djay's 101010 Challenge

Here's my list of categories for the year 2010 challenge. I did have a couple of other options so it's possible I might end up changing this list at some point. I also reserve the right to alter the books I've chosen at any time prior or even during this challenge.

1. Having a Butcher’s – Jim Butcher and related (10/10)
2. Classic SF&F – Why haven’t I read this yet? (10/10)
3. Watching the Detectives - Detective, Mystery & Thriller (10/10)
4. Book Watch – Association to Film or TV Show (10/10)
5. Impulse Buys and Recommends (10/10)
6. Continuations - Next book(s) in series (10/10)
7. Epic Fantasy - So I can continue series started in 2009 (10/10)
8. Wolf in Me – Wolf in the title or book about wolves (10/10)
9. Lost in Translation – Originally written in a language other than English (10/10)
10. Tickling the Funny Bone - Tagged Humour (or of that ilk) in my library (10/10)

Six of these are carried over from my 999 challenge and another is similar leaving just 3 brand new categories.

Category photo idea borrowed from bfertig.

19/10/09 - Changed a category: From New in SF&F to Epic Fantasy.

Having a Butcher’s – Jim Butcher and related



1. Welcome to the Jungle (06/01/10 Msg52)
2. Summer Knight (15/03/10 Msg87)
3. Death Masks (18/03/10 Msg88)
4. Blood Rites (19/03/10 Msg88)
5. Dead Beat (21/03/10 Msg88)
6. Proven Guilty (18/07/10 Msg160)
7. White Night (19/07/10 Msg160)
8. Small Favor (06/10/10 Msg194)
9. Turn Coat (08/10/10 Msg194)
10. Side Jobs (05/12/10 Msg227)

Classic SF&F – Why haven’t I read this yet?



1. The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester (14/05/10 Msg116)
2. Have Spacesuit - Will Travel by Robert A. Heinlein (08/02/10 Msg69)
3. The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick (05/08/10 Msg169)
4. The Day of the Triffids by by John Wyndham (10/10/10 Msg195)
5. Solaris by Stanislaw Lem (08/03/10 Msg83)
6. Glory Road by Robert A. Heinlein (24/11/10 Msg213)
7. The Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe (25/05/10 Msg124)
8. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (12/01/10 Msg58)
9. The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells (06/09/10 Msg180)
10. A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. (05/07/10 Msg153)

Watching the Detectives - Detective, Mystery & Thriller



1. A Hell of a Woman by Jim Thompson (26/03/10 Msg92)
2. Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason (26/03/10 Msg161)
3. Shoedog by George P. Pelecanos (27/09/10 Msg189)
4. Report for Murder by Val McDermid (19/05/10 Msg118)
5. A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil by Christopher Brookmyre (02/12/10 Msg220)
6. To Die in California by Newton Thornburg (18/06/10 Msg142)
7. The Black Echo by Michael Connelly (08/11/10 Msg206)
8. Night Passage by Robert B. Parker (05/01/10 Msg51)
9. Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs (16/05/10 Msg117)
10. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest by Stieg Larsson (12/04/10 Msg98)

Book Watch – Association to Film or TV Show



1. The Quiet American by Graham Greene (04/03/10 Msg82)
2. Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley (01/06/10 Msg129)
3. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (25/03/10 Msg89)
4. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (10/12/10 Msg231)
5. Strip Tease by Carl Hiaasen (22/05/10 Msg120)
6. Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg (21/09/10 Msg186)
7. Audition by Ryū Murakami (19/06/10 Msg143)
8. Miami Blues by Charles Willeford (28/10/10 Msg203)
9. Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini (24/07/10 Msg163)
10. Out of Sight by Elmore Leonard (22/01/10 Msg63)

Impulse Buys and Recommends



1. The Book With No Name by Anonymous (10/01/10 Msg56)
2. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (30/03/10 Msg93)
3. The Guards by Ken Bruen (17/04/10 Msg103)
4. Smoked by Patrick Quinlan (12/05/10 Msg115)
5. Caught Stealing by Charlie Huston (27/05/10 Msg125)
6. Twelve Step Fandango by Chris Haslam (09/06/10 Msg133)
7. I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan (29/06/10 Msg150)
8. The Singer by Cathi Unsworth (30/07/10 Msg167)
9. Utterly Monkey by Nick Laird (02/08/10 Msg168)
10. A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore (13/12/10 Msg232)

Continuations - Next book(s) in series



1. A Snowball in Hell by Christopher Brookmyre (21/01/10 Msg62)
2. Six Bad Things by Charlie Huston (13/11/10 Msg209)
3. Lords of the Bow by Conn Iggulden (05/04/10 Msg96)
4. The Killing of the Tinkers by Ken Bruen (18/04/10 Msg107)
5. Dexter by Design by Jeff Lindsay (15/02/10 Msg77)
6. Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card (26/10/10 Msg202)
7. Alligator Strip by Chris Haslam (11/06/10 Msg134)
8. The Eye of the Moon by Anonymous (03/03/10 Msg81)
9. Wireless by Jack O’Connell 13/09/10 Msg185)
10. Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom (24/05/10 Msg121)

Epic Fantasy



1. Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson (10/05/10 Msg114)
2. The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan (23/11/10 Msg212)
3. Ships of Merior by Janny Wurts (02/09/10 Msg178)
4. Warhost of Vastmark by Janny Wurts (04/11/10 Msg204)
5. The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson (03/02/10 Msg68)
6. The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson (27/02/10 Msg78)
7. The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay (26/09/10 Msg187)
8. The Steel Remains by Richard Morgan (22/04/10 Msg108)
9. Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook (06/06/10 Msg132)
10. Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie (24/06/10 Msg144)

Wolf in Me – Wolf in the title or book about wolves



1. The Sacred Book of the Werewolf by Victor Pelevin (29/11/10 Msg217)
2. Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden (14/03/10 Msg84)
3. Wolf Whistle by Lewis Nordan (16/07/10 Msg157)
4. The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney (18/01/10 Msg61)
5. The Man Who Lives with Wolves by Shaun Ellis (17/10/10 Msg199)
6. The Silver Wolf by Alice Borchardt (10/09/10 Msg184)
7. Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse (31/03/10 Msg94)
8. White Wolf by David Gemmell (16/04/10 Msg102)
9. Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat (13/06/10 Msg135)
10. Fables: The Deluxe Edition, Book 1 by Bill Willingham (09/09/10 Msg183)

Lost in Translation – Originally written in a language other than English



1. The Three Evangelists by Fred Vargas (29/05/10 Msg128)
2. Out by Natsuo Kirino (10/08/10 Msg175)
3. Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami (05/11/10 Msg205)
4. The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño (14/07/10 Msg156)
5. The Library of Shadows by Mikkel Birkegaard (09/04/10 Msg97)
6. The Oxford Murders by Guillermo Martínez (25/11/10 Msg214)
7. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco (05/10/10 Msg191)
8. The Book of Murder by Guillermo Martínez (07/01/10 Msg55)
9. I'm Not Scared by Niccolò Ammaniti (23/04/10 Msg109)
10. In the Miso Soup by Ryū Murakami (12/02/10 Msg70)

Tickling the Funny Bone - Tagged Humour (or of that ilk) in my library



1. Of Wee Sweetie Mice and Men by Colin Bateman (02/01/10 Msg50)
2. Little Green Men by Christopher Buckley (10/11/10 Msg208)
3. One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night by Christopher Brookmyre (13/04/10 Msg99)
4. The Vesuvius Club by Mark Gatiss (04/09/10 Msg179)
5. Popcorn by Ben Elton (13/02/10 Msg76)
6. Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen (26/04/10 Msg111)
7. A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby (12/10/10 Msg196)
8. Thank You, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse (08/05/10 Msg 113)
9. Saki: The Complete Short Stories by Saki (30/04/10 Msg112)
10. Candide by Voltaire (14/08/10 Msg177)

Complete

It's such fun to see your categories, although it makes me want to fill them in for you! I'll be watching your wolf category. Have you read Wolf Whistle?

Thanks. That certainly sounds like an interesting title and one which I'll probably include if I can find a copy over here.

I'll be populating my categories with some books soon but these selections will not be set in stone and I'm always open to suggestions.

Nice selection of categories djay.

I'll be watching for new titles and authors for my fun reads too.

Thanks for your comments. Most of my books will come from 2nd hand bookshops or cheap online options so a lot depends on availability. I'll be starting to list those on my TBR pile to fill in the blanks and see where we go from there.

I love some of your categories! I have Jim Butcher on my list for next year as a new author for me. And I read Dune this year for the first time and enjoyed it a lot more than I expected.

If you follow Anne Perry there is a Monk mystery named Sins of the Wolf. It was actually my first book by Anne Perry and on audio and it hooked me fr both.

#17 cmbohn, I've read the first 3 of the Dresden books in my 999 challenge and have managed to hold off on the rest so as to dedicate a full category in this challenge like I did with Raymond Feist in the 999.

#18 cyderry, thanks for the suggestion. I haven't read any of Anne Perry before so would it be okay to start with that book or would it be better to go from the beginning of the series first?

I didn't have a problem reading that one first, but having read the whole series, and loving them all, I would say start at the beginning.

This looks like a cool assortment! I love the "wolf" category.

I second #22, and kind of feel a thematic category would have been nice to have. Oh well, maybe in 2011.

Name change has been enacted to reflect more of my other online nick's. It now matches my LastFM name. Formerly known as djay666. The wolf category now makes more sense as well. Wonder if it's possible to change the thread title.

#21 cyderry, I think I'll leave it out of the challenge then for now. Might add it at a later date if I'm struggling though as Historical Fiction was one of my optional categories and to combine that with a mystery story would be a good thing.

Slight change to the name of category 10 although the content remains the same.

Have you watched or read The Tenth Kingdom? I thought the Wolf was entertaining in it.

#25 Victoria, I caught maybe 1 or 2 episodes of the miniseries but have never read the book. It's certainly going up for consideration so thanks for the suggestion.

Looking forward to hearing about your Books in Translation next year.

Thanks for dropping by. Interesting subjects. I like the wolf category and will keep an eye on the SF&F and translations.

The order I read in is subject to change and I am actually tempted to bump Steppenwolf up the TBR pile and out of this challenge.

I was in a shop the other day and picked up a copy of Steppenwolf, with an intro by Hesse. The last paragraph concluded with the line (talking of the readers):
But I would be happy if many of them were to realise that the story of Steppenwolf pictures a disease and crisis - but not one leading to death and destruction, on the contrary: to healing.

I couldn't resist! I will let you know. (when it hits the top of the pile!)

Thanks calm. It has certainly piqued my interest so will look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Hi, like the new SF&F category is cool, I do not read much science fiction anymore so it will be intrigued to see what is/will be out there. Also interested to see what you make of Out.. I found it quite er. strong!

Your classic SF&F category is great. I love the old Heinleins. I borrowed every one I could find from my school and city libraries when I was a teenager.

@30 clfisha, There's always plenty of new titles to choose from. Most of the selections will be impulse buys decided upon by reading the blurb on the back page or could include continuations of a series. Looking forward to reading Out so I don't think it will be too long into the year before I get to it.

31 mathgirl, I've pretty much loved every Heinlein book that I've read so far. Friday and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress being my favourites. Hoping this one won't let me down.

I've been seriously giving some thought to cutting back on the number I read for this challenge. I'll probably end up going to something like 6 or 7 in each category instead of the originally planned 10. I think 100 books will not give me much leeway in selecting what I want to read next when I get nearer to the end of the year and I do not want to feel constrained in any way just to finish a challenge.

33, I'm going to aim for 5 to 10 in each category, but my goal is to keep the numbers in the categories fairly balanced. I joined this challenge mainly to ensure more breadth in my reading.

I don't think you'll be disappointed in your Heinlein choice. It's been so many years since I'd read it that I don't remember it well, but I recall it was one of my favourites when I was young, and I'm sure I'd read it more than once. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress was also one of my faves.

>33 AHS-Wolfy:

I think 100 books will not give me much leeway in selecting what I want to read next when I get nearer to the end of the year and I do not want to feel constrained in any way just to finish a challenge.

I think you're right, Wolfy. That's exactly what happened to me when I was finishing up my 999 Challenge, and I don't think I enjoyed some of those last books as much as I would have if I'd read them at another time.

I'm still planning a true 1010 for next year, but I may change my goals during the year. Just to begin with, this has been an unusual reading year for me, and I'm not at all certain that I will even read 100 books next year.

I read Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst early in 2009 and I remember it as being very interesting and one I would recommend.

@35 ivyd, reading should never be a chore and that's exactly what I want to avoid happening here.

36 hailelib, thanks for the recommendation. Sounds perfect for what I wanted for that category.

Hmm, been taking a look at what choices I have listed so far and I seem to have a lot of what I would class as quick and easy reads so perhaps the 100 goal is doable after all. I will leave things as they stand for now and see how it goes.

re Lost in Translation

This is a great category, I have and would recommend The Shadow of the Wind and Snow. Both are very different, engrossing reads.

I read a lot of translated books, if I can't travel myself, it is a good way to get an insight into other countries and cultures.

@39 soffitta1, well that's the first category that has been filled so looks to be a favourite of mine to. Most of the titles listed will remain (including those two you specified) but at least one is subject to being swapped out. Not quite sure of the Umberto Eco one and it depends if I bring in anything else to my library instead that I like the look of more.

Thanks for the welcomes! Your list looks like a lot of fun. I'm reading In the Miso Soup for translated works too. Hopefully it's a good one!

41 SlySionnach, I've not read any of his books yet but they do look intriguing and that was the one that jumped out at me to try first. If I enjoy it then I can always add Audition to my Movies category.

42

I saw Audition. Freaked me out a little. I'm a sucker for any sort of horror movie.

I would have done a whole category of Japanese Fiction for the 1010 Challenge but I read a bunch of it over this summer. Thought I should explore some new countries.

Hi SlySionnach, I enjoyed In the Miso Soup enough to make me want to read Audition (I was kind of freaked out by the film though!). Anyway hope you enjoy it too.

I'm hoping I like In the Miso Soup enough for me to want to look further into his work and that will include the film adaptation of Audition as well.

I finished reading In The Miso Soup just a few days ago. It was really great but definitely not for the faint of heart. I've already picked up another of his books, Piercing, from the library because I enjoy his style so much. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Thanks remusly for your well wishes. It's looking like that will be one of the first I read in that category. Good to get another positive comment about his work.

For those watching what I was going to put in the New SF&F category I have some bad news, it's gone. Replaced by Epic Fantasy instead. Sorry! The new category will mainly be filled by books from series that I've started this year with a couple of spaces yet to be decided upon.

Don't despair too much though as I'm sure some of the titles I would've used in the now defunct category will more than likely end up in my Impulse Buys and Recommends instead.

Changed a couple of potential titles but until I've read them that's what they still remain. Changed the Umberto Eco selection to the more well known The Name of the Rose instead of The Island of the Day Before. Changed a couple of selections in continuations and may change more before this challenge completes.

I have a few titles earmarked for Impulse Buys and Recommends category but I think I'll just fill that one in as I go along.

Humour - Of Wee Sweetie Mice and Men by Colin Bateman

This is the 2nd book in the Dan Starkey series, an Irish journalist who likes a drink or ten. He has a sarcastic streak large enough to dwarf his bar bill and doesn't stop to think before opening his mouth and letting rip. This, unsurprisingly, leads to some unpleasant situations. He has separated from his wife who he still loves like nothing else in the world, and just before he's due to fly out to New York she tells him she's pregnant and it isn't his. So off he flies to his latest assignment, getting the inside story of a fight for the heavyweight championship of the world between Mike Tyson and the great Irish (no-)hope Bobby 'Fat Boy' McMaster. Events take a nasty turn when comments in a press conference are misconstrued and the Irish fighter is branded a racist and things don't get much better when his wife is kidnapped. Full of black humour and this series is thoroughly recommended to anyone who's read and enjoyed Christopher Brookmyre's books.

