So I'm fatter than ever, I have no prospects and live a fairly solitary existence. How did I get here you ask? Easy - I have no will power, no friends and the economy is such that I have no chance of escape.
So the first is easy to answer, I have a screwed up metabolism thanks to the crappy set of genes I inherited from my parents. No matter what I do it makes no difference. But that's an old story and one I am sick of justifying. I like I food, I enjoy the new flavours and I am not going to apologise for not wanting to eat like a starving rabbit.
To the second point. I am surrounded by people constantly its true. But the 2 real true friends, those two wonderful people who I have been blessed to have in my life for nearly the past 20 years, are so busy with their own lives & families, that I don't want to bother them with this drowning feeling I seem to be sinking deeper into with every passing day. And honestly what could they do or say that would make it feel any better? My life is what it is.
And so to the third point... no prospects. When the economy takes a tumble lead by the very industry you work in, opportunities to go somewhere else dry up faster then a drop of rain in Perth. I've made a point of doing the very best I can at my job. I went out & got a degree to help my prospects. Even when there were heaps of jobs.. I still couldn't escape this place. And now.. well now we have new boss. One who has taken an instant dislike to me. One who is very determined in her efforts to keep me down. One who is making it clear that in fact my job is a waste of time and I'm only here at her pleasure. One who knows there is absolutely nowhere for me to go as I need this income.
And so I pass my days trying not to cry and digging my nails into my skin trying to feel something.. anything. Not even for my kids or my husband. I feel like I am surplus to requirements. That I have no place in this world whatsoever, Sure I am just one of 7 billion people on this planet, so what makes me so special and worthy of any special attention? Absolutely nothing... and would anyone really miss me if I was gone? Would my kids? Probably for a little bit but kids are resilient. They'd soon forget me.. maybe remember me on important days. And my husband? I'm sure he would meet someone else soon enough. Someone who is far more interesting and attractive then I. When did the relationship become me being there for him and never the reverse? If I am honest it has always been such. The idea of a balanced relationship is a lie. One partner will always sacrifice for the other. I have given up myself for him and for my children and their requirements and thus it shall forevermore be.....
And so I return to the mire of my life.. surrounded by people but always alone, working a job that I once used to love and a slave to my own misery.
Monday, 22 February 2016
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Book Bloggin' 27th November 2013
Finished: Elianne by Judy Nunn
I love a story that can capture you & take you on a journey. This is one such story. I loved it.. unfortunately I got in trouble for reading at work when I should have been working. But I just had to know what happened(in my pathetic defense, I was nearly at the end of the book at the time)!!
Judy Nunn has a special gift that enables you to be transported into the story & feel like you are a part of it, not just an observer on the outside. To feel that the characters are talking to you & you become fully invested in their story. Amazing stuff.
Elianne tells the story of the Durhams - sugar producing royalty in Bundaberg. It follows the discovery, by one of the curretnt generation of a secret so shocking that it may in fact tear the family apart. But it is this secret which ultimately reunite the family and bring them to a place of greater understanding. Great read!
Started: Bad Men by John Connolly
I had the privelege of seeing John Connolly speak when he came to Perth a month or so ago. He is an extremely funny man who has a unique gift when it comes to writing. In a similar way to Judy Nunn he can capture you and make you care about the characters. In addition he is a gifted writer who can make words sing a tune that leaves you begging for more.
I love a story that can capture you & take you on a journey. This is one such story. I loved it.. unfortunately I got in trouble for reading at work when I should have been working. But I just had to know what happened(in my pathetic defense, I was nearly at the end of the book at the time)!!
Judy Nunn has a special gift that enables you to be transported into the story & feel like you are a part of it, not just an observer on the outside. To feel that the characters are talking to you & you become fully invested in their story. Amazing stuff.
Elianne tells the story of the Durhams - sugar producing royalty in Bundaberg. It follows the discovery, by one of the curretnt generation of a secret so shocking that it may in fact tear the family apart. But it is this secret which ultimately reunite the family and bring them to a place of greater understanding. Great read!
Started: Bad Men by John Connolly
I had the privelege of seeing John Connolly speak when he came to Perth a month or so ago. He is an extremely funny man who has a unique gift when it comes to writing. In a similar way to Judy Nunn he can capture you and make you care about the characters. In addition he is a gifted writer who can make words sing a tune that leaves you begging for more.
