Review: Fridge Magnets are Bastards by Mark Dapin

I just finished reading this book by Mark Dapin and absolutely loved it! I received it as a gift last Christmas and it's been sitting in my TBR (to be read pile) since then and now I'm sorry I didn't get to it sooner.

This book had me laughing out loud every 5 minutes and wanting to share it with anyone who'll listen. His take on things like 'the loop', 'learning curve' etc had me chuckling all the way through.

I also loved his list of imaginary countries that should exist like 'Burmany, where the mysterious temples of an ancient civilisation are serviced by the finest roads in Europe'.

Mark Dapin is funny and witty and I'll definitely keep an eye out for him in the future.

Highly recommended for last minute Christmas gifts!!!

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Chase by Clive Cussler

This is the first book by Clive Cussler I've read and I really enjoyed it. Set in America in the 1900s it isn't the era or setting I usually go for however I was pleasantly surprised and found it easy to immerse myself in this epic battle between 'good guy' Isaac Bell and the 'Butcher Bandit'.

Those with a love of trains or early motor cars will love this book and I found this aspect quite interesting, despite not having any knowledge in this field.

As the title suggests, the book feels like a chase and I was certainly on the edge of my seat (so to speak) until the final page.

I even purchased this book for a Christmas gift for somebody else, so it was a great referral, thanks Dad!

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Review: War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

I enjoyed reading this classic by H.G. Wells and can understand how it inspired so many authors to explore 'alien invasion' after reading it.

The narrator describes the events of the invasion in the past tense, so I struggled to understand how those listening to the reading over the radio could possibly think it was happening in the present. As I was reading it, I was trying to identify 'the passage' that could have inspired such panic but alas, I couldn't.

Once I gave up this quest I was able to enjoy the writing and the developing plot. The most poignant part of the book was when the soldier was discussing the fate of human beings in years and decades to come and how their relationships with the martians would change. The soldier also claimed to know what type of human being would die in the early stages of the invasion and the characteristics it would take to survive.

I wanted to linger here and explore this further but the main character left the soldier and continued his journey to look for his wife, and this depth of analysis was cut short in my opinion.

All in all, a great classic and an easy read.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!