Mort by Terry Pratchett (Discworld #4)

Original Title: Mort
Year Published: 1987
Published by: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Number of Pages: 243
First sentence: "This is the bright candlelit room where the life-timers are stored— shelf upon shelf of them, squat hourglasses, one for every living person, pouring their fine sand from the future into the past."
Goodreads rating: 5/5

Plot (Taken from Goodreads):
In this Discworld installment, Death comes to Mort with an offer he can't refuse -- especially since being, well, dead isn't compulsory. As Death's apprentice, he'll have free board and lodging, use of the company horse, and he won't need time off for family funerals. The position is everything Mort thought he'd ever wanted, until he discovers that this perfect job can be a killer on his love life.

My thoughts:
He does it again. Mort is a brilliant installment in the Discworld book series. It's an oldie but a goldie. You get to meet Mort who by strange circumstances become the apprentice of Death, you get to know Death and his daughter alongside several other grand characters. Mort soon realizes that being the apprentice of Death is even more strange and complicated that it seems at first glance.

The Terry Pratchett humor is great in this book and intervowen with some more serious elements, and that is honestly what makes Pratchett's books so amazing. He entertains his readers with sarcasm and more straightforward humor, but at the same time brings an element of seriousness that grounds the stories in reality.

Do I recommend it?
Yes, just like with any of the other Terry Pratchett books I've recommended :D

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Book 1 of 3)

Original Title: The Hunger Games
Year Published: 2008
Published by: Scholastic Ltd
Number of Pages: 454
First Sentence: "When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold."
Goodreads Rating: 5/5

Plot:
In a dark vision in the near future, twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live TV show called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed.

When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survuval is second nature.

My thoughts:
I cannot believe that I've waited this long to read this book. Extremely late to the party but I'm happy that I finally arrived. I mean, I've seen the films but that doesn't count (although they are great as well). This is a fantastic book that is so hard to put down. I literally had to pace myself since I do not yet own the other two and have to buy them soon. But I couldn't help myself and finished it in two days. It is just so amazing.

Katniss is just wonderful. The fact that she is only 16-years old hardly ever shows, she is an extremely mature character. She proves from the start that she is not one to go down without a fight, and although she has moments of doubts she never fully stops fighting for her life.

Peeta is lovely and just so charming. Haymitch a lovable drunk, Effie the obnoxious but still lovely escort for the games and Cinna who I just adore. There are so many other characters, including Katniss family and Gale, the rest of the tributes and the inhabitants of the Capitol. that are so well-written and adds so much to the story.

As a reader you are kept in constans suspense, I honestly can't say that I was bored during anytime whilst reading this book. Fantastic language, the world is so amazingly thought up and the characters are as said just fantastic.

Do I recommend it?
Oh God YES!! If you haven't read these books yet go ahead. I'll buy and read the other two as soon as possible.

The Ultimate Book tag

I was tagged by the wonderful Bella over at Bellas Bokblogg, thank you so much you lovely thing.

1. Do you get sick while reading in the car?
Yes, I suffer from motion sickness so I pretty much can't do anything apart from watching the road when I'm in a car.

2. Which author's writing style is completely unique to you and why?
I keep going on about Terry Pratchett, but he is my favourite for many reasons. His writing style is on of the reaons. He's got great language, humour and is overall very unique.

3. Harry Potter series or the Twilight Saga? Give 3 points to defend your answer.
Harry Potter hands down. I grew up reading HP and it's one of my favourite book-series still. The HP world is unique and magical (surprise surprise), something I didn't find in the Twilight Saga. I love the fact that you get to see the characters grow up and develop in HP, and Rowling definitely teaches the lesson that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. All books are amazingly well written and the plot has a red thread, that Twilight most definitely don't have. I could write you a 100 page essay on why Harry Potter is amazing, so I think I better stop right about now.

4. Do you carry a book bag? If so. what is in it (besides books...)?
No I do not.

5. Do you smell your books?
Yes, especially when they are new. I love that new book smell, it's one of the great things about books.

6. Books with or without little illustrations?
Both. A book does not need illustrations but sometimes it's fun and adds a little extra to the book.

7. What book did you love while reading but discovered later it wasn't quality writing?
Twilight.

8. Do you have any funny stories involving books from your childhood? Please share!
Not that I can remember,

9. What is the thinnest book on your shelf?
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams which is 148 pages long (or short).

10. What is the thickest book on your shelf?

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare which is 1099 pages long.

11. Do you write as well as read? Do you see yourself in the future as being an author?

Nope. I had this dream when I was younger about becoming an author but I'm terrible at writing.

12. When did you get into reading?

I honestly can't remember. I have been reading since I was little. It probably started with picture books and then moved on from there.

