ian

I've only read the first two books - Hyperion & Fall of Hyperion. Because of that I deliberately haven't read the spoilers in the first post, so I can't directly answer your question. However, I can say that these first two books are fantastically intricate and interwoven. The writing is fantastic, so while you may lose something from whatever plot reveal you've seen, they are very worthwhile books to be read. I wouldn't hesitate in reading them.

Not sure about the Harry Potter one, but as for a book that best represents me - I'd have to go for The Hitch-Hikers guide to the galaxy, in particular the character of Arthur Dent. This is because unfortunately because when placed in a stressful situation, I think I tend to become very English - i.e pompous, generally ineffective, with a tendency to make cups of tea!

My thoughts exactly (which I thought I'd said in my original post, but I seem to have edited it out before posting.) This particular person was the type who had to articulate every single thought in loud voice as soon as it occurred to them. I didn't take offence, although plenty of others did on my behalf!

Sadly not. I was hoping a few charges would sort it out, but no. I have just about got into the habit of checking the charge on it on a daily basis, but it seems a little uneven. It seems to go from 100% to 50% quite slowly, but from there to 5% in a few hours. In all, I'm charging it about once a week. Doesn't sound too bad when you put it like that, but when you're used to it being 6 weeks between charges, it's annoying. And of course, it catches me at the worst possible moments; sitting at a bench around the corner from my office at lunchtime seems to be favourite. Oh well.

Book 18. Song of Susannah - Stephen King The next-to-last novel in Stephen King's seven-volume magnum opus, Song of Susannah is at once a book of revelation, a fascinating key to the unfolding mystery of the Dark Tower, and a fast-paced story of double-barreled suspense. To give birth to her "chap," demon-mother Mia has usurped the body of Susannah Dean and used the power of Black Thirteen to transport to New York City in the summer of 1999. The city is strange to Susannah...and terrifying to the "daughter of none," who shares her body and mind. Saving the Tower depends not only on rescuing Susannah but also on securing the vacant lot Calvin Tower owns before he loses it to the Sombra Corporation. Enlisting the aid of Manni senders, the remaining katet climbs to the Doorway Cave...and discovers that magic has its own mind. It falls to the boy, the billy-bumbler, and the fallen priest to find Susannah-Mia, who, in a struggle to cope with each other and with an alien environment "go todash" to Castle Discordia on the border of End-World. In that forsaken place, Mia reveals her origins, her purpose, and her fierce desire to mother whatever creature the two of them have carried to term. Eddie and Roland, meanwhile, tumble into western Maine in the summer of 1977, a world that should be idyllic but isn't. For one thing, it is real, and the bullets are flying. These are the simple vectors of a story rich in complexity and conflict. Its dual climaxes, one at the entrance to a deadly dining establishment and the other appended to the pages of a writer's journal, will leave readers gasping for the saga's final volume (which, Dear Reader, follows soon, say thank ya). - Taken from Goodreads My Thoughts. I'm going to try and put what I think without spoilers. Because there is a big WHAT?! moment at the end of this book. Having avoided any sort of spoilery comments myself for these, I wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone else. Let's just say - I've always been a bit of SK fanboy, and I've always thought that King, like a lot of talented people, blur the lines between genius and insanity. This book makes me think he's definitely both. The whole book is excellent, no doubt, but the ending! I don't think I've ever read a book where I thought "Surely he's not going to...Oh wow, he just did"! I saw it coming, I just wasn't sure I believed he (King) would have the audacity. He did. I loved it. 5/5

There's always something else to spend money on, it seems, and let's face it, good, second-hand books are plentiful and cheap. Also, everyone knows I'm mad on books, so birthdays and Christmas will always see me get a good haul. Then there's swapping books with my mother-in-law (we have very similar taste in books) and of course, the library. So, it's actually quite rare that I'll go into a "proper" book shop and spend money on myself. I'd been given a voucher for Waterstones for my birthday, and this was the first opportunity I've had to get browsing. Typically, once I was in there, my mind went blank of all the books and authors that had filled my wish list up to then, but I came out with three. Alastair Reynolds - On the Steel Breeze Alastair Reynolds - Posideon's Wake Joe Hill - The Fireman

