It's Been Awhile.

I didn't realize that my last post here was two weeks ago. I can't say I've been overly busy, just that life moves along sometimes at a faster pace than you realize. So let's get down to business and provide a reading and new book update.

Finished

Since my update on May 9th, I've finished six books. Some were fairly short so it's not all that impressive. 😀

1. Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story by David A. Robertson (2011). I've read a couple of graphics by Robertson and also have a trilogy on my bookshelf that I need to get to. This was powerful.

"Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story by David Alexander Robertson is a simple, short story in comic format but it's also a story that needs to be told if Canada is to deal with the residential school nightmare. 

This is the story. A teacher wants his students to write about the residential school past and asks his students to interview an elder. He wants these questions answered -

- How did it affect First Nations people and how does it affect them today?

- How does your understanding the system change your view of First Nations people? Should it? Why or why not?

Daniel asks his friend April, a Cree, for help. She takes him to meet her Kokom, her grandmother. Kokom tells the story of her experience with the Residential school system. It's a story she has kept to herself until this time.

The residential school system was devised by the Canadian government and run by the Catholic Church. First Nation children were taken from their families, I guess for some reason, but from what has actually turned up, these children were abused, both physically and sexually in many many cases. It was a horror that has not yet been completed. The Canadian government established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate.

The story told in this short comic is based on the true life story of Elder Betty Ross of the Cross Lake Indian Residential School. It's a terrifying story. How these poor children could have their childhood's stolen from them. Many died in the schools, many suffered trauma that carried into their adult lives. It's a story that needs to be told, to be read, to be understood. Difficult story, sensitively told, beautifully drawn. (4.0 stars)"

2. Robodog by David Walliams (2023). This is the 2nd book I've read by Walliams, entertaining middle grade story.

"Robodog is the 2nd middle grade / YA book I've read by English author David Walliams. Like Spaceboy, it's an excellent, fun read for youngsters who are getting into reading.

Robodog is set in Bedlam, a town over run by super villains. The Chief of Police, a short woman, has set up a police dog academy to help combat the crime wave. Her wife, the Professor, has invented washing machines. After a disaster at the academy, caused in large part by the Lost Patrol (3 shiftless, lazy dogs) the Chief asks her to invent a super robot dog to help combat crime.

Hence the arrival of Robodog! He can do everything, fly, swim underwater, blow up bombs with his laser eye, etc. Unfortunately. the Professor and Chief's cat, Velma, is jealous and steals a part from Robodogs workings. When he is turned on, he goes berserk. 

But this is fixed, and Robo is introduced to the academy where he becomes a subject of jealousy of all the other dogs. He's just too good. Meanwhile, Velma, the cat, is plotting to get her revenge on Robo and Robo is put in with the Lost Patrol. 

Let's say it's a mixed up, crazy, wild adventure and Robodog will need the help of all of the other dogs, including the Lost Patrol and also Ratty, a new friend, if he is to recover stolen billions, defeat a gang of master villains and also a nasty group of cats. And he'll also discover something very important.... feelings.

It's a fun romp, lots of neat characters, great illustrations by Adam Sower, just a fun read. Check out David Walliams. He's prolific. (4.0 stars)"

3. Minky Woodcock: The Girl Who Electrified Tesla by Cynthia von Buhler (Minky Woodcock #2 / 2023). Not my favorite in the Hard Crime graphic novel series but still entertaining.

"The Girl Who Electrified Tesla is the 2nd Minky Woodcock mystery in the Hard Case Crime books by Cynthia von Buhler. It's probably my least favorite in this book / graphic novel series published in Titan Comics but it's still a fast paced, entertaining thriller.

Minky Woodcock has basically taken over her father's detective agency as he is being treated for lung cancer. (Interesting tidbit here - one of her doctors is a John Trump, an uncle of the ex-president, who had invented an X-ray to defeat cancer) 

Minky is hired by businessman J.P. Morgan to investigate Nikola Tesla, to find his plans for a secret weapon, a beam of some sort. The federal government wants it, the Nazis want it. Minky befriends Tesla and also meets Josephine Baker, a performer who also works for the French Resistance. (Many of these facts are true; the story elaborates and fleshes out this. 

Minky rushes from place to place, fighting and escaping Nazis and aggressive Morgan sons. With the help of Baker, they try to find Tesla's documentation. It's action - packed, fun-filled, sometimes sexy and also provides a back story on Minky's father and mother. I don't know if there will be anymore of Minky's adventures, but the two have been interesting to say the least. (3.0 stars)"

4. Monstress, Vol. 3 - Haven by Marjorie M. Liu (Monstress #3 / 2018). Confusing series but I love the art work and the characters.

"Monstress, Vol. 3: Haven by Marjorie M. Liu is, of course, the 3rd graphic in the Monstress series. It contains issues 13 - 18 of the comic series. Like the other two, it's a confusing but fantastic, entertaining, well-drawn adventure story. We continue to follow the Half-wolf, Maika and her friends, Kippa, the fox and Renn the cat wizard. As well, Maika must learn to work with the spirit / being that inhabits her, Zenn.