13. What is your favourite classic book?

Haven't read that many classical books but Shakespeare is brilliant and Pride and Predjudice by Jane Austen is also really good, but overall none of the classics I've read have become a favourite. 

14. If you were given a book as a present that you had read before and hated... what would you do?

I would say thank you but politely say that I've already read it and if it was possible to exchange it for another. If it wasn't possible I would still accept it. No need to hurt somebody's feelings.

15. What is a lesser known series that you know of that is similar to Harry Potter or the Hunger Games?

The Belgariad by David Eddings. It's such a fantastic series and it's sad that very few people my age have read it.

16. What bad habit you always do (besides rambling) while blogging?

I have a bad habit of losing interest after a while and stop posting. At least with personal blogs. With this one I'm still interested and actually get a little sad when I'm not able to update it regularly. I also tend to abuse tags.

17. What is your favourite word?

Scheiße which is the german word for shit. I use it all the time when swearing.

18. Are you a nerd, dork, or dweeb? Or all of the above?

A nerd, and damn proud of it!

19. Vampires or Fairies? Why?

Vampires. Because they are fascinating and there are so many different kind of stories about vampires out there.

20. Shapeshifters or Angels? Why?

Please don't make me choose!!! Ahhhh!!! Well shapeshifters I suppose. Mostly because I really wan't to be one myself.

21.Spirits or Werewolves? Why?

Werewolves because they are awesome. And wolves are fantastic animals.

22. Zombies or Vampires?

Vampires. One of my biggest fears ist that Zombies will be real one day... and I still use the ZombiesRun app when I run... fail.

23. Love triangle or forbidden love?

Forbidden love. Love triangels are usually badly written and often don't seem relevant to the story. At least not in the books I've read.

24. Lastly: Full on romance books or action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in?

Both can be great and it depends a little on what mood I'm in. But if I have to choose then it will be action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in.

I sadly enough don't follow enough book blogs at the moment so I can't really tag anyone. But hey, if you wan't to do it on your own blog please do it! And please feel free to comment, I really don't bite. 

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett

Original Title: Good Omens: The nice and accurate prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch.
Year Published: 2006 (first published in 1990)
Published by: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. (First edition by Workman Publishing Company Inc)
Number of Pages: 398
First sentence: "It was a nice day."
Goodreads Rating: 5/5

Plot:
According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies, written in 1655, before she exploded), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner. So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, frogs are falling, tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except somewhat fussy angel and a fast-living demon - both of whom have lived amongst Earth's mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle - are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture.

And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist ...

My thoughts:
Loved it! I always love Terry Pratchett's books but team him up with Neil Gaiman and you get one of the most brilliant book's ever written. I usually dislike books with religious themes but this is just fantastic.

There is a variety of brilliant characters who all are extremely important to the plot. You have the dynamic duo, Angel Aziraphale and the Demon Crowley, the four horsemen, the Witchfinder Newt, the Witch Anathema Device, who is also  descendant of Agnes Nutter, and of course, Adam and the Them. They are all lovely, and there are also several more than the ones I mentioned, but the ones mentioned are probably the most important.

Gaiman and Pratchett tell a brilliant story with many twists and turns. You have no idea where the book will end up which is amazing, There is no way you can predict the end, which could have been annoying but in this case is just fantastic. It is probably one of the best books I've read.

Do I recommend it?
Hell yes! Read it! Go on, do it!

Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett (Discworld #23)

Original Title: Carpe Jugulum
Year Published: 1998
Published by: Transworld Publishers Ltd
Number of Pages: 378
First Sentence: "Through the shredded black clouds a fire moved like a dying star, falling back to earth - "
Goodreads Rating: 5/5

Plot (taken from Goodreads):
In a fit of enlightenment democracy and ebullient goodwill, King Verence invites Uberwald's undead, the Magpyrs, into Lancre to celebrate the birth of his daughter. But once ensconced within the castle, these wine-drinking, garlic-eatin, sun-loving modern vampires have no intention of leaving. Ever.

Only an uneasy alliance between a nervous young priest and the argumentative local witches can save the country from being taken over by people with a cultivated bloodlust and bad taste in silk waistcoats. For them, there's only one way to fight.

Go for the throat, or as the campyres themselves say ... Carpe Jugulum.

My thoughts: 
I absolutely adore Terry Pratchett. He is my number 1 favourite author. If I was forced to choose one author to read for the rest of my life it would be Terry Pratchett. Within the Discworld world the witches are probably my favourites. This is book nr 6 in the Witches series and it does not dissappoint. It's a great book with many amazing characters.

