JRockBlues
Well-Known Member
Can highly recommend Alan Furst & David Downing too if you haven't tried them yet.
Reading Challenge 2022
- Thread starter RobMCFC
- Start date
JRockBlues
Well-Known Member
I got behind in my reviews again. Here's a catchup post or two.
The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North
What do you do if nobody in the world can remember you unless they’re currently in contact with you? You become a jewel thief, obviously. Well that’s what Hope Arden does anyway. Her latest target is a member of the royal family in Dubai but her way in has just taken her own life after suffering from depression when she feels the way her life is going following suggestions of the new app called Perfection. It doesn’t just want to make you better, it wants to make you perfect. So in a fit of pique, Hope decides to steal the jewel that she’s after at a big launch party and in doing so upsets a few people.
Another really good read from an author who I’ll now have to add to my favourites list having rated at least 3 books at 4★'s+. This one examines social pressure and fitting in with the expected norms especially from the social media perspective. Also looks at identity through a lens of someone who can basically change theirs every time she meets someone even if she’s met them before. While I don’t think there’s any remarkable revelations, I do like the main character and the pacing of the story. While it’s not going to be a book for everyone it does fall nicely within my purview. 4½★'s
The Girl Who Lived Twice by David Lagercrantz
The sixth (third by this author) book in the millennium series sees Lisbeth Salander attempting to put an end to her sister’s exploits, permanently. But what happens when the tables are turned? Meanwhile, Blomkvist is looking into the death of an unidentified homeless man who just happened to have his business card on him when he died of suspected alcohol poisoning.
As long as you can avoid the obvious comparisons between the different authors (and if you’ve reached this far in the series that’s probably not a problem for you) then this is another decent entry in to the continued travails of the dual main characters. 3½★'s
The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North
What do you do if nobody in the world can remember you unless they’re currently in contact with you? You become a jewel thief, obviously. Well that’s what Hope Arden does anyway. Her latest target is a member of the royal family in Dubai but her way in has just taken her own life after suffering from depression when she feels the way her life is going following suggestions of the new app called Perfection. It doesn’t just want to make you better, it wants to make you perfect. So in a fit of pique, Hope decides to steal the jewel that she’s after at a big launch party and in doing so upsets a few people.
Another really good read from an author who I’ll now have to add to my favourites list having rated at least 3 books at 4★'s+. This one examines social pressure and fitting in with the expected norms especially from the social media perspective. Also looks at identity through a lens of someone who can basically change theirs every time she meets someone even if she’s met them before. While I don’t think there’s any remarkable revelations, I do like the main character and the pacing of the story. While it’s not going to be a book for everyone it does fall nicely within my purview. 4½★'s
The Girl Who Lived Twice by David Lagercrantz
The sixth (third by this author) book in the millennium series sees Lisbeth Salander attempting to put an end to her sister’s exploits, permanently. But what happens when the tables are turned? Meanwhile, Blomkvist is looking into the death of an unidentified homeless man who just happened to have his business card on him when he died of suspected alcohol poisoning.
As long as you can avoid the obvious comparisons between the different authors (and if you’ve reached this far in the series that’s probably not a problem for you) then this is another decent entry in to the continued travails of the dual main characters. 3½★'s
JRockBlues
Well-Known Member
The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross
First in an urban fantasy series where a low-level civil servant who mainly does IT work for a clandestine government agency gets involved in some actual field work. While Nazi death squads and monsters straight out of the Cthulu mythos may be involved he may also have to deal with the much seedier world of office politics.
This is a fun ride with the trademark Stross humour over the combined two tales that make up this book. While there are obvious signs that this was an early effort in his bibliography it still provides enough entertainment and enjoyment for me to want to continue with the series. 3½★'s
Trouble with Lichen by John Wyndham
Classic science fiction where an accidental discovery may have profound effects on society. When a scientist identifies an antigerone which could extend life well past 200 or even 300 years he decides to not release details to the wider world foreseeing nothing but trouble due to the limited supply. Meanwhile the assistant who was with him at the time sets out on her own path and implements a different strategy when it becomes clear that her previous employer is doing nothing about his discovery.
This is definitely a progressive novel for the time, promoting the role of women in society and this, rather than focus on societal consequences of extended life, is the main focus of the novel. It didn’t quite live up to the previous Wyndham’s I’ve read but it was still an enjoyable and quick-paced read. 3½★'s
First in an urban fantasy series where a low-level civil servant who mainly does IT work for a clandestine government agency gets involved in some actual field work. While Nazi death squads and monsters straight out of the Cthulu mythos may be involved he may also have to deal with the much seedier world of office politics.
