literally.
Magic or Madness / Justine Larbalestier, this book is great.
Reason has been brought up to fear magic, and her magical grandmother Esmerelda. Reason's mother, Sarafina has always taught her grandmother practices horrifying rituals and never to trust her. When Sarafina is hospitalised after a mental breakdown, Reason is sent to live in Sydney with her grandmother.
Reason has been taught well by her mother, and she plots her escape from her grandmother's house, going out the back door, Reason walks into the New York night. From here she descovers that magic is real, and that Reason is magic.
Larbalestier is an Australian author who lives in both Sydney and in New York. She obviously loves both locations, and uses the strength of both in her writing. I enjoyed this book a lot, although found myself encouraging Reason to do better, and to be more accepting than she was. There is something quite compelling with flawed characters that I enjoy though. Somewhere between fantasy and reality, the world of Magic or Madness is worth a trip.
Thursday 28 February 2008
Thursday 24 January 2008
Funerals
The Gatecrasher / Madeleine Wickham.
Fleur is looking for the perfect hat to wear to a funeral. One can never have too many black hats for funerals, especially when you're looking to snare the right sort of man: recently widowed, woebegone, and wealthy. Fleur meets Richard, he fits all these criteria, and she instantly becomes a fixture in his life.
Essentially a romantic comedy book, The Gatecrasher covers the usual ground. The characters are mostly endearing, aside from the necessary bad guy, who is more of an adjunct to the story. Everyone has faults that help the reader relate, be it Richard's obliviousness or Fleur's scheming.
Madeleine Wickham now writes under the pen name Sophie Kinsella; with the hugely popular (although I didn't like them) Shopaholic books. It is interesting to read her earlier outings, and I find it fascinating that she now publishes under a pseudonym, and frankly I want to know why?
The Gatecrasher is easy to read, there is nothing particularly taxing for the reader. With likeable characters and a swift moving plot, even the least confident reader would not be intimidated by this book. If you want something like a Hugh Grant movie in book form you can't go past Wickham/Kinsella. Heartily endorsed.
Fleur is looking for the perfect hat to wear to a funeral. One can never have too many black hats for funerals, especially when you're looking to snare the right sort of man: recently widowed, woebegone, and wealthy. Fleur meets Richard, he fits all these criteria, and she instantly becomes a fixture in his life.
Essentially a romantic comedy book, The Gatecrasher covers the usual ground. The characters are mostly endearing, aside from the necessary bad guy, who is more of an adjunct to the story. Everyone has faults that help the reader relate, be it Richard's obliviousness or Fleur's scheming.
Madeleine Wickham now writes under the pen name Sophie Kinsella; with the hugely popular (although I didn't like them) Shopaholic books. It is interesting to read her earlier outings, and I find it fascinating that she now publishes under a pseudonym, and frankly I want to know why?
The Gatecrasher is easy to read, there is nothing particularly taxing for the reader. With likeable characters and a swift moving plot, even the least confident reader would not be intimidated by this book. If you want something like a Hugh Grant movie in book form you can't go past Wickham/Kinsella. Heartily endorsed.
Friday 18 January 2008
coffee anyone?
Hoona Dog fine foods coffee and tasty stuff.
This is my current favourite coffee place. A little out of the way for me to get to, but I leave home twenty minutes earlier to stop by on my way to work anyway.
Located in the Centrepark arcade, on Currie street in Nambour, Hoona Dog doesn't look like much. Furniture that would not be out of place in a Melbourne lane cafe, that is somewhat mismatching but practical, and a single cold cabinet filled with different offerings, one would be tempted to walk past without paying much attention. However, for those in the know it is the unassuming nature of Hoona Dog and the owners that holds the appeal.
Food is fresh, with a standard daily menu. The choices are well thought out and there is something to suit everyone. I particularly like that they will customise some things to suit the individual (particularly pesky vegetarian eaters).