The witches are in number of three: Granny Weahterwax, Nanny Ogg and Agnes. In this installment they have to deal with something that Lancre has not dealt with in well ... forever. Vampires. The dialouge is hilarious as per usual with Pratchett and all the different subplots are extremely entertaining and do not distract from the main plot. He ties together all the loose ends perfectly in the end and manages to surprise you even though you thought you had it all figured out.


Do I recommend it?
YES! Especially if you love satire. It's a book filled with humour, colorful characters and manages to teach many lessons in a refreshing way. I do recommend Terry Pratchett (the name of the book is not that important, they are all great) to anyone.

Personally, I Blame my Fairy Godmother by Claudia Carroll

Original Title: Personally, I blame my Fairy Godmother
Year Published: 2010
Published by: HarperCollinsPublishers
Number of Pages: 411
First Sentence; "Once upon a time, there was a little girl whose favourite fairytale character was Cinderella."
Goodreads Rating: 4/5

Plot:
Jessie Woods absolutely believes in fairytale endings. So would you if you had a high flying carer as a daredevil TV host, a palatial pink mansion and the dream boyfriend.

But, quicker than you can say Cinderella, her life falls to pieces and suddenly her prince isn't quite so charming, her party-loving friends disappear and even her faithful friend Visa no longer loves her...

Utterly heartbroken and jobless, Jessie is forced back home, to live with her stepmum and two evil stepsisters.

Is it time fore her to give up on the dream - or will Jessie learn that happy endings can come in the strangest of places?

My thoughts:
I really liked this book. It is not as predictable as it might seem but actually has some good plot-twists, interesting characters and the romance is not the main focus which is quite refreshing in books like this.

Jessie is a good character with many layers. She starts off really superficial but knowing that she is so. She knows that the life she leads might not be the best but has convinced herself that she is living the dream. On the surface she is. She's got a great job, perfect boyfriend and beautiful house... Well at least on paper. The job is not that glamorous, the boyfriend full of flaws and the house rented. After a personal disaster she has to move back home to her stepfamily. During her time there she goes through such an amazing character development, which was really great to read.

The family is amazing as well. They are absolutely terrible at first but you grow to, well maybe not love, but really care for them. Not everything is as it seems here either. But that will mean spoilers if I say anything more.

The love interest? His name is Steve, and is a childhood aquaintance that Jessie now meets again. There is sparks and romance but what is lovely about this books is that its part of the plot, but not the main plot.

Instead, you get to read about strong women and relationship between families and friends. Even when your life hit rock bottom, there is still light in the darkness.

Do I recommend this book?
Yes I do. It's a great book. If you like the "chick flick" genre than this is a book for you.

Happy Reading!

New books

Size 12 is not fat by Meg Cabot

Original title: Size 12 is not fat
Year published: 2006
Published by: HarperCollins Publishers
Number of pages: 345 + my edition has some extra material
First sentence: "Um, hello."
Goodreads rating: 4/5

Plot:
Heather Wells rocks!
Or, at last, she did. That was before she left the pop-idol life behind after she gained a dress size or two - and lost a boyfriend, a recording contract, and her life savings (when Mom took the money and ran off to Argentina ). Now that the glamour and glory days of endless mall appearances are in the past. Heather's perfectly happy with ther new size 12 shape (the average for the American woman!) and her new job as an assistant dorm director at one of New Yorks's top colleges, That is, until the dead body of a female student from Heather's residence hall is discovered at the bottom of an elevator shaft.

The cops and the college president are ready to chalk the death off as an accident, the result of reckless youthful mischief. But Heather knows teenage girls ... and girls do not elevator surf. Yet no one wants to listen - not the police, her colleagues, or the P.I. who owns the brownstone where she lives - even when more students start turning up dead in equally ordinary and subtly sinister ways. So Heather makes the decision to take on yet another new career: as spunky girl detective!

My thoughts:
I bought this book mostly because it was cheap and because I really loved The Princess Diaries as a kid. This is a good book however, with funny and semi well-rounded characters.

The main-characther Heather is a fun one, She is quirky, determined and feels like a normal person despite her previous career as a pop-star. I think we all either have a friend like her or are her. Heather is really stubborn and although not overly intelligent (I mean like a genius), she is also smart and proper problem solver. However, she does make some bad choices during the course of the book, mistakes that I think many people would make in the same situation. Her roomate, and landlord, Cooper also happen to be her ex-boyfriend Jordans brother. To complicate things further she has feelings for both men.

You get an array of fun side characters in this book, which help carry the plot along and keep the book fun and entertaining.  This is a fun criminal feel good chick flick book. There are hints of romance in it, and gives insight into several complicated relationship but the focus on the plot stays right on course with the murders happening at the dormitory.

