Abandon (Abandon #1) by Meg Cabot

Abandon

Abandon #1

Meg Cabot

Front cover

Date read: 25 October - 1 November 2020

Length: 292 pages

Published: 2011

Pierce died once. Only she didn't stay dead. Now she's trying to put the pieces together. Who is the mysterious young man who keeps following her, and why did he give her that necklace? It's time to go back to where she was...

She knows what

it's like to die...

...now Death wants her back.

I quite enjoyed Abandon and I think I probably would have loved it if I had read it when I was a teenager. 

I feel sorry for Pierce, no one understands what she's actually been through. She's in a tricky situation because she knows that no one would believe her if she told the truth, and even when she lets little things slip she gets treated like she's crazy.

One thing he has going for her is she seems to be quite clever though, and knows the things she definitely can't tell anyone. She is strong willed and will stop at nothing to try to do what she thinks is right or necessary. 

Looking forward to the next one so I can learn more!

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The Wee Librocubicularist

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

A Long Way Down

Nick Hornby

Front cover

Date read: 18 - 24 October 2020

Length: 257 pages

Published: 2005

Martin, JJ, Jess, and Maureen all find each other on top of a tower block - Topper's House, a well known suicide spot in London. They each have their own reasons for being there, but the same end goal in mind. Together they form a pact and talk each other down. Can this unlikely group of friends keep each other alive?

'Can I explain why I wanted to jump off the top of a tower block?'

I didn't particularly like any character specifically, but JJ would be the best. He seemed the most down to earth and I probably would have got on with him more than any of the others.

Jess is annoying and and a bit of a brat. She does what she wants without thinking about the consequences for other people, or even herself. She does try to do nice things at the end though, which redeems her a little.

Martin is a scoundrel and makes bad decisions. He's a minor celebrity so those things tend to get blown up by the media, and something bad he did caused his life to fall apart.

Maureen is stuck with a life she didn't want. She has a severely disabled son and lives a very monotonous life. She's bored and lonely.

But together they actually make a pretty good team, helping each other though their difficulties.

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Of Wee Sweetie Mice and Men (Dan Starkey #2) by Colin Bateman

Of Wee Sweetie Mice and Men

Dan Starkey #2

Colin Bateman

Front cover

Date read: 10 - 17 October 2020

Length: 334 pages

Published: 1996

Starkey is asked to write a book about Irish boxer Bobby McMaster, following his life and his journey to New York to fight the champion Mike Tyson. But in true Starkey fashion, everything goes wrong. McMaster's wife is kidnapped in a political agenda. Can they save her, and will Bobby win the fight?

You know, I actually feel a bit sorry for Dan. He seems to always be in the wrong place at the wrong time, getting himself into dangerous situations that are often difficult to get out of.

There's more to Bobby than meets the eye. On the surface he seems stupid and uncaring, but he's actually quite smart and cares a great deal about things that matter to him.

I'm not really sure what's going to happen with Dan and Patricia. Dan is working very hard to win her back, but she seems mostly uninterested. And now there's a major event that could cause them to split for good!

I'm not really interested in boxing but the story is interesting. There's enough of other things going on to keep even me reading!

Very much enjoying the series so far.

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Bedlam by Christopher Brookmyre

Bedlam

Christopher Brookmyre

Front cover

Date read: 30 September - 9 October 2020

Length: 376 pages

Published: 2013

Ross Baker is a scientist working for Neurosphere, helping to develop medical technology. After volunteering to be a test subject for something new they are working on, he finds himself trapped in Starfire - a violent sci-fi video game. Will he ever be able to escape and get back to the 'real world'?

LET THE GAMES BEGIN...

Bedlam is a very interesting concept and plot. I found myself drawn into the worlds with Ross and just not knowing what was going to happen in each one was thrilling! I imagine many gamers have thought about what it would be like to be in the actual worlds of their games.

I'm not much of a gamer myself, but I had heard of a few of the games, whether through my brother playing them, or just generally hearing people talk about them. I'm not sure how many I've actually played myself!

