Title: Way Out West Author: Mark Twain In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Westerns Dates read: 31st March 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: First we left the dogs behind; then we passed a jackass-rabbit; then we overtook a coyote, and were gaining on an antelope when the rotten girths let go and threw me about thirty yards off to the left, and as the saddle went down over the horse’s rump he gave it a lift with his heels that sent it more than four hundred yards up in the air, I wish I may die in a minute if he didn’t.
Welcome to the Wild, Wild, West. Way out in the Wild, Wild West.
There is just something great about the way that Mark Twain writes. His use of language, his very realistic storylines… I love his style of writing. And even with this western short story, I was more swept away by the use of the language than the actual storyline.
I didn’t feel like there was a huge plot to this short story. More, I found that it was incredibly descriptive of the setting of the western world. Since I haven’t actually read a western before, it was a great introduction to the world. After all, one of the biggest part of westerns is the setting and reality in which they’re found…
As an introduction to Westerns, this story is kind of great. And fun. I can’t wait to see what more I discover about Westerns and the stories that are told.
Title: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons Companion In: The Bridgertons (Julia Quinn) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 15th January – 27th March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Collection Publisher: Avon Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: Off to the side, Colin winced.
Once upon a time, a historical romance author created a family… But not just any family. Eight brothers and sisters, assorted in-laws, sons and daughters, nieces and nephews (not to mention an overweight corgi) plus an irrepressible matriarch who’s a match for any of them… These are the Bridgertons: less a family than a force of nature. Through eight bestselling novels, readers laughed, cried, and fell in love. But they wanted more.
And so the readers asked the author… What happens next? Does Simon ever read his father’s letters? Do Francesca and Michael become parents? Who would win in a Pall Mall grudge match? 88 II Does “The End” really have to be the end? II 8 Now, with The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After, Julia Quinn delivers eight sexy, funny, and heartwarming “2nd Epilogues” plus a bonus story about none other than the wise and witty matriarch Violet Bridgerton herself. So get to know the Bridgertons all over again – because Happily Ever After is a whole lot of fun.
This is a great collection. Although my editions of the full-length novels often included the Second Epilogues, it was nice to have them all in one collection. Particularly since there is an extra novella at the very end that is not included in any other novel. Each and everyone of these stories not only makes you feel as though the story is actually completed, but they also give you happy, tingling feelings that leave a huge smile on your face.
I must admit, that although I loved each and everyone of these tales, it was the first five couples that I truly adored. Maybe because they all had such strong relationships to one another, whereas the last three were not as intimate with their older siblings. Which makes total sense, but the appearances of more than one sibling throughout the other stories meant that I felt far more attached to them than their younger counterparts. Which also meant that I didn’t enjoy the final second epilogues quite as much.
I love this collection of tales. There is something about it that completely draws you in and makes you fall in love with the Bridgertons again and again and again. Not only does it give some sense of what happens after happily-ever-after. But it also lets you revisit a world and characters that you have fallen in love with. There is definitely something unforgettable and completely loveable about the slightly insane family and all of those who choose to spend their lives with them…
Title: PS I Love You Author: Cecelia Ahern Series: PS I Love You #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Chic lit, Contemporary romance, Death Dates read: 8th – 29th March 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Harper Collins Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: Oh, I teach her English.
Some people wait their whole lives to find their soul mates…
But not Holly and Gerry. Childhood sweethearts, they could finish each other’s sentences. No one could ever imagine them without each other.
When Gerry dies, Holly is devastated. But Gerry has left her a bundle of notes, one for each month of her year, each signed PS, I love you.
As the notes are opened, the man who knows Holly better than anyone teaches her that life goes on. With some help from friends and family, Holly laughs, cries and finds that life is for living – but it helps if there’s someone watching over you.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. I saw the movie years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. But it was only recently that I realised that it was a book first. Plus, the movie has Gerrard Butler, so I wasn’t optimistic about the books chances of improving drastically on such a great man. But, as I normally end up discovering – this book was better than the movie. And although I didn’t really cry as much as I expected, it certainly helped me to grow a heart and seriously think about my own loved ones.
