Reticence by Gail Carriger

"Lord Akeldama reminded Arsenic a little of her mother."

All aboard the Spotted Custard for another adventure and yours truly is ecstatic to find herself once again ensconced firmly in that magical world. I could wax lyrical ad infinitum on my love for the contents of the pages that the always fantastic Gail Carriger creates and this dear reader is a premium example.

I was ever so fortunate to receive a copy from the amazing Nicki for a fabulous birthday present. I suspect she will also devour this tale set in a mystical Japan with - my favourite creatures - Kitsune! A cunning, wily fox must be my spirit animal. Nevertheless, my Chinese horoscope is a Dragon... and let's just say that might be relevant also.

Percy takes centre stage in this fast paced adventure and we are introduced to yet another exciting heroine in the form of Dr Arsenic Ruthven. You may remember her mother from other tales by the author. I love a world of parasols and paranormal beings. Romance is blooming in a shared hot tub and other rather interesting locales and I was hooked from go to woe - is that how you spell that expression? Reader, I have no idea.

Drift through the aether and watch the adventures unfurl. I can't write much more other than to say that I finished the last page a few moments ago and have plunged into despair at the thought of having to wait for more. I am so impatient in that regard.

5 out of 5 feisty female doctors are handy to have around.

The Spy and the Traitor

"One does not look twice at an offer of enrolment in an elite force."

I am a long term fan of espionage related fiction and will sometimes dip my toe into a real life tale. I am fairly certain I heard about this particular book on a podcast and yet the circumstances have completely slipped my mind. I've since discovered it was Chat 10 Looks 3 - the delightful podcast from Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales.

As you can tell from my reading habits of late, I'm a little preoccupied with work, life and all that jazz. In any case this sounded like a ripper of a read and I hurried on to Booktopia to secure a copy.

Much as any spy operation would in real life, well I imagine, patience is a virtue. This is a slow burner of a book and requires significant investment up front for an amazing pay off.

One of those rare instances where the blurb on the back is spot on in relation to its hyperbolic statements. What makes this story so tantalising is the human aspects of it and the impact it has on all its protagonists.

 5 out of 5... the truth is way more interesting than fiction.

The Overcoat by Nikolai Gogol

“There exists in St. Petersburg a powerful foe of all who receive a salary of four hundred rubles a year, or thereabouts. This foe is no other than the Northern cold, although it is said to be very healthy”

I love a great, short story and this definitely fits the bill. I found this vaguely wandering around the net looking for a free story that would float my boat. It was on my lunch break and I needed a quick distraction. It is hard to believe that a tiny tale from so long ago can be so compelling.

It reminded me of my younger days when I would almost religiously save up for something that I desired. Foregoing entertainment and delight for a delayed delight and living like a hermit in anticipation. Before the days of credit cards and instant gratification. Unfortunately, like the protagonist, I sometimes found the desired item wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Sometimes the unexpected consequences of visible trappings can be disastrous - especially if the object is misplaced or stolen. Those for whom things of value come easily are unlikely to respect your plight. 




5 out of 5, leave my coat alone.

The Wes Anderson Collection by Matt Zoller Seitz

"Everyone, sooner or later, gets a thorough schooling in brokenness".

I love a Wes Anderson film. They seem to personify that sense of otherness that was the running narrative of my childhood. In all their pastel magnificence and minute detail they shine a light on rejection and despair in a way that's both palatable and entertaining. That is a rare skill. Visually they are so recognisable and that is another aspect that really impresses me. When you see a Wes Anderson film it is instantly recognisable - no mean feat!

When this beautiful creation of a coffee table book was released a few years ago I put it on my wish list as a much desired indulgence. When my occasionally awesome ( well I can't be too effusive or he'll wonder who wrote this) man bought it for my birthday I felt unrestrained joy. Then I read it and was shocked to find that my enjoyment increased.

Pass me a pink cocktail, let's put on some dark kohl eyes and ponder the universe together  while a snappy soundtrack plays in the distance. Somewhere an omniscient viewer is peering into tiny little rooms and seeing life in gorgeous detail.

 5 out of 5 - art is love.

Killing Eve Vol 2: No Tomorrow by Luke Jennings

 

"Who is the unnamed woman who has carved such a bloody trail through the shadowlands of the intelligence world?"

It is a truth almost universally acknowledged that a sequel faces an uphill battle. The minute I finished watching the original Killing Eve tv series, I immediately purchased the first book. That only encouraged my desire to experience more of the world so interestingly created by Luke Jennings. 

When a new tv series was released, before the book unfortunately, I again raced to see it and was left a little underwhelmed. Sometimes an engaging tale needs to be left alone. A speedy sequel can have a detrimental effect. Similarly when the next novel was advertised, I hastily put my order in.

I haven't much to say here. I was a little underwhelmed. That might have been due to lack of sleep and work stress, if I'm being generous. I just felt that Villanelle had gone a little soft or something. The magic had dispersed.

2 out of 5 - interesting but not as good as the first time.

The Van Apfel Girls are Gone by Felicity McLean

"We lost all three girls that summer. Let the slip away like the words of some half-remembered song, and when one came back, she wasn't the one we were trying to recall to begin with".

This had a moody and tragic feel that made me christen it the "Australian Virgin Suicides". It transported me back to the innocent days of youth, where our perceptions are somewhat foggy, preoccupied by fitting in and surviving. That's not to say this isn't an enjoyable read. Despite the grim subject, its levity is supremely engaging. In that regard it reminds me of the movie Stand by Me whose source was the prolific Stephen King.

Here is a story that almost reflects therapy. Someone looking back at their life trying to make sense of the traumas that shaped them. I find that fascinating and ate this up with a spoon - well clearly not literally.

The delightfully reliable bookseller that posts straight to my parcel locker ( god I sound so lame), Booktopia.com.au  was the happy bearer of this delivery and, dear reader, it was even signed by the author. That was just the icing on the cake. Did I mention that they give you Qantas points for every purchase... well they do!

Sure this novel isn't going to leave you in fits of giggles- its about the mystery of girls who have disappeared after all - and yet it is so well written I was definitively on board for the ride.I could imagine this as a fantastic tv mini series because the characters are appealing and the mystery is compelling. That format would really work for this story, giving adequate time to all the related stories. There is a visceral sense of place and actions that the author beautifully evokes, and that is a rare and impressive skill. I know I've been rather effusive in my praise, I guess my one qualifier would be to say that there was just something more that I wanted and I really cannot put my finger on it. I'd love to hear your reviews to see if we concur. I'd be just as interested to see where we disagree. Opinions are always interesting.

4 out of 5 trips back in time can be traumatic.

Blue Movie by Terry Southern

"Thus, to Angela Sterling, at this critical point in her life and career, the prospect of working with the King. B. Boris was salvation itself".

Perhaps this would have been more shocking in terms of exposing the seedy side of Hollywood before it became constant media fodder. Sleazy creeps abound as a bored director sets out to make a very particular kind of movie.

A combination of erotic tale tropes combines in an effort to shock, throw in a few choice words and some incest and you'll probably get the gist.

Still there are quite a few laughs in between emissions.

3 out of 5 dirty pictures could use a wipe.