Great Fictional Characters: Christine

Continuing with the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2015

C is for Christine. Yes, I know she's a car...

For many years, I've been terrified by the idea of machinery having a mind of its own. Christmas is a nightmare full of animatronic Santas leering and waving at me, and creepy angels that I'm sure are just waiting for me to drop my guard so they can break out of the shop window display and hunt me down. Just like Terminator. And Robocop. I know I have an over-active and unusually vivid imagination but I can't even think about those dancing robots without shuddering...

Great Fictional Characters: Bilbo Baggins

 Continuing with the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2015

On to B, and the most awesome of all hobbits, Bilbo Baggins.

"Good Morning!" said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat.

"What do you mean?" he said. "Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?"

"All of them at once," said Bilbo. "And a very fine morning for a pipe of tobacco out of doors, into the bargain."

Great Fictional Characters: Albus Dumbledore

This year, I'm taking part in the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge 2015.

My theme, unsurprisingly for someone who devours books so voraciously, is Great Fictional Characters. And who better to begin with than the most beloved headmaster, Albus Dumbledore?



Artist credit

"Albus Dumbledore was never proud or vain; he could find something to value in anyone, however apparently insignificant or wretched, and I believe that his early losses endowed him with great humanity and sympathy. I shall miss his friendship more than I can say, but my loss is as nothing compared to the wizarding world's. That he was the most inspiring and the best loved of all Hogwarts headmasters cannot be in question."

Elphias Doge

 

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is the headmaster we all wish we'd had in school: wise, just, kindly- with a pinch of mischievous spirit that made him more fun than a classroom full of Cornish Pixies.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2015: Theme Reveal

Exciting news! This year, for the first time, I'll be taking part in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2015!

My theme is Great Fictional Characters, and I've been scouring my bookshelves to pick out my favourites (which has been really tough- I think there may be a scuffle between Sam Vimes and Scarlett O'Hara).

Come join me on the 1st of April to see it all kick off!

RIP Pterry

As you've probably heard, we lost a great man today.

Terry Pratchett, the fantastically and deservedly successful author, passed away as he wanted to, in his home, surrounded by his family, with his cat sleeping on his bed.

I don't even have the words for how sad I am feeling right now.

And it was his words that I loved. No other author has shaped my personality with his ideas as he did, spoken to and resonated with me as his characters did, changed my view of the world, of life, of religion and love and honesty and humanity as his writing did. There isn't a single day I don't see Discworld somewhere.

I had the honour of meeting him in 2012, and those hours sat in the bar chatting with him over a couple of pints (he had a pot of tea) will always be a treasured memory. He was as fascinating and witty in person as he is in his novels. Despite the "embuggerance" taking a hold, his conversation sparkled as much as it challenged my thinking (yet again). I came away with the same feeling that I would no doubt have had if I had spoken to God. And, in terms of being a creator, he was a god to me.

I will always be so, so grateful for the words he gave us but so, so, so selfishly devastated for all the words he had left that we'll never get to read.

My only comfort today is from these words, his words, that prove he will never be forgotten:

"...no one is finally dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away..."
Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man

Recent related post
Remembering Sir Terry Pratchett: birthday post

Oh no, I got a cold...

 

 This is so not what having a cold is like. STOP! Don't come too close! I'm infected.... Yes, that's right: it's half-term, time for a deserved rest and, naturally, my body has decided to attack itself and ruin my week of fun.   Despite obsessive hand-washing and avoiding contact with sticky children wherever possible (quite a challenge in my job) one of the little monsters has managed to infect me (and by monsters, I mean germs, rather than children. Or maybe not...)

Review: The Humans

The Humans by Matt Haig

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Ummm... although I enjoyed "The Humans", I can't get evangelical about it like some readers have. I didn't find it life-changing, just ("just"!) witty, touching and amusing- which is more than enough for a bedtime read. I liked the observations about humanity, and the dog- obviously- and some of the situations were laugh-out-loud funny as "Andrew" navigated his way through social norms and expectations. Good, sweet fun.



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Review: Corpsing

Corpsing by Toby Litt

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Clever, in a Clever kind of way. I was hooked from the start, lost my way for a while (Josephine... yuk, yuk and triple yuk) and ended a bit confused. The neat ending didn't work for me and left more questions than it answered. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the pace and intrigue as Conrad tried to figure out who was behind the murder of his girlfriend and the attempted murder of himself. This might appeal more to fans of noir (or graphic descriptions of the effect of a bullet ripping through flesh), but it isn't one I'd read again.



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Review: The Girls

The Girls by Lori Lansens

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, a joint "autobiography" by craniopagus twins, but what I got was a sweet and poignant story of sisterly love. It was easy to read Rose and Ruby as distinct characters, with separate hopes, dreams and desires and, although it is made clear early on that the girls are nearing the end of their lives, their story was not depressing. Rather, I found myself admiring them, laughing with them, and hoping they would manage to finish their book (I slowed down reading as I realised I was near the end, to give them time to do it- lol). This won't be for everyone, but it was an easy read that still managed to be uplifting and thought-provoking.



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Book Reviews and Recommendations: 5 Picks for Fantastic Phil

 

Tea, cake and a good book- bliss!

I love stories, whether in book or film form and, when one really moves me, I have a hard time keeping quiet about it. I can get positively evangelical at times... (by the way, have I recommended "Confessions" to you yet?)

 

So, imagine how thrilled I was when Fantastic Phil (you may remember him for his contribution to Rock God) asked my opinion on whether he should read Gone Girl, (yes, obviously) and how chuffed I was that he enjoyed it.

He's asked me again for my recommendations and, after perusing my bookshelves, this is what I've come up with: