false 8 341 333 true 5657593 read 8 true 2649533 currently-reading 0 true 2649532 to-read 75 false 2649892 comics 19 false 2650483 favourites 18 false 5541094 prize-winners 17 false 2893181 non-fiction 10 false 4149130 poirot 9 false 2893187 autobiography 5 false 9126029 library-books http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80937471 to: Spider-Man: 24/7 Premiere HC (Hardcover) by Fred Van Lente
bookshelves: comics
After the great story of the last volume this was somewhat of a let down. The Fantastic Four story was actually quite sweet, whimsical and entertaining and it's starting to address the fact that they've all forgotten who SM is. The 24/7 storyline though is poor. After the set up of the last volume this takes it in a ludicrous way. It's never really explained how JJJ became Mayor, Peter's behaviour is rather odd and the random references to Norman seem off kilter and mis-placed. The ending with Pete deciding to take down Norman just seems to come out of nowhere. Obviously this is referencing the grander events in the Marvel universe but if you don't read the related stories then this makes no sense. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80937343 to: Spider-Man: Election Day (Obama Cover) Premiere HC by Marc Guggenheim
bookshelves: comics
This storyline ties up a lot of the BND subplots and manages to do it in an interesting and realistic manner. It's an engaging story, surprising at times and with a satisfying conclusion. Plus the art by JRJ looks great. The tag on the end Obama story is pretty weak but not enough to bring it down. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80936907 to: Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk Premiere HC (Hardcover) by Damon Lindelof
bookshelves: comics
From a great opening this never really goes anywhere. It would have been interesting to see how Bruce managed to gain control over Hulk. To be honest it would have been interesting to have actually seen a proper fight between the two but it's never really shown. Ultimately the story isn't really advanced any further than where it starts and with the delayed completion of the series the place in the grander Ultimate Universe is rather out of date. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27765865 to: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Paperback) by John Berendt
I read this after getting back from my first trip round the States and wished I'd read it while I was there. Good book. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78921101 to: Picnic at Hanging Rock (Paperback) by Joan Lindsay
This 'true' story tale of the disappearance of 3 girls and their teacher at the turn of the century and the downfall of those involved is intriguing and filled with vague menace but I couldn't really get into it. The writing style is somewhat distanced and the intermittent narration interferes too much with the story telling for my liking. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/79381752 to: Under the Dome (Paperback) by Stephen King
I'm a big SK fan, have been for a long time and Under the Dome feels like a 'best of'. Incorporating aspects of many of his other books he manages to create a new story of great impact; his characters are well drawn, real people and you get completely caught up in the lives and the horror that becomes; it's wonderfully rich. For such a large book it flies by and never once feels slow and cannot be recommended more. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80026376 to: The Gargoyle (Paperback) by Andrew Davidson
I was recommended this from a good friend of mine knowing I loved The Time Travellers Wife. I can understand the connection between the two and ultimately liked this a lot.

Starting with the vivid and horrific description of a man, an accident and his burns it develops into a love story transcending time and reality. Along the way we learn about German mysticism and religious history, fables and folklore, Dante's Inferno, modern medical treatment of burns, mental illness and the nature of love. At times it's very funny, there are some lovely sentences dotted throughout and I very much enjoyed the descriptive nature of the concepts and prose.

Compelling and interesting even if you can figure out the ending fairly early on. Worth reading. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80025651 to: Invincible: The Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1 (Hardcover) by Robert Kirkman
bookshelves: comics, library-books
I read this in the library when unwell and feeling in need of comic book comfort. It's a refreshing and at times very funny take on the superhero genre and coming from an independent it's not bound by the restrictions placed by the big two. We get a new young superhero trying to live up to the shadow of his father, fitting into his new life and his place in the world. The supporting case are nicely developed, there are many amusing rip-offs of more established characters in other series and the whole way through are dotted little throw backs and references to previous events. By the end I wanted to find out what happened next. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78405622 to: Nation (Paperback) by Terry Pratchett
Being a massive Discworld fan it took a while to sink into and accept Pratchett's novel as something different. The story, the themes (of belief, loss, accepting change and doing what's right) and the tone are in a world of their own and I found myself reading in a different voice to his other books (that may sound strange but it's the only way I can describe it). What I do know is that once I started reading I couldn't stop. I needed to find out what happens to the characters and I was constantly happy with what I read. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78283372 to: In the Wake (Paperback) by Per Petterson
Reading this is like getting swept up in a dream, you feel caught in the hazy, meandering narrative through mundane and heartbreakingly plain events. It's a powerfully sparse book, with lovely evocative prose, a tale exploring the way people keep living even after terrible events and loss. ]]>