Saturday 16 March 2024

It's a Sunny Saturday

It's Saturday and we actually have the patio doors open. It's a mite cool but still nice to have the fresh air. I went for a walk this morning. I do need to get back in the saddle as I've put on a fair bit of weight. 

We're being a bit lazy so I thought I'd do a quick update. So far in March I've completed 8 books. Below are my latest since my last update.

Just Finished

1. Don't Mess with Mrs. In-Between by Liz Evans (PI Grace Smith #3 / 2015). I'm really enjoying this series. Unfortunately it seems she only wrote six in the series, the last being in 2005.

"Don't Mess with Mrs In-Between is the 3rd book in the Grace Smith mystery series by English author Liz Evans. The first two books were Who Killed Marilyn Monroe? and JFK is Missing! Grace Smith is a PI who works for a small detective agency, Vetch (the letch) (International) Associates Inc (don't be fooled by the firm name, it's piddly) in the coastal town of Seatoun. The firm basically consists of Vetch, Grace Smith, Annie (Grace's best friend and also one of the firm's PI's) and Janice, the recalcitrant secretary.

Vetch assigns Grace a strange case. Barbra Delaney has taken photos of 3 people coming out of a corner shop in the nearby town of St Biddy's. Not wanting to leave anything to her son in her will (family feud), she wants Grace to find out who the 3 people are, investigate them and then tell Barbra whether they are suitable for sharing Barbra's estate.

So, somewhat unwillingly, Grace takes the assignment and begins her investigation. All sorts of things will happen. Her flat will be turned over, the office will as well. Someone will be murdered. Grace will celebrate her 30th birthday.... sadly. She will have a relationship but is the young man who he seems to be? Best friend Annie is considering moving to a new firm in the London. And Grace has to travel around using Vetch's old auntie's bicycle because she can't user her own car. So either cycling or cadging rides, Grace finds herself in a convoluted case, where people smuggling, female impersonators and so many other things crop up.

It's all very fascinating. Grace is a cross between Kinsey Milhone, Kat Colorado and Stephanie Plum. She's an ex-cop who left under a cloud of suspicion and her relationship with the police is always somewhat confrontational. She doesn't mind bending the rules a bit to achieve her case. But she's always interesting, intelligent and able to work through the weeds to solve her case. The story is funny, dangerous and just enjoyable to read. Don't get caught up too much with the twists and turns. Just enjoy the seaside, the characters and the story. (4.0 stars)"

2. The White Road by John Connolly (Charlie Parker #4 / 2002). My second book in this chilling series. 

"The White Road is the 4th book in the PI Charlie Parker, mystery / thriller series by John Connolly. It's the 2nd book I've read in the series and while there is a back story taking place, not having read #'s 2 & 3 didn't affect my understanding of what was going on or my enjoyment of the story.

Charlie is living in Maine with his pregnant girlfriend, Rachel. An old friend, Elliot Norton, calls him and asks for his help in a case he is representing down in South Carolina. A young black man, is being tried for the rape and murder of a white woman and Elliot is having difficulties with the local white supremacist movement and needs help. Against his better judgement, Charlie agrees to go. He asks two friends. Louis and Angel, to come and provide him some physical assistance.

Also, in Maine, a cult leader who had damaged both Angel and Louis in a previous story (I think, anyway) is coming up for parole. There is something very dark about him, something 'spiritual'? The white supremacists from South Carolina are helping him with legal assistance as they want him in their group. 

Oh yes, another guy getting out of prison in Maine, Cyrus, has some dark secrets and he wants to 'share' them with Rachel. Charlie has asked a friend to come up from New York to keep an eye on things while he is gone.

So that's the gist of the story. It's a rambling dark tale that moves from Charlie to Louis and Angel and a few others. It's dark, tense, dangerous and at times horrific. Bodies will ultimately start falling out of the trees... (well, maybe an exaggeration but there are a few). An evil history will come out, even involving Charlie's friend Elliot. There will be betrayal, 'evil spirits' and some twisted violence. It's a story that really draws you in but also might repel you. The bad folks are really evil and dangerous. Charlie and his friends are constantly in danger but they are also dangerous themselves and pretty darned competent. 

Fascinating story that will give you the shivers but the ending is fairly satisfying. It's one of the better thriller series I've tried and I'll get back to those I've missed to clear up this back story. (If I dare) (4.0 stars)"

3. Spaceboy by David Walliams (2022). A new author for me, although I am familiar with  his work as an actor / comedian on Little Britain.

"Spaceboy is a fun adventure story for new readers by comedian / actor David Walliams (Think Little Britain). It seems that Walliams has become quite a prolific author of children's novels.

Spaceboy features orphan Ruth, her 3-legged dog Yuri (named after famed Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin). Ruth lost her parents when she was young and she now has to live Aunt Dorothy. Ruth wants to go to outer space. Yuri found a broken telescope and Ruth fixed it and now spends her evenings watching the stars. 

One night a flying saucer crash lands on Dorothy's property. And this begins a wild adventure as Ruth, Yuri (btw, Ruth fashioned a 4th leg out of an old egg whisk for Yuri) and Spaceboy try to escape, Dorothy, the local donut eating sheriff and scads of radiation suited soldiers. They will be captured, brought to the White House and then to NASA with a Dr. Strangelove like scientist.

It's a very fun adventure, with great drawings by Adam Stower. It has a bit of a feel of Roald Dahl to it. Ruth is a wonderful girl, strong, imaginative and spunky. Yuri is so cute and her faithful friend. And Spaceboy... well, look for a surprise. All in all, a great story for young folks beginning to explore the world of books. They'll love it. (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson (2020). A new Sci Fi author for me. This is the 3rd book in my Tome Challenge.