Do I recommend it?
If you, like me, don't like the dark criminal novels we are usually handed, but still want to read something that deals with crime and such, than this is the book for you. I really liked this book. It's easy to read, yet fun and entertaining. So yes, I do recommend it.

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill (Nr 1 in the Chicagoland Vampires Series)

Original title: Some Girls Bite
Year Published: 2009
Published by: Orion Publishing Group
Number of Pages: 341
First Sentence: "At first, I wondered if it was karmic punishment."
Goodreads rating: 4/5

Plot:
They killed me. They healed me. They changed me.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was mine. I was doing fine until Chicago's vampires announced their existence to the world - and then a rouge vampire attacked me. He only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker... one who decided the best way to save my life was to take it.

Turns out my saviour was the master of Cadogan House. Now I've traded sweating over my thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan 'Lord o`the Manor' Sullivan. Of course as a tall, green-eyed, four hundred year old vampire, he has centuries' worth of charm, but unfortunately he also seems to expect my eternal gratitute - and servitude. Right...

But my burgeoning powers (all of a sudden, I'm surprisingly handy with some serious weaponry), an inconvenient sunlight allergy, and Ethan's attitude are the least of my worries. Someone's out to get me. Is it the rouge vampire who bit me? A vamp from a rival House? An angry mob bearing torches?

My initation into Chicago's nightlife may be the first skirmish in a way - and there's going to be blood...

My thoughts:
I loved this book, and the rest of the series. Merit as the main character is funny, quirky and takes no shit (sorry). She did not ask to be turned into a vampire which she has to keep telling the very handsome Ethan every time he demands gratitude. However, it turns out she's meant to be great at it. Her first steps into the world of vampires is not that gracious. She makes many hilarious mistakes admist all the brilliance she also showcases. It makes it easy to like her. If Chloe Neill had decided to make her brilliant from the start it would have just been annoying. Instead she stumbles and makes mistakes, learning to live a completely whole new life.

Ethan is a douchey douche who is still extremely loveable. Handsome and dreamy, he is the vampire version of Mr Darcy. He is the head of Cadogan House and demands loyalty from all his vamps. Although he is a douche, his vamps love him and would follow him into death (for a second time that is).

Merit's best friend Mallory is awesome. Witty and sarcastic just like Merit, the make up duo that nobody would want to mess with. There is however something about Mallory that is only discovered after Merit is initiated into the world of the Supes.

The book is a mix of fantastic characters and it's impossible to pick a favourite, They all compliment each other and the book is never boring. The plot is interesting and makes you want more.

Do I recommend it?
Yes I do.

A quickie

Not that kind you perverts! But a quick update nonetheless.

I'm really sorry for the lack of updates but I'm smack in the middle of my exam week. I promise you it will be better after Friday. I've got several books that are just waiting to be finished, so do expect new reviews already next week.

I'm going to write up a review of quite an old book, but it's in an ongoing series of books that I love, and I wanted to let you know about (unless you already do). So keep your eyes opened.

And hey, if you keep coming back to my blog, I want to say thank you to you. It means a lot to me.

See ya soon
//Rickus

ps, If you got any book tips please comment!

Adventures on the High Teas: In search of Middle England by Stuart Maconie

Original title: Adventures on the High Teas: In search of Middle England
Year Published: 2010
Published by: Ebury Press
Number of pages: 343
First Sentence: "Imagine that you are a very particular kind of Englishman or woman."
Goodreads rating: 3/5

Plot:
Everyone talks about 'Middle England'. Sometimes they mean something bad. like a lynch mob of tabloid readers, and sometimes they mean something good, like a pint of ale in a sleepy Cotswold village. But just where and what is Middle England? Stuart Maconie didn't know either, so he picked his Thermos and sandwiches and set off to find out...

My thoughts:
This is a travelouge, which means that it is not a work of fiction. It is still a good book. Maconie writes with humour and manages to create interests for the little villages he visits and the people he meets. Maconie takes you on a journey of what makes the English so very English. There is a lot of recognition, many of the stereotypes of Middle England are most certainly in the book. However, Maconie paints a picture of a people who are kind, tolerant and most of all proud of who they are. It is an almost touching story, and even though I'm not English myself, I felt a slight pride of this nation and it's people. Well played Maconie, well played.

Do I recommend it:
I have to be honest and say that I probably wouldn't. I had to read this book for Uni, which meant that I never had a personal interest in reading it. However, it is still a quite a good book. I did find several of the chapters intersting and fun to read, but I always had this nagging voice telling me that I had to read the book. It quelled the interest extremely well. If you are intersted in England overall then yes, go ahead and read this book. If you don't care about England at all, then please, buy another book.