Book review

When Will There be Good News? by Kate Atkinson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the first Kate Atkinson I've read and boy, did I enjoy her writing. The plot itself was good, but it was the characterization that impressed me. And it is quite a cast, right down to the dog Sadie.

I will be seeking out more of her work.

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a sporting memory

Grade 1, week 1. The first athletics competition of the year, and the first of my 6 year old life.

Timid child that I was, I was already nervous of the teachers, the other children (I had already been teased because of my wild hair), the starter's gun going off and the chaos of milling children and teachers. My parents were watching, and I sensed the unspoken hope of my dad that his eldest child will be good at sports. Poor Dad, hahaha!

The teachers got the straggling line of grade ones in line, and Bang! went the starter's gun.

I ran. I was doing well, not first, but in the first five or so. But, as always in life (though that was my first lesson of it) it is one's insecurities that trip you up.

I looked back, and stepped in a small depression in the ground. I stumbled, fell, ploughed several feet, heard the "Ahhhhh!" from the crowd, got up and looked towards my parents. They were making signs that said, "Run on! Go on!" So I did.

I ran to the end, but ended last. Last. After my good beginning I ended last. I was mortified.

And although I did participate in athletics until I was about 15, I never gained back the confidence of that first few minutes of running at the front.

10 things I've always wanted to do that I haven't done (yet)

1. Write and publish good mystery novels, ones that would satisfy me.

2. White-water rafting, climbing Kilimanjaro to the very top, scuba diving, hiking the Otter trail....with Calie and the kids.

3. Read The Brothers Karamazov.

4. Host a really super party, complete with sex and drugs and rock & roll.

5. Meditate long and deeply enough to break through the barrier.

6. Bungee jump of the Stormwater's Bridge. The kids aren't allowed to do this while I live.

7. Travel to Japan in time for the cherry blossoms.

8. Speak publicly without fear.

9. Become a hermit.

10. Inherit a vast and interesting library.

Pocket Muse: Ideas and Inspirations for Writing by Monica Wood

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent book to break writer's block, prompt ideas and just to page though. It has photographs, bits of text, and the occasional longer piece of writing about writing. Great to dip into at random. I always have it on my bedside table.


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Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the second Kathy Reichs I've read, and I enjoyed it.

I liked the main character, Tempe Brennan. The mystery was well done, not spectacular, but enough to keep me reading, and of course I'm a sucker for forensic type mysteries.

It's great for a relaxing read after a hard day. I'd like to read her other books.

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The Shack by William P. Young

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars


One of the blurbs on the cover of this book says something along the lines of "this book may be The Pilgrim's Progress for our generation".

I think not.

Usually I'm not interested in reading books the Christian world is in uproar about, they are bound to be a disappointment. I plowed through the book because a friend asked my opinion.

So, my opinion is that it was an okay read, but I wouldn't shove it into someone's hands with a "you must read this!" enthusiasm.

The conversations between Mack and God are basically little bits of sermons; similar to many earnest sermons I've heard over the years. Maybe it was a good thing to be reminded of some things I have forgotten to think about.

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"Point" by Pablo Neruda

"Point"
Pablo Neruda

No hay espacio más ancho que el dolor
No hay universo como aquel que sangra

translated from the Spanish

There is no space wider than that of grief
There is no universe like that which bleeds

assassin, weakness

"Oh, look, there's Charlie."

"Who?"

"Charlie, that fat guy on the pavement opposite."

"Hmm, I wouldn't call that fat, would you? More like chubby."

"Fat, chubby...whatever. There's more of him as should be. He has a weakness for jam doughnuts."

"He's coming this way."

"Damn. I hope he doesn't see us, he gives me the creeps. Give me that menu. Quick!"

"He's gone."

"Thank god.

"I think he noticed you were hiding, though."

"Oh damn, I hope not!"

"Why do you dislike him?"

"It's not dislike, really. He makes me uncomfortable. Do you know that he rolls in money, but he doesn't have a job?"

"So? Maybe he inherited?"

"No, I don't think so. I don't know him well personally, we've met at parties, you know, but nothing more. But Sarah knows him quite well."

"And Sarah is your cousin, right?"

"No, Farrah is my cousin, Sarah is the daughter of my mum's oldest friend.

"Oh, right.  So, Sarah knows Charlie well..."

"Yes, and she told me one night, but she was drunk, and denied it when I asked her about it later; well, she said that Charlie is an assassin."

"What?  You're pulling my leg, right?"

"No, I swear it.  That's what she said, but later she said I was talking through my nose and that she's never said anything like that about Charlie."

"But who would hire a fat assassin? I mean, he can't leap tall buildings and creep stealthily in the dark."

"Who knows?  But anyway, I don't think he would go about it that way."

"How then? Waiter! Check please."

"I think he would waddle up, all amiable smiles and sugar on his chin, and stick a knife in your back."

"Or maybe strychnine in your drink."

"Here, let me pay half of that..."

"No, no, it's my treat. No really! I insist."

"Well, thanks. Next time I'll pay."

"Sure. Ready?  Let's go. Don't forget your coat."

"Oh, thanks. Hey, let's toddle off to Zoot, I believe that we may run into DeeDee there."

"Who's DeeDee?"

"Well, you see...."