Monday, 25 November 2013
Book Bloggin' 25th November 2013
Finished: Armageddon(Kirov Saga) by John Schettler
So, here it is. The final in the current Kirov saga. Or perhaps not. After discovering that it is infact Karpov who is responsible for the changes in the timeline that resulted in the end of humanity, Federov and crew go back to 1908 in order to prevent him from making things even worse. Do they succeed? Do they prevent an even worse catastrophe? Well, who knows? Instead, the author spruikes a bunch of spin off series that may or may not be written. It is at this point I realised why he had introduced all the other new characters in the previous volume (they were not at all part of this volume, except in the epilogues, as a lead in to spruiking more books). It is as a way to make more money. Do not be fooled. There is no conclusion to this series (well not a truely defining conclusion anyway) rather a fade off to a sales pitch. I find myself rather disappointed as I truly enjoyed this series and sadly the ending felt like it was abrogated in place of a sales pitch so that the author can make more money from the multiple follow on series he has planned. It was like watching one of those tv sales pitches where if you buy one you get 2 for free!! Or don't worry no one gets hooked on drugs from just taking one, here take 2 instead & then you will be so hooked you won't care that there is no ending in sight! The sad truth for the author was he would have made more money from me at least, as I would happily have bought any spin off series, but now, with how this book ended, I feel like these books have been nothing more then a cheaply disguised way to make money rather than an author who is writing books for the pure joy of it. John Schettler is a great author, but I won't be buying any more of his book as honestly this has left me feeling a little dirty and used.
Too harsh? Maybe, but honestly this series started off so fantastically and was written so well(on the whole at any rate, there were a few misses) that to have it end this way just screams at me that the author is happy to sell himself to make more money. Maybe not the effect he was hoping to achieve (I suspect he was rather trying to sell the new book ideas), but that is how it came across to me.
Started: Elianne by Judy Nunn
So, here it is. The final in the current Kirov saga. Or perhaps not. After discovering that it is infact Karpov who is responsible for the changes in the timeline that resulted in the end of humanity, Federov and crew go back to 1908 in order to prevent him from making things even worse. Do they succeed? Do they prevent an even worse catastrophe? Well, who knows? Instead, the author spruikes a bunch of spin off series that may or may not be written. It is at this point I realised why he had introduced all the other new characters in the previous volume (they were not at all part of this volume, except in the epilogues, as a lead in to spruiking more books). It is as a way to make more money. Do not be fooled. There is no conclusion to this series (well not a truely defining conclusion anyway) rather a fade off to a sales pitch. I find myself rather disappointed as I truly enjoyed this series and sadly the ending felt like it was abrogated in place of a sales pitch so that the author can make more money from the multiple follow on series he has planned. It was like watching one of those tv sales pitches where if you buy one you get 2 for free!! Or don't worry no one gets hooked on drugs from just taking one, here take 2 instead & then you will be so hooked you won't care that there is no ending in sight! The sad truth for the author was he would have made more money from me at least, as I would happily have bought any spin off series, but now, with how this book ended, I feel like these books have been nothing more then a cheaply disguised way to make money rather than an author who is writing books for the pure joy of it. John Schettler is a great author, but I won't be buying any more of his book as honestly this has left me feeling a little dirty and used.
Too harsh? Maybe, but honestly this series started off so fantastically and was written so well(on the whole at any rate, there were a few misses) that to have it end this way just screams at me that the author is happy to sell himself to make more money. Maybe not the effect he was hoping to achieve (I suspect he was rather trying to sell the new book ideas), but that is how it came across to me.
Started: Elianne by Judy Nunn
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Book Bloggin' 20th November 2013
Finished: Between Silk & Cyanide: A Code Makers War by Leo Marks
This was a hard book to read. The author had a disjointed way of writing that sometimes felt like you were trapped between thoughts flitting through his head. However, it was an eye opening account of the bumbling & ineptitude as well as the in fighting that ultimately cost the lives of many agents dropped into Europe, but Holland in particular. While I knew vaguey of the other side of the coding fence (Bletchley) I did not know about this which was essentially the coal face, with Leo Marks being the wise (but ignored generally) leader of the pit crew. How different things may have turned out had his suspicions (later confirmed) been believed at the beginning.
Started & Finished: Bittersweet by Colleen McCullough [Audible version]
I decided to use my free audible.com credit to buy this book as it was nice & long & suited the work I am doing at the moment (no thinking required - so I could concentrate on the story). This overall was a great reading of a good story. It follows the 4 Latimer girls ( 2 sets of twins) as they leave the cosseted world of their father and begin to explore the world and learn more about themselves. As a means of escepe they become trainee nurses and as the years progress they discover more & more about themselves and each other. It ended on a bit of a sudden note which was disappointing as it felt like the 4 girls had finally all just gotten to the point that they were happy... but then maybe that was the point. I don't know it just felt like it could have gone on a bit more for my liking.
Started: A Brief History of Britain 1066-1485 by Nicholas Vincent [Audible version]
Armageddon (Kirov Saga) by John Schettler
This was a hard book to read. The author had a disjointed way of writing that sometimes felt like you were trapped between thoughts flitting through his head. However, it was an eye opening account of the bumbling & ineptitude as well as the in fighting that ultimately cost the lives of many agents dropped into Europe, but Holland in particular. While I knew vaguey of the other side of the coding fence (Bletchley) I did not know about this which was essentially the coal face, with Leo Marks being the wise (but ignored generally) leader of the pit crew. How different things may have turned out had his suspicions (later confirmed) been believed at the beginning.