"The Ministry for the Future is a masterpiece of the imagination, using fictional eyewitness accounts to tell the story of how climate change will affect us all. Its setting is not a desolate, postapocalyptic world, but a future that is almost upon us. Chosen by Barack Obama as one of his favorite books of the year, this extraordinary novel from visionary science fiction writer Kim Stanley Robinson will change the way you think about the climate crisis." I like the technique of using eyewitness accounts to tell the story. Reminds of World War Z  and Warday. Both excellent books.

2. Maddie Hatter and the Gilded Gauge by Jayne Barnard (Maddie Hatter #2 / 2017). Jo and I met Jayne two years ago and she brought me all three of the Maddie Hatter trilogy. This is the next book in my series challenge.

"A mysterious message from a midnight duelist sends fashion reporter Maddie Hatter to New York's finest parasol dueling academy, where she foils a daring daylight kidnapping.

The grateful rescuee, only daughter of an American Steamlord, offers Maddie a job as her bodyguard. Soon both young ladies are up to their lace gloves in industrial intrigue and irrepressible street urchins.

Maddie's clockwork bird faces danger too: hungry owls, curious inventors, even a clockwork foe that hides sneaky tricks behind its jewel-green eyes.

From the mansions of Park Avenue to the Statue of Liberty, Maddie hunts a fearless spy and confronts an unexpected power from her past."

New Books

1. Rubymusic: A Popular History of Women's Music and Culture by Connie Kuhns (2023). A new author for me.

"In  Rubymusic , award-winning journalist and broadcaster Connie Kuhns takes readers on an explosive journey through the Pacific Northwest’s groundbreaking women’s music scene in the 80s and 90s.

When journalist Connie Kuhns approached Vancouver Cooperative Radio in 1981 to host a music program dedicated solely to playing music by women, there was some doubt at the station that there was enough music by women to fill half an hour—and besides, who would tune in? Such was the underground nature of women’s music. Despite the doubters, Rubymusic became a successful program, running for fifteen years, introducing listeners to countless artists through radio, magazines, and newspaper columns and on stage at Vancouver’s annual Folk Music Fest, and serving as a powerful platform for the feminist movements taking place in Vancouver’s punk scene and throughout music history in the 80s and 90s. Rubymusic also served as the launching pad for Kuhns’ life-long passion—the preservation of the histories and stories of the women with whom she crossed paths on the airwaves. Here is a time capsule of a pivotal moment in women’s music history, with special emphasis on the women’s music movement in Canada, including the only written history of the women involved in Vancouver’s punk rock scene."

2. Silverwing: The Graphic Novel by Kenneth Oppel (2023).

"A small bat blown off course makes the perilous journey home with new friends in the adventurous middle grade odyssey from award-winning author Kenneth Oppel—this bestselling story is now available in graphic novel format!

Shade the young silverwing bat may be the runt of his colony, but he’s determined to prove himself on the long, dangerous winter migration to Hibernaculum—millions of wingbeats to the south. Too soon, his hopes are dashed when a fierce storm catches Shade in its grasp. Driven far from the others by the unforgiving winds, Shade is left alone.

On his journey back to his family, Shade meets other winged loners. Marina is a Brightwing bat with a strange metal band on her leg, Zephyr the mystical albino bat has an unusual gift, and Goth the carnivorous vampire bat is the largest bat Shade has ever seen. Shade will need all the help he can get if he hopes to reunite with his colony, but with a long and perilous flight ahead, how will he know who to trust?"

Women Authors Whose Works I've Been Enjoying - Valerie Taylor

Valerie Taylor
Valerie Taylor was an American author who lived from 1913 (born in Aurora Illinois) - 1997 (died in Tucson, Arizona. She was one of the authors who published in the lesbian pulp fiction genre. I've tried 3 of her books.

1. Return to Lesbos (1963). 

"Return to Lesbos is Valerie Taylor's sequel to her Stranger on Lesbos. Stranger left protagonist Frances Ollenfield, who had left her husband Bill, for a lesbian relationship, back with her husband. She had received a beating from a woman she'd picked up. In Return, Frances has been living with Bill for a year since her previous experiences and Bill is moving them to a small town outside Chicago due a promotion.

Frances goes with him but lives a loveless life with Bill. She knows she is a lesbian but had promised herself to give her marriage one more try. In this town she discovers a book store run by homosexual, Vince, who immediately takes to Frances. She also briefly meets Erika Frohmann, a young woman who Vince has taken under his wing. Erika had been involved with Kate but that relationship ended tragically.

So there is your story. Will Frances make the difficult decision either to stay with her husband or will she pursue Erika, who has immediately attracted her? I guess in some ways it's a simple story but Taylor tells it caringly and gently. The tension between Bill and Frances is palpable. Frances is more independent now than in the first story but even with her strong feelings towards Erika, she still has to make a difficult decision; stay or go. 

Vince was a highlight for me, a wonderful, sensitive character, looking after Erika but wanting her and Frances to be happy. The priest that Frances meets was also a pleasant surprise. It's a very short story, but told delicately and lovingly. (4 stars)"

2. The Girls in 3-B (1959).

"A couple of years ago I discovered The Feminist Press and their Femmes Fatales 'women write pulp' series. It introduced me to writers such as Vera Caspary, Evelyn Piper and Valerie Taylor. I first read Taylor's Stranger on Lesbos. She was noted as an author in the lesbian pulp fiction genre. The Girls in 3-B is my second look at her work.

Annice, Pat and Barby are three friends living in a small farm community. For their own differing reasons, they want to move to the big city, Chicago. Annice is bored with farm living and wants to explore the arts and life in the big city. Barby wants to get away from home from a childhood trauma. Pat wants a career in the big city. The three share an apartment, 3-B, in Chicago. Annice starts as a student trying to improve her poetry. Barby's father, who has a strange relationship with his daughter, gets her a job in a department store. Pat gets a job with a book publisher.

Their lives diverge quite rapidly. Annice, even though she is sort of dating Jackson, a student at the college, gets involved with a 'Beatnik', Alan and begins to explore sex an drugs. Barby is raped by the apartment manager and finds herself stressed and more and more under his control. Pat has a deep crush on the editor of the publishing company.

