142) J G Ballard - Empire of the Sun
Reading Challenge 2016 (216 in 2016)
17 of 24
89/ The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl
Not the worst book I've read this year but it's not far off.
A group of poets in 19th century Boston are translating Dante and get involved in some murders. An interesting premise for a book but unfortunately this is terribly dull. The plot moves at a snail's pace and isn't helped by going off on a tangent on a regular basis.
I wouldn't recommend it.
Not the worst book I've read this year but it's not far off.
A group of poets in 19th century Boston are translating Dante and get involved in some murders. An interesting premise for a book but unfortunately this is terribly dull. The plot moves at a snail's pace and isn't helped by going off on a tangent on a regular basis.
I wouldn't recommend it.
37. The Faithful Couple by A. D. Miller audiobook narrated by Patrick Tolan.
In 1993 Neil and Adam have recently graduated from university and are both travelling in America. They meet for the first time in a backpackers' hostel in San Diego. Despite coming from very different backgrounds they form an immediate bond and decide to travel together. They fall into trouble during a visit to Yosemite and this event has repercussions on their friendship over the next twenty years.
I liked the idea of a novel about friendship rather than love but neither of the characters was particularly likeable and nothing much happened. Quite an interesting look at life over the past twenty years and the male psyche but veering towards boring. 3/5.
In 1993 Neil and Adam have recently graduated from university and are both travelling in America. They meet for the first time in a backpackers' hostel in San Diego. Despite coming from very different backgrounds they form an immediate bond and decide to travel together. They fall into trouble during a visit to Yosemite and this event has repercussions on their friendship over the next twenty years.
I liked the idea of a novel about friendship rather than love but neither of the characters was particularly likeable and nothing much happened. Quite an interesting look at life over the past twenty years and the male psyche but veering towards boring. 3/5.
101) Falling by Jane Green
102) The Promise by Robert Crais
103) The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter
104) Summer at Rose Island by Holly Martin
105) The Paris Secret by Karen Swan
106) The Obsession by Nora Roberts (re-read)
107) Bridesmaids by Jane Costello
102) The Promise by Robert Crais
103) The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter
104) Summer at Rose Island by Holly Martin
105) The Paris Secret by Karen Swan
106) The Obsession by Nora Roberts (re-read)
107) Bridesmaids by Jane Costello
24. The Broken Man by Josephine Cox. I'd never read anything by this author before and doubt I ever will again.
Originally Posted by moonlily:
“24. The Broken Man by Josephine Cox. I'd never read anything by this author before and doubt I ever will again.”
“24. The Broken Man by Josephine Cox. I'd never read anything by this author before and doubt I ever will again.”
I have never read anything by her either but instinctively feel she is not for me
143) My Everything - Katie Marsh
144) Atonement - Michael Kerr
145) Going Home - Harriet Evans
146) Absolution - Michael Kerr
144) Atonement - Michael Kerr
145) Going Home - Harriet Evans
146) Absolution - Michael Kerr
38. Rough Music by Patrick Gale. Two family holidays in Cornwall thirty years apart. Family secrets and lies, hidden memories and early onset dementia. Very good.
39. The Outcast Dead (Ruth Galloway #6) by Elly Griffiths.
Nelson is investigating the sudden death of a baby whose two siblings also died unexpectedly in babyhood. Meanwhile, Ruth has excavated the body of a notorious baby farmer and child murderer who was executed at Norwich Castle 150 years ago.
Very readable as usual.
Nelson is investigating the sudden death of a baby whose two siblings also died unexpectedly in babyhood. Meanwhile, Ruth has excavated the body of a notorious baby farmer and child murderer who was executed at Norwich Castle 150 years ago.
Very readable as usual.
90/ All In the Best Possible Taste: Watching Telly in the 80s by Tom Bromley
Fun read chronicling the authors love of 80s TV.
The writing style is fun and I often found myself laughing on the tube. The only slight downside is that I spotted a few factual errors. That makes me wonder how many others there were that I didn't pick up.