I think it's inevitable that people will...I struggle to use the word judge, but I guess that is what it would be. I've done it myself. Apart from my initial reaction of "Oh good, another reader", I do then try to see if I can see what they are reading. Yes, I've been guilty of looking down my nose because someone is reading something I don't think is very good. I always feel ashamed of that immediately afterwards. I've knowingly been on the receiving end of that kind of judgement only once. I was reading Jane Austen at my desk at work - Pride and Prejudice, I think - when a work colleague came up to me and said " What you reading? Jane Austen? Are you gay?" I don't think I would automatically think someone reading Mein Kampf was a Nazi. You've got a book there that was written by a true monster. People are fascinated by monsters as much as we are by hero's. Doesn't make us monsters. So, upshot of all that is; yes, people judge. But, people judge others on everything, and there is very little we can do about it, so why worry?

I have to say, I've been enjoying the series so far. I really didn't thing I was going to like Bill - the initial trailer for the series had her coming across as annoying, but over a whole episode I have found her a very interesting character. I've stopped reading reviews of episodes now, as the mainstream press seems to have completely turned on the programme. That's not a uniquely DW thing, or even a sci-fi / fantasy thing, and some of the criticism is justified, but it does seems that the programme can do no right in some newspaper's eyes. For me, I don't particularly want to watch BGT or X-factor on a Saturday night, so a chance to watch something different is always welcome.

So, now I have a bit of a quandary. I have all the dark Tower series ready to go on my Kindle, but I feel a bit guilty for the ever-increasing pile of "real" books that aren't being read. (yes, I realise I've just admitted feeling guilty about neglecting a pile of inanimate objects). But, I also have another problem. A couple of weeks ago, I put my Kindle in my work bag next to one of those ice-pack things that was keeping my lunch cool. I thought I had kept it away, but it was too close, and it completely drained the battery. Ever since, the battery on it only lasts a couple of days, and I think it's getting shorter. Oh dear. So, now I want to rush and finish all the books on there before the thing dies completely. I'm annoyed at myself, 'cos I've got no one but myself to blame, but by the same token, I've had it a while now.

Book 17. Wolves of the Calla (dark Tower 5) - Stephen King Roland Deschain and his ka-tet are bearing southeast through the forests of Mid-World on their quest for the Dark Tower. Their path takes them to the outskirts of Calla Bryn Sturgis. But beyond the tranquil farm town, the ground rises to the hulking darkness of Thunderclap, the source of a terrible affliction that is stealing the town's soul. The wolves of Thunderclap and their unspeakable depredation are coming. To resist them is to risk all, but these are odds the gunslingers are used to. Their guns, however, will not be enough.... My Thoughts I've basically been reading the whole series this year, and to my mind this was the best so far. In part, I think that is because I am used to the way these books are written now. These books go off onto massive tangents, and this is no different. Carrying on straight after the events of book 4, the gunslingers find themselves in a town that has a problem. Roland and his gang - his "ka-tet" are obliged to help, once more taking them away from there quest for the Tower, but the town has another surprise; a priest called Callahan. Stephen King fans will recognise him as the priest from Salem's lot, and so the tangent here is Callahan's story after we last see him in Salem's lot till now. (Don't worry if you haven't read Salem's lot, it's all summarised). So, for that, and for the unfolding story, I can only give this 5/5

Not a book I've read unfortunately, so I can't comment on that particular book. However, there is a similar theory to do with Daphne Du Maurier's "Julius" (or The Progress of Julius - it seems to be sold under both titles). In it Julius has a daughter, but their relationship is odd. Again, this was written in 1933, and it may be modern eyes just reading too much into it. Then there is Eugenie Danglers in The count of Monte Cristo. Depending on how you read her character, she's either a liberated woman who just doesn't want to be dependant on a man, or she's gay. I suspect either would have been quite a shocking proposal at the time the book was written! I'm sure there are heaps more, but these were the two that came immediately to mind. Of course, it's ambiguous things like this in books that make them both fascinating and frustrating in equal measure!

