Happy Easter & Hey.Café

I hope you had a Happy Easter weekend. It's winding down here and we've one more day to relax and then tomorrow head back to Victoria for one more week; one chemo treatment and 3 more radiation sessions. It's been nice to relax here and just enjoy our familiar surroundings. We'll see what's next for Jo probably after this session. More chemo up here for sure and another surgery. I hope for her sake that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer for her. She's had a rough go.

Since it's the start of a new month and we'll be away for a couple of days, I thought I'd provide an update on books and reading. Before I do that thought, I've joined another 'chat' group. It was recommended by a couple of Canadians that Jo and I follow; Tod Maffin and Guard the Leaf. It's a Canadian designed website, with no commercial. I think they want to try it as a competitor to Facebook. Anyway, I'm barely in the group but I like what I see so far. It's at a site called Hey.Café and it's set up in groupings, cafés about subjects you might like to talk about; books, Canadian music, Canadian culture, pets, etc. Anyway, if you're interested, check it out.

So... books...

Recently Completed

(Four books completed since my last update)

1. Report from Planet Midnight by Nalo Hopkinson (2012).

"Report from Planet Midnight by Nalo Hopkinson is the 2nd book from the PM Press's Outspoken Authors series. It contains two of Hopkinson's short stories (novella); Message in a Bottle and Shift, a speech she made to her colleagues Report from Planet Midnight and her interview with Terry Bisson. All of it fascinating (my overused descriptive these days).

Message in a Bottle is a time travel type story, although they could be aliens. The story went somewhere I wasn't expecting from the point it started. The narrator discusses his feelings about children, especially in relation to the adopted child of his best friends. The child, Kamla, it is gradually determined, suffers from DGS, Delayed Growth Syndrome or Diaz Syndrome, which inhibits Kamla's growth. 

Kamla is a difficult child and her parents eventually move to Vancouver, even though Kamla doesn't want to leave. A relationship develops between Kamla and the narrator, even with his difficulties with children and even though he finally ends up married and with children... But there is quickly a twist to this story that I won't ruin. It moves along nicely, gets better and better and is beautifully written.

Shift is a take on Shakespeare's The Tempest and it's a great story. It took me a short time (that's all you have because it is a short story after all... duh) to get into the flow, getting comfortable with the Afro - Caribbean 'lingo' but after that, the story just got so darn interesting. Caliban has escaped from his mother (something he regularly does) and his sister, Ariel has tracked him down and reports to mom. It seems a simple story but it's rich and just... wait for it... fascinating. I loved it.

Report from Planet Midnight is a speech / presentation that Nalo Hopkinson was asked to give as Guest Author at the International Conference of the Fantastic in Arts in 2009. The theme was Race in the Literature of the Fantastic. She indicates that she prepared for this for over a year and ended up by starting her presentation as an alien trying to grasp concepts on race on Earth. She finishes with a powerful, sometimes angry speech to the audience; about the predominance of white male authors in Sci Fi / Fantasy and the difficulties of accepting other voices. But it is so much more than that.

The interview was far-ranging and Hopkinson's responses were thoughtful, clear and often quite funny. I immediately took a liking to her, especially with her lovely answer about Ursula K. Le Guin, "Le Guin can make me cry with the simplest, seemingly inconsequential sentence" and also on Octavia Butler; "I wish more people would talk about the ways in which she messes with normative sexualities, and I miss her very much and I don't care that that's really two sentences masquerading as one." 

And she loves graphic novels and the first one she mentioned as loving is the Love and Rockets series by Los Hermanos Hernandez, which I've only recently discovered and to which I'm now addicted.

Anyway, I'm enjoying this PM Outspoken Authors series very much so far and have three more books on the way. Check them out. You might discover some new authors to try.. Oh, I now have Hopkinson's Brown Girl  in the Ring on my book shelf to try out. (4.5 stars)"

2. East of West, Volume 3; There is no Us by Jonathan Hickman (Graphic novel).

"East of West, Vol. 3: There Is No Us is the 3rd book in the East of West graphic novel series by Jonathan Hickman. It presents a dystopic or alternative future where the US is divided into territories; the North (Union region), the South (Confederacy), Texas, that area of the West held by the children of Mao, the Empire (not sure exactly where that is... central America?? and The Endless Nation, the most automated group, short on people but lots of machines..

Of course you've also got sort of mystical people wandering around, the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, some bratty kids who go around killing... and then there is Death and his companions, The Wolf and the Crow... and sundry other folks..

It's all beautifully drawn and colored and is such an interesting, and confusing series. I still am learning what the heck is going on... The regions have all met to decide the way ahead, lots of threats and double dealing and politicizing... The meeting breaks up due to various actions and murders and as a result, the Endless Nation has declared War!

Death has discovered he has a son, it was kept a secret from him and wants to find him. The Horsemen want to kill him.. But he's not quite what he seems... 

Did I unconfuse you? I have to keep reading to see if and how things resolve themselves. It's not looking too good at the moment. (3.5 stars)"

3. Ship of Spells by H. Leighton Dickson (Fan / 2025).

"I've previously enjoyed the first two books in the H. Leighton Dickson's The Rise of the Upper Kingdom fantasy series. I decided to try her latest book, Ship of Spells next.

Ship of Spells is a combination fantasy/ sea faring adventure in a world divided in two, the southern Nethersea of Rhi'Ahr and the northern Empire of Overseas. These two worlds are divided by the Dreadwall, a wall of water that keeps them apart. Although there are gaps as it breaks down.

The story follows Ensign Bluemage Honor Renn. Every Navy ship of Overseas is powered by, defended by, navigated by, etc a corp of mages. A Blue mage is just above a cadet with basic magic capabilities. As they progress with training, they will develop the skills to move onto other specialties. Renn's mother was a Greenmage, possessing healing skills.