They use Montville coffee, the Woodford blend a suits most tastes coffee. My usual cup is a three shot latte. This caffeine hit will last all day without being over filling. I am slightly addicted to the ritual of having coffee from here in the mornings, the owners are very infectious in their manner, remembering customers and identifying what coffee they have (I don't have to order, my arrival at the store announcement enough of my order). Plus Darren really knows how to make good coffee, and there is something to be said when someone actually knows their way around an espresso machine.
If you're in Nambour and looking for somewhere to eat, I cannot recommend Hoona Dog enough. Well worth the extra twenty minutes for me each morning.
This is my current favourite coffee place. A little out of the way for me to get to, but I leave home twenty minutes earlier to stop by on my way to work anyway.
Located in the Centrepark arcade, on Currie street in Nambour, Hoona Dog doesn't look like much. Furniture that would not be out of place in a Melbourne lane cafe, that is somewhat mismatching but practical, and a single cold cabinet filled with different offerings, one would be tempted to walk past without paying much attention. However, for those in the know it is the unassuming nature of Hoona Dog and the owners that holds the appeal.
Food is fresh, with a standard daily menu. The choices are well thought out and there is something to suit everyone. I particularly like that they will customise some things to suit the individual (particularly pesky vegetarian eaters).
They use Montville coffee, the Woodford blend a suits most tastes coffee. My usual cup is a three shot latte. This caffeine hit will last all day without being over filling. I am slightly addicted to the ritual of having coffee from here in the mornings, the owners are very infectious in their manner, remembering customers and identifying what coffee they have (I don't have to order, my arrival at the store announcement enough of my order). Plus Darren really knows how to make good coffee, and there is something to be said when someone actually knows their way around an espresso machine.
If you're in Nambour and looking for somewhere to eat, I cannot recommend Hoona Dog enough. Well worth the extra twenty minutes for me each morning.
Monday 14 January 2008
Faeries
Wicked Lovely / Melissa Marr
Rule 3: Don't stare at invisible faeries, Rule 2: Don't speak to invisible faeries, Rule 1: Don't ever attract their attention.
Asilinn has always been able to see faeries, growing up abiding by the three rules until she is stalked by two of them and everything changes. Ash isn't sure what to do, and tells her friend Seth everything, about being able to see faeries about them following her, everything. Seth helps her by researching, finding out as much as he can about these faeries.
Keenan is at the Summer King, held in a state of reduced power by his mother the Winter Queen (Beira) until he finds the Summer Queen. For the last nine centuries he has tried and failed to find her, turning the women who he thinks might be the Queen into either Summer Girl or the Winter Girl (Donia), who carries Beira's winter chill. He thinks Aislinn is his Summer Queen, and will do what he has to, to get her to see it too.
I really like this book. I found the characters interesting and was instantly enthralled in the world of Wicked Lovely. Marr has created a world that is rich in lore, with much known and unknown to her characters. There is so much to explore that having read the book twice now, I discovered so much more the second time around, the nuances in the story that fill out the narrative that I missed the first time.
Wicked Lovely isn't overly descriptive, instead Marr leaves it up to the reader to fill-in the blanks, making the story more personal. The combination of real and fantasy is so well done, allowing for readers who don't usually enjoy fantasy fiction to still delight in this story.
This book is great, and I look forward to Marr's future excursions into Huntsdale and the Wicked Lovely universe.
Rule 3: Don't stare at invisible faeries, Rule 2: Don't speak to invisible faeries, Rule 1: Don't ever attract their attention.
Asilinn has always been able to see faeries, growing up abiding by the three rules until she is stalked by two of them and everything changes. Ash isn't sure what to do, and tells her friend Seth everything, about being able to see faeries about them following her, everything. Seth helps her by researching, finding out as much as he can about these faeries.
Keenan is at the Summer King, held in a state of reduced power by his mother the Winter Queen (Beira) until he finds the Summer Queen. For the last nine centuries he has tried and failed to find her, turning the women who he thinks might be the Queen into either Summer Girl or the Winter Girl (Donia), who carries Beira's winter chill. He thinks Aislinn is his Summer Queen, and will do what he has to, to get her to see it too.