The story follows the three, developing their characters nicely. Many powerful themes are approached and discussed, child abuse, abortion, incest, lesbian relationships, drugs. Considering the story was originally written in 1959, they must have been more powerful. The pulp publishers seemed to have much more freedom than the movies and TV and more conservative publishing companies. Taylor approaches these themes delicately without too much titillation. It's an interesting, different story, maybe a gritty Harlequin in some ways but dealing with strong issues. I enjoyed reading it. I liked the Introduction description of the pulp authors and I enjoyed the Afterword, covering Taylor's life. I also liked the ending. (4 stars)"

3. Stranger on Lesbos (1960).

"I first heard of Valerie Taylor when I bought another book, Bunny Lake is Missing by Evelyn Piper. The edition I bought was published by The Feminist Press. I began looking for some of the other authors that they published; Dorothy Hughes - In a Lonely Place, Vera Caspary - Laura (I found this one). Anyway, I also managed to find Stranger on Lesbos this past weekend.

Valerie Taylor was a leading light in the lesbian pulp fiction genre of the late '50s and '60s. Stranger in Lesbos was her fourth book, published initially in 1960. It's a simple story really. Frances, a 1950s housewife, finds herself in a boring marriage, ignored by her husband and stuck in a stifling suburban life. She takes a course at university, deciding to work on the degree she never finished due to her marriage. At her first class she meets Bake and an attraction develops rapidly. 

Even though still married, she finds herself exploring the lesbian world, her deep attraction and love for Bake enticing her to spend more and more time with her. The book deals with her dilemma, whether to stay in her current family situation or follow her heart and leave her husband. It's a difficult story to rate, but suffice it to say that it is a thoughtful, interesting story; one of love and difficult decision - making. Taylor further explored Frances' life in some of her future books. (3 stars)"

You can read more about Valerie Taylor at this wiki link. Check it out.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Monday 11 March 2024

A Monday Update

Jo is working today because her boss was curling in a competition on the mainland over the weekend so she said she'd work today. Monday is a short day so I'll go get her around 3ish. The Blue Jays spring training game just finished so I've time for a quick update before I do a few chores.

Just Finished

I completed 2 books since my last update.

1. An Amateur Corpse by Simon Brett (Charles Paris #4 / 1978). Brett is my March focus author. I hope to read 3 or 4 of his mysteries.

"An Amateur Corpse is the 4th book in the Charles Paris mystery series by English author Simon Brett, one of 3 of his mystery series that I'm enjoying. Charles Paris is a struggling actor who gets involved in mysteries in each story. Simple, eh? Yup.

In this story, Charles is helping his best friend Hugo Mecken. Hugo is an ad executive who has provided Charles with an excellent opportunity to get into voice work. As a result Charles agreed to act as a critic for the Back Stager's production of The Seagull. The Back Stagers are an amateur troupe who present works and it so happens that Hugo's wife, Charlotte had the lead role.

Unfortunately, Charlotte, who is one of the few actual talents in the play, will end up murdered and Hugo will be arrested and also will confess to the murder. Relations between the two have been tense and Hugo has been drinking himself senseless. While Hugo can't actually remember committing the act, he figures he probably did and in any event doesn't actually care.

Charles doubts his friend's guilt and that is the crux of the story, as he conducts his own investigation, comes up with various suspects and ultimately... (well, I won't tell you if he actually solves it. I wouldn't want to ruin your reading fun)

It's an interesting series as it combines murder mysteries, with a behind the scenes look at the acting industry (in Great Britain) and the struggles of people to get into it. Paris has struggled for years, has ruined a marriage, is a bit of a drunk, and makes an interesting detective. His friend, Gerald, an entertainment lawyer, usually comes along for the ride and in this case represents Hugo. The rest of the cast are the actors in the Back Stager's troupe, all different and all possible suspects. 

An enjoyable read as always. I plan to explore Brett's other series this month and hope to read at least one more Paris as well. We'll see. Check them out. (3.5 stars)"

2. Saga, Volume 6 by Brian K. Vaughan (2016). One of my favorite graphic novel series.

"Saga, Volume 6 by Brian K. Vaughan is, of course, the sixth volume in the Saga....er.... saga? It consists of Chapters 31 - 36 in this entertaining outer space adventure series. 

Hazel, the daughter of warring space tribes, is now growing up, maybe 6ish and is a prisoner, along with her grand mother on the planet of Landfall, her mother's home planet. Mother and Dad have been reunited and are searching for Hazel. Two reporters are out on the hunt for the two, Mom a female soldier from Landfall and Dad a fighter from Wreath. (Hazel is their love child). Prince Robot IV, now a simple civilian is hiding out with his son. Mom and Dad of Hazel think he can help them get Hazel back. Oh yes, there's also a bounty hunter out there, seeking revenge because his girl friend was killed by Mom and Dad.

So the story wanders between the various groupings. There is lots of new info. There are reconciliations, new alliances and lots of action... It's an excellent story, just like the others, page turners as they are called. Great artwork. Great characters and lots of fun. I'm currently waiting for Volume 7 to arrive. If you like Sci Fi, you really should check the series out. (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Murder in the Museum by Simon Brett (Fethering #4 / 2003)

"Bracketts, an Elizabethan house near town of Fethering, is about to be turned into a museum. Once the home of celebrated poet Esmond Cloudleigh, it has been decided that it should now become a shrine to his life and poetry.

But the transition from house to museum is running far from smoothly, and Carole Seddon soon begins to regret her decision to be on the Board as the witnesses bitter antagonism and rivalry amongst the members.

Then a shocking discovery is made: Buried in the kitchen garden is a human skeleton. And before too long, there is a second body, not yet cold."