Renn's first ship is attacked by a Rhi'Ahr ship and destroyed with apparently Renn being the only survivor. She also gains a new power, that of the chimeric, a wild untamed power that gradually over the course of the book, leaves marks / tattoos over her body. (But that's for later on, eh?) As she struggles in the water, she is picked up by another ship, the mysterious Ship of Spells, aka the Touchstone. We'll discover much more about this mythic ship as the story moves along.

The Touchstone is captained by a Rhi'Ahr, Gavriel Kier, who has betrayed his Rhi'Ahr people and works for the King of the Empire under a Letter of Marque. His job, if you want to call it that is to repair the Dreadwall and to fight Rhi'Ahr ships that get through and attack Overseas cities / ships, etc. The Touchstone is a sentient ship crewed by a weird and wonderful crew of Mages and all sorts of peoples; fauns, minotaurs, harpies, etc. And Renn is now a part of this crew.

Or is she?? That's crux of the story. As the Touchstone continues with it's mission, Renn must decide if she wants to stay as a sailor in the Empire Navy or join the crew of the Touchstone whole-heartedly. There is a constant friction between Renn and Kier, who she perceives as the enemy  but who she also feels a strong attraction to. What will Renn do? What will Kier do?

It's a fantastical voyage with so many to's and fro's, will they's or won't they's? Will Renn ever follow an order without questioning it? Will Renn and Kier finally just do it?? And so on... (I had many more during the night when I couldn't sleep, but they've kind of departed my old mind)

Suffice it to say, it's a swash-buckling, fantastical adventure story with so many excellent characters. It gets a bit over wrought at times and the ending was a bit dramatic for my taste, but also reasonably satisfying.. Well, was it the ending? I leave you with the last words of the book

"Not the end" 

Most enjoyable. (4.0 stars)"

4. Botticelli's Apprentice by Ursula Murray Husted (2025).

"I can't remember why I bought Botticelli's Apprentice by Ursula Murray Husted. I think I was attracted by the artwork on the cover and then the story line which sounded kind of neat.

Botticelli's Apprentice is a historical fiction, young adult graphic novel set in Florence during the Renaissance. It follows Mella, who works for Botticelli as his chicken girl, but hankers to be a painter. Her parents encouraged her to draw at an early age, but, being a girl, she can't seem to get an apprenticeship with Botticelli. In fact, he's not even aware of her drawing talent. One of her drawings, of her dog, Blue, is taken by Botticelli's apprentice, Datus, to impress Bott (I'm going to short form his name). Datus and Mella have a falling out, but gradually begin to become friends and to work together.

Datus teaches Mella what he knows about mixing pigments, making frames, preparing glues, etc and Mella teaches Datus about drawing. They come into contact with Mona Rossa, a wealthy widow, and paint a picture for her contest, under Bott's 'direction.

The more you get into the story, the more you enjoy it. The story is fascinating, a neat picture of life in Florence during the Renaissance period. There are interesting facts about painting techniques, all well researched and presented. The characters are lovingly drawn and created and believable and the artwork is just lovely, clear, each page like its own little painting. And the dialogue is sparkling, lively, and fills the page. I truly enjoyed the story and I hope Husted does more of this kind of story - telling. She does have A Cat Story that I will have to check out.. (4.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

(Started since my last update)

1. American Gods, Shadows by Neil Gaiman (Vol. 1 / 2018).

"Shadow Moon gets out of jail only to discover his wife is dead. Defeated, broke and uncertain where to go from here, he meets the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, who employs him to serve as his bodyguard - thrusting Shadow into a deadly world where ghosts of the past come back from the dead, and a god war is imminent."

2. The Sundial by Shirley Jackson (1958).

"Before there was Hill House, there was the Halloran mansion of Jackson’s stunningly creepy fourth novel, The Sundial. Aunt Fanny has always been somewhat peculiar. When the Halloran clan gathers at the family home for a funeral, no one is surprised when she wanders off into the secret garden. But then Aunt Fanny returns to report an astonishing vision of an apocalypse from which only the Hallorans and their hangers-on will be spared, and the family finds itself engulfed in growing madness, fear, and violence as they prepare for a terrible new world. For Aunt Fanny's long-dead father has given her the precise date of the final cataclysm!"

3. Devotions by Mary Oliver (2025). A new author for me. I saw it in my local and thought.. poetry... that's what I want to read

"“No matter where one starts reading,  Devotions  offers much to love, from Oliver's exuberant dog poems to selections from the Pulitzer Prize-winning  American Primitive , and  Dream Work , one of her exceptional collections. Perhaps more important, the luminous writing provides respite from our crazy world and demonstrates how mindfulness can define and transform a life, moment by moment, poem by poem.” — The Washington Post

“It’s as if the poet herself has sidled beside the reader and pointed us to the poems she considers most worthy of deep consideration.”  — Chicago Tribune

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver presents a personal selection of her best work in this definitive collection spanning more than five decades of her esteemed literary career.

Throughout her celebrated career, Mary Oliver has touched countless readers with her brilliantly crafted verse, expounding on her love for the physical world and the powerful bonds between all living things. Identified as "far and away, this country's best selling poet" by Dwight Garner, she now returns with a stunning and definitive collection of her writing from the last fifty years.

Carefully curated, these 200 plus poems feature Oliver's work from her very first book of poetry, No Voyage and Other Poems, published in 1963 at the age of 28, through her most recent collection, Felicity, published in 2015. This timeless volume, arranged by Oliver herself, showcases the beloved poet at her edifying best. Within these pages, she provides us with an extraordinary and invaluable collection of her passionate, perceptive, and much-treasured observations of the natural world."

New Books

1. Monstress, Vol. 6, The Vow by Marjorie Liu (Fan / 2021).

"War has engulfed the Known World, and Maika Halfwolf is at its epicenter. As she and her friends grapple with the consequences of their actions, long-buried secrets and long-awaited reunions threaten to change everything. Join MARJORIE LIU and SANA TAKEDA in the newest volume of this Eisner, Hugo, Harvey, and British Fantasy Award-winning series."

