To Ride Pegasus by Anne McCaffrey My rating: 3 of 5 stars Since I read this book out of sequence, it took me a long time to get into it. I only continued because it was written by one of my favourite authors and part of one of my favourite series. It was well worth the effort. This well-written book charts the beginning of an organisation for the talents. It shows the problems, and successes, of a group of people who began the organisation. It asks the question- how do we treat those who are different and how do we treat those with unique talents. It is well worth a read. View all my reviews

The Curse of Tutton Common by Geoff Tristram My rating: 1 of 5 stars I didn't want to write this review. I wanted to like this book. Firstly, because it is a local author. Secondly, it is self published and I admire authors who are brave enough to take that route. And thirdly, because, I like boring museums. I find them a refreshing anti-dote to the flashy ones born in the 1980s/1990s. And, at first, I liked this book. The quiet humour matched the quiet backdrop of the story. However, once the main character enters the tale it becomes a series of pratt - falls and the story goes out the window. I am sorry. But I hated this book. View all my reviews

1Q84: Book 1 and Book 2 by Haruki Murakami My rating: 3 of 5 stars This review will also consider 1q84 vol 3. To paraphrase Douglas Adams, 1Q84 is big very big and just as you think that you understand it it gets stranger. It is physically big, spilling into three volumes (with no less than 300 pages each). Since I have the Kindle version, I have no idea how much it weighs but I am betting it's not light weight. Its scope is surreal, (view spoiler). Thematically, it's large, covering; publishing, writing, gender, religion, cults, domestic violence, memory and revenge (just to name a few of its' themes). It also crosses many genre borders; literary fiction, magic realism, romance, mystery, horror, weird fiction, world fiction, Japanese fiction and (maybe) epic fantasy. I suggest that you plunge in feet first (or heart first) and enjoy bathing in this warm bath of a book. (thanks for the two headed god of Sword and Laser for that metaphor) View all my reviews

The Magician's Apprentice by Trudi Canavan My rating: 4 of 5 stars Well this the first book read as part of The Australian Women's Writers challenge. This book takes quite a while to get going. In fact, had I not have been reading this for the Australian Women writers challenge, I would have given up on this book after chapter one. I am glad that I kept reading. Since, although this book is not mind blowing or world changing, it is an enjoyable read. In addition, it does deal with issues such as; freedom, gender, and sexuality. It is well worth a read and I look forward to reading The Magicians Guild; the Black Magician. View all my reviews

The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey My rating: 5 of 5 stars Reading this as an adult and not the conventional audience, I didn’t think that I would like this work. But, I did. It is a charming well written work. The story is simple but well structured and you are quickly drawn into the narrative. The characters are well drawn and come alive off the page. View all my reviews

reading Australian women

I am doing the http://www.australianwomenwriters.com/p/australian-women-writers-book-challenge_25.html#comment-form Australian women;s writers challenge next year. Genre challenge - science (purist) fiction  fantasy , horror. Franklin-fantastic (read 10 and review at least 4 books)* next year. Whose with me.

Zoo City by Lauren Beukes My rating: 5 of 5 stars Why did I read this book I have wanted to read this book for some time. However, The hype that surrounded it made me hesitate. But, It's constant appearance on award lists encouraged me to finally dig it off the to be read shelves and read it. enjoyability 1 starI was pleasantly surprised. For once, the book lived up to the hype. It was an interesting, disturbing and emotive read. Accessibility 1 starThis is a relatively new book and therefore it's available in most formats. The E book (Kindle version) was good quality. world building 1 starThe world of this book is a believable one. You are instantly immersed in the dingy, corrupt, future world, that will be South Africa. language 1 starThe language mirrors the narrators character well, being grungy (street) enough to be believable, and of place, while still managing to be understandable. Thematic Content 1 starThis books looks at issues of guilt and identity View all my reviews