Tag Archives: Humour

The Last Witch by James Bibby

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of dark magic book cover

Title: The Last Witch
Author: James Bibby
In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Magic
Dates read: 26th April 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Paul stared at it in fury for a few seconds and came within an ace of hurling it against a nearby stone wall.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Little Sarah is the Last Witch. And all she wants to do is help. But when a reporter gets hold of the story… things might begin to change.

Thoughts

I can’t imagine being the last of my kind. It just seems like a horribly tragic way to be, a completely tragic existence. One that totally plucks at the heart strings. And yet, Bibby’s version of the last witch and the travels that the young girl goes through are kind of funny. Seriously witty and thoroughly enjoyable.

What I enjoyed most about this short story was the ending. The idea that the human race is still evolving, and magic is just the next logical step. And from two young people, the future version of humanity is about to evolve. It’s a nice little theory and a great way to end a story that was really quite funny. I’m not even sure why this story was in a collection about dark magic…

This is a fantastic short story, filled with this sense of hope, laughter and light. Not what I expected to find towards the end of a collection called The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic. But it fit in incredibly well. There was a little darkness and twistiness to the tale. But not much, so it helped to uplift the rest of the collection.

<- The Walker BehindLast Rites ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

Book Review, ,
Overview
Why Not Me?: Kaling, Mindy: 9780804138161: Amazon.com: Books

Title: Why Not Me?
Author: Mindy Kaling
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Humour, Memoirs
Dates read: 18th – 31st December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ebury Press
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: MOM: Because it’s sad and even when it’s happy, it can be gruesome.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Mindy Kaling has found herself at a turning point and Why Not Me? is her ongoing journey to find fulfilment and adventure in her adult life, be it falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in unlikely places, or attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behaviour modification whatsoever.

Revealling her tongue-in-cheek solutions for guaranteed on-camera beauty, telling the story of being seduced then dumped by a female friend in LA, and spilling some secrets on her relationship with ex-boyfriend and close friend B.J. Novak, Mindy turns the anxieties and glamour of her second coming-of-age into this book, to which anyone can relate. (And, if they can’t, they can skip to the parts where she talks about Bradley Cooper.)

Thoughts

This memoir is pretty much the funniest book I’ve read this year. There is just something about the way that Mindy writes that had me laughing out loud. Multiple times my partner came into our bedroom to find out what was going on. And to tell me off for not actually going to sleep. But seriously… this was just so damn funny!

This was the very final book that I finished of 2019 and it was great to finish on such a high note. There is something fun, engaging and entertaining about the way that Mindy tells her story. And she’s got such a bubbly attitude to life. I did read one other memoir by a comedian this year (The Last Black Unicorn) which was also hilarious. But I think it is Mindy’s light-heartedness that really took this one over the line.

To top off the humour of the writing, there are lots of pictures throughout this. My favourite might be of Smegal. But you need to read the book to see why I was crying with laughter at that. Literally crying. And then my puppies and partner looked at me in slight fear… they thought I was going insane. Which might not be far off the bat, but that’s a conversation for a different day.

Mostly this is a great story abut Mindy’s life and career. How what you see is what you get, except when there’s a huge makeup team involved and just generally about loving life. Or at least, that’s what I get out of this. And I love that. So what a way to end the year, and bring on the new one!

 <- When Breathe Becomes AirThis is Going to Hurt ->

Image source: Entertainment Weekly

SA by J.A. Konrath

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for wolfsbane and mistletoe book cover

Title: SA
Author: J.A. Konrath
In: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Humour, Werewolves
Dates read: 29th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: This only started three months ago.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

There’s something not quite right about his bowl movements. When he discovers the cause he’s understandably freaked. And then he joins Shapeshifters Anonymous. And finds out the truth about Santa.

Thoughts

A Christmas story that starts with a man going to the doctor because there’s weird things in his poo… you know its going to be funny. Especially since I already knew that it was going to be a werewolf story of some kind. There are many brilliant poo moments throughout… I need to share this story with a nursing friend of mine, she’ll understand the funny.

Anyhow… to make the story funnier and funnier as it progresses. There is also the existence of Shapeshifters Anonymous. And my favourite character ever might be Phyllis. A member of SA who can’t actually shift. And there’s a werecoral. Which just raises SO many questions. Actually, I keep laughing and getting distracted as I try to write this review. Because just the memories of the amount of random humour throughout this is brilliant.

To top everything else off, there is a great little origins story of Santa and werewolves in this. It makes Santa evil, and I love that uniqueness of the tale. Some rejigs of origin stories can be a little predictable. But this one isn’t. It’s just downright hilarious.

 <- Christmas Past ReviewThe Star of David Review ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Saving the World at the New Moon Motel by Roberta Lannes

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for alien sex book cover

Title: Saving the World at the New Moon Motel
Author: Roberta Lannes
In: Alien Sex (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Aliens, Humour, Lust
Dates read: 19th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: ROC
Year: 1990
5th sentence, 74th page: He ain’t gonna come, Terri.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Terri just wants a little bit of revenge after her Old Man walked out on her. So she finds an alien in a little diner. It’s certainly an experience to last a lifetime.