Book 16: Hide and Seek by Ian Rankin At night the summer sky stays light over Edinburgh. But in a shadowy, crumbling housing development, a junkie lies dead of an overdose, his bruised body surrounded by signs of Satanic worship. John Rebus could call the death and accident--but won't. Instead, he tracks down a violent-tempered young woman who knew the dead boy and heard him cry out his terrifyng last words: "Hide! Hide!" Now, with the help of a bright, conflicted young detective, Rebus is following the girl through a brutal world of bad deals, bad dope and bad company. From a beautiful city's darkest side to the private sanctums of the upper crust, Rebus is seeking the perfect hiding place for a killer (taken from Goodreads) My Thoughts A very early Rebus book that I hadn't read before. It's a good read, but it isn't quite as good as the later boosk. Rebus isn't quite as cynical as in later books, and maybe not quite as fully formed. Still, it's an interesting read, and exposes a seedy underbelly to Edinburgh. 4/5

If I had known it was mostly back-story going in, it wouldn't have bothered me at all, which is why I think I would score it higher on a re-read. I would agree with you on the first book - I felt it was a little... "thin" is the best word I can think of to describe it.

Book 15: The Snow Tiger by Desmond Bagley A small mining community in New Zealand is devastated when 'the snow tiger' (an avalanche) rips apart their entire township in a matter of minutes, killing fifty-four people. In the course of the ensuing enquiry, the antagonisms and fears of the community are laid bare, and a ruthless battle, for control of a multi-million pound international mining group, is exposed. The tension in the courtroom mounts as each survivor gives his graphic account of the terrifying sequence of events. (taken from Goodreads) My Thoughts I decided I needed a break from the Dark Tower books, so I let the book jar decide. I hadn't read any Desmond Bagley in ages, and this one didn't disappoint. Yes, it is a bit dated at some points - this was written in 1975 and it definitely fits into the British thriller genre of the time. All the hero's are men; stoic and good in a crisis. (if it was a film, it would have had Paul Newman or maybe Cary Grant in it) Still, I liked it. The story follows a slightly unusual narrative; it takes the form of an enquiry onto an avalanche, filled out with numerous flashbacks, as the people called as witnesses relive their experiences. The author obviously did his research into avalanches, but there is a nice balance between the technical and the story. It builds the tension nicely. The ending was perhaps a little abrupt, something which seems to be a common thing with his books. Good stuff 4/5.

Book 14: Wizard and Glass - Stephen King (The Dark Tower 4) Synopsis Roland of Gilead and his fellow pilgrims determine to reach the Dark Tower, but their quest is rife with confrontation, conflict and sacrifice - from a vast computer system which bargains in riddles to Roland's old enemy Walter and the wizard's glass. (taken from Goodreads) My Thoughts I am in two minds about this. On the one hand, this is a good story, mostly taken up with Roland's back story from when he first became a Gunslinger. On the other hand, this is a massive detour away from the central story of Roland's, Eddie's, Susannah & Jake's quest for the tower. So, while I was interested to see Roland's story, and meet Cuthbert & Alain, I couldn't help myself: part of me at the back of my brain was going " get on with it"! It will be one of those books that when I come to re-read it, will get a higher rating, just because I know what to expect. Still the ending is great - no spoilers here though! 3/5

One of the pleasures of charity shop book shopping (or second-hand bookshops) is the not knowing if you are going to find something fantastic or not. Sometimes it feels to easy to buy a book new from a store - I like the idea that I "found" it. Silly, I know, but I can't help myself.

Alistair Reynolds - I've read about three of his books and always found them to be absolutely packed full of interesting sci-fi ideas, while maintaining both a good sense of both fun and realistic characterisation. John Irving - I read "A prayer for Owen Meany" earlier this read, and found it to be completely engrossing. Some of his other stuff is a must for me this year. John Connolly - I picked up my first book by him by accident; I thought I was getting Michael Connolly! Still, it was very enjoyable; a sort of supernatural detective story. Must read more.

Sounds very interesting - Steampunk isn't a genre I've read much of, so this sounds like an ideal starting point perhaps. Something that doesn't take itself too seriously would appeal more than something a bit more "heavy".

That's really good to know. I'm starting the fourth one now.

