Nollaig

Cuckoo Song - Frances Hardinge Synopsis: When Triss wakes up after an accident, she knows that something is very wrong. She is insatiably hungry; her sister seems scared of her and her parents whisper behind closed doors. She looks through her diary to try to remember, but the pages have been ripped out. Soon Triss discovers that what happened to her is more strange and terrible than she could ever have imagined, and that she is quite literally not herself. In a quest find the truth she must travel into the terrifying Underbelly of the city to meet a twisted architect who has dark designs on her family - before it's too late... *** Review: Having read and loved Fly By Night by the same author, I quickly picked this up in the hopes of a similarly awesome reading experience. It was definitely awesome, but in a completely different way. I almost never would have guessed that both books were by the same author, except that the same knack for gorgeous detail and credibility permeates this story as did in Fly By Night. This is a YA fantasy novel, a little darker than many young adult novels and a little more realistic than many fantasy novels. And both of these attributes are precisely what I loved about it. Hardinge has an amazing ability to take elements that are not uncommon to stories in the genres she writes, but she spins them into such wonderfully original arrangements and genuinely compelling tales that, along with her stunning prose, they become an absolute pleasure to read. Additionally, this novel features the humanization of a 'monster', the story being largely told from her perspective, which makes it a rare treat in any of the several genres it spans. This is just one of the many layers that give a real sense of depth to the novel. As with Fly By Night, this is a long book with a lot of detail, so there are moments where it seems to drag a little, but even though there were things I usually do not like in fantasy (fairy-type-folk, primarily), I still adored the way Hardinge wrote pretty much every character in this novel. I loved the story, I loved pretty much everything about it. I did knock off one star, as I did with Fly By Night, for the aforementioned dragging, but honestly if dark YA fairy stories are your thing, this is not to be missed. Rating: 4/5

Normal - Graeme Cameron Synopsis: He lives in your community, in a nice house with a well-tended garden. He shops in your grocery store, bumping shoulders with you and apologizing with a smile. What you don't know is that he has an elaborate cage built into a secret basement under his garage. This is how it's been for a long time. It's normal... and it works. Perfectly. Then he meets the checkout girl from the 24-hour grocery. And now the plan, the hunts, the room... the others. He doesn't need any of them anymore. He needs only her. But just as he decides to go straight, the police start to close in. He might be able to cover his tracks, except for one small problem—he still has someone trapped in his garage. Discovering his humanity couldn't have come at a worse time. *** Review: This was a pretty interesting read. Unlike most thrillers I read, there was no big whodunnit twist at the end, because the whole book is narrated from the perspective of a sociopathic serial killer. As this is kind of the selling point of the novel, I was hoping for a really exciting insight into a terrifying mind. While it was definitely fun to read the novel from his perspective (the narrator is unnamed, presumably an attempt to emphasize the fact that he could be anybody), he wasn't a particularly captivating character. None of the characters were particularly compelling really. The writing was good, and the plot was definitely enjoyable enough to keep me reading to the end. There was a little too much of chapters ending with seemingly inescapable scenarios, from which everyone, of course, escaped. But as I say, it was enjoyable to read all the same. I did love the cops, I enjoyed reading the killer's interactions with them and their determination to catch him out but being unable to do so. The women in the book (which is, most of the other characters), left a bit to be desired. I found it hard to believe they would act the way they did - not utterly freaking out at being locked in a cage, seeming to develop something resembling Stockholm syndrome, and also not not questioning the weird actions of a guy you've just recently met. Hm. An interesting read, but a little clunky and poorly developed, particularly in the area of characterization. Still, it was a pretty easy read (although a bit graphic in places), so if you're looking for something a bit different from your usual thriller, this isn't the worst choice you could make. Rating: 3.5/5

Can't believe it's nearly three years since this show ended. I rewatched it only earlier this year. For all its flaws, such a wonderful show. I don't think he was hitching a lift, I think

The Girl With All The Gifts is one I've heard mention of a few times, but I still know nothing about it. Should probably look it up I'm still trudging through my two reads, enjoying them, but finding it hard to focus for more than a few pages.

I didn't see the end coming at first, then I suddenly saw it and felt it was too out-of-nowhere for me to really get into/accept it. I'd rather it had been more obvious and built up. It is a good read, definitely, I too would recommend it. I'm just a very harsh critic

Started watching How To Get Away With Murder. It's really good!

I hope you enjoy it if/when you get round to it!

Haha, this! I don't donate books, I'm too much of a hoarder, but I do regularly buy second hand books from the Irish Cancer Society charity shops in town

It is very lovely but I do have to wonder if they'll ever stop cashing in on HP and making new editions for people to collect! (I'd love a copy of Azkaban illustrated like this! )

