Imperial Bedrooms by Bret Easton Ellis

"I open the mini­bar. I don’t even look at what bot­tle I take out."

This sequel to Less than Zero  written some twenty five years later, really didn't too much for me. It does serve as the first book I've finished for 2014, so there is that to recommend it. Lots of paranoia, unpleasantly violent sex and general obnoxious behaviour. The good thing about it is - well it is short.

I absolutely loved American Psycho  so this was a complete disappointment to me. This vacillates between murky and just plain meh. The laxative laced treats that lead to a shitty sex scene was probably the low point for this reader.

1 out of 5 readers should run for the Hollywood Hills.

The Harlequin by Laurell K Hamilton

"He ac­tu­ally blushed under the per­ma­nent tan of his skin."

It seems quite disappointing to finish a year of reading with this novel. Not only did I fail to reach my target of 250 novels ( although 212 was not too shabby), but I had to contend with one of the most pedestrian outings of Anita Blake to date.

An endless stream of characters - well at least Edward is back, some crazy church plot thing - to be honest, I  might have dozed off a bit with this one.

Let us hope 2014 provides some more really great reads.

At this juncture, it is perhaps more interesting to look back on the year that was in wonder. I have had the pleasure of some absolutely fantastic reads this year - and more than a few duds.

Top reads this year included:

• The Patrick Melrose novels
• Dust
• Mister Pip
• Cain
• American Psycho
• The Son and 
• The Terminal Experiment.

Oh yes, back to the review, well I was a little underwhelmed.

2 out of 5 supernatural creatures are bound to bump uglies with Anita Blake.

Danse Macabre by Laurell K Hamilton

"Is there anything your bloodline does that doesn't involve getting naked?"

I thought the quote above particularly apt. In this, my 2nd last book for the year and the 14th Anita Blake novel, we find our heroine in a bit of a quandary. Is she pregnant? If she is, which one of her slew of supernatural lovers is the baby daddy?

Not much of her day job is covered as the "ardeur" becomes more and more problematic. Anita needs someone new to feed on, enter a raft of new characters and whammo, it looks like she's taking on yet another set of powers.

3 out of 5 vampire hunters forget to use protection.

A Night At The Movies or, You Must Remember This by Robert Coover

"She smiles again, a smile that seems to melt his knees."

Written in the parlance of old school movies, these short stories seemed an intriguing premise. That having been said, I'm not sure I needed to hear about the details of Rick and Ilsa's sex life, I'd like them to remain more like the characters in the movie.

The book is undoubtedly well written and interesting but I found my attention wavered. As is often the case with short story collections, there were definite stand outs and others that didn't quite hit the mark.

4 out of 5 movies aren't quite so sordid in parts.

A Rage in Harlem by Chester Himes

"Jackson was as crazy about her as moose for doe."

Jackson is one gullible man where women are concerned, he would do just about anything for his Imabelle and that spells trouble.

A crime novel set in Harlem, however, spells entertainment. Enter a cast of double crossers, faux nuns  in drag and promises of gold mines and get rick quick opportunities.

This popular penguin made for a quick, enjoyable read, putting a different slant on the usual hard boiled detective novel. The ending, in particular, was a hoot.

4 out of 5 men fall victim to women like Imabelle.

The Sor­rows of Young Werther by J.W. von Goethe

“What sort of crea­ture must he be who merely liked Char­lotte, whose whole heart and senses were not en­tirely ab­sorbed by her”

This reminds me of the kind of sentimental bosh one writes in one’s diary as a seventeen year old. Always madly in love with people who don’t feel the same way, consistently sprouting superlatives and emotions turned up to eleven.

Did I enjoy this, no not really. I feel happy that I’ve crossed off yet another 1001 book from the list, but that is just about it.

Werther is a whiny wimp that really does not appeal to my sensibilities. Perhaps it lost something in translation – who can say? Ultimately, it is a particularly  short book and in my opinion- that’s a blessing.

 2 out of 5 courtly love traditions leave one cold.

At Last by Edward St Aubyn

“Thomas, recognising the allusion to the Vulcan logic of Star Trek II, made the same gesture with his hand.”

2013 will go down in my journal in the annals as the year I became acquainted with Patrick Melrose and read through the four novels that detail his life.

The final instalment of the 4 part saga sees the death of Patrick's mother, the last remaining link to his traumatic childhood. She's had her moment donating the family holiday home and the better part of her fortune to her foundation, she's survived the suicidal notes of the preceding novel and has at last left behind the mortal coil.

The cast of characters at the funeral makes for a hilariously entertaining read. In between hitting on the good looking waitress, dealing with the insane behaviour of the ex-Priory patient guest and other tragedies, there is little respite from the insanity.

Unfortunately, completing this novel means there are no further trips into Patrick's dark but hilarious life.

5 out of 5 kids survive their childhoods.