91/ London By Design by TFL
Another tube book. This one covers several design elements found on the tube - some dating back to the very early days.
Lots of pictures alongside some historical detail - a lovely book.
92/ The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith
Another Precious Ramotswe book.
I generally find these books to be pleasant ways to pass the time but I actually became annoyed with this one.
My main issue is that each of the characters simply continues behaves as they have in all the previous books with absolutely no development. This has always been the case to some extent but for some reason it especially irked me with this volume.
Fun read chronicling the authors love of 80s TV.
The writing style is fun and I often found myself laughing on the tube. The only slight downside is that I spotted a few factual errors. That makes me wonder how many others there were that I didn't pick up.
91/ London By Design by TFL
Another tube book. This one covers several design elements found on the tube - some dating back to the very early days.
Lots of pictures alongside some historical detail - a lovely book.
92/ The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith
Another Precious Ramotswe book.
I generally find these books to be pleasant ways to pass the time but I actually became annoyed with this one.
My main issue is that each of the characters simply continues behaves as they have in all the previous books with absolutely no development. This has always been the case to some extent but for some reason it especially irked me with this volume.
Oops I'm over 4 months behind with my updates!!!! (up to date on Instagram though 
)
54. Love & Rockets v2 The Girl From H.O.P.P.E.R.S. - Jaime Hernandez 8/10
Fantagraphics , 267 pages <Graphic Novel> This work is almost sublime, from mostly Latino (but many other) communities in LA, we have female wrestlers, a unique quasi-lesbian relationship, gangstas, wild Penny married to a man with horns and more. Most excellent stuff, some of it very powerful.
55. Love & Rockets v3 Perla La Loca - Jaime Hernandez 8/10
Fantagraphics, 282 pages <Graphic Novel> The amazing collection continues… after Wig Wam Bam, the main storyline moves with Maggie to Texas as she tries to build a life of sorts… meanwhile everyone thinks Hopey is missing! Superlative!
56. Love & Rockets v4 Heartbreak Soup - Gilbert Hernandez -- TEN/ TEN
Fantagraphics , 283 pages <Graphic Novel> I thought Jamie's work was great, but Gilbert's left me speechless, the amazing, sometime magical realist world of Palomar a remote town with no TV, few cars etc. And lots of pain, love, bitching, learning, laughing, growing, dying and more. Superb - an absolute must-read!
57. Dreamcatcher - Stephen King 8/10
New English Library (H & S), 694 pages
<Horror> King brings together, horror, paranormal, terror, war and science-fiction to bring you another great tale where friendship is on of the key tools battling evil.
58. 11.22.63. - Stephen King 9/10
Hodder Books (H & S), 740 pages
<Speculative Fiction> What would you do if you could go back to 1958? How about saving JFK? Fantastic speculative fiction book by King, as we delve into the 50's from the viewpoint of someone living in 2011. Truly great stuff… this finally gets me interested in the JFK conspiracy theories. A great stop off at 1958 Derry too!
59. Pet Semetary - Stephen King 9/10
New English Library (H & S), 465 pages
<Horror> A truly haunting best seller for us Constant Readers. Stephen King casts his horror spectacles on the subject of grief when a family relocates to Ludlow, Maine, to an idyllic house, near the Pet Semetary… and a busy road. One of his greats?
60. Cycle Of The Werewolf - Stephen King & Berni Wrightson 7/10
New English Library (H & S), 127 pages
<Horror> Tarker's Mills is under attack by a killer, once a month, whenever there's a full moon! King takes on the classic horror theme of werewolves.
61. Gerald's Game - Stephen King 8/10
New English Library (H & S), 394 pages
<Suspense> Terror, trepidation and suspense results when Gerald's Game results in his wife Jessie being left stranded in a woodland retreat tied to a bed with handcuffs! On second read, there's a much greater appreciation for this truly horrifyingly gory piece of suspense!
62. Dolores Claiborne - Stephen King 8/10
New English Library (H & S), 307 pages
<Suspense> Widowed housemaid Dolores Claiborne walks into the police station, to make a confession, resulting in a look back at the lows of her life story! Great suspense novel made even more innovative by being a confession. Good read!