Oooh look at me, posting a book review. How novel! The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet - Becky Chambers Synopsis: Somewhere within our crowded sky, a crew of wormhole builders hops from planet to planet, on their way to the job of a lifetime. To the galaxy at large, humanity is a minor species, and one patched-up construction vessel is a mere speck on the starchart. This is an everyday sort of ship, just trying to get from here to there. But all voyages leave their mark, and even the most ordinary of people have stories worth telling. A young Martian woman, hoping the vastness of space will put some distance between herself and the life she‘s left behind. An alien pilot, navigating life without her own kind. A pacifist captain, awaiting the return of a loved one at war. *** Review: The short version is, I loved this book. It wasn't without its flaws, but I absolutely loved it. I spotted it randomly while browsing Goodreads, looking for new reading suggestions, and the name drew me in. Sci-fi is definitely not my usual kettle of fish, so I was taking a chance by reading it, but my interest was further piqued by the fact that this book is the result of a Kickstarter - started by Becky in order to fund the time she needed to finish the novel. This to me suggested the novel was a real labor of love, and having read it, I can confirm that it absolutely is. Although it's sci-fi, it's character- and story-driven sci-fi. I say story-driven rather than plot-driven - it is the stories of the characters, their backgrounds, their experiences, their goals that really make up the heart of this novel. It's quite a long read, and over the course of the book you get to know each of the characters in their context of their personal experiences and in the context of the episodic bigger picture on board the Wayfarer, much in the way you get to know a cast of characters throughout a mini-series on television. This is both the book's greatest strength and weakness - I loved the characters, I adored the Wayfarer, Lovey, all the different species and the depth of development that went into absolutely every angle of this novel. As I said, an utter labor of love. At the same time, the pacing and the potential focus points of the novel became a little overlooked, I think, in the author's desire to share everything there is to know about her universe. I'd nearly argue it would have been better as a trilogy - more time to focus more on maybe three big areas, rather than shoving everything into one book. I don't really want to talk too much about the content of the story, other than to say that despite the sic-fi genre it's very much a book about people, their cultures, and their attempts to etch out places for themselves in the vastly complex and wildly confusing grand scheme of life. If that sounds like the kind of thing that appeals to you, then this is worth picking up. Rating: 4.5/5

Glad you had a nice quick day! Ick, I nearly got soaked today too, but luckily I missed the worst of it. I'm not sure that I'm feeling any better than the last couple of days, but I braved the trek into town today, got lots done and bought a new skirt and hat, I was mostly okay, did feel a bit weak at times and head still a tad fuzzy. Wasn't coughing too much, but I am still coughing. Also came home with a headache, but all things considered I'm alright. I did two loads of washing when I got in, and I'm going to dye my hair soon. So not totally better, but at this stage am just powering through it.

I'm reading Dumplin' by Julie Murphy. Read about 80 pages last night, so hopefully my mojo is getting back into gear. Also reading The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman by Denis... something. French guy. It's good, but very arty, and wasn't what I was looking for. However, I'm halfway through it, so I will finish it just to see what happens!

Damp, drizzly and muggy here today. My friend from work called over to my house with lunch and Exputex for me, and got lashed on for her troubles. Felt so bad

I think I read about twenty pages of a book in the end

Been catching up on the new episodes of Doctor Who. Really enjoying it - kinda wish I'd waited another week because I want to know what happens next!

I don't, I was looking at the honey in the nearby shop today and there were a couple kinds but can't remember if any were Manuka. I know I should go, but it's a 20 min walk each way to any kind of decent supermarket, so it's daunting when I'm feeling wibbly. I will have to over the next couple days though, I'll have no choice. Thank you xx Thanks Virginia! There's nothing worse than the doses everyone gets at the turn of the season. You know its coming but you still just have to ride it out when it does. Hate being sick. I haven't been coughing as much today, but I didn't go to town. I thought maybe I'd be better to rest up another day or two and hope it finally clears. I do have to pop over to the uni tomorrow for work, so we'll see how I get on with that.

Grey blustery cool day here. Sense of a storm in the air. Love it, proper Autumn weather

Swallows and Amazons! I remember that from when I was a kid. No idea if I would still like it, though.

Still sick. Everything gone except slight wooziness and occasional cough exacerbating my asthma, but I feel quite out of it if I actually try to do anything like walk to the shop. Debating whether to force myself through going to town, as I actually haven't done a real shop since I got back from Brussels and have been living off deli food in the nearby shop and pizza. But I'm really not sure I'm up to it yet. Hate being sick, just bugger off, flu, will you!! I have things to do!!!

I've done virtually no reading. I dunno what's wrong with me, I really need to figure out what genre I want to read and binge on it coz otherwise I'm going to get stuck in a rut.

Ehh. Looks like the same old same old but I can't even focus on that because all I'm thinking is 'god they got old.' Still not at all sure about this.

I'm still sick after Brussels. Not too sick, most of the symptoms have subsided. Still have a bit of a cough and feel a bit shaky from time to time, but much better than I was. I have however randomly developed a light rash all around my torso. No idea what/why. Not sore or itchy so I'm chancing that I'm not actually dying and will see if I'm better by Monday. Also have a sore spot on the back of my head. No idea what's happened to me. Googled around a bit, but mostly worrying myself so I'm gonna just try take it easy. I do feel largely fine, I just feel like I'm at the tail-end of a flu. So we'll see.

Welcome to the forum, I hope you like it here

Thanks to another of his songs being featured on the Pan soundtrack, he seems to be getting invited onto a few American talk shows lately as a music guest, which is pretty cool for him as he's relatively unknown. I do like him being the little secret of his dedicated fanbase though

Glad you enjoyed it Kylie, I should be going to see it next week!