Wintersmith (Discworld #35) by Terry Pratchett

Wintersmith
Discworld #35
Terry Pratchett

Front cover

Date read: 26 April - 5 May 2016
Length: 399 pages

Tiffany Aching accidentally dances with the wintersmith (who is essentially the God of winter) who thinks she is the Summer Lady. After his advances failed, he tries to turn himself into a man to win her heart.
Meanwhile, Miss Treason passes, and another witch must inherit her cottage. Who will it be?


Tiffany can always rely on the Nac Mac Feegle to help her out of a pickle!  It's basically like she has an army of guardian angels watching over her. Although she knows they're always there, they only interfere when she genuinely needs help. I wish I had my own little blue men.

As much as Tiffany loves learning how to be a witch, she desperately wants to go home. But will she be able to, with everything that's going on? You'll have to read it to find out!

Terry Pratchett

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Where the Bodies Are Buried (Sharp Investigations #1) by Christopher Brookmyre

Where the Bodies Are Buried
Sharp Investigations #1
Christopher Brookmyre

Front cover

Date read: 19 - 25 April 2016
Length: 293 pages

Jasmine Sharp works for her uncle in Sharp Investigations, a PI company. But when he goes missing, she's left with nothing to do but try to find him. When teaching his last steps, she comes across Tron Ingrams who begins to help in the investigation. But then people start shooting at them. What is going on?
Meanwhile Catherine McLeod is investigating the deaths of some well known drug dealers, who seem to be dropping like flies.


I thought Where the Bodies Are Buried was a little hard to get into. It took a while for me to be intrigued, but by the end I was loving it! There are a few little twists here and there which keep you on your toes.

But my goodness what a CLIFFHANGER! If the next book (When the Devil Drives) does not start with those 4 words, I'm going to be seriously miffed. I don't like cliffhangers at the best of times.

If you're prepared to wait a while until you get sucked in, I'd say it's worth the read.

Christopher Brookmyre

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

Her Fearful Symmetry
Audrey Niffenegger

Front cover

Date read: 9 - 18 April 2016
Length: 386 pages


Julia and Valentina are twins. Their mother was also a twin. One day they are left an apartment in London by their aunt, whom they don't know. There are two rules; they inherit when they turn 21, and their parents are not allowed in. What's the worst that could happen?


Where to start? I really liked this book. I thought the characters were very believable, and there was so much depth. There wasn't a single character I didn't like, although each had their flaws.

There were a few twists along the way. I was rather annoyed at the first one! At the time I thought it shouldn't have happened like that and went to bed feeling rather ticked off. But I guess a good book needs a twist or two!

By the end of the book I was left thinking 'huh'? There's more I would have liked to find out. Especially about Robert. But hey ho.

Basically, although it annoyed me and left me wanting more, it is actually a book I would read again. And I don't say that about many!

Audrey Niffenegger

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Thud! (Discworld #34) by Terry Pratchett

Thud!
Discworld #34
Terry Pratchett

Front cover

Date read: 31 March - 8 April 2016
Length: 362 pages

After the murder of a dwarf, there is a civil unrest as the dwarfs and trolls are fighting, blaming each other for this murder. If Vimes doesn't solve it fast, there could be another Koom Valley in Ankh-Morpork! On another note, a rather large painting has been stolen, and something about chickens... But no matter what happens, Vimes will be home to read 'Where's My Cow?' to Young Sam at 6. Always.


Ah, I do like a good Watch story! Although there are so many of them now, it can be hard to keep track of them all! It seems that in every new Watch novel, there are more and more recruits! But there's always Vimes, and I don't think he'll ever leave!

It was nice to have some of Sybil again. It feels like it's been a long time since she had a part, and not just referenced to. And I liked that Vimes always reads to Young Sam at 6, no matter what he's doing. 'Once you had a good excuse, you opened the door to bad excuses.'


Have a read, you know you want to.

Terry Pratchett

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens

Little Dorrit
Charles Dickens

Front cover

Date read: 4 - 30 March 2016
Length: 1071 pages

Amy Dorrit was born in the Marshalsea; a debtors jail where her father is a resident. Amy is quite content with her life there, until one day the family inherit a lot of money, pay off their debts and she's whisked away to Europe. But this isn't the life she's accustomed to, and she seeks the simple life back home.


Oh, what an accomplishment it is to finish Little Dorrit! I think I can confidently say it is the longest novel I have ever read. It can get a little dull in places, but mostly it's fine. The story is engaging enough that I could finish it!

Although I've got to say I was a little disappointed. I suppose I had a little expectation of what I thought it was going to be like (silly I know, but I had seen the BBC adaptation years ago) but it was nothing like what I remember. In saying that though, I still enjoyed it.

I liked Amy. She was the only character I felt was relatable. Mr Dorrit was greedy, her sister shallow. Amy was down to earth and pleasant. She knew what the important things were, and didn't want for much more. A delightful lady, I'm sure.


So, despite being a brick of a book, I'm glad I've read it. 




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz

What the Night Knows
Dean Koontz

Front cover

Date read: 22 February - 3 March 2016
Length: 442 pages

John Calvino is a cop. 20 years ago his entire family was brutally murdered in a series of 4 family murders. Now, families are being murdered in exactly the same way. Calvino believes it to be the same murderer, back from the dead to strike again. Can he save his family?


This novel has good suspense, and a nice little twist! Despite not feeling as invested as I could have been, it was still good, and you do want to keep reading to find out what happens. The twist, although not major, did change the plot a little and keep you on your toes!

I liked getting to know Calvino's family; his wife Nicolette, son Zach, and daughters Naomi and Minnie. You get to see how different they are, and what they're really thinking. It's also interesting to delve into the mind of a child!

Not hugely riveting, but still worth a read.

Dean Koontz

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Going Postal (Discworld #33) by Terry Pratchett

Going Postal
Discworld #33
Terry Pratchett

Front cover

Date read: 10 - 21 February 2016

Length: 474 pages

Moist von Lipwig was a criminal. He is given a new lease on life and set the task of sorting the Post Office. Together with his Golem employees, he begins to pick up the pieces. He tries to deliver the old mail, invents stamps, even takes on the clacks towers! Can the post office be restored to its former glory?

I quite liked Moist, but even though this story was mainly about him, I still feel like I hardly know the character. Hopefully he'll be in more novels, and I can get to know the character better.

Loved the invention of the stamps, and everything that went with it. It seems like it was such an accident, but turned out quite well!

I'll need to get watching the TV adaptation now! I've seen The Colour of Magic and The Hogfather but not Going Postal. 

Terry Pratchett

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist