The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (Dirk Gently #2) by Douglas Adams

The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Dirk Gently #2
Douglas Adams

Front cover

Date read: 18 - 23 June 2017
Length: 247 pages

After Kate encounters a man at Heathrow airport trying to pay for a flight with no money or passport, her world becomes rather strange. There was an explosion and she is hospitalised. When she wakes she is determined to find the man, who turns out to be much more than he seems. Meanwhile Dirk has a new client. Or had. He is murdered on the first day because Dirk was late... What's with the hot potato, and how many stones are there in Wales?


I felt this was much better than Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.  There was more of a storyline so it was easier to follow, and less utter randomness.

I liked the addition of the Gods. There is still some randomness, but at least it kind of ties in with the plot. And the vending machine is funny.

Although he's kind of the protagonist, I don't think I like Dirk much. He's a liar, a scammer and lazy. He's selfish and arrogant. Luckily the novels are not all written from his point of view.


I'm looking forward to reading The Salmon of Doubt even if it wasn't quite finished.





Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Lola Rose by Jacqueline Wilson

Lola Rose
Jacqueline Wilson

Front cover

Date read: 11 - 17 June 2017
Length: 288 pages

Jayni and her brother Kenny have a violent father who hits their mother Nikki. But one day he hits Jayni, so they run away to London. There they become Lola Rose, Kendall and Victoria Luck. They won £10,000 on a lottery ticket so they buy some new things and go to the aquarium. A lot. But things start to go downhill. The money's running out and mum doesn't seem well... What happens if their father finds them?


Lola Rose is an easy book to read, you get sucked right into the story. Despite the fact I'm not a teenager anymore you get drawn to Jayni's/Lola Rose's storytelling and want to know more. It's hard to put down!

It's quite dark material for a children's book, but I suppose that's what Jacqueline Wilson is best known for. Here we have an abusive father, a runaway family, homelessness, struggling for money, finding new friends, an unwell family member etc. It's a hard time for the family but it's something that needed to be done.

I liked Auntie Barbara. She was the hero the family needed, coming into their lives again to help with care and money. She gives them security and allows Lola Rose to relax a bit.


Reliving my childhood a little and reading some more Jacqueline Wilson was a good break from more adult reading. Recommended every now and then!




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter #5) by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter #5
J. K. Rowling

Front cover

Date read: 23 May - 10 June 2017
Length: 766 pages

Fifth year at Hogwarts sees Dolores Umbridge as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and even Headmistress at one point. Lord Voldemort returned last year and Harry and his gang effectively join the Order of the Phoenix to help in any way they can. Harry sets up a secret group at Hogwarts called Dumbledore's Army to teach his peers defence spells. But Voldemort is on the rise; is harry safe?


Umbridge. What a vile, despicable woman. This woman is on a power trip and enjoying every second. She has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I hate, Hate, HATE her with a fiery passion. Luckily she's a DADA teacher and they only ever last a year.

We get to learn more about our beloved characters though. Small details which make a big difference to the story. You learn about Neville's parents, and Harry learns more about his father - not all of it good.

Sirius. This once actually took me by surprise. This is my first time reading the book, but I had seen the film many years ago. I don't remember this! I was unprepared and left a bit shocked. He was pretty much the only real family Harry had, and I can only imagine how he feels.


Great book in the series. Can't wait to read more.




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (Dirk Gently #1) by Douglas Adams

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
Dirk Gently #1
Douglas Adams

Front cover

Date read: 16 - 22 May 2017
Length: 279 pages

When Richard's boss is mysteriously murdered (although Richard doesn't actually know he's dead), he seeks the help of Holistic Detective Dirk Gently (his current trading name). Through the interconnectedness if all things they aim to find out what is really going on. Cue a horse in a college bathroom, a 4000 year old ghost, and an electric monk. What?


Okay, so, that is my best attempt at a synopsis. This is rather a strange book, with a lot going on so it's quite hard to pinpoint the plot. It seriously is one of those books you just have to read yourself. Oh, and it's a trilogy.

Despite it being a Dirk Gently series and it's his Holistic Detective Agency, Dirk is not actually the protagonist, at least not here. The story follows a few characters, but mainly a man called Richard. I find it quite bizarre that Dirk is not the protagonist, so it will be interesting to see if he is in any of the other novels.

Now, I could be wrong about this as the book is so strange, but I felt Richard and Dirk didn't actually solve the murder of Richard's boss; Gordon Way. It was more discovered when reading through another character's perspective. I was kind of disappointed by this, as you would have thought it should be uncovered by the detective.

All in all, an interesting read to say the least.




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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn

The Ivy Chronicles
Karen Quinn

Front cover

Date read: 5 - 15 May 2017
Length: 435 pages

Ivy Ames is used to the high life, but after she is let go from get job and finds her husband with another woman on the same day, she suddenly has no money, no home or husband, and 2 daughters to raise. So she sets up a business to help rich families get their children into private schools. But is this viable? Will she climb her way back to the top?


I don't particularly like the subject matter of this book, but I actually quite like Ivy. She wasn't quite as despicable as I'd anticipated. There's obviously some elements of snobbery and oh-woe-is-me, but not too much.

I think the characters were believable and for the most part seemed quite down to earth, with the exception of a couple. Although highly strung rich parents were never going to be a favorite.

A nice light read.

Karen Quinn

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4) by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter #4
J. K. Rowling

Front cover

Date read: 19 April - 4 May 2017
Length: 636 pages

After the Quidditch World Cup final, Harry returns to Hogwarts for his fourth year. Things will be slightly different this year, as his name is drawn from the Goblet of Fire, which means he must compete in the Triwizard Tournament. Can he finish the tasks, and come out the other end alive?


Back at Hogwarts we are treated with yet another Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher: Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. He's a retired Auror doing a favour for Dumbledore. 

This book definitely takes a turn to the darker side, as you learn more about the true power of the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters. Harry spends so much time preparing for the Triwizard Tournament tasks that you kind of forget Lord Voldemort is trying to make a comeback.

It's nice to meet other students from other wizarding schools. Although why some feel the need to keep their location a secret is strange. Fair enough keeping it secret from Muggles, but from each other?

Hermione becomes obsessed with house elves' rights, and creates a group called Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare aka SPEW. Needless to say it's not a hit.


The Dark Lord has risen once more! Things are going to get very bad...




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Voice of the Gods (Age of the Five #3) by Trudi Canavan

Voice of the Gods 
Age of the Five #3
Trudi Canavan

Front cover

Date read: 3 - 18 April 2017
Length: 622 pages

No longer a Priestess of the White, Auraya remains with the Siyee. After their capture, she sets off to free them after learning a few tricks from Emerahl. Emerahl is looking for a scroll to learn the secrets of the Gods, and the Wilds band together to end this impending war. Can the Gods be stopped?


I like the variety of characters in this trilogy, but Emerahl is probably my favourite. She's mysterious, funny, kind hearted (to people she likes), and very loyal. I wouldn't mind having her on my side, and definitely not an enemy I'd want to have!

Although this is the end of the trilogy, I kind of feel like there could have been more. The books in themselves are really detailed but I felt like it wasn't quite finished, like there was more to be told. I wouldn't be surprised if there was another one.

I liked this trilogy, and although I gave each of them 3 stars, I liked the second one (Last of the Wilds) the best. It concentrated more on characters rather than war. I like stories about people. Everyday people and their lives, rather than war and politics. You got to see the plot from the "other" side which was interesting.

Quite a good trilogy. My flatmate is now reading them!




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The Wee Librocubicularist