The Midwife by Gay Courter

The Midwife
Gay Courter


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Hannah Blau is a Jewish midwife in Russia in the early 1900s. While her family are struggling against the prejudices of Jews, she is trying to make her mark in her profession, maybe even become a doctor. Her family escape to America, where she has to start all over again. This time being a Jew isn't such a stigma.

The Midwife is very captivating. There's lots of ups and downs, and I hear couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next! When I picked thus off the bookshelf I had no idea what I was in for, having never heard of the story or author. I'm very glad I've read it, though. 

The copy I have is 521 pages long, with quite a small font. But none of it is wasted. There's so much detail with her and her family, but it doesn't make it boring. It sort of fleshes out the story I think. Good detail, not bad detail.

Give it a read. I guarantee you'll be hooked.

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

The Age of Miracles
Karen Thompson Walker


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Julia is an 11 year old girl living in a very different world from any we know. Something called "The Slowing" means the days on Earth are getting longer, with disastrous consequences. Some live on 'clock time', others 'real time'. But one thing's for certain, the whole world is changing.

I really enjoyed this story and it was so easy to read. If I had more time to read in a day, it would have been devoured. As this is a young adult novel, I think this would be great to get younger readers into science fiction, as a sort of beginner novel.  It's not too deep but it's not too fluffy either. 

But a problem with an adult reading a book for adolescents, is that I felt more could have been done with the subject matter. I wanted to go deeper; discover more about what's causing this slowing. Stick with the characters just a little longer to find out more of what happens.

I felt that Julia was a little too mature for an 11 year old. I could believe it was from the perspective of maybe a 15 year old, but not 11. Perhaps it's meant to be written in a sort of memoir style as she's 23 by the end.

All in all, it was quite an enjoyable if tame read. But it did keep me wanting more!

Karen Thompson Walker

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Fifth Elephant (Discworld #24) by Terry Pratchett

The Fifth Elephant
Discworld #24
Terry Pratchett


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The Scone of Stone has been stolen, and a manufacturer of rubber materials murdered. Vimes is sent to Uberwald on a matter of diplomacy, trying to stop a war from beginning. He ends up in some woods running for his life from wolves. Meanwhile, Carrot has left the Watch in the not-so-capable hands of Colon, in search of Angua. What on earth is happening to the Watch?


I really like the story between Carrot and Angua. They seem such an unlikely pair, and I can't help but fear it just isn't going to work out for them. I don't know why, I guess that's just my gut feeling. There's still a lot of mystery surrounding Angua.

And what's going on with Vimes in the Watch? Sometimes he's in, sometimes he's not. It's hard to believe quite how much the Watch has expanded since the early Discworld novels. Need to remember that just because Vimes isn't there, it's not going to fall apart. Although if it's left to Colon again, who knows what will happen!?


Get reading the Discworld series. It's good for you, promise.

Terry Pratchett

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland

Shampoo Planet
Douglas Coupland


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Tyler Johnson is 20 and trying to find his feet. After traveling in Europe for while, and in France he meets Stephanie. Back home, his mother has split up with her partner, Stephanie comes over from France and Tyler seems to have lost control of his life. He moves to California with Stephanie, both in pursuit of careers. But when he learns that his mother's ex boyfriend has gone a bit mad, he comes back to save his mum.


Shampoo Planet is a bit unusual. I know I enjoyed reading it at the time, but after a few months I can't really remember much about it. Tyler is obsessed with his hair, his family obsessed with KittyWhip and he calls his mother by her first name. He's a bit if a typical 20 year old to be honest. Seeking adventure and not really prepared to deal with some of the consequences for his actions. But when it comes down to it, he's turning into a decent adult and is there for his family it times of need.




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The Wee Librocubicularist

One Hand Clapping by Anthony Burgess

One Hand Clapping
Anthony Burgess


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Howard and his wife live a simple life in Bradcaster. Until one day Howard goes on a TV quiz show and wins some money. He turns his win into even more money by betting on horses. He quits his job, convinces his wife to quit hers too, and they go on holiday, spending as much money as they can. What will they get up to?


I felt I didn't really get to know the characters well enough to form any kind of emotional attachment whatsoever. Although I know I don't much like Howard. He's arrogant and always thinks whatever he says or does is right, and doesn't consider any other viewpoints.

The only other Anthony Burgess book I've read is A Clockwork Orange and I've got to say this was quite disappointing. I guess you can't expect every author's book to be like their masterpieces. But one redeeming quality is that there's a VERY SURPRISING ending. I think the ending actually makes this book worth reading.


Have a read if you like surprises.




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The Wee Librocubicularist