The Waste Lands (Dark Tower 3) by Stephen King Roland, The Last Gunslinger, moves ever closer to The Dark Tower of his dreams and nightmares—as he crosses a desert of damnation in a macabre world that is a twisted image of our own. With him are those he has drawn to this world: street-smart Eddie Dean and courageous wheelchair-bound Susannah. Ahead of him are mind-rending revelations about who and what is driving him. Against him is arrayed a swelling legion of foes—both more and less than human.... My Thoughts I'm fully invested in these characters now, so I found this is a very easy read. I love how everything just fits together nicely, referencing the earlier books without seeming forced. My only negative - I found the part in-between the village of River Crossing and the City of Lud a bit over long; a bit a blank where not much happens, but other than that really good. And is that a not-so subtle reference to The Hobbit at the end there? Riddles anywayand Blaine saying "I hate you forever"? 4/5

Having now read the first two, and someway into the third, I would definitely say they need to be read in order. The same people who told me that the series picks up also told me it tails off after the third book or so. That's a shame, but I'm afraid I will have to finish it now - I've become too involved!

Book 12: The Drawing of the Three - Stephen King While pursuing his quest for the Dark Tower through a world that is a nightmarishly distorted mirror image of our own, Roland is drawn through a mysterious door that brings him into contemporary America.Here he links forces with the defiant young Eddie Dean, and with the beautiful, brilliant, and brave Odetta Holmes, in a savage struggle against underworld evil and otherworldly enemies.Once again, Stephen King has masterfully interwoven dark, evocative fantasy and icy realism My Thoughts I really wasn't keen on the first book, but I was assured by others here that the series does improve over the next couple of books Well, you were right. This book feels much more coherent. There is an actual story happening, and characters that I actually care about. Can't wait to read the next one now! 4/5

I do like author interviews, particularly if they give some insight into their inspiration for a story or a minor point that the author has put in a book for his or her own amusement. An example that immediately comes to mind is Stephen King calling the town in texas "Jodie" as a call-out to Jodi Piccoult.

Book 11: Even dogs in the wild - Ian Rankin Retirement doesn’t suit John Rebus. He wasn’t made for hobbies, holidays or home improvements. Being a cop is in his blood. So when DI Siobhan Clarke asks for his help on a case, Rebus doesn’t need long to consider his options. Clarke’s been investigating the death of a senior lawyer whose body was found along with a threatening note. On the other side of Edinburgh, Big Ger Cafferty – Rebus’s long-time nemesis – has received an identical note and a bullet through his window. Now it’s up to Clarke and Rebus to connect the dots and stop a killer. Meanwhile, DI Malcolm Fox joins forces with a covert team from Glasgow who are tailing a notorious crime family. There’s something they want, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it. It’s a game of dog eat dog – in the city, as in the wild. My Thoughts. I really enjoyed this. Rebus is as irascible as ever, Siobhan Clarke as in part frustrated and admiring of him. Fox is finding his feet outside of the "complaints". Edinburgh's criminal underbelly are ready to go to war with each other over some missing merchandise. It takes a while for the connections to come together and when they did, it went in a direction I wasn't expecting at all. That's why I like this series. After 20 books, they still have the capacity to surprise. There's plenty of life in the old dog yet! 5/5

Book 10: The Pig Bin by Michael Richardson 'Your mind's full of rubbish, Morley, just like that pig bin.' The Pig Bin is a laugh-out-loud novel about the embarrassing escapades of a war time adolescent. Morley Charles is a shy Catholic boy with a stammer. His mother disapproves of most of his friends; his father is away at the war; his uncle is a black marketeer, and the drunk lodger staying with them is a source of shame. Morley has started exploring his body, and is desperate to find the right word to describe the sinful pleasure he's just discovered so he can make his confession and not go straight to hell if a bomb falls on him. Things start to look up, however, when the American serviceman who's sweet on his neighbor gives him a brand new lumber jacket. May, his aunt, is generous with the affection his mother seems unable to show. If he pretends to be French his stammer miraculously vanishes, and his artistic talent might give him a future at the Balsley School of Art. With the war nearly over, all he needs to do now is find that word. My Thoughts Picked this up at the library, and it seemed interesting. What really sold me on it was the fact that it is set exactly where I live. It's obviously based on the experiences of the author himself, and is in turns funny and occasionally quite sad, as we see life in south Birmingham at the very end of world war 2 through the eyes of a 13 year old boy, with all the preoccupations that boys that age have. My only disappointment - hardly any of Morley's problems are resolved by the end - Has he painted a picture for Russ, the American soldier, has he been acecpted into Art School. Funny though, I enjoyed this quite a lot. 3/5