2. Love and Rockets, New Stories by Jaime Hernandez (Vol. 1 / 2008).

"A collection of new stories from the alternative comic series created by three Mexican-American brothers from Southern California. It was the first comic series to give a voice to minorities and women in the medium's then 50-year history. This collection features all-new stories."

3. Lucky Strike by Kim Stanley Robinson (1984).

"Combining dazzling speculation with a profoundly humanist vision, this astounding alternate history tale presents a dramatic encounter with destiny wrapped around a simple yet provocative premise: the terrifying question of what might have happened if the fateful flight over Hiroshima had gone a bit differently. An extensive interview with the author, offering insight into his fiction and philosophies, is also included."

4. A Place Between by Tim Probert (Lightfall #4 / 2026). It's been too long since I read Vol 3. I was pleasantly surprised to see this coming out.

"In the fourth installment of the award-winning, critically acclaimed Lightfall series, Bea, Cad, and their friends continue their quest to restore light on their dark world. Perfect for fans of Amulet and Avatar, this next book dives deeper into the magical world of Irpa, where ancient secrets and adventures abound.

After surviving a shipwreck on the Fuerre Sea, Cad washes ashore on the shores of Pellidyr. There, he searches for Lorgon, the Water Spirit, but instead finds the other spirits of Irpa who question if their planet can be saved. One of them offers to help Cad and transports him to A Place Between, a strange liminal realm between the living and the dead, where Cad works to uncover the reason Lorgon summoned them to Pellidyr in the first place. 

Meanwhile, Bea awakens within the walls of the capital city. While Pellidyr’s leader has heard the tales of Bea’s derring-do and believes her to be a hero with all the answers, she’s never felt more uncertain about the future. What she does know is that she can’t accomplish anything without her crew. When Bea’s escape plan also brings her to A Place Between, she makes a shocking discovery that changes her understanding of everything that came before her…and what could soon follow."

So there you go. More updates to follow as they come up. Check out Hey.Café

Home for the Weekend

Another week passed in Victoria and we're back home for this weekend. Two weeks left with Easter in the middle. The drive home was good, Jo was feeling the best she'd felt in a few days and we were so glad to be in familiar surroundings.

And baseball has started again and the Blue Jays have made their first two games more interesting than I wanted, but they are still 2-0. Both starting pitchers were excellent.

So, it's Saturday night and Jo has dropped off. Before I head up to bed, I thought I'd provide a quick update... hope it's quick anyway. I did drop into 3 book stores in Victoria so did buy a few books and there were some more waiting for me when I got home. I'll try to whip through this update as briefly as possible. I hope there are some books that pique your interest.

Just Completed

Since my update last weekend, I've completed 4 books.

1. Gideon Falls, The Black Barn by Jeff Lemire (#1 / 2018). A new graphic novel series.

"One of my Goodreads' friends, knowing how much I enjoy graphic novels, especially of late, thought I might like to try a new series. So I got the first volume, Gideon Falls, Vol. 1: The Black Barn by Canadian author, Jeff Lemire. And darn her socks! I liked it... As she said in her review, if I remember correctly, she has no idea what's going on yet, but she's along for the ride. That's how I feel too.

The initial chapters of Volume 1 focus mainly on a washed up priest, Wilfred, who is sent to take over a parish in Gideon Falls after the other priest, Father Tom, has died. He doesn't want to go but is pressured by the bishop anyway. From phone calls between the two during this volume, it seems as though the bishop knows something strange is happening in Gideon Falls.. I presume this will either be confirmed or not in future issues. 

The other person is Norton, a young man, who grew up homeless as a child, spent much time in an asylum and is being treated now on an out patient basis by female psychiatrist, Dr. Xu. She is worried about Norton's obsessions and is considering placing him back in the institute. Norton is searching through garbage and finding old nails, pieces of wood, etc. to prove his obsession.

Both men have seen visions of a Black Barn, Norton since childhood and Wilfred since moving to Gideon Falls. Wilfred sees Father Tom, who leads him to the body of a woman and disappears. At the same time, that's where Wilfred sees the barn... which doesn't really exist... apparently.

The story flashed between the two men and the people they come into contact with. Dr. Xu begins to see the barn as well. A local doctor, who Wilfred meets, is a member of a group, called the Ploughmen who are trying to protect Gideon Falls from whatever 'evil' the Black Barn represents...

It's a complex, fascinating story (darn!) and the artwork is excellent, muted colours, interesting panels, that turn upside down, sideways (reminds me somewhat of the various pages in House of Leaves). I enjoyed this introduction very much and now have to continue. Volume 2, Original Sins has been ordered. (3.5 stars)"

2. Lore Olympus, Volume 7 by Rachel Smythe (2024). It's been awhile since I read Volume 6. It was good to get back to this graphic novel.

"Lore Olympus: Volume Seven is of course, the seventh volume of the stories of the romance between Persephone and Hades, a modern Webtoon update by Rachel  Smythe. It's a fascinating series, at times confusing but always well drawn and interesting.

It's confusing because the stories have a tendency to jump around and the various gods appearance changes as their mood or story line changes. Be that as it may, it's always fun to work through each volume. The Volume includes episodes 153 - 179 of the series.

As always, there are various stories but the main one is the continuing growth of the relationship between Persephone and Hades. They have secrets that are coming out, especially about Hades' past relationships and how he became the Prince of Hades. Persephone still can't tell Hades about her rape by Apollo (there is a warning at the beginning of the Volume (in fact all of the volumes) 'Lore Olympus regularly deals with themes of physical and mental abuse, sexual trauma and toxic relationships'. I have to say that I think these topics are dealt with quite gently (maybe not the correct word)..