The group have now arrived at the island state of Pontus where they seek refuge from those chasing them. The rulers of Pontus have a 'wall' that keeps out Arcanics and humans, but they need Maika's magic to activate it. Zenn and Maika work to do this, while Kippa tries to find relatives in the refugee city, which is filled with foxes who have fled their for safety. Renn is being blackmailed by  other cat 'gods'? who want Kippa for something.

So you've got various ongoing story lines, as well, we jump to those chasing the group, and this is where it gets confusing. There is the threat of war between Arcanics and humans. The different Queens of the wizardry worlds battle each other and also try to unite in their efforts to find Maika, her portion of the 'mask'... Pontus is at threat, the refugees are trying to escape... So much going on but it's all exciting and fast-paced. Beautiful, dramatic artwork and wonderfully drawn characters. I love Kippa and also Rinn, but there is a wonderful variety of peoples and beings.

Oh, yes. Each chapter ends with an excerpt from the lectures of Professor Tam Tam, an elderly cat who tries to explain the world of Monstress. It sometimes helps. 😁 Anyway, it's so fascinating and I can't wait to read #4, The Chosen. (It's on order) (4.0 stars)"

5. Searoad by Ursula K. Le Guin (1991). This is the 9th Le Guin story I've enjoyed this year as I try to focus on her work and one of my favorites. Such variety.

"Sometimes it's difficult to describe a book and why you like it. At least that is the case for me. But I have to say that I thought Searoad by Ursula K. Le Guin was excellent. Over the past year, especially, I've been exploring the variety of Le Guin's works; her Sci Fi (the Hainish cycle), fantasy (Earthsea) and various of her fiction efforts; Orsinia, etc. Searoad is a collection of short stories and one novella set in the fictional Oregon town of Klatsand.

Each story focuses on one character, either a resident or a visitor to the town. The novella focuses on 4 woman; Fanny Crane Shaw Ozer, Jane Shaw Herne, Lily Francis Herne & Virginia Herne, the matriarch and her kin; daughter / granddaughter and great granddaughter. 

So is there excitement in these stories? Not particularly. Does anything strange or wonderful happen to the people represented? No, not particularly. It's mainly about their thoughts, their feelings and Klatsand is the hub, where we get to meet them. Each story is well - written, often poignant, thoughtful. For some reason, probably Le Guin's ability to write a story, whether a short story or novel, to get to the crux of a situation, to draw you in. 

As I look through the book again, some of the stories don't really end.. after all, I guess, they are a minute or a segment of the person's life. But it doesn't really matter. Le Guin's description makes you feel you are there, becoming part of the person's life, walking along Searoad, watching the breakers crash on the beach, watching the elk wander from the forest, looking you in the eye.... checking out the books in the used book store... The more I got into the book, the more I enjoyed. In one of my comments as I updated how many pages I had read, I mentioned a Munro like quality to the stories. I meant that as a compliment. Two great story tellers with the ability to write a great short story. (5.0 stars)"

6. The Death Miser by John Creasey (Department Z #1 / 1933). My May focus author is Creasey and I hope to finish 3 books. But I have so many others on my shelf I may do a 12 + 4 challenge starting in July. Such a prolific writer. Not all great but always entertaining.

"The Death Miser is the 1st book in English thriller / mystery writer John Creasey's Department Z series. I've been checking out the many series by Creasey over the past few years; enjoying Superintendent Gideon of Scotland Yard, the Toff, Dr. Palfrey and the Baron, to name a few. Creasey was prolific, writing over 600 novels during his lifetime. Yup... quite a few.

I won't say that The Death Miser was perfect. It reminded me of many book series I enjoyed as a youngster... heck, even as an adult; Doc Savage, Fu Manchu, James Bond. It's kind of a combination of them all... without the super-heroish aspects of Doc Savage and the mystical aspects of Fu Manchu. It also reminded me of those serials you used to get when you were a kid, at the Saturday matinee, the 15 minute short, ongoing adventure that would precede the main feature. Each episode would end with a cliff hanger. Ah, the things I enjoyed as a youngster that kids of today never get to experience. 😎

Anyway, I digress. So, a certain James Quinion, who is mostly referred to throughout this story as the Honorable James, also works for a mysterious organization within the British government, called Department Z. It's run by Gordon Craigie. He's considered a ne'er-do-well by his uncle, Colonel Dann, as a shiftless, wealthy gadabout who smokes, drinks and chases after women with his rich buddies. But in reality he takes on dangerous missions for Department Z, described by Craigie as 'a home for bachelors with a suicidal turn of mind'. 

While visiting with his Aunt Gloria and Uncle Dann in the country, he gets a message from Craigie to 'Watch Thomas Loder Cross Farm near Runsey report daily and give names of visitors." With the help of some of his buddies and a stranger from Canada, the Man named Smith, a strange adventure begins. Quinion will be forced to battle an international organization bent on destroying the world, lead by a mysterious individual named the Death Miser. He will also fall for a beautiful, mysterious girl who may or may not be part of the organization and work to save her from the Miser. 

