Category: B

carl?

Posted on by Greig

Fuzzy Nation

John Scalzi

Scalzi’s latest is typical of his work. Fast paced, with well conceived aliens and just a touch of Heinlein’s ultra-competent everyman.
Based on H. Beam Piper’s 1962 book Little Fuzzy, this is an attempt to re-imagine the story in a contemporary context.
The plot concerns a mining surveyor called Jack Holloway who identifies an incredibly rich seam of a rare gemstones and the existence of a group of creatures he calls the ‘little fuzzies’ in the same week.
The gems will make the corporation in charge of the planet gigantically wealthy but the existence of the fuzzies could lead to the shutdown of all mining activity under ecological law – if they can be proved to be sentient.
I enjoyed reading the book, but I couldn’t say that it struck me as being Scalzi’s best. Maybe that’s because Holloway is not terribly likeable character and the ending seems rather inevitable.
I’d recommend it to anyone who likes Scalzi’s stuff and I suspect it’d make a good introduction to science fiction for younger readers.
I’d also like to point out that Piper’s original book Little Fuzzy is available for download at Project Gutenberg for free as it’s in the public domain. It too is a pretty good read.

Rating: B

bandersnatch?

Posted on by Greig

Bloodshot

Cherie Priest

Bloodshot is an urban fantasy novel with a focus on action and humour from an author more famous for her steampunk novels.
Notorious vampire thief, Raylene Pendle, is hired to acquire something out of the ordinary that leads her into the teeth of conspiracy and danger.
While this is an entertaining read and Cherie Priest is a very talented writer, this book never feels like it brings all the elements together in a fully satisfying way. Perhaps the fatal flaw is that the story wraps up in a deeply unsatisfactory and perfunctory matter with a series of short denouements after a muddled set piece.
I can only hope that the sequel actually concludes the story in a more satisfying fashion.
I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a fun urban fantasy romp and not expecting greatness.

Rating: B

grent?

Posted on by Greig

How To Leave Twitter

Grace Dent

Grace Dent is a columnist for the Guardian. She took over from Charlie Brooker as one of their TV critics. She’s a very funny person and also happens to be utterly addicted to Twitter.
This book is a light hearted look at the whole twitter phenomenon and user experience.
There’s not much to say about it other than Dent really does know what she’s talking about here. However to be honest, unless you’re in the market for a mildly funny book about twitter and happen to like Grace Dent’s style, there’s not much about this book that’s going to appeal to you.

Rating: B

went?

Posted on by Greig

Codex

Lev Grossman

I really, really loved The Magicians by Grossman when I read it last year and so when I discovered that my local library had a copy of an earlier book by the author I just had to give it a go.
Codex tells the story of a talented high finance guy who, in the break between jobs, gets involved with the search for a possibly apocryphal text credited to a medieval monk.
The main story/puzzle is well set up and the subplots are intriguing but somehow the book kind of peters out and ends without ever really being satisfying for the reader.
It’s obvious from the book that Grossman is a really talented writer, but that he wasn’t fully formed yet. The Magicians saw him fulfil a large part of that promise.
It’s a pretty capable thriller and depending on your viewpoint you may find the ending less disappointing that I did.

Rating: B

balvenie?

Posted on by Greig

It’s Lovely To Be Here

James Yorkston

Pleasantly enjoyable jaunt through Yorkston’s tour diaries as he travels the world playing solo shows as headliner and support act.
He’s a fine raconteur with a nice line in self-deprecating yarns but to be honest there’s nothing more to the book than that.
Worth it only if you’re already a fan of his music.

Rating: B

porkpie?

Posted on by Greig

Good Morning Nantwich

Phill Jupitus

I got a cheap ebook of this as I use the 6music breakfast show as my alarm clock and this book is mainly about his time presenting the show.
To be honest it’s not a great book and it’s not that revealing.
It’s a book with limited appeal and not worth the bother unless you really like Phill Jupitus or were a fan of his radio show.

Rating: B

short?

Posted on by Greig

Jelleyman’s Thrown A Wobbly

Jeff Stelling

Jelleyman's Thrown A WobblyLightweight memoir mainly focusing on stories from the Soccer Saturday studio.
So insubstantial as to not be worth full price.
Nevertheless it’s still pretty entertaining.

Rating: B

woobs?

Posted on by Greig

My Boring-Ass Life

Kevin Smith

my boring ass lifeSimultaneously mundane and explicit, this book is for the most part quite entertaining.
Smith seems an affable enough bloke, who is quite aware of just how much of a role luck plays in his career.
The fact remains that the two (seemingly) most interesting stories are tantalizingly referred to and are not discussed any further.
I’d recommend it if you like Smith, his movies, or can find a copy as cheap as mine was!

Rating: B