Books you're currently reading???

[Sundae]

LOTS recently!
I'll try to remember them. They come from a new friend (from work! A real flesh and blood and living in my town friend!) who has tastes that overlap with mine. We both like magic, fantasy, vampires, faerie et al, but she's into more whimsical stuff and doesn't like graphic sex or violence, torture, murder, mayhem and general seediness. As I looked through my book collection to return the favour, I realised my most treasured books contain all of that and more. I really wanted to lend her my Sandman graphic novels, as she is a Gaiman fan, but the first one features serial killers and a complete bloodbath in a diner and a nightmare called The Corinthian who has mouths for eyes, and likes to eat other people's... Thought it might be a bit much for her...

Anyway
The Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch
First of the Gentlemen Bastards trilogy. Adored it. Funny, sly, well rounded characters - even if they are too clever for their own good. There are various deaths throughout the book, and you care about each one. I kept expecting a deus ex machina, but none turned up. Set in a different world, magic is possible, but only rarely available, and paid for in good hard cash. Theieves and gangs and politics and downright swash-0buckling are all in evidence. I'll be asking her for the other two.

The Amulet of Samarkand - Jonathan Stroud
A teen book, but well plotted and highly enjoyable. Abo9ut a boy and "his" demon. Again, I thought he must be able to weasel his way out of some off the misfortunes that befall him, but some he simply does have to take on the chin. Set in London (mostly) which has undergone a dramatic change as magic is now commonplace among the rich and powerful. The non-magical and poor are beginning to make a stand - I expect to see more of that in later books. A good fun read - kept me interested.

Lion Boy - Zizou Corder
Was okay. A bit simplistic, but again it is a teen book. The story ticked over nicely, but there were some glaring plot holes and other parts where I thought, "But what about....? Surely if....?" Written by a mother and daughter (young daughter) it does have the breathless "and then!" feeling of a child's imagination. The hero is young and mixed race, so that's a welcome change - given the amount of mixed race (dual heritage?) children they need to have more books which include their "issues" as simply part of the text. I'll read the next one just to see what happens.

Blackberry Wine and Chocolat - Joanne Harris
I've avoided her for years, thinking she wrote chicklit, and also getting her mixed up with Jeanette Winterson for some reason. She is a real find. The books are sweet and simple and generally set in France. The two I've read end up in the same village. It is our world, and our time, but there is a whisper of magic, or other-worldly things being possible. I wouldn't buy her books, but I would look them up in the library to pass an afternoon with. When I get round to paying my library fine that is

And am currently reading Warhorse by Michael Morpurgo.
I didn't realise it was a children's book. It's good, but I can't feel anything for it. It's just trots along, despite the horrific setting (WWI). I'd so love to see it on stage though. This one I borrowed from school.

Oh that reminds me, I'm working my way through the Percy Jackson series. Ticked off the first two, looking for the next one at school. I should love it, but it just a bit meh. Again - plot holes you could drive Phaeton's chariot through. Still, a bit of fun.

Honestly can't remember the previous armful I borrowed. If I do, I'll come back and let you know.