Started & Finished: Bittersweet by Colleen McCullough [Audible version]
I decided to use my free audible.com credit to buy this book as it was nice & long & suited the work I am doing at the moment (no thinking required - so I could concentrate on the story). This overall was a great reading of a good story. It follows the 4 Latimer girls ( 2 sets of twins) as they leave the cosseted world of their father and begin to explore the world and learn more about themselves. As a means of escepe they become trainee nurses and as the years progress they discover more & more about themselves and each other. It ended on a bit of a sudden note which was disappointing as it felt like the 4 girls had finally all just gotten to the point that they were happy... but then maybe that was the point. I don't know it just felt like it could have gone on a bit more for my liking.
Started: A Brief History of Britain 1066-1485 by Nicholas Vincent [Audible version]
Armageddon (Kirov Saga) by John Schettler
Monday, 28 October 2013
Book Bloggin' 28th October 2013
Finished: On the Steel Breeze by Alastair Reynolds
The second in a planned trilogy following the Akinya family and humanities first steps out of the Solar System. Elephants feature heavily in the first book of this series and they are also present in the second. What their role is at this point, still remains to be seen. It does seem though that the fate of the Akinyas(and therefore humanity as a whole, or at least those on the holoships) and the elephants is closely related.
This book is set another generation into the future than the previous installment with vast caravans of holoships (cored out asteroids) travelling to a planet in another solar system to investigate & colonise a new planet which has some "alien made" features, the primary reason for choosing that planet as one of the first new planets for colonisation. The Akinyas were responsible for this push to move out of the Solar System in both construction of the holoships and development of a new type of physics which enable the ships to travel further and faster then ever before.
I really enjoyed this book. Obviously it is the bridging book in the trilogy and while there is a jump in time, the central characters are still there, albeit in machine form. How and why they are so important will hopefully be revealed in the final book.
I like that when you read one of Alastair Reynolds books, the truth is given out in little parcels, allowing you some satifcation in connecting dots, but not so much that you can prematurely draw the whole picture!
Started: Between Silk & Cyanide: A Codemakers War by Leo Marks
The second in a planned trilogy following the Akinya family and humanities first steps out of the Solar System. Elephants feature heavily in the first book of this series and they are also present in the second. What their role is at this point, still remains to be seen. It does seem though that the fate of the Akinyas(and therefore humanity as a whole, or at least those on the holoships) and the elephants is closely related.
This book is set another generation into the future than the previous installment with vast caravans of holoships (cored out asteroids) travelling to a planet in another solar system to investigate & colonise a new planet which has some "alien made" features, the primary reason for choosing that planet as one of the first new planets for colonisation. The Akinyas were responsible for this push to move out of the Solar System in both construction of the holoships and development of a new type of physics which enable the ships to travel further and faster then ever before.
I really enjoyed this book. Obviously it is the bridging book in the trilogy and while there is a jump in time, the central characters are still there, albeit in machine form. How and why they are so important will hopefully be revealed in the final book.
I like that when you read one of Alastair Reynolds books, the truth is given out in little parcels, allowing you some satifcation in connecting dots, but not so much that you can prematurely draw the whole picture!
Started: Between Silk & Cyanide: A Codemakers War by Leo Marks
Monday, 21 October 2013
Book Bloggin' 21st October 2013
Started: On The Steel Breeze by Alastair Reynolds
The second part of the Blue Remembered Earth trilogy.
The second part of the Blue Remembered Earth trilogy.
Monday, 14 October 2013
Book Bloggin' 14th October 2013
Finished: Malory Towers Series by Enid Blyton
I loved re-reading this series. There are six books in all following the school career of Darrell Rivers as she moves through each year at Malory Towers, a fictional school on the Cornwall coast. From a modern standpoint, some of the goings on are quite quaint as is the speech. Equally, some things may be viewed as offensive by some (although not by me!). Recently alot of Enid Blytons books have been rewritten and "modernised" but I think honestly, that they should be left alone. They are a window into a different time, when the standards were alot higher in regards to the responisbility of parents and the role they play in shaoping who their children will become. And it is so true, so many parents are willing to blame this that or the other if their child is not behaving, instead of taking responsibility for their actions and trying to educate and improve them. I try my best with my kids and these books have always had a deep affect on me, especially when combined with how I was parented. It is a true fact that the child is a reflection of the kind of attention and support a parent gives them. I only hope that I am managing to do that with my children.
Started & Finished: The Wanderer in Unknown Realms by John Connolly.
A short story by an author I am excited to be going to see in a couple of weeks! A supernatural thriller that is very much in the vain of his Charlie Parker novels but based shortly after the first world war. A good read and really quite creepy.
Started & Finished: Just South of Rome by Judy Nunn
Another short story. I really enjoy these short stories by Judy Nunn. They are always highly entertaining!