63. Storm Of The Century - Stephen King 91/0
Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster), 376 pages
<Screenplay> A heavy in suspense and horror screenplay written for a series of TV specials - and the result… very very good, nail biting and fraught the Little Tall Island I sunder siege by the Storm of the Century… and homicidal stranger Andre Linoge.
)
Originally Posted by SWW (SWW):
“<snip>
53. Salem's Lot - Stephen King 8/10
New English Library (H & S), 439 pages
<Horror>
King's second published work, the very haunting Salem's Lot sees his debut venture into getting underneath the reality of a small town. Classic!”
“<snip>
53. Salem's Lot - Stephen King 8/10
New English Library (H & S), 439 pages
<Horror>
King's second published work, the very haunting Salem's Lot sees his debut venture into getting underneath the reality of a small town. Classic!”
54. Love & Rockets v2 The Girl From H.O.P.P.E.R.S. - Jaime Hernandez 8/10
Fantagraphics , 267 pages <Graphic Novel> This work is almost sublime, from mostly Latino (but many other) communities in LA, we have female wrestlers, a unique quasi-lesbian relationship, gangstas, wild Penny married to a man with horns and more. Most excellent stuff, some of it very powerful.
55. Love & Rockets v3 Perla La Loca - Jaime Hernandez 8/10
Fantagraphics, 282 pages <Graphic Novel> The amazing collection continues… after Wig Wam Bam, the main storyline moves with Maggie to Texas as she tries to build a life of sorts… meanwhile everyone thinks Hopey is missing! Superlative!
56. Love & Rockets v4 Heartbreak Soup - Gilbert Hernandez -- TEN/ TEN
Fantagraphics , 283 pages <Graphic Novel> I thought Jamie's work was great, but Gilbert's left me speechless, the amazing, sometime magical realist world of Palomar a remote town with no TV, few cars etc. And lots of pain, love, bitching, learning, laughing, growing, dying and more. Superb - an absolute must-read!
57. Dreamcatcher - Stephen King 8/10
New English Library (H & S), 694 pages
<Horror> King brings together, horror, paranormal, terror, war and science-fiction to bring you another great tale where friendship is on of the key tools battling evil.
58. 11.22.63. - Stephen King 9/10
Hodder Books (H & S), 740 pages
<Speculative Fiction> What would you do if you could go back to 1958? How about saving JFK? Fantastic speculative fiction book by King, as we delve into the 50's from the viewpoint of someone living in 2011. Truly great stuff… this finally gets me interested in the JFK conspiracy theories. A great stop off at 1958 Derry too!
59. Pet Semetary - Stephen King 9/10
New English Library (H & S), 465 pages
<Horror> A truly haunting best seller for us Constant Readers. Stephen King casts his horror spectacles on the subject of grief when a family relocates to Ludlow, Maine, to an idyllic house, near the Pet Semetary… and a busy road. One of his greats?
60. Cycle Of The Werewolf - Stephen King & Berni Wrightson 7/10
New English Library (H & S), 127 pages
<Horror> Tarker's Mills is under attack by a killer, once a month, whenever there's a full moon! King takes on the classic horror theme of werewolves.
61. Gerald's Game - Stephen King 8/10
New English Library (H & S), 394 pages
<Suspense> Terror, trepidation and suspense results when Gerald's Game results in his wife Jessie being left stranded in a woodland retreat tied to a bed with handcuffs! On second read, there's a much greater appreciation for this truly horrifyingly gory piece of suspense!
62. Dolores Claiborne - Stephen King 8/10
New English Library (H & S), 307 pages
<Suspense> Widowed housemaid Dolores Claiborne walks into the police station, to make a confession, resulting in a look back at the lows of her life story! Great suspense novel made even more innovative by being a confession. Good read!
63. Storm Of The Century - Stephen King 91/0
Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster), 376 pages
<Screenplay> A heavy in suspense and horror screenplay written for a series of TV specials - and the result… very very good, nail biting and fraught the Little Tall Island I sunder siege by the Storm of the Century… and homicidal stranger Andre Linoge.
