Rated The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay 10/10
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Rated Doctor Who: Old Soldiers 8/10
Always nice to spend some time with the Brig.
Rated Laidlaw 9/10
<div>Because my library happened to have it, the only Laidlaw book I'd read before this first one was <em>The Dark Remains</em>, which was finished by Ian Rankin after William McIlvanney's death. I've read a few of Rankin's Rebus books, which are generally good mysteries, but I'd be curious now to reread and see if I can spot the seams. Rankin may be a perfectly serviceable writer whose work I'll probably read more, of but McIlvanney gave me several moments of "Damn, now that's a sentence."<br><br>I felt like the ending became sort of a foregone conclusion, but otherwise, I loved this book. I can definitely see its influence in so many writers, though no one has quite risen to McIlvanney's gift of characterization and description. (Perhaps Alan Parks' series with Detective Harry McCoy comes close.) McIlvanney can give you a whole life, a whole history, in an apt sentence or two. Sure, DC Harkness's inner monologue gets a little overcooked at times, but this is a noir, and besides, Laidlaw teases him about it. We're all aware of our roles here. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the other books with these characters.</div>
Rated Doctor Who: The Revenants 8/10
<div>A really solid Companion Chronicles story, where the Doctor doesn't even have to be there until the second half.</div>
Rated The Bone Clocks 10/10
This book isn't going to be for everybody, and it's hella long, but what a feat this is to dream up and execute. In a lesser writer's hands, this would be a convoluted POS. Maybe if David Mitchell wasn't already one of my favorite authors, I might have been tempted to rate this 4 stars instead, but the farther I read, the more I could see how everything connected. I like the shout-outs to his other books contained within as well.
Rated Crooked Little Vein 8/10
At a little over 50,000 words, <i>Crooked Little Vein</i> is a quick, straightforward read. It’s the sort of book where you laugh through a grimace — “<i>Ohh</i>, that’s gross. Funny, but gross.” You want to keep reading, but the story goes beyond morbid fascination. Warren Ellis creates a narrative that’s both compelling and thought-provoking, asking all the while what the pursuit of liberty and happiness really means in the modern world.<br><br>(Full review can be found at <a href="http://glorifiedloveletters.blogspot.com/2009/11/crooked-little-vein-by-warren-ellis.html">Glorified Love Letters</a>)
Wants to read Mermaids in Paradise
Edited 86d ago
Wants to read I Want to Burn This Place Down: Essays
Rated Cherry 4/10
<div>This wasn't really for me. I kept going because it was just compelling enough that I wanted to know what happened, I suppose, but what did happen was.... eh. And the rampant misogyny throughout was just... a lot. Occasionally, there were some funny bits, and I really like the red skull cover, but glad to move on.</div>
Rated The Night Circus 8/10
One criticism I have read about The Night Circus is that it relies too much on set description at the expense of action, and I suppose I can see that point, but I rather enjoyed all the scene-laying. If we are to believe in the fantastic beauty of this place, then we need to be able to see it. The plot, especially the challenge, is a slow-burner, but I didn't mind.<br><br>Part of what makes the book so effective is that it taps into our desires for something greater than ourselves, and our yearning for moments of magic. The circus provides an escape for all who visit it, a place where they have no responsibilities other than to enjoy the experience. Because there are different tents instead of one big tent with different scheduled events, the guests are invited to choose their own path. The circus does not dictate what one should find pleasurable, or when one should see it. A person can spend all night in one tent, or they can try to visit as many as they can before sunrise. It's a lovely idea.<br><br>(My full review can be found at <a href="http://glorifiedloveletters.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-night-circus-by-erin-morgenstern.html">Glorified Love Letters</a>.)
Rated Ghost Stories of an Antiquary 9/10
<div>Very much enjoying my first time reading M.R. James. Perfect reading for October (or Christmas).</div>
Rated Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth 10/10
Like a lot of people, probably, I picked this up after Warsan Shire's poetry was featured in Beyonce's LEMONADE. I am so glad I did.
Reviewed Original Sins: A Novel of Slavery & Freedom
(received this, but haven't read it. It's not really something I'm interested in, but I have added it to Bookswap for someone who might be. No point in it sitting around here unloved, right?)
Rated The Birds & Don't Look Now 8/10
Two great, unsettling stories read by one of my favorites, Peter Capaldi. I will admit to listening to these solely BECAUSE of him and his fantastic voice, but these are legitimately enjoyable stories. I've seen the film version of The Birds, and it's always interesting to note the differences between the film and book versions. Definitely recommend this two-fer download.
Rated Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? 8/10
<div>I was surprised by how much liked this.</div>