I loved re-reading this series. There are six books in all following the school career of Darrell Rivers as she moves through each year at Malory Towers, a fictional school on the Cornwall coast. From a modern standpoint, some of the goings on are quite quaint as is the speech. Equally, some things may be viewed as offensive by some (although not by me!). Recently alot of Enid Blytons books have been rewritten and "modernised" but I think honestly, that they should be left alone. They are a window into a different time, when the standards were alot higher in regards to the responisbility of parents and the role they play in shaoping who their children will become. And it is so true, so many parents are willing to blame this that or the other if their child is not behaving, instead of taking responsibility for their actions and trying to educate and improve them. I try my best with my kids and these books have always had a deep affect on me, especially when combined with how I was parented. It is a true fact that the child is a reflection of the kind of attention and support a parent gives them. I only hope that I am managing to do that with my children.
Started & Finished: The Wanderer in Unknown Realms by John Connolly.
A short story by an author I am excited to be going to see in a couple of weeks! A supernatural thriller that is very much in the vain of his Charlie Parker novels but based shortly after the first world war. A good read and really quite creepy.
Started & Finished: Just South of Rome by Judy Nunn
Another short story. I really enjoy these short stories by Judy Nunn. They are always highly entertaining!
Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Book Bloggin' 8th October 2013
Finished: In the Shadow of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth
This book was slightly different to the first installment in that it dealt more with three main characters that the authour had come into contact with during her time as a distrcit nurse. Each story was a very moving account of the difficulties of growing up and living in the East End of London. The three people she follows all came from different sections of the community and each had a unique story to tell - although throughout there was the commonality of life in Poplar.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I admit I had a cry at the end when she was finishing the life story of Joseph Collett. If you want a peak into how life has changed for all ages, then I highly suggest this book. It truly is eye opening and gives an insight into the clumsy first efforts at the "welfare state".
Started: Malory Towers Series by Enid Blyton
I felt like some thing light & easy, and a return to the books I so enjoyed as a child, especially now as my daughter is starting to enjoy these books too!
This book was slightly different to the first installment in that it dealt more with three main characters that the authour had come into contact with during her time as a distrcit nurse. Each story was a very moving account of the difficulties of growing up and living in the East End of London. The three people she follows all came from different sections of the community and each had a unique story to tell - although throughout there was the commonality of life in Poplar.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I admit I had a cry at the end when she was finishing the life story of Joseph Collett. If you want a peak into how life has changed for all ages, then I highly suggest this book. It truly is eye opening and gives an insight into the clumsy first efforts at the "welfare state".
Started: Malory Towers Series by Enid Blyton
I felt like some thing light & easy, and a return to the books I so enjoyed as a child, especially now as my daughter is starting to enjoy these books too!
Friday, 4 October 2013
Book Bloggin' 4th October 2013
Finished: Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth
This book is the basis for the series "Call the Midwife" which follows the life of Jennifer Lee a midwife based in the convent of St Raymond Nonnatus (not the real name, used to conceal real identity) East London in the 1950's. Having watched the series first, it was lovely to be able to read this book (the first in a series of four) as it gave an even deeper insight into what Nurse Lee experienced in East London. As well she also gave little updates as to what may have happened to various people she had encountered on her journey as a midwife which wasn't included in the series. I really enjoyed this book. It was a frank and honest account of a midwife in the mid-1900's. I found the authors honesty refreshing when she described her feelings towards not only the nuns but also the various mothers & families she encountered.
Started: Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth
This book is the basis for the series "Call the Midwife" which follows the life of Jennifer Lee a midwife based in the convent of St Raymond Nonnatus (not the real name, used to conceal real identity) East London in the 1950's. Having watched the series first, it was lovely to be able to read this book (the first in a series of four) as it gave an even deeper insight into what Nurse Lee experienced in East London. As well she also gave little updates as to what may have happened to various people she had encountered on her journey as a midwife which wasn't included in the series. I really enjoyed this book. It was a frank and honest account of a midwife in the mid-1900's. I found the authors honesty refreshing when she described her feelings towards not only the nuns but also the various mothers & families she encountered.
Started: Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Book Bloggin' 1st October 2013
Finished: The Bunker Book 3: Virginia by EJ Camacho
Ok, I will be honest, I skipped most of this book. I went straight to the end only so I could find out what happened. I was looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy. I really enjoyed the first 2 volumes. But there has been a BIG break inbetween. And I think that break allowed me to actually focus on what was wrong with this book, rather than, oh gee I can't wait to see how this ends!
To put it simple, the writing is clunky, the characters are completely unbelievable and really, I found myself not giving a rats if they died or lived. At the end, predictably the evil Marzin died and the good guys (of the bunker) lived. Sorry for the spoiler, but geez that's just how apathetic I am to this story. That someone like Marzin could actually continue to do what he was doing under the corporate structure confounds me. I know it was the end of the world but I found myself thinking, really? Even with all that oversight in place they still allow him to do that? I'm the first person to tell others that you have to suspend reality, but some of these stories are just so far fetched even I can't do that.