Thoughts

The introduction to this short story highlights that this is one of the authors lighter pieces. However, since this whole collection has been a little twisted and not what I would consider light… I was a little unsure as to whether this would be true. It turns out that this is quite a light-hearted and fun story about alien sex. One that had me laughing throughout quite merrily.

I’m pretty good at imagining images for what I’m reading… I struggled to picture the penises (or is it peni?) in this story. There was just something a little unimaginable about this. It might just be my very (happily) narrow view of the world and people’s bodies. But, I think that the close alignment to a normal body, just with a few extra appendages is what mad it so difficult to imagine.

Unlike literally every single other short story in the Alien Sex collection, this one was fun, light and an easy read. It didn’t leave me feeling uncomfortable when I turned the final page. Rather, I was just smiling and feeling highly amused by the occurrences and characters in this story.

 <- Scales ReviewAnd I Awoke and Found Me Here on the Cold Hill’s Side Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Noble Rot by Holly Black

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: Noble Rot
Author: Holly Black
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Urban fantasy, Zombies
Dates read: 5th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: “Don’t like good-byes,” she says.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

He’s slowly wasting away. But, there is a beautiful delivery girl that seems to keep his life interesting. Little does he know what she’s turning him into…

Thoughts

I’ve been around enough sick people in my life to know that disease and, the treatments, can completely mess up your taste buds. However, the ways in which this story plays with ideas of messed up taste buds is entirely unique. And more than a little bit gross. Although completely fun. as you can probably tell, I got a few somewhat mixed feelings about this.

There was so much backstory to this tale. Which made me dive in completely. I would also love to reread this, because now that I know what the lead female was doing the whole time… I feel like I’d be able to grasp at some of the hints throughout.

I love that this is about a sick man who is given a second chance at a new life. There is something beautiful, and really tragic about this. Which makes it fit perfectly into the theme of the Naked City collection.

 <- And Go Like This ReviewDaddy Longlegs of the Evening Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the invisible man

Title: The Invisible Man
Author: H.G. Wells
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Humour, Science fiction
Dates read: 23rd – 24th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Cantebury Classics
Year: 1897
5th sentence, 74th page: Finally all the chairs were turnhed up on to the counters, leaving the floor clear.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

This masterpiece of science fiction is the fascinating story of Griffin, a scientist who creates a serum to render himself invisible, and his descent into madness that follows.

Thoughts

I remember first hearing the name Griffin in a TV show called Sanctuary. Griffin is the ancestor of the invisible girl in the story. I knew that it was a reference to classical literature (Griffin’s friends were John Druitt, Nikola Tesla & Dr. Watson), but I didn’t know which story and / or author. So when I started reading this H.G. Wells novel, I literally screamed with joy. I finally got to read the literature that included the character! And it was honestly far better than I had ever expected.

So far in my little H.G. Wells run that I seem to be having this month, this is definitely the most humorous of the tales. There is just something that is kind of sickly hilarious about an invisible man running around, trying to find a way to be “seen” again. There is a very serious undertone, but mostly I just found this funny and easy. It had me smiling at a time that I was really stressing, and for that I’m thankful. I also now have the fantastic image of a naked, sneezing, insane man running around. Which is definitely a weird, funny one to have in your head.

To top off the kind of hilarious imagery of a naked, sneezing man running about trying to find a way to be recognised is the fact that it all takes place in a tiny, quaint town. The juxtaposition is somewhat hilarious and the way it completely turns the world as it is known on its head… completely unforgettable and priceless. Although Griffin doesn’t truly start to crack until halfway through the story, even the lead up, and the slight hints are enough to leave you grinning.

Thus far, this is definitely my favourite H.G. Wells book. Not only is it very witty and humorous, it reminds us that we all need to be acknowledged and recognised. And if we’re not… well, we all go a little bit insane. Definitely a classic that I’ll be picking up again and again in the future.

 <- The Island of Dr. Moreau ReviewThe War of the Worlds Review ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover hold me closer necromancer

Title: Hold Me Closer, Necromancer
Author: Lish McBride
Series: Necromancer #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Humour, Necromancers
Dates read: 22nd October – 22nd November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Square Fish
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “How’s school going?”

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

NEC·RO·MAN·CY – conjuring the dead for purposes of magically revealing the future or influencing the course of events

Yeah, you heard me. Conjuring the dead – it sure beats flipping burgers.

Meet Sam, just your average guy rocking that fast-food career.

Enter Douglas, a powerful and violent necromancer. Douglas immediately recognizes Sam as a fellow necromancer – whish is news to Sam! – and Douglas is not happy to have a competitor. Sam is given one option – join forces with Douglas… or else.