It's all very confusing as the group works to stay alive and also battle this group. They are all jolly and energetic and quite invincible, both in spirit and body, even though they do suffer many bumps and bruises. It's a fantastic adventure, not without flaws, a bit out there  but all in good fun. Mindless, somewhat, but entertaining. I've ordered #2 just to see how the stories improve, or not. My next effort will be to introduce myself to Creasey's Inspector West series. Woo hoo! (2.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Inspector West Takes Charge by John Creasey (Inspector West #1 / 1942).

"Extortion is the name of the game and the method is to murder anyone who might get in the way. The Dreem factory and much else is at stake. Inspector West has to unravel it all at gun point, but not without difficulty and surprise . ."

2. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin (Hainish Cycle #4 / 1969). I've read this book at least twice, the first time in university as part of my Sci Fi Novel course, and want to see if I enjoy it as much as I did the first time. As well, it keeps my in synch with the Hainish Cycle books. There might be some reference to the previous 3.

"A groundbreaking work of science fiction, The Left Hand of Darkness tells the story of a lone human emissary to Winter, an alien world whose inhabitants can change their gender. His goal is to facilitate Winter's inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the completely dissimilar culture that he encounters. Embracing the aspects of psychology, society, and human emotion on an alien world, The Left Hand of Darkness stands as a landmark achievement in the annals of intellectual science fiction."

New Books

1. Tank Girl: The Odyssey by Peter Milligan (Tank Girl #4 / 2003). I love this series.

"A demented take on Homer’s classical Greek epic, The Odyssey, brought to you by the twisted genius of Peter Milligan (X-Statix) and Tank Girl co-creator and artist, Jamie Hewlett (Gorillaz).

Booga, Tank Girl’s husband, is being wooed by Hollywood agents but Tank Girl is missing and his resolve is crumbling, fast! Tele, their TV-headed son, sets out on a mercy dash to find his mother... in the process triggering a chain of events that will see Tank Girl, not only, face death itself, the siren call of Goth rock and a cyclopean hotel proprietor, but also a host of other scenes and characters based on The Odyssey... give or take the odd — ahem — “idiosyncratic” Tank Girl twist. With a new introduction from Alan Martin."

2. The Red Mass by Rosemary Aubert (Ellis Portal #5 / 2005). For some reason I stopped reading this mystery series, set in Toronto, after #4. I look forward to checking it out again.

"The fifth and final episode in Aubert's prize-winning series finds once-disgraced Toronto attorney Ellis Portal readmitted to the practice of law. Within moments, a superior court justice is charged with murder, and Ellis is tricked into defending him. Then Ellis faces his own daughter who's prosecuting the case."

(Ed. Note. I believe, in fact, there was one more book.)

2. Feersum Endjinn by Iain M. Banks (1994). I have enjoyed all of Banks' Sci Fi books. This is one of his standalone, separate from the Culture series. I found a couple of books when I went to the local charity thrift shop with Jo last weekend.

"Count Sessine is about to die for the very last time ...Chief Scientist Gadfium is about to receive the mysterious message she has been waiting for from the Plain of Sliding Stones ...And Bascule the Teller, in search of an ant, is about to enter the chaos of the crypt ...And everything is about to change ...For this is the time of the encroachment and, although the dimming sun still shines on the vast, towering walls of Serehfa Fastness, the end is close at hand. The King knows it, his closest advisers know it, yet sill they prosecute the war against the clan Engineers with increasing savagery. The crypt knows it too; so an emissary has been sent, an emissary who holds the key to all their futures."

2. Unwind by Neal Shusterman (Unwind #1 / 2007). I just read a graphic novel by Shusterman and have Scythe on my bookshelf. This looked interesting too.

"In America after the Second Civil War, the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life armies came to an agreement: The Bill of Life states that human life may not be touched from the moment of conception until a child reaches the age of thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, a parent may choose to retroactively get rid of a child through a process called "unwinding." Unwinding ensures that the child's life doesn’t “technically” end by transplanting all the organs in the child's body to various recipients. Now a common and accepted practice in society, troublesome or unwanted teens are able to easily be unwound."

3. Verses for the Dead by Douglas Preston (Max Pendergast #18 / 2018).

"FBI Agent Pendergast reluctantly teams up with a new partner to investigate a rash of Miami Beach murders . . . only to uncover a deadly conspiracy that spans decades.

After an overhaul of leadership at the FBI's New York field office, A. X. L. Pendergast is abruptly forced to accept an unthinkable condition of continued the famously rogue agent must now work with a partner.

Pendergast and his new colleague, junior agent Coldmoon, are assigned to investigate a rash of killings in Miami Beach, where a bloodthirsty psychopath is cutting out the hearts of his victims and leaving them with cryptic handwritten letters at local gravestones. The graves are unconnected save in one bizarre all belong to women who committed suicide.

But the seeming lack of connection between the old suicides and the new murders is soon the least of Pendergast's worries. Because as he digs deeper, he realizes the brutal new crimes may be just the tip of the a conspiracy of death that reaches back decades."

4. Traitor's Doom by John Creasey (Doctor Palfrey #1 / 1942).

"Nazi Agents are at work in the neutral countries of Europe - attempting to subvert so as to provide further easy victims for the Third Reich. Dr. Palfrey and the 'Rescue Squad' are faced with the challenge and danger of meeting this treachery and overcoming the full might of the German state in its quest for power. There is much standing against them, and they are likely to be uncovered and caught at any moment, but they must succeed as the fate of the allies may depend upon it."

