER LONG LIVE KING RICHARD) was only pushed to usurp by Grotsky Margaret, who in turn was only so twisted because her mother sold her to Edmund Tudor who raped her when she was 12. So I guess we can blame Margaret Beaufort of Bletsoe and Edmund Tudor for the whole mess especially the death of Richard (LONG LIVE KING RICHARD). Also they need to make another series of The White Queen but this time a sitcom of the married life of Grotsky Margaret Beaufort and King Rupert's Beard aka Lord Stanley.)
41: The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat, by Edward Kelsey Moore
Oh, this book was awesome. So, so awesome and sweet. It's the story of three middle-aged women in Plainview, Indiana who have to face radical changes in their lives while looking back at their past, and I know that sounds like a run-of-the-mill plot and I guess it probably is. But the way it comes to life in this book is just amazing. The first chapter had a wonderful twist right at the end and it only got better from there. All the characters feel so alive and real. It's sweet and touching but at the same time oh so quirky and funny and altogether just perfect. It's the author's first book and I wonder what he'll come up with next. In the meantime, y'all need to go and read this! :D
I think maybe it's time for me to stop with this series. I mean, I knew from the first one in that it was historical crack, but it used to be more entertaining, I think? And less conflicting. Also, I loved that in the previous books, she'd built up Richard III (LONG LIVE KING RICHARD) as yes, ambitious, but above all, an honourable man, devoted to the memory of his brothers and in love with Anne Neville. I didn't buy that in the very first chapter of this one, she suddenly decided that Richard not only fell in love with the niece he had protected from birth, but took to shamelessly flirting with and courting her under the eyes of Anne Neville, even going so far as having Richard shag his own niece while promising her to make her queen, all the while Anne Neville still lived! I think Gregory fell for the Shakespearean propaganda she'd tried so hard to avoid there. The book got better in the later chapters, but not really all that good. It seems the author had decided that Elizabeth would have conflicting feelings for Henry VII (THE LYING USURPER LONG LIVE KING RICHARD) but instead of really going with that and analysing it, she settled for Elizabeth having different feelings for Henry (THE LYING USURPER LONG LIVE KING RICHARD) every chapter without really explaining the changes beyond some vague allusions to sexual pleasure. Also while there was very entertaining craziness by Grotsky Margaret Beaufort, there was not enough. There can never be enough Grotsky Margaret.
(If you think about it, and this is not really related to this book, but to the whole series, Henry Tudor (THE LYING USURPER LONG LIVE KING RICHARD) was only pushed to usurp by Grotsky Margaret, who in turn was only so twisted because her mother sold her to Edmund Tudor who raped her when she was 12. So I guess we can blame Margaret Beaufort of Bletsoe and Edmund Tudor for the whole mess especially the death of Richard (LONG LIVE KING RICHARD). Also they need to make another series of The White Queen but this time a sitcom of the married life of Grotsky Margaret Beaufort and King Rupert's Beard aka Lord Stanley.)
41: The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat, by Edward Kelsey Moore
Oh, this book was awesome. So, so awesome and sweet. It's the story of three middle-aged women in Plainview, Indiana who have to face radical changes in their lives while looking back at their past, and I know that sounds like a run-of-the-mill plot and I guess it probably is. But the way it comes to life in this book is just amazing. The first chapter had a wonderful twist right at the end and it only got better from there. All the characters feel so alive and real. It's sweet and touching but at the same time oh so quirky and funny and altogether just perfect. It's the author's first book and I wonder what he'll come up with next. In the meantime, y'all need to go and read this! :D
Books 35-39
May. 13th, 2015 11:39 am35: The Thief of Time, by Terry Pratchett
This was one of the Pratchetts which for some reason I hadn't read before, even though my library had it. I enjoyed it tremendously. It was awesome all round.
36: A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness
37: Shadow of Night, by Deborah Harkness
38: The Book of Life, by Deborah Harkness
Marie was right, it was soooo worth it to read it all in order. It just got progressively better and it paid off to know exactly who was what and where and all that stuff. I also enjoyed that it was not all-happily-paired-off at the ending although why no love forpoor Fernando??? I so wanted Fernando to find love again!!! And Gallowglass. Now I want a sequel about Fernando and Gallowglass finding love. Not with each other of course because Fernando is practically his father. They could be something like time-travelling detectives finding loves for each other. In conclusion you all need to read this especially Shem because there are gay vampires and demons.
39: Mayhem, by Sarah Pinborough
I feel sorry for this book. It was such a neat and nifty idea, albeit very gruesome - explaining the Ripper murders by an old evil residing in London. And there really were good points and the author's writing has much potential. But it would have benefitted so much from very ruthless editing, not only to weed out all the wrongly-placed commata, but also to give it a better flow and more narrative cohesion. The way it is, I wouldn't really recommend it because it just feels awkward and rambling at times.
This was one of the Pratchetts which for some reason I hadn't read before, even though my library had it. I enjoyed it tremendously. It was awesome all round.
36: A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness
37: Shadow of Night, by Deborah Harkness
38: The Book of Life, by Deborah Harkness
Marie was right, it was soooo worth it to read it all in order. It just got progressively better and it paid off to know exactly who was what and where and all that stuff. I also enjoyed that it was not all-happily-paired-off at the ending although why no love for
39: Mayhem, by Sarah Pinborough
I feel sorry for this book. It was such a neat and nifty idea, albeit very gruesome - explaining the Ripper murders by an old evil residing in London. And there really were good points and the author's writing has much potential. But it would have benefitted so much from very ruthless editing, not only to weed out all the wrongly-placed commata, but also to give it a better flow and more narrative cohesion. The way it is, I wouldn't really recommend it because it just feels awkward and rambling at times.