I won't be reading the stand alones that follow this trilogy as honestly I just don't care.
Started: Call The Midwife by Jennifer Worth
The first of the books upon which the highly successful series is based.
Ok, I will be honest, I skipped most of this book. I went straight to the end only so I could find out what happened. I was looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy. I really enjoyed the first 2 volumes. But there has been a BIG break inbetween. And I think that break allowed me to actually focus on what was wrong with this book, rather than, oh gee I can't wait to see how this ends!
To put it simple, the writing is clunky, the characters are completely unbelievable and really, I found myself not giving a rats if they died or lived. At the end, predictably the evil Marzin died and the good guys (of the bunker) lived. Sorry for the spoiler, but geez that's just how apathetic I am to this story. That someone like Marzin could actually continue to do what he was doing under the corporate structure confounds me. I know it was the end of the world but I found myself thinking, really? Even with all that oversight in place they still allow him to do that? I'm the first person to tell others that you have to suspend reality, but some of these stories are just so far fetched even I can't do that.
I won't be reading the stand alones that follow this trilogy as honestly I just don't care.
Started: Call The Midwife by Jennifer Worth
The first of the books upon which the highly successful series is based.
Friday, 27 September 2013
Book Bloggin' 27th September 2013
Finished/stopped reading: The Last Election by Kevin Carrigan
I started reading this & realised I had already read it. It was crap the first time and even worse the second time. So I stopped reading it. I have heaps of other books to read so am moving on!
The characters are neither likeable nor believable and quite frankly that the President of the USA could go that crazy without some kind of intervention was just not believable!
Started: The Bunker Book 3: Virginia by E.J. Camacho
After I have finished this book I will be going back to real paper books for a while. The new Alastair Reynolds book is out and I also have a stack of about 10 other books waiting to be read. Yay!
I started reading this & realised I had already read it. It was crap the first time and even worse the second time. So I stopped reading it. I have heaps of other books to read so am moving on!
The characters are neither likeable nor believable and quite frankly that the President of the USA could go that crazy without some kind of intervention was just not believable!
Started: The Bunker Book 3: Virginia by E.J. Camacho
After I have finished this book I will be going back to real paper books for a while. The new Alastair Reynolds book is out and I also have a stack of about 10 other books waiting to be read. Yay!
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Book Bloggin' 25th September 2013
Finished: The Big One by Kevin E Ready : So close.. so close. 95% of the way through this and I was going to say this was a stellar effort.. until the author used my pet hate word "drug" - minutes do NOT drug on, they drag or in this case "the mintes dragged by". ARGH I hate the misuse of this word!!!!
Apart from that one monumental error, this book was very well written and researched. The information at the beginning of each chapter was extremely informative and also tied in nicely with the chapter. The realism of the events made you feel like you were there and it made me think of all those classic Big One movies that I loved as a kid.
Overall I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to any disaster buff. It's a very accurate portrayal of what could happen when the big one hits Los Angeles.
Started: The Last Election by Kevin Carrigan
Monday, 23 September 2013
Book Bloggin' 23rd September 2013
Finished: The Yellowstone Conundrum by John Randall
Describing the ripping open of the caldera as a being like a hymen splitting on a virgin? Really? You couldn't come up with a better analogy?!! Yep, that's right, the author of this book described the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano as a hymen being ripped. I mean, seriously, if you were writing a book, why would that analogy even come into your head? I am dumbfounded. Add to that, the numerous pictures (what are we 5 years old? Does our interest need to be kept by pretty pictures? No! Stop patronising your readers). And don't even get me started on the reduced font sizes for when people are speaking quietly, or the bold italics(or just plain italics) for a flashback, incase we couldn't tell that's what we were reading. Then ofcourse there are the characters whose names randomly change - is it Frohling or Frohming on this page/ in this paragraph? Be surprised!!
It's hard to be positive when there is literally so much wrong with this book. It is actually a miracle that the author managed to keep me interested. But amazingly, the concept of this book is actually pretty solid and apart from the quite frankly shit editing(it's called spell check - try it some time!) and analogies, he has handled it fairly well. This is only the first book of a planned series, so don't expect resolution in this novel. Hopefully the next one comes out sooner then his last few books (there are very sizable gaps in the books he has published - try decades) as I would like to see what happens/how the author handles it sooner rather than later.
In the postscript by the author he mentions that all his books would make great movies - I am sure they would, but to be quite frank the potential is lost as the writing is so shit. Invest in an editor as it will end up being worth the cost! And additionally - stop writing as if you were writing a movie script - it would go a long way to explaining the odd style of writing and also the pictures.. but not far enough.
Oh & where was the conundrum? I would have though there wasn't one.. flee or die.. no real conundrum there..
