Saturday 1 February 2014

A Bibliophile's January



I'm trying to read more this year and spend less time on the time thief that is social networking. (What do you mean, good luck wi' that?)

Anywho, here's wot I read in January.

Black Feathers by Joseph D'Lacey – first in a fantasy/ horror series. A cracking read. And the good news is that I don't have long to wait until book 2 is available. Book of the Crowman is out on the 7th March. Yes!

Water Music by Maggie Orford – another excellent crime writer from South Africa. She was on my radar after her appearance at Harrogate Crime Fiction Festival a couple of years back. Absorbing and well written. Released 27 Feb.

A Mad and Wonderful Thing by Mark Mulholland - a debut novel from the clever Aussie publisher, Scribe. In turns elegaic and disturbing. Pulls of that trick of making you sympathise with a character who does some truly awful things. Has a genuine OMG moment. Out in April. One to watch.

The Shining by Stephen King – for some reason I haven't ever read this. Needed to be rectified after reading Doctor Sleep in December. Genuinely chilling. He is the master. 'Nuff said.

Mongol by Uuganaa Ramsay – if you don't shed a tear while reading this you need to see a heart surgeon like pronto. Ask for a scan just to make sure you don't have a breeze block in there instead of a heart. Provides a fascinating glimpse into an alien culture, pays tribute to a dead infant and kicks off a campaign about the use of the word “mongol”. No wonder Uuganaa was previously voted Mongolian Woman of the Year.

The First Rule of Ten by Gay Hendricks & Tinker Lindsay – A former buddhist monk/ ex-cop becomes a P.I. in L.A. As unlikely as it sounds, it works. Thanks to a light touch on the Buddhist stuff and sharp dialogue and plotting. Great stuff!

The Fault on our Stars by John Green – teens and cancer don't make a comfortable reading and could easily turn out to be mawkish. But not for a writer as talented as this guy. You will laugh and you will cry.


I'm sure there's something among that lot to interest you?

Laters.