Category: Books

borogovian?

Posted on by Greig

Redshirts

John Scalzi

redshirtsEven though this is the first time I’ve physically read this book I already knew the story as I listened to it as an audiobook first.
What initially looks like an affectionate parody of Science Fiction TV cliches (mostly Star Trek) turns into a rather meta piece about the reality of fictional characters.
The main novel rattles along at a good pace and is very readable – just less clever than it thinks. The three codas are interesting experiments. The strongest one is easily the best thing about the book.
Recommended if you like Scalzi or media parodies.
I also note here that I recently read the first episode of the serial novel that Scalzi’s releasing this year (The Human Division). While I enjoyed reading it I decided to wait for the completed work, due out in May.

Rating: B+

gutshot?

Posted on by Greig

An Abundance of Katherines

John Green

an abundance of katherinesThis is probably Green’s funniest and lightest book.
Colin Singleton is an ex-child prodigy who is addicted to anagramming and dating girls called Katherine. When the 19th of that ilk dumps him after graduating high school his best friend takes him on a road trip to stop obsessing over the break up.
I read it for the first time in 2009 and I enjoyed it then too (though I was apparently going through a phase of not actually reviewing and rating books at that point).
Recommended if you want a funny and sweet, sort of romantic, teen novel.

Rating: A-

estate?

Posted on by Greig

The Rook

Daniel O’Malley

the rookI’m reading a couple of fantasy books at the minute but I’m struggling to get into them. So to change the pace I picked this up and immediately got sucked into it.
I’ve read it before and I think I enjoyed it slightly more this time.
It’s really entertaining supernatural spy romp with added amnesia to give it a twist.
Recommended to anyone looking for a nice piece of genre escapism.

Rating: A-

interiority?

Posted on by Greig

Microserfs

Douglas Coupland

microserfsI’ve re-read this book quite a few times (and I reviewed it for this blog in 2006 and in 2003).
It’s a book with a lot of worthwhile things to say about creativity, family, friendship and love.
I still get a lot of enjoyment from it – no matter how dated the tech references get – the emotional core still resonates.

Rating: A-

2012?

Posted on by Greig

Books I Read in 2012

Complete chronological list of books I read in 2012, with links to the original reviews

  1. The Magician King by Lev Grossman, rated A
  2. Making Money by Terry Pratchett, rated B+
  3. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green, rated A
  4. The Rook by Daniel O’Malley, rated B+
  5. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, rated B+
  6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, rated A-
  7. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, rated B+
  8. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, rated B+
  9. War For The Oaks by Emma Bull, rated A-
  10. Life After God by Douglas Coupland, rated B-
  11. How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran, rated A-
  12. Espedair Street by Iain Banks, rated B
  13. Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes, rated B+
  14. Where the Hell Am I? by Ken Levine, rated B-
  15. The Diamond Throne by David Eddings, rated C+
  16. The Ruby Knight by David Eddings, rated C+
  17. The Sapphire Rose by David Eddings, rated C+
  18. Dave Gorman vs the Rest of the World by Dave Gorman, rated B+
  19. The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter, rated A-
  20. Rivers Of London by Ben Aaronovitch, rated A
  21. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch, rated A-
  22. The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison, rated A-
  23. Gateway by Frederik Pohl, rated A-
  24. Soulless by Gail Carriger, rated B
  25. The Half Life of Stars by Louise Wener, rated B-
  26. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, rated A
  27. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire, rated B+
  28. A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire, rated B+
  29. An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire, rated B+
  30. Late Eclipses by Seanan McGuire, rated B+
  31. One Salt Sea by Seanan McGuire, rated B+
  32. Changeless by Gail Carriger, rated C+
  33. Ashes of Honor by Seanan McGuire, rated B+
  34. The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde, rated B
  35. Like Mother Like Daughter by Catherine Clark, rated B-
  36. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, rated A-
  37. Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire, rated B+
  38. Pattern Recognition by William Gibson, rated A

anarchia?

Posted on by Greig

Pattern Recognition

William Gibson

This is one of my favourite books. I’ve reviewed it before on this blog (2007 and 2005).
This re-read was prompted by coming across a couple of chapters of the BBC adaptation of the story. While very well done it was, sadly, abridged. It really made me want to read the complete story again.
Talking about this book online I’ve discovered that some people don’t think it’s Science Fiction. While I’ve always read it as being a very subtle piece of alternative history I do recognize that it could be viewed as an entirely contemporary piece. However I would still argue that, if contemporary, it’s still Science Fiction about now.

Rating: A

gingerbread?

Posted on by Greig

Discount Armageddon

Seanan McGuire

This daft, delicious piece of urban fantasy stars the ballroom dancing cryptozoologist Verity Price.
The plot is kind of mental but it’s a lot of fun.
McGuire writes compulsively readable books and heroines are always ridiculously compelling.
I prefer the Toby Daye books but I’d still recommend this one without hesitation particularly if you love urban fantasy with a twist of absurdity.

Rating: B+

fitz?

Posted on by Greig

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

Despite being regarded as one of the greatest writers of english literature I’ve never had the slightest interest in reading any of Austen’s works. I find 19th Century prose hard work.
So what on earth motivated me enough to put in the effort to read this novel?
A modern day adaptation of the story told through the medium of videoblogs called The Lizzie Bennet Diaries started earlier this year on Youtube and I’ve been watching and becoming ever more invested in the story since the beginning. It got to the stage where I needed to know where the story was headed. I turned to the famous BBC adaptation from the 90s, which somehow only served to deepen my interest until eventually I cracked and started to read the novel proper.
It’s a book of subtle and sly wit with a tremendously appealing rather flawed protagonist. I still struggle with the language (which is why it’s an A- rather than an A+) but the power of the tale is undeniable. Once you hit the proposal in Hunsford you’re firmly gripped and the story isn’t going to let you go until it’s finished.
I have to admit I still find myself preferring The Lizzie Bennet Diaries as a piece of entertainment but I would definitely recommend the book. Get yourself a free copy from the internet and stick with it and you will find real rewards.

Rating: A-

403?

Posted on by Greig

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Catherine Clark

The first of four Gilmore Girls tie-in novels. I caved in to my admitted obsession with the show and picked them up dirt cheap second hand from Amazon.
This particular volume recounts events in several early first season episodes solely from the perspective of Rory (including my favourite ever scene).
It’s an adequate read but to be honest if you’ve watched the episodes involved as many times as I have then the dialogue is burned into your brain already.
The writing is good but it’s nowhere near as compelling without the actors’ performances and, let’s be honest, this long after the show ended the book is only going to be for people who are hardcore fans.

Rating: B-