No new books since my last update. Surprised? 😎😁

Women Authors Whose Works I've Been Enjoying - Jodi Taylor

Jodi Taylor
It's been two months since I last worked on this thread. Time goes by so quickly. Amazing. English fantasy author Jodi Taylor is the creator of the Chronicles of St. Mary's time travel series. I took a chance on the first book, Just One Damned Thing After Another and got hooked on the series. I've read the first three books of the now 15 book series and look forward to continuing with it. She has also started a new Time travel series, the Time Police and I look forward to trying that as well. She has also started two other series which I may have to check out. For the time being, let's look at the last book in the St. Mary's series that I've enjoyed and then the other two books I've got on my book shelf. 

1. A Second Chance (St. Mary's #3 / 2014).

"A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor is the 3rd book in the Chronicles of St Mary's time travel series. Each one seems a bit better than the previous book. So far anyway.

In this story, Max, head of the History department of St Mary's travels with her teams to Troy, a cheese rolling competition and the battle of Agincourt. Oh yes, she will meet up with arch-enemy Ronan again too. Her relationship with head engineer Leon is up and down and there will be tragedy and historical arguments (shocking and scary). Max is considering her retirement; will Troy be her last visit into the past?

The Chronicles are gritty and realistic and when necessary hold back no punches. Troy is a violent and shocking battle. The way it is portrayed and how the team prepares for observing the events is very interesting. Taylor presents a fascinating representation of the events at Troy. It's a very dark time, quite scary. 

The story is so well-crafted, moving from the time traveling to relationships. The cast of characters are all excellent and fleshed out. Jodi Taylor deals with the space-time conundrum, sometimes ignoring but it's always present.  The ending is surprising and makes you want to move along to the next book. RIGHT AWAY! So entertaining and 'enjoyable'. Just don't expect light fluff. I look forward to continuing the series and also trying the Connie Willis time travel series to compare the two. (4.0 stars)"

2. A Trail Through Time (St. Mary's #4 / 2014).

"St Mary’s is back and is facing a battle to survive in this, the fourth instalment of the Chronicles.

Max and Leon are re-united and looking forward to a peaceful lifetime together. But, sadly, they don’t even make it to lunchtime.

The action races from 17th century London to Ancient Egypt and from Pompeii to 14th century Southwark as they’re pursued up and down the timeline, playing a perilous game of hide and seek until they’re finally forced to take refuge at St Mary’s – where new dangers await them.

As usual, there are plenty of moments of humour, but the final, desperate, Battle of St Mary’s is in grim earnest. Overwhelmed and outnumbered and with the building crashing down around them, how can St Mary’s possibly survive?

So, make sure the tea’s good and strong…"

3. Doing Time (Time Police #1 / 2019).

"A long time ago in the future, the secret of time travel became known to all. Unsurprisingly, the world nearly ended. There will always be idiots who want to change history.

Enter the Time Police. An all-powerful, international organisation tasked with keeping the timeline straight. At all costs.

Their success is legendary. The Time Wars are over. But now they must fight to save a very different future - their own.

This is the story of Jane, Luke and Matthew - the worst recruits in Time Police history. Or, very possibly, three young people who might change everything."

The Chronicles of St. Marys got me interested in time travel series and I've since tried Connie Willis's Oxford Time Travel and others. The complete listing of Jodi Taylor's books can be found at this link.

One final note. Jo and I enjoyed the Oscars last night. During one of the commercial breaks, they advertised a new movie. Let's go back a place first. In my last reading update, I provided a review of The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. It was an excellent Young Adult fantasy. In fact I bought the other two books in the series because I enjoyed it so much and want to see how it ends. Anyway, during one of the commercial breaks last night, there was an advertisement for a new movie based on The Wild Robot! It looks fantastic! I'll have to try and finish the other two books before it comes out.

Wednesday 6 March 2024

A March 2024 Reading Update, Etc, Etc....

So let's see. On Sunday and Monday it snowed like crazy, making up for the lack of snow we got over December and January. Since Monday afternoon, it's been sunny and bright, but still coldish. By next week it's supposed to hit 15℃. Go figure.

It's the beginning of March so here is a reading update, a look at some new books, and then I've got some house work to do and the dogs will want their lunch. 😊😉

New Books

Had a few book orders arrive and I traded in some books at my used book store, so bought a few. Here are some highlights.

1. Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson (Short Stories / 2016). I've enjoyed the Shirley Jackson books I've read so far. She was unique in the horror genre.

"Step into the unsettling world of Shirley Jackson this autumn with a collection of her finest, darkest short stories, revealing the queen of American gothic at her mesmerizing best.

There's something nasty in suburbia. In these deliciously dark tales, the daily commute turns into a nightmarish game of hide and seek, the loving wife hides homicidal thoughts and the concerned citizen might just be an infamous serial killer. In the haunting world of Shirley Jackson, nothing is as it seems and nowhere is safe, from the city streets to the country manor, and from the small-town apartment to the dark, dark woods...

Includes the following stories: 'The Possibility of Evil'; 'Louisa, Please Come Home'; 'Paranoia'; 'The Honeymoon of Mrs Smith'; 'The Story We Used to Tell'; 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice'; 'Jack the Ripper'; 'The Beautiful Stranger'; 'All She Said Was Yes'; 'What a Thought'; 'The Bus'; 'Family Treasures'; 'A Visit'; 'The Good Wife'; 'The Man in the Woods'; 'Home'; 'The Summer People'."

2. Speedy Death by Gladys Mitchell (Mrs. Bradley #1 / 1929). Mitchell is a new mystery author for me and seems to have been prolific.

"Dr Beatrice Bradley is not your usual genteel spinster. Although elderly, she is a practicing psychiatrist (at a time when a psychiatrist was rare, and a female one almost unheard of). She is quite proud of being ugly, and has darkly sharp insights plus an extremely wicked tongue.

The nice, formal country house guests are shocked by her behavior, and even more upset by the death of the star visitor, renowned world traveler Mountjoy, found in the bath. Suspects galore, of course (including fiancée Eleanor, pompous Alastair and son Garde, the lovely Dorothy, and lets not forget curious naturalist Carstairs (although many wish they could)."

