One of those rare things: a Christie that's not been adapted to death. I haven't seen the Poirot episode so obviously I had no idea who the murderer wOne of those rare things: a Christie that's not been adapted to death. I haven't seen the Poirot episode so obviously I had no idea who the murderer was until a page or two before it was revealed.
The characters are typically Christie: well bred but often down on their luck, roguish young men, femmes fatale - and Poirot.
Poirot's methods often irritate me but the mysterious way he speaks and acts usually add rather than detract from the story.
As always, thoroughly enjoyable and i continue my quest to read more of her books....more
Yet another one of those books that I never read as a child because I discovered Stephen King when I was nine and my heart was lost to him.
For some reYet another one of those books that I never read as a child because I discovered Stephen King when I was nine and my heart was lost to him.
For some reason I thought it was supposed to be a sad book but far from it. It was beautifully written, carefully observed. It didn't talk down or belittle because we all (no matter how old) remember those girlish milestones of first bra and first period.
I enjoyed the religion part of it. I was brought up without any religious adherences because my mother had been forced to attend a meeting room (Plymouth Brethren) gathering every week, Sunday School and a strict upbringing. My father simply couldn't have cared less. So they decided to let me make up my own mind. I'm 56 now and I'm still thinking about it. Buddhism seems most sensible to me but it's up to the individual. Margaret's attitude seemed eminently sensible to me.
Where do you start with a Western gothic novel? It's probably Brautigan at his surreal best.
The story is even more peculiar than usual being set arouWhere do you start with a Western gothic novel? It's probably Brautigan at his surreal best.
The story is even more peculiar than usual being set around a couple of sisters who employ two gunslingers to rid them of a monster who lives in the basement of their house which has been built over ice caves. To make it more strange they believe it has killed their father who is a scientist working on a formula which may benefit the whole world.
Confused? No, not really. It does develop in the manner of a western novel with the good guys against the bad guys. Its an easy enough story to follow surprisingly. The characters are interesting and engaging. I really enjoyed it....more
Took me a chapter or so to get into this but then I fell in love with it. The characters are so well written. Even though the story is somewhat predicTook me a chapter or so to get into this but then I fell in love with it. The characters are so well written. Even though the story is somewhat predictable it is beautifully told and keeps you reading willing the right people to win out in the end and the undeserving to get their comeuppance. Highly recommend this....more
Listened to this the second time round. Just as good as the first. Eric trying to summon a demon ends up with Rincewind, who just happens to be stuck Listened to this the second time round. Just as good as the first. Eric trying to summon a demon ends up with Rincewind, who just happens to be stuck in the Dungeon Dimensions following The Sourcerer's disastrous attempt to rule the world (see Sourcery).
Eric is also desperate to have power and money, eternal life and riches beyond his wildest dreams or, at the very least, a girlfriend. Unfortunately for him all he's got is Rincewind and some angry Luggage. So with a click of Rincewind's dodgy fingers who knows where they'll end up. Nowhere good at least.
Another great narration by Colin Morgan, Bill Nighy and Peter Serafinowicz.
First Reading
Eric may be short but he's perfectly formed. After all what do you want from Terry Pratchett? You want a great story, wizards (preferably Rincewind), good versus evil, DEATH, some great jokes or punes, the perfect ending. ✔️ to all those. Once you've chucked the aphasic parrot and a de Quirm in there you really don't need anything else except, maybe, for 3 wishes.
Oh I've missed Terry Pratchett. I had the Tiffany Aching books down in my head as children's books, not realising they were more Discworld.
This is a wOh I've missed Terry Pratchett. I had the Tiffany Aching books down in my head as children's books, not realising they were more Discworld.
This is a wonderful return for me. Tiffany appears to be junior Granny Weatherwax. She's practical, sensible and magical. The Wee Free Men are hilarious - like guards but smaller, bluer and a little more difficult to understand. Its comp-li-cated! Read it. Just read it.
If you've never read any Discworld before a) you won't be at any disadvantage and b) why not? What's wrong with you? You're missing out on some utterly wonderful writing by a man who had more imagination in his hat than most anyone else.
I love Terry Pratchett. The Wee Free Men has not tarnished that love one iota. Onto A Hat Full of Sky.
This is not an easy read. It gives a no-holds barred account of life in North Korea prior to Kang Chol-Hwan's escape through China to South Korea. He This is not an easy read. It gives a no-holds barred account of life in North Korea prior to Kang Chol-Hwan's escape through China to South Korea. He was imprisoned with his family (except his mother) in a labour camp where conditions were inhuman. His descriptions of the treatment, starvation and executions is stark and horrifying. His escape was not only harrowing but he left knowing that his family would probably suffer and anyone who helped may also be imprisoned. An honest and horrifying story from a man brave enough to stand up and be counted....more
I listened to this on.Audible and the narration was excellent. Anne Tyler is such an emotive novelist that you need a voice to convey all that pathos.I listened to this on.Audible and the narration was excellent. Anne Tyler is such an emotive novelist that you need a voice to convey all that pathos.