Now with only one week to figure out his mysteriously latent powers, Sam needs all the help he can get. Not only does he have an undead friend on his hands and a hot werewolf girl for company, but luckily he lives in Seattle, which has nearly as many paranormal types as it does coffee places. But even with newfound friends, will Sam be able to save his skin and find a way out of Douglas’s clutches?

Thoughts

I keep picking this book up and putting it back down. Mostly because I’ve not been entirely sure if it’s what I’m in the mood for. Turns out that this is the kind of book I’m probably always going to be in the mood for. It’s funny, witty and supernatural. Filled with fantastic sidekicks and unforgettable characters. The storyline is also intriguing and filled with twists and turns that I hadn’t expected. This is also really, really addictive. So maybe don’t read it when you have more “adult” things to do… it got me into a little trouble.

The addictive nature of this story is probably why I stopped reading it quite quickly – I have a busy few weeks of work, so getting sucked into an amazing story wasn’t high on my list. However, I did read through it really quickly when I set aside a night to actually enjoy myself… once I got into it, I didn’t want to stop. Actually, McBride is now most definitely on my favourite authors list. Her Firebug series is on my wish list now for the next time I get the privilege of doing a nice book shop…

McBride brilliantly interweaves Sam’s past, future and present together. It has a funny, relaxed, small-town America feel. As he tries to figure out his future, he is also discovering himself, and the past that he never knew existed. Finding out more about what and who his mother is and the ways in which it’s affecting his current life. Oh, and there’s a friend who is now a talking head, which is absolutely brilliant.

This novel has a larger ensemble than I’m used to in a novel. Normally there’s a lead with one faithful sidekick. Instead, Sam has two best friends, a talking head, and a potential love interest in a half werewolf… far less simple. Even the villain isn’t quite typical and tends to have some more off-kilter sidekicks. This is also the most paranormally diverse collection of characters that I’ve had the pleasure to read. Definitely one that I will be sinking my teeth into again and again and again.

<- Death & WafflesNecromancing the Stone ->

Image source: Overdrive

The Haire of the Beast by Donna Andrews

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for wolfsbane and mistletoe book cover

Title: The Haire of the Beast
Author: Donna Andrews
In: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Humour, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 17th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I tried to keep my tone neutral, but brothers and sisters learn to read each other.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Revenge is a dish best served cold… or as a plate of brownies! Never mess with an intelligent woman and then give her a book of powerful spells…

Thoughts

Any revenge story is going to make me laugh and smile. I’m just that kind of person… especially when that revenge story is one well deserved, in a dish best served cold. Literally. And if the guy in question is turning a woman’s brother against her? Yup, I was absolutely cackling with glee at the end of this story.

Sadly, I don’t hear many positive stories come out of tales of women in academia… I’m still hoping that this will change. But the fact that a man took advantage of his girlfriend and then proceeded to make her brother think that he was still the bees knees… Yeah, I’d be out looking for revenge too. And the way that the lead in this takes her revenge is quite brilliant, even if she isn’t sure whether or not it will actually work.

I love the idea of a spell to help you become a werewolf. It’s always interesting what mythos is employed for this transformation, and the one used in this was brilliant. Although, I don’t know if I would be so calm about the decisions she makes in the end. Even if I am 100% behind her!

 <- Gift Wrap ReviewLucy, at Christmastime Review ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

“All Shook Up” by P.N. Elrod

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for my big fat supernatural wedding book cover

Title: “All Shook Up”
Author: P.N. Elrod
In: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Humour, Music, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 27th October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Frankie looked at the Elvis guy, her jaw dropping.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

The Elvis impersonator at the wedding she’s catering gets a little bit too into his routine. But there is something deliciously attractive about him that makes her want to get to know the crazy a little better…

Thoughts

This story is a little crazy and different. It’s kind of intense, super fun and features Elvis. Which, of course, immediately makes me think of my Mum. Because she is completely Elvis obsessed. A bit like the Grandmother in this story… a woman who is just deliciously enthralled by the long-dead entertainer. I actually thought that in this story he had been bought back to life… but it was still just an impersonator.

Although this is a wedding story, it’s one that is about the caterer, not the bride. I’ve been to many, many weddings, but mostly as the wait staff. So it was nice to read a tale that I could relate to the lead a lot more. I’ve never been a bride, but I’m aware of all the difficulties and intricacies of working a wedding. Trying to feed the masses and (sometimes) not laugh at the amusing antics of the bridal party. It made this funny, cute and sweet story so, so, so much more relatable than most of the wedding stories I’ve read.

One of the parts I loved most about this story though was the fact that it featured the power of music. I’ve always found music to be an intense pathway through which to experience human emotion. And this story takes it just that little step further… in making it a pathway to help people adjust their emotions for the sake of others. For the sake of the marriage which is just about to begin.

 <- Dead Man’s Chest ReviewThe Wedding of Wylda Serene Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex by Larry Niven

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for alien sex book cover

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.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

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…

Thoughts

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 Niven tells 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.

 <- The Jamesburg Incubus ReviewThe First Time Review ->
Image source: Amazon