This story may be a romance, but, for me, it was definitely a lot more about Holly’s family and friends. Yes, throughout the entire tale, she is dealing with grief over losing the love of her life. But mostly she does this with the help from her friends and family. A big family I might add. With some great, distinct personalities that constantly move and clash against each other. I love that although there is such love and support throughout this whole story, it’s not just about that. There is also a lot of conflict and difficulties that they each face. And, the most poignant thing about all of these relationships? That moment when they start to move on before Holly and just how difficult that is… for everyone.
Being in isolation, you tend to think a little more about thinks. And this book certainly makes you do that. I spent most of the time in which I was reading this thinking about what I would do in this situation. How I would deal with knowing that I was terminal. What I would say to my other half. It’s incredibly morbid. But it’s also the sweetest thing – finding a way to help that one person you love above all else actually move on and forwards in life.
This is an amazing book. Nowhere near as sad as I was expecting. Not that it’s an uplifting story either… but it could be much more tragic and scaring. Instead, it’s hopeful. The whole novel ends on a nice, hopeful note that makes you think that death isn’t necessarily the end, just the beginning of something new.
Title: The Chosen Author: Marjorie Liu & Sana Takeda Series: Monstress #4 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Graphic novels, Steampunk Dates read: 27th March 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Graphic novel Publisher: image Year: 2019 5th sentence, 74th page: It will just take time for lesser beings to grasp the truth.
A new war between humans and Arcanics is bubbling to the surface. A rift in the sky has revealed the devastating potential of the long-imprisoner Monstra. And Maika Halfwolf is at the center of it all.
In this fourth volume of MONSTRESS, collecting issues 19 – 24, Maika comes closer than ever before to the answers she’s long sought – but those answers carry a steep price. As her friends and allies reveal long-held secrets and shifting allegiances, Maika finds herself at the mercy of the Lord Doctor, a charismatic demagogue whose connections to Maika and Zinn run deeper than anyone could have imagined.
This is a glorious graphic novel. Just like the rest of the books in the Monstress series. They are dark, twisted and intense. Completely, beautifully graphic. And I honestly can’t tear my eyes away from the pages whenever I open that first page.
The plot is seriously thickening in this series. I am waiting impatiently for the next collection to come out because, as with every other volume in this series – it ends on a bit of a cliff hanger. There is something about this that makes you ridiculously excited to pick up the next story and immerse yourself again and again and again. But, now I have to wait…
Graphic novels are a medium that are seriously growing on me. However, I still do find that I can’t keep track of the characters as well as I do when it’s a novel written in prose. So there were probably a few important moments throughout this that I missed. A few key characters from the past that are reappearing, and it took me a little longer than it usually would to recognise them. Yet, this makes the adventure so much more fun. After all, I’m stretching some new mental muscles in doing so.
This is definitely a book that I’m going to pick up again and again and again. Whenever I want something a little bit dark, and kind of easy to enjoy. It’s just fantastic and completely impossible to forget.
Title: Iron and Magic Author: Ilona Andrews Series: Kate Daniels #9.5 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Shapeshifters, Strong women Dates read: 24th – 27th March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Ilona Andrews Year: 2018 5th sentence, 74th page: And Elara would fight to the bitter end.
No day is ordinary in a world where Technology and Magic compete for supremacy… But no matter which force is winning, in the apocalypse, a sword will always work.
Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast.
Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she’s trapped between magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky intoa war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself – and Hugh d’Ambray might qualify.
Hugh needs a base. Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies?
As the propher says: “It is better to marry than to burn.”
Hugh and Elara may do both.
