Barricade

Barricade by Jon Wallace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, that was a good read. Nicely paced from start to finish and it's the first time I've read a tale of this ilk told from the alternative viewpoint. Very clever, recommended.


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Time Travel Hotel

Time Travel Hotel by Clive Birnie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun read. An interesting mystery story with a cast of super characters and the surrealism certainly didn't slow the reading flow. I would have given 4 stars but for a missing element... an ending. Oh well, I enjoyed what there was and would read more by this author.


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Precocious

Precocious by Joanna Barnard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this was an interesting read, a taboo subject that invites curiosity. The book is very well written, everything flowed successfully through present day and flashbacks, all to great effect. I found the story, more of a narration, intriguing. "I know why this is being written, I don't know why this is being written, oh... that's why this has been written." This book keeps a secret as well as the protagonists. Recommended, but you may well be correct if after reading the synopsis you wonder if this isn't a happy tale.

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The Bone Tree

The Bone Tree by Greg Iles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a huge read, literally. It'll be a while before I attempt another 800 page hardback during bedtime reading. That's not a complaint though, this was a superb read. I hadn't read the first in this series but the prologue pretty much set me up, and I was into the flow fairly quickly. I liked all of the characters, both goodies and baddies, and the pace of the story telling led to a few later than anticipated lights outs. I'm up for reading the next in the series.

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What Would Ginger Rogers Do

What Would Ginger Rogers Do by Caitlyn Raynes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A delightful read. My first impression on finishing was that the synopsis hadn't told all, that there was so much more, but... no, it is all there but just hinted at. This is a second coming of age tale, a taking stock of a life that had already been through this reflection before. Lovely characters, even the baddies, and some delightful twists. Oh, and a first... chick-lit that had me reading too late into the night... I must know what happens next!



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Not Forgetting the Whale

Not Forgetting the Whale by J.W. Ironmonger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an interesting tale, light on what I assumed it would lead with, and surprisingly strong in other areas. Human nature is nicely addressed in a way that both surprises and doesn't at the same time - considering the overall theme of the story. It was almost a coming of age novel, regardless of the hero's age, personal growth being achieved was the message I received. A good read, a page turner, and one of those lovely books that I finish with a satisfied sigh.

The author's endnotes were a pleasant surprise, gaving some useful insight into the book's creation and direction.

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Past Choices

Food,
There is none.
A grumbling gall bladder free tummy,
Considers frozen past choices.

Bread can be constructed.
If spoken fast enough,
He is a Master Baker.
Why no machines on GBBO?

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

Dear Kettle,

Thank you for the hot water for the tea this morning, it was much appreciated. We need to talk. We have had some lovely times together heating water for assorted drinks, do you remember how we laughed when I related the tale of my describing you to my BFF Stephen? How I told him I had a kettle that could boil water at 70, 80, 90 and 100 degrees centigrade, and how it had transformed the taste of my green and white teas? And how he asked if it operated under some sort of vacuum then? So funny. But, do you also remember when I came home with a gifted second hand Dolce Gusto machine? You may have felt redundant when it came to creating coffee based drinks, and I know I could have handled the introduction better. It worked out though, as a team the pair of you excelled at providing hot beverages. But we know there is another issue, don't we? This is not your fault, far from it. It is the process of producing tasty loose leaf tea drinks. I have never been comfortable enough with the teapot (built-in infuser) to use it frequently. I appreciate that you always provided water at the correct temperature to assist with this but I really am not making a proper use of my tea collection. So, what am I saying? Simply, I have found somebody else. I have treated myself to a Christmas present of a Heston Blumenthal Sage Tea Maker. I am not sure if you are aware but I had been tracking the price of this for a few years, and this year a Black Friday deal turned my head. It won't be the same, I know this, but I need to move on. I am so sorry. This may not be forever though, I will dry you and store you carefully. Again, I am sorry.

Dave x

Lake Wobegon Days

Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a charming book this was. The tale of a fictional small town in Minnesota, that started life as a radio show monologue (and continues) and has been expanded into this book, the entire history of the town of Lake Wobegon. The detail and characterisations are incredible, leading many to ask, is this really fiction? It was a pleasure to read, covering the founding of the town through to near present day, and the trials and tribulations of nearly every inhabitant within. Recommended to everyone, a warm and amusing read.

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Felonious Jazz: a novel

Felonious Jazz: a novel by Bryan Gilmer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, what to say here. A new author but experienced writer, who I happened upon in the aisles of a Raleigh bookstore. This was cool, the chance to get an author to sell their book to me. Bryan managed it, his enthusiasm was infectious and I happily parted with my hard earned pounds dollars.

So, how did it go? An uneasy start for me, not the initial unexpected violence, but the feeling that I was jumping in to the middle of a story and I ought to know more about these characters. It soon settled down though into a steady and thoroughly puzzling mystery. Well, puzzling for the good guys, we are given every thought and action of the bad guy too.

I hadn't realised it but the characters were developing very strongly and by the second half I was enthralled and it became quite the page turner. The ending didn't disappoint and was followed by epilogue type chapters, nice. Ah, and that last chapter...

Very good, more of these characters please Bryan. Recommended to all.

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Nikon D5000: From Snapshots to Great Shots

Nikon D5000: From Snapshots to Great Shots by Jeff Revell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An excellent book. It is obviously very specialised, focusing on a sole camera, the Nikon D5000. The author combines photography instruction at what seems to suit all levels of experience with camera reference down to individual button level. You are talked through every method of using the camera with sensible advise on when to use and not. If you know a D5000 owner, buy it for them then borrow it back for the photography instruction. It is a book I will return to over and again, thank you Jeff.

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Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet

Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet by Katie Hafner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was an excellent read, rightly described as a definitive work on the birth and early years of the Internet. It was highly technical throughout, which was a treat when compared to more lightweight histories I have read, but might prove to be too onerous for those new to the subject. Recommended for the technically minded/curious. View all my reviews >>