I suppose a “book blogger” should actually read a few books now and then. Most recently I finished James Oswald’s latest book Dead Men’s Bones (published July 2014) which I had on pre order ever since I finished The Hangman’s Song. It was a nice surprise to receive an update from Amazon to say the book had been despatched as I had forgotten the release date was July. Also July came around pretty quickly for me, I don’t know if everyone else felt the same? I’m pretty sure someone has been pilfering days out of my calendar. I enjoyed it but not as much as the previous books in the series as it seems to be more of a crime novel now than supernatural. Then again, perhaps the majority of his readers prefer crime? I will still be ordering the next book as soon as it is announced just to see what happens next!
I also have on the go Kevin Smith’s autobiography My Boring-Ass Life which despite the title and doom-filled introduction, is anything but boring. I’m not much of a film buff but I do love his films, in particular Dogma and Clerks 2 which never fail to lift me from a bad mood. The book is an extension of his online blog silentbobspeaks.com although to call it a blog seems to devalue what is there. It’s well worth a look at even if you have not seen or like his films just to read what a scriptwriter and film direction in LA gets up to between filming.
In June I went to Malta with my husband (of 1 year just very recently) and the in-laws. Normally I manage to get a lot of reading in whilst I’m lazing around the pool but this year we didn’t seem to have enough time. The in-laws go to Malta year on year so naturally they had a lot to show us of the island. It is a nice place to go but it does seem to cater to the older generations. I don’t exactly crave a night life when I go away, but I do like to sit in a bar or pub and drink and chat until the early hours. In Malta, or at least where we stopped anyway, everyone seemed to be in bed by 12pm! Walking around the tourists look near to retirement age. It was a nice break from the dull routine of a 8.30-5.00pm 6.30pm job and I managed to relax as best as you can holidaying with someone else parents. So on holiday, I managed to read Tess of the d’Ubervilles which was my attempt at reading something intellectual to stimulate the braincells. A very unfortunate and frustrating read. So close and yet so far from happiness. And also I read Choke by Chuck Palahnuick. Not my usual choice of book, it was a recommendation from my husband. Palahnuick also wrote Fight Club so you can imagine the sort of story I was letting myself in for. The protagonist is an addict with an interesting method of paying for his restaurant bills. The story is graphic and twisty exploring mental health issues but not in a preachy kind of way. I would be reluctant to recommend Choke to just anybody, but it was very good.
I don’t have anything in line to read next. Normally I have a pile of books that I want to read but this year I just don’t seem to be organised in hunting them down. As much of a cliche as it is, I do blame work for my lack of reading. Our industry seems to be coming out of the recession (woo-hoo!) which means a work spike and lots of overtime. Most nights when I get home my brain is frazzled and more poor eyes won’t read any words that are not the TV Guide or a takeaway menu! Needless to say, I am on a sort of diet to combat my resulting and growing spare tyre!
So, in the interest of getting my mind out of the telly and onto the page (or kindle screen) has anyone got any recommendations on what to read next?
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