Originally Posted by SWW (SWW):
“<snip>
63. Storm Of The Century - Stephen King 91/0
Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster), 376 pages
<Screenplay> A heavy in suspense and horror screenplay written for a series of TV specials - and the result… very very good, nail biting and fraught the Little Tall Island I sunder siege by the Storm of the Century… and homicidal stranger Andre Linoge.”
“<snip>
63. Storm Of The Century - Stephen King 91/0
Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster), 376 pages
<Screenplay> A heavy in suspense and horror screenplay written for a series of TV specials - and the result… very very good, nail biting and fraught the Little Tall Island I sunder siege by the Storm of the Century… and homicidal stranger Andre Linoge.”
64. Love & Rockets v5 Human Diastrophism - Gilbert Hernandez -- TEN/TEN
Fantagraphics, 252 pages <Graphic Novel> Somehow this series got even better, especially with the master class storytelling of the 105 pager - Human Diastrophism. The multi-arcs centred round Luba's family were pretty good too. An exceptional piece of work!
65. Love & Rockets v6 Beyond Palomar - Gilbert Hernandez 81/0
Fantagraphics, 250 pages <Graphic Novel> Collecting 'Poison River' the Luba life story leading up to her time in Palomar, and the rather not as genius as the rest Love & Rockets X, which captures the world that Maricela and Riri find in the States
66. Love & Rockets v7 Amor Y Cohetes - Los Bros. Hernandez (Gilbert, Jaime and Mario) 7/10
Fantagraphics , 282 pages <Graphic Novel> Mostly all the non Palomar or Hoppers stories from all three brothers including, Mario's 'Marzipan' tales, Jaime's Rocket Rhodes shorts and more from all three.
67. Love & Rockets v8 Penny Century - Jaime Hernandez 9/10
Fantagraphics, 242 pages <Graphic Novel> Jaime's work, just gets better! One of our key characters gets married, another is divorced. We get more on Costigan. We find out what Ray's doing. And Maggie & Hopey… eternal love? Superb series. Superb art. Superb love and rockets!
68. Love & Rockets v9 Esperanza - Jaime Hernandez 91/0
Fantagraphics , 242 pages <Graphic Novel> Maggie visits the Hoppers, after years away… Hopey grows up… Ray's life's flat… and Vivian, frogmouth is about to explode onto Love & Rockets. More superb storytelling by Jaime!
69. Love & Rockets v10 Luba and Her Family - Gilbert Hernandez--- TEN/TEN
Fantagraphics , 219 pages <Graphic Novel> Focussing on Luba's extended failiy in the States, especially her two sisters and her wondrous niece Venus. Superb craftsmanship, super magical realism… '****, superb realism.
70. Night Shift - Stephen King 8/10
New English Library (H & S), 409 pages
<Short Stories> 20, yes 20 stories and a few classics including Trucks, Quitters Inc. The Mangler, Sometime They Come Back and The Ledge. Technically Salem's Lot follow up - One For The Road. A classic collection from the 1970s!! Must read for Constant Readers - 6 Films (including Lawnmower Man nicking the title!), 4 TV Adaptions and 10 short films from this book!
71. Revival - Stephen King 8/10
Hodder Books (H & S), 390 pages
<Horror> Really enjoyed this, had the feel of Old Skool King as we follow the intertwining lives of Jamie Morton and minister Charles Jacobs… a gnawing suspense builds through the book, as the constant reader begins to see where it is going. Nice!
72. Nightmares And Dreamscapes - Stephen King 91/0
New English Library (H & S), 836 pages <Short Stories> No less than 2 weeks after I wrote how Night Shift was his best short story compilation, I stand corrected, marvelous shorts in this one. Around 24 stories including classics, The Night Flier, Dolan's Cadillac, Popsy, Chattery Teeth, The Moving Finger, The Ten O'clock People, Umney's Last Case and the beautiful Head Down.