5. Booked by Kwame Alexander (2022). I enjoyed the first graphic novel by Alexander.

"In this electric and heartfelt follow-up to Newbery Medal–winner The Crossover, soccer, family, love, and friendship take center stage as twelve-year-old Nick learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams.  From the dynamic team behind the graphic novel edition of The Crossover.

Twelve-year-old Nick is a soccer-loving boy who absolutely hates books. In this graphic novel version of Booked, the follow-up to the Newbery Medal–winning novel The Crossover, soccer, family, love, and friendship take center stage as Nick tries to figure out how to navigate his parents’ divorce, stand up to a bully, and impress the girl of his dreams. These challenges—which seem even harder than scoring a tie-breaking, game-winning goal—change his life, as well as his best friend’s."

There you go folks. I hope there are some reading ideas for you in this post.

Back from Physio... A Reading Update

It's a beautiful Thursday in the Valley; when I drove to physio, it was 18℃, sunny and fresh. Physio has been helping, although I'm kind of achy from today's session. He used acupuncture on my shoulder. It still gets quite sore if I sleep on it. He also started working on my lower back. Ah the wonders of getting older. 

Jo is heading off to work at the Thrift shortly and I think I might relax when she's gone.

So let's see. Let's do a reading update and take a look at any new books. 

Just Finished

I've finished six books since the beginning of May.

1. Heat Seeker by Charles Ardai (a Gun Honey Series).

"Heat Seeker: A Gun Honey Series by Charles Ardai is the 3rd graphic novel in this Hard Case Crime series. It's one of those books I know exactly what I'm getting; entertainment, sex and action. The first two books focused on Joanna Tan, a woman who provides weapons to assassins. In these two books, she and her boyfriend, ex - FBI agent Brook Barrow managed to upset many people, including the FBI. Hits have been put out on the duo.

This story focuses on Dahlia Racers who, besides working on magic shows, specializes on helping people in trouble disappear. She is an old friend / lover of Joanna and is hired to help Joanna and Brook disappear. It's a fascinating scheme and the difficulty is compounded when the FBI hires Claride, a professional killer to find them and kill them. Dahlia and her assistant must trick the FBI, Claride and even a vengeful sister as she leads them on thrill ride to Vegas and Mexico.

Lots of action, violence, nudity, sex and twists and turns. Just mindless entertainment with a surprise ending. Neat. (3.5 stars)"

2. The Confidential Agent by Graham Greene (1939).

"A few years ago I decided that I would try to read all of the books by Graham Greene. To that end, I have finished 10 of his books, well, now 11 with this non-completion of The Confidential Agent: An Entertainment, originally published in 1939. I'm sure if I'd plodded through, I would have enjoyed it. Greene is a unique writer and his stories are all different. 

This story seems to follow D, an agent who is sent to England to buy coal to help fuel the fight of a dissident group in an unnamed country, I think in Africa. While in England, he is beaten up by a rival agent and meets a woman who may or may not help him. That's as far as I got. I keep picking up the book, reading a couple of pages, then putting it down.

Unfair of me to try and rate as I only completed 60 pages of it. So this is a non-rated (NR) book for me. I have 3 others on my bookshelf but, well, maybe I'm just not that interested in Greene anymore. We'll see. (DNF / NR)"

3. Tales from Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (Earthsea #5 / 2001).

"I've been enjoying my 2024 focus on the works of Ursula K. Le Guin. Tales from Earthsea is the 5th book in her Earthsea Cycle and the eight of her works I've enjoyed so far this year. 8 to go. 

Tales is a collection of short stories and one novella set in the fantasy world of Earthsea. They focus on earlier times from the previous 4 books and for the most part, deal with characters other than Ged and Tenar who we meet in the first books. Both are mentioned in at least one story but other than that are not seen.

The Finder, the novella, deals with the discovery and setting up of the island of Roke, where wizards are taught how to use magic. Interestingly, the school is set up by both men and women. It's not until much later, when the first Arch mage is chosen, that women are banned from both teaching and being students at the school. Darkrose and Diamond is a poignant love story. Darkrose is basically forced by his father and a local wizard to attend Roke and to leave behind his love for Diamond, the daughter of a local witch. I won't go any further than to say it's a lovely story. The Bones of Earth is very short but deals with a disastrous earthquake that two wizards must try to stop. Fascinating. On the High Marsh does have an appearance by Ged who comes to find one of the mages from Roke and the results. And finally, the story of Dragonfly, a young girl who wants to learn how to be a wizard, to put is simply, and persuades the Door Master at Roke to let her in. Surprising, excellent ending. There is a final chapter where Le Guin talks about Earthsea, the peoples, the history, the language, etc. I skimmed that a bit but it was still interesting.