The story builds until there is ultimately a court case against Persephone and Demeter. Persephone is accused of the murder of many humans and Demeter of hiding Persephone away to avoid punishment. The case builds with witnesses like Hermes, Thanatos and others testifying. Of course, I'll have to wait until the next volume (at least) to see the result.

As well, Persephone finally goes to get mental counselling for her ordeal and reactions to it. Apollo wants Persephone as his wife and colludes to try and make it happen. Artemis wants to know what happened between Apollo and Persephone and tries to get Eros to tell her. As I said, many things going and the stories are told so well. 

It's been a fascinating, excellent collection so far and I have Vol 8 on my book shelf! (4.0 stars)"

3. Love and Rockets, New Stories #3 by Los Hermanos Hernandez (2010). I've become sort of addicted to this graphic novel series since I discovered it.

"The Love and Rockets graphic novel series by Los Hermanos Hernandez has been a breath of fresh air in my exploration of graphic novels. This isn't meant to denigrate the other graphic novels I've been reading and enjoying but this series has really grabbed me. They're about life, they are about people. Love and Rockets: New Stories #3 by Jaime Hernandez & Gilbert Hernandez is the 3rd collection I've enjoyed.

It features 5 stories; Scarlet by Starlight by Gilbert; The Love Bunglers, Part One by Jaime; Killer Sad Girl Star by Gilbert; Browntown by Jaime and The Love Bunglers, Part Two by Jaime. The two sets of stories by each brother are each quite different.

Gilbert's follow Scarlet and her attempts to get into acting, alien movies, failed television shows and also just living her life with mom and dad. Jaime's stories delve into the past life of Margaret (Perla) as a young girl and moving with her mother and the rest of the kids to Browntown to be closer to her father... who is a cheat, unfortunately. Each set of stories has their own sexual element with Jaime's particularly powerful, dealing with sexual assault... (I guess I should give a warning to anyone who is interested in the work but has issues or experiences with this)

The stories are beautifully drawn, peopled with fascinating characters. They deal with life, not always the good side of it, but covering issues of family break-up, growing up, dealing with life. I don't know how better to say it, but suffice it to say, these graphic novels, the Love and Rockets books are just excellent. (4.5 stars)"

4. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl #1 / 2020). I bowed to pressure and tried this book... sigh.. now I've got #2 on my shelf.

"I finally see what the fuss is all about with Dungeon Crawler Carl, the first book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl fantasy series by Matt Dinniman. It's an entertaining, escapist, well written adventure fantasy / Sci Fi novel. 

It starts off with a bang, or more accurately a collapse, and the story takes off from there. Carl is cat-sitting his 'girl friend's' cat Princess Donut, one cold winter night and discovering that his girl friend, Bea, is probably dumping him and also Donut. Donut decides to jump out the window onto an adjoining tree branch and then refuses to come back inside. Carl, wearing just a leather jacket and boxers, runs outside to get Princess Donut, when calamity happens. Every building collapses into itself, killing everybody still inside. To be clear, this is worldwide. Everybody still alive is warned they have a certain amount of time to get underground if they want to survive.

It seems that an alien syndicate has chosen Earth for its next 'games'. The surviving humans and critters will be taking part in games (read Dungeons and Dragons, sort of) and must move from level to level lower into this huge alien constructed Dungeon, if they want to survive. As they kill creatures in the dungeons and even each other, they gain points and prizes that will help them at each level. Across the whole Earth, there seem to be about 5,000,000 that have survived initially. Each level has different creatures at all levels of destructive power and the more you kill, the stronger you get.

So that's the gist. Carl and Princess Donut are a team for now and have an adviser, Mortdecai, a Crawler who survived from another world. Donut will be able to speak as she gains power and the communication between her and Carl are always interesting and fun. Oh, they also discover that there are Trillions of people across the universes watching the games and that they need to get more Likes and followers to improve their odds of surviving. Something that Princess Donut craves and Carl hates. The two also have a manager, Zev, a water creature who arranges interviews for them.

So it's a fast paced, action filled story. You have to bear with periods where Carl and Donut go through all of the items and powers they win every time they have a battler, but it becomes easy to gloss over those portions and they don't really take away from the story.

It's interesting watching Carl and Donut's friendship develop and who their characters grow as the story progresses. Their contact with other humans have mixed results... And who is Agatha, the elderly woman who wanders in and out of their lives. Carl and Donut don't know.. yet? And there are creatures who are saved by Carl and Donut. Will they show up again? At the end of this portion, there is a teaser about two goblins who were spared by the two. What role will they play in the follow-on books? And we see others from a distance, battling the creatures successfully. How will they show up in future books??

The more I got into the story, the more I got involved in the characters, their lives, their growth and I look forward to exploring the series more. I don't know if I'll be as quick as some getting through the books, but I will continue definitely. Oh... did Carl's ex, Bea die in the collapse? Questions, questions.. (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. All the Tea in China by Kyril Bonfiglioli (1978).

"Kyril Bonfiglioli, the groundbreaking satirist whose writing The New Yorker described as “an unholy collaboration between P. G. Wodehouse and Ian Fleming,” was truly a writer ahead of his time. In this hilarious novel, Bonfiglioli takes us back in time to an ironical maritime romp—Master and Commander by way of Monty Python.

Inspired by a shotgun blast in the seat of his breeches, young Karli Van Cleef quits his native Holland to seek his fortune. He arrives in early Victorian London and soon he is turning a pretty profit. But Karli sees that true opportunity flowers in India’s fields of opium poppies and the treaty ports of the China coast. So he takes a berth in an opium clipper hell-bent for the Indies.

It is a journey beset with perils. Karli is confronted by the mountainous seas, high-piled plates of curry, and the ferocious penalties of the Articles of War. He survives the malice of the Boers, the hospitality of anthropophagi, and the horrors of Lancashire cooking. En route he acquires some interesting diseases, dangerous friends and enemies, a fortune, and a wife almost as good as new."

