Category: Book Review

Book 5: The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, by Douglas Adams

Another crazy adventure with Arthur Dent. Zaphod Beeblebrox is looking for the ruler of the Universe, on a mission that he only recently remembered. At one point they end up at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe, a very imaginative place, where people can go to see what happens at the End and enjoy a good supper at the same time. The plot seemed slightly contrived and just a bit confusing, but there were certainly funny parts, and is a good choice if you’re …

Book 4: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

Many of us have heard bits and pieces of the story, but perhaps not the whole thing. Arthur Dent is a man living in England whose house is about to be torn down to build a highway. While he is busy worrying about it, his friend Ford Prefect — who is actually an alien — tries to convince him that the end of the world is coming. Shortly thereafter, a spaceship shows up to demolish the Earth to make way for a hyperspace bypass. After the planet’s untimely …

This next book I read slowly over the course of January, while my classes began and I got back into “university mode.” I received it as a gift from my godmother for Christmas. She’s a cat lover, a quilter, a crossword puzzler, and a great snail-mail pen pal in this age of technology. I don’t get many books as gifts when I don’t know they’re coming; I always enjoy it.

Book 3: Cat Coming Home, by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

I’ve been keeping up with my 25 book goal for the year fairly well, but I seem to be getting behind with the reviews. I finished this book just over a month ago, right after the holiday break. If you’re interested, I wrote a review of the previous book in the series as well.

Book 2: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, by Stieg Larsson

Yet again, Larsson proves he can write a great suspense thriller. It follows the separate investigations of the police, government, and secretive journalists, as well as the criminals behind the overarching plotline of …

I just finished my second book of the year. A good start, since I’ll be quite busy in the next few months. I figured it’s time to write a bit about the first book, which I finished over the holidays. Also, since it’s a new year, I’m starting the numbering over for my book reviews. This year’s goal is 25 again… let’s see if I can do it this time!

I thought I had written a review of the first book in the Kingkiller Chronicles, called The Name

It’s the last weekend before lectures start. As always, I’ve been ready for them to start for weeks. Summer always feels too long. I took time this week to do all the shopping I’ve been meaning to: I bought new pens, a stiff folder to keep papers from crumpling in my bag, and a brand new shiny phone– the Samsung Galaxy S2. It’s the most beautiful phone I’ve ever seen. I’m not exaggerating. I then got out a blank notebook I’ve been saving for note-taking. Now, I’m just finding things to do with my time.

One thing I started yesterday, …

Life is getting busier. I’m moving to a new flat tomorrow; it’s right across the street, but it’ll be new people, a fresh start. The day after, my boyfriend and I scheduled a spur-of-the-moment trip to Spain to visit family. It’ll be my first time in mainland Europe without being on an official “tour.” The warm weather will be welcome after such a clammy summer in Scotland! Then, just a few days after we get back, the new school term starts. My last year as an undergrad. I plan to work hard.

About a week late, here is the first …

A couple months ago, I bought Neverwhere for Kindle, by Neil Gaiman, as it was one of his more successful novels that I hadn’t read yet. After finishing The End of the Pier, I figured I should read that next, since I was going to see Neil Gaiman a week later. I ended up barely not finishing it in time. Gaiman then mentioned the book in his talk and gave away a small spoiler. But no big deal.

I really seem to be eating up books lately, just because I’ve realized I can read during breakfast and lunch, and …

Summer has been going steadily. Work is boring at times, because I both don’t have enough to do and am trying to communicate with a large company. That never goes quickly, and I end up frequently just waiting for their responses.

My internship is up in two weeks, and I hope to edit my novel after that, before the term starts. I’ve also been playing Oblivion, a PC RPG game that was made a few years ago. I’ve found it very immersive and the world to explore is huge. Next week I’m going to the Edinburgh Book Festival to see …

On my way to London, I finished this book. I saw the movie about a week before–when I hadn’t read the ending yet–and enjoyed it. Who can go wrong with Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst, and Antonio Banderas?

Book 7: Interview with the Vampire, by Anne Rice

Now before you leave this page in disgust, let me remind you that this was written and popular before Stephanie Meyer and the teenage-angst-and-sparkling-vampire stories. It’s true to lore, and this time set in the vampire’s perspective. A boy manages to interview a vampire named Louis (think French like “Loo-ey,” …