Le Guin is a skilled story teller and it doesn't matter the format. She's equally comfortable whether writing novels or short stories. With these specific short stories, she quickly gets into the characters, the setting and the story and provides satisfying endings to each and every one. The world she has created, Earthsea, is as always, fascinating and the people interesting. I love the Earthsea saga and find it a bit sad that there is only one more story to enjoy in the saga. I may read some of her others before I get to it. (4.5 stars)"

4. Courage to Dream - Tales of Hope in the Holocaust by Neal Shusterman (2023).

"Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust by Neal Shusterman is a collection of short stories in graphic novel format (illustrated by Andres Vera Martinez). The stories feature incidents during WWII and all deal with the Holocaust. Each story also has a spiritual / supernatural element to the story. While the events did take place, the results are guided by these spiritual elements.

The first story, for example, is set in Germany and deals with the Nazis efforts to gather up the Jews and other groups they consider as 'deviants' or enemies of the State and ship them to concentration camps. The story focuses on 3 sisters being hidden by a neighbor who relies on food deliveries from the local stores. The neighbour is killed in an accident just as she has gather travel permits for the girls from the Chinese embassy. Meanwhile, the girls have discovered a supernatural aspect to their hideaway, one of the windows seems to open into an alternate dimension, which might provide an escape. That's what I mean by the supernatural aspect. At the end of each story, Shusterman discusses the reality of the story, how many Jews and others were sent to camps and at the same time, how many people worked to try and save them, highlighting specific people.

Each story is set in a different location; freedom fighters in the forests of Poland, trying to help prisoners escape from camps (this time with the help of supernatural beings of Eastern Europe), or the story of the creation of the Golem who defeats the enemies of the Jews (In this case in Auschwitz). One story I was not aware of was the heroism of the Danes, who refused to turn their Jewish citizens, their Gypsies etc over to the Nazis and when the Nazis finally tried to force them, arranged flotillas of ships to transport these citizens to safety in Sweden.

It's a fascinating, different set of stories, well-told and well-drawn. Worth reading and thinking about. Can it happen again? Only if we let it. (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Meet the Baron by John Creasey (The Baron #1 / 1937). The 1st book in my May Focus author challenge - John Creasey.

"John Mannering (aka The Baron) makes his first appearance in this volume. Lord Fauntley cannot help showing off both his daughter and the security under which his precious jewels are kept. Mannering finds himself attracted to both .... Money is tight and so he plans a burglary, but this fails and unexpected consequences result. The relationship with Lorna Fauntley flourishes, and a series of high profile thefts and adventures ensure Mannering's future, so he believes, until Lorna equates him with The Baron. One of the many further twists in this award winning novel occurs when the police appear to seek Mannering's help, only to have everything turned upside down as the plot develops . . . . ."

2. Searoad by Ursula K. Le Guin (1991).

"In one of her most deeply felt works of fiction, Le Guin explores the dreams and sorrows of the inhabitants of Klatsand, Oregon, a beach town where ordinary people bring their dreams and sorrows for a weekend or the rest of their lives, and sometimes learn to read what the sea writes on the sand. Searoad is the story of a particular place that could be any place, and of a people so distinctly drawn they could be any of us."

3. To Walk in the Way of Lions by Leighton H. Dickson (The Upper Kingdom #2 / 2012).

"TO WALK IN THE WAY OF LIONS is the second in the powerful Original Series by H. Leighton Dickson and picks up where TO JOURNEY IN THE YEAR OF THE TIGER leaves off. This is a sweeping post-apocalyptic tale of genetically altered lions and tigers, wolves and dragons in a world that has evolved in the wake of the fall of human civilization. Half feline, half human, their culture blends those of Dynastic China, Ancient India and Feudal Japan where humans are legend and kingdoms have risen in their stead. Fans of Tolkien, GAME OF THRONES, REDWALL or Japanese anime will be entertained in these intelligent and beautifully written pages in a blend of science, fantasy and zoological speculation.

“World-building on par with Zelazny!”

The conclusion to the sweeping epic that began in 'TO JOURNEY IN THE YEAR OF THE TIGER, the story picks up where Journey leaves off, in the harsh deserts of Khanisthan. The team is running under a very set of different dynamics than before, for not only will they be forced to confront enemies tracking from the North and a hostile force from the Palace following from the South, but they must face their own demons that are plaguing them from within. It's man against man, cat against cat, Seer against Alchemist, knowledge versus ‘the Way of Things’ – a Sci-Fi 'Pride and Prejudice and Lions', like you’ve never read it before.

From the ruthless wilds of Khanisthan to the wind-swept shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the beauty and savagery of the Upper Kingdom unfolds like a living thing before them as they travel and Kirin will find out what it means to follow the code of Bushido to the gates of death and beyond…

This is the journey of six individuals as they travel beyond the edges of the known Empire, into lands uncharted and wild. Theirs is a journey of magic and mystery, science and swords, romance and intrigue. It is a journey of different perspectives and unexpected kharma and love found in surprising places. It is a journey that takes place five thousand years or so in the future, naturally in the Year of the Tiger."

4. Robodog by David Walliams (2023).

"Welcome to the city of Bedlam. Enter if you dare!

Bedlam is one of the most dangerous places on Earth – home to a host of wicked villains. Nothing and nobody is safe from these evil criminals. The city needs its own superhero to defeat the supervillains. But who?