3. Send for Paul Temple by Francis Durbridge (Paul Temple #1 / 1938). When I was still working, I used to come home for lunch and Jo would often be listening to BBC radio's enactments of various books. One was the Paul Temple series. I listened to some with her and now I'd like to see what the books are like.

"In the dead of night, a watchman is brutally attacked and with his dying breath cries out, “The Green Finger!” It is the latest in a series of robberies to take place that have left Scotland Yard mystified, and with no other choice but to call upon the expertise of Detective Paul Temple.

Aided by the beautiful journalist Louise Harvey – affectionately known as Steve – the duo discover that this is not the first victim to warn of the dangerous and elusive ‘Green Finger’… who or what is it? The pair must work together to solve the deepening mystery."

4. The Animal Lover's Book of Beastly Murder by Patricia Highsmith (Short Stories / 1975). Highsmith is another of those strange but interesting authors that you just want to read more of.

"Nowhere is Patricia Highsmith's affinity for animals more apparent than in The Animal-Lover's Book of Beastly Murder, for here she transfers the murderous thoughts and rages most associated with humans onto the animals themselves.

You will meet, for example, in "In the Dead of Truffle Season," a truffle-hunting pig who tries to whet his own appetite for a while; or Jumbo in "Chorus Girl's Absolutely Final Performance," a lonely, old circus elephant who decides she's had enough of show business and cruel trainers for one lifetime. In this satirical reprise of Kafka, cats, dogs, and breeding rodents are no longer ordinary beings in the happy home, but actually have the power to destroy the world in which we live."

5. This Census Taker by China Mieville (2016). I've enjoyed Mieville's style and story - telling very much. I've a few of his books sitting on my bookshelf now.

"In a remote house on a hilltop, a lonely boy witnesses a traumatic event. He tries - and fails - to flee. Left alone with his increasingly deranged parent, he dreams of safety, of joining the other children in the town below, of escape.

When at last a stranger knocks at his door, the boy senses that his days of isolation might be over.

But by what authority does this man keep the meticulous records he carries? What is the purpose behind his questions? Is he friend? Enemy? Or something else altogether?

A novella filled with beauty, terror and strangeness, This Census-Taker is a poignant and riveting exploration of memory and identity."

6. Annals of the Western Shore - Gifts / Voices / Powers by Ursula K. Le Guin (2017). I hope during my life - time that I will eventually read all of Le Guin's works. I'm making good progress.

"Ursula K. Le Guin’s Nebula Award–winning young adult fantasy series—gathered for the first time in a deluxe collector’s edition for readers of all ages.

Teenagers struggle to come to terms with their own mysterious and magical gifts as they come-of-age in the far-flung Western Shore.

This fifth volume in the definitive Library of America edition of Ursula K. Le Guin’s work presents a trilogy of coming-of-age stories set in the Western Shore—a world where young people find themselves struggling not just against racism, prejudice, and slavery, but with how to live with the mysterious and magical gifts they have been given. All three novels feature the generous voice and deeply human concerns that mark all Le Guin’s work, and together they form an elegant anthem to the revolutionary and transformative power of words and storytelling.

In Gifts , Orrec and Gry will inherit both their families’ domains and their “gifts,” the ability to communicate with animals, or control a mind, or maim or kill with only a word and gesture. Both discover their gifts are not what they thought. In Voices , Memer lives in a city conquered by fundamentalist and superstitious soldiers who have made reading and writing forbidden. But in Memer’s house there is a secret room where the last few books in the city have been hidden. And in the Nebula Award-winning Powers , the young slave Gavir can remember any book after reading it just once. It makes him valuable, but it also makes him a threat. Gav sets out to understand who he is, where he came from, and what his gift means.

This deluxe edition features Le Guin’s own previously unseen hand-drawn maps. Included in an appendix are essays and interviews about the novels, as well as Le Guin’s pronunciation guide to the names and languages of the Western Shore."

and a few others.
I did get a few more books but I won't go into them in detail. In summary, the last two books in the Wild Robot Trilogy by Peter Brown, one of the Mirrorworld books by Cornelia Funke, the 2nd and 3rd books in the Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi, etc.

Just Finished

I've completed 4 books thus far in March.

1. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (Wild Robot #1 / 2016). I took a chance on this YA story that I saw at my local. I wasn't disappointed. I will enjoy the other two books in the series.

"I saw The Wild Robot in my local book store and even though it's in the YA / middle grade section, it looked interesting. There are currently 3 books in The Wild Robot series. I thought I should check out the first to see if I want to continue. Yes, I do. The next two books are The Wild Robot Escapes and The Wild Robot Protects.

Roz, short for Rozzum Unit 7134 starts this story on a ship in a box in a storm. She seems to be part of a cargo of robots. The ship gets caught in a terrible storm and sinks, taking all but 5 boxes of robots to the bottom. The remaining boxes crash on shore at an island and only the box with Roz survives. The remaining robots are broken apart and the pieces remain on the shore of the island.

A group of otters sees the parts and when they see Roz's broken crate and Roz inside, they begin to explore and accidently push the button in Roz's skull which activates her. Thus begins Roz's adventure which will culminate in her becoming the Wild robot. At first the island creatures think Roz is a monster but gradually over time she helps various animals, learns their languages and becomes a valuable friend.

At one point when Roz is climbing a mountain, the rocks break and Roz crashes to the ground and to her shock, she has landed on a goose's next, killing the goose and breaking all but one of the eggs. She seeks the help of another goose and then builds a nest, a home of branches and mud and protects the egg until it hatches and becomes Brightbill, her son.

