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.

Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2026

 

My goodness 2025 was quite a year. Here's hoping for a great 2026 for everyone. Just providing a quick update on my last book of 2025 and my first selections to start off the New Year... plus, maybe some other stuff.

Last Book of 2025

1. Greek Myths; A New Retelling by Charlotte Higgins (2021).

"I've enjoyed reading about the Greek myths, watching movies about them. They have always interested me. One of my university courses was about mythology. So when I saw Greek Myths: A New Retelling by Charlotte Higgins, I decided to check it out. Now, I have to say that it has sat on my book shelf for a couple of years but I figured it might be a good book to finish off 2025.

It was most enjoyable. Higgins takes on her portrayal of the myths in an interesting manner. She chooses 8 goddesses or woman of that era; Athena, Alcethe, Philomela, Arachne, Andromache, Helen, Circe & Penelope to tell the stories. and they do so by weaving the stories on their looms. Excellent idea. 

The myths include pretty well everyone you've ever heard of; the Trojan War, the wars between the Olympians and the Titans, stories of Prometheus, Pandora, etc.; Demeter / Persephone / Hades; Dionysus, Odysseus etc. etc. She's modernized them somewhat, but just in language, but you get an easy to read, excellent summary of them all. And she provides in her Notes the sources for her stories.

It was a fun, easy to read retelling and a pleasure to read. If you ever have an interest in the Greek myths, this book is an excellent starting point. (3.5 stars)"

Year End Stats

So let's provide a few stats for the year.

Books completed - 143

Pages read - 35,000 (243 pages per book) This is a rough estimate for both because my totals depend on the page totals of the edition I chose in Goodreads, which might differ from the actual one I read)

Ratings -

5 star - 6

4.5 star - 20

4.0 star - 52

3.5 star - 33

3.0 star - 20

less than 3 star - 9

Did not finish / No rating - 3

Gender

(I'm going by name & apologize if I'm missing LGBTQ+ people. Other might also include books written by more than one person)

Male - 74

Female - 65

Other - 4

Genre

(This will be a mish mash based on the 1st genre listed with the book)

Fiction - 2

Poetry - 2

Fantasy - 11

Dystopia - 8

Horror - 12

Graphic (note this covers pretty well every genre) - 40

Non - Fiction - 14

Mystery (I decided not to break this down by region) - 40

Adventure - 2

Sci - Fi - 9

Alternate History - 2

Spy / Thriller - 2

Before I get into my first 2026 selections, one book arrived December 31st from a small book dealer (I assume it's small) in Ladysmith, called Arbour Books.

1. Way Station by Clifford D. Simak (1963). I've been exploring Simak's work more and more. He can be hit and miss but always different and interesting.

"Enoch Wallace is an ageless hermit, striding across his untended farm as he has done for over a century, still carrying the gun with which he had served in the Civil War. But what his neighbors must never know is that, inside his unchanging house, he meets with a host of unimaginable friends from the farthest stars.

More than a hundred years before, an alien named Ulysses had recruited Enoch as the keeper of Earth's only galactic transfer station. Now, as Enoch studies the progress of Earth and tends the tanks where the aliens appear, the charts he made indicate his world is doomed to destruction. His alien friends can only offer help that seems worse than the dreaded disaster. Then he discovers the horror that lies across the galaxy..."

2026 Challenges and 1st Books

7 reading challenges this year but it still gives a lot of scope for variety, including genres and how long I've had the books, etc.