Watching the Detectives - Night Passage by Robert B. Parker

I picked this book up because it's part of the No Exit Press 18 Years of publishing celebration editions. It's the first of the Jesse Stone series and also the first of Mr. Parker's books that I've read. Stone is an ex-LAPD homicide detective forced to resign because of a drinking problem caused by the break-up of his marriage and subsequent divorce. He is asked to become the chief of police by the selectmen of the Massachusetts town of Paradise because they want someone they think they can control. As Stone wants to get as far away from his problems as he can, a job on the other side of the country seems ideal. When he arrives he finds things aren't as quiet as he'd hoped for and starts digging at the towns underbelly and wondering why they'd hire a drunk as police chief. Add in a new romance and a re-kindling of his relationship with his ex-wife and you have what amounts to a pretty decent introduction to a series which, at some point, I will continue.

Having a Butcher’s – Welcome to the Jungle by Jim Butcher

Things have certainly changed since I was a kid. For one thing comics are now called graphic novels and come in beautifully illustrated glossy hardback editions like the one I just read. It's a prequel to the popular Harry Dresden series and all the old favourites are here as he gets a call from Murphy of the Chicago police dept. to investigate strange goings on at the zoo. The story, while being brief, is full of action and the usual humour associated with Chicago's resident wizard PI. I'd previously read 3 of the novels in the series and I'd say that this fits in nicely indeed and does give glimpses into Harry's past as well.

Happy New Year! I've made note of the Colin Bateman series, sounds like something I would love.

Thank you Judy and a very happy new year to you also. I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it as you enjoyed your first Brookmyre so much. I'd say this one doesn't quite reach that high standard but it's still a pretty good read.

Lost in Translation - The Book of Murder by Guillermo Martínez

After a ten year gap our narrator receives a phone call from out of the blue by a woman who used to work for him. She goes on to spin a tale of revenge, and ultimately murder, perpetrated by a current best-selling crime author. Her lover, her parents and her brother have all been killed and she fears for the life of her grandmother and sister so pleads for his help. While all the deaths have a more plausible explanation, the way the story fits together seems more than coincidental so he agrees to her earnest plea and sets out to discover what he can.

All in all, a pretty decent mystery that is a very quick and easy read.

Impulse Buys and Recommends - The Book With No Name by Anonymous

Imagine if you will Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez sitting down and writing an even more outlandish sequel to From Dusk Till Dawn and then giving it to Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) to add the finishing touches. You probably won't come anywhere near how this book turns out but at least it will start you off in the right direction.

The Eye of the Moon (a gem with mystical powers) has been stolen and a young monk and his acolyte are sent to try and bring it back to the temple where it belongs. Unfortunately for them it's in the most depraved town imaginable where only the law of the gun prevails. Anyone who's anyone in town knows that the stone is on the loose and they're all looking to get a piece of the action. Many gruesome deaths, some supernatural occurrences and lots of bad language later we arrive at the final showdown and that's when all hell breaks loose.

I came to this book without reading up on anything about it prior to it's purchase. Just liked the sound of it when I picked it up in the charity shop. I enjoyed it quite a bit and there are genuine moments of hilarity with lots of pop culture references being thrown into the mix. It's not a classic by any stretch of the imagination but I'm glad I've read it and will more than likely grab the sequel at some point in time.

That sounds like a lot of fun, will look out for it. Thanks for the review.

Classic SF&F – Why haven’t I read this yet? - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

The last few dystopian books I read I didn't really enjoy so it was with som trepidation that I picked up this one now. I needn't have worried as Bradbury is a true master of his craft.

In this version of the world everything that encourages free thinking is banned and people are told what to think and do by means of what passes as entertainment. If found, books are burned and if anyone has a collection of them then their house is more than likely to go up with it. One of the fireman, as the book burners are called, starts to question the reason behind it all after an encounter with a young girl and realises he's not happy in his life. He does the unthinkable and actually starts to read a book. Should he just give up his life and try and find something else or try and fight the system from within?

Probably more meaningful today than when it was written this book is deservedly regarded as a classic that I'm happy to have read now rather than when I was younger.

You had me at Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez and Simon Pegg! I am picking this book up at the soonest opportunity!

@59, Hope you enjoy it when you do. You'll have to let me know.

Wolf in Me - The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney

Stef Penney made good use of her previous work writing screenplays for this, her debut novel. Set in a small community in the Canadian wilderness during the onset of the winter of 1867 this book does a good job of relating the time and place of the story. Mrs. Ross, while looking for her absent son Francis, discovers the body of murdered French trader, Laurent Jammet, and becomes increasingly concerned for her boy. Dissatisfied by the way the ensuing murder investigation is heading, being led by Hudson Bay Company men who seem to be looking for the quickest solution with the finger of blame being fixed squarely on her still missing son, Mrs Ross takes up with an ex-Company man and tracker and follows the trail of Francis who appears to be doing likewise on another unidentified set of tracks.

While the story is set against a murder mystery background this takes less significance than the interaction of the various characters and the book handles this well varying the viewpoint between a number of them in alternating short chapters. I very nearly gave this a full 4 stars but there were times when it didn't fully hold my interest. If you read this book then don't expect everything to be tied up in a nice little ending package as although the main mystery is resolved you are still left wondering about what befalls some of the characters.

Continuations - A Snowball in Hell by Christopher Brookmyre

Another cracking read from a man who's quickly become a favourite author of mine. Angelique de Xavia is back and so is the previously thought dead, terrorist for hire, Simon Darcourt. This time his targets aren't high-profile places but high-profile people. Celebrities who are famous for nothing more than being famous, reality tv contestants, footballer's girlfriend's etc. They're all going to feature in a new style game show but do they have a snowball's chance of even surviving? Everyone's favourite Ugandan/Scottish policewoman has been put on the case and she's got some help from her past so maybe they do.

Less laugh out loud moments in this book as it relies more on dark biting satire as he puts the boot into celebrity culture and the camera whores that are proliferating in the media circus in which we live in. Fully recommended to those familiar with Mr. Brookmyre's style and not put off by the occasional explicit bits of sex and violence though I would say that you should read the other books in this series first to get full enjoyment from it.

Book Watch - Out of Sight by Elmore Leonard

This is the 2nd book I've read of Mr. Leonard's and both had been adapted into very good movies. The other was Rum Punch/Jackie Brown and as with that one not much has changed in the plot. Serial bank-robber, Jack Foley, escapes from a Florida prison and kidnaps deputy US Marshal Karen Sisco. While ensconced in the boot of the getaway car they strike up an immediate rapport that sets Jack to thinking what if...

Thinking on events later Karen realises that she too had developed something for Jack. He's the perfect match for her with just one exception. He's on the wrong side of the law! Will she be able to do her duty if she's the one that has to bring him back in? Not so sure of the answer she sets off in pursuit of the few clues dropped during the breakout and heads off to Detroit to try and pick up his trail.

Going for the big score, Jack and long term friend and partner-in-crime Buddy, get mixed up with some really brutal thugs to rob a former swindler of his nefarious earnings. Can Karen foil the crime? Will she save Jack? Will she arrest him or possibly shoot him if he resists? Or will they just ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after? All these questions and more are answered at the end of the book and I'm not one for spoilers so you'll have to read or watch it (or maybe even both) to find out for yourself.

Good review on Out of Sight, you certainly have aroused my curiosity.

Thank you. It's a very easy book to read. The pacing is just about right and the dialogue is quick and snappy. The film has a great cast too, directed by Steven Soderbergh with George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in the leads and Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Dennis Farina supplying good supporting roles.

I liked reading your comments on Fahrenheit 451. I also ask myself the same question you asked: "Why haven't I read this yet?"

Thanks. There's just so many books regarded as classics of the genre that I haven't picked up yet. I did the category last year as well and really enjoyed most of the selections.

Epic Fantasy - The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

This is the 2nd book in the Mistborn trilogy and having read book 1 towards the end of last year I wanted to get back to this series before details started to be forgotten. If you haven't read the first book and think you might want to then you'd probably better stop reading this now as I don't think I can put down my thoughts without at least one huge spoiler from that book.

The Well of Ascension picks up a year after the events in Mistborn with Elend now ruling Luthadel as king and Vin being less certain of her place in the grand scheme of things now that Kelsier is gone. Elend has instituted more of a democracy with equality for the previously oppressed Skaa workers. Unfortunately, having not found the expected stash of atium, his government is close to economic disaster and when not one but two opposing armies arrive you know things aren't running smoothly.

This book is of a much darker tone than the previous concentrating more on the political manoeuvring on the one hand and on the other the developing character arcs of two young people thrust to the fore in very difficult times. While most of the story focuses on Vin and Elend, leaving the rest of Kelsier's crew to be more bit part players, there are new folk to add to the mix and the Terris peoples and legends are given greater elaboration. The excellent world-building and magic system are continued and built upon nicely from the previous instalment.

A great read and I'm really looking forward to book 3 but don't think I'm ready to jump straight into it as originally planned as I think I need time for this one to digest first. 4½*'s.

Classic SF&F – Why haven’t I read this yet? - Have Spacesuit - Will Travel by Robert A. Heinlein

Although I've read quite a few of Heinlein's books I've not touched many of those referred to as his juveniles and I'm not sure why. I've pretty much liked everything of his that I've read so far and this was no exception. Yes, the technology is dated but as this was written over 50 years ago and didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story this point can be overlooked. The story itself is a quick, simple and fun read dealing with the (mis-)adventures of two young protagonists, Kip (an eighteen year-old boy) and Peewee (an eleven year-old girl), as they are forcefully abducted and taken to the Moon and then further afield. There is quite a bit of hard science and mathematics interspersed throughout this book which might put off a few people and that would be a shame. A young adult book for kids of all ages. 3½*'s.

Lost in Translation - In the Miso Soup by Ryū Murakami

This book is set around the sleazier part of Tokyo and revolves around the relationship of Kenji, a guide to the local flesh-spots, and Frank, the tourist who employs him. The story is split into three acts, one for each night that Frank wants Kenji to show him around. The first is the set-up where Kenji becomes increasingly suspicious and scared that Frank may not be just a tourist out looking for a good time but might well be a homicidal maniac that could do him some serious harm. The second is the gory bit and the third is the psychological conclusion and I guess I should add that this book is not for the squeamish.

Not only is this book a very good psychological thriller but it also asks questions on the nature of violence, cultural differences and feelings of alienation and the emptiness of modern life. In the Miso Soup has been my first taste of this particular Murakami but I hope to feed off his table again in the future. 4*'s.

I really enjoyed it to, the atmosphere was wonderfully seedy and I loved the ending. I am keeping an eye out for his Audition, I would love to see how it compared to the very very odd film!

I think a lot of the talk around the time the Audition movie was being picked up in the western world was what got me interested in checking out his work. I think In the Miso Soup was definitely a good one to start with as it wasn't too out there like I get the feeling some of his other stuff might be.

Thanks for the Murakami recommendation. I'll have to find a copy of In the Miso Soup. Have you read any Natsuo Kirino?

Not yet but I have Out scheduled this year for the same category.

Just to barge in with my 2 cents :) I quite enjoyed Out, although it was very downbeat even for me. It has less energy than In the Miso Soup and I cant think of a very likeable character! But still quite enjoyable.

Although had a very hard time with her other book Grotesque so much so I can't face trying another by her (anyone know if I should give her another go?). I found the characters were horrible, quite boring and the multiple viewpoints just repetitive).

Tickling the Funny Bone - Popcorn by Ben Elton

The age old question of art imitating life or vice-versa is asked in this satirical novel by Ben Elton. Hip action director Bruce Delamitri (read Quentin Tarantino) fresh from claiming best direct and best film for his latest creation is tired of people asking if he's responsible for the current state of violence in American society. Having wimped out on an opportunity to repudiate these claims in his acceptance speech he gets to confront the question head-on when modern day Bonnie & Clyde team (The Mall Murderers) crash his intended party for two with Playmate du jour and wannabe actress, Brooke Daniels. How better to avoid facing execution for the trail of dead bodies that they've left in their wake than to blame it all on Hollywood and the media circus that it generates and have Bruce confess live on national TV.

The book is a very quick and easy read despite having characters that you can't bring yourself to care about. As the plot revolves around graphic violence then you should expect to find more than your fair share of it here and in that score you won't be disappointed. There's no real laugh out loud moments but occasional bits of mirth do pop up from time to time (i.e. the Michael Douglas cameo). An okay book but nothing special. 3*'s

Continuations - Dexter by Design by Jeff Lindsay

I've seen the 4th season of the TV show after I'd read the first 3 books in this series so it took me a while to remember where everything stood with the book characters and things were a little confused at first. Little things like Doakes standing there when an elevator door opens and Dexter's sister, Deborah, knowing about his secret threw me off for a while.

This instalment starts out with Deborah trying to come to terms with the knowledge that her brother is the kind of person she is responsible for catching and protecting the rest of Miami from. Discussing this with Dexter while investigating the latest serial killings she is critically wounded and left at death's door in the ICU of the local hospital. A guy is arrested but gets off on a technicality causing Dexter to invoke his Dark Passenger for an act of his own kind of vengeance. When events transpire that he may have got the wrong man after all, Dexter shrugs off his initial misgivings and takes up the hunt again. Things take an even more personal twist when Dexter receives a link to a video where he's the star of a movie from his latest cut-up job.

Can Dexter catch this latest killer before others catch on to his starring role? Can he protect his family when they are also threatened by the bad guy? Should he continue with Cody and Astor's training in the Code of Harry? What's going to become of Deborah as she initially recovers and questions her chosen career path? Some but not all of these questions are answered by the final page and Dexter is still an enjoyable character whether it be on the page or the TV screen. 3½*'s.

Epic Fantasy - The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

The third and concluding part of the Mistborn trilogy was a more than satisfying end to this excellent series. The world-building and character development continue to be major plus points and the understanding of the magic system is also deepened. So much has been crammed in to these three books and that doesn't make them an easy read but it's certainly satisfying one in the end. I'm not going to say anything about the actual story except that it's a good ending but probably not the one you'd expect, I know I didn't.

An author that needs to be added to my favourites list. 4½*'s.

It was so hard for me to write a review of the Mistborn Trilogy too. I had to pretty much put my thoughts on the writing and the story without mentioning the story itself as to not give too much away. He is definitely on my automatic to-buy list now and I can't wait to read Elantris and Warbreaker.

Will certainly be checking on his earlier work at some point in time as well. There's been some great new authors starting out in the fantasy genre over the last couple of years or so and we're really getting spoiled in that area. People like Scott Lynch, Joe Abercrombie, Peter Brett and now I'll be adding Brandon Sanderson to that list as well.

Continuations - The Eye of the Moon by Anonymous

Those that survived from the first book (see msg56) are back in this sequel to The Book With No Name. So how do you write a follow up to that book? It's more of the same only with bigger and badder bad guys, more blood and gore you can shake a stick at and an even higher body count than the original. So not only do we have vampires and werewolves we also have an Egyptian Mummy to contend with. Add in an origin story for The Bourbon Kid and more details from the past of The Eye of the title then you're all set for another roller-coaster ride during your stay in Santa Mondega. If you've read and enjoyed the first of the series then you won't be disappointed in this one. 3½*'s.