149) Penny Hancock - A Trick of the Mind
150) Scarlett Savage - She Effin Hates Me
151) Amanda Brooke - The Goodbye Gift
152) Gladys Mitchell - Speedy Death
150) Scarlett Savage - She Effin Hates Me
151) Amanda Brooke - The Goodbye Gift
152) Gladys Mitchell - Speedy Death
10. Brandy and Bullets (Murder, She Wrote #4) by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain – This was pretty good as far as the book series goes. Jessica wasn't too goody-goody in this one, which has been a problem in some of the other books, but it didn't entirely feel like the character of Jessica Fletcher here. A mansion in Cabot Cove is turned into an artists' retreat despite heavy opposition from the locals. Before too long, one young woman is dead and another attempts suicide. Jessica goes undercover to investigate.
11. The Missing Madonna (Sister Mary Helen #3) by Sister Carol Anne O'Marie – I liked this one a lot, although some of the characters were stereotypes/caricatures, and the ending was a little predictable. Sister Mary Helen and her friend Sister Eileen are members of the Older Women's League (OWLs) and a fellow member, Erma Duran, goes missing. They and some of the other OWLs band together to try to locate their friend. The way the cops fear and obey the nuns is pretty amusing. Now they have two members of Homicide, one member in Missing Persons, and probably one member of Vice (the husband of a Homicide detective) under their thumbs.
11. The Missing Madonna (Sister Mary Helen #3) by Sister Carol Anne O'Marie – I liked this one a lot, although some of the characters were stereotypes/caricatures, and the ending was a little predictable. Sister Mary Helen and her friend Sister Eileen are members of the Older Women's League (OWLs) and a fellow member, Erma Duran, goes missing. They and some of the other OWLs band together to try to locate their friend. The way the cops fear and obey the nuns is pretty amusing. Now they have two members of Homicide, one member in Missing Persons, and probably one member of Vice (the husband of a Homicide detective) under their thumbs.
108) The Pharoah's Secret - Clive Cussler
109) Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz
110) The Revelation Code by Andy McDermott
111) How to Find Love in a Book Shop by Veronica Henry
109) Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz
110) The Revelation Code by Andy McDermott
111) How to Find Love in a Book Shop by Veronica Henry
93/ Outpost by Adam Baker
Post apocalyptic horror/thriller
So much to like about this book - interesting setting, fast paced, excellent action and suspense, quite an original take on zombies.
However it is let down by flimsy characterisation, inconsistent timeline (is it a few weeks or months since the disaster - it seems to change from chapter to chapter) and a structure that skips around with no consistency.
Despite the flaws, I did enjoy it but probably won't read it again.
Post apocalyptic horror/thriller
So much to like about this book - interesting setting, fast paced, excellent action and suspense, quite an original take on zombies.
However it is let down by flimsy characterisation, inconsistent timeline (is it a few weeks or months since the disaster - it seems to change from chapter to chapter) and a structure that skips around with no consistency.
Despite the flaws, I did enjoy it but probably won't read it again.
40. Olive Kitteredge: A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Stroud.
A retired schoolteacher and her pharmacist husband live in a small town on the coast of Maine. The book consists of short stories over a period of about twenty years in which Olive plays a part, sometimes as the main character and sometimes just a brief mention. An original structure and interesting to see Olive from her own point of view and from other people's perspectives. A good read but rather depressing. I need to find something a bit more upbeat for my next read!
A retired schoolteacher and her pharmacist husband live in a small town on the coast of Maine. The book consists of short stories over a period of about twenty years in which Olive plays a part, sometimes as the main character and sometimes just a brief mention. An original structure and interesting to see Olive from her own point of view and from other people's perspectives. A good read but rather depressing. I need to find something a bit more upbeat for my next read!
112) The Moth Catcher by Ann Cleeves
113) Lovers and Liars by Nigel May
114) Field of Graves by J T Ellison
115) You and me Always by Jill Mansell
113) Lovers and Liars by Nigel May
114) Field of Graves by J T Ellison
115) You and me Always by Jill Mansell
17 of 24
