Michelle

I finished listening to The Invasion of the Body Snatchers this morning. I do like these older SF stories, but there were a few things I questioned.

That's a shame, I rather enjoyed it. I have The Miniaturist on my shelf, but I think I need to be in the right mood for it.

Yep, I've seen the 2nd one mentioned - sometime this year.

The last time I looked, UK Netflix had some of the Dalek episodes, and US Netflix had a bigger selection - I guess it changes all the time. Some are (or at least were) available to buy on itunes, and some are actually available on YouTube.

Thanks everyone - I'm trying to help her get started because they've thrown it at her during her mocks, which I think is unfair. I'll look at the suggestions, and pass on what I think might be helpful.

Thanks - I forgot to say that I'd already read that one. I need to flip through again and see if there's anything useful for her.

Is anyone aware of any fiction books about freak shows, or maybe even circuses? Beth is doing an art project, and she chose 'Fantastic and Strange' and is narrowing it down to 'Stories'. She's going to start with Alice in Wonderland, and maybe look at some of the original Grimm fairytales, but she's also interested in freak shows and circuses - but she needs some books or stories to base that on. Plus, any other ideas for books (preferably more well known rather than modern) about 'Fantastic and Strange' would be helpful. Thanks

There are multiple reasons why I give up on audiobooks - sometimes I make bad choices when I get them, sometimes I don't get on with the stories, sometimes it's the narrator. It's probably no different to my paper books, but I'm more aware because I can see them all listed together! I did actually ask the author of The Invisible Library about future books, and she said there would be. I thought there would, but I expected new characters, because of the way this one wrapped up - but she said it's the same ones. That was one thing in it's favour, no cliff hanger at the end. Overall I would recommend The Invisible Library, there was just a lot to take in, and I wanted to know more about the actual library side. The Librarians looks interesting - it looks as if I may have missed the first few over here. I shall investigate. Thanks Kylie.

I'm considering it too.. Noll, hurry up and read it!

I'd recommend The Invisible Library more then Hollow World. I think it's a combination of me reading it in small bits, plus world building which could have been better, but overall it's pretty good.

How did you find The Time Machine? I really enjoyed the older SF I've read, including Wells.

Third book finished, but they were all started last year, so I've not be reading that fast! It's The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman - over all, it was pretty good, but I did feel there was a lot of information, and it would have been better if I'd had more time to get into it, rather than reading it in little bits - but then I often feel that about fantasy books. And this is what this basically is, a fantasy, but based around books and libraries. I need time to write a decent review, but for fantasy readers who may wish to try it, the kindle version is only 99p at the moment - and it's a recent release.

Wow, I love your photos, it's like a library! I have 2 small book shelves, with the rest piled by my bed, and in cupboards!

Have just finished my 1st audiobook of the year - I almost gave up on it a few times, but I've given up on so many of my audiobooks that I need to keep going with at least some of them! Anyway, this one has seems to have award nominations, and good reviews, but for some reason it just didn't work for me. It tells the story of Ellis Rogers, who builds a time machine, and travels 2000 years into the future. There are some interesting concepts, where people all look alike because they all use the same perfect genes, and portals which allow them to travel anywhere. To me, some things weren't explained well enough, and I hated the character of 'Ren'. There are aspects of philosophy throughout, such as the existence or absence of God, plus the idea of love is explored, as the people of the future have no gender, and relationships are a lot different. In conclusion, there were some good ideas and concepts, but for me they just didn't gel well enough. There may be further books set in the same world, and I'm unsure as to whether I'd pick them up or not.

Ooh, it's always scary when someone wants to read something I've reviewed! I do hope you like it.

Alice and the Fly - difficult to review, as I don't want to say much about the actual story.... Miss Hayes has a new theory. She thinks my condition’s caused by some traumatic incident from my past I keep deep-rooted in my mind. As soon as I come clean I’ll flood out all these tears and it’ll all be ok and I won’t be scared of Them anymore. The truth is I can’t think of any single traumatic childhood incident to tell her. I mean, there are plenty of bad memories – Herb’s death, or the time I bit the hole in my tongue, or Finners Island, out on the boat with Sarah – but none of these are what caused the phobia. I’ve always had it. It’s Them. I’m just scared of Them. It’s that simple. The story in this debut by James Rice is told by Greg, as he writes to Alice, a girl he likes, in his journal. Greg comes across as an awkward, shy boy with a phobia of ‘Them’ (which turn out to be spiders) but as the book goes on, it’s obvious there is more to be told. In fact, the story is interspersed with extracts of interviews of various characters with the police, which hint of much deeper issues. Alice and the Fly is a book which gradually takes hold, as we find out more about Greg, his family, and his mental health problems. Telling the story from Greg’s point of view allows you to experience how he sees his world, and yet there is enough information to allow you to see what’s really going on, all the way to the heartbreaking conclusion. My first book of 2015, and highly recommended.