Book Watch - The Quiet American by Graham Greene

I never knew a man who had better motives for all the trouble he caused. This line is taken from the back of the book and perfectly sums up the situation Fowler, our narrator, finds himself in with Pyle, the quiet American of the title. Fowler is a British correspondent in Vietnam covering the attempt by the French to bring democracy there in the early fifties. Happily ensconced on the scene with his live-in lover, Phuong, and reporting but never participating on events happening around him he meets the young American who's recently arrived as part of the Economic Mission. Full of high ideals and a desire to make a difference Pyle also falls in love with Phuong and tells Fowler so and that he intends to make her his future wife. When Fowler learns just what Pyle has become involved in can he stay neutral or will he too become involved?

A fairly short novel but well deserving of its classic status. 5*'s

Classic SF&F – Why haven’t I read this yet? - Solaris by Stanislaw Lem

A short novel set aboard a space station above an alien world where a possible life-form is possibly attempting first-contact with the inhabitants contained therein. Having seen the Steven Soderbergh movie adaptation and not really liking it, I was hoping for better from this well regarded book but was ultimately disappointed.

Despite being only just over 200 pages the story gets off to a fairly slow start. Add to that all the technobabble and psychoanalysis that didn't particularly grab my attention. The relationship between Kris and Rheya give the story some much needed impetus but even that drizzles out before its conclusion. 2*'s.

Wolf in Me Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden

Born as the second son to the khan of the Wolves, Temujin along with his mother and the rest of his siblings are left to fend for themselves in the harshest of environments when betrayal leads his father to an early demise. This is the story of the early life of the boy and young man on his rise to power as he becomes Genghis Khan.

As the author tells us in the afterword, this book uses The Secret History of the Mongols as its main source and he also describes where he has changed events for the sake of the narrative. Having spent time with the Mongol tribes in researching this book, Conn Iggulden uses this knowledge to excellent effect in describing the environment and way of life of these people.

The first of a trilogy and the best historical fiction novel I've ever read. Will look forward to the rest of this series and will also look into acquiring his Emperor series about Julius Caesar while I'm at it.

My SO is reading the Emperor series now and loves it. Good to hear that the Mongol series is also good.

It's very descriptive and easy to read. I didn't really want to put it down and found myself reading it even while watching the football (and for me, that's really saying something).

Jim Butcher - Summer Knight by Jim Butcher

The further adventures of Harry Dresden, Wizard and Private Investigator, in this, the 4th instalment of the series. Being forced to take on a Faerie Queen as a client is not Harry’s idea of fun but it’s either that or die at her hands. The White Council also think this would be a good test to confirm his status as a Wizard, if he fails he’ll be handed over to the Red Council for the vampires to do with as they will so as to avert the war started in book 3.

The Winter Queen wants Harry to prove her innocence of the murder of the Summer Knight. If he can’t then that will mean another war that could prove disastrous not just for the Sidhe but for the whole world as well. Instead of trying to do everything himself, Harry knows he’ll need help along the way and enlists some old friends to assist in his endeavours. Lt. Karrin Murphy, Billy and the Werewolves and a few others return and their characters are more roundly fleshed out this time around as they lend what aid they can and the overall story is better for this change in direction from the previous books.

A fast-paced, non-stop action adventure that is a fabulous addition to an already great series 4½*’s

Jim Butcher - Death Masks, Blood Rites and Dead Beat

Read the next 3 books in the Dresden Files series and it's remarkable that Jim Butcher manages to keep the quality at a consistently high level throughout. Each book continues the character development of not just the lead role of Harry Dresden but also those around him, be it friend or foe or somewhere in between. Although each is a self contained story I urge anyone thinking of picking up this series to start from the first book for maximum enjoyment.

Book Watch - Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman wrote this book because the TV version changed too much from his original idea. Too many edits and cuts were made and so he decided to bring them back and share them with the world. I'm glad he did.

Richard Mayhew loses his job, his fiancée and his flat pretty much all in one go. Why? Because he helped a young girl who happened to be from London Below and now he's become one of them. Who are they? They're the people who fall through the cracks and are, quite literally, not recognised by society any longer and live their lives below the London most of us recognise. This tale is a kind of modern and darker retelling of The Wizard of Oz as all Richard wants is to get back to the life he once had. Sent along on a quest with his companions while constantly being menaced by some particularly unpleasant villains. Will they succeed and get what they want?

This is a modern dark fantasy full of atmosphere with everything that you come to expect from a Neil Gaiman book. 4½*’s

@87 One of the nicest things about hanging out at LT is sometimes a buzz just becomes to loud to ignore. I've heard way too many good things about Jim Butcher in the last three months not to have to check him out. Thanks for adding more weight to that thought!

Great little review of Neverwhere there! Boy, that book re-opened my eyes to fantasy as an adult, and lead me to so many new things... To me it's the very epigony of the right book at the right time.

Jim Butcher's series is definitely one worth checking out imo. It contains many staples of the supernatural world, Vampires, Werewolves, Demons and Faeries to go along with the use of magic but they're all brought to life with their own characters. Not only is the action in each book pretty much unrelenting there's also enough humour to bring more than an occasional smile as well.

Neverwhere was the 4th of Neil Gaiman's books that I've read and really enjoyed all of them. I keep thinking about picking up his Sandman series but the price of graphic novels always puts me off.

Watching the Detectives - A Hell of a Woman by Jim Thompson

Frank "Dolly" Dillon has been working as a door-to-door salesman all his life. Trying to find the one that will make him rich but it's always someone else's fault when each successive attempt fails. We pick up his story when he's at the lower end of the ladder collecting from other dead-beats who buy on credit from Pay-E-Zee Stores. Trying to make ends meet by skimming off his accounts things start to catch up with him when he meets Mona, a beautiful young woman who is being abused by her aunt. When he hears her story Frank promises to help, especially when he hears he could get his hands on a sizeable chunk of loot into the bargain to go along with Mona.

This is a dark tale of paranoia, sex and crime with characters not even a mother could love. I would have given it a higher rating but for the ending. I didn't appreciate having to read it about 4 times to actually understand what went on. 3*'s

Impulse Buys and Recommends - Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

Neal Stephenson books have been popping up on my recommends lists for a while now so thought it was about time to read one. This is a tale of virtual reality, hacking, religion and pizza delivery. And from that last sentence I hope you discern that it's full of humour as well. Considering the date of first publication it's quite amazing the real life ideas that this book pre-dates, Google Earth and Second Life are just a couple of notable examples.

The plot races along at break-neck speed only pausing occasionally for some exposition scenes regarding languages and religion. The main characters are superbly brought to life as are both realities (the real and the virtual) and are helped by a fun bunch of supporting roles. 4*'s

Now I have a problem. I want to read more of Neal Stephenson's work but they don't really fit in with my categories. That and they're all so durned big. Ah well, maybe next year!

Wolf in Me - Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse

The existence of a lone miserablist is questioned when the self-styled lone wolf of the Steppes nears his 50th year of life. Having lived the life of an intellectual, Harry Haller meets a young woman who is his exact opposite in experiences. They have both, however, reached a similar point in asking the question "Is it worth it?" Hermine, the young woman, takes Harry under her wing and teaches him how to actually live rather than just exist and culminating in a trip to the Magic Theatre.

I found myself skip-reading the longer philosophical sections of this book but can appreciate at least part of what it was trying to say. Incredibly well written but not one for me. 3*'s

1st Quarter Summary

I’ve made a pretty decent start to this years challenge and am slightly ahead of schedule for number of books read, 27 so far. Most have been above average for my ratings so I’ve done ok on that score also. I’ve made a start on all of my chosen categories and have managed to read at least two from each of them.

Top 5 for the quarter:

The Quiet American by Graham Greene
Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden
Summer Knight by Jim Butcher (all of The Dresden Files books have been good but this is my favourite so far)
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
The Mistborn Trilogy parts 2 & 3 by Brandon Sanderson (read Part 1 last year)

Most surprising of these were The Quiet American and Wolf of the Plains as I really wasn’t expecting them to hit me like they did.

Biggest disappointment will probably be that I didn’t really enjoy Steppenwolf all that much. The fault lies not with the book, which is extremely well written and deserving of its classic status but probably falls too far outside of my comfort zone.

Worst book so far will have to be Solaris by Stanislaw Lem. I’d seen a movie version and didn’t really like that too much but had higher hopes for the novel as it seemed like a good premise for a story. Unfortunately, it was another that didn’t resonate too well with me.

Continuations - Lords of the Bow by Conn Iggulden

This book had a lot to live up to after the incredible opener to the series with Wolf of the Plains and it only just falls a little short. It's still a cracking read and am looking forward to the third of the trilogy immensely.

In this instalment, Genghis realizes his dream of uniting the tribes into one Mongol nation. A feat never before achieved and with the Mongol horde behind him, he sets forth on a conquering rampage aimed at those he sees as the enemies of his people. The Chin have manipulated both the Mongols and Tartars, having them war against each other to keep their numbers low and attention diverted away from their own empire. It's time for some payback.

This book also details the struggles encountered in dealing with age old enmities between the tribes and the logistical nightmare of moving so many people around as they head off to war. The political structure is also developed with the great khan having to learn to delegate responsibilities to certain people. Along with family members, brothers and sons in particular, we get to meet some new characters and see their development throughout this book. We also see the strategies of Mongol warfare adapted to meet new challenges of attacking great walls and cities.

This is not a series for the faint of heart as it deals with a savage people during brutal times and this book does not especially go out of its way to hide this. The series is based on fact with the author once again providing an afterword describing the minor changes he has made in order to provide a more flowing story. 4*'s.

Lost in Translation - The Library of Shadows by Mikkel Birkegaard

A mystery/thriller built around people that can influence others through the power of reading. The premise of this book was really intriguing but either the translation got in the way or the author needs to learn how to pace his books a lot better and add more depth to his central characters. In the end it turns out to be a fairly standard thriller without too many surprises though I was hoping for much more. Shame. 3*'s.

Watching the Detectives - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest by Stieg Larsson

The third part of the Millennium trilogy was a magnificent conclusion to this series. Such a shame the author is no longer with us and we have to leave these characters behind. Pretty much all of the elements of the previous books are here so if you've read these then you'll know what to expect, if you haven't and are a fan of the genre then I urge you to do so. I stayed up until 4am to finish this one last night.

I'm not going into plot details as it would give out too many spoilers for the previous books and as this one picks up the story immediately after book 2 they need to be read in order. 5*'s

Tickling the Funny Bone - One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night by Christopher Brookmyre

Brookmyre does Die Hard though on a converted oil rig instead of an office tower block. A gloriously violent start with lashings of black humour let you know what you're in for (to give you some idea of what I mean a flying arm knocks out a recently retired policeman out for a walk). Terrorists invade an oil rig that's been converted into a floating resort. Instead of the expected pre-launch party full of investors and other high-rollers they encounter a school reunion that's been 15 years in the making.

Former school non-entity, Gavin, wants to show off to all those people who took no notice while at school. He's now a successful travel entrepeneur and has developed a floating resort on an oil rig which is scheduled to be transported to off the coast of Africa. So what better place to have a reunion so that he can gloat. Events take an unexpected turn when his party is crashed by the most ragtag bunch of terrorists you've ever seen.

This book contains all the elements you'd expect from a Christopher Brookmyre novel. You may have to take some time deciphering the unfamilliar Scottish words and if you don't like violence or bad words then this book is not for you. For those that like their humour on the dark side with thrills and suspense thrown in then this is fully recommended. 5*’s

Since I have only read the first in both the Stieg Larsson series and the Christopher Brookmyre one, I am so looking forward to getting back to both these excellent series! Sounds like they are keeping their quality up.

That particular Brookmyre is a stand-alone novel and it could be my favourite of his work so far. I'm pretty sure you'll like this one too if you were to pick it up. And if you enjoyed the first in the Millennium trilogy you're pretty much guaranteed to like the next two as well.

Wolf in Me - White Wolf by David Gemmell

It's been a while since I've read a book by David Gemmell but not much has changed in the meantime in the lands in and around Drenai. Warrior with a past (Skilgannon) joins priesthood seeking redemption and inner peace. Realises he has to confront his demons head-on so once again picks up his swords and goes on a quest to try and find them.

Skilgannon is joined on his journey by an old favourite in Druss the Legend so you know things are going to get bloody and brutal. The characters are well drawn and the use of flashbacks explain how Skilgannon went from being the son of a hero to one of the most infamous men around.

It was good to revisit Drenai once again with a decent story but one without too many surprises. 3*

Impulse Buys and Recommends - The Guards by Ken Bruen

Jack Taylor is an ex-Garda turned private investigator. Except there are no PI's in Ireland, only people who find things. Jack usually finds them at the bottom of a bottle. With a bit of luck on some early assignments he has garnered a bit of a reputation and on this occasion is asked to look into a young girl's suicide by her mother who doesn't believe her daughter would take her own life.

This book is not really about the mystery being aimed more at a character study with less than equal parts of despair and redemption. Told from our protagonist's point of view there is plenty of self-deprecation on offer along with buckets full of dark humour to go along with it. Turns out that Jack is also a bit of a reader, especially American crime novels, and often drops a few authors names into the narrative. Some of these are also used in quotes that precede the short chapters.

A great start to a series and I'll be intending to track down the next few volumes soon. 4½*’s

I've read a book in the middle of the Jack Taylor series (Priest) and it was also excellent. Good to know that the series begins well.

I may go and do some retail therapy tomorrow and see if the shop where I picked that one up still has the other books of Ken Bruen still available. As long as they open on a Sunday that is. After the results in the football today I need some cheering up.

Sorry your football didn't go well, but thanks for the great write up on the Ken Bruen series. Just what I need - another series! Oh but it sounds too good to miss.

Continuations - The Killing of the Tinkers by Ken Bruen

Having enjoyed the first in the Jack Taylor novels (see msg103) I went out today and added the next 3 to my collection. This is the first of those. They are so easy to read. Again, there's not so much focus on the mystery (who's killing the tinkers?) but on the characters and in particular on Jack's fight for survival from himself. A few people return from the first book to help him on his way as well as a couple of new ones too.

Still gripping stuff. 4½*’s

Epic Fantasy - The Steel Remains by Richard Morgan

A dark, gory and graphic starter book in a new fantasy series from an author more widely recognised for his science fiction writing. This book should come with a parental advisory notice rather than just the Bold, Brutal and making no compromises epithet from Joe Abercrombie which pops up on the front cover.

Ringil Eskiath, a hero of the Lizard Folk war but despised because of his sexual orientation, sets off to retrieve his cousin after she is legally sold into slavery. He's not going to let anyone stop him on his quest and woe betide anyone, whether it be friend, enemy or lover, who tries. Egar the Dragonbane is whiling away his time as clan chieftan until he insults a shaman and his position is not quite as secure as he thought it was. Archeth, half-blood sole remaining member of the Kiriath race has the ear of the emperor but after an altercation with some well-placed religious fanatics finds it more convenient to be away from his court.

In this book we follow the three threads until they merge for the climax. Each of these characters are given depth and feel 'real' within the story.The world-building is also impressive with insights into the history of the different races being provided to set the scene for where things now stand.

An excellent transition into the fantasy realms by Mr Morgan and I'm looking forward to the next in this series. I would recommend this to those who like the darker end of the spectrum such as Steven Erikson's Malazan books or the aforementioned Joe Abercrombie as long as you don't mind a bit of man-love that is. 4*'s.

Lost in Translation - I'm Not Scared by Niccolò Ammaniti

While exploring a deserted farmhouse for a forfeit, 9 year old Michele uncovers a secret that will tear away his innocent beliefs and shake his world apart. So shaken with what he finds he does not divulge it to his friends and each time he tries to tell his parents something always interrupts his attempts. When he discovers that not only were they aware but that they were also part of what was happening it's another blow to his moral compass.