Started: The Big One by Kevin E. Ready
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Book Bloggin' 17th September 2013
Finished: Solaris Rising: The new Solaris Book of Science Fiction Edited by Ian Whates
Well, this was an interesting collection of short SF stories. And I unfortunately don't mean it in a good way. There were some stellar authors in this collection - among them my personal favourite Alastair Reynolds, which was one of the best stories in the collection (bias may be a factor). But in all seriousness, there were stories that literally made my head spin.. and not in a good way. I actually ended up skipping one story because it literally made me feel like I was on the recieving end of one of Antonio Cesaro's spinny thingos and he wasn't ever going to stop! Not good.
Having said that, there were several excellent stories and those, I enjoyed immensely. Hats off to you, Alastair Reynolds, Dave Hutchinson, Richard Salter & Paul di Fillipo!
Started: The Yellowstone Conundrum by John D Randall
Let me just say, despite some clunky writing (did we really need the name of EVERY drug that US vetrans may be given?!) However, in the space of a few pages the author has completely out written Harry Turtledove in his descriptions of the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano. THIS is what disaster geeks (like me) want when reading these types of books.. not the drivel pumped out by Mr Turtledove. Looking forward to the rest of the book!!
Well, this was an interesting collection of short SF stories. And I unfortunately don't mean it in a good way. There were some stellar authors in this collection - among them my personal favourite Alastair Reynolds, which was one of the best stories in the collection (bias may be a factor). But in all seriousness, there were stories that literally made my head spin.. and not in a good way. I actually ended up skipping one story because it literally made me feel like I was on the recieving end of one of Antonio Cesaro's spinny thingos and he wasn't ever going to stop! Not good.
Having said that, there were several excellent stories and those, I enjoyed immensely. Hats off to you, Alastair Reynolds, Dave Hutchinson, Richard Salter & Paul di Fillipo!
Started: The Yellowstone Conundrum by John D Randall
Let me just say, despite some clunky writing (did we really need the name of EVERY drug that US vetrans may be given?!) However, in the space of a few pages the author has completely out written Harry Turtledove in his descriptions of the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano. THIS is what disaster geeks (like me) want when reading these types of books.. not the drivel pumped out by Mr Turtledove. Looking forward to the rest of the book!!
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Book Bloggin' 10th September 2013
Finished: The Devil's Garden by John Schettler
So this was supposed to be the last book in the Kirov saga. Fast forward to the end of the book & you discover that in fact it is not(sorry for the spoiler). The author includes a note apologising, but apparently the story just needed more.
Now don't get me wrong, this was another brilliantly researched and well written book. However, reading it, you get the impression that the author really isn't sure how to end it. Or even if it should end - there are new characters introduced and at this stage in a series, should we really be getting new characters? Especially ones who make it feel like the story won't be concluded in the next book either That rather the author has opened up an entirely new rabbit warren which he can explore.
Seriously I hope he manages to wrap everything up in a neat package in the next book, because I think this is what this series deserves. It does NOT deserve to carry on like Lost - completely Lost and coming to an entirely unsatisfactory please God let it be over, tacked together ending.
This edition sees Federov retrieve Orlov from 1942 and the Kirov under Karpov upset the apple cart even further in 1945, before mysteriously(ok not so mysteriously) catapulting even further back in time! It is revealed that it is in fact Karpov who is the source of this whole mess.. or is he? Stay tuned for the (hopefully)final installment titled "Armageddon".
Started: Solaris Rising: The new Solaris Book of Science Fiction Edited by Ian Whates
So this was supposed to be the last book in the Kirov saga. Fast forward to the end of the book & you discover that in fact it is not(sorry for the spoiler). The author includes a note apologising, but apparently the story just needed more.
Now don't get me wrong, this was another brilliantly researched and well written book. However, reading it, you get the impression that the author really isn't sure how to end it. Or even if it should end - there are new characters introduced and at this stage in a series, should we really be getting new characters? Especially ones who make it feel like the story won't be concluded in the next book either That rather the author has opened up an entirely new rabbit warren which he can explore.
Seriously I hope he manages to wrap everything up in a neat package in the next book, because I think this is what this series deserves. It does NOT deserve to carry on like Lost - completely Lost and coming to an entirely unsatisfactory please God let it be over, tacked together ending.
This edition sees Federov retrieve Orlov from 1942 and the Kirov under Karpov upset the apple cart even further in 1945, before mysteriously(ok not so mysteriously) catapulting even further back in time! It is revealed that it is in fact Karpov who is the source of this whole mess.. or is he? Stay tuned for the (hopefully)final installment titled "Armageddon".
Started: Solaris Rising: The new Solaris Book of Science Fiction Edited by Ian Whates
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Book Bloggin' 21st August 2013
Finished: Kirov Saga (book 8): Fallen Angels by John Schettler
Wow! I am speechless. This series just gets better and better!!! I have been fortunate up until this book to always be "behind the eightball" in that the next book in the series has already been released, so I haven't had to wait to find out what happens. Unfortunately, my luck, along with the luck of the men aboard the Kirov seems to have finally run out. I have to wait for the final installment!