2. Assassin's Code by Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger #4 / 2012). Great series.

"When Joe Ledger and Echo Team rescue a group of American college kids held hostage in Iran,the Iranian government then asks them to help find six nuclear bombs planted in the Mideast oil fields. These stolen WMDs will lead Joe and Echo Team into hidden vaults of forbidden knowledge, mass-murder, betrayal, and a brotherhood of genetically-engineered killers with a thirst for blood.

Accompanied by the beautiful assassin called Violin, Joe follows a series of clues to find the Book of Shadows, which contains a horrifying truth that threatens to shatter his entire worldview.

They say the truth will set you free…
Not this time.

The secrets of the Assassin’s Code will set the world ablaze."

3. East of West; There is No Us by Jonathan Hickman (#3 / 2014).

"It's the third volume of the Eisner-nominated East Of West. There Is No Us sees the breaking apart of the future-scape of America as the world races forward towards the apocalypse.

Collecting: East Of West 11-15"

4. Report from Planet Midnight by Nalo Hopkinson (2012).

"Infused with feminist, Afro-Caribbean views of the science fiction and fantasy genres, this collection of offbeat and highly original works takes aim at race and racism in literature. In “Report from Planet Midnight,” at the International Association of the Fantastic in the Arts, an alien addresses the crowd, evaluating Earth's "strange" customs, including the marginalization of works by nonwhite and female writers. “Message in a Bottle” shows Greg, an American Indian artist, befriending a strange four-year-old who seems wise beyond her years. While preparing an exhibition, he discovers that the young girl is a traveler from the future sent to recover art from the distant past—which apparently includes his own work. Concluding the book with series editor Terry Bisson’s Outspoken Interview, Nalo Hopkinson shares laughs, loves, and top-secret Caribbean spells."

Newest Purchases

Bear with me here...

1. The Blanket of the Dark by John Buchan (1931). I'm enjoying exploring Buchan's stories.

"Buchan skillfully weaves the story of young clerk Peter Pentecost, who has a claim to the throne, and a tale of intrigue against King Henry VIII, where 'under the blanket of the dark all men are alike and all are nameless'. Buchan's description of the ruthless king is compelling. His knowledge of the time of Henry's reign and his love of the Oxfordshire countryside are apparent."

2. The Cave Girl by Edgar Rice Burroughs (1913). I've enjoyed so many of Burroughs' adventures and fantasies. This is one of his standalones.

"Waldo Smith-Jones shipwrecked from Boston, desperately tries to survive on a lost island of primitive men and beasts. Given the name of Thandar, he strives for the hand of Princess Nadara amid misunderstandings. If a rescue ship arrives, what will they do?"

3. The Possessors by John Christopher (1964). I keep finding more books by Christopher. Great horror and Sci Fi.

"It all started when a group of British vacationers was cut off by an avalanche. The skiing chalet up in the mountains seemed a good place to hold out for a while, but then the little boy mysteriously died...or appeared to. And in the impenetrable Swiss Alps something alien stirred..."

4. Play it as it Lays by Joan Didion (1970).

"A ruthless dissection of American life in the late 1960s, Play It as It Lays captures the mood of an entire generation, the ennui of contemporary society reflected in spare prose that blisters and haunts the reader. Set in a place beyond good and evil - literally in Hollywood, Las Vegas, and the barren wastes of the Mojave Desert, but figuratively in the landscape of an arid soul - it remains more than three decades after its original publication a profoundly disturbing novel, riveting in its exploration of a woman and a society in crisis and stunning in the still-startling intensity of its prose."

5. The Bone Mother by David Demchuk (2017). I enjoyed Red X by Demchuk last year.

"For two hundred years, the Grazyn porcelain factory built its reputation on its magnificent thimbles. It is said that even the Czarina Anastasia Romanova had received one in her trousseau. The workers come from the three neighboring villages on the border of Romania and Ukraine. Nourished, dressed and educated, they are the envy of all at a time when a famine programmed by Stalin sweeps the countryside and cannibalism rages from city to town to farm. But what is the secret of this factory and why does the Grazyn family protect its employees so scrupulously?

The Bone Mother revives the great figures of Slavic mythology on the eve of the Second World War, from rusalka and Baba Yaga--The Bone Mother herself--to the golem. The existence of mortals is intimately linked to that of witches and vampires, in a universe where strigois rub shoulders with mermaids, ghosts and seers...and all are in peril from the Nichni Politsiyi, the Night Police, which wish to eradicate them."

6. When Secrets Die by Lynn Hamilton (Lena Padget #3 / 2005). Always enjoy her mystery / thrillers.

"They have kept the heart of her child... They have accused her of murder... Angels of mercy...or the devil in disguise? Who owns your body, anyway?

Lynn Hightower's novels have tackled such diverse subjects as female serial killers and lethal debt collectors. Now, in her most explosive and controversial thriller to date, she exposes the hidden secrets of hospital pathology labs, the darkest mysteries of motherhood, and the most unthinkable crime of all.

Private investigator Lena Padgett has been approached by a single mother with a stunning tale to tell. Emma Marsden, still grieving over the death of her infant son from an inexplicable illness, has been dealt another devastating blow. Her pediatrician, Theodore Tundridge, has accused Emma of poisoning her son in a psychotic bid for attention. Emma wants to counter his charges by accusing Tundridge of keeping a shocking chamber of horrors in his pathology lab -- all the more frightening because it is entirely legal. Lena agrees to take on Emma's case and uncovers other suspicious deaths under the doctor's care. But when a secretly taped video incriminates Emma in the most intimate of ways -- and Emma's teenage daughter disappears -- even Lena isn't prepared for where the truth will take her."

7. The Seafarers by Nevil Shute (2002). Shute is one of the many authors on my bucket list... whose books I want to read completely.