1. 12 + 4 Challenge - Short Stories. These are specific short stories basically those 16 I've probably had the longest on my book shelf. I'm starting with Meet Mr. Mulliner by P.G. Wodehouse (1927)

"A Mulliner collection in the Angler's Rest, drinking hot scotch and lemon, sits one of Wodehouse's greatest raconteurs. Mr. Mulliner, his vivid imagination lubricated by Miss Postlethwaite the barmaid, has fabulous stories to tell of the extraordinary behaviour of his far-flung in particular there's Wilfred, inventor of Raven Gypsy face-cream and Snow of the Mountain Lotion, who lights on the formula for Buck-U-Uppo, a tonic given to elephants to enable them to face tigers with the necessary nonchalance. Its explosive effects on a shy young curate and then the higher clergy is gravely revealed. Then there's his cousin James, the detective-story writer, who has inherited a cottage more haunted than anything in his own imagination. And Isadore Zinzinheimer, head of the Bigger, Better & Brighter Motion Picture Company. Tall tales all - but among Wodehouse's best."

2. 12 + 4 Challenge - Graphic Novels. I will be reading others if they come up in my other challenges. Starting with It Rhymes With Takei by George Takei

(2025).

"Following the award-winning bestseller They Called Us Enemy, George Takei’s new full-color graphic memoir reveals his most personal story of all—told in full for the first time anywhere!

George Takei has shown the world many faces: actor, author, outspoken activist, helmsman of the starship Enterprise, living witness to the internment of Japanese Americans, and king of social media. But until October 27, 2005, there was always one piece missing—one face he did not show the world. There was one very intimate fact about George that he never shared… and it rhymes with Takei.

Now, for the first time ever, George shares the full story of his life in the closet, his decision to come out as gay at the age of 68, and the way that moment transformed everything. Following the phenomenal success of his first graphic memoir, They Called Us Enemy, George Takei reunites with the team of Harmony Becker, Steven Scott, and Justin Eisinger for a jaw-dropping new testament. From his earliest childhood crushes and youthful experiments in the rigidly conformist 1950s, to global fame as an actor and the paralyzing fear of exposure, to the watershed moment of speaking his truth and becoming one of the most high-profile gay men on the planet, It Rhymes With Takei presents a sweeping portrait of one iconic American navigating the tides of LGBTQ+ history.

Combining historical context with intimate subjectivity, It Rhymes With Takei shows how the personal and the political have always been intertwined. Its richly emotional words and images depict the terror of entrapment even in gay community spaces, the anguish of speaking up for so many issues while remaining silent on his most personal issue, the grief of losing friends to AIDS, the joy of finding true love with Brad Altman, and the determination to declare that love openly—and legally—before the whole world.

Looking back on his own astonishing life on both sides of the closet, George Takei presents a charismatic and candid witness to how far America has come… and how precious that progress is."

3. 12 + 4 Challenge - Dustiest Books. (I do also have an individual challenge dealing with the books I've had the longest but these 16 are numbers 1 - 16 of sitting the longest on our shelves. Starting with Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs (Temperance Brennan #10 / 2007). Ps. It also satisfies a January challenge in another group I'm in on Goodreads. 😏😊😀

"In Kathy Reichs's tenth bestselling novel featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, the discovery of a young girl's skeleton in Acadia, Canada might be connected to the disappearance of Tempe's childhood friend.

For Tempe Brennan, the discovery of a young girl's skeleton in Acadia, Canada, is more than just another case. Evangeline, Tempe's childhood best friend, was also from Acadia. Named for the character in the Longfellow poem, Evangeline was the most exotic person in Tempe's eight-year-old world. When Evangeline disappeared, Tempe was warned not to search for her, that the girl was "dangerous."

Thirty years later, flooded with memories, Tempe cannot help wondering if this skeleton could be the friend she had lost so many years ago. And what is the meaning of the strange skeletal lesions found on the bones of the young girl?

Meanwhile, Tempe's beau, Ryan, investigates a series of cold cases. Two girls dead. Three missing. Could the New Brunswick skeleton be part of the pattern? As Tempe draws on the latest advances in forensic anthropology to penetrate the past, Ryan hunts down a serial predator."

4. 12 + 4 Challenge - Shiniest Newest Books. These are the 16 books that arrived or I purchased locally from 31 Dec back. Starting with The Serial Garden, The Complete Armitage Family Stories by Joan Aiken (2008). I bought a copy of the cover as a print from the artist for Jo's Xmas present. She really loved it. 