I have a really horrible habit of putting aside the series that I really love so that I don’t get too hooked into the books. Mostly when I have a lot of other work that I need to keep on top of. Which is why it’s taken me so long to get to this book. And it’s probably still a good way to go about things – because once I opened this up, I couldn’t keep my nose out of it! Or my mind away from it. And I’ve literally had to bury Magic Triumphs in a pile of books so I can’t quite pick that up quite yet.
Iron and Magic is a fantastic story. It’s one of those tales in which you suddenly see the other side of the story. Or, in this case, you finally understand even more about Hugh D’Ambray. And, for me, who kind of hated him in the rest of the Kate Daniels books, I came to absolutely adore him. I love the backstory and the reasons behind the horrors he commits. He’s not exactly a good guy, but at least I finally managed to begin to understand his actions and decision making.
Hugh is a fantastic male lead in this story. But, for me, as normally happens, Elara stole the show. She’s strong, independent and terrifyingly powerful. She’s also got this great sense of mystery about her past and her motives. It’s a great approach and adventure. Elara is so much more graceful and put together than any of the other women in this series. she might not be my favourite, but the whole “White Lady”, prayers mystery that springs up around her. The powerful people she surrounds herself with out of love and loyalty… it all works beautifully. And I still can’t stop thinking about what an amazing character this woman is.
This is an amazing story. I love the action, I love the drama. But most of all, I love the relationship between Hugh and Elara. Even when it takes on a more serious overtone, one of real emotion, they have this great, witty banter with each other. I love that there is this sense of rivalry and war between them. A power struggle that had me laughing out loud again and again and again.
Title: Violet in Bloom Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #8.75 In: The Bridgertons (Julia Quinn) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 27th March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Avon Year: 20 5th sentence, 74th page: “Oh, it’s a surprise,” Edmund said, grinning wolfishly at her from across the carriage.
All of the Bridgertons have found their happily ever afters. But what about the matriarch? Violet? What about her story? Does she find her happily ever after too?
Through the whole series of The Bridgertons, one character continuously shows up and takes centre stage. So I was deliriously excited to read a novella that is all about her… the mother, the caretaker and, quite possibly, the most meddlesome character of all the Bridgertons. It certainly wasn’t the kind of story that I was expecting, but it really was a sweet way to completely round out the series. Now the books are all back on my shelves and I look forward to reading them all in the future!
I was expecting this novella to be about Violet and Edmund – their romance and their courtship. And whilst this did make up a decent portion of this story, it really wasn’t the centre of it. In fact, this story was about Violet’s life. The entirety of her life, both before and after Edmund. It wasn’t quite what I wanted. But it was definitely what I needed.
It makes a certain kind of sense that this story isn’t just about Edmund and Violet. After all, most of her life actually ends up centring around her children. Which means that most of this story still focuses on them, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren and her happiness. It kind of makes you want to have your own gaggle of unruly children…
Title: Forever Author: Tim Lebbon In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy Dates read: 25th March 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: She swung him southward and jerked him back, blood from his fingers spattering a line across the glacier.
Nox just wants to escape. To find a freedom and a better life than the slavery in which he’s found himself. But that might not quite be possible… and it may take a miracle to get him out of forever.
There was something quite heartbreaking about this short story. At first it doesn’t seem so. But at the end? Wow. Talk about tearing someone down and systematically destroying them. Letting them hope, just so that when they find out there is nothing to hope for… it’s all the more bitter and devastating. This tale seriously punched me in the heart.
Normally I love stories that have this sense of hope in the darkest of moments. Especially when that hope is about breaking free of slavery and killing. But, sadly, there are hints throughout that his hope is seriously misplaced. Particularly when the little spies keep on finding their way out of the woodworks to report on his hopes and dreams.
I honestly don’t have enough words for how intense and intriguing this story is. How heartbreaking the ending is. There is something about this story that manages to not only draw you in, but also that helps to make you experience a whole slew of emotions. Just like good writing should.
Title: Ogre Author: Michael Kandel In: Black Thorn, White Rose (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Fae, Fantasy Dates read: 25th March 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Prime Books Year: 1994 5th sentence, 74th page: At least he had no problem carrying.