I really like this book. I found the characters interesting and was instantly enthralled in the world of Wicked Lovely. Marr has created a world that is rich in lore, with much known and unknown to her characters. There is so much to explore that having read the book twice now, I discovered so much more the second time around, the nuances in the story that fill out the narrative that I missed the first time.
Wicked Lovely isn't overly descriptive, instead Marr leaves it up to the reader to fill-in the blanks, making the story more personal. The combination of real and fantasy is so well done, allowing for readers who don't usually enjoy fantasy fiction to still delight in this story.
This book is great, and I look forward to Marr's future excursions into Huntsdale and the Wicked Lovely universe.
Thursday 10 January 2008
Vampires and stuff
Twilight / Stephenie Meyer (caution, spoilers at this link) is about vampires and stuff.
Bella moves to Folks to live with her father, and starts a new school where she is instantly the new hit thing. Except for Edward, who seems to instantly dislike her (without even speaking to her). From here, things turn interesting for Bella, naturally clumsy she is continually needing rescuing, and it is Edward who comes to her rescue.
From here they fall madly in love, as one expects from their first meeting, and the reader soon find out that Edward is actually a Vampire da, da, dum!
For a first book Twilight is okay, I found the characters strangely compelling, however Meyer's writing style is quite flowery and the amount of description is often over zealous. The time spent inside Bella's head as she continues to admire Edward can become quite frustrating, and you just want her to shut-up. I also find Bella a bit insipid and not very emotionally strong in this book, it would be great if she could grow up.
Having said all that, I really like this book. If you want a love story that has a bit of a twist it is right up there. It is a book for girls essentially, and I don't know any boys that have read it. However, all the teenage girls I know that have read it love it with as much passion as I have. There are two published sequels - and a fourth book in the series is due for release later this year. Well worth a read!
Bella moves to Folks to live with her father, and starts a new school where she is instantly the new hit thing. Except for Edward, who seems to instantly dislike her (without even speaking to her). From here, things turn interesting for Bella, naturally clumsy she is continually needing rescuing, and it is Edward who comes to her rescue.
From here they fall madly in love, as one expects from their first meeting, and the reader soon find out that Edward is actually a Vampire da, da, dum!
For a first book Twilight is okay, I found the characters strangely compelling, however Meyer's writing style is quite flowery and the amount of description is often over zealous. The time spent inside Bella's head as she continues to admire Edward can become quite frustrating, and you just want her to shut-up. I also find Bella a bit insipid and not very emotionally strong in this book, it would be great if she could grow up.
Having said all that, I really like this book. If you want a love story that has a bit of a twist it is right up there. It is a book for girls essentially, and I don't know any boys that have read it. However, all the teenage girls I know that have read it love it with as much passion as I have. There are two published sequels - and a fourth book in the series is due for release later this year. Well worth a read!
Tuesday 8 January 2008
Reaching
Speaking of Die Hard; Bad Luck and Trouble / Lee Child is like Die Hard in print (yes, I know that Die Hard is based on an actual book Nothing Lasts Forever / Roderick Throp but that is not the point!)
Reacher is one of my favourite fictional characters, an ex-US Army MP going through the remainder of his life without permanent address or employ. Plus, like all good action heroes, he is constantly encountering bad guys and trouble - otherwise I guess, there wouldn't be the books.
In Bad Luck and Trouble Reacher is sought by an old friend using a military code for trouble, via a bank deposit. Given my love of logic and mathematics, this idea appeals to me. The trouble in question relates to other old friends, and Reacher meets up with his former colleague to set things right, and avenge the wrong that has been done. Not awesome enough for you? There is a an obligatory shoot-out, and some death by being dropped out of a helicopter in there as well.
