Frantic

Frantic by Katherine Howell

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read this following author Tom Reynolds recommendation on his blog. This is ex-paramedic Katherine's first novel and an excellent debut it is too. It seemed light on character depth at first but this was more than made up for by the pace of the storytelling. We are led through the mystery at breakneck speed from the viewpoint of many major characters, clever. There is no guessing the ending, it is revealed in a final headlong rush, one that will have you staying up too late just to see what happens. It is quite the page turner, I will look out for more from this author.


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Making Money

Making Money by Terry Pratchett

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
It feels like a very long time since I have returned to the Discworld but as always it was a welcome return. This is a minor character novel that didn't disappoint. Clever writing, good characterisation and humour abounding. There is much to learn about the theory of money and would you believe it, greedy bankers. It was also nice to see Lord Vetinari having a prominent role, somebody we don't see enough of. Recommended.


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American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880 - 1964

American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880 - 1964 by William Raymond Manchester

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Well, this has been three months in the reading, but what a read. I had read that this would read like a novel and that was certainly true, quite the page turner. Douglas MacArthur's reputation had fleeted in and out of my awareness for many years so the opportunity to read this was one I couldn't pass by. Most of my previous knowledge gave me the impression that what was written had to be somewhat embellished, could one man have done all that? Well, this book said not, he had actually done so much more. The amazing level of research had me following MacArthur's life on an almost daily basis and what a trip through history it was. From his family's civil war exploits, through his actions in the First World War, the Second World War, Post war Japan, and the Korean War. I feel quite the authority now in areas I had never considered before. I thoroughly recommend this to all, I remain spellbound.


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Glasshouse

Glasshouse by Charles Stross

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was my first Charles Stross and I liked it. It was a struggle to get started, if I were a try the first fifty pages person I would have given up. The technology and way of life at the start were introduced with a very steep learning curve, I had no idea that this would level out but am glad I lasted long enough to find out. The bulk of the story lies in a world more recognisable by us but a mystery to the characters, cool. It turned nicely into an excellent murder mystery thriller that was quite the page turner, and had an ending that was both a surprise and a pleasure. I will read more from Charles.


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Falling Man: A Novel

Falling Man: A Novel by Don DeLillo

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
An interesting read, a meander through a couple of lives of the closely affected by 9/11. It's hard to praise or decry the book, I think having missed the symbolism mentioned by other reviewers didn't help. It held my attention throughout though, and I'll look out for more by this author.


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Apple of my Eye

Apple of My Eye by Helene Hanff

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an interesting read. It was great to back in dear Helene's company, and her relaxed style of writing still doesn't disappoint. This fast trip around New York of the seventies was a struggle at times though, the detailed location/directions descriptions meant nothing to me having never visited New York. But this was more than made up for by the obvious love for the city she lived in. She makes a very good point too that nobody takes the time to explore their local area properly, where you live shouldn't be just for tourists. There must be some great hidden gems revealed here in the city, and this book will accompany me if I ever visit The Big Apple.

A question, did the book of photographs she was researching for ever get published?


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The Gargoyle

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, what a read. An author's debut book that goes straight into my top ten reads is pretty special. The early descriptions of a car crash and fire will have you driving extra safely for weeks, the descriptions of treatment and suffering in a hospital burns unit will leave you wary of ignition sources for a similar time. There is a friendship, unexplained at first, but when explained is inexplicable. What is going on? The narrator is as puzzled as yourself, fantastical explanations are revealed piece by piece until they seem commonplace. Finally an ending that brings it all together in a way that you just don't want it to. An epic read, not from the length of the book but the depth of the characters feelings and the most amazing storytelling. Couldn't put it down, want to read it again.


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Poppyland

Poppyland by Peter J.R. Stibbons

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was an interesting booklet covering the Victorian's discovery of the Norfolk coasts for rest and relaxation. More specifically it concentrates on the area around Overstrand, SideStrand and Cromer known as Poppyland. It is the giving of the name Poppyland that is covered most along with much history relating to the visiting characters of the late 1800s. A brief but very interesting read.


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I am British?

You Are 75% British

Are you British? Hell, you're more of a Brit than the Queen is! You're truly the dog's bollocks... and you know that's not an insult. So what if you're a slobbering drunk obsessed with football? At least you always remember your manners.

How British Are You?

Underfoot in Show Business

Underfoot in Show Business by Helene Hanff

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Excellent, I am truly captivated by dear Helene. These memoirs of her writing career were such a pleasure to read. I laughed, and laughed again, how did she do it? Well, this book highlights the genuine struggle she had in her chosen field, but she never seemed down. She saw humour in all situations and had the right response for any situation. Oh, how I wish she had written more books. There are some lovely anecdotes in here, and I will see Oklahoma! in a whole new light now. Thoroughly recommended to all.


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Cryptonomicon

Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was my first Neal Stephenson and certainly no disappointment. It was a massive read at over 900 pages but at no time did I stumble and move on to something else, I was very pleased to have it hold my full attention throughout.

Codes, computers, U-Boats, war, treasure and more, quite a boys novel. I loved following both present day characters and their ancestors in the interweaved stories and the ending didn't disappoint; in fact it was a definite, I can't wait to find out what on earth is going on feeling, that ended just right.

This was a very clever intermingling of historical events/people and modern day that must have been an awesome research effort. What was I being told about General Douglas MacArthur? I must read more about him... Oh wow, have just returned from the English Wikipedia having read this: "MacArthur's headquarters during the Philippines campaign of 1941-2 was on the island fortress of Corregidor." Sorry, that was just a little private indicator for me that the research was spot on.




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