I have to say I love the way Mr Schettler draws the reader in. What seems like totally irrelevant information is thrown in and then revealed to be a little piece of the vast historical knowledge that Mr Schettler possesses of WW2. Everything is well considered and adds to the reality that this whole saga is REAL, not just a work of fiction. Little things are considered, like (sorry for the mini spoiler) President(still in the future at that point) Ford being killed in action when the Kirov sinks his ship in 1945. I would love to know how that affects the time line!
In this installment, the Kirov is once again flung into the chatic events of WW2 right on the cusp of the signing of surrender by the Japanese, this time by the Demon volcano exploding. In this timeline however, the atom bomb was never used by the USA. Meanwhile, Federov has launched a mission to capture Orlov in 1942 and the truth of their ability to shift in time is revealed, along with some surprises along the way. In 2021, the world continues its 9 day decent to hell and the question to be answered is, can it all be prevented?
This series is well worth the read and it definitely gets better and better with each book in the series. Read them from the begginning and you will NOT be dissapointed!!! I will admit that I struggled in some books, but as I have realised, it was the author finding his feet and his feet have well and truly been found!! Bring on the final installment "The Devil's Garden".
Started: The Year's Top Short SF Novels Edited by Allan Kaster
I think the title says it all!
Wow! I am speechless. This series just gets better and better!!! I have been fortunate up until this book to always be "behind the eightball" in that the next book in the series has already been released, so I haven't had to wait to find out what happens. Unfortunately, my luck, along with the luck of the men aboard the Kirov seems to have finally run out. I have to wait for the final installment!
I have to say I love the way Mr Schettler draws the reader in. What seems like totally irrelevant information is thrown in and then revealed to be a little piece of the vast historical knowledge that Mr Schettler possesses of WW2. Everything is well considered and adds to the reality that this whole saga is REAL, not just a work of fiction. Little things are considered, like (sorry for the mini spoiler) President(still in the future at that point) Ford being killed in action when the Kirov sinks his ship in 1945. I would love to know how that affects the time line!
In this installment, the Kirov is once again flung into the chatic events of WW2 right on the cusp of the signing of surrender by the Japanese, this time by the Demon volcano exploding. In this timeline however, the atom bomb was never used by the USA. Meanwhile, Federov has launched a mission to capture Orlov in 1942 and the truth of their ability to shift in time is revealed, along with some surprises along the way. In 2021, the world continues its 9 day decent to hell and the question to be answered is, can it all be prevented?
This series is well worth the read and it definitely gets better and better with each book in the series. Read them from the begginning and you will NOT be dissapointed!!! I will admit that I struggled in some books, but as I have realised, it was the author finding his feet and his feet have well and truly been found!! Bring on the final installment "The Devil's Garden".
Started: The Year's Top Short SF Novels Edited by Allan Kaster
I think the title says it all!
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Book bloggin' 6th August 2013
Finished: Nine Days Falling(book 1) by John Schettler
WOW. This series just keeps getting better and better. This series reads like the downward spiral into hell that a looming war would feel like. That out of control inevitability as you watch people do things that you know will only lead to bad things, but that you are completely powerless to stop. Your heart pounds, you sweat and realise that this may be the moment that it all ends. Such is the feeling that you get when reading this book. It's just amazing!
Kirov is once again plunged into the past right on the brink of WW3 when the Demon volcano unleashes its fury. We are given more of an insight into how the Kirov is travelling back in time and additionally that other events can also lead to shifts to other time periods. As well we are given a peak at the results of the Kirovs travels in WW2 and the way that it has unleashed a creeping vine through time to interweave past and present into the inevitable climax.
The fate of humantity is at stake and I for one can't wait to see how it ends!! This book represents the first 3 days of the 9 day descent to WW3 glimpsed by the Kirov on it's ping-pong journey between past & present.
Started: Fallen Angels by John Schettler
WOW. This series just keeps getting better and better. This series reads like the downward spiral into hell that a looming war would feel like. That out of control inevitability as you watch people do things that you know will only lead to bad things, but that you are completely powerless to stop. Your heart pounds, you sweat and realise that this may be the moment that it all ends. Such is the feeling that you get when reading this book. It's just amazing!
Kirov is once again plunged into the past right on the brink of WW3 when the Demon volcano unleashes its fury. We are given more of an insight into how the Kirov is travelling back in time and additionally that other events can also lead to shifts to other time periods. As well we are given a peak at the results of the Kirovs travels in WW2 and the way that it has unleashed a creeping vine through time to interweave past and present into the inevitable climax.
The fate of humantity is at stake and I for one can't wait to see how it ends!! This book represents the first 3 days of the 9 day descent to WW3 glimpsed by the Kirov on it's ping-pong journey between past & present.