Told from the view of the 9 year old boy this is a very quick and easy to read short novel. The tension is heightened at each step and the characters are fully portrayed as is the hot summer of its Southern Italian setting. The ending does leave you with a what happens next feeling though so be warned. 3½*’s

Thanks for your note on my thread about Stephenson. I'm eager to read The Baroque Cycle too, but the thought of all those pages is daunting. Instead, I'm going to go with Diamond Age, on a friend's recommendation, as my next Stephenson read.

I see that you've got Guy Gavriel Kay on your list as well. I'm not usually a fan of fantasy, but I had read Tigana many years ago and liked it very much. Kay is doing a reading for our local independent bookstore at the end of May, and I'm thinking of going and picking up his new book. I'll be interested in seeing your review of The Summer Tree as that is one I'd like to read eventually myself.

Tickling the Funny Bone - Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen

There's something fishy going on at the big angling tournaments and tycoon, Dennis Gault wants to prove that his biggest rival, Dickie Lockhart, is involved up to his gills. So he hires former professional photographer turned PI, R.J. Decker, to provide it. When Lockhart turns up dead the finger of suspicion gets pointed firmly in the direction of Decker who then goes on the run and attempts to prove his innocence and find out who really did it. He's helped along the way by some fun characters (it's good to know that Skink at least features in other of Hiaasen's books). You also get a secondary plot of the Florida landscape being ruined by developers and the corruption that goes along with that.

This book has its funny moments but I wouldn't call it a laugh out loud humour and some of it is quite sick (I certainly wouldn't recommend it to dog lovers). Enjoyable enough and it won't be the last of this author's work that I read. 3*

Tickling the Funny Bone - Saki: The Complete Short Stories by Saki

The majority of these stories are about 2 or 3 pages long but so much is packed into each one it's difficult to read more than a couple at a time. There's a lot of them too so if you're thinking of picking this one up don't expect to finish it quickly. It is, however, ideal for when you have a spare ten or fifteen minutes and want something to raise a smile or even a chortle or two. Often scathing in its biting satire of life in the upper classes and country gentry of the Edwardian era the stories do tend towards the darker end of the spectrum.

I'm not usually a huge lover of short stories but I really did enjoy this collection. 4*'s

Tickling the Funny Bone - Thank You, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

I have previously read a couple of the short story collections of Jeeves and Wooster and expected more of the same from this book. What I didn't actually realise that this was a novel in its own right. Guess I should pay more attention to the blurb on the back which specifies it as the first novel to feature the pair.

Bertie and Jeeves part company over the insistence of the former to continue playing the banjolele. Bertie is also evicted from his London flat for exactly the same reason. His neighbours can't stand that infernal racket any longer. A chance meeting with Chuffy, an old school friend, allows Bertie to make arrangements for a cottage in a village owned by Chuffy who is the local Lord of Chuffnell Regis. Jeeves is also readily snapped up by Chuffy and so both end up in the same locale.

Misadventures ensue when Bertie's past catches up with him in the shape of a former fiancée and her father (the one who broke off the engagement) and also Sir Roderick Glossop (who advised the father to put an end to it). Bertie spends a large portion of this book with his face blackened by boot polish and much fun is had in reading of his attempts to return to a normal state of affairs.

A full length novel allows the characters to breathe and time for the plot to develop. It is a product of its time and the language used reflects this but didn't spoil the enjoyment of this book so far as I was concerned. A pleasure to read. 4*'s

Epic Fantasy - Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson

Oh my! This thing's huge! The 2nd of the Malazan books weighs in at over 900 pages and not a one of them is wasted. This entry in the series follows only a few of the characters left over from Gardens of the Moon but introduces a whole host of new ones. We journey with Kalam and Fiddler as they escort Apsalar back home with Crokus and along the way they have the small task of killing the empress to achieve. They decide to split up to attack the problem from two directions so that's two threads of the story we have to follow. A third sees an ex-noble girl stripped of her rank and made to work in a mine. She escapes with some new found companions and vows revenge on the empress' adjunct who put her there, who also happens to be her elder sister. The fourth is the prophesied uprising led by the seer Sha'ik aiming to rid the Seven Cities of the Empire's infestation and reclaim their land. We follow Coltaine's attempt to lead 30,000 refugees across the harsh landscape to the last surviving outpost on the continent. Severely pressed by armies often twice the size of his own command and which are fed by an ever increasing number of recruits as they travel across the land. His own resources dwindling at each encounter, can he manage to get the refugee's to safety?

All this and I've not even mentioned the two most intriguing characters yet, Mappo and Icarium, whose stories unfold when they join up with Fiddler's group. Another truly memorable character that I haven't mentioned is Duiker, the Imperial Historian, as he travels with the army of Coltaine. Nor have I touched on the sorceries involved or the interventions of Gods. You now get to appreciate what I meant with my opening remarks.

The bleakness at the heart of each thread of this book does not make this an easy read and it has taken me a couple of weeks to get through but it's a tremendous work. Anyone who likes the darker end of the fantasy spectrum should enjoy this and I would recommend it to any fans of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. 5*

Impulse Buys and Recommends - Smoked by Patrick Quinlan

Former safe-cracker turned bomb-maker, Smoke Dugan, made his retirement from the mob when one of his devices was used to blow up a plane instead of the empty buildings that were the norm. His former employers weren't too happy with his leaving, especially his retirement gift of $2.5m and a bonus of the corpse of they guy who'd given him his last job. So they're more than happy when Smoke pops up on the radar living the quiet life in Portland, Maine and send a few boys to bring him back for a chat.

Unfortunately, things don't run smoothly for the retrieval squad and events escalate to include Smoke's girlfriend and her room-mate. The leader of this squad has also been having second thoughts about his chosen career path and can't seem to be able to pull the trigger any more. Considering that he's usually employed as a hitman then that's not a good sign he's in the right profession. He decides this may be his chance to disappear.

This is not an overly complex book, just a case of who'll survive when the curtain falls. The characters are fairly standard fair but likable enough and I wouldn't say no to spending more time with those that did survive. 3*'s

Classic SF&F The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

This is the 2nd time I've read The Count of Monte Cristo but I've still not read the Dumas version. This is a story of the drive for revenge and what it does to your humanity in its chase. Thug-type spaceman re-educates and re-invents himself on his quest for vengeance over those who left him to die on a wrecked spaceship.

Considering this book is over 50 years old it's stood up surprisingly well to the test of time. It's very easy to read despite the brutality of the main character. The pacing is certainly helped by the author's background in comic's. Teleportation is a major plot point throught this novel and is described from its discovery and the impact it has on society in general.

A very enjoyable read and I now want to check out his other well regarded book, The Demolished Man. 4½*’s

Watching the Detectives - Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs

This is the first in a long running series featuring forensic anthropologist, Dr. Temperance "Tempe" Brennan. It has also been adapted into a successful TV series, Bones, which I have yet to watch. The remains of a dismembered body are unearthed and Tempe is brought into the investigation. Seeing similarities with a previous case she does a little more research and thinks she's uncovered a serial killer. However, none of the policemen seem to accept her findings so she has to dig a little deeper.

Meanwhile, Tempe's friend is having a little trouble on a project of her own and is terrified she might be the victim of a stalker. When she goes missing Tempe thinks there might be a connection with what she's working on so sets out to try and find out.

While not being wholly original plot-wise I enjoyed the characters and setting for this book. Delving into the forensics side of things was also a plus and added something a little different to the standard police investigation story. 3½*’s

Watching the Detectives - Report for Murder by Val McDermid

Freelance (read struggling to make ends meet) journalist, Lindsay Gordon, finds herself covering a fund-raising weekend at a girls' public school at the behest of long-time friend Patricia 'Paddy' Callaghan. Being a self-described cynical socialist lesbian feminist, it's also a chance for her to see how the silver spoon brigade are nurtured. She also desperately needed the cash that the job would bring in.

Her plans are ruined when the star turn for the concert part of the event is found murdered just moments before she's due on stage, it's time for some amateur sleuthing which turns more serios when Paddy is arrested for the crime. Teaming up with new love interest and potential suspect, author Cordelia Brown, they try and prove Paddy's innocence and track down the real killer. The police seem happy enough with their arrest and don't seem intent on doing much more about it. There's plenty of plot-twists and enough suspects to keep you guessing until the final showdown. Not a bad debut novel and I'll look forward to reading more of this series and others from the author. 3½*’s

Definitely read Bester's The Demolished Man! I liked it better than Stars.

Book Watch - Strip Tease by Carl Hiaasen

Crime caper set against the background of a Florida strip joint and the even seedier politics at congressional level. Multiple character's storylines are brought together after a bout of drunken violence at the Eager Beaver may cost a congressman his seat at the next election. Dancer Erin is working to earn the money to pay legal costs for an appeal over custody of her daughter. Her junkie ex-husband is using the kid to help steal wheelchairs but is protected by a couple of cops who are using him as an informant. Bouncer Shad is planning on getting rich by suing big companies over dead roaches he's found in their products.

Some good characters and a reasonably paced narrative make this book a decent enough read. Though the humour is not as dark as a Christopher Brookmyre novel and the plot-lines don't reach the standards of an Elmore Leonard it's heading along those lines. 3*'s

Continuations - Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom

The second book in a series featuring Matthew Shardlake, a hunchbacked lawyer, set in London during the reign of Henry VIII. This time there are two cases for him to investigate. The first arrives in the shape of murder, an old acquaintance's niece has been charged with the murder of her cousin but refuses to plead or testify. She will be forced to speak by being crushed by weights until she either does so or dies. The intervention of Thomas Cromwell gives the young lady a stay of execution at the cost of involving Shardlake in another investigation for the King's chief minister.

The secret of Greek Fire has been rediscovered but its keeper is refusing to give it up easily. Cromwell sends out the lawyer for its retrieval as he is a trusted party to both sides. When he arrives along with Jack Barak, Cromwell's appointed helper, they discover a scene of bloody murder and discover the theft of the formula.

The plot of this book has been woven into an historically accurate portrayal of the times of Reformation and you really get a sense of how things were at this point in history. A great read for fans of historical and crime fiction alike. 4*'s.

I've only read one by Carl Hiaasen and that was Skinny Dip. I wasn't sure at the time if I was going to read any others but sometimes his blurbs sound good. Do you think he's someone you'll stick with?

I liked the characters from the first I read, Double Whammy, and I believe they feature again in a couple of other books so will more than likely pick up another of those when I see it cheap. The stories are ok but just not up to the standards of those he's often compared to.

Classic SF&F - The Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe

This book contains three separate but interconnected novellas which when combined add up to a sum greater than its individual parts. Each of the stories uses a different technique to ponder the nature of identity. The opener uses a first-person narrative to describe the life, education and coming-of-age of a clone. The second is a dream-scape account of an aboriginal being written by an anthropologist. You're never sure if this is a genuine recollection told to its author or an attempt to imagine how it could have been. The third story (and my own favourite) is told through dis-ordered papers, journals and audio tapes of the incarceration of the anthropologist. These tell of his attempts to prove that the aborigines of the twin planets are still very much alive and possibly, through the gift of shape-shifting, living amongst the human population.

This book asks many questions but provides few answers to them leaving the reader to come to their own conclusions on much of what is and what's not said. It will not be enjoyed by everyone but it was by me. 4*'s

Impulse Buys and Recommends - Caught Stealing by Charlie Huston

Agreeing to look after his neighbour's cat for a while, little did Hank Thomson realise how his life was about to change. First off he's roundly beaten by two large Russian characters in the bar in which he works. So much so that in a subsequent trip to hospital he has a kidney removed before it ruptures and kills him. Things really start to get bad when both he and the cat are tortured for the information the bad guys want. It really goes to hell when the dead bodies start mounting up and he finally finds out what everybody wants. $4½m in cash.

This, if you haven't already guessed, is a violent, action-packed thriller that pulls no punches. Well written and deserving of the praise the author has been getting on LT (the reason I picked up this book and why it's in my recommends category). I'll certainly be delving into the rest of the series and probably his other work to at some point. 4*'s

So you were able to stomach the abuse poor Bud suffered? It definitely got to me. Have you read his Joe Pitt series?

It's the first of his that I've read and I intend to read the rest in this series when I can pick them up. As long as they're as good as this then I will then move on to the Joe Pitt books. As far as the cat goes and for all the comments I've read about it on LT I was actually expecting worse things to happen. As you can perhaps assume from my user name I'm much more of a dog person as well so it really didn't bother me too much.

Lost in Translation - The Three Evangelists by Fred Vargas

Former opera singer asks her three new neighbours to investigate the sudden appearance of a beech tree in her garden. Finding nothing she is somewhat reassured and returns to her normal life. Shortly afterwards though she disappears without a trace and the three young men together with one of their godfather’s, a disgraced police inspector, take it upon themselves to investigate.

The story unwinds slowly but what saves this book from the mediocre are the characters of the Three Evangelists of the title. They’re all historians but each covers a different period. Mathias is interested in pre historic man, Marc is the Middle Ages and Lucien The Great War. Marc’s godfather, Vandoosler, nicknames them after saints, Matthew Mark and Luke when they start their investigation the names stick.

In the end I liked the book and didn’t guess the ending until the reveal but it’s not one that I could easily recommend. 3*’s

Book Watch - Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley

Another first in a series. This one introduces Ezekiel 'Easy' Rawlins who's asked to look for a girl who's gone missing. He doesn't much care for the guy doing the asking but as he's just lost his job when the mortgage payment is coming up he agrees to the request. What follows is a trail of death, intrigue and love in Los Angeles of the late 1940's. A place where the cops will do more than just ask a few questions in their attempts to pin something on you for whatever unsolved crimes they currently have. Easy has to avoid taking the rap, find out why everyone involved seems to end up dead, find the girl and why everyone wants her so bad. Oh yeah! And stay alive in the process.

An enjoyable, if brutal, series opener told in classic noir fashion. I think I've only ever seen bits of the film but I'll try and find it and watch it sometime as it will be interesting to compare. 4*'s

@129 I have it on my wishlist so glad to see another great review of it.

I don't think it's a series where I could read a few books consecutively but I will be picking the next couple up as and when I see them and see how it goes.

Epic Fantasy - Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook

This is an omnibus edition which contains the first 3 books of the series. The Black Company are a mercenary army that is famous for fulfilling their contracts. They don't always win but they do what they're paid to do. The history of the company goes back a long way and they keep track by keeping a written account called the Annals. This not only helps bond the company together but also serves as reference in case they meet similar events from their past.

Having reached the end of one contract the company takes up another for The Lady, an evil sorceress bent on world domination. They set sail for new lands and new challenges. Not only are they thrown in at the deep end of The Lady's struggles with The Rebel's forces but they also have to avoid becoming enmeshed in the political jockeying of The Taken (slightly lesser sorcerer's serving The Lady).

If you're after tales of noble purpose and high adventure with a grand quest to right the world's ills then you've come to the wrong stories. These books sit firmly at the dark end of the fantasy spectrum. There are no black and white characters here just shifting swirls of grey. Quite gritty and realistic for the setting they find themselves in. If you take out the nice bits and much of the exposition from Steven Erikson's Malazan books then you'll probably end up with something like this. I enjoyed it but it certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea. 4*

Impulse Buys and Recommends - Twelve Step Fandango by Chris Haslam

Martin Brock is close to the bottom rung of the ladder when it comes to drug-dealing crime lords. He sells cocaine to holidaymakers on the Costa del Sol while living in a castle with a bunch of other of life's drop-outs and those with things to run away from. He has a dream of making one big deal and riding off into the sunset on a motorbike. It looks like this might become a reality when an old acquaintance turns up and promptly expires on his couch leaving him a bike that has a large stash of high grade cocaine hidden under the seat. The problems start when some unpleasant Frenchmen turn up and want their drugs back.