"This is the first complete collection of Joan Aiken's beloved Armitage stories. After Mrs. Armitage makes a wish, the Armitage family has "interesting and unusual" experiences every Monday: the Board of Incantation tries to take over their house to use as a school for young wizards; the Furies come to stay; and a cutout from a cereal box leads into a beautiful and tragic palace garden. Charming and magical, the uncommon lives of the Armitage family will thrill and delight readers young and old. Includes four unpublished stories, Joan Aiken's "Prelude" from Armitage, Armitage, Fly Away Home, as well as introductions from Joan Aiken's daughter, Lizza Aiken, and best-selling author Garth Nix."

5. Individual Challenges - Dusty Books (#17 - 416). The 416 books that have been on my shelves the longest. I'll pick by random number generator of just arbitrarily. My first book is Seaweed on the Rocks by Stanley Evans, the 4th book in the mystery series featuring Sgt Silas Seaweed of the Victoria Police by Stanley Evans. (Book #176 on my Goodreads list)

"In this fourth mystery of the Seaweed series, Victoria neighbourhood cop Silas Seaweed is as always sensitive to his Coast Salish culture, but when he's confronted by a ten-foot-tall bear on a marsh on the city's outskirts, he suspects that this is no creature from the unknown world but someone out to con him. And Silas is right, but his attempts to unmask the bear lead him into a labyrinth of blackmail and murder. Along the way he investigates a homeless people's sit-in at Beacon Hill Park, a burglary in the office of hypnotherapist Dr. Lawrence Trew, and the barely legal world of small-time hood Titus Silverman. And whenever Silas is not busy finding corpses, he's on the lookout for a missing artist and two eight-year-old runaways."

6. Individual Challenges - Middle Books (#417 - 832). Self - explanatory, my first book is The Devil's Breath by Tessa Harris (Dr. Silkstone #3 / 2013), book #787 on my shelf.

"Eighteenth-century anatomist Dr. Thomas Silkstone travels to the English countryside to unravel a tangled web of mystery, medicine, and murder--in this captivating new novel from Tessa Harris. . .

A man staggers out of his cottage into the streets of Oxfordshire, shattering an otherwise peaceful evening with the terrible sight of his body shaking and heaving, eyes wild with horror. Many of the villagers believe the Devil himself has entered Joseph Makepeace, the latest victim of a "great fog" that darkens the skies over England like a Biblical plague. When Joseph's son and daughter are found murdered--heads bashed in by a shovel--the town's worst suspicions are confirmed: Evil is abroad, and needs to be banished.

A brilliant man of science, Dr. Thomas Silkstone is not one to heed superstition. But when he arrives at the estate of the lovely widow Lady Lydia Farrell, he finds that it's not just her grain and livestock at risk. A shroud of mystery surrounds Lydia's lost child, who may still be alive in a workhouse. A natural disaster fills the skies with smoke and ash, clogging the lungs of all who breathe it in. And the grisly details of a father's crime compels Dr. Silkstone to look for answers beyond his medical books--between the Devil and the deep blue sea. . ."

7. Individual Challenges - Newest Books (#833 - Present). This includes every book except the 16 in my 12 + 4 challenge. It will also include any new books purchased over the course of 2026. My first book is Money Shot by Christa Faust (Angel Dare #1 / 2008), #939 on my Goodreads shelf.

"THEY THOUGHT SHE'D BE EASY. THEY THOUGHT WRONG.

It all began with the phone call asking former porn star Angel Dare to do one more movie. Before she knew it, she'd been shot and left for dead in the trunk of a car. But Angel is a survivor. And that means she'll get to the bottom of what's been done to her even if she has to leave a trail of bodies along the way..."

I've started 4 so far and they all seem interesting. So there you go some reading ideas for the new year. Happy New Year!