Started: Fallen Angels by John Schettler
Monday, 29 July 2013
Book Bloggin' 29th July 2013
Finished: A Dance with Dragons by George RR Martin
Wow!! I have finally finished the series thus far published. WOW, how many people die in the last few chapters?! This book builds & builds & builds. You just want something to happen, for Daenerys to make it to Westeros, for her to control her dragons, for Arya to realise her wolf dreams are real and her direwolf is still alive.
Without giving away too many spoilers, this book leaves EVEYTHING hanging. The fate of several main characters, including Daenerys, Jon and several of the Lannisters is unknown at the end of the book. Varys reappears, Jon is stabbed by the Watch, and Daenerys rides Drogon the most formidable of her 3 dragons. I hope that there is major action and moving forward with storylines in book 6. Because it needs it. Stuff happens in book 5, but not really alot, it feels like Daenerys has been hanging around Meereen forever without really achieving anything. I am more than ready for her triumphant return to Westeros to claim her crown. I am also eager to discover the the truth about the threat from the North. BRING ON BOOK 6 I SAY!!
Winter is here.
Started: Kirov: 9 Days Falling by John Schettler
Wow!! I have finally finished the series thus far published. WOW, how many people die in the last few chapters?! This book builds & builds & builds. You just want something to happen, for Daenerys to make it to Westeros, for her to control her dragons, for Arya to realise her wolf dreams are real and her direwolf is still alive.
Without giving away too many spoilers, this book leaves EVEYTHING hanging. The fate of several main characters, including Daenerys, Jon and several of the Lannisters is unknown at the end of the book. Varys reappears, Jon is stabbed by the Watch, and Daenerys rides Drogon the most formidable of her 3 dragons. I hope that there is major action and moving forward with storylines in book 6. Because it needs it. Stuff happens in book 5, but not really alot, it feels like Daenerys has been hanging around Meereen forever without really achieving anything. I am more than ready for her triumphant return to Westeros to claim her crown. I am also eager to discover the the truth about the threat from the North. BRING ON BOOK 6 I SAY!!
Winter is here.
Started: Kirov: 9 Days Falling by John Schettler
Monday, 1 July 2013
Book Bloggin' 1st July 2013
Finished: A Feast For Crows by George RR Martin
I have finished the 4th book! YAY! On my kindle that puts me 75% of the way through the first 5 books. So what to say? I can't say that much happens in this book. Really, it's more about updating where various characters are at. And this theme continues through to book 5, which I have already started (and carries a couple of chapters that are word for word from book 4 - a pet hate of mine). Obviously there are some big events but I can't help but feel underwhelmed. It almost feels like a "filler" book, given to appease the masses, while Mr Martin decides how to make the next moves in this massive series. I read an article that stated he already knows roughly how the series will end, mainly for the purposes of the TV series, which will most likely end up taking over from the books at the rate he is currently writing.
While nothing much happens in this book, I found myself wondering more about the history of Westeros - of Valyria and the Doom. About the Andals and the First Men. It would make for an interesting side novel I think, if only for me to quench my desire for knowing the back story of Westeros and the Others. Because I can't help but think that they are all intrinsically linked somehow.
Started: A Dance with Dragons: Part One by George RR Martin
This book goes hand in hand with Book four updating the reader about characters that he didn't get a chnace to include in book four. Sadly some of the happenings in book four are addressed in book five, but really the books should have been, thus far at least reversed as we already know the ultimate fate of some of the characters...
I have finished the 4th book! YAY! On my kindle that puts me 75% of the way through the first 5 books. So what to say? I can't say that much happens in this book. Really, it's more about updating where various characters are at. And this theme continues through to book 5, which I have already started (and carries a couple of chapters that are word for word from book 4 - a pet hate of mine). Obviously there are some big events but I can't help but feel underwhelmed. It almost feels like a "filler" book, given to appease the masses, while Mr Martin decides how to make the next moves in this massive series. I read an article that stated he already knows roughly how the series will end, mainly for the purposes of the TV series, which will most likely end up taking over from the books at the rate he is currently writing.
While nothing much happens in this book, I found myself wondering more about the history of Westeros - of Valyria and the Doom. About the Andals and the First Men. It would make for an interesting side novel I think, if only for me to quench my desire for knowing the back story of Westeros and the Others. Because I can't help but think that they are all intrinsically linked somehow.
Started: A Dance with Dragons: Part One by George RR Martin
This book goes hand in hand with Book four updating the reader about characters that he didn't get a chnace to include in book four. Sadly some of the happenings in book four are addressed in book five, but really the books should have been, thus far at least reversed as we already know the ultimate fate of some of the characters...
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Book Bloggin' Update 25th June 2013
Just an update, I am still slogging my way through book 4 of GoT and also 9 Days Falling. Have had exams & assignments due, so have been restricted in reading time. Hopefully a review of one or the other will be up sometime this week :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)