Robodog!

He’s the newest recruit at the Police Dog School, and supercharged for adventure. But can he stop the most feared duo in Bedlam, and their evil plans to ruin the city . . .?"

5. The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi (2020).

"A landmark history of one hundred years of war waged against the Palestinians from the foremost US historian of the Middle East, told through pivotal events and family history

In 1899, Yusuf Diya al-Khalidi, mayor of Jerusalem, alarmed by the Zionist call to create a Jewish national home in Palestine, wrote a letter aimed at Theodore Herzl: the country had an indigenous people who would not easily accept their own displacement. He warned of the perils ahead, ending his note, "in the name of God, let Palestine be left alone." Thus Rashid Khalidi, al-Khalidi's great-great-nephew, begins this sweeping history, the first general account of the conflict told from an explicitly Palestinian perspective.

Drawing on a wealth of untapped archival materials and the reports of generations of family members--mayors, judges, scholars, diplomats, and journalists--The Hundred Years' War on Palestine upends accepted interpretations of the conflict, which tend, at best, to describe a tragic clash between two peoples with claims to the same territory. Instead, Khalidi traces a hundred years of colonial war on the Palestinians, waged first by the Zionist movement and then Israel, but backed by Britain and the United States, the great powers of the age. He highlights the key episodes in this colonial campaign, from the 1917 Balfour Declaration to the destruction of Palestine in 1948, from Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon to the endless and futile peace process.

Original, authoritative, and important, The Hundred Years' War on Palestine is not a chronicle of victimization, nor does it whitewash the mistakes of Palestinian leaders or deny the emergence of national movements on both sides. In reevaluating the forces arrayed against the Palestinians, it offers an illuminating new view of a conflict that continues to this day."

New Books

1. Tank Girl #3 by Alan C. Martin (1996). One of my favorite graphic novel series.

"Concerned parents everywhere - rejoice! Tank Girl's back and she's madder than ever! Join our bullet-spraying, bloke-spaying heroine as she yet again wreaks havoc on an unsuspecting world, with a titanic battle against evil bounty hunters, a fascinating odyssey through the culinary world, the astonishing, all-true story of popular beat combo The Smiths, the lovely Jet Girl, the unlovely Booga, and more dead nasties than you can shake some sick at! Complete with unseen material from artist Jamie Hewlett (Gorillaz) and writer Alan Martin, it's another action-packed, outrageous adventure! Warning: Adults only!"

2. Ms. Tree: Heroine Withdrawal by Max Allan Collins (Ms. Tree #5 / 2024). Another fun series.

"The next incredible instalment in the case books of Ms. Tree, private detective, from famed Hard Case Crime author Max Allan Collins ( Road to Perdition )!

Fans of pulp noir and hard-boiled detective crime fiction will love this seminal collection of classic comics.

From the minds of award-winning author Max Allan Collins and artist Terry Beatty, comes the fifth collection of classic Ms. Tree stories, collected together for the first time!

Join Michael Tree, the 6ft, 9mm carrying private detective on her thrilling adventures. No case is too small, no violence too extreme, just as long as it gets the job done.

Fans of hard-boiled detective and crime fiction will get a thrill from these tales!"

3. The Legion of the Lost by John Creasey (Dr. Palfrey #2 / 1943).

"As the first ray of hope for an end to the devastation of the war glimmers faintly in the distance, Dr. Palfrey and his colleagues, Stefan Andromovitch, Drusilla Blair, and other members of the international secret service - set forth on a mission as dangerous as any they have yet encountered."

4. Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story by David A. Robertson (2011).

"Inspired by true events, this story of strength, family, and culture shares the awe-inspiring resilience of Elder Betty Ross.

Abandoned as a young child, Betsy is adopted into a loving family. A few short years later, at the age of 8, everything changes. Betsy is taken away to a residential school. There she is forced to endure abuse and indignity, but Betsy recalls the words her father spoke to her at Sugar Falls—words that give her the resilience, strength, and determination to survive.

Sugar Falls is based on the true story of Betty Ross, Elder from Cross Lake First Nation. We wish to acknowledge, with the utmost gratitude, Betty’s generosity in sharing her story. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Sugar Falls goes to support the bursary program for The Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation.

This 10th-anniversary edition brings David A. Robertson’s national bestseller to life in full colour, with a foreword by Hon. Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and a touching afterword from Elder Betty Ross herself."

Women Authors Whose Works I've Been Enjoying - Josephine Tey

Josephine Tey

British crime writer Josephine Tey was born in Inverness in 1896 and died in London in 1952. She wasn't a prolific mystery writer, probably wrote more plays. She also wrote a couple of books under the pseudonym of Gordon Daviot. The Crime Writer's Association considered her Daughter of Time to be the greatest crime novel of all time. Josephine Tey has also been made a character in Nicola Upson's crime series, turning Tey into a crime solver. Since I discovered Tey's works, I've enjoyed 4 of her books and have one more on my book shelf. I'll take a look at the last 3 of her works that I've read plus the one awaiting my attention.