Martin is not a nice guy but everyone else we encounter in this story is even worse so when the bad things start to happen to him you can't help feel a little bit of sympathy. His plans just never seem to work out. Even his girlfriend calls him a loser. Can he survive until the end of the book? Can he come out on top if he does? 3*’s

Continuations - Alligator Strip by Chris Haslam

After reading its predecessor, Twelve Step Fandango, I was tempted not to bother with this one but I'm so glad I did. If the last was similar in style to Carl Hiaasen then Alligator Strip reads like a well crafted Elmore Leonard.

Still surviving on what he can grift, Martin is just about making ends meet in Marrakech when into his life butts an American with a proposition. The fact that he's just saved him from a run-in with local law enforcement and probable deportation back to Spain means Martin has to listen to his pitch. What's on offer sounds too good to be true but as he's pretty much exhausted most of his options in Morroco he decides to go before he gets thrown out.

Arriving in America, getting thrown off the bus Martin gets a lift from Brad Luck when he's hitching a ride to go meet his new employer. Brad confides he's on his way to kill his ex-fiancée who he believes is responsible for the recent incarceration he's just served. On reaching the trailer-park where she's living Martin just about manages to put Brad off from performing the deed. He meets the intended victim, Sherry-Lee Lewis, and it's love at first sight. Things are not looking too good when he finally hooks up with Gene (his new employer) as he's having his home/office repossessed at the time. Despite this little setback and after an initial test they decide to go ahead with the plan anyway. They set up base in the very trailer park where Martin hopes that fortune and love will prosper and start laying the groundwork for their sting operation.

What follows is a fine example of the crime-caper genre with plenty of chuckles along the way. You don't need to have read the earlier book in the series to enjoy this one. There are a few passing references but nothing that's essential to the plot here. Recommended to fans of Elmore Leonard's books such as Rum Punch, Out of Sight etc. 4*'s

Wolf in Me - Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

Intending to write a satire on bureaucracy and those that perpetuate it this charming little book instead turned into a charming account of the author's time spent studying Arctic wolves in their natural habitat. It was the firm belief of the time that wolves were responsible for systematically decimating the herds of caribou recently qualified naturalist, Farley Mowat, is sent on a mission to discover the exact relationship between the wolves and caribou for no documentary evidence of this well known fact actually exists.

Departing from Ottawa he heads out to Churchill and after a brief stay there proceeds into the Barren Lands and is quickly fortunate in meeting Mike, a local trapper, and establishes a base camp at his nearby cabin. Unfortunately, Mike is rapidly scared off by a demonstration of the scientific experiments that he intends to carry out and so he is left alone to pursue his studies once again.

Upon making contact with a family of wolves, the author is repeatedly disabused of the established facts as he discovers not the blood-thirsty killing machine he expects but a playful group that are skilled providers that are extremely caring and protective of their young. Contrary to belief it seems the wolves feed mainly on rodents with only the occasional deer taken from the sick or young of the herds. As part of his experiments he undertakes to prove a large mammal could survive on such a diet and provides a recipe for the reader if they feel inclined to do the same.

Told in a similar style to that of Bill Bryson's travel books this is both a poignant and humorous tale and recommended to anyone who wants to discover just a little bit more than the common knowledge. 4*'s

# 135, I remember tears of laughter running down my cheeks when I read this years ago.

132 The very cover art of epic fantasy usually repels me. This is a book I would very likely never pick up in a store. But your description makes me interested. Thanks for the tip!

136, Have you read any more of his books? That was the first for me but I would be very interested in others if they're anywhere near that good.

137, It's very much aimed at the military end of the fantasy spectrum. Although the company does employ a few magic users there's no big light show. Some of the delight involves some friendly banter between two of those as they play magical tricks on each other throughout the series.

@ 138, Unfortunately no, but I have a couple of his books in my tbr pile.

139, I'll try and keep an eye out for you reading them but if your tbr pile is anything like mine it never seems to shrink.

@140, so true :). I am planning to read A whale for the killing in 2011.

Watching the Detectives - To Die in California by Newton Thornburg

David Hook hears of his son's death and is unable to accept the reported verdict of suicide. So he leaves the rest of his family behind on his farm in Banner Hill and heads off to Santa Barbara to see if he can uncover exactly what did happen. Finding discrepancies in the statements of the two women present at the time of death David keeps prodding and pushing trying to get to the truth of the matter. Into the picture comes local politician Jack Douglas and his associates. Are they in some way linked to the death and why is everyone so intent on covering everything up

Can David Hook uncover the truth and will he like it if he does? Are there greater consequences at stake and how will this investigation cause more than just a few ripples for those involved?

A decent mystery/thriller that does feel a little dated though I did want to know the outcome. 3½*’s

Book Watch - Audition by Ryū Murakami

After enjoying my first book, In the Miso Soup, by Ryū Murakami earlier this year and the film being given cult status I was really looking forward to a second helping from this author. Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed. Thankfully it's only a short novel and although very easy to read was devoid of anything actually happening for most of the book. I could understand this if the tension was being ratcheted up but when all you, as the reader, and Aoyama, as the protagonist, receive are vague warnings of something's not quite right about the new woman of his dreams it doesn't fill either with a sense of foreboding.

Aoyama is a middle aged widower who decides his son is right when he suggests he think about remarrying. While discussing the matter with his best friend they come up with a plan to hold auditions for a movie they plan to make where the main character satisfies Aoyama's basic requirements for his intended future wife. After whittling down the applicants to thirty, of which only one really catches his eye, Aoyama and his friend hold the interviews of the chosen candidates. The plan progresses well and he starts seeing his chosen candidate, Asami, socially and her disturbing past is revealed more at each meeting. Abandoned by her parents she is physically abused by the aunt who takes her in and then when re-united with her now remarried mother is again subjected to further violence, this time both physical and mental. Aoyama is amazed that she has come through her ordeals without any apparent scars on her psyche and dismisses his friends' concern that his infatuation could be blinding him to the truth of what the girl really is when discrepancies arise within her back-story.

It's only within the last 25 pages of the novel that Asami's true nature is revealed and Aoyama discovers the monster within. Can he survive the final encounter? Can you care enough to be bothered either way? Unfortunately I didn't. 2½*’s

Warning: This book contains animal cruelty.

Epic Fantasy - Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie

As the title suggests, this is a story of revenge. A dark and bloody tale set within the same universe as Joe Abercrombie's First Law series but is a fully stand-alone book. You don't need to have read that trilogy to enjoy this one but I think it would add to the understanding of events if you had.

This is the story of Monza Murcatto, possibly the greatest general Styria has ever seen. Her employer, Duke Orso, thinks so, maybe too good. Too popular amongst his own subjects for her own good so Orso decides to remove any potential threat to his own position before it starts to gather any real momentum. Stabbed, strangled and thrown down a mountain, Monza is left for dead but has somehow managed to survive. Patched up and sewn back together she vows to have her revenge on the seven people she deems responsible for her current plight and the death of her brother.

This is another excellent addition to the dark fantasy world that Joe Abercrombie has built, with enough undercurrents going on to keep things just a little askew. He also finds time to bring out moments of real humour, dark though it may be. 4*'s

Best Served Cold sounds good, in fact, the series by Joe Abercrombie sounds like something I would like. Once again, my thanks to you for introducing me to some intriguing reads.

It's only fair that I get some payback for all the books that you've added to my wishlist ;)

Joe Abercrombie definitely belongs in the fantasy for adults category along with the likes of the Malazan books by Steven Erikson, Glen Cook's Black Company books (see msg 132 for those) and George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series.

143. I don't know if you have seen the film but its very odd and I seem to remember very slow. Luckily its odd enough to make it interesting with a lot of foreshadowing going on, I can imagine if the book doesn't have it how boring it must be. I didn't really get much from the supposed feminist subtext either.

Piercing does keep moving plot wise but I dunno just felt a bit forced and over the top, with two abused and disturbed adults fighting each other. hmm. I really wasn't sure where was going with it all, but maybe that just me.

Not seen the film yet and now I'm in no rush to either. I'll still probably give Piercing a try as it's on the tbr pile already (bought it cheap).

Yes so did I ;) Now I wonder why that didnt set off alarm bells.

Impulse Buys and Recommends - I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan

The Devil has been given a shot at redemption and a chance to return to the fold. He negotiates a trial run, full possession of a human for one calendar month (I don't want February, 28 days. It's not a leap year) and so finds himself in control of Declan Gunn. At the time Declan was contemplating suicide, razor blade, bath and Joni Mitchell tape at the ready so his soul is sent to Limbo and in steps Lucifer. What follows is Lucifer's take on events so far and his detailing the excesses of his life in Gunn's shoes.

Sympathy for the Devil (Nothing to do with me. That was all Mick & Keith's own work) is achieved despite the life he leads while on Earth because he's such a charming, witty, clever narrator that you just can't help yourself. Not one for the puritanical amongst us that's for sure but I enjoyed it immensely. 4*'s and another author added to the Read more of pile.

@150 I have heard some bad reviews of I, Lucifer but you have made me want to track it down again, it's such an interesting premise. So thanks :)

2nd Quarter Summary

Another 3 months of good reading with 31 books added and mostly enjoyed. Okay, some of them were very quick and easy reads but others were quite chunky to make up for it (especially the fantasy inclusions).

Top 5 for the quarter:

One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night by Christopher Brookmyre
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest by Stieg Larsson
Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester
The Guards by Ken Bruen

There’s lots more bubbling just under this selection but I think these were my best reads. I often build myself up high expectations for classic science fiction and am often disappointed so it’s a relief to find one that outstripped them in The Stars My Destination.

Biggest disappointment was Audition by Ryū Murakami. I’d really enjoyed the previous book of his that I’d read, In the Miso Soup, so was looking forward to something similar in tone.

Worst book matches up with biggest disappointment..

To end on a more positive note I was more than pleasantly surprised by Saki: The Complete Short Stories. It took me a while to get through them all but as I’ve never classed myself as a lover of short stories I was amazed I stuck with it for the 3 months it took for me to read it.

Classic SF&F - A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr.

After a nuclear war comes an age of Simplification where all knowledge is suspect and destroyed where found and the learned hunted to extinction. Only a religious sect go against the grain and hoard what writings they have for possible use and understanding at a later date. The Memorabilia is stored at the abbey of Leibowitz and this is where the three tales contained in this book take place.

The first part details the struggles of the early monks of the order in their attempts to keep the knowledge and keep it from the savages who want to destroy it. There is also the matter of their founders sainthood which is brought to a head when a novice makes an archaeological discovery.

The second part, set at a later date, finds the world ready to accept scholarly pursuits once again and so the abbey finds itself the centre of attention of those in pursuit of knowledge and their own attempts to bring it to bear.

The third finds the world again at the precipice of nuclear war where the abbey in conjunction with New Rome must make plans for the preservation of the Memorabilia and its dispersion to the outer colonies.

Without some light-hearted moments and fun characters this book would possibly have been too bleak for me to enjoy it as I did. I think much of what this book has to say will take a while to sink in and probably some of it never will. 3½*’s

@153 Hadn't even heard of this book until this spring. Now it keeps popping up ! Will need to read it, I think. Thanks for a nice review, giving me a clearer image of what it's about!

>154 GingerbreadMan: I hadn't heard of it until I started library school and working in libraries and then all of a sudden it was referenced constantly. Because of the preservation of knowledge angle. So I read it last summer and enjoyed it very much. Also agree about the the bleak bits, however.

The sequel received much less enthusiastic reviews and I haven't bothered with it.

Lost in Translation - The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño

This book is split into three parts, the first and last being told journal style and being split by many snippets of interviews reminiscing about the two main protagonists. The first section is narrated by Juan Garcia Madero, a young aspiring poet, who is invited to join the Visceral Realists, a group who want to change the face of Latin American poetry. It details his encounters with the members of the group and reads extremely well.

The second part is the hardest part to get through, it really was a struggle at times, as this takes interviews with many people about their various encounters with the leaders of the Visceral Realists over the subsequent 20 years since the opening. Some of these interviews are just a paragraph or two while others go on for quite a while but are themselves split over many of this sections chapters. While a lot of these were quite interesting there were just too many of them, especially after where the first section ended - I just wanted to know what happened next.

The third part returns to that very point but in a much more downbeat way and so is less enthralling than the first.

It's a long book and sometimes feels even longer. Certainly not a conventional novel by any stretch of the imagination. Very well translated though and I didn't spot any glitches or uneven points throughout. 3*

Wolf in Me - Wolf Whistle by Lewis Nordan

Loosely based on a true story of a black youth killed for having the temerity to wolf whistle at a white lady, this novel tells the tale set in a small town in Mississippi and of its inhabitants. Mixed in with the seriousness of the message are great big dollops of humour, absurd and sometimes surreal moments. 3½*’s

Big thanks go to RidgewayGirl for suggesting this one.

156 Nice review! I agree the first part is the most accessible, and my favourite too. But I liked how the many voices in the second part slowly but surely move the main story line forward, by talking about other things. I agree however, that the stories themselves are a mixed blessing, even if I enjoyed most of them. Do you think you'll try more Bolaño? I'm sure I will.

I think I will at some point but haven't planned on what or when as yet. I don't think it will be anytime soon though but maybe next year.

Having a Butcher’s - Proven Guilty & White Night by Jim Butcher

Two more good additions to the continuing series of books featuring Harry Dresden, wizard and private investigator. Still enjoying this series with fast paced action throughout making them quick and easy reads. Further character developments as Harry and his friends battle the forces of evil that are arrayed against them. Both books are solid 4*'s.

Watching the Detectives - Jar City by Arnaldur Indriðason

The first of the Inspector Erlendur books translated into English but not the first in the series. Despite that it's very easy to pick up on the characters involved as they investigate the death of an old man. This case has tendrils that stretch back into the past as the investigation turns from a simple burglary gone wrong into something much more sinister. This is a nicely plotted detective novel and contains enough personal interplay between the main character of Erlendur and his colleagues and his daughter. I certainly want to continue with this series at some point. 3½*’s

My answers to the questions that have been going around:

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?

Not usually. Just occasional chocolate bars.

What is your favorite drink while reading?

Tea. I am English so what did you expect.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?

I have never been tempted to deface a book. If something's that important then slip a note in there.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ear? Laying the book flat open?

I have several bookmarks that I use. Selection varies depending on book-size as the ones I own are of differing lengths

Fiction, Non-Fiction, or Both?

Fiction (99.99%).

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?

Usually a chapter.

Are you a person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?

No, nothing in a book would irritate me that much. I would've stopped reading much sooner than reaching that point.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?

I can usually work it out from the context but it's not something I would do normally.

What are you currently reading?

Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini

What is the last book you bought?

5 used books from Barnado's charity shop:
Happy Birthday, Turk! by Jacob Arjouni (Part of the No Exit Press 18 Years collection)
Murphy's Law by Colin Bateman
The Lady in the Lake by Raymond Chandler
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
The Dark Eye by Ingrid Black (didn't realise this was a sequel so I'll have to get the 1st one now)

Are you a person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?

The only time I have more than one going at a time is if I'm reading a short story collection. Then I'll usally have a novel on the go as well.

Do you have a favorite time/place to read?

Anytime, anyplace, anywhere.

Do you prefer series books or stand-alones?

No preference.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?

Not many people I know share a passion for reading.

How do you organize your books? By genre, title, author's last name, etc?

Author's last name then title or series order.