All he wants is to put on an amazing play. But, with a series of blunders, an inept crew and a few others out to get him… things aren’t quite going as planned.
You know that a story is going to be kind of funny and really interesting when it starts out with someone telling another character to stop eating human flesh. Because it gives him bad breath. And that he can’t have that when acting. It’s a pretty interesting and funny start to a story. One that I was giggling about from the very beginning of this very short story.
I’ve never really had an inclination to do any form of acting. Just not my thing I suppose. But I do love the fodder that it provides for story telling. And the fact that this was shifted to include what I can only assume is a paranormal / fae cast (one of which I hope is an ogre) just made it all the more fun. And incredibly funny.
This is a seriously short story (only about 5 or 6 pages). But it’s just enough to make me enjoy Kandel’swriting and wonder at what else he has written. That, and just enjoy the journey that I got to go on with this writing in the first place. It is enjoyable, fun and totally unique. Definitely a short story that I won’t mind reading again.
21 tales of anarchic diesel mayhem. 88 From multiple Hugo Award-winning editor Sean Wallace, a new, cutting-edge anthology of twenty-one vibrant stories that explore the possibilities of history, while sweeping readers into high-powered, hydrocarbon-fuelled adventures that merge elements of noir, pulp, and the past with the technology of today… and sometimes a dash of the occult.
Journey into an era when engines were huge, fuel was plentiful and cheap, and steel and chrome overlaid the grit and grease of powerful machines!
Includes stories by Erin Hartshorn, Trent Hergenrader, Tony Pi, Catherine Schaff-Stump, E. Catherine Tobler, Jeremiah Tolbert, Laurie Tom, Genevieve Valentine, A. C. Wise and many more.
I’ve recently started to thoroughly enjoy steampunk. But this was my first excursion into Dieselpunk. And what an excellent introduction this proved to be! I was enthralled, mystified and totally sunk into some of the stories in this collection. And although it might not be my favourite collection of short stories… it certainly ranks up there.
I found this collection a lot darker than steampunk collections. There is just something about Dieselpunk that is a little more critical, and a little less optimistic than steampunk. Or at least, that’s how I’m finding it. Not that that was a bad thing, but this was certainly a darker collection than the steampunk collections and novels that have been filling my shelves lately.
As much as I loved these short stories, I did take a long time to read this collection. Mostly because I had to be in a pretty specific mindset to actually read them. There is something a little less approachable and more intense about this genre that I both loved and also found a little hard to factor into my daily reading schedules.
Title: On the Way to the Wedding: The Second Epilogue Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #8.5 In: The Bridgertons (Julia Quinn) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 25th March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Avon Year: 2006 5th sentence, 74th page: “It’s a happy accident, I assure you,” Gregory said.
Gregory and Lucy found their happily ever after. But, with a gaggle of children, how do they figure out what to name each of the children? As always, things aren’t quite as simple as they seem.
I like that of all the Bridgerton siblings, it is the last one that seriously wants a whole slew of children. The last sibling who decides to do the same as his mother and have eight children. Which you find out at the end of On the Way to the Wedding. What I didn’t know I needed until this Second Epilogue was to find out what they named each of their children. Actually, just coming up with those names seems kind of ridiculous.
Gregory and Lucy weren’t necessarily my favourite couple in this series, their Second Epilogue was definitely the most potentially tragic. Where the other seven are filled with happiness, wit and humour, this story definitely didn’t have that. Actually, if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m getting so used to Quinn’shappily ever afters, I would have expected this to end so much worse than it did. I was genuinely scared. But, spoiler alert, it doesn’t all end badly.
As the final Second Epilogue of the series, I was kind of pleased that this didn’t necessarily have a happy note to it. My only real complaint about romances is that when you find your one and only, things don’t always go as planned. So finishing out a series in which all the lives are damn near perfect with the potential to tear everything apart… that kind of worked brilliantly.