"The story of a dashing British naval Lieutenant and a Wren who meet right at the end of the Second World War. Their romance is blighted by differences in social background and economic constraints; in unhappiness each turns to odd jobs in boating circles."

8. Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson (1998). I'm currently reading another collection of Hopkinson's work and essays.

"The rich and privileged have fled the city, barricaded it behind roadblocks, and left it to crumble. The inner city has had to rediscover old ways – farming, barter, herb lore. But now the monied need a harvest of bodies, and so they prey upon the helpless of the streets. With nowhere to turn, a young woman must open herself to ancient truths, eternal powers, and the tragic mystery surrounding her mother and grandmother.

She must bargain with gods, and give birth to new legends."

and finally....

9. Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl #2 / 2021).

""The training levels have concluded. Now the games may truly begin."

The ratings and views are off the chart. The fans just can't get enough. The dungeon gets more dangerous each day. But in a grinder designed to chew up and spit out crawlers by the millions, Carl and Princess Donut need to work harder than ever just to survive.

They call it the Over City. A sprawling, once-thriving metropolis devastated by a mysterious calamity. But these streets are far from abandoned. An undead circus trawls the ruins. Murdered prostitutes rain from the sky. An ancient spell is finally ready to reveal its dark purpose.

Carl still has no pants.

They call it Dungeon Crawler World. For Carl and Donut, it's anything but a game."

Enjoy the rest of March and maybe you'll see some April reading ideas here. Good night and happy dreams.

A Quick Update (It's Becoming a Theme)

We're back home for the weekend after a few days in Victoria for Jo's initial session of treatment. We stayed at a reasonable hotel on Gorge Road. Came back home Friday night will continue next week. Finally a drive in nice weather, but there was a car accident of some sort near Nanoose Bay. We sat for awhile around Lantzville, then followed traffic that seemed to go around the Island Highway. By the time we rejoined it, traffic seemed to be flowing again. Anyway, other than that we got home around 8 pm and have been relaxing and enjoying being home for a few days. Watching curling at the moment before it's time for supper. Filled up the car and gas prices are now around $2.02 per liter. Managed to find a gas station locally where it was only $1.89 but as I left, they were increasing it I think.

So anyway, let's do a quick reading update. I'm not able to do them on my laptop and that's all we take when we go away.

Books Completed

(7 books completed since my last update)

1. Standing in Another Man's Grave by Ian Rankin (Rebus #18 / 2012).

"Standing in Another Man's Grave is the 18th book in the Inspector Rebus mystery series, set in Edinburgh, written by Ian Rankin. I've enjoyed the series ever since I read the 1st book.

This series shows a retired Rebus now working in the cold case squad with two other retired police officers and commanded by a DI with ambitions to move up and away. Siobhan Clarke, his old DS is now a DI and still working in CID, in Rebus's old job.

At work early one morning with nothing to do, Rebus agrees to talk with a woman, Nina Hazlitt, who has been searching for her missing daughter. She had initially been given some hope by the retired DI in charge of the unit and she feels she's got new information on the case. 

Rebus reluctantly agrees to look into the case and slowly discovers that there might be other missing girls who are related to Hazlitt's case. They all disappeared along the same stretch of road from Edinburgh to Inverness. He passes his info to Siobhan who is also reluctant to get involved with this cold case. Her boss is of the same mood, that is, until another girl is reported missing.

This starts an investigation that will broaden, involve police units from all over northern Scotland and even bring in Rebus's old nemesis, Cafferty, plus a gangster who worked for Cafferty and has taken over the business. Throw into the mix, in the background, is Malcolm Fox, the DI in Complaints who has a bee in his bonnet for Rebus, feels that Rebus is rotten.

It's a fascinating, sometimes meandering, but never not interesting story, that shows Rebus at his best and worst (as always). His relationship with Siobhan is somewhat strained as he keeps getting her in trouble and she does have ambitions of advancing within the police force. Cafferty and Hammill (Caf's opponent) are used by Rebus and try to use Rebus in the same vein. Nina Hazlitt is always getting in the way and causing Rebus issues.

It's too rich and involved of a story (like any Rebus book) but it's time well spent. You get to visit Scotland, enjoy its rugged beauty (watching for dolphins along the coast, etc), meet great characters and just enjoy the ride as Rebus gets along with his work. I've never been disappointed with the series. (4.0 stars)"

2. V for Vendetta by Alan Moore (1990).

"I've enjoyed quite a few of Alan Moore's graphic novels; the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen series, Fashion Beast, etc. I saw the movie version of V for Vendetta first and enjoyed it so I finally got a copy of the graphic novel to try. 

England is living a dystopian nightmare, a la 1984. The country is run by Leader, the Voice (propaganda), the Ear (spying on citizens), the Eye, etc. It's a police state where every person's actions are followed and monitored. But from the underground is V (picture Anonymous) who is breaking down the organization. People in high positions are being killed and he's wreaking damage and havoc.

The police are trying to find him and discover a link to a camp where all of the dead leaders worked. Call it a concentration camp where they tested various drugs on the occupants. V seems to have been one of the 'patients' and managed to survive and destroy the camp. Now he's killing everyone who worked there.

There are various sub-stories as well. Evey is a young woman who is taken in by V after he saves her from a sexual attack by a group of men. There is the police officer trying to find out where V came from and wants his own vengeance because V killed his lover. There is Leader who is watching it all on his monitors.

It's an interesting story, as all of Alan Moore's works are but it was all a bit dark and grey. Moore is one of those unique talents and if you are exploring the world of graphic novels, he's one you should check out. (3.0 stars)"

3. Monstress, Warchild by Marjorie M. Liu (Volume 5 / 2020).

"The Monstress graphic novel, fantasy series is such a unique experience. Monstress, Volume 5: Warchild by Marjorie M. Liu is the 5th collection in the series. 