There are many adventures in this wonderful story, bad encounters with bears, helpful encounters with the beavers and other animals and a growing love and friendship between the animals and Roz. But there is a mystery about who actually is Roz? What was she built for? Well, that is why you have to check out the story. It's told wonderfully and is complete with drawings by the author Peter Brown; a touching, sometimes sad, but mostly happy story, with an ending that might choke you up. But I'm hoping that the next to books will resolve those sad feelings as Roz continues her adventures. Check it out. Great for young children beginning to explore books and for adults too. (4.0 stars)"

2. Denison Avenue by Christina Wong (Can Lit / 2023). 

"I've seen Denison Avenue by Christina Wong at my local book store for a few days (weeks?) and kept looking at it. Both of the clerks recommended it highly. It was also one of the books selected by CBC as a 2024 Selection for the Canada Reads list. I also liked the cover with its pencil drawings and just finally thought it was worth checking out. Glad I did.

The story is set in Toronto, mainly in the Chinatown area. It's protagonist is Wong Cho Sum who as the story starts becomes a widow. Her husband is killed by a hit - and - run driver. So there is your story. We follow Cho Sum as she deals with her grief and with living alone. We follow Cho Sum as she wanders the streets of her area, her new career of picking up cans and bottles from the streets and recycling bins and trading them in to the local beer store. 

It seems a simple story but what's good is her interactions with other acquaintances and residents, both good and bad, and her memories of activities with her husband and also her regret at how her neighborhood is changing. This is also displayed in the reverse of the book (the flip side) with pencil drawings of Cho's neighborhood, with Cho pushing her cart, and how the street changes (each page has two pictures, one showing the past and the other what it looks like now to Cho)

The writing style is a mix of free verse and poetry. The dialogue is in Chinese Toisan dialect and its 
English translation. There is so much to this story; grief, love, determination. It's also neat to see where Cho Sam lives. Simple but rich and emotional. (4.0 stars)"

3. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (2006). I enjoyed Yang's Lunar New Year Love Story so I think I'll explore his work some more.

"I decided to find this graphic novel, [book:American Born Chinese|118944] by [author:Gene Luen Yang|68959] after enjoying [book:Lunar New Year Love Story|123023430] a couple of weeks ago. Quite different, it was still an excellent story, with great artwork by Yang and vibrant coloring by Lark Pien.

Basically you've got three stories intertwined in this novel. Jin Wang has just moved to a new school and is trying to fit into a new school, one where he stands out because of he is different. The 2nd story involves the Monkey King who is rejected by the other Asian gods and wants revenge. The 3rd story is about Danny, another student trying to develop a relationship with one of his schoolmates only to be intruded on by his cousin, Chin-Kee, who is loud and irritating. The book moves between the three stories and finally, neatly puts them all together, in a surprising, neat way, making everything clear.

It's a story about trying to fit in, make friends, maybe trying to develop a relationship, when your cultures are different. It can be an uncomfortable story at times but as Gene Luen Yang says in his afterword, it's a story he felt had to be told. And even though he tells it from his Asian - American experience of being bullied and ignored, he says that people of all races, sexual orientation and faiths told him they could relate to it. Can I relate to it? I grew up in a very insular environment so maybe not but I hope I can appreciate it and learn from it. And I think that's the point, which is told imaginatively and emotionally. (As a note, American Born Chinese was one of 20 books removed from general circulation by the Mississippi Madison County Schools. It requires parental permission for students to take it out.)

Check it out. It's worth reading. (4.0 stars)"

4. Space Boy, Volume 15 by Stephen McCranie (2023). 

"Space Boy Volume 15 is the 15th installment of the Space Boy saga by Stephen McCranie. I read the first 14 volumes in omnibus editions but couldn't wait for the next omnibus but have since acquired the individual volumes / chapters.

Volume 15 continues the story of Amy and Qiana, both working at First Contact Project (FCP) HQ and now becoming friends and trying to find out what happened to Professor Lesnik. This might provide some link to the strange being that seems to control FCP's bosses. There are side stories involving Amy's friends back in South Pines, as they begin to explore the events when Amy was kidnapped (although agents of FCP say she died) and also Oliver, out in space preparing for contact with the Space Artifact.

As always it's an interesting story, with excellent drawings and vibrant artwork. Amy's growing friendship with Qiana is a happy situation as I've always liked Qiana. Time will tell if Qiana can shake off her FCP links and become a true friend. As well, it's nice that Oliver is finally talking with Dr. Kim again. Dr. Kim might be able to help. And I like that Cassie and Schaffer are trying to help Tammie remember what happened that night at the prom. They will make a good team.

Volumes 16 and 17 sit on my book shelf so I will get to them soon I'm sure to see what happens next! (3.5 stars)"

That's it for now. I haven't started any new books but am close to completing a few. Keep checking out this page for updates. Enjoy the rest of your week. 

Saturday 24 February 2024

Watching Curling; Providing a Reading Update

Jo just made a lovely supper, so tasty. We've spent the day watching curling for the most part. In the middle of the 1 vs 2 Page playoff right now and it's tied 3-3 after 6 ends. Some excellent shots being made.

So while that's going on, I'm going to provide a quick reading / new book update. Everyone is relaxing anyway. I may jump up from the computer to watch good shots though. Please excuse me.

Just Finished

I've finished 5 books since my last update, so here we go with the latest reviews.

1. Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang (Graphic Novel / 2024). I read this for February romance month.

"I saw Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and Leuyen Pham the other day when I wandered into my local book store. They had just put it on the shelf and since Valentine's Day was fast approaching I thought it might be good to read. It was more than that.

Valentina is a young Asian girl living in Oakland with her father. They live alone as Valentina's mother died when she was very young. Valentine's Day has great significance for Valentina as a young girl. Her 'imaginary friend' is Cupid, who helps her write cards each year for Valentina's classmates. Her friend Bernice is not as hooked on Valentine's Day, doesn't believe in love. As Valentina enters high school, she will get many shocks. She is seen as odd when she gives her classmates cards on the day. One boy, Jae, tears her card up. When she gives her father his annual card, he gets very upset and stalks away. Her grandmother shows up, which also surprises Valentina, as there had been no contact with her for four or five years. As if that weren't enough shocks, she discovers something else about her mother.