There is something so very likable about Reacher, you want him to win, you're rooting for him to do well. If I were in some sort of pickle, I would want him on my side. These books are not difficult to read, have an intriguing story and best of all, are perfect escapism for when you're procrastinating. There is high action, some quality suspense, and best of all the good guys win.
Reacher is one of my favourite fictional characters, an ex-US Army MP going through the remainder of his life without permanent address or employ. Plus, like all good action heroes, he is constantly encountering bad guys and trouble - otherwise I guess, there wouldn't be the books.
In Bad Luck and Trouble Reacher is sought by an old friend using a military code for trouble, via a bank deposit. Given my love of logic and mathematics, this idea appeals to me. The trouble in question relates to other old friends, and Reacher meets up with his former colleague to set things right, and avenge the wrong that has been done. Not awesome enough for you? There is a an obligatory shoot-out, and some death by being dropped out of a helicopter in there as well.
There is something so very likable about Reacher, you want him to win, you're rooting for him to do well. If I were in some sort of pickle, I would want him on my side. These books are not difficult to read, have an intriguing story and best of all, are perfect escapism for when you're procrastinating. There is high action, some quality suspense, and best of all the good guys win.
Monday 7 January 2008
A little bit of Bruce
Die Hard 4.0 (live free or Die Hard)
I truly enjoy the whole Die Hard franchise. There is something irresistible about John McClane as an action hero, almost as if he is the perfect hard arse. You would want to be friends with this man if only so you weren't his enemy.
What I love about action movies in general, and particularly in the Die Hard franchise is that McClane never dies. Doesn't matter that you've been shot, you can keep kicking on. Oh, you've been punched in the face a bunch of times, no broken nose or swelling eyes, just a little blood you're good to go. Oh, fallen from a moving vehicle, you'll be right to slide down a broken road and have a plane explode above you, toughen up. So far you've been dead three or four times - who wouldn't want that kind of stamina?
The ludicrous nature of the action hero as super human without being a superhero, creating an 'every day man' bringing down the terrorists fantasy for the viewer that is so appealing. John McClane while being freakishly unkillable is just an average man, doing his job. If his job is to survive the unsurvivable and be humble about it at the end of the day. Maybe that is what I also like about Die Hard, that McClane is so humble in his victory. His ego doesn't grow, he just gets it done. He doesn't gloat about it, and you get the feeling that he would rather not be doing any of it, but be damned if he will let the bad guys win.
4.0 is great. There are explosions and fights and everything you expect from a Die Hard movie. As the plot goes, things are a little bit more technical this time around, with some quality computer terrorism. It is as unbelievable as you'd expect, and well worth watching on DVD if you're into action movies. This film made me want to watch Die Hard with a Vengeance, and you can't get a better endorsement than that.
I truly enjoy the whole Die Hard franchise. There is something irresistible about John McClane as an action hero, almost as if he is the perfect hard arse. You would want to be friends with this man if only so you weren't his enemy.
What I love about action movies in general, and particularly in the Die Hard franchise is that McClane never dies. Doesn't matter that you've been shot, you can keep kicking on. Oh, you've been punched in the face a bunch of times, no broken nose or swelling eyes, just a little blood you're good to go. Oh, fallen from a moving vehicle, you'll be right to slide down a broken road and have a plane explode above you, toughen up. So far you've been dead three or four times - who wouldn't want that kind of stamina?
The ludicrous nature of the action hero as super human without being a superhero, creating an 'every day man' bringing down the terrorists fantasy for the viewer that is so appealing. John McClane while being freakishly unkillable is just an average man, doing his job. If his job is to survive the unsurvivable and be humble about it at the end of the day. Maybe that is what I also like about Die Hard, that McClane is so humble in his victory. His ego doesn't grow, he just gets it done. He doesn't gloat about it, and you get the feeling that he would rather not be doing any of it, but be damned if he will let the bad guys win.