I'll start by saying it's a confusing series but mainly because so much is going on. Basically it follows Maika Halfwolf, a young woman possessed by an old god, who every so often takes over so it can feed. In this book, Maika stops her journey to discover to find various artifacts to help in the defense of the city of Ravenna, a city of Arcanics (non - humans), against the Federation. The humans, along with their allies, want to destroy the city and ultimately, the Arcanic races.

But it's a bit more convoluted than that as there are allies within allies, certain Arcanics are helping the humans and vice versa. That's part of the confusion, but you can work your way through it. 

What is especially interesting in this volume is that we find out how Maika becomes 'possessed' by the god. This happened as a child. It's a fascinating story as well. 

It's a difficult story to describe but suffice it to say, it's peopled with such an amazing group of characters; it's filled with action; it's beautifully drawn.. and I've got #6 on order so I can continue the adventure. (4.0 stars)"

4. A Ghost in the Machine by Caroline Graham (Chief Inspector Barnaby #7 / 2004).

"A Ghost in the Machine is the 7th and final book in the Chief Inspector Barnaby mysteries, AKA Midsomer Murders, by Caroline Graham. The books spawned a sprawling TV mystery series that has carried on for 20+ seasons, quite amazing actually. From what I read, this particular story was the only one not turned into one of the TV shows, mainly because Barnaby and his assistant Sgt Troy don't turn up until half way through the book.

So what to say.... There were things I didn't like about the book. It's too long (although, it was still an overall enjoyable read). I didn't like very many of the characters... well, Doris is ok, Karen is ok, Dennis is ok, Kate is ok... But Polly is awful, Latham is a shit... (I guess that's the nature of a good story, eh, some people you like, others you don't). OK so my complaints are irrelevant.

It's a wandering story, many little stories within. It starts off with the death of Aunt Carey, Mallory's favorite (maybe only) aunt. Mallory, a school head, and his wife Kate, a book publisher are to inherit the estate, located in Causton (or nearby). They're looking forward to moving there so Mallory can retire and help Kate begin her own independent publishing company. Polly, their brat of a daughter, is a trouble maker, and wants to make a quick buck... which will ultimately cause untold harm to her family. 

Benny was Aunt Carey's companion and is well loved by Mallory and Kate. She lives on the estate. Dennis is their financial adviser, enjoys collecting medieval military weapons, and fancies himself a writer. Ada is a medium who will come into the story when someone (dare I say who???) dies and Benny believes it's a murder and goes to one of Ada's events. Ada wants to be an actress and famous. She's accompanied by her young daughter, Karen, who she treats abysmally and Roy, their lodger. Hmmm... Latham works as a partner with Dennis, forced on Dennis when his father in law, bought half the business. He's a useless git, hates his wife and basically does no work. Anybody else?? Well, there are Aunt Carey's neighbours, Judith and her ill husband, who are sort of on the periphery.

So this meandering story follows these people. When the first murder takes place, the police think it's an accidental death so it's written off. (Barnaby makes a brief appearance here). Then, another death, maybe linked to the first (well, to be fair, it's the 2nd and 3rd deaths... remember Aunt Carey... ) Now the police begin to investigate as the two seem to be related.

For all its meandering (I'm liking that word, it seems), it's an interesting story to follow. There is actual police work. The characters, whether you like them or not, are well fleshed out and each changes as you get to know them more and as the events begin to pile up; some grow, some shrink.

It ends up being quite a fascinating story and the ending... as they sum up everybody's final activities, well, the last two pages are quite worth the voyage. Neat! I know I haven't told you much about the plot, suffice it to say, it's a satisfactory murder mystery, with a satisfying and even surprising ending. 😎 (3.5 stars)"

5. Wild Girls by Ursula K. Le Guin (PM's Outspoken Authors #6 / 2011) My continued exploration of the works of Le Guin.

"The Wild Girls by Ursula K. Le Guin is a very sort book containing the novella The Wild Girls, an essay on Modesty, 4 poems, another essay on reading / publishing, Staying Awake While You Read and an interview with Terry Bisson. All are interesting (such an awful word that I use much to often) and provide insight into this amazing woman.

Le Guin wrote everything, fantasy, SF, poetry, historical fiction, essays, children's books etc... I've been exploring her work for awhile now and enjoying the scope and breadth of her work.

The Wild Girls is quite dark in its way. A group of young men go out on a foray to attack wanderers to steal their women. The trip isn't exactly successful; quite a few children and elderly are murdered but the group do manage to steal six or seven young girls, some just babies. On their escape, which is quite a roundabout trip, more of the children die and one is thrown into the bushes. Modh, one of the girls wants to bury her friend, but the men prevent them. This 'dead' girl will haunt the rest of the story.

At the city, Modh and her sister Mal are kept by the Bela family. This is the dynamic of the city. Bela's family and the other gods (Sky People) basically run everything, even though they don't really anything productive. But they do own all of the property. The Roots produce everything but only rent the land of the gods... And people like Mal and Modh are Dirt People. Sky men can only marry Dirt girls... For a short story it's complex and 'interesting'. Modh spends the story trying to keep her sister with her and that's where everything happens. Plus don't forget the other girl haunting the families. Fascinating story.

As I said, there are four poems, one describing Las Vegas and especially this short, succinct, powerful one.

'The Next War

It will take place,

it will take time, 

it will take life,

and waste them."

Both essays were excellent and I also enjoyed the wandering interview. Such an intelligent, thoughtful person. Looking forward to continuing my journey through Le Guin's works (4.0 stars)"

6. The Sandman; The Wake by Neil Gaiman (#10 / 1996)/

"The Sandman, Vol. 10: The Wake is the last book in the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman. It tells the story of the funeral of Dream. Unless this is explained in the previous volume, this edition doesn't go into how Dream dies. Some of the guests at the funeral blame themselves. 

