Agent ToThe Stars
Scalzi's first novel (written first, published later) is a fun romp set in Hollywood. Drawing on his experiences as a film critic and insider knowledge of the film business to tell the story of a showbiz agent who becomes the representative for visiting aliens.
It's funny in the same sort of way as The Android's Dream and at the same time has brilliant, genuinely SFnal, aliens. While being utterly different it kind of reminds me of Pratchett in that it uses humour as a foundation in order to philosophically explore real issues with a light touch.
Totally recommended if you're looking for a fun, pacy bit of science fiction.
See here for my original review
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The third book in the Harry Potter series achieves the best balance between the central plot, subplots and the overall story arc. It's also the first book where it really feels like Rowling's world becomes hers, rather than a tasteful mix of elements from earlier children's literature.
Finally the paranoia and danger of the wider wizarding world begins to seep through. Things happen that will have real repercussions for the rest of the story arc. The characters start to grow and you can see the will become more than the archetypes the were at the outset of the series.
From here on in the books become less tightly structured and have more flaws but the world and the story arc only become more interesting.
Dying Inside
First published in 1972 and set in 1976 this is considered one of Robert Silverberg's great novels.
David Selig is a middle aged New Yorker, barely scraping by on the bottom rung of the ladder, who has telepathic abilities.
As he has aged his power has weakened, become fitful, and he expects that one day it will go away for good.
Selig narrates the story of his everyday life and, with flashbacks, the story of his life and loves.
He's a self-centred, self pitying creature and at times rather unlikeable.
For someone with perfect insight to other minds he treats people incredibly badly.
I really didn't get why Silverberg included the essays that Selig ghost writes for college students to make a living and the narrator really annoyed me at times.
However, this novel is a fine character study and a clever take on the idea of ESP. Which is why it has an A rating, the minus reflects the problems I had with the book.
I'm not sure that I can say I wholeheartedly enjoyed Dying Inside, but I do think that it's an exceptional piece of science fiction - especially considering when it was put out.
I should say that the book is very much of its time. Some bits made me rather uncomfortable, particularly some of the attitudes towards women and blacks.
I'd like to direct you to a much better and rather less amibivalent review of the book by Jo Walton.
My final verdict is that if you love Science Fiction you should probably read this book, but with the caveat that if you can't stand books with an emphasis on the psychological then you aren't going to like Dying Inside.
The Hell Of It All
This is the third volume of Brooker's collected Guardian columns.
I'm very much a fan of his sense of humour and I thoroughly enjoy his work.
I was already familiar with about a quarter of the book as I'd read the columns as they appeared on The Guardian's website.
A couple of the pieces in this book are among the best things he's ever written, and yet, it also has some of the bleakest which can be disquieting among his firework displays of invective.
I'm happy to recommend this (and Brooker's other collections, particularly if you come from a vaguely lefty, media obsessed and net savvy background.
A Princess of Roumania
This alternate world fantasy novel came to me highly recommended by a friend.
While I certainly found it contained some very original twists on familiar fantasy tropes and I enjoyed reading the book, I just can't see myself reading any further in the series.
I'm not motivated to find out what happens next.
As a side note I described the plot and a couple of the characters from the story to a Romanian friend of mine and he found it hilarious...
So, in summary, it's well-written and has some fresh ideas but somehow lacking that magic ingredient that keeps you wanting to learn more.
Agent To The Stars
What if, instead of making first contact by arriving on the White House lawn and demanding to see the President, friendly TV-informed aliens decide they need a Hollywood agent to boost their image before they make proper contact.
A very readable and enjoyable book from Scalzi. It doesn't quite hit the heights he reached later but still well worth reading.
Pies and Prejudice
A look at the reality of the north of england that starts slowly and gradually gets more and more enjoyable as Maconie falls back in love with the places and people of his youth.
Kiss Me Like A Stranger
Second autobiography this year. Like Alda's it's tremendously revealing about some things and goes into far too little detail about some of the most interesting things in his life.
Witty and very readable, it's a fun read.
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