1. The Franchise Affair (Inspector Alan Grant #3 / 1948).

"The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey is listed as the 3rd book in her Inspector Grant mystery series, but in fact, he plays only a very minor inconsequential role in this story. Josephine Tey wrote six books in this series over the course of her life. I've now read four of them. I think, though, that my favorite book of hers so far was her standalone mystery, Brat Farrar, which was an excellent story.

As I mentioned Inspector Grant makes only a couple of brief appearances in this story and is mentioned once or twice besides. The story belongs to small-town English lawyer, Robert Blair, who may be considered somewhat staid and comfortable with his life. However this will be turned upside down when he receives a call from one Marion Sharpe who lives at an estate called The Franchise (understand the title now?) with her mother. They have been accused of kidnapping a fifteen year old girl and keeping her locked up in the attic for a month, basically as a free labor force, until the girl escapes and eventually reports the two to the police.

Inspector Grant (in his main appearance) brings the girl to the estate, accompanied by the local police inspector and also Robert Blair, where the girl describes the house and shows where she was held. The rest of the story involves Robert and some friends investigating the claims and trying to prove the girl is a liar. This is something very new for Roger and he finds himself drawn to Marion and frustrated with his perceived limitations. 

It's a very interesting, different mystery. It moves along slowly as Roger tries to determine his courses of action, how to investigate, how to protect the two women from curious onlookers and more dangerous intruders. The whole process is fascinating and while resolution might seem somewhat pat, ultimately, it doesn't really matter as the journey to this solution is readable and enjoyable. The story is peopled with wonderful characters, from Roger's Aunt Lim and his cousin Nevil and the two garage men, Stanley and Bill, who help Roger and the ladies; and of course, Marion and her mother as well, both down to earth and matter of fact in the middle of this awful situation.

Entertaining mystery, great characters and story telling and satisfying resolution. (4 stars)"

2. The Daughter of Time (Inspector Alan Grant #5 / 1951). I have this one on my shelf to read.

"Josephine Tey's classic novel about Richard III, the hunchback king, whose skeleton was discovered in a council carpark, and who was buried in March 2015 in state in Leicester Cathedral. The Daughter of Time investigates his role in the death of his nephews, the princes in the Tower, and his own death at the Battle of Bosworth.

Richard III reigned for only two years, and for centuries he was vilified as the hunch-backed wicked uncle, murderer of the princes in the Tower. Josephine Tey's novel The Daughter of Time is an investigation into the real facts behind the last Plantagenet king's reign, and an attempt to right what many believe to be the terrible injustice done to him by the Tudor dynasty.

Inspector Alan Grant of Scotland Yard, recuperating from a broken leg, becomes fascinated with a contemporary portrait of Richard III that bears no resemblance to the Wicked Uncle of history. Could such a sensitive, noble face actually belong to one of the world's most heinous villains - a venomous hunchback who may have killed his brother's children to make his crown secure? Or could Richard have been the victim, turned into a monster by the the Tudors?

Grant determines to find out once and for all, with the help of the British Museum and an American scholar, what kind of man Richard III really was and who killed the Princes in the Tower."

3. To Love and Be Wise (Inspector Alan Grant #4 / 1950).

"To Love and Be Wise is the 4th book in the Inspector Grant mystery series by Josephine Tey. If you enjoy Agatha Christie or Ngaio Marsh or Dorothy Sayers, you'll also enjoy this classic writer of mysteries.

Inspector Grant is a Scotland Yard inspector who has been assigned to investigate a disappearance of an American. It turns out that Grant had previously met this American when he was attending a party with his actress acquaintance, Marta Hallard. The American, photographer Leslie Searle, meets Grant and through him another acquaintance of Grant. Searle is asked to spend a weekend with the at the families estate. After a time there, Searle disappears, is presumed possibly to have drowned or been murdered and Grant is assigned to investigate.

The rest of the story is taken up with Grant's investigation. It's quite a gentle story but it is thoughtful and well-written and keeps you engrossed. Grant is a likeable, appealing character to carry the story. His investigation is tidy and intuitive and the people with whom he interacts are also quirky and interesting. I especially liked his Sgt, Williams, as he is a nice foil for Grant and he admires Grant very much. I also liked Grant's 'girlfriend', actress Marta Hallard; lovely, intelligent, sensible and someone who Grant is able to bounce his thoughts off.

All in all, I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. It was well-crafted, thoughtful and ended satisfyingly. (4 stars)"

4. Brat Farrar (1949). A standalone and so far my favorite Tey novel.

"I've read a few books by Josephine Tey. The others have been part of her Inspector Alan Grant Series. Brat Farrar is one of two standalone mysteries by Tey. It was also turned into a TV mini-series and a movie. 

I will readily admit that I had an inkling about part of the book when I was fairly shortly into it and this turned out to be correct. However, having said that, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book at all.

Brat Farrar, an orphan, left England at a young age and traveled through France and the US until as he neared the age of 21, he returned to England. Alex Loding sees him by chance in London and realizes that he looks remarkably like Patrick Ashby, who committed suicide as a young boy after a tragic accident which killed his parents. The Ashby's live in Westover County and run an estate that makes its money breeding horses. Simon Ashby, Patrick's younger twin stands to inherit the estate on achieving his 21st birthday. Alex Lodings' proposal is that Brat should turn up at the Ashby estate and claim the inheritance and for his efforts, Alex would receive a monthly allowance from Brat.

