S. Lee Spelbring's Blog, page 5

Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Discworld series to feature the Night Watch. They aren’t very good, in fact you have a drunk leading two below average officers who do as little as possible. The book starts with the funeral of the third officer who “ran too fast” and well he had a heart condition. Then lots of other things happen with the running of the city, a new officer wanders into town, a secret society summons a dragon, and general chaos ensues.

This book is the origin story of the City Watch, and I love origin stories. This could even be called a love story, as this is how Captain Vimes leader of the Watch meets his wife. We do indeed get a better view of the city’s guilds, the Patrician, and brief lesson on good and evil. It’s quite a good little page turner.

This is the closest Discworld gets to proper crime stories, and I also love crime stories, I read a bunch of James Patterson and Sue Grafton as well. So if you like crime and want to get into fantasy, or vice versa this book is not a bad way to start a cross over. It’s also insanely hilarious. It’s Terry Pratchett. Also DRAGONS!

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Previously: Pyramids! by Terry Pratchett

Subsequently: Eric by Terry Pratchett

Have a Book Recommendation? A Series Suggestion? Have you Read Terry Pratchett? Let’s have a discussion in the comments!

I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton

I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s the first time this year I’m returning to Kinsey Millhone’s investigations, and well I’m glad I did.
Without spoiling too much of the plot, I really like where this is going for her.

Let’s back up a bit, Kinsey has a new “apartment” thanks to it exploding in recent times (previous book explains this), a new office (thanks again to a previous book), and a new client/landlord whom she is renting said office from. Yes, lots of changes, so a fresh start if you will. Not that Kinsey planned on any of it.

I do find it interesting that even though Kinsey is sent to gather information on one murder that happened six years prior, she ends up with three different murders on her hands because she’s just that talented (or maybe unlucky as it seems to follow her around like a lost puppy).

Either way, I did not see the ending coming, though the book does start with a bit of a teaser as to what’s to come. It didn’t spoil the ending for me anyway.

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Previously: H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton

Subsequently: J is for Judgment by Sue Grafton

3rd Degree by James Patterson

3rd Degree by James Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’ve read this book once before, but failed to write a review for it. So I’m writing one now, reading it a second time.

I’m not even sure how I missed this one, it’s where Lindsey meets Joe for Pete’s sake! And there’s that whole terrorist thing and plot to blow up the vice president stuff too, but Joe reappears for several more books (I’ve read ahead a bit, see above.)

Yes, this book is about extremist views which lead to terrorism; more precisely: ricin poisonings and bombings. Which is how Joe gets involved because he’s Deputy Director of the FBI, and then Joe gets involved with Lindsey.

I’m still mad at myself that I forgot to review this book, it’s a rather important one in Lindsey’s story, it’s how she met Joe!

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Previously: 2nd Chance by James Patterson

Subsequently: 4th of July by James Patterson

Pyramids! by Terry Pratchett

Pyramids by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve been fascinated with the thousands of years old pyramids and architecture of Ancient Egypt, just like I’m sure many of you reading this have had at least a passing curiosity about them. Well, Sir Terry Pratchett delves into them with his own brand of comedic fantasy with this book.

Using many tropes (to hilarious degrees) he takes us through the small country of Djelibeybi, their beautiful fiery pyramids, time itself, and the coronation of a new pharaoh. Of course, Djelibeybi is also important geographically as it sits between two countries who would go to war otherwise. It would be very bad if the interment of the previous Pharaoh went badly and somehow the country went sideways afterwards…

Honestly I do love this ridiculous and fantastical take on a country based on Egypt, with their neighboring countries having unusual ideas like “geometry”. I also appreciate the ending, DEATH makes an appearance to make order out of chaos. It’s simply wonderful.

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Previously: Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

Subsequently: Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

March 2022 Wrap-Up: What I Read, Watched, Played, and Made

What I Read:

I received a small gift from a co-worker that included a little cat book, so I interrupted my Discworld series to read it. It was a quick read, and then it was back to business reading more of Terry Pratchett’s popular book series.

Cat Confessions by Allia Zobel NolanMort by Terry PratchettSourcery by Terry PratchettWyrd Sisters by Terry PratchettWhat I Played:

I think I’ve finally caught up my Zodiac Legacy Challenge posts to my Sims now. I’m actually playing through Generation Four – Taurus, but they’re going strong now and will soon need a new home so watch out for that one. I’ve also been playing through a 100 Baby Challenge, my last attempt failed because my PC failed so hopefully I won’t have that issue again!

TZLC: Generation Two – Pisces [TS4]The 100 Baby Challenge – Introduction [TS4]TZLC: Generation Three – Aries [TS4]What I Watched:

The Monster Movie Marathon continues with Godzilla facing various rivals, and introducing a new monster into the movie series: Mothra. I also broke it up by watching the original Anime series, Cowboy Bebop, on Netflix because my friends questioned me on how I’ve never seen it. Their exact response was “How…?”

Godzilla Raids Again (1955)Binge-Watching Netflix: Cowboy Bebop (1998)King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)Mothra (1961)What I Made:

I’ve been working on a lot of different things over on my craft blog; I’ve reviewed another of my crochet books, been busily making a ton of sea creatures, and watching more YouTube. I’m hoping to get better at knitting this year and to finish more works in progress.