Her friend, Cupid, also changes becoming an old man, St Valentine, who tells Valentina that she can keep her heart from being broken if she gives it to him. He tells Valentina that he will return in a year to see if she still wants to give it to him.

During the next year, a tumultuous one, Valentina will discover love, dragon dancing, more about her mother and father, and fight off St. Valentine. It's a surprisingly (to me) excellent story. The art work is excellent. The characters are fully presented and interesting and sympathetic. The issues are more than just love, but love is a major aspect of the story. The story draws you in immediately, grabs hold of your heart and gives it many tugs and the ending is ultimately very satisfying. Such a nice surprise. (4.5 stars)"

2. Look to the Lady by Margery Allingham (Albert Campion #3 / 1931). Part of my Series challenge.

"Look To The Lady by Margery Allingham is the 3rd book in her Albert  Campion mystery series and about the 10th book I've enjoyed in the series. Yes, I haven't been reading in sequence. (I don't think it matters all that much). Allingham was one of four British female mystery writers who made up the Queens of Crime during the 'Golden Age of Detective Fiction. The others were Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and Ngaio Marsh. I've enjoyed all of these authors. You should check each of them out.

So.... Look to the Lady finds gentleman sleuth and his man servant, Lugg (and he is one), trying to help a certain Val Gyrth protect a family heirloom. Val has been living rough in London and while trying to sleep on a park bench one night, he sees an envelope on the ground.. addressed to himself. This leads him to a small late night cafe where he is told to go to a certain address, home to the one and only Albert Campion. However, even this trip is filled with adventure as the cab driver tries to kidnap him.

Val's father's estate houses an antiquity related to the royalty, the Gyrth Cup, and when the oldest son achieves his 25th year, there is a ceremony to hand over the responsibility for guarding the cup. Campion was hired to find Val, get him home and protect the cup from a gang of thieves who steal such priceless antiquities.

So there is your story. It's entertaining, peopled with interesting characters, lots of thieves, gypsies, witches... Does the mystery make sense or get resolved... sure... but it's the fun and games that make it entertaining. Campion is an interesting character, somewhat like Dorothy L. Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey. It's worth checking out the series and all of these great Queens of Crime. (3.0 stars)"

3. Monstress, Vol 2 - Blood by Marjorie M. Liu (Monstress #2 / 2017). Strong fantasy story, confusing but great artwork.

"Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood is the 2nd graphic novel in the Monstress series by Marjorie M. Liu. There are many things to like about this series and some that are not so good.

Maika Halfwolf continues her journey to discover the monster inside her and what it is. (It shows itself when it's hungry by coming through her left shoulder. She wants to learn how to control it or to get rid of it. On her journey are the nekomancer cat, Ren, and the little fox. The journey will take them by sea to the Isles of Bones. There are other story lines as well, plots by various Houses, the Dusk throne, the Dawn throne, the Arcanians; humans, monsters, cats, foxes, tigers... Everybody wants a piece of Maika or what she has.

Yes, it's very confusing and jumps around from the past, the present, to her mother and others. Makes for a confusing story all around which can be frustrating. But the artwork is so excellent and intense and there are some great characters, especially the Little Fox and Ren the cat. There are also neat little tidbits of information about the land and creatures at the end of each chapter, provided by the cat professor Tam Tam. These aspects of the graphics and characters counteract the frustrations about the confusing story. And really, it just makes me want to continue with the series. And I will. Haven is next. (3.5 stars)"

4. Ninth Directive by Adam Hall (Quiller #2 / 1966). My February Focus author.

"The Ninth Directive, aka Quiller in Bangkok, by Adam Hall is the 2nd book in the Quiller spy thriller series and the 4th I've completed. Like the others, I enjoyed the book but didn't love it. It's a mix of spycraft, lots of action and introspection. In this book, sometimes the spycraft got to be a bit much.

So Quiller is approached by Loman to take on a mission in Bangkok, which Loman is heading. They both work for a mysterious British organization, sort of outside the normal bureaucracy, and take on under the radar missions. In this case, a royal personage (they refer to him / her as the Person) is visiting Thailand as part of an Asian visit and a threat has been made to the Person's life. Now there is already tons of security, both Thai and British. What Loman wants is for Quiller to use his past knowledge of Bangkok to try and figure how this attempt might be made and how it can be stopped. 

Firstly, Quiller doesn't want to take the mission but Loman finally persuades him. He narrows down the potential assassins to one and then begins the process of finding him (this being Kuo the Mongolian assassin) and then figuring out his plan. It's a neat process and Quiller is helped by a Thai import / export person, one Pangsapa, and also hindered by people from another British directorate, Mil 5, especially a young woman, Minia.

Along the way, there is plenty of action and the result leads to a follow-on chase which I won't get into. There is lots of spycraft, the whole 'tagging' (following) and the planning, the communications, the threat assessments. At times I found the story somewhat bogged down in this minutiae. Take Chapter 22 - Bait for example.

"Reaction time covers three phases: time required to sense the signal, to decide on the correct response, and to respond. Relevant factors: age, state of health, muscle-tone, ....."and on for a few more paragraphs. Now this is interesting to an extent but sometimes you just want to get to the story and the action. It is a spy thriller after all. 

Having said that, it's still an interesting approach to the genre and the twists and turns all made for a neat little story. Try Quiller for yourself. It might be right up your alley. I'll continue with the series. (3.0 stars)."

5. Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney (2023). Some of my comments might be a mite political... Oh well.

