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Lords and Ladies is the second Discworld novel I’ve reviewed (unless you count saying that Reaper Man is my favorite so far as a review). Much more of a page-turner than Men at Arms, I finished this book, no lightweight at 382 pages, in about 3 days. And apparently chapters are things that happen in other books.
As I explained previously, Discworld novels feature recurring characters, and the series can be viewed as a very thick continuum, or several strands grouped by characters. Read the rest…
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Deviations: Covenant is the first of six in a series being published by Aisling Press. Rich character development and fascinating central conflict quickly addict the reader to this story. The author’s tone subtly coaxed me to judge the ethics of the situation comprehensively by virtue of the characters’ widely varied viewpoints. The moral dilemma of the story would easily lend itself to pontification from a less skilled writer.
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The Shrieking Stones is the first book in a new series of children’s horror books (a la Goosebumps) and is suitable for children 8 and up. Not only suitable, enjoyable, pacey, and just scary enough. In fact, even adults can read it.
The Fright Night series follows the adventures of twins Adam and Lana as they accompany their Uncle Larry during filming of an unsuccessful ghost-chasing TV show. Read the rest…
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I’ve recently reviewed a vacation read, a sick-day read, and now, a deserted island book. You know, for when someone asks you what 20 things would you take with you if you were stuck on a deserted island. As if you could plan for that.
The Lies of Locke Lamora is ideal because, although it is worth the effort, it will take you a very long time to read. I started it on vacation last September. It’s now nearly the end of July. I am the first to admit, I’m not a fast reader, Read the rest…
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Yesterday I reviewed an excellent book to take on vacation. Today, I’m at home with a cold, and what does a gal want when she’s home ill, neither sick enough nor well enough to sleep, with nothing on the television? A cup of tea, a good book and … why is there never any chocolate when you need it??? Well, at least I’ve got the tea and the book. And this book, Don’t You Want Me - light, cheery, gleefully raunchy, not-your-mamma’s-romance-novel that it is - is a perfect choice. Not usually a speedy reader, I got through this Read the rest…
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Come Away With Me by Cornish author Sara MacDonald is a holiday in paperback. Set primarily in London, St Ives, and at the Saltings, this epic tale of two childhood friends brings the women back together by chance and knits them inextricably by the wildest of coincidences and boldest of choices. Seamlessly leaping from present day to flashbacks, the book presents all the information the reader requires exactly when needed. Read the rest…
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Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips is in many ways a refreshing indicator of the extent to which fantasy has been embraced by the mainstream. Far more so than science fiction, of course, because if you set out to depict spaceships in space, aliens in an alien landscape/society, or attempt include any kind of science or substantive, complex plot, you are moving towards ‘cult’, ‘niche’ and other more marginal frontiers where fewer members of the general public are inclined to boldly go. Read the rest…
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It’s hard to write a biography of someone who left as scant a record of his life as William Shakespeare did. So a good portion of this book debunks theories that posit that Shakespeare didn’t write his plays and why the people who have been suggested as authors probably weren’t. Bryson sticks to his subject and while writing with verve and the humor for which he is justly famous, he meticulously sets out the few undisputed facts about Shakespeare — mostly gleaned from legal documents. While not Read the rest…
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This was going to be another airplane book but I made the mistake of starting it before I started my trip — and I couldn’t quit reading it! The bad news is — by the time I got back from the trip, I’d read a couple more books and the details of this one became fuzzy! So, you’ll have to take my word for it that it is good and gripping. The main character is a great political candidate — charming, intelligent, a real Boy Scout — with a guilty secret Read the rest…
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I’m not sure this book is readily available in the US, but get it anyway! It is a great shame that most Americans are blissfully unaware of entertainer Derren Brown (don’t be put off by the scary face on the cover of the book), but one of the best reasons to live in the UK must be access to his delightful, mystifying, and sometimes downright frightening TV series and specials. To call Brown a magician is to focus on only a facet of his skills, as simple illusions and sleight of hand are the least Read the rest…
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