This is a fun ride with the trademark Stross humour over the combined two tales that make up this book. While there are obvious signs that this was an early effort in his bibliography it still provides enough entertainment and enjoyment for me to want to continue with the series. 3½★'s
Trouble with Lichen by John Wyndham
Classic science fiction where an accidental discovery may have profound effects on society. When a scientist identifies an antigerone which could extend life well past 200 or even 300 years he decides to not release details to the wider world foreseeing nothing but trouble due to the limited supply. Meanwhile the assistant who was with him at the time sets out on her own path and implements a different strategy when it becomes clear that her previous employer is doing nothing about his discovery.
This is definitely a progressive novel for the time, promoting the role of women in society and this, rather than focus on societal consequences of extended life, is the main focus of the novel. It didn’t quite live up to the previous Wyndham’s I’ve read but it was still an enjoyable and quick-paced read. 3½★'s
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
1. The Spirit Engineer - A.J.West - 7/10
2. The Lost Man - Jane Harper - 8/10
3. The Fall of Babel – Josiah Bancroft - 5/10
4. The Forest – Michaelbrent Collings – 3/10
5. Black River – Will Dean – 7/10
6. Winter is Coming – Garry Kasparov – 9/10
7. Archangel – Robert Harris – 8/10
8. The Justice of Kings – Richard Swan - 8/10
9. Priest of Bones – Peter McLean – 8/10
10. Watching Skies: Star Wars, Spielberg and us – Mark O’Connell – 7/10
11. Björn Borg and the Super-Swedes – Mats Holm and Ulf Roosvald – 8/10
12. We Men of Ash and Shadow – HL Tinsley 6/10
13. Paul Kelly: The man, the music and the life in between – Stuart Coupe – 7/10
14. Steven Spielberg: A Biography - Joseph McBride – 8/10
15. Scrublands – Chris Hammer – 8/10
16. Thunderstruck – Erik Larson – 9/10
This is the best book that I’ve read this year.
Before I get into the review, I wanted to say a few words about a previous book I read by Erik Larson: The Devil in the White City. Although written in 2002, I only got around to reading this about 5 or 6 years ago. It tells the story of two men: Daniel Burnham, the architect behind the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, and H.H.Holmes, a serial killer who designed the far less pleasant “murder castle.” The blend of the two men’s stories made for a gripping historical fact novel, and I have been eagerly awaiting the film or TV adaptation ever since (Leonardo DiCaprio bought the rights in 2010).
Thunderstruck adopts the same approach, but this time with a much more infamous event. Here, the author blends the tales of Marconi, focusing on his obsessive quest to develop the commercial operation of transatlantic radio communication, and Hawley Harvey Crippen, an infamous murderer.
Whilst the stories of both men make for an absorbing read, it’s Crippen’s tale that is the most interesting. Larson manages to evoke a fair amount of sympathy even though the man was a murderer! Also, I loved the way that the book was structured: it starts off alternating lengthy chapters on both the principal characters and then as the book progresses, it becomes more focused on Marconi, with just little snippets about Crippen’s situation. However, as the book reaches its conclusion, the reverse is true and even though I knew roughly what happened, the conclusion felt breathless, with the chapters shortening as the police close in on Crippen.
The author has also neatly managed the difference in time periods of the two main stories. Most of the Marconi story unfolds in the mid-1890s to early 1900s, whereas the bulk of the Crippen chapters are the years leading up to the 1910 murder. Larson is always very clear with his dates, but it can seem a bit odd when he is mixing Marconi in 1901 with Crippen in 1910. However, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of what is a really well-researched piece of writing.
I’m sure many reading this will know a bit about the Crippen case and why Marconi is significant, but I don’t want to give anything away in case you don’t know and want to read the book. Suffice it to say that the conclusion is superb and I’m sure those who love historical fiction will love it.
2. The Lost Man - Jane Harper - 8/10
3. The Fall of Babel – Josiah Bancroft - 5/10
4. The Forest – Michaelbrent Collings – 3/10
5. Black River – Will Dean – 7/10
6. Winter is Coming – Garry Kasparov – 9/10
7. Archangel – Robert Harris – 8/10
8. The Justice of Kings – Richard Swan - 8/10
9. Priest of Bones – Peter McLean – 8/10
10. Watching Skies: Star Wars, Spielberg and us – Mark O’Connell – 7/10
11. Björn Borg and the Super-Swedes – Mats Holm and Ulf Roosvald – 8/10
12. We Men of Ash and Shadow – HL Tinsley 6/10
13. Paul Kelly: The man, the music and the life in between – Stuart Coupe – 7/10
14. Steven Spielberg: A Biography - Joseph McBride – 8/10
15. Scrublands – Chris Hammer – 8/10
16. Thunderstruck – Erik Larson – 9/10
This is the best book that I’ve read this year.
Before I get into the review, I wanted to say a few words about a previous book I read by Erik Larson: The Devil in the White City. Although written in 2002, I only got around to reading this about 5 or 6 years ago. It tells the story of two men: Daniel Burnham, the architect behind the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, and H.H.Holmes, a serial killer who designed the far less pleasant “murder castle.” The blend of the two men’s stories made for a gripping historical fact novel, and I have been eagerly awaiting the film or TV adaptation ever since (Leonardo DiCaprio bought the rights in 2010).
Thunderstruck adopts the same approach, but this time with a much more infamous event. Here, the author blends the tales of Marconi, focusing on his obsessive quest to develop the commercial operation of transatlantic radio communication, and Hawley Harvey Crippen, an infamous murderer.
Whilst the stories of both men make for an absorbing read, it’s Crippen’s tale that is the most interesting. Larson manages to evoke a fair amount of sympathy even though the man was a murderer! Also, I loved the way that the book was structured: it starts off alternating lengthy chapters on both the principal characters and then as the book progresses, it becomes more focused on Marconi, with just little snippets about Crippen’s situation. However, as the book reaches its conclusion, the reverse is true and even though I knew roughly what happened, the conclusion felt breathless, with the chapters shortening as the police close in on Crippen.
The author has also neatly managed the difference in time periods of the two main stories. Most of the Marconi story unfolds in the mid-1890s to early 1900s, whereas the bulk of the Crippen chapters are the years leading up to the 1910 murder. Larson is always very clear with his dates, but it can seem a bit odd when he is mixing Marconi in 1901 with Crippen in 1910. However, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of what is a really well-researched piece of writing.
I’m sure many reading this will know a bit about the Crippen case and why Marconi is significant, but I don’t want to give anything away in case you don’t know and want to read the book. Suffice it to say that the conclusion is superb and I’m sure those who love historical fiction will love it.
stoneblue
Well-Known Member
Available for Kindle at £1.99. On the back of this review, I've just bought it!
ZenHalfTimeCrock
Well-Known Member
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Got through 31 books so far this year. Nearly all have been non-fiction, mainly to do with religion, philosophy, ethics or economics.
The best ones so far have been these:
Megan Phelps-Roper Unfollow (About her upbringing in the Westboro Baptist Church)
John Gray False Dawn: The Delusions of Global Capitalism (still relevant after that shit show of a budget by Kwarteng)
Nick Cave and Sean O'Hagan Faith, Hope and Carnage (superb series of remarkable interviews with our greatest living rock musician)
Best discovery has been the poet Ian Duhig's Twitter feed:
The poetry is truly interesting, but half the stuff there is just hilarious. Here's an example:
. . . and yet, whoever made this, it remains my favourite Joyce cover, capturing the soul of Stephen Dedalus as he prepares to forge in its smithy the uncreated conscience of his race.
The best ones so far have been these:
Megan Phelps-Roper Unfollow (About her upbringing in the Westboro Baptist Church)
John Gray False Dawn: The Delusions of Global Capitalism (still relevant after that shit show of a budget by Kwarteng)
Nick Cave and Sean O'Hagan Faith, Hope and Carnage (superb series of remarkable interviews with our greatest living rock musician)
Best discovery has been the poet Ian Duhig's Twitter feed:
The poetry is truly interesting, but half the stuff there is just hilarious. Here's an example:
. . . and yet, whoever made this, it remains my favourite Joyce cover, capturing the soul of Stephen Dedalus as he prepares to forge in its smithy the uncreated conscience of his race.
1. Winter - Len Deighton - 7/10
2. The Last Great Mountain - Mick Conefrey - 6/10
3. Pegasus Bridge - Stephen E. Ambrose - 6/10
4. The Dead of Jericho - Colin Dexter - 7/10
5. Agent Sonya - Ben MacIntyre - 7/10
6. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak - 9/10
7. Macbeth - A. J. Hartley and David Hewson - 9/10
8. The Ashes of London - Andrew Taylor - 7/10
9. Ashendon - W. Somerset Maugham - 5/10
10. With a Mind to Kill - Anthony Horowitz - 8/10
11. SAS: Sea King Down - Mark Aston and Stuart Tootal - 7/10
12. SS-GB - Len Deighton - 6/10
13. Nomad - Alan Partridge - 5/10
14. Jungle Soldier - Brian Moynahan - 9/10
15. The Ticket Collector from Belarus - Mike Anderson and Neil Hanson - 8/10
16. Soldier 'I' - Pete Winner and Michael Paul Kennedy - 6/10
17. Seashaken Houses - Tom Nancollas - 8/10
18. The Good Germans - Catrine Clay - 5/10
19. The Bookseller of Inverness - S. G. Maclean - 5/10
20. The Carpet People - Terry Pratchett - 6/10
21. The Heretics of De'Ath - Howard of Warwick - 7/10
22. Colditz: Prisoners of the Castle - Ben MacIntyre - 9/10
23. Monarchy - David Starkey - 8/10
This book chronicles the reigns of the Kings and Queens of England from Edward VII to Victoria, with an epilogue that takes a brief look at the 20th century monarchs.
Its main objective is to tell how power gradually transferred from the reigning monarch to Parliament. In the background we see the Catholic church being replaced by Protestantism, how disputes with other European countries and home nations are resolved, and political and family rivalries playing out.
It's a fascinating historical account, covering many of the lesser known monarchs, as well as the more familiar ones.
2. The Last Great Mountain - Mick Conefrey - 6/10
3. Pegasus Bridge - Stephen E. Ambrose - 6/10
4. The Dead of Jericho - Colin Dexter - 7/10
5. Agent Sonya - Ben MacIntyre - 7/10
6. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak - 9/10
7. Macbeth - A. J. Hartley and David Hewson - 9/10
8. The Ashes of London - Andrew Taylor - 7/10
9. Ashendon - W. Somerset Maugham - 5/10
10. With a Mind to Kill - Anthony Horowitz - 8/10
11. SAS: Sea King Down - Mark Aston and Stuart Tootal - 7/10
12. SS-GB - Len Deighton - 6/10
13. Nomad - Alan Partridge - 5/10
14. Jungle Soldier - Brian Moynahan - 9/10
15. The Ticket Collector from Belarus - Mike Anderson and Neil Hanson - 8/10
16. Soldier 'I' - Pete Winner and Michael Paul Kennedy - 6/10
17. Seashaken Houses - Tom Nancollas - 8/10
18. The Good Germans - Catrine Clay - 5/10
19. The Bookseller of Inverness - S. G. Maclean - 5/10
20. The Carpet People - Terry Pratchett - 6/10
21. The Heretics of De'Ath - Howard of Warwick - 7/10
22. Colditz: Prisoners of the Castle - Ben MacIntyre - 9/10
23. Monarchy - David Starkey - 8/10
This book chronicles the reigns of the Kings and Queens of England from Edward VII to Victoria, with an epilogue that takes a brief look at the 20th century monarchs.
Its main objective is to tell how power gradually transferred from the reigning monarch to Parliament. In the background we see the Catholic church being replaced by Protestantism, how disputes with other European countries and home nations are resolved, and political and family rivalries playing out.
It's a fascinating historical account, covering many of the lesser known monarchs, as well as the more familiar ones.
stoneblue
Well-Known Member
The Second Sleep - Robert Harris
I have read a few Robert Harris books but this is unlike anything of his that I’ve read before. It’s difficult to say too much about the book without giving away some spoilers so it’s probably best to read it for yourself.
The story starts in 1468 when a young priest is making his way to conduct a funeral service for a recently deceased parish priest. But when he arrives, he soon discovers that all is not as it seems.
I quite enjoyed the book, there are a number of interesting characters and for a book of some 400 pages moves along at a decent pace. I can certainly recommend it as an unusual work of fiction. If you intend to read it I would avoid reading any reviews beforehand.
I understand that there may be a TV series in which some of the events described will be developed further.
The second sleep that gives this book its title, refers to the once common practice of having a period of wakefulness in the middle of the night, before returning to bed.
I have read a few Robert Harris books but this is unlike anything of his that I’ve read before. It’s difficult to say too much about the book without giving away some spoilers so it’s probably best to read it for yourself.
The story starts in 1468 when a young priest is making his way to conduct a funeral service for a recently deceased parish priest. But when he arrives, he soon discovers that all is not as it seems.
I quite enjoyed the book, there are a number of interesting characters and for a book of some 400 pages moves along at a decent pace. I can certainly recommend it as an unusual work of fiction. If you intend to read it I would avoid reading any reviews beforehand.
I understand that there may be a TV series in which some of the events described will be developed further.
The second sleep that gives this book its title, refers to the once common practice of having a period of wakefulness in the middle of the night, before returning to bed.
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
1. The Spirit Engineer - A.J.West - 7/10
2. The Lost Man - Jane Harper - 8/10
3. The Fall of Babel – Josiah Bancroft - 5/10
4. The Forest – Michaelbrent Collings – 3/10
5. Black River – Will Dean – 7/10
6. Winter is Coming – Garry Kasparov – 9/10
7. Archangel – Robert Harris – 8/10
8. The Justice of Kings – Richard Swan - 8/10
9. Priest of Bones – Peter McLean – 8/10
10. Watching Skies: Star Wars, Spielberg and us – Mark O’Connell – 7/10
11. Björn Borg and the Super-Swedes – Mats Holm and Ulf Roosvald – 8/10
12. We Men of Ash and Shadow – HL Tinsley 6/10
13. Paul Kelly: The man, the music and the life in between – Stuart Coupe – 7/10
14. Steven Spielberg: A Biography - Joseph McBride – 8/10
15. Scrublands – Chris Hammer – 8/10
16. Thunderstruck – Erik Larson – 9/10
17. Billy Summers – Stephen King – 9/10
I can only echo what several others have said. This is an excellent book, and it should come as no surprise, given the author, that both the characters and story are superb.
It’s the story of ex-Marine Bill Summers – a sniper who specialises in taking out bad men. It’s one of those “one last job” stories, but the structure and pacing of the novel is brilliant. From the planning of the hit, the people Billy interacts with, the preparation for what to do after the hit and everything that happens afterwards (which is far from cliched), this book had me gripped.
I also like the idea that as part of his cover story, Billy is an author who is trying to write a novel but is actually writing his life story. This is very well presented by King, being nicely weaved into the story with Billy using different voices for different parts of his life, and it’s a good way to get to know the man Billy has become. It’s also used in an interesting way at the end of the book. Stephen King even managed to drop in thoughts and observations on what it’s like to be a writer without it getting in the way of the story.
The book went pretty much as I thought it would up to about half-way through, but then everything that happened afterwards was a bit of a surprise.
Highly recommended.
2. The Lost Man - Jane Harper - 8/10
3. The Fall of Babel – Josiah Bancroft - 5/10
4. The Forest – Michaelbrent Collings – 3/10
5. Black River – Will Dean – 7/10
6. Winter is Coming – Garry Kasparov – 9/10
7. Archangel – Robert Harris – 8/10
8. The Justice of Kings – Richard Swan - 8/10
9. Priest of Bones – Peter McLean – 8/10
10. Watching Skies: Star Wars, Spielberg and us – Mark O’Connell – 7/10
11. Björn Borg and the Super-Swedes – Mats Holm and Ulf Roosvald – 8/10
12. We Men of Ash and Shadow – HL Tinsley 6/10
13. Paul Kelly: The man, the music and the life in between – Stuart Coupe – 7/10
14. Steven Spielberg: A Biography - Joseph McBride – 8/10
15. Scrublands – Chris Hammer – 8/10
16. Thunderstruck – Erik Larson – 9/10
17. Billy Summers – Stephen King – 9/10
I can only echo what several others have said. This is an excellent book, and it should come as no surprise, given the author, that both the characters and story are superb.
It’s the story of ex-Marine Bill Summers – a sniper who specialises in taking out bad men. It’s one of those “one last job” stories, but the structure and pacing of the novel is brilliant. From the planning of the hit, the people Billy interacts with, the preparation for what to do after the hit and everything that happens afterwards (which is far from cliched), this book had me gripped.
I also like the idea that as part of his cover story, Billy is an author who is trying to write a novel but is actually writing his life story. This is very well presented by King, being nicely weaved into the story with Billy using different voices for different parts of his life, and it’s a good way to get to know the man Billy has become. It’s also used in an interesting way at the end of the book. Stephen King even managed to drop in thoughts and observations on what it’s like to be a writer without it getting in the way of the story.
The book went pretty much as I thought it would up to about half-way through, but then everything that happened afterwards was a bit of a surprise.
Highly recommended.