4.0 is great. There are explosions and fights and everything you expect from a Die Hard movie. As the plot goes, things are a little bit more technical this time around, with some quality computer terrorism. It is as unbelievable as you'd expect, and well worth watching on DVD if you're into action movies. This film made me want to watch Die Hard with a Vengeance, and you can't get a better endorsement than that.
Friday 4 January 2008
just deserts
Last one in / Nicholas Kulish
Jimmy Stephens is an unlikely, or unlucky, war correspondent. Having spent most of his journalistic career as a gossip columnist, Jimmy is dumped in the desert of Iraq to cover the ‘war on terror’ from the front line.
The premise, although slightly implausible, sits close enough to reality to be believable. Kulish provides enough ‘real’ information to ensure the reader is transported to what is happening. The imagery that Kulish creates around the sand is well crafted, leaving enough to the imagination of the reader to create their own interpretation of the visual. It is this subtly of description that draws the reader into the world, allowing for the narrative and character development to shine.
Jimmy’s struggles as a first-time war correspondent provide fabulous comedy fodder for Kulish. From being tricked by a fake gas attack to getting lost on a rations truck, Jimmy comes across as a little too close to how I would fare in similar situations. As Jimmy finds his desert feet and connects to the Marines he is embedded with, there is a very coming of age feeling about the story.
There is a lack of quality war-time humour writing during conflicts; it seems that this topic is almost too taboo for writers and readers to contemplate. Political satirists will address the politics of a situation, but the war itself is left alone. Although I’m not suggesting that war is amusing, the use of humour provides an access point for people to have a greater insight of situations that are difficult to express. As a former war correspondent, Kulish treats the situation with the respect and disrespect that it deserves. He doesn’t shy away from the pain of war, but highlights the absurdity of the human condition that is so apparent.
Kulish has achieved a wonderful first novel. He has a fantastic style, using narrative with character development and location description in a way that is both compelling and easy to read. I hope that Kulish continues to write and I look forward to reading more of his work. Last one in is well worth obtaining and reading.
Jimmy Stephens is an unlikely, or unlucky, war correspondent. Having spent most of his journalistic career as a gossip columnist, Jimmy is dumped in the desert of Iraq to cover the ‘war on terror’ from the front line.
The premise, although slightly implausible, sits close enough to reality to be believable. Kulish provides enough ‘real’ information to ensure the reader is transported to what is happening. The imagery that Kulish creates around the sand is well crafted, leaving enough to the imagination of the reader to create their own interpretation of the visual. It is this subtly of description that draws the reader into the world, allowing for the narrative and character development to shine.
Jimmy’s struggles as a first-time war correspondent provide fabulous comedy fodder for Kulish. From being tricked by a fake gas attack to getting lost on a rations truck, Jimmy comes across as a little too close to how I would fare in similar situations. As Jimmy finds his desert feet and connects to the Marines he is embedded with, there is a very coming of age feeling about the story.
There is a lack of quality war-time humour writing during conflicts; it seems that this topic is almost too taboo for writers and readers to contemplate. Political satirists will address the politics of a situation, but the war itself is left alone. Although I’m not suggesting that war is amusing, the use of humour provides an access point for people to have a greater insight of situations that are difficult to express. As a former war correspondent, Kulish treats the situation with the respect and disrespect that it deserves. He doesn’t shy away from the pain of war, but highlights the absurdity of the human condition that is so apparent.
Kulish has achieved a wonderful first novel. He has a fantastic style, using narrative with character development and location description in a way that is both compelling and easy to read. I hope that Kulish continues to write and I look forward to reading more of his work. Last one in is well worth obtaining and reading.
Thursday 3 January 2008
dull garden
The Bone Garden / Tess Gerritsen is a stand alone novel with what is almost a cameo appearance of Maura Isles.
I didn't like this book. I couldn't even bring myself to finish it, although I did go and read the ending before I gave up on it completely in the off chance that it would improve at all by the end, it didn't.
