Happy Samhain, or Hallowe'en, depending on your view! October is nearly over, the clocks have gone back and the depressingly dark afternoons are upon us.
As we're skint I haven't managed to carve a pumpkin, or even join in the celebrations with the ickle trick or treaters due to lack of funds :o( However, this is my monthly review of the books I've read, not as many as last month (I can hear your sighs of relief) but there are some Big Read ones in there! So here goes....
Coffin Dodgers - Gary Marshall
I got this one as a free download, although it's now 99p. The premise is fantastic - the population is ageing and young people just aren't giving birth anymore. The world has become geared to the rich, elderly population with precious little for the younger generation to do. A group of three friends who all work at a casino are young, disillusioned and suddenly they find themselves being targeted for murder....I did enjoy this book I must admit, the idea behind it is really original, and the writing is good, but ultimately I felt that the author could have done more with this gem of inspiration. The ending was too abrupt for me, I ended up wanting more - although is that a bad thing? Worth a look.
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
My first "Big Read" book and another freebie. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this at all. I thought it would be stilted and old fashioned and would have nothing to keep me interested. How wrong can you be about a book? I absolutely loved it! I was totally hooked on the story and thoroughly enjoyed discovering all the drama and twists and turns in the writing. I'm a convert. If you haven't read it already, and never fancied it, then give it a go, it costs nowt so what do you have to lose? It truly is fantastic.
The HitchHiker's Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams
Another book from the Big Read list and one I have tried to read before. I really couldn't get into it previously but this time I wasn't going to give in. It WAS slow to begin with, but I persevered and ended up really enjoying it. I guess it's more of a boys book really, hence me not being grabbed by the constant sci-fi geekery but eventually the story came together and it provided me with a few chuckles, and I dove straight into the next book in the trilogy of five.
The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe - Douglas Adams
I couldn't wait to start reading this after really enjoying the first book, and it didn't disappoint, it was funny and much faster in pace at the start that the original. I loved the quirky little moments including the origins of humanity of Earth. It kept me hooked that's for sure, more so than the first and I was happily anticipating the third book (Life, The Universe And Everything). I sat down to read it and was disappointed in how slow it was to start....and how nothing happened.....and how dreary it was. I tried, I really did, but after getting 42% of the way through absolutely nothing was gripping me or enticing me to carry on and so I've given up on these for now. However, the book on the Big Read list is just the first, so I'm ticking it off lol!
You Might Be A Zombie And Other Bad News.. - Cracked.com
After forcing myself to try to finish the last book I needed something I could pick up and put down with ease, something funny and this book certainly did the trick. It's full of really bizarre and (allegedly) true facts, some are gobsmacking, some are amusing and most will have you leaning over to tell someone "listen to this!". If you like short, silly articles that are miles from being stuffy eg"textbooks frown on classifying animals as being of the genus F**kmassive
I hadn't heard of this author, or book but it had good reviews so I thought I'd give it a go. It's a very absorbing book, based on a Demon telling the tale of his life to Clay, an editor and how this affects Clay and his views of the world around him. I found it utterly intriguing, familiar tales from the bible are twisted to show them from a fallen Angel's point of view, giving it an almost disturbing feel. Questions of faith, mortality and humanity are raised in the discussions between the two and the emotions draw you in completely. It's a total page turner and as a Pagan who is interested in Theology I found it a very thoughtful read.
Feedback (A Vampire's Story) - Nick Spalding
Yes, I know...another Nick Spalding book lol, but what's a girl to do when it's a freebie download? A word of warning, if you're a Twilight fan you probably won't be a fan of this short story of a real vampire who decides to visit a best-selling author of vampire fiction who has romanticised the life they lead....It's a great little read, wee bit gory for some maybe, but that's not a problem for me! For nowt, I'd definitely recommend a download.
The Genesis Secret - Tom Knox
Another shot in the dark read, and oddly enough another one which gives a different view of familiar biblical stories. I guess this has more in common with Dan Brown than any other author, it's a whodunnit, race against time, finding the answer to an ancient question type story, although that's not a judgement on the story as I do quite enjoy a fast paced, far fetched page turner as much as the next person. I did enjoy this one, it had a good mix of historical information, teasers and the stories in it linked well, the only disappointment was the ending. I seem to have such an issue with endings, I get swept up in the tale, desperate to know how it will end, what we have been heading towards and so often recently I have been left really....I don't know.....deflated I guess by endings that seem so much less than the story promised. Don't let me put you off, it's a good read and I'll be reading more of his books.
Not as many as last month, that's for sure, but definitely some good books and I am totally torn as to which book was my favourite between Demon: A Memoir and Pride and Prejudice, two utterly different books but I became totally engrossed in both. As for the book I'd not bother with again...surely you can guess it's the one I didn't finish? lol!
As always, please leave a comment, whether you agree or disagree on my views or to recommend something you'll think I love :o)
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