Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult

Songs of the Humpback Whale
Jodi Picoult

Front cover

Date read: 14 - 24 July 2016

Length: 427 pages 

When Jane hits her husband Oliver, she freaks out and heads on a cross-state journey towards her brother Joley. Already waiting in the car with everything they need is her daughter Rebecca. 

When they arrive at the Orchard, their lives are turned upside down. They both fall in love (Jane with Sam, Rebecca with Hadley) but for different reasons it cannot last. 

But Oliver is a scientist who is good at tracking. How long will it be before he finds them? 

This story is told from the characters' different view points, which is a style I quite like. I feel you get to know the individual characters better and it's less presuming. 

The story switches between different times, which can be confusing at first but actually works quite well. It's interesting to see what the different characters think at different stages in their lives, and how those opinions change over time. 

I quite liked all the characters, there are none truly despicable. My least favourite is probably Oliver though. He seems a bit self centred and expected everyone to do what he wanted. I didn't really have a favorite character. None of the others particularly stood out.

Quite good for her first novel I'd say. 

Jodi Picoult

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Unseen Academicals (Discworld #37) by Terry Pratchett

Unseen Academicals
Discworld #37
Terry Pratchett

Front cover

Date read: 30 June - 13 July 2016

Length: 541 pages

Football has returned to Ankh-Morpork! After 20 years, the University need to get a team together to compete. Luckily Mr Nutt is on hand to help, who seems to be good at everything. Even if he is an Orc. (Orcs used to rip people's heads off!) Can the Unseen Academicals win?


I like Mr Nutt! He's a bit confusing at first, but once you get to know him he really is quite lovable. We should all have a Mr Nutt in our lives.

Pratchett really has a way with accurate portrayals in his characters. He is consistent and provides a great deal of depth and room for growth! His humour is very subtle; blink and you'll miss it!

I'm never not going to recommend a Discworld novel. Just read them!

Terry Pratchett

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Bred in the Bone (Sharp Investigations #3) by Christopher Brookmyre

Bred in the Bone
Sharp Investigations #3
Christopher Brookmyre

Front cover

Date read: 20 - 29 June 2016
Length: 407 pages

When Stevie Fullerton is murdered in his car, everything points to Glen Fallon being the murderer.  But Jasmine knows he is innocent. 
Meanwhile Catherine is assigned to the case, and although all seems straightforward, she discovers a symbol on the body and realises there's more to it. 
Can they get to the bottom of this? 


I'm writing this as Bred in the Bone rather than Flesh Wounds (as it is published in the UK) because at the time of buying the book, I wasn't aware of the title difference. I trusted Goodreads. It let me down. 


So it turns out the cliffhanger at the end of Where the Bodies are Buried is right! It's a bit annoying having to wait until the end of book 3 to find out, but it's good to know the truth! 

I thought there was a nice ending to this trilogy. You finally learn the truth about the relationship between Jasmine and Glen, which to be honest is the main issue I had. 


A great trilogy, which I would read again. 

Christopher Brookmyre

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

From the Corner of His Eye by Dean Koontz

From the Corner of His Eye
Dean Koontz

Front cover

Date read: 30 May - 19 June 2016
Length: 819 pages

At the age of 3, Bartholomew loses his sight due to a tumour. But he doesn't let this stop him from living his life to the fullest. He is very clever and excels at pretty much everything he tries. 
Junior kills his wife by pushing her off a tower. He is determined someone called Bartholomew is going to destroy his plans, and sets out to find him.
Vanadium is a detective, who is convinced Junior is a killer, and wants to see him behind bars.
Celestina brings up her sister's baby Angel. Seraphim was raped and then died during childbirth.
But how are these people linked? What will happen if Junior finds Bartholomew?


There's so much going on in this novel I don't even know where to start! I really like stories that begin unrelated, then as you delve further in they overlap and merge. I like seeing how all the pieces fit together. I think each of the character's stories would have made pretty decent novels alone, but together they're so much more.

And the characters. Barty is unique. The things he can do, never mind the fact he is blind, are astonishing. He has such a joyous outlook on life despite everything he's been through.
Junior is a psychopath. Hell bent on finding anyone called Bartholomew because of an obsession is not healthy.  And don't forget all the murders.
Vanadium is your unlikely hero. He is determined to find justice when everyone else has given up.
And Celestina just does the right thing, even though it could jeopardise her career.

I really enjoyed this book. With the excepting of Junior, the characters are amazing, and restore your faith in humanity a little.




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Making Money (Discworld #36) by Terry Pratchett

Making Money
Discworld #36
Terry Pratchett

Front cover

Date read: 21 - 29 May 2016

Length: 349 pages

After his success with the post office Vetinari sets Moist von Lipwig the task of taking over the bank. In his own discreet way, of course. But when it is discovered the gold in the vault is missing, Moist is arrested and may be hanged. Again. 

How will he get out of this one? 

I quite like Moist. He's an unlikely hero, especially given that he's not a hero. He just gets dumped in the middle of a mess, and is expected to fix it. His methods may be a bit unconventional to some, but fix it he does.

It's interesting to see what the thought processes behind things that are common here on Earth are; like the bank note, bank accounts and loans. The idea of how these things came to be is something that is unusual to read about.

Adora Belle.  I'm not very sure about her. Something puts me off her, and I'm a bit suspicious. I think she has something up her sleeve! We'll see if it comes to anything! 

Of course I'm going to recommend any book in the Discworld series. Just read them! :)

Terry Pratchett 

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist 

When the Devil Drives (Sharp Investigations #2) by Christopher Brookmyre

When the Devil Drives
Sharp Investigations #2
Christopher Brookmyre

Front cover

Date read: 12 - 20 May 2016
Length: 361 pages

Jasmine has been asked to investigate the disappearance of an actress named Tessa Garion, who went missing 30 years ago. She uncovers a whole lot more than her whereabouts though!
Meanwhile Catherine is investigating the shooting of Hamish Queen; shot dead after putting on his annual play.
It's all connected, so what's really the story behind Tessa Garion?


This was so much easier to get into after reading Where the Bodies Are Buried. It helps that you already know most of the characters and can just get straight into the story. I like Jasmine. She's an amateur, but just sort of wings it and gets good results!

I'm so glad there was no cliffhanger this time! I could go to sleep knowing the case was at rest. I'm still looking forward to Bred in the Bone though!

Definitely a series to sink your teeth into!

Christopher Brookmyre

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Boyracers by Alan Bissett

Boyracers
Alan Bissett

Front cover

Date read: 6 - 11 May 2016
Length: 249 pages

This is the story told by Alvin about himself and his three best friends. Nothing seems to be going right; his mum left and his dad is on the verge of a mental breakdown. His brother moved to London, but came back and doesn't seem to be doing much. But all his problems seem an afterthought when he's with his friends, riding about Falkirk in a car. But will Alvin get to go to university, or will he have to look after his dad?


Boyracers is a coming of age story, right at the cusp of adulthood. On one hand Alvin is still a kid, hanging out with his friends and experiencing many things for the first time. But he's also being told to think about his future, or the possibility of becoming a carer for his father.

It was interesting to see the world through the eyes of a teenage boy. This one doesn't seem as sex-craved as you might be led to believe all teenage boys are.


The writing style is unusual. Not one I've really come across before and I'm not sure I liked it. New paragraphs are started in the middle of a word and it's a bit disorientating. I guess it could be used to convey rapid and changing thought processes, but I quite like a paragraph to start with a capital letter and end with a full stop, with complete words!


Despite this hiccup, it was an interesting read.




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist