Title: Kwaku Anansi Walks the World’s Web Author: Jane Yolen In: The Coyote Road (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Poetry, Tricksters Dates read: 17th October 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Firebird Fantasy Year: 2007 5th sentence, 74th page: Kwaku Anansi, and tell us a tale.
A poem that explores the intircacies and trickeries of Kwaku Anansi.
This is a quick, sharp pithy little poem. Each line had few
words and made the poem flow with a quick beat. Which was perfect for a poem
which featured the trickster Anansi. After all, tricksters are always portrayed
as quick, nimble and intense characters. They don’t stay still for long, and
they’re constantly on the move. Kind of like this poem.
I truly love Jane Yolen’spoetry – it is always so multilayered. I know that I could read this again and again, and find something new and exciting each and every time. Even though this is a simpler and quicker poem than I am used to, there are still layers of trickery that I really enjoyed. Especially when reading late at night with the lights down low… it just added an extra bit of atmosphere.
Anansi is a spider trickster god, and this poem certainly
spun a web. It was intricate and beautiful. Yet, when you looked beneath the
surface – uncomplicated. Definitely one that I will enjoy reading again in the
future.
Title: The Bad Beginning Author: Lemony Snicket Series: A Series of Unfortunate Events #1 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Gothic Dates read: 15th – 16th October 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Harper Collins Year: 1999 5th sentence, 74th page: It means “reluctant to associate with others”, and it might describe somebody who, during a party, would stand in a corner and not talk to anyone.
Dear Reader,
I’m sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune.
In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast.
It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.
With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket
One of my primary school friends used to be obsessed with A Series of Unfortunate Events. I never read them as a child. But, I recently saw the entire boxset collection for sale online and I just couldn’t help myself. I’ve always just been so curious. And man I’m so glad that I succumbed! There is something brilliant, hilarious and witty about this writing. Also a little bit unique and easy that makes you want to keep reading the whole series… even as a grown adult.
The first sentence of this story warns you that there are no
happy endings. That this is not a happy book. But it’s also not that sad either.
Don’t get me wrong, it is incredibly tragic, and nothing at all goes right for
the three orphans. But the way it is written makes it all feel okay. If any
other writer wrote such a depressing tale… I’d probably put the book aside out
of disgust. Life sucks, and I don’t necessarily want to read about that. But when
all of the tragedy is tempered with wit… I’ll just lap that up.
Part of me wishes that I had have read this book (and
series) as a child. There are new words and explanations for their definitions
peppered throughout. Reading expands everyone’s vocabulary, but when there are
some much more complex words thrown into a children’s book and explained
beautifully… I can imagine what this would have done to a child-Skye’s
vocabulary (on second thoughts, maybe good that I didn’t read this young – my
dad was overwhelmed enough by my ever-growing ability to use ridiculous words
as a child).
The Bad Beginning is a tragic, fun read. It reminds you that everyone has their talents (inventing, reading and biting in this case) and that sometimes you can use those to find your way out of a sticky situation. It also introduces a truly horrible villain, because he is just so damn human. You can imagine people in power doing this, because they actually could. And it starts off a series of tragic adventures that I can’t wait to read again and again and again.
Childhood and imagination is a wonderful thing. But what happens when the things that you imagine become real?
This story has a completely surreal quality to it. Which can
be said for a lot of the Gaslamp stories I’ve read… but this one just takes on
a whole new level. I think it’s the combination of different worlds and the
childlike dream state that is perpetuated throughout. It just makes this feel
incredibly dreamlike – and makes it a little hard to follow through.
One of the most childlike moments of this story is the
constant return of the soldiers. I did get lost with the names of the different
characters, but there were constantly mentions of toy soldiers who became real
men in the different worlds that the children visited. It kept making me think
of fairy tales and legends that I’ve read as a child.
I didn’t read We Without Us Were Shadows at a great time. It was late at night and I was exhausted after a day of fieldwork. But it’s certainly a tale that I think I would like to reread. Maybe when I’m capable of paying a little more attention to the words on the page… instead of almost falling asleep halfway through.
Title: Pilot’s Forge Author: Patrice Sarath In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep) Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this) My Bookshelves:Romance, Science fiction, Time travel Dates read: 16th October 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2009 5th sentence, 74th page: Edith parked her battered old work truck, with ‘Crane Farrier and Blacksmithing’ stencilled on the side, at the end of the parking lot, got out and stretched.