Not too long ago I would have finished the book regardless, the hours of my life that I had already put in would seem wasted if I didn't finish that damned thing. Not so much anymore. Now I feel like I am getting back some of my life by stopping right now, before I waste anymore of my time on this.
What I found frustrating about The Bone Garden was the swapping between two time periods. The stories although interrelated were almost forced in the way they interacted, not quite running parallel and feeding the combined narrative enough.
My opinion is prejudiced by my dislike of historical fiction making it difficult for me to empathise with the characters in that period. I craved more story from the current day, and when this was not forthcoming I decided to skip ahead and see how things turned out.
Gerritsen provides quite wonderful imagery of both the modern day and historical aspects of the story. Although I did not enjoy this outing, fans will find her usual suspense and action are apparent and worthy of some attention. Even though I didn't find this story to my liking, I will continue to read Gerritsen's work in the future, and look forward to her next book.
I didn't like this book. I couldn't even bring myself to finish it, although I did go and read the ending before I gave up on it completely in the off chance that it would improve at all by the end, it didn't.
Not too long ago I would have finished the book regardless, the hours of my life that I had already put in would seem wasted if I didn't finish that damned thing. Not so much anymore. Now I feel like I am getting back some of my life by stopping right now, before I waste anymore of my time on this.
What I found frustrating about The Bone Garden was the swapping between two time periods. The stories although interrelated were almost forced in the way they interacted, not quite running parallel and feeding the combined narrative enough.
My opinion is prejudiced by my dislike of historical fiction making it difficult for me to empathise with the characters in that period. I craved more story from the current day, and when this was not forthcoming I decided to skip ahead and see how things turned out.
Gerritsen provides quite wonderful imagery of both the modern day and historical aspects of the story. Although I did not enjoy this outing, fans will find her usual suspense and action are apparent and worthy of some attention. Even though I didn't find this story to my liking, I will continue to read Gerritsen's work in the future, and look forward to her next book.
Wednesday 2 January 2008
Upping the Tempe
Bones to Ashes / Kathy Reichs The tenth book in her highly successful Temperance Brennan series.
I enjoy Reichs' storytelling. Her combination of scientific fact with unbelievable action is something that I find strangely compelling. As a forensics nerd from way back (my primary school chemistry experiments the precursor), I enjoy Reichs' science content. Knowing that she has the forensic anthropology background, and that the material is likely to be accurate creates a believability to the story.
However it is the unwieldy, and often outrageous action that I covert. These scenes are often awkward and highly unreal, in that I can't imagine even the most keen forensic anthropologist getting in such situations. My goodness if only my life libraries could be this exciting - I'm sure that there are criminals just waiting to accost me and mine for my meddlesome ways at work. Or not.
Bones to Ashes is a much of the same for Reichs. Tempe is out getting in to all sorts of mischief as she works in Quebec on a case that is causing her to reflect on a past friendship, where the bones aren't giving her the right clues. If you're a fan of Reichs' books you'll enjoy this outing as the formula is much the same. The whole book only took me a couple of hours to read, like all good pulp should.
I enjoy Reichs' storytelling. Her combination of scientific fact with unbelievable action is something that I find strangely compelling. As a forensics nerd from way back (my primary school chemistry experiments the precursor), I enjoy Reichs' science content. Knowing that she has the forensic anthropology background, and that the material is likely to be accurate creates a believability to the story.
However it is the unwieldy, and often outrageous action that I covert. These scenes are often awkward and highly unreal, in that I can't imagine even the most keen forensic anthropologist getting in such situations. My goodness if only my life libraries could be this exciting - I'm sure that there are criminals just waiting to accost me and mine for my meddlesome ways at work. Or not.
Bones to Ashes is a much of the same for Reichs. Tempe is out getting in to all sorts of mischief as she works in Quebec on a case that is causing her to reflect on a past friendship, where the bones aren't giving her the right clues. If you're a fan of Reichs' books you'll enjoy this outing as the formula is much the same. The whole book only took me a couple of hours to read, like all good pulp should.
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