I didn't actually like Ross that much as the protagonist, but I could still sympathise with him. As much as he likes video games, he just wanted to get back to his real world, to be with his girlfriend who he just discovered is pregnant. One problem is that time passes differently in the game world, and he has no idea how much time has passed in the real one.

In the games I liked Iris, and Juno up to the end. It seems he's not the only 'real' person stuck in the game world, and like all the other people there, they're just trying to find a way out while not dying. It's a lot harder than it seems!

This was quite different from the Brookmyre I've read before, which has mainly been his crime fiction. I've got to say I really enjoyed it and will have to look out for more of his sci-fi stuff!

Christopher Brookmyre

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Glittering Fortunes by Victoria Fox

Glittering Fortunes

Victoria Fox

Front cover

Date read: 20 - 29 September 2020

Length: 376 pages

Published: 2013

Charlie lives on the Usherwood estate, heir to the late Richmond Lomax. His brother Cato, the Hollywood A-Lister, decides to come back and take what is 'rightfully' his. Only a distant relative gets in touch, needing to get something off his chest before his final days. What will it be?

TWO BROTHERS

TWO RIVALS

One devastating family secret

I don't really read that much 'chick-lit' these days, but this book was given to me by a friend. I've got to say I found the story quite absorbing and very easy to read.

I like Olivia, and I think she is good for Charlie. He doesn't see it at first, and thinks her a bit of a nuisance, but she refuses to back down.

The plot twist was a bit obvious. I kind of knew what it was going to be as soon as it was introduced, but it was still interesting to read and see if I was right or not!

Cato is despicable. A thoroughly hated character, he only cares about himself and it doesn't matter who he hurts along the way, even his family and those who care deeply for him. His partner Susanna starts off with her head up her bum, but she gets better. She begins to realise that there's more to life than status and material possessions. 

I would say this would make a good summer holiday read.

Victoria Fox

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Divorcing Jack (Dan Starkey #1) by Colin Bateman

Divorcing Jack

Dan Starkey #1

Colin Bateman

Front cover

Date read: 13 - 19 September 2020

Length: 282 pages

Published: 1995

Dan Starkey is a journalist in Belfast. He meets Margaret and things get out of hand. Then suddenly, Margaret is murdered and his wife, Patricia, is kidnapped. Next, he becomes a target. Can he keep out of trouble to save his wife, and his marriage?

So I've actually read a few books from this series, but not in order and not all of them. So I'm going back to the beginning and reading them all in order. I had read this one before, and it's still as good as I remember it!

I liked Margaret, but what Dan did was wrong. He should not have had an affair with her, but things happen and he admitted it got out of control. 

Dan doesn't take any stick. He was a sharp mind, but doesn't always know when to use it and when to stay silent. It gets him into trouble a lot, but that's part of the charm of his character.

I hope he can patch things up with his wife, Patricia. He seems to really love her. He made a silly mistake and hopefully she can forgive him.

I'm looking forward to reading more. I think Dan's journalism could take him anywhere!

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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Return of Little Big Man (Little Big Man #2) by Thomas Berger

The Return of Little Big Man

Little Big Man #2

Thomas Berger

Front cover

Date read: 2 - 12 September 2020

Length: 432 pages

Published: 1999

Following on from Little Big Man, we join Jack Crabb on his adventures after Custer's Last Stand. With Buffalo Bill, he tours a lot of Europe doing Buffalo Bill's Wild West, amongst other things!

How the West was won, from the man who lived

to tell the tale.

What an interesting life Jack Crabb has lived. I know he lived to a very ripe old age, but he's done so much in his life that many people don't have the opportunity to do. He also seems very blase about it all, which I guess is because that's just what he's used to.

I thought him travelling most of America was good for the time, but now Europe too! I imagine it would have taken a very long time to get from place to place, especially from America to Europe, there being no aeroplanes in those days.

I liked the bit in Britain. I thought it was funny the way he interacted with the royalty, and the prince especially seemed to take a liking to him.

These books are not something I would normally read, but I'm glad I did. It was a good change of subject for me, and I do like to read most genres.

Thomas Berger

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The Wee Librocubicularist