Merritt Crane is being nosy and investigating an abandoned ship. But, suddenly he’s thrown into his past, our time. Where he not only saves a beautiful woman, but also starts to fall for her. When he saves her by going back to the future, is there any hope for them?
This is a lot less romantic than many of the other stories in The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance collection. In fact, there’s a hint of incest. Just a hint. And not enough to be icky (and believe me, I have read some icky tales lately…). But, mostly, the romance within it isn’t really gushy… they hook up and there is a little lust, but it’s only just glossed over. Which makes it different and refreshing compared to many of the other tales throughout the collection.
The dystopian, space future represented in this short story
was intriguing. The loss of Earth; the existence of the rich and poor clans;
and the existence of a man on the wrong side of the law – these all were kind
of reminiscent of our life now. But highlights that we can’t keep treating our world
like garbage. After all, our ancestors too might find a life and a reality in
which they no longer have Earth.
The name of this story is kind of cool – originally I
thought that it was about the spaceship and process of being involved with
this. Yet, it’s actually about a small, tiny town on Earth in our modern day.
The match up of the names and the hints about what this means are amazing. I
feel like in the name alone, I would pick up more nuances as I reread this
story.
Harry’s friends, Bill and Georgia are about to get married. There’s just one little problem…. Georgia is nowhere to be seen and there’s a revenge-hungry faery on the loose.
Every time I pick up a Dresden Filesshort story, I feel an insane urge to run up to my shelf and grab whichever novel I’m up to. There is just something amazing about this series that makes me want to sink my nose into it every time. But, I did exercise some self-control after reading Something Borrowed… because I have a pile of books I’m currently reading that is fairly high (I’ve been told I have to get them off the couch and use some restraint).
You know that any wedding set in the Dresden Filesworld is going to be entertaining. And things are probably going to be blown up because Harry Dresden is involved. This short story doesn’t disappoint on any front. It also involves insulting the future step-mother-in-law and a great little switcher-oo of the bride. Like I said, it’s impossible to be boring when reading one of the Dresden Filestales. Although, it was also quite sweet because there was the kiss of true love (I’m pretty sure there were two, but there’s enough ambiguity in the second one that you can’t be entirely positive).
Something Borrowedis an incredibly sweet, fun and entertaining read. I was so sad when it was over, although also quite happy considering there was a happily-ever-after ending to it all. This is the perfectly dramatic wedding – the best man is in plaster, the groom almost marries the wrong woman and there’s an insane fae running around trying to get vengeance. If you want a story of calamities that will make your own nuptials look kind of tame… definitely read this. Actually, just read this short story anyway. It’s absolutely brilliant.
Nothing ever happens on a Tuesday. Or so Owens and his friend think. But then the deli they’re in is held up, and Owens meets the woman of his dreams… maybe good and interesting things do happen on a Tuesday.
I love that this story starts with the idea that nothing
ever happens on a Tuesday. Because, hey, who hasn’t felt like that before? Tuesdays
aren’t like a Monday (where everything sucks), or a Friday (when you’re all
excited to have a life again)… they’re just, eh. Except for the Tuesday in this
story. It was a great reminder that exciting things can happen at any time, or
in any way. Even falling madly in love.
One of the things I always hated when I was younger was when
boys would ask me out because I was pretty. Or talk to me for the same reason.
The one guy that made me fall head over heels? He never even seemed to notice
how I looked – and honestly, still doesn’t give a crap, he loves me for me. The
Enchantress in this story exactly reflects this (but to a far more dramatic
degree). She’s never felt wanted for herself, and that seriously impacts her.
But, when that final moment of love and partnership comes upon her… it is all
the more sweet and beautiful.
Not only does the boy win the girl in the end. He also
manages to use his phenomenal powers to rescue his best friend, pass his final
exams and just generally be absolutely awesome. Mostly it’s the passing his
final medical exam after being in a hold up, healing his best friend and just
generally having a seriously crappy night.
Title: Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex Author: Larry Niven In: Alien Sex (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Humour, Superheroes Dates read: 15th October 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: ROC Year: 1990 5th sentence, 74th page: It would be unreasonable to assume otherwise for a kryptonian.