"(Warning - In my review of this book I may express political opinions. I apologize if any of them offend anyone. They are strictly my thoughts. Feel free to believe what you want. I'll try to confine my comments to a straight book review, but it'll be difficult not to digress somewhat, sometime)

I followed the Jan 6 Committee hearings with great interest (and fear, considering the lengths Donald Trump was willing to go to stay in power) and when Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning by Liz Cheney came out, I felt a responsibility to read it as well, to see what other information Ms. Cheney might bring to light. I'm a Canadian so I should probably not be worried about American elections but with Trump and his gang trying to get back into power, I think it will affect elections around the world. (Hoping this is my only political digression)

The book highlights Liz Cheney's work on the Jan 6th Committee and also talks briefly about her losing campaign to retain her seat in Wyoming, plus her thoughts on the GOP and democracy, etc. It's a well-written, well-presented book. I would say that that I probably had heard most of the information from watching the hearings and news analyses of the hearings, but it was interesting to see it laid out so clearly and tidily. I probably don't agree with many of Liz's conservative leanings but I am a kind of Conservative / Liberal hybrid, so who knows. But I do share her belief in democracy and its importance. 

Whether you agree with Liz's politics or no, this is still a must read book and it will be difficult to put down. Please read it. (4.0 stars)"

*VOTE FOR DEMOCRACY ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE*

Currently Reading

1. Twilight by Peter James (1991). My next non-series book.

"Three muffled thuds ring from the partially filled grave of the newly wed girl. Only the verger hears them and he dismisses the noise as his imagination. But over the next few days others also hear faint sounds. An exhumation order is granted. Reporter Kate Hemingway sneaks into the small suburban churchyard when the coffin is opened, and the scene she witnesses is so horrific she can never forget it. As she starts work on the story, Kate finds herself caught up in a sinister and macabre cover-up. At the center is a respected anesthetist who has a secret obsession. He believes people can exist outside their bodies and that if he can prove it he will provide the answer to the question that has haunted mankind through the is there life after death? Nothing - and no one - is going to stand in the way of his driving ambition ..."

2. An Amateur Corpse by Simon Brett (Charles Paris #4 / 1978). Simon Brett is my March focus author; writer of the Charles Paris, Fethering and Mrs. Pargeter mysteries). I hope to read at least one of each.

"Charles Paris is a part-time detective and professional actor, drawn into the affairs of an amateur theater company. Charles's friend Hugo's wife is murdered, and Hugo is charged with the crime.

Paris takes on the case personally. The solution to the mystery lies in a clever double alibi. An Amateur Corpse is an absorbing and entertaining account of theatrical back staging, back scratching and backbiting."

3. Don't Mess with Mrs. In-Between by Liz Evans (PI Grace Smith #3 / 2015). Part of my series challenge. I like this series. Grace is kind of somewhere in between Kinsey Milhone and Stephanie Plum, with a bit of Kat Colorado thrown in.

"When Barbra Delaney comes into Grace Smith's office, looks her in the eye and announces, 'I'm filthy rich and I've decided to make a will leaving the lot to a complete stranger. I've chosen you...', Grace thinks she may be hallucinating. It is, after all, the stuff of which daydreams are made. That is until Barbra hands Grace the photographs of three complete strangers, and tells her to find their names and addresses so that she can will all her dear departed husband's worldly goods to them. But, as Grace tracks down the lucky legatees, she discovers that they all have their own reasons for not wanting her poking around in their lives. When a series of increasingly violent events culminates in a very nasty death, it seems that someone will stop at nothing - not even murder - to stop Grace finding out the truth ..."

4. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (Wild Robot #1 / 2016). Another book for my series challenge. I was in the mood for a light read. Enjoying so far.

"Can a robot survive in the wilderness?

When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is--but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a violent storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants.

As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home--until, one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her."

New Books

1. The Girl with all the Gifts by M. R. Carey (Girl with the Gifts #1 / 2014).

"Melanie is a very special girl. Dr. Caldwell calls her "our little genius."

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh.

Melanie loves school. She loves learning about spelling and sums and the world outside the classroom and the children's cells. She tells her favorite teacher all the things she'll do when she grows up. Melanie doesn't know why this makes Miss Justineau look sad."

2. Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey (Darko Dawson #1 / 2009). I previously bought the 3rd or 4th book in this series but if I'm going to start it, I need the 1st.

"Introducing Detective Inspector Darko Dawson: dedicated family man, rebel in the office, ace in the field—and one of the most appealing sleuths to come along in years. When we first meet Dawson, he’s been ordered by his cantankerous boss to leave behind his loving wife and young son in Ghana’s capital city to lead a murder investigation: In a shady grove outside the small town of Ketanu, a young woman—a promising medical student—has been found dead under suspicious circumstances. Dawson is fluent in Ketanu’s indigenous language, so he’s the right man for the job, but the local police are less than thrilled with an outsider’s interference. For Dawson, this sleepy corner of Ghana is rife with emotional land mines: an estranged relationship with the family he left behind twenty-five years earlier and the painful memory of his own mother’s inexplicable disappearance. Armed with remarkable insight and a healthy dose of skepticism, Dawson soon finds his cosmopolitan sensibilities clashing with age-old customs, including a disturbing practice in which teenage girls are offered to fetish priests as trokosi, or Wives of the Gods. Delving deeper into the student’s haunting death, Dawson will uncover long-buried secrets that, to his surprise, hit much too close to home."

and....

3. The Death Miser by John Creasey (Department Z #1 / 1933). I've been enjoying Creasey's (or JJ Marric as one of his pseudonyms) many series; Chief Super Gideon, the Toff, the Baron and I thought I might like to see how this thriller series is.

"Millions of lives are at stake if a sinister international conspiracy succeeds. It is down to England’s elite detective agency, Department Z, to make sure this doesn’t happen. They’ve got to keep things quiet too – something that Hon. James Quinion knows only too well – it’s all part and parcel of being a member of the Secret Service.

‘A home for bachelors with a suicidal turn of mind…’ – Department Z agents ready themselves for this high-profile, high-danger job and James Quinion will find himself right in the firing line and in personal danger – how will he keep this conspiracy under control and under wraps?"

There you go. Time to watch the last couple of shots and then take the pups out. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
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