Cause Celeb by Helen Fielding

Cause Celeb
Helen Fielding

Front cover

Date read: 1 - 9 October 2019
Length: 342 pages
Published: 1994


Rosie Richardson is fed up with her life in London. She has an unhealthy relationship with a TV presenter, and so she sacks it all and spends 4 years running a refugee camp in Africa. But the camp is running out of food, the locusts are swarming and a very big influx of refugees is expected to hit the camp. In a desperate bid to help, Rosie returns to London to enlist the help of her celebrity friends. Will it be too late?


Helen Fielding is more known for her Bridget Jones books, but Cause Celeb is her first novel. It is easy to read, interesting and sometimes funny. It is a serious subject without being too serious.

I'm not really much for following celebrity culture, and even in the book I prefer the personalities of the people in Africa. They're more real, caring and genuine people.

Oliver, Rosie's TV presenter boyfriend in London, is a twat, put simply. He's controlling, nasty, and has no regard for Rosie's feelings. Everything is what he wants and when he wants it. I'm glad that at the end of the book, Rosie is able to stand up to him. Going to Africa was probably the best thing she had done for herself and she gained so much from it.


I feel like this would make a good holiday read.

Helen Fielding

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Eye of the World (The Wheel of Time #1) by Robert Jordan

The Eye of the World
The Wheel of Time #1
Robert Jordan

Front cover

Date read: 11 - 30 September 2019
Length: 812 pages (including contents, maps, prologue and glossary)
Published: 1990


Three young men from the Two Rivers have their lives changed in one night. Rand, Mat, and Perrin are suddenly whisked into a world of adventure, accompanied by Aes Sedai Moiraine and warder Lan, they travel further than they have ever before. Hunted by creatures of the Dark One, will they make it to the Eye of the World?


Wow. Now. I don't even know where to begin. There is so much to this book that I'm sure we've only just scratched the surface of what's to follow. So I was given this book by a friend. The Wheel of Time series is one of those things that you're vaguely aware of, but really don't know much about. When I began I new nothing barring the name of the series and that it was a long one. Once given the book, I looked on Goodreads and was a bit apprehensive as the reviews were so varied. Was this going to be a long series that I would have to slug my way through?

The answer is no. I very much enjoyed The Eye of the World, and I'm really looking forward to reading more. Although it's not part of my main reading lists so it'll probably be about a year and a half before I read the next one!

There are a lot of characters here, but strangely I didn't find that confusing or hard to follow. There have been other series I've read that has had a lot of characters that I've found more challenging, but not this one. I suppose that's a good thing, but may well change the further I progress in the series.

I liked pretty much all of the story, but I really liked the thing with Perrin. I thought it was very interesting and I hope there will be more about it in the following novels.


I'm glad my friend gave me this book and I'm looking forward to reading more - whenever that may be!




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Look to Windward (Culture #7) by Iain M. Banks

Look to Windward
Culture #7
Iain M. Banks

Front cover

Date read: 1 - 10 September 2019
Length: 403 pages
Published: 2000


Major Quilan has a mission; to go to the Orbital Masaq' and convince the composer Ziller to return home. But Ziller will be nowhere near Quilan, even at the risk of not conducting the opening night of his new symphony. But is that all Quilan is here to do..?


As much as I enjoyed this book, the main characters left much to be desired. Ziller is petty and Quilan doesn't care about life. You just want to slap them both and tell Ziller to grow up, and tell Quilan that all life is precious, including his!

I do have some sympathy for Quilan in regards to his wife. He obviously loved her very much and this is a major reason why he feels the way he does. I want to slap him and then give him a hug.

I'm glad Quilan didn't succeed in his real mission. I won't say too much here, but it wasn't a very good thing and it would have been devastating.


Looking forward to reading some more, only a few left in the series now!




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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Boy with the Bronze Axe by Kathleen Fidler

The Boy with the Bronze Axe
Kathleen Fidler

Front cover

Date read: 28 - 31 August 2019
Length: 156 pages
Published: 1968


A young boy named Tenko comes to an island in a boat made from wood, carrying a bronze axe. He saves two children, Kali and Brockan, and is welcomed to the island by their father Birno. But not all are happy with this stranger and his weird tools. How will this matter be resolved?