Book Review: Unicorns, Dragons, and More! by Amigurumipatterns.netWhales, Sharks, and Jellyfish! Oh My!15 Tips to Be a Better Knitter [Video]

I’d also like to note that this past month I started adding “Buy Me a Coffee” buttons to a number of my blogs. If you like what I do and want to do more to appreciate it then that’s what the button is for. A big thank you to those of you who have done this, it means a great deal to me and I appreciate it immensely.

Thank You for Reading!

Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While I knew it was possible and has happened previously, I did not expect this to be a fictitious retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It has a very ridiculous view of itself in true Discworld fashion. I do believe that the outcome is somewhat different in that everybody does not die. A few people do, but it’s hilarious and does actually add to the story.

It starts with idea of a coven, and if you’ve ever had Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax in the same room you know exactly how that went, now add a young, ambitious, somewhat naïve, new witch as a buffer and I think you get the picture.

Throw in the small country of Lancre who’s royal progression is upset, due to a missing baby, and roving band of Thespians and you get a fairly accurate idea of what is supposed to happen, but as this is the Disc, it doesn’t ever really get there in end.

I loved the interactions between Nanny and Granny, we even get some history on the two in this novel. I’m not entirely happy with the outcome for Magrat, the new witch, I thought she’d go down another path entirely. However, it did have a happy ending, which is more than what can be said for Macbeth.

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Previously: Sourcery by Terry Pratchett

Subsequently: Pyramids! by Terry Pratchett

Why you’re now seeing “Buy Me a Coffee” buttons on my blog

I love blogging. I’ve been doing it for almost 20 years now (with varying results). However, (with the help of WordPress) I’ve consistently been blogging since 2015 (I did have a hiccup 2019-2020, but didn’t everyone hiccup then?). I’ve even branched out to other blogs, and now have been able to (mostly)
keep up with them too. I’m even getting back into writing books again (I’ve got plans, watch this space). It’s been great.

I’ve long had a dream of being a full-time writer. Right now, that is definitely not possible, but with your help I might be able to taste just a tiny morsel of that dream. By donating using the “Buy Me a Coffee” buttons, you can be a part of that dream. It’s not mandatory, nothing I ever do is mandatory, you
don’t even have to read this paragraph or blog post if you don’t want to!

I’m using “Buy Me A Coffee” because 1) I’ve seen it on other blogs, so if others are using it, that’s generally a good sign that it works; 2) it was incredibly easy to set up, and very user friendly; I had no trouble setting up an account and adding buttons (well, obviously), 3) it allows me to add perks to those who want to donate. Extra blog posts (maybe more personal?), merchandise (if you’re interested?), videos(!), and possibly even some custom PDFs(?!). If you’d like to see any of those things (or something else? podcasts will eventually be available.) go ahead and let me know in the comments, or however you want to (I’m pretty sure I have other contact options somewhere).

Anyway, I just wanted you to know what’s going on and why, so if you’ve made it this far I want to give you a very heartfelt thank you and I also want you to know that my blog will not change because of this, you’ll keep on getting the same posts as before.

Thanks again!

Sourcery by Terry Pratchett

Sourcery by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rincewind returns to save the entirety of the wizarding world (but mostly his home, Unseen University) from the monstrous powers of Sourcery!

In Discworld lore, Sourcery is the original magic, the original power, but it was so powerful that wizards would destroy whole swaths of land in their attempt to control it and be the top wizard with the best tower.

However, recent days have brought about a kind of peace between wizards, and their magic isn’t what it used to be. Until a new Sourceror is born…

I’m honestly growing to love the Luggage, and so far it has been one of my favorite characters. Yes, it is just a hunk of wood, in a sense, but it’s also a relic of the original magic. I also feel a little bit sorry for Rincewind, as some of his wants and desires are never manifested, but it seems that usually it’s for the greater good that it doesn’t.

The side characters are interesting, if only for the ridiculous poetry, hairdressing, and woolen undergarments. There are many quotables from this book too:

“No-one knows why smoking boots always remain, no matter how big the explosion. It seems to be just one of those things.”

“In the bathtub of history the truth is harder to hold than the soap, and much more difficult to find… “

“No matter how far a wizard goes, he will always come back for his hat.”

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Previously: Mort by Terry Pratchett

Subsequently: Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

Mort by Terry Pratchett

Mort by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is not the first time I read this book. I read it when it was given to me by an ex-partner of back in ~2009 who thought I would like it.

Well, it turned out that I loved the series, and my partner not-so-much.

This is not a relationship story about me, this is a relationship story about Mort. Yep. This is a book about romance and Death.

Okay, so this is the first book in the Discworld series that officially features Death as one of the main characters, and I do believe this is more his book than the titled character. This book explains what Death is like and the Duty. It pushes Death to the brink, and it takes 3 humans to bring him back.

And in the midst of it all, it’s a love story

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Previously: Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett

Subsequently: Sourcery by Terry Pratchett

Cat Confessions by Allia Zobel Nolan

Cat Confessions: A “Kitty Come Clean” Tell-All Book by Allia Zobel Nolan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was a fun little gift from a co-worker as a belated Christmas gift (along with a really cute cat ice cube tray!), and that’s exactly what this is, a cute, little gift.

It’s short, mostly pictures (cute kitty pictures), and fun.

It’s not an interesting read, it’s not thought provoking, it’s not a lengthy dissection of cat anatomy or their cuteness or anything of that nature.

It’s just a fun little gift when you need one.

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