Book Watch - Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini

Peter Blood had put his adventuring days behind him and taken up a life as a doctor. As he was administering his care he is arrested for treason for the man to whom he was applying his art was a rebel against King James. Tried and sentenced to hang there is a last minute reprieve where he is sold into slavery instead (there's money to be made that way). Off he's packed to the West Indies and the plantations. When his new master finds that greater rewards are to be had from Blood's skills as a doctor then that's how he decides to use him. Circumstances again prove his downfall, while administering aid to a beaten slave without consent he is himself to be beaten but seizes an opportune moment to escape when a Spanish warship attacks the town and all able free men are needed to help defend. Stealing that very ship he goes on to become one of the most feared and notorious pirates ever to sail the Caribbean. Earning the respect and loyalty of his fellow buccaneers he leads them on ever greater exploits and picks up a few sworn enemies along the way.

The character of Captain Blood is quite complex though those around him are more often than not stereotypical of the pirate genre. Nevertheless, this is a pretty decent read and manages to buckle a few swashes as it goes. 3½*’s

I really want to get my hands on a copy of Captain Blood, I have wanted to read it for ages!

I'm going to have to keep an eye out for Scaramouche now as it's also written by the same author. It's a favourite movie of mine so it will be interesting to see how the book differs.

@163 Since I have a weakness for Pirates, going to have to track it down!

Impulse Buys and Recommends - The Singer by Cathi Unsworth

Just as they were about to hit the really big time, punk band Blood Truth imploded and their charismatic frontman, Vince Smith, disappeared from the face of the Earth. Almost 25 years later a jounalist, Eddie Bracknell, hears the outline of their story from his photographer friend, Gavin Granger, and decides that time is ripe for a book about what happened. It may be just the thing to turn Eddie's life around and arrest the downturn of his relationship with long-time girlfriend Louise.

This book follows two plotlines. The first follows the members of Blood Truth from the creation of the band until its demise. The second is the investigation by Eddie as he meets up with the survivors from the ealier time and tries to find out what really went on and what happened to Vince. The storylines are told in alternate chapters and this works really well. The pacing is almost spot on and you do get a good feel for how things were during both timelines. It's not a pleasant and easy book to read as it features a lot of darker aspects of human nature but is quite gripping with mainly well developed characters throughout. 3½*’s

Impulse Buys and Recommends - Utterly Monkey by Nick Laird

This book follows the life of Danny Williams over a very hectic 5 day period set in London and the fictional town of Ballyglass in Northern Ireland. It all starts when old school friend Geordie turns up on his doorstep unexpectedly. He had to get away from some trouble back home in Northern Ireland so Danny agrees to let him stay for a while until he can sort something out. When he was young, Danny was known for wanting to do things the right way but he now works for a big city law firm where conscience is a four letter word (I wish it was then it would be easier to spell). He gets a reminder of it from beautiful young trainee Ellen, whom he's roped in to help on a due diligence he's been lumbered with, and starts to re-assess his priorities in life.

Written along the lines of a Nick Hornby story, though not as accomplished (but to be fair this is his first novel). It contains some fun characters and plenty of humour, often of the dark variety. I will certainly read another offering of Nick Laird's if and when it becomes available as I think this is a promising debut. 3*'s

Classic SF&F - The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

What would life be like if Germany & Japan had won WWII? That's the question this book asks and answers in fine style. Set mostly within the Japanese controlled western part of the US we follow a few threads to find out how things might have been. Tensions exist between the two controlling forces and this is shown expertly through the use of an interior monologue technique. There are only two cases of actual violent action but it feels at times as though some of the characters have been beaten to a bloody pulp.

This is a really well crafted alternative history where everything rings true. No false notes in the characterisations or setting make this an enthralling read. 4*'s

169 Must actually get round to trying another Philip K. Dick book, after my failed attempt at Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. You make that one sound so good.

169 I really like The man in the high castle. Could well be a good introduction to Dick, wouldn't you agree Wolfy? Ubik would be another tip from me. Then again, so would Do androids dream of electric sheep?...Perhaps you should try one of his...um, cornier books? Clans of the alphane moon was great fun, I thought.

ooo corny, I like corny. You know I cannot actually remember why I couldn't finish electric sheep but um I have no desire to even try again.

I think repeated glimpses of Blade Runner may have put me off for life! Yes I know they are different but... *shudder*

I've only read the 2 of PKD's books, this one and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, so I can't comment too much on his body of work but I would recommend The Man in the High Castle. It really is quite accessible. When I think of Androids I can't get past seeing Blade Runner so don't remember a lot about the book. Maybe I should re-read it one of these days to refresh my memory.

You inspired me to make Flow my tears, the policeman said my next read. Review to follow!

Lost in Translation - Out by Natsuo Kirino

Four friends who work together on the night shift at a lunch box factory bite off more than they can chew when one of them kills her abusive husband and the other three help her out by disposing of the body. The book opens in describing the drudgery of the four women's lives both at work and at home in their relationships. One of them finally snaps when her husband admits that he's spent all their savings on gambling and at a hostess club and she strangles him with a belt. She contacts her closest friend from the factory and they agree that they should dispose of the body and pretend he's just disappeared. Roping in the other two from the factory they decide to chop up the body and throw the pieces into various trash piles that are awaiting collection for the incinerator. As with most noir-ish tales, things steadily go from bad to worse and this story makes no exception to that rule.

The book itself starts off quite well and the character building is especially good. I just felt it went on a bit too long and there was no real sense of tension in the plot. You pretty much knew what was coming next throughout the story and I expected more of the police (I guess I've seen way too many CSI's and the like). Not bad but not great. 3*'s.

@175 I think you hit the nail on the head. Out just felt a bit too bleak for me probably because it was obvious where it was going and the direction wasn't a happy one.

I did also try Grotesque which had some of same problems but also really unlikeable characters and very uneven pacing. Cant recommend that one at all.

Tickling the Funny Bone - Candide by Voltaire

Candide is a student of the great philosopher Pangloss who is a devotee of the Leibniz doctrine that everything is for the best. After being evicted from his home for having the temerity to fall in love with the Baron's daughter, Candide will put this theory to the ultimate test as he travels across Europe and South America encountering trouble and misfortune at every step.

Not only does this book satirise the philosophy mentioned above but also takes on a number of widely held customs and beliefs of the time. Told in a light and breezy fashion while Candide travels from one calamity to the next it makes it a quick and easy read. 3½*’s

Epic Fantasy - Ships of Merior by Janny Wurts

This book is the second in The Wars of Light and Shadows series and builds impressively from the events of The Curse of the Mistwraith. Blinded to the curse, Lysaer is intent on building his army to rid the world of his half-brother, Arithon, the Master of Shadows. Seeing only the losses to his own forces and not the reasoning behind Arithon's actions he sets out to claim Avenor and train his ever growing army until Arithon makes his presence known. Arithon meanwhile has been continuing his apprenticeship to Masterbard Halliron and travelling the world in disguise as he learns his craft. Dakar, the Mad Prophet, is assigned by the Fellowship of Sorcerers to be his guard and provides the comic relief.

This is not a book you can rush through but it was a very enjoyable read. The characters are strongly built and the descriptive prose is excellent. 4½*’s

Tickling the Funny Bone - The Vesuvius Club by Mark Gatiss

Imagine if you will a shadier version of James Bond. Then change the setting from the modern day to Edwardian England. If you've accomplished this successfully you will be pretty close to the mark for Lucifer Box, the protagonist of this and the subsequent books of the series. Mark Gatiss has written for tv shows such as The League of Gentleman, Dr Who and the new Sherlock adaptation so his humour is definitely of the British flavour. I very much enjoyed the first adventures of Mr. Box as he investigates the mysterious deaths of Britain's two Leading vulcanologists while trying to clear the name of his best friend who has been arrested for murder. His escapades take him from his home in London, No.9 Downing Street ("well somebody has to live there"), to Naples and the ruins of Pompeii. The bullets fly, the pretty things get bedded (men or women, it doesn't matter to Lucifer) and the temperatures soar. Can he solve the mystery and save his friend with the world thrown in into the bargain? And more importantly, can he acquire a new valet along the way to replace the one who's just been shot? 4*'s

Edit for grammatical errors.

Classic SF&F - The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

A lot of people dream of becoming invisible but what would it be really like if it actually happened. This story attempts to answer at least some of the questions when a scientist succeeds in making himself invisible. Interrupted before he can complete his studies he is left in that state and heads off to a small village in the hope of finding peace and quiet in order to continue and find a way to reverse the effects. Unfortunately, he manages to either scare or upset the locals who demand to know what he's hiding. When he shows them by removing his bandages he is again forced to flee the scene. Being at his wits end and with his already tenuous grip on sanity steadily evolving into madness he stumbles upon an old acquaintance from his university days. He tries to enlist his help with his mad schemes to institute a reign of terror and reap the benefits from the situation any way he can.

It took me a few chapters to get into the flow of this book. With the irascible scientist and the nosy villagers there's no-one to win you over at the start. It's only when the main character's back story is revealed with the trials and tribulations suffered along the way that you truly begin to realise the effort and thought that was applied to this novel. It's a very good look into the effects of the physical and moral possibilities of the situation. 3½*’s

@179 I really enjoyed the 1st one too, very amusing pastiche on the Bond spy novels and Lucifer fited the story perfectly. Sadly wasn't too sure about the second.. he seemed to go even more over the top with Lucifer and less tongue in cheek Bond jokes too.

Sad to hear the next book doesn't live up to the first. I was quite looking forward to returning to the adventures of Lucifer Box.

Wolf in Me - Fables: The Deluxe Edition, Book 1 by Bill Willingham

This hardback edition gathers the first two books of the Fables series, Legends in Exile and Animal Farm. Each of those is split into five comics so it mad sense to me to pick up this edition as I was pretty sure it was going to be something I'd enjoy. I've only previously read a couple of graphic novels (see Msg52 for one of them) but it seems I'm destined for a few more in the future.

As Bill Willingham tells us in the introduction, Fables are taken from the myths, legends and fairy stories we all heard when we were kids or have told to our own children. But here they've been given an adult twist. Forced to flee their homelands they now live in New York and have to make ends meet just like the rest of us.

The first story, Legends in Exile, has Bigby Wolf (the reason I can include it in this category), the sheriff of the Fables living in the New York community, investigating the disappearance and possible death of Rose Red. Snow White invites herself along on the investigation as she wants to know what's happened to her sister. Throw in Bluebeard, Prince Charming and Jack as the major suspects, not to mention Snow herself, and you have an almost classic noir tale. Can Bigby follow the evidence trail and get the right answer at the parlour scene?

As you may expect from the title of the second story we have a pastiche of George Orwell's Animal Farm. The none human types have been closeted away at the farm and some of them are beginning to get a bit restless. Can a revolution succeed when it's led by the three pigs and Goldilocks?

A beautifully glossy hardbound book with glorious illustrations and sensible panels and the occasional full page and two page drawings are a real treat to the eyes. These editions are being released once each year, the second volume due in November and I can't wait. I may have to beg, borrow or steal the rest of the series while the deluxe editions are being released. 4½*’s

Wolf in Me - The Silver Wolf by Alice Borchardt

Tales of werewolves are usually placed in an urban fantasy setting these days so it makes a refreshing change to find a more traditional fantasy setting being used here. Set during the ancient days of Rome where the empire is on its last legs we find Regeane at the not so tender mercies of her uncle. As a blood relation of Charlemagne she is subjected to an arranged marriage to a barbarian warlord in order to secure an important pass through the mountains. Unfortunately for Regeane she has a secret that would see her burned at the stake if it got out - she can change into a wolf. Her uncle welcomes the marriage as the prospective husband is extremely wealthy and if he can arrange for him to die after the wedding then he should be able to get control of the wealth.

What follows is Regeane's attempts to come to terms with the beast inside of her and to survive and get away from her uncle's plotting and ill-treatment of her. She finds allies as well as further enemies as her upcoming marriage does not suit everyone. Although this book is aimed primarily at a female audience I thought there was enough in the story to hold my interest though I'm not yet sure if I'll continue with the series or not. 3½*’s

Continuations - Wireless by Jack O'Connell

This is the second in the Quinsigamond series and while events follow on after the first book it's not necessary to have read Box Nine prior to this one. The main characters from the previous story are only represented here mainly by their absence and who will fill the power vacuum they've left in their wake. It's only the factory town itself that returns with added flavour as the various gangs jockey for position after the departure of Cortez.

Set to this undercurrent, the main arc of this book concentrates on a subset of the community known as the jammers. Radio pirates that gather together at a club called Wireless. Up until now they've been happy to play their pranks of disrupting radio broadcasts but the younger generation of the group want to up the ante a little and target radio masts for destruction. G.T. Flynn is the man caught in the middle of this schism and he tries to hold both parties together as one big family. Mentored into the group by Wallace Browning (accountant, champion ballroom dancer and dwarf) he has himself introduced into the group Hazel, who has since gone on to lead the more rebellious section. Then there's the infamous O'Zebedee brothers to consider who continue their own brand of airplay hijacking but remain unseen. Add in an ex-FBI agent intent on stopping this brand of disorder with the help of some benzine and a naked flame and you have an explosive mix.

This series has an almost cyberpunk feel about it with definite noirish overtones. I've enjoyed both books I've read so far and will certainly carry on with the next (the next two in the series are already sitting on my tbr shelves). 4*'s

Book Watch - Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg

When a young boy's death is pronounced as accidental Smilla knows this not the case and sets out to find what really happened and who killed him and why. Isaiah's mother is a drunk and so Smilla had often cared for him and he's one of the few people in her life that she had grown close to. Full of the dogged determination of her own mother, an Inuit hunter, she relentlessly pursues each lead in her investigation using everything at her disposal to uncover the truth.

A beautifully written thriller which doesn't gloss over the political and moral issues of Denmark's exploitation of Greenland. A terrific female lead backed up with other interesting characters that we meet along the way. 4½*'s

Epic Fantasy - The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay

The first book of a fantasy trilogy which does a good job of setting the scene for what's to come. It doesn't over-face you with an info dump at the start but releases back stories of each of the characters when needed. It's not by far an original story borrowing heavily from the classics of the genre but doing so very well.

Five college students are offered the opportunity of visiting another world but are quickly disabused that it will be a pleasurable two week vacation away from their various problems at home. The Dark Lord Sauron is once again threatening to unleash evil on the world. Oops! Sorry. I do of course mean Rakoth Maugrim the Unraveller and not Sauron. The five must come to terms with their destinies in this new place, some a lot quicker than others, in this world of myth and magic.

A good story is still a good story even if it has been told before and I will certainly be continuing with this trilogy when I pick up the next book sometime soon. 3½*’s

187 The trilogy just gets better, although uses standard fantasy tropes in GGK hands it becomes a wonderful example of the genre. I love re-reading the trilogy every few years. I must admit though I find the 1st book uneven.. I don't particular like the initial setup, how GGK handles everyday US students being swept away to magical world.

Watching the Detectives - Shoedog by George P. Pelecanos

A gritty and fairly violent modern noir where a drifter, Constantine, gets caught up in a heist when he hitches a ride with Polk, an old Vietnam vet who's heading to Florida. He's just got one stop to make before he goes. He needs to collect an old debt he's owed from local DC hoodlum, Grimes, who's a little reluctant to part with the $20k. Grimes talks Polk into one more job where he'll get his money and much more besides, readily accepting that Constantine will be part of the crew. Ulterior motives see the bullets and blood fly when the liquor store robberies go down leading to the final confrontation itself.