This is a nice children's story. For me it had a message of stranger doesn't always mean danger. I know children have to be aware of the potential risk a stranger could bring, but that's not always the case. Here Tenko brings knowledge to the island, and while most accept his teachings, there are some who wish him gone, or worse.

I didn't like Korwen for this reason. He is against Tenko and will do anything to sabotage his relationships with his new family. Korwen is sneaky and untrustworthy, and just an all round unpleasant person.

I feel that Tenko is probably not as old as he seems in the novel. From reading you could think he was early twenties, but actually I think he's probably only mid teens, if that. It's hard to gauge his age, as he seems so mature, and he's obviously come to the island on his own, but he still needs the guidance of a parent.


It was a nice little read.




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The Wee Librocubicularist

Sepulchre (Languedoc #2) by Kate Mosse

Sepulchre
Languedoc #2
Kate Mosse

Front cover

Date read: 9 - 27 August 2019
Length: 732 pages
Published: 2007


In 1891 Leonie Vernier leaves Paris with her brother Anatole to stay with their aunt in the country, at the Domaine de la Cade. There, she discovers a sepulchre full of mystery.
In 2007, Meredith Martin is researching for a biography she is writing, as well as trying to learn about her own family history. She visits the Domaine de la Cade and is intrigued by the past. Can she work out what happened all those years ago?

This story begins in

a city of bones...

I really enjoyed both parts of the story, although I will say it can sometimes be a little frustrating when you're right in the swing of things and then it changes to the other story. It's a good thing I do like both parts!

I liked the story of Anatole and Isolde. It's both surprising and tragic. I felt sorry for them and just wanted things to work out.

A lot of the time when I was reading the part of Meredith, I was waiting for her to work out the things that happened in the past, so that I would know too! I kind of felt like I was there with her, figuring out all of the events by her side.

The song at the end of the book is really good, and I actually still listen to it from time to time. You can find it on YouTube.

I have read Labyrinth, the previous Languedoc novel, and I have to say the writing has MUCH improved. I felt when I was reading Labyrinth that it was a good story, but that the writing was letting it down. I did not feel that way at all when I was reading Sepulchre. In fact, sometimes I struggled to put it down, I was so absorbed in the story!

I'm looking forward to reading Citadel much more now, though I have no idea when that will be!

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Inversions (Culture #6) by Iain M. Banks

Inversions
Culture #6
Iain M. Banks

Front cover

Date read: 30 July - 8 August 2019
Length: 405 pages
Published: 1998


Doctor Vosill is the physician to the King, and although she has a good reputation, some believe there is more to her treatments. She has more enemies than she realises. Across the mountains, DeWar is the bodyguard of the General, who also has his share of enemies. How are they connected?


Although Inversions didn't really seem like a Culture novel, I really enjoyed it. I like the ones that are more about the people the their relationships with each other.

I liked Vosill, but even though she's one of the main characters, I felt like we didn't really get to know her. I couldn't help but think there was more to her, hiding just beneath the surface.

The relationship that DeWar has with the General's son, Lattens, is very wholesome. I loved reading about their time together and the stories DeWar would tell him.


I am looking forward to more in the series!




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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Locked Room Mystery Mystery (Nursery Crime #2.5) by Jasper Fforde

The Locked Room Mystery Mystery
Nursery Crime #2.5
Jasper Fforde

Date read: 29 July 2019
Length: 6 pages (according to Goodreads)
Published: 2007


Locked Room has been killed in the library of Usher Towers. The room was locked from the inside and there were no witnesses. Can Detective Inspector Jack Spratt and Detective Sergeant Mary Mary solve the case?


This was a very short story originally published online by The Guardian. I felt since I had read the two novels I might as well read this, even though it's not actually in printed format! I'll admit it did feel a little strange, but at least it was only for one night!

It's basically Cluedo (or Clue for those across the water). You have the murder, and need to figure out who did it and with what. It was a fun little story.

I liked the names of the other people attending the dinner party. Some examples are Red Herring, Least Likely Suspect, and Overlooked Clue. It adds to the fun!

I really wish there was more Nursery Crime books out. They are so unique and I really enjoyed the first two. I think there is supposed to be a third one, but I have no idea if/when it will be published.


I recommend you read the series if you're looking for something a bit different!




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The Wee Librocubicularist