Could the Man of Steel reproduce? How is he supposed to ensure the success of the next generation? This tale might just have all of the answers…
This might be one of the funniest stories I’ve read in a
while… I was laughing out loud so much that my dogs got scared and ran away. There
was just a great, sarcastic, satirical take on the Superman stories… one that I
really hadn’t thought about. But now, I just can’t stop thinking about it…
Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex is a great tale that makes you wonder how Superman, or indeed, any superhero could reproduce. After all, their superpowers are going to affect their offspring and the way they have sex. Superman maybe more so than some others (although, can you imagine The Thing? On second thoughts, maybe don’t… get that insane image out of your brain…). There are so many questions that need to be answered after reading this… so many. And I’m also not sure that I want them answered, because this is just kinda… well, weird.
There are so many ways in which this short story could just be disgustingly ick. After all, we’re talking about reproduction of a prominent public figure. Yet, the way that Niventells the story, the language he uses and the unique format… it was completely brilliant. It is only as I’m writing this review that I remember that there’s a bit of an ick factor there… mostly I just seriously enjoyed the tale and the questions that it raised.
He’s the son of the Ripper… and he’s finally found him. But now he wants one last favour from the man who abandoned him.
Many of the stories in the The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories collection have a bit of a focus on genetics. What would the children of the Ripper be like? The grandchild, the many times great-grandchildren? And mostly I’ve enjoyed them… but something about this slightly more fantastical take on the same story gave me a few heebie jeebies. Not sure why, but it definitely made me feel not so comfortable.
Of all the stories I expected to read, one where the child begs
the father to perform another murder really wasn’t one of them. Especially when
the child is doing it to regain his sight… and there’s something completely off
about him as well. Although I can’t pinpoint that one so closely. It’s just
uncomfortable and weird. This entire story. Weirdly uncomfortable. Not one that
I thoroughly enjoyed.
This is a fairly clever story, but not one that I would be
likely to read again. There is just something about it that is a little too
intensely creepy for my taste. But it’s still very well written, and a
completely imaginative Jack the Ripper story… one that is probably going to
haunt me for a little while longer.
Title: Nobody’s Business Author: Jhumpa Lahiri In: Unaccustomed Earth (Jhumpa Lahiri) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Relationships Dates read: 15th October 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Bloomsbury Year: 2008 5th sentence, 74th page: The one you took the message from when I was away.
Paul has had a crush on Sang for years. But she’s always had a boyfriend. Yet, when he finds out the truth about Freddy, things quickly come unravelled and he realises that it miight just be his business.
My partner always says our relationship is nobody’s
business. Which I completely agree with. Except. Except for things like this
story, when Sang’s relationship very quickly did become Paul’s business. After
all, he was in a no win situation where he kind of did need to say something.
Or at least, that’s how I felt. His own emotions did kind of get in the way,
but he was still placed in a position where he needed to deal with “nobody’s
business”.
There is nothing worse than being put in a position where you just don’t quite feel right about your friends’ other half. I’ve had it happen a few times, and the gut wrenching feeling every time you are both together and see how they’re being treated… it’s absolutely freaking horrible. Lahiri was able to describe this perfectly. Although the backstory might have been completely different to what I’ve experienced, that feeling of horror is still there.
I found this short story a little bittersweet and tragic. Which I’m kind of learning to expect from Lahiri. There is something so much more realistic about not having a happily ever after ending. After all, there isn’t a ride off into the sunset, live happily ever after for anyone in real life. Even if we do get that one moment, there are all of those enjoyable, messy, ridiculous moments afterwards…
Title: The Bricks of Gelecek Author: Matthew Kressel In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this) My Bookshelves:Music, Urban fantasy Dates read: 15th October 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: But you have.
He is an annihilator. One who destroys cities, and then doesn’t remember them. Until he meets a young girl with a gift for songs… and he realises that maybe he shouldn’t forget what he’s destroyed.
Many mythologies have a creature of destruction woven into
their stories somewhere… but I’ve never read a short story in which one such
creature felt regret. Of any kind. Which made this incredibly enjoyable. I love
when a story takes a slightly different spin. Instead of being the antagonist,
the brother of destruction was simply doing what he’d been born to do. Until he
found a conscience…
The power of music is something that has always fascinated
me. And filled my life with happiness. Which meant that the use of music to
bring a conscience to an annihilator hit a great chord with me. After all,
music is often about memories. And love. All of which are eventually realised,
and the course of one beings life changed for ever.
Cities come and go. That’s a part of history, and it’s not
entirely ridiculous. Yet, this story really helps to drive home that when your
city disappears, eventually no one will remember it… ever. It’s a little bit
sad, a little bit nostalgic. But mostly, it’s a great reality check and
reminder of reality.
Earth and Skye 