The story of Cody, Ezra and Jenny is sad but all too familiar. There is the brother with a permanent eye on the main chance, the brother with the hear of gold who is permanently let down and put upon and the sister who only finds her place once she's left home.
Presiding over them all is Pearl Tull, a permanently disappointed, abandoned wife who refuses to acknowledge she has been left by her husband.
Anne Tyler writes characters so beautifully that you feel invested in every one even while you're aggravated that they can't see the truth staring them in the face. It's neither a happy nor sad book. It merely reflects life.
There are few things that really take you back to when you first fell in love with books but this is mine.
I loved Moomintroll and Snufkin and Sniff weThere are few things that really take you back to when you first fell in love with books but this is mine.
I loved Moomintroll and Snufkin and Sniff well enough but my favourites were always Thingumy and Bob. Pot a wity was a constant refrain in our house when something went wrong.
Tove Jansson (who I thought was a chap when I was a little girl) just weaves the most beautiful stories. We learn to deal with change, love, fairness and loss through the creatures she created.
I'm loving re-reading these books and would recommend them to anyone....more
Making Money is the second instalment of the Moist von Lipwig story in which Moist, apparently destined for social acceptanAnd yet more Discworld joy.
Making Money is the second instalment of the Moist von Lipwig story in which Moist, apparently destined for social acceptance and a gold(ish) finds himself at Vetinari's mercy once again. This time he's got to get the mint and the bank up to scratch.
Ably assisted this time by Mr Bent who really runs the show, Hubert and Igor who keep an eye on the balance of payments from beneath The Glooper, Gladys who has migrated from the Post Office and Mr Fusspot who, despite being the chairman, needs to be walked, sleeps in the in-tray and says woof. Of course Adora Belle will turn up when she's good and ready but hopefully before the Lavish family (the board of directors) get their knives into Moist.
Another thoroughly entertaining audiobook with Richard Coyle narrating everyone but Death (Peter Serafinowicz) and The Footnotes (Bill Nighy). Making Money is wonderfully clever and an exceedingly funny look at the world of finance. Sir TP never let's me down when I need a good laugh about how the world works (or is run by a tyrant).
Thankyou once again Terry Pratchett. I know you're no longer on this earth but my heartfelt thanks go out to wherever your soul now resides. I hope itThankyou once again Terry Pratchett. I know you're no longer on this earth but my heartfelt thanks go out to wherever your soul now resides. I hope its in The Mended Drum and you and Death are having a fine time watching the fighting.
I first read this book in around 1990 when a work colleague introduced me to the Discworld. So I've had over 30 years of pure enjoyment from this amazing writer and his incredible imagination.
The Colour of Magic is the first Discworld novel and the place you must start. It introduces the planet, the philosophies, the religions and, most importantly, Rincewind (the wizard), Twoflower the Disc's first tourist and Twoflower's luggage.
It's probably only my third or fourth go around with The Colour of Magic but the joy of this book never palls. Now here we are with a new recording and it's everything I'd wish it to be. It's hard not to have had David Jason voicing Rincewind but Colin Morgan does an excellent whine all the same. Peter Serafinowicz does an excellent Death and Bill Nighy is perfect as the footnotes.
If you've not read The Colour of Magic before then why not? What's wrong with you? It's clever, brilliant, anarchic and very very funny. If you have then I'd recommend listening to the new recordings.
Now I really have to go because I've left Rincewind somewhere really quite awkward so on to The Light Fantastic before either Death or the Luggage catches up with him....more
What a strange and wonderful book. I read The Trees and fell in love with Mr Everett's writing and this hasn't dampened my enthusiasm, in fact it's prWhat a strange and wonderful book. I read The Trees and fell in love with Mr Everett's writing and this hasn't dampened my enthusiasm, in fact it's probably increased it. Suder is just as weird as Trees but still deals with weighty subjects such as racism and mental health in a very humorous way.
Craig Suder, a major league baseball player, has hit a slump in his career and his personal life. He finally decides he's had enough and takes us on a road/boat/elephant journey that is as strange as it is wonderful. The story flicks back and forth between the grown and child Craig, showing the similarities of his life.
At first I panicked, thinking this was a baseball story but I should have known better. Perceval Everett takes us on a journey that often left me open mouthed with laughter/shock - there are some real "you can't say/do that" moments in this short but perfectly formed tale.
Bring on the next book. Thankfully there are lots more to read....more