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18th century, 19th century, 19th century literary fiction, 19th century literature, 20th century literature, adventure, alan hollinghurst, alan moore, alexander mccall smith, alternate history, amanda swift, amazon vine programme, andrea levy, andrea seigel, andrew martin, andrew pyper, annie proulx, anthony horowitz, anthony mcgowan, anton chekhov, arthur c clarke award winner, articles, b. r. collins, ben wilson, biography, blog book, blue peter book of the year, bollinger everyman prize, bolton book award, booker prize shortlist, booker prize winner, boris akunin, brian williams, bruce robinson, c j sansom, caitlin kittredge, carrie ryan, cassandra clare, catherine banner, catherine webb, charles dickens, charlie fletcher, children's fiction (5 - 8), children's fiction (9 - 12), childrens' series, china mieville, chris carter, chris evans, colin greenland, comic fiction, coming of age fiction, contemporary fiction, cormac mccarthy, cory doctorow, crime fiction, crime history, crime series, cwa gold dagger award winner, daniel defoe, dave gibbons, david constantine, david g hartwell, david mitchell, dean lorey, derek landy, diana wynne jones, diaries, donald thomas, dorothy l. sayers, eleanor updale, elizabeth gaskell, english translation, eoin colfer, essay, evelyn waugh, f e higgins, fantasy, fergus linnane, g p taylor, gosho aoyama, graham marks, graphic novel, guardian children's fiction prize, hanna jansen, hilary mantel, historical crime fiction, historical crime series, historical fantasy, historical fiction, historical series, holly black, horror, humour, ian mcewan, ian rankin, ilona andrews, india knight, isaac asimov, j k rowling, j. g. jones, j. m. coetzee, jackie kessler, jake arnott, jane austen, jeaniene frost, jesse kellerman, jim butcher, john boyne, john kelly, jonathan strahan, jonathan stroud, joshua ferris, julia bell, justine larbalestier, karen haber, karen joy fowler, karin slaughter, kate atkinson, kate moran, kate mosse, kate thompson, katie hickman, kazuo ishiguro, kim newman, kit downes, kurt vonnegut, lev grossman, lian hearn, libba bray, lisa gardner, literary fiction, literature, liza picard, lois mcmaster bujold, m. r. hall, malorie blackman, manga, margaret atwood, margaret weiss, marie brennan, marina lewycka, mark billingham, mark henry, mark millar, mark walden, markus zusak, mash-up, master list 2006, master list 2007, master list 2008, master list 2009, matt whyman, matthew skelton, max brooks, melissa de la cruz, melissa marr, melvin burgess, michael bond, michael cox, michael dobbs, michael palin, michelle harrison, michelle paver, mike carey, mohsin hamid, monica ali, mythology, nathaniel branden, neil cross, neil gaiman, nestle book prize gold award, nestle book prize silver award, nick hornby, non-fiction, oprah's book club, orange award, orange award shortlist, owen sheers, p. j. tracy, paranormal romance, patrice sarath, patrick nielsen hayden, paul begg, paul blaney, paul mounts, peter carey, philip reeve, philosophy, play, poetry, politics, pseudonymous bosch, pulitzer prize, r. j. anderson, raymond carver, rebekah lattin-rawstrone, red house book award, richard & judy children's book award, richard and judy book award, richard matheson, roderick gordon, romance, sam enthoven, sara paretsky, sarah rees brennan, sarah singleton, science fiction, scott lynch, scott westerfeld, sebastian faulks, self-help, series, seth grahame-smith, shopping, short stories, simmone howell, simon and schuster freebie, simon holt, simon r. green, sketches, social history, sonya hartnett, sophie mckenzie, steam punk, steampunk, stephen chbosky, stephenie meyer, steve feasey, suzanne collins, teenage spy series, thriller, tom lloyd, tom reynolds, tom rob smith, trilogy, trudi canavan, urban fantasy, urban fantasy series, urban fantasy trilogy, val mcdermid, victorian, whitbread award, will peterson, william cook, william shakespeare, yevgeny zamyatin, young adult, young adult quartet, young adult series, young adult trilogy, ysabeau wilce
31st-Dec-2009 11:59 pm - Master List of Books 2009
1. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (STARTED IN 2008).

2. Gordath Wood by Patrice Sarath.

3. Burial by Neil Cross.

4. How To Raise Your Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden (STARTED IN 2008).

5. Knife by R. J. Anderson.

6. The Coroner by M. R. Hall.

7. The Road by Cormac McCarthy.

8. Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith.

9. Shadowmancer: The Curse of Salamander Street by G. P. Taylor.

10. Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

11. Magic’s Child by Justine Larbalestier.

12. Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve.

13. Predator’s Gold by Philip Reeve.

14. Infernal Devices by Philip Reeve.

15. A Darkling Plain by Philip Reeve.

16. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare.

17. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

18. The Secret Speech by Tom Rob Smith.

19. The 13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison.

20. The Poison Garden by Sarah Singleton.

21. Bloodline Rising by Kate Moran.

22. The Black Book Of Secrets by F. E. Higgins.

23. Hexwood by Diana Wynne Jones.

24. The Last Siege by Jonathan Stroud.

25. Nightrise by Anthony Horowitz.

26. The Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan.

27. Triskellion by Will Peterson.

28. Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr.

29. Wanted by Mark Millar, J. G. Jones and Paul Mounts.

30. Midnight Never Come by Marie Brennan.

31. Changeling by Steve Feasey.

32. Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams.

33. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan.

34. The Medusa Project: The Set-Up by Sophie McKenzie.

35. The Doomsday Machine by Catherine Webb.

36. Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing With Fire by Derek Landy.

37. The Crucifix Killer by Chris Carter.

38. Stone Heart by Charlie Fletcher.

39. Pride And Prejudice And Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith.

40. Parasite Positive by Scott Westerfeld.

41. The Brutal Art by Jesse Kellerman.

42. The Ashleys: Lipgloss Jungle by Melissa de la Cruz.

43. Sovereign by C. J. Sansom.

44. A Great And Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray.

45. Human Croquet by Kate Atkinson.

46. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

47. Nightmare Academy: Monster Revenge by Dean Lorey.

48. The Stormcaller by Tom Lloyd.

49. Night Life by Caitlin Kittredge.

50. Changeling: Dark Moon by Steve Feasey.

51. Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel.

52. Revelation by C. J. Sansom.

53. Harm’s Way by Colin Greenland.

54. What Price Liberty: How Freedom Was Won And Is Being Lost by Ben Wilson.
29th-Oct-2009 10:04 pm - What Price Liberty: How Freedom Was Won And Is Being Lost by Ben Wilson
The Blurb On The Back:

Individual liberty will be the defining issue of the twenty-first century, while fear of terrorism, crime and social chaos has put out ideas of liberty into retreat in recent years.

It is clear that there is not just a crisis of liberty, but a crisis in the way people talk about liberty. How do we, as individuals, negotiate the maximum amount of freedom in such a complex world? How can we resist the growth of intrusive authoritarianism without exposing ourselves to crime, terrorism and other risks? Even those who instinctively support social freedoms are losing confidence when confronted with such hard truths.

History provides a guide to answering these questions. We have a rich legacy to draw upon to help define our approach to current problems. Yet it is a history which we are in danger of forgetting or misreading. In What Price Liberty? Ben Wilson travels through four centuries of British, American and European history, elaborating not just how civil liberties were constructed in the past, but how they were continually re-thought – and re-fought – in response to modernity. The last chapters put into context the controversies of the last decade or so – the threat of terrorism and the rise of the database nation. If liberty is to survive now it must, like it did in the past, adapt to new circumstances. But to do this we need to agree about the value we place on liberty.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The density of the material makes this a challenging read, but the material comes alive in the second half to make for a thought-provoking book.
25th-Oct-2009 09:51 pm - Harm’s Way by Colin Greenland
The Blurb On The Back:

”You keep out of harm’s way, Sophie Farthing.”


Her father’s advice seemed only sensible. The flying island of High Haven was a dangerous place. So what was she doing down on the docks at midnight, talking to the sinister gentleman with the iron jaw? Where had he come from on his majestic space yacht? And why did he laugh when she spoke of her poor dead mama?

Sophie only wanted to talk to him again. She didn’t really mean to stow away – certainly not on the wrong ship. Her unintended quest is to take Sophie far from home, to the pleasure gardens of the Moon, the grogshops and grime of Lambeth Walk, through the perilous Asteroid Sea and the cruel canyons of Mars where Angels fill the red sky with their ravenous cries.

Meanwhile, on a frozen moon of Jupiter, her destiny waits ...

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Very imaginative and evocative of 19th century literature, this is a novel that’s well worth
25th-Oct-2009 09:45 pm - Revelation by C. J. Sansom
The Blurb On The Back:

Spring, 1543


King Henry VIII is wooing Catherine Parr, whom he wants for his sixth wife. Archbishop Cranmer and the embattled Protestant faction at court are watching keenly, for Lady Catherine is known to have reformist sympathies.

Matthew Shardlake, meanwhile, is working on the case of a teenage boy who has been placed in the Bedlam insane asylum, and fears that the boy’s terrifying religious mania could lead to him being burned as a heretic.

When an old friend is horrifically murdered, Shardlake promises his widow that he will bring the killer to justice. His search leads him to Cranmer and Catherine Parr – and to the dark prophecies of the Book of Revelation.

As London’s Bishop Bonner prepares a purge of Protestants, Shardlake, together with Jack Barak and his physician friend, Guy Malton, investigates a series of horrific murders which soon bring talk of witchcraft and demonic possession – for what else would the Tudor mind make of a serial killer ... ?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Sansom never fails to impress and this series shows no signs of flagging. It’s a sumptuous page-turner full of satisfying twists and turns.
22nd-Oct-2009 10:13 pm - Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel
The Blurb On The Back:

Alison Hart, a medium by trade, tours the dormitory towns of London’s orbital road with her flint-hearted sidekick Colette, passing on messages from dead ancestors. But behind her plump, smiling persona is a desperate woman: the next life holds terrors that she must conceal from her clients, and her own waking hours are plagued by the spirits of men from her past. They infiltrate her house, her body and her soul, and the more she tries to be rid of them, the stronger and nastier they become ...

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

A dark novel told at a thoughtful pace, that combines spiritualism with grim reality with such skill that it’s well worth a read.
21st-Oct-2009 10:11 pm - Changeling: Dark Moon by Steve Feasey
The Blurb On The Back:

Can Trey Laporte control his killer instinct?


First he discovered that he was a werewolf.

Then he joined forces with wealthy vampire Lucien Charron in a battle against the evil powers of the Netherworld.

Now Lucien lies in a coma and his gorgeous daughter wants her dad back. Trey is the only one who can save Lucien’s life.

But to succeed he must face his biggest challenge yet: a portal to the Netherwold, an Icelandic zombie, an evil sorceress, and Trey’s nemesis, the dark vampire Caliban.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

This is a fast-paced, fun series with chilling horror and a central character who is becoming steadily well-rounded and interesting. I look forward to reading the next in this series.
20th-Oct-2009 09:20 pm - Night Life by Caitlin Kittredge
The Blurb On The Back:

The first book in a thrilling, addictive new series by a talented new voice in dark fantasy. Welcome to Nocturne City, where werewolves, black magicians, and witches prowl the streets at night ...


Among them is Luna Wilder, a tough-as-nails police officer whose job is to keep the peace. As an Insoli werewolf, Luna travels without a pack and must rely on instinct alone. And she’s just been assigned to find ruthless killer behind a string of ritualistic murders – a killer with ties to an escaped demon found only in legend ... until now.

But when she investigates prime suspect Dimitri Sandovsky, she can’t resist his wolfish charms. Pack leader of a dangerous clan of Redbacks, Dimitri sends her animal instincts into overdrive and threatens her fiercely guarded independence. But Luna and Dimitri will need to rely on each other as they’re plunged into an ancient demon underworld and pitted against an expert black magician with the power to enslave them for eternity ...

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Although I found Luna Wilder to be an unsympathetic and sometimes irritating character, the inventive mythology and clear thought that’s been put into this world is enough to make me want to read more.
20th-Oct-2009 09:15 pm - The Stormcaller by Tom Lloyd
The Blurb On The Back:

Isak is a white-eye, born bigger, more charismatic and more powerful than normal men ... but with that power comes an unpredictable temper and an inner rage. Feared and despised by those around him, he dreams of a place in the army and a chance to live his own life, but the Gods have other plans for the intemperate teenager. Isak has been Chosen as heir-elect to the brooding Lord Bahl, the white-eye Lord of the Farlan.

The white-eyes were created to bring order out of chaos, for their magnetic charm and formidable strength makes them natural leaders of men. Lord Bahl is typical of the breed: he inspires and oppresses those around him in equal measure. He’s a difficult mentor for a boy every bit as volatile as he is.

This is a time for revenge, and for the forging of empires. With mounting envy and malice, the men who would themselves be kings watch Isak as he is shaped and moulded to fulfil the prophecies that circle him like scavenger birds. The Gods are once again beginning to meddle in the affairs of men.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Although this is an ambitious and imaginative novel, the writing really lets it down and more focus is required for it to become a great read.
20th-Oct-2009 09:10 pm - Nightmare Academy: Monster Revenge by Dean Lorey
The Blurb On The Back:

Nightmare Academy.


You know the drill: when things go bump in the night, the Nightmare Academy bump back.

But now the monsters of the night are angry. Angry enough to plot their revenge ...

... and that’s bad.

Really, really bad.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Much more original than Nightmare Academy: Charlie's Monsters, this is a fast-paced read although the characterisation at times feels too two-dimensional. The set-up for the next book promises a lot and hopefully Lorey will deliver on it.
5th-Oct-2009 09:28 pm - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Blurb On The Back:

Katniss Everdeen survived the Hunger Games. Now the Capitol wants revenge.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

There was too much repetition of The Hunger Games for this to truly satisfy me as a novel, although the cliff-hanger ending hints that the final book in the trilogy will pack more of an original punch.

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