A pretty decent book that is a very quick and easy read. It should appeal to fans of Lee Child's Jack Reacher series especially if you like a little classic noir such as Jim Thompson. 3½*’s

3rd Quarter Summary

I’m just managing to keep ahead of schedule for the year as a whole. I’m halfway through #80 so while there was a bit of a slowdown for the last three months I think I’m still doing okay. Finished 21 books for this quarter and still maintaining a fairly even spread over the 10 categories. This does mean that I have yet to finish any of them but I’m not worried by that at all. I think it shows I’ve been able to keep an interest in all of them so far.

Top 5 for the quarter:

Fables: The Deluxe Edition, Book 1 by Bill Willingham
Ships of Merior by Janny Wurts
Smilla’s Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg
The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
Proven Guilty & White Night by Jim Butcher

The biggest problem of finding something new that you enjoyed immensely, as is the case of the graphic novel featured above, is realising just how much you’ve missed out on and how much of that medium there is to explore. I’ll probably be checking out the stuff Neil Gaiman’s been involved with as my next foray and Frank Miller has also made it onto the list but suggestions are always welcome if you want to make any.

Biggest disappointment was The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño. I’d probably raised my expectations too high for this and while the first part of the book was enjoyable the other two parts just didn’t do it for me

While I didn’t read any truly bad books this quarter I would probably have to pick Out by Natsuo Kirino as the worst book. Just didn’t really do anything for me at all being fairly predictable and a little bit dull.

Lost in Translation - The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

Set in a medieval abbey in Italy during the 1300's, William of Baskerville arrives to facilitate a meeting between both sides of the poverty debate but is also asked by the abbot to investigate an apparent suicide of one of the monks. William accepts the responsibility and together with his scribe, Adso (the narrator of this story), he undertakes to discover the mystery of that and the subsequent deaths which occur during his investigation. This book is so much more than a medieval murder mystery though as it describes the day-to-day events of the abbey and its occupants quite thoroughly as well as an historical account of the religious wars and theological debate.

As I'm not really interested in either the religious or historical aspects contained in this book I did find myself skimming some of the more expounded sections and didn't stop my reading to translate the Latin phrases that exist within the text either. I'd say that the mystery element of the book was excellent but the other parts were a bit too much for me to thoroughly enjoy. 3½*’s

You know being the philistine I am I think I slightly preferred the film... I do dream of a library like the one they show :)

I just can't remember ever watching the film. I may see if I can dig it out from somewhere to see what it does with the story. I'd imagine it concentrates more on the mystery element which is the part I most enjoyed of the book.

Having a Butcher's - Small Favour and Turn Coat

Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series continues with book's 10 & 11 and they're still amazing me with the quality that keeps the stories flowing. The characters' depth and growth are what really underpins this series and when you add almost non-stop action it all adds up to something pretty darn good.

When the Winter Queen of the Fae asks Harry to repay one of the two Small Favour's that he owes her and locate Johnnie Marcone, who it seems has gotten himself kidnapped, Harry's not left much room to say no. Small favour's though have a habit of turning into something much bigger than anticipated and this one is no exception. Harry is glad of the help of some old friends especially when he finds out who his adversaries are this go around. 4*'s

In Turn Coat, the activities of the Black Council come more to the fore when a senior member of the White Council of wizards is found murdered and Morgan is found standing over the body with murder weapon in hand. Morgan turns to the only PI wizard he knows to try and extricate him from this situation. To do so Harry must not only prove that someone he loathes is innocent but also find the true traitor within the White Council at the same time. As with all Dresden books things are not always as simple as they seem. 4½*’s

Classic SF&F - The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

When a comet shower seemingly casts the inhabitants of the Earth into blindness only a few manage to escape its effects. This allows the recently developed plants called triffids to proliferate now that there is nobody around to keep them in check. They can walk and have a nasty sting which can kill a man. Easy enough to avoid when you're faced with one or two but when faced with a couple of hundred it becomes a different story.

The book opens with the main protagonist waking in a hospital and finding he's one of only a few people that can still see. We quickly learn his back-story and his association to the triffids. As he begins his exploration of London the desperation of the situation becomes apparent. Some of the survivors get together but differing ideas of how to proceed split these groups into factions and the seeds of new civilisation are slow to form. 4*'s

Tickling the Funny Bone - A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

Four very disparate people meet on the top of a tower block one New Year's Eve and the only thing they have in common is their desire to throw themselves off the top of it. Obviously none of them can jump when there's someone in line waiting to follow them down so they decide to form a support group and see how things go for the next six weeks. Narration is handled by rapidly switching between all of the four, each with their own very distinctive voice. It works well and you get to know why they all ended up on that rooftop together. A darkly comic tale full of Hornby's British humour but not quite as good as High Fidelity. 3½*’s

@193 It has Sean Connery in it playing well Sean Connery as a monk ;) It's still good though.

@195 When I read it as a kid I went throught a brief period of never ever looking up at the nights sky :)

I do think its one of Wyndhams better novels & the waking up in hospital is so iconic it's seems to be used all over the place. If such a great horrifying idea though.

The opening sequence of 28 Days Later was certainly inspired by Triffids. That was the first of John Wyndham's books that I've read but I'm certainly not averse to picking up other titles and I might even give the sequel (by a different author) a try as well.

Wolf in Me - The Man Who Lives with Wolves by Shaun Ellis

This is an autobiographical account told by by a man with a passion. He has devoted his life to that passion to the extent that everything else suffers in comparison. The book begins with where and how he grew up and his early interactions with nature that gives the background to who the wolf man is. It then moves on to his first attempts to study wolves in their natural habitat when he manages to convince the Nez Percé tribe in Idaho that he is able to provide something different to their re-introduction project. He takes on the task of living as a wolf and being accepted as a member of the pack. For 2 years he lives as a wolf, eating and sleeping as his pack mates do. His endeavours do not endear him to the biologists who prefer to study from afar and his efforts and results are met with scepticism from this quarter.

Returning to civilisation, Mr. Ellis attempts to put what he's learned into practice firstly with training dogs and then with other wolf packs. The book also describes his relationship (or lack thereof) with his wife and children that they have together. It's obvious throughout the story where his priorities lie and this more than anything produces a lack of empathy for Mr. Ellis as does his later attempts to involve others in his project, willfully putting them in harm's way. To his credit, he does admit his failings in his human relationships and never tries to pass the blame onto others for how things work out.

I enjoyed reading of his interactions with the various wolves and how he applied the knowledge gained and there is plenty to learn here for dog owners also. I've since learnt that he has done a lot more TV work than that detailed here but I've not seen any of it so it hasn't altered my perceptions in any way. 3½*’s

I saw a documentary about a German guy doing the same thing (but in captivity). He had a hell of a struggle trying to remain top dog in a pack of young wolves who were growing over his head. In the end he had to have surgery (knees that gave fro mall the kneeling, I think), and didn't dare going back in after being away for some weeks, as he was sure he'd be challenged...

Oh, and it's always interesting reading an autobiography where you develop a dislike for the person writing. Being in complete control of one's own story would seem like a sure way to come off as likeable, one would think. But some fail miserably, even when holding all the cards.

It's not that I dislike him, it's just the contradictions between the two areas of his life that affected my reading of his story and perhaps impinges on the credibility therein. He expounds on the fact that the wolf pack is all about the family unit but his own personal life is littered with poor relationships. Entering into a union and producing offspring of his own but then more or less leaving them to fend on their own while he immerses himself in his own wish fulfilment just smacks of hypocrisy. And later in the book he misled his partner about safety concerns where one wrong step and she would have had her throat ripped out and this the woman that was supposed to be the love of his life.

Continuations - Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

The sequel to Ender's Game certainly doesn't retread old ground and is much more thought provoking than its predecessor. Set 3000 years after the end of the first book and having spent the most part travelling to various planets in his role as Speaker for the Dead, Andrew 'Ender' Wiggin is still a relatively young man when he answers the call to Speak for the Xenobiologist that has been killed by only the 2nd intelligent species that man has discovered. Ender also thinks this could be the perfect place to bring back the Hive Queen believing that the time is also ripe for a return of the Buggers having sowed the seeds by writing the Hive Queen and the Hegemon.

There's a few distinct themes running throughout this book and it does build quite slowly as Ender's effect on the colony is felt but the climax is certainly worthwhile. There is the first contact story and anthropological study of the Pequeninos, or Piggies as they are usually know as by the human colony. There is the family story of the Ribeira's and how they interact with each other and the rest of the community as well as the Piggies and how this is changed dramatically by the Speaker. There is also the religious/political parts of the book as the colony is built from a pure Portuguese Catholic society.

While Ender's Game had a distinct YA feel to it, I think Speaker for the Dead requires a more mature audience to fully appreciate it. 4½*’s

Book Watch - Miami Blues by Charles Willeford

A hard-boiled detective story that features Hoke Moseley in the first in a four book series. Containing off-beat humour we get to follow both sides of a story that pits Hoke against ex-con and psychopath Freddy 'Junior' Frenger. Fresh from a stint in San Quentin, Junior arrives in Miami for a fresh start and has made his first kill before he leaves the airport. He didn't like the finger which the Hare Krishna was prodding at him so he broke it. He died of shock soon after.

I'd describe the tone of the book at being somewhere in the middle of Jim Thompson and Carl Hiaasen so if you think you can handle that then it's a pretty decent read. 3½*’s

Epic Fantasy - Warhost of Vastmark by Janny Wurts

Volume three of The Wars of Light and Shadow and concluding part to the first story arc of this series. The tale picks up immediately after events of the previous book (not surprising as they were originally written as one volume) with Lysaer using the Alestron mercenary force to bolster his attempts to track and kill Arithon who has fled to the craggy wastes of Vastmark. Trying to avoid an all-out war, Arithon's tactics are to delay and confuse his opponent at every turn.

Bereft of the need for exposition and the setting up of plot-points and major characters, this book flies along. The depth of the characters and world building is exceptional. The relationships which the reader builds with these characters are remarkable and often gut-wrenching in their heartbreaking effects. If you are thinking of starting out on this series then be warned that it will need to devote some time to it as none of the books are quick and easy reads. It is worth the effort though. 4½*’s

Lost in Translation - Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami

Similar in style to Norwegian Wood yet I think the Sputnik characters grabbed me more than the others or maybe I'm getting more used to Murakami's style. Once again he explores the themes of identity, loneliness and relationships this time using a love triangle to expound on them.

K, our narrator, is in love with Sumire but she has no feelings for him in that way. She just wants him as her best friend so K suffers in silence. Sumire then falls for Miu, an older woman whom she meets at a wedding reception. Miu however, is incapable of returning those feelings due to an event in her past. Sumire agrees to go to work for Miu and so is loathe to reveal her feelings until they end up on holiday in Greece after a business trip to Italy. K returns to the story when he receives a phone call from Miu saying that Sumire has disappeared and she asks his help in trying to find her.

A good translation which flows very nicely and is a joy to read. 3½*’s

Watching the Detectives - The Black Echo by Michael Connelly

Harry Bosch is a rogue homicide detective with few friends in or out of the Los Angeles police force. When he picks up a case of an apparent heroin overdose and recognises the victim, he is loathe to assign this as an open and shut case when a few anomolies in the initial investigation are thrown up. He's soon tracking down a lead that links to an old unsolved bank heist and crosses paths with the FBI. After the initial butting of heads, Harry is assigned to work the combined case and gets a new partner in the shape of Eleanor Wish from the FBI.

This book lays out Harry's character and releases the information on his back-story and the ongoing investigation with near perfect timing. There is certainly enough going on in the plot to keep you turning the pages and keep you coming back quickly when you have to put it down (pesky sleep). This makes another series that I'll have to add to the ongoing pile. 4*'s

205 Glad to see the nudge towards this book I apparently provided wasn't a waste. I haven't read Norwegian wood, but will surely get to it in time. Murakami seems to me to be very much the type of writer where people will have widely different favourite titles.

Tickling the Funny Bone - Little Green Men by Christopher Buckley

John Banion is probably the most politically influential man on US TV. One wrong word from him on his weekly show or his syndicated column in the Post could see a career go up in flames and even the President must pander to his wishes especially with an election looming. So when a disgruntled employee of the uber-secret Government department known as Majestic-12 selects him to be the next alien abductee a lot of events spiral out of control.

The author uses this story to poke fun at just about anyone and everyone that's involved. From the UFO enthusiasts and conspiracy nuts to the President himself and the media circus that surrounds the goings on in Washington. There are some definitely laugh out loud moments along the way but I was left with the feeling that there should have been more to it than there actually was. It's certainly not put me off reading more from Mr. Buckley and I will at some point read more of his work. 3*'s

Continuations - Six Bad Things by Charlie Huston

Poor Henry 'Hank' Thompson just wants to be left to enjoy his life on the beach down Mexico way. Unfortantely for him (and several others) his peace is shattered when an apparent backpacker turns up at his favourite watering hole and starts asking the wrong kind of questions. It doesn't help that he has a Russian accent (see previous book in the series). With threats against his parents, Hank is once again on the trail with many parties wanting at least a share of the proceeds of his earlier adventure. Can he trust anyone enough to help him out and will anyone be left alive to tell the tale with the lies and dead bodies piling up at each turn. 4*'s

205 Just finisged Norwegian Wood but I admit I wasn't that keen. I didnt hate it though, just that it felt a little flat and somehow I found the female characters off. Does this mean I should stay away from Sputnik Sweetheart?

I found the characters to be much more engaging in Sputnik than I did Nowegian Wood and that's why I enjoyed the book a little more. There is a certain similarity between them though so you might want to borrow rather than buy if you're thinking of picking it up. I still think that Murakami's books that have a more overt sense of the magical realism aspect are those that appeal more to me. I still have Kafka on the Shore as being my favourite of his works.

Epic Fantasy - The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan

Book Twelve in the sprawling Wheel of Time series was completed by Brandon Sanderson after the death of Robert Jordan. Before his passing, Mr. Jordan had partially completed the ending to the series and had left extensive notes with the wish that it would be completed by another author. Thankfully Mr. Sanderson has picked up the reins admirably.

Picking up immediately after events in the previous novel, this one concentrates mainly on Rand and Egwene's struggles with only a few mentions of happenings elsewhere. There are actually some storyline conclusions in this book which makes a change from the last few entries in the series. I'm not going to spoil any plots here just going to say that it was good to be in a recognisable Rand-land albeit under different stewardship and I'll look forward to the last two books that are still to come knowing that the series is in safe hands. 4*'s

Classic SF&F - Glory Road by Robert A. Heinlein

After the chunkier previous read I needed something that was a quick and easy read so what better than Heinlein's take on an Edgar Rice Burroughs Barsoom novel. There's even mention of John Carter and Dejah Thoris along the way. A pretty good adventure yarn for most of the book though the ending is quite subdued.

A damsel in distress needs a Hero to accompany her on a quest to retrieve a specific artefact. "Glorious adventure with great danger but even richer rewards if the quest is completed." So says the ad in the paper that E.C. Gordon reads and as he's at a loose end decides to apply. Being successful in his application and passing the medical examination he sets off in the company of the beautiful damsel, Star, and his newly appointed valet, Rufo. Travelling to a different universe, the newly renamed Oscar (so much better than Evelyn Cyril) finds out he has to battle their way past a series of more vicious opponents ranging from a golem to giant rats and dragons in order to reach their destination. Armed with only a sword and bow and arrows, it's going to be a tough journey. 3½*’s

Lost in Translation - The Oxford Murders by Guillermo Martínez

A murder mystery set around a mathematical puzzle doesn't sound that thrilling a read but I'm certainly glad that I picked this one up. I'd read The Book of Murder by the same author earlier in the year and liked his style and while the mathematical elements contained in the narrative went over my head they didn't get in the way of the plot.