Miss Hayes has a new theory. She thinks my condition’s caused by some traumatic incident from my past I keep deep-rooted in my mind. As soon as I come clean I’ll flood out all these tears and it’ll all be ok and I won’t be scared of Them anymore. The truth is I can’t think of any single traumatic childhood incident to tell her. I mean, there are plenty of bad memories – Herb’s death, or the time I bit the hole in my tongue, or Finners Island, out on the boat with Sarah – but none of these are what caused the phobia. I’ve always had it. It’s Them. I’m just scared of Them. It’s that simple. The story in this debut by James Rice is told by Greg, as he writes to Alice, a girl he likes, in his journal. Greg comes across as an awkward, shy boy with a phobia of ‘Them’ (which turn out to be spiders) but as the book goes on, it’s obvious there is more to be told. In fact, the story is interspersed with extracts of interviews of various characters with the police, which hint of much deeper issues. Alice and the Fly is a book which gradually takes hold, as we find out more about Greg, his family, and his mental health problems. Telling the story from Greg’s point of view allows you to experience how he sees his world, and yet there is enough information to allow you to see what’s really going on, all the way to the heartbreaking conclusion. My first book of 2015, and highly recommended.

Thanks everyone. I went back to another book I'd started in Dec, and have just finished it.. Alice and the Fly by James Rice. And now off to bed, to try to finish my audiobook.

Sam Hayes is a big favourite of mine. I wasn't so keen on her last, Before You Die, but I love all of her earlier books.

Here we go, another year.. hopefully full of good books! On the go at the moment is The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman and I've gone back to Hollow World by Michael J Sullivan on my ipod.

saved

2007 - 49 2008 - 85 2009 - 47 2010 - 43 2011 - 61 2012 - 61 2013 - 69 2014 - 62 1. Alice and the Fly by James Rice 2. Hollow World by Michael J Sullivan (audio) 3. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman 4. The Invasion of the Body Snatchers by Jack Finney (audio) 5. A Robot in the Garden by Deborah Install 6. Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C Clarke (audio) 7. Rama II by Arthur C Clarke and Gentry Lee (audio) 8. The Ice Twins by S K Tremayne 9. Way Down Dark by James Smythe 10. Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig 11. The Garden of Rama by Arthur C Clarke and Gentry Lee (audio) 12. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson 13. Killing The Dead by Marcus Sedgwick (WBD book) 14. The Death House by Sarah Pinborough 15. Migraine by Oliver Sacks 16. Rama Revealed by Arthur C Clarke and Gentry Lee (audio) 17. Uprooted by Naomi Novik 18. Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neil 19. Tip of the Tongue (Doctor Who) by Patrick Ness 20. Inherit the Stars by James Hogan (audio) 21. Starborn by Lucy Hounsom 22. The Imagination Box by Martyn Ford 23. True Face by Siobhan Curham 24. The Humans by Matt Haig (audio) 25. Temeraire by Naomi Novik 26. Sleepless by Lou Morgan 27. The Territory by Sarah Govett 28. The Glass Demon by Helen Grant 29. The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury 30. Read Me Like A Book by Liz Kessler 31. Starring Kitty by Keris Stainton 32. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (audio) 33. The Fold by Peter Clines (audio) 34. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (audio) 35. Deep Water by Lu Hersey 36. Darkmere by Helen Maslin 37. Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle (audio) 38. The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich 39. City of Halves by Lucy Inglis 40. Monster by CJ Skuse 41. Alive by Scott Sigler (audio) 42. A Thousand Nights by EK Johnston 43. The Box of Demons by Daniel Whelan 44. Asking For It by Louise o'Neill 45. 7 Days by Eve Ainsworth 46. Half A King by Joe Abercrombie (audio) 47. Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan 48. Half the World by Joe Abercrombie (audio) 49. Half a War by Joe Abercrombie (audio) 50. Lost Souls by Seth Patrick 51. Beautiful Broken Things by Sara Barnard 52. Time Lord Fairy Tales 53. Book of Lies by Teri Terry 54. Quirkology by Richard Wiseman (audio) 55. Paranormality by Richard Wiseman (audio) 56. The Square Root of Summer by Harriet Reuter Hapgood 57. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristof 58. Faceless by Alyssa Sheinmel 59. The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham (audio) I've decided to create a separate list for my graphic novels and comics HERE.

I hope you find some good books this year Noll.

I have an hour left on my audiobook, so I really want to finish that by midnight. That will take me to 62 books read / listened to - plus many started but not carried on with, lots of them audiobooks. Flicking through my list, my stand out reads have been: Shattered by Teri Terry - this finished off a really good YA trilogy. I particularly liked it because there wasn't a weak book, all 3 were really good. Glaze by Kim Curran - a tech future which could be very close! The Machine by James Smythe Above by Isla Moreley - not what I expected! The Ex-Heroes series by Peter Clines, and 14 - my new 'must read' author. Terra and Terra's World by Mitch Benn - one of my audio highlights. The Bone Dragon by Alexia Casale. Extinction Game by Gary Gibson - very accessible SF. The Reviver and The Returned by Seth Patrick. No One Gets Out Alive by Adam Nevill - his best yet! Ghosts of Heaven by Marcus Sedgewick - a gorgeous cover, and a brilliant read! Mr Mercedes by Stephen King - I didn't think I'd like this one as much as I did. Better than Revival, in my opinion. Angelfall and World After by Susan Ee - I'm looking forward to the last part in 2015. Bird Box by Josh Malerman - my almost finished audiobook, has been excellent.

I have some YA titles on my list, by authors I've already read, but there's also a new Peter Clines book coming out, called The Fold.