Brat allows himself to be persuaded and after training on Patrick's life and that of the family, he introduces himself to the family solicitors to be identified as the true heir.

I won't get into the story anymore except to say that all goes well, and Brat is welcomed into the family as the long lost prodigy. There are of course mixed feelings, especially those of Simon who now loses the inheritance.

The story is an evenly paced work of fiction as we follow Brat through his introductions and new life with the Ashbys. They are wonderful characters, especially Aunt Bea, who has run the estate while Simon, now Brat, grew to the appropriate age to take over. And also, the lovely Eleanor, oldest of the sisters, who trains horses and welcomes Brat. 

At times I wondered how this would work out, waiting patiently for some action. But, you know, it wasn't necessary. The story reminded me of watching one of those thoughtful, excellent movies on TCM, the classics, enjoying the characters and the story. Of course, Brat's taking over of the life of Patrick has consequences and it's a joy to see how everything is resolved.

 

An excellent novel and enjoyable mystery, one of those little surprising gems (5 stars)"

You can check out Tey's complete works at this link. Enjoy the rest of your week and upcoming weekend.

A Quick Look at My Reading Challenges for the First 4 Months of 2024

First a side note. As I was thinking of how to phrase the title of this entry, I started looking to see if there is a word that reflects a 4-month period. Quarterly reflects every 3 months of the year but there does seem to be a word for 4-monthly. So there you go. Oh and while I'm at it. I always found it interesting that in English when someone sneezes, you tend to say Bless you. Or in German you say Gesundheit. But I've never been able to find a French word or phrase that's equivalent. I imagine there is, but hey. So if you happen to be one of the people who glances at this BLog once in awhile, let me know if there are words that apply to the above. 😎

At the beginning of 2024, I outlined the 5 reading challenges that I would use to organize my reading this year. They are highlighted below and also how well I've progressed with them.

1. 12 + 4 Reading Challenge - The Works of Ursula K. Le Guin

My aim is to read as many of Le Guin's works as possible this year. I've highlighted 16 of those that I have on my book shelf. I'll focus on the Hainish Cycle and the Earthsea adventures as well as some of her other stories.

As of 30 April, I've finished 7 of the 16 on my list. Of those 7, my favorite thus far was Very Far Away from Anywhere Else, a 5.0 star read. I'm currently reading Tales from Earthsea, the 5th book in the Earthsea stories, a collection of short stories about the history of Earthsea. So far it's been excellent. Next in line will by Searoad, one of her standalone stories, originally published in 1991 and set in Le Guin's home state of Oregon. I'm well on the road to completing this challenge by year's end.

2. Series Challenge (Start, Middle, Finish a Series) 

I didn't set a limit. So far I've completed 14 books. My favorite to date has been the one I started first, Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, the 1st book in the Oxford Time Travel series (4.5 stars). I am currently reading, having just started, To Walk in the Way of Lions by Canadian author, H. Leighton Dickson, #2 in the Tails of the Upper Kingdom. My plan for the next book is probably Six Ostriches by Philipp Schott, Canadian mystery writer of the Dr. Bannerman veterinarian mystery series set in Manitoba, Canada.

3. Non-Series Challenge (Any genre)

I've read a mix so far, finishing 9 books so far. One was listed as a Did Not Finish (DNF), that being The Fall of the Sparrow by Nigel Balchin. I just couldn't get into this one at all. My favorite so far has been a graphic novel, Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang & Leuyen Pham, 4.5 stars. I currently have two books on the go in this challenge, The Confidential Agent by Graham Greene, kind of a slow read so far, and How to Stand Up to a Dictator by Maria Ressa, quite interesting. Next in line will probably by Ratlines by Stuart Neville, a thriller set in Ireland.

4. Tome Challenge (Any book over 500 pages)

I did set a total of 10 for this challenge. One of my Ursula K. Le Guin books would have fit into the category, that being the Complete Orsinia. At the moment I've completed completed 3 books in the challenge with my favorite being The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson, 5.0 stars. I've just started The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, the biggest book (page-wise) that was on my shelves. The next book will probably be Wanderers by Chuck Wendig, another new author for me.

5. Monthly Foci - Various Authors

Each month I'll try to read two or more books by various authors. I selected them based on the quantity of their books I've currently got on my shelves. So far I've focused on Agatha Christie - January (completed 3 books), Adam Hall - February (only completed 1 books), Simon Brett - March (completed 3 books) & P.D. James - April (completed 2 books). Of those books my favorite has been They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie, the 5th Miss Marple mystery, a 4.0 star selection. My May Focus author is John Creasey, a prolific writer who also wrote under a number of pseudonyms; JJ Marric, Andrew Morton, etc, etc. My first book is Meet the Baron written as Andrew Morton, the 1st book in the Baron thriller series. Next will be a crime story, Inspector West Takes Charge, the 1st book in that series, written as John Creasey. 

So there you go, a quick look at my year in reading to date. 8 more months to go.