A young Argentinian grad student finds his elderly landlady has been murdered and the only real piece of evidence is supplied when his fellow discoverer of the body (a leading mathemetician) says he's received a note saying it's the first in a series with a symbol written at the end. He theorises that it may have something to do with a chapter in his latest book that deals with serial killers. Can the student and the master solve the puzzle before the body count mounts too high?

A very quick and mostly easy read that leaves you guessing until the end. 3½*’s

Oooohhhhh ....... I really enjoyed The Book of Murder! Glad to see another book by Martinez I can look forward to reading... and The Oxford Murders will fit next year's challenge, so I am doubly happy about that!

Thanks for stopping by lkernagh. I like the author's kind of sparse style and the pages really do fly by, there's only 200 of them, and the translation appears to be done very well. I'll certainly read more of his work if I see any available.

Wolf in Me - The Sacred Book of the Werewolf by Victor Pelevin

Love, sex and were-beasts in a satirical look at modern Russia with Eastern mysticism thrown in for good measure. A Hu-Li is a fox masquerading as human and earning a living by prostitution, hypnotising her clients into believing she will perform anything to satisfy their whim and desire. Brought to the attention of the FSB (formerly the KGB) it's there that she meets Alexander who proves resistant to her charms and also happens to be a werewolf. The start of their relationship will put a lot of people off reading this book but I should mention that none of the sexual acts mentioned in the book are described gratuitously.

I'd describe this book as being a Russian take on a Haruki Murakami novel, though more philosophical than fantastical in nature. Certainly not one that you can easily rush through in a day and I'm glad I had the time to be able to devote to it. 4*'s

217 What a great review, I am highly intrugued now.

I don't think there's any way in which a review of mine can do justice to that book. I even forgot to mention that the translator did a fantastic job as well. Pelevin will certainly be an author I return to in the future.

Watching the Detectives - A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil by Christopher Brookmyre

Mr Brookmyre takes us back to school in an examination of why they're called your formative years. When Detective Superintendent Karen Gillespie gets the case of two bodies that have attempted to be disposed of in various ways: dissolved by acid, burned to a crisp. Neither satisfactorily so they were just left buried in a shallow grave. Due to the ineptness of those attempting the disposal it's not long before two suspects and the two bodies are identified and she realises that they all went to school together. Can she use what she knew about them then to help work out what happened now?

Into the mix comes another old school friend in the shape of Martin, he's since made it big as a media lawyer in London. One of the suspects still remembers him as the smartest kid he knew and asks him to look into the case as he thinks the police will just accept what looks to be an easy judgement and not listen to what really happened, just like the teachers from back in the day.

Most of this book deals with their school days with only quick returns to the modern day murder inquiry to spark more reminiscences. We travel all the way back to first day in Primary school and go right through to the end of school dance in 5th year. There's plenty of choice language (a dozen uses of the F-word & 2 of the C-word on the first page alone) as well as local Braeside vernacular (don't worry, there's a helpful and amusing glossary located at the end of the book) on show so you have been warned if you're tempted to pick this one up. Not the best work of Mr. Brookmyre's that I've read so far but still more enjoyable than most of the type. If you're thinking of checking out the author then I'd not recommend starting with this one. Pick one of the series' starters or perhaps One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night (see Msg99). 3½*’s

You've got me craving a Christopher Brookmyre book! I will have to get to one of his ASAP!

A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil was my first Brookmyre and I loved it. I thought he nailed what school is like (the way the boys played soccer for example), complete with the insane headmaster and the posh boy figuring out how to use the f-bomb properly in a sentence. I've been reluctant to read another because it might just no measure up. (I have Boiling a Frog and Not the End of the World around here somewhere).

Brookmyre has definitely become a favourite author of mine. I've now read 11 of his books with the other two ticking away like time bombs on my tbr shelves.

DeltaQueen, it's not like you don't have a few to choose from and having read Quite Ugly One Morning you know how good an author he is. The Jack Parlabane series does go on one book too many imo but the last book was still not that bad, just not on a par with the others in the quintet.

RidgewayGirl, don't worry on the quality front as I've given most of his work at least a 4* rating so far. Only 2 of the 11 have dropped below that for me. If you do read Boiling a Frog then it will spoil some plot points from the earlier 2 books in that particular series.

I loved the Glaswegian slang in ATEiBaHBP and I think that the LA setting of Not the End of the World put me off a bit--less Glaswegian slang there generally. I'll bring it to the beach over Christmas (a cold, cold beach, so good for reading).

I know but with over 300 books on my TBR shelves it sometimes takes me a long time to get around to a certain book. I will definitely be able to fit perhaps a couple of his books into my challenge next year.

RidgewayGirl, I think A Tale... is the furthest he's gone in respect of local dialogue and I'm glad to hear that it didn't put you off. Hope that you can enjoy Not the End of the World more if you do go back to it but hope it won't stop you from trying more of his work if you don't. I think that One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night is my favourite of his so far but the Angelique de Xavia and Jack Parlabane series' (starting with A Big Boy Did It and Ran Away and Quite Ugly One Morning respectively) are not far behind.

DeltaQueen, I know what you mean. I have over 300 on mine also and that's the main reason I have 2 of his works still unread.

Having a Butcher's - Side Jobs by Jim Butcher

This book gathers together most of the short stories from The Dresden Files series and puts them all in one place. As I'm still waiting for Changes to be released in paperback format I have not read the final story in this collection (and the only new addition) as it takes place after the novel and I don't want to know what happened before I read it. The rest of the stories are all pretty good and worthwhile reads.

The first two stories are available to read at the author's website. The first is a quick tale about Harry's time earning his PI licence while working for another specialising in missing kids. There's a troll and a bridge involved. The second is just an argument Harry has with Bob about his ad for his own PI business.

We then move on to those stories which have already been featured in various anthologies. Something Borrowed and Heorot feature in the collections editied by P.N.Elrod and are split by It's My Birthday, Too. These are followed by Day Off, Backup, The Warrior, Last Call and Love Hurts. Many of the regular characters from the novels feature quite strongly in most of these stories and we get to learn more of the werewolves, Gard (Marcone's supernatural bodyguard), Mac (the barkeep), Thomas, Michael and of course everyone's favourite diminutive cop, Karrin Murphy.

Good stuff and worth the addition to your collection if you haven't already got all the single volumes. 4*'s

I haven't read all your thread, but had to have a look at your comments back in #93 about Snow Crash which I also read earlier this year and loved for the same reasons you did.
I see also that you had a wolves category and have to plug a favourite - Lonely Werewolf Girl and its sequel, Curse of the Wolf Girl. I read the sequel a couple of months ago and just love them, if you haven't heard of them do look them up.

Thanks for stopping by avatiakh. My Wolf category has now been completed but I'm always open to recommendations so thanks for those. I'm planning on reading Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle for next years challenge and am quite looking forward to returning to that particular author.

I have to admit to listening to Snow Crash on my iPod, it was the first audio book in a long time, and I really loved the experience. The narrator was excellent. I'm daunted by the size of his other books and won't be going there just yet. I have a pile of Iain Banks Culture novels to finish getting through.
I think you'll like Millar's Werewolf Girl, the humour is good and they're definitely not schmaltzy like a lot of paranormal stuff gets.

Book Watch - The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

What will a man become when eternal youth seems to be his no matter what harm he causes to others or which sin corrupts his own soul? Despite being only a short novel this one does take a while to set the scene and main characters in place. We have the innocent and totally beautiful young man Dorian Gray, the painter who captured his soul in portrait form and the man who guided his views on life.

I find it really hard to know what to say about this book as perhaps my expectations were a little too high. I also probably needed less of a stuffed up head to be able to thoroughly digest some of what it had to say. 3*'s

Impulse Buys and Recommends - A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

Charlie Asher wasn't expecting, nor did he want, a new job. Especially when it's Death that was doing the offering. With a recently deceased wife to mourn and a new baby daughter to bring up it's not like his life was about to be stress free but now he has this added responsibility to cope with too. It may be a dirty job but as the saying goes, someone has to do it and it's not like he's the one doing the killing. All he has to do is collect the soul objects that a person leaves so it can be passed on to its next life. Unfortunately, Charlie has some competition from the denizens of The Underworld and it's not a good thing if they manage to get their hands on a soul vessel first.

A fun cast of characters help the tale speed along and while the ending is not a complete surprise it's still worth the journey to get there. There's some really sweet moments, especially the dialogue between Charlie and his growing daughter, as well as some poignant ones to go along with the dollops of humour and this will certainly not be the only book I read by this author. 4*'s

All done! I'll probably do a review in a day or so (maybe even tonight if I feel up to it). Thanks to those who've helped me keep going, whether by commenting here or just keeping going through your own challenges. I'll continue to post here or on my other challenges for the rest of the year (it's not like I'm going to stop reading now, is it?). So, a whole 2½ weeks of reading freedom. Whatever will I do?

Congrats. And enjoy the few weeks before the 1111.

Congrats!!! A Dirty Job looks like a fun read, too.

Congrats!

Congratulations Wolfy! I've enjoyed following your challenge, and look forward to seeing you in 11 in 11. Oh and a belated thumbs up for the review in #217. I was really curious about Pelevin a few years back, but never got round to reading him. Thanks for the reminder! I did read and enjoy Vladimir Sorokin last year though, and will read his Ice for my 11 in 11. Apparently those two writers are often compared. Have you read anything by him?

Congratulations on finishing your challenge!

Thank you all.

@237, Nope, Vladimir Sorokin is a new name for me. The Sacred Book of the Werewolf was probably one of the more surprisingly good reads of the year though and I'll certainly be looking to read more of Pelevin's work in the future.

Summary:

Favourite book in each category:
1. Having a Butcher’s: Summer Knight by Jim Butcher
2. Classic SF&F: The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester
3. Watching the Detectives: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest by Stieg Larsson
4. Book Watch: The Quiet American by Graham Greene
5. Impulse Buys and Recommends: The Guards by Ken Bruen
6. Continuations: Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card
7. Epic Fantasy: Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson
8. Wolf in Me: Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden
9. Lost in Translation: In the Miso Soup by Ryū Murakami
10. Tickling the Funny Bone: One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night by Christopher Brookmyre

Average category rating:
1. Having a Butcher’s: 4.05
2. Classic SF&F: 3.65
3. Watching the Detectives: 3.65
4. Book Watch: 3.7
5. Impulse Buys and Recommends: 3.65
6. Continuations: 4.05
7. Epic Fantasy: 4.25
8. Wolf in Me: 3.75
9. Lost in Translation: 3.35
10. Tickling the Funny Bone: 3.65

Least favourite books read for the challenge:
1. Solaris by Stanislaw Lem
2. Audition by Ryū Murakami
3. Out by Natsuo Kirino
4. Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse
5. The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño

Most surprised by:
1. The Quiet American by Graham Greene
2. Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden
3. Fables: The Deluxe Edition, Book 1 by Bill Willingham
4. The Sacred Book of the Werewolf by Victor Pelevin
5. Saki: The Complete Short Stories by Saki

Honourable mentions:
1. The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
2. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
3. The Wars of Light and Shadow books by Janny Wurts
4. Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg
5. Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

Congrats on finishing!

... and I love how so many are posting year end summaries - I have made a mental note to do the same when I finish!

Congratulations on wrapping up your 2010 Challenge. Looking forward to following your reading in 2011!

Doing an Avergage Category rating is very clever. Pity it doesn't work so well with a stepped challenge.

Congrats! I'm going to come close but don't think I'm going to finish one category. Look forward to your 1111!

Congratulations, Wolfy!

Congrats on finishing!

Extras! - The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester

Science fiction thriller set against the backdrop of large corporations and telepathic abilities. The owner of one of these corporations is locked in a battle of control with one of his rivals. When his offer of merger of the two companies is rejected he feels the only way to keep his own position is to murder his opponent. The problem was how to do this when the cops were all "peepers" so a complicated plan was set in motion.

We get to follow this story from the perspectives of the protagonist and the lead detective and it wasn't until about 60 pages in before it really grabbed me. After that point though I was absolutely gripped by the ability of the author to describe the society while keeping up a tension packed plot. Yes, this book was written almost 60 years ago and some of the characters and technologies are reflective of this but the storytelling more than makes up for that. 4½*’s

Tension, apprehension and dissension have begun... so glad you enjoyed The Demolished Man. It's one of my favorites too. Belated congrats on finishing your challenge!

@249 Sounds great, definitely making note of that one. Really good, consise review too, gave it a thumbs up.

ETA: ...or I would have, if I could find it on the work page ;-)

@250, Thanks. I'm now not sure which of Bester's novels is my favourite as they are both excellent reads.

@251, I usually only add a review if there are only a few others available. I've made an exception for this one now that you think it's ok. I'd fully recommend The Demolished Man and The Stars My Destination (see Msg116) if you haven't read either.

Extras! - Fables: The Deluxe Edition Book Two by Bill Willingham

The second of the deluxe editions collects stories 11-18 and adds The Last Castle into the mix as well. It also contains the prose only story of the first encounters between Snow White and Bigby Wolf called A Wolf in the Fold.

Snow & Bigby again take centre stage throughout the majority of this book and during the main arc, Storybook Love, we get to learn what drives the relationship between these two characters. Bluebeard fears his latest plotting will be uncovered so manages to enchant the couple and send them out of town with Goldilocks on their tail with instructions to keep them out of the way in a more permanent manner. Meanwhile, back in Fabletown, Prince Charming is looking into the activities of Bluebeard and discovers the plot to dispose of his former wife and her current beau (whether she realises that or not) and decides to dispense some justice himself. Though an ulterior motive does exist to tarnish the goody-goody sentiments of his actions.

This book actually kicks off with a Jack of the Tales story and features an encounter with Death during the American Civil War where Jack wants to claim his just rewards from a Southern Belle who is suffering from a family curse and is about to expire from the mortal plain. Her disease hasn't ruined her good looks though so Jack vows to save her if she will give herself to him if he can prevent her death. This would probably be a good time to add that these books are not for kids and deal with adult themes and there is nudity depicted in the drawings.

We also get to see what happens when an investigative reporter from the Mundy world uncovers the existence of Fabletown, wrongly believing it to be a community of vampires, and what plan the Fables come up with to deal with him and stop the story from getting out. There's also a cute Barleycorn story and the origin of Smalltown.

Finally we have The Last Castle which is a real tearjerker detailing the final stand of the last bastion of The Homelands in their war with The Adversary which allowed so many to escape at the end. This tale is narrated by Little Boy Blue who acted as aide de camp to the commander of this Alamo like situation as he finds and loses love at the death. So many heroes stand together against an overwhelming force as they try and buy enough time for the last ship to make it out.

Once again the artwork is magnificently shown in this hardback format really doing justice to the work of the artists involved. The book also includes some original drawings of the various characters so we get to see how they developed into the creations that made the final pages. 4½*’s

Extras! - Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

This book describes the situation of the US Government taking away civil liberties in the wake of a terrorist attack and telling their citizens it's for their own good. "If you're innocent then you've got nothing to hide." Marcus and his 3 friends found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time and were dragged into a nightmare scenario of being detained by Homelands Security. Treated as terrorist suspects where even their basic human rights are violated, Marcus vows to take the fight to the new enemy within. But what can a 17 year-old do against the most powerful government on the planet? Quite a lot it seems.

This book takes what is happening to all of us now but shows the extremes of what could happen and how it's vital that we all don't just blindly accept the measures brought in "for our own good". It does make you think of all the ways information about you can be gathered and you realise just how heavily your activities are monitored to some extent. Another author I now need to read more of. 4*'s

Well, that's it for 2010. 11 in 11 here I come. It's been a great year and I want to thank everyone who stopped by and wish all of you good reading and happy tidings throught the year ahead.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year. I liked Little Brother too, kind of wished I could of read it when I was a teenager though I would of thought he was amazing.