Raven

(For the record, I've omitted the questions that don't apply!) Your favourite read of the year? I've read some good books this year (well, some books I thought were good, anyway!). Right at the top of the year was the ever reliable Ben Aaronovitch with Foxglove Summer; February had the interesting A for Andromeda, by Fred Hoyle and John Elliot whilst in July I read the first book in Paul Cornell's Shadow Police series, London Falling. I also read my first Agatha Christie novel, Sad Cypress, and the very enjoyable Murder Most Unladylike, by Robin Stevens. But the book that I've enjoyed the most came right at the death: The Iron Ghost, by Jen Williams This is the second book in the Black Feather Three trilogy, following last year's The Copper Promise. It is a fantasy story populated with imaginative characters, set in a well-drawn world with more twists and turns than a snake on a hot plate. Add to this a good measure of humour, a smattering of blood (actually, there's quite a bit more than a smattering . . .) plenty of cussing and a dash of rum and we have a winner! Your favourite author of the year? Jen Williams (see above). Your most read author of the year? This is becoming a little predictable, but with the exception of three Marvel graphic novels by Brian Michael Bendis, it has to be Jen Williams again (by dint of my having read two of her books). Your favourite book cover of the year? Not books I have read (yet) but I do like the covers of C. Robert Cargill's books (Dreams and Shadows and Queen of the Dark Things) and also the covers of Marie Brennan's Lady Trent novels. The book that most disappointed you? This is a two-way tie between: Seeing Other People, by Mike Gayle and The Gospel of Loki, by Joanne M. Harris I've been reading Mike Gayle novels since he was first published and as time goes on I am finding each new one less enjoyable than the last. This story was billed as a chap being haunted by the ghost of his spiteful ex after making a life-changing mistake, which I thought would be a good twist and a new direction for him to take, but ultimately the supernatural part of the story was downplayed in favour of seeing just how bad someone's life can get - all a bit too grim, and not very enjoyable, really. The Gospel of Loki, on the other hand, was a good idea that just ran out of steam. There's nothing bad here, it's just a one line joke that is amusing for a while but when the novelty of it wears off, there's not much else to recommend it. The funniest book of the year? Too Much Information, by Dave Gorman Anyone who is familiar with Dave Gorman's Modern Life is Good(ish) show on Dave will know exactly what to expect with this (indeed, a number of the stories recounted/observations made have been in the series). Whilst he can occasionally come across as being a bit "Ranty-Man" that makes the book no less funny. Some of the highlights include his breakdown of (often contradictory) Daily Express front page headlines and the futility of getting quiz show contestants to explain their thinking when the answer is bloody obvious. Very funny. Your favourite literary character this year? Siano from The Iron Ghost. Every time she appears you end up on edge - a very chilling character indeed! Your favourite children's book this year? Murder Most Unladylike, by Robin Stevens Whilst it is the only children's book I have read this year, that should take nothing away from this. Being a forty-something single male I'm probably as far from the intended demographic for this novel as you can get, but it is jolly good fun. Your favourite classic of the year? The War of the Worlds, by H. G. Wells is as close as I get to a "classic" this year. Not sure it counts, but it is an excellent book either way. Your favourite non-fiction book this year? The Secrets of Station X, by Michael Smith A revised edition of Smith's Station X book that was originally published in the 90's, updated with new interviews and material that has come to light since the original version was written. If you are interested in Second World War history or cryptography this will already be an interesting read, but it is the personal accounts of the people that worked at Bletchley Park that make this such a good book. Your favourite short story this year? (I'm corrupting this one slightly to favourite short story of the year, because I haven't read any collections!). Sorrow's Isle, by Jen Williams A Black Feather Three short story that is a lot of fun. I won't harp on . . . Your favourite re-read of the year? Mort, by Terry Pratchett Whilst I think The War of the Worlds is the better book, of the three books I have re-read this year I would have to say that I enjoyed Mort the most. I read this shortly after Pratchett passed away, my kind of a tribute in a way as he is an author I have been reading since my teens (which is a very long time ago now...). I found that I enjoyed this more than I have his more recent novels and re-reading it, Mort seems to have a freshness or spark to it that his more recent novels, whilst still good, don't seem to have.

Hiding from the nasty weather, reading the last quarter of The Iron Ghost, by Jen Williams.

Quite a few good books in Amazon's 12 Days of Kindle Deals offer. Picked up 6 books for just over a tenner, myself.

YouTube?

It's down as June on Amazon.

Going again on Tuesday!

This is getting weird. There is a short period of time that we are now in where people have seen the film, but you can't talk about it in public for fear of spoiling it for those who haven't.

I've been waiting for this for a number of years now, I'm just slightly disappointed that it is not for the BBC, because I still think that they do the period stuff better.

Quite a few Sharpe books on the Kindle daily deal today (I think they were 99p each, but I was fully awake when I checked!).

Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Just throwing that out there.

TFA Update: Film done, burger eaten, feels like I should be going for a beer and then going to bed, but I'm in work and have a support briefing to write. Should have taken the day off . . .

TFA Update: 10½ hours to go, just checked my ticket. Still there . . .

Get out! (Only joking, but I'm not a fan of this version at all - except for the sound the non-Martians make. It was as much of a remake of the 50's film as it was an adaptation of the book. If you've not read the book, do so, it is so much better than anything Hollywood have knocked out under the same name - although I do actually like the 50's version).

TFA Update: A shade under 14 hours to go; Just picked up my ticket and set two alarms clocks. Just to be on the safe side, you understand . . .

And it's a period adaptation set in Surrey, written by Peter (Strange and Norrell/Doctor Who) Harness! More here: War Of The Worlds: Peter Harness working on new TV adaptation

I've read a few of the Marvel graphic novels this year - some of the Guardians of the Galaxy novels and a couple of odd ones. If you are interested in the Marvel universe films, there are some good ones out there with some interesting twists (Thor being recast as a woman, for example, where Thor becomes more of a title than a person). There are also some Doctor Who graphic novels, I have two and am half way through one of them, quite good so far!

Looks like everyone is lining up trailers for the front of Star Wars; next up: Star Trek: That ain't the Star Trek I grew up on . . .

Hmm . . .

Less than a week to go . . .

No, I've not. I think Steve may have, though. I'm planning to get that box set sometime soon. Will have to see if Santa leaves me any Amazon vouchers!

Have you seen this?

The Hulk is okay (nothing great, but okay). I spent most of the film wishing it was Mark Ruffalo playing the character (as I saw it after the first Avengers film and I think he would have made it work better than Norton).

Called that! *cough* I don't see them doing a Clara and Me series, the premise would be someone steeling a TARDIS and going on the run from the Timelords - sounds a tad familiar that . . .(although I wouldn't rule out a Big Finish spin off at all, they seem to have been milking the franchise for everything that can get, recently).

^ Yes, the Beeb rather fluffed that one up by announcing what would happen at the end of the episode in their official synopsis. I'm please to say I managed to avoid it!

Well hows about last Saturday's episode for a fine piece of television?