The funeral is attended by friends and foes from all of the previous books and coordinated by his family of fellow gods. The first half of the book deals with conversations between the family and between the many guests and drops into the lives of some as well. We also meet Dream's replacement???? I think that who he is. He now resides in Dream's palace.

It's an interesting event, the funeral, with speeches and asides by family and friends. The remainder of the volume is three different stories by characters from the past, basically rounding out their lives as well. As always, my favourite character is Dream's sister, Death. She has a quality about her that just draws you in. 

It's sort of a sad volume, left me thinking somewhat about death and for some reason, reminding my of the passing of my little dog, feeling him curled up beside me as he went on his final voyage to be with his sister. Silly the things you think of I guess. Anyway, it's been a fantastic series that I highly recommend and at the same time I recommend you check out The Absolute Death, which is a volume featuring Death, of course. (4.0 stars)"

7. Gideon's Fog by JJ Marric (Commander Gideon #20 / 1974). Another favorite series of mine. Always good value for money.

"I always enjoy a Commander Gideon police procedural. Gideon's Fog is the 20th book in this series by J.J. Marric and it's as good as the others. For those who've never explored the series, Commander Gideon is one of the top police officers in London, the head of CID.

In this story, as usual, there are a number of cases being investigated. It starts with a thick fog coating the British Isles. Gideon, driving home, remembers when he was a kid, holding a candle in such fogs and earning pence by escorting people home. He sees a young man doing the same thing but becomes suspicious. Parking his car, he goes into the fog, pretends to be lost and meeting the boy is escorted into the park where two henchmen try to mug him. At the same time, a man is meeting his lover to take her into the park to murder her. While burying the body, he finds a box but puts it back so that the body won't be discovered.

The next day, Gideon discovers his capable assistant, Asst Superintendent Hobbs hasn't reported to work. (Hobbs is the fiancé of Gideon's daughter Penny) As the day progresses, he begins to worry about Hobbs' absence and he starts a quiet investigation into his absence. Hobbs was investigating a major jewelry heist organization and on the side was investigating a group that has been invading London parks to keep young people from having romantic liaisons in the park.

As the story progresses, we begin to see what happened to Hobbs. We find more about the jewelry issue and the other. There are also smaller side cases that his staff are looking into. It's difficult to describe a Gideon story, except to say like the best police procedurals (and there are a few I follow) they are peopled with dedicated cops who work hard to help their citizens. Sort of idealistic maybe but still they always leave you feeling secure. Does everything get resolved satisfactorily, not necessarily. People still die, some cases remain unsolved but it's an enjoyable ride. (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum #11 / 2005) It's been a couple of years since I've dusted off this series.

"Stephanie Plum is thinking her career as a fugitive apprehension agent has run its course. She's been shot at, spat at, cussed at, fire-bombed, mooned, and attacked by dogs. Stephanie thinks it's time for a change. So she quits. She wants something safe and normal. But the kind of trouble she had at the bail bonds office can't compare to the kind of trouble she finds herself facing now...

Stephanie is stalked by a maniac returned from the grave for the sole purpose of putting her into a burial plot of her own. He's killed before, and he'll kill again if given the chance. Caught between staying far away from the bounty hunter business and staying alive, Stephanie reexamines her life and the possibility that being a bounty hunter is the solution rather than the problem. After disturbingly brief careers at the button factory, Kan Klean Dry Cleaners, and Cluck-in-a-Bucket, Stephanie takes an office position in security, working for Ranger, the sexiest, baddest bounty hunter and businessman on two continents. Tempers and temperatures rise as competition ratchets up between the two men in her life -- her on-again, off-again boyfriend, tough Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and her boss, Ranger. Can Stephanie Plum take the heat? Can you?"

2. The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths (Harbinder Kaur #1 / 2018).

"A dark story has been brought to terrifying life. Can the ending be rewritten in time?

Clare Cassidy is no stranger to murder. As a literature teacher specialising in the Gothic writer RM Holland, she teaches a short course on it every year. Then Clare's life and work collide tragically when one of her colleagues is found dead, a line from an RM Holland story by her body. The investigating police detective is convinced the writer's works somehow hold the key to the case.

Not knowing who to trust, and afraid that the killer is someone she knows, Clare confides her darkest suspicions and fears about the case to her journal. Then one day she notices some other writing in the diary. Writing that isn't hers..."

3. Lore Olympus, Volume 7 by Rachel Smythe (2024). It's been a year since I visited with this series. it's a great take on the Greek gods.

"Scandalous gossip, wild parties, and forbidden love—the Greek tale of Hades and Persephone gets a romantic modern update in the gorgeously illustrated, Eisner Award-winning Lore Olympus, including a brand new bonus short story!

An ingenious take on the Greek Pantheon, Lore Olympus is a modern update on the story of Hades and Persephone. Follow the propulsive love story of two Greek gods, told with lavish artwork and contemporary sensibilities.

This full-color edition of Smythe’s original Eisner Award-winning webcomic Lore Olympus features exclusive behind-the-scenes content and brings Greek mythology into the modern age in a sharply perceptive and romantic graphic novel."

New Books

(My wife will be surprised but I've received only one new book since my last update. There are some on order, I readily admit)

1. Seaward by Susan Cooper (1983). Cooper is another fantasy author whose works I've enjoyed exploring.

"In this classic adventure from Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper, two strangers embark on a quest for the sea that’s filled with mystery, fantasy, and danger.

His name is West. Her name is Cally. They speak different languages and come from different countries thousands of miles apart, but they do not know that. What they do know are the tragedies that took their parents, then wrenched the two of them out of reality and into a strange and perilous world through which they must travel together, understanding only that they must reach the sea. Together, West and Cally embark upon a strange and sometimes terrifying quest, learning to survive and to love—and, at last, discovering the true secret of their journey."

There you go folks. Enjoy the rest of March. I'll try to do another entry next weekend. Take care.