Merryn – Page 8 – Cannonball Read 17

Vital piece of an important literary legacy

Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks

December 29, 2020 by Merryn Leave a Comment

Iain (M) Banks is one, or should I say two, of my favourite authors. It’s been a while since I read any of his Culture novels, so I went back to the beginning with Consider Phlebas, the first in a series of standalone novels in this shared setting. If you are not familiar with Banks, this is a great place to start. The Culture is a galaxy spanning symbiotic civilisation of humans and sentient machines, living decadent post-scarcity lives. Consider Phlebas is set during their war […]

Character-driven crime, as seen on TV

Bad Debts (Jack Irish 1) by Peter Temple

Dead Point (Jack Irish 3) by Peter Temple

White Dog (Jack Irish 4) by Peter Temple

December 26, 2020 by Merryn 2 Comments

Yes, I’m reviewing books 1, 3 and 4 of a series, and one that really should be read in order. But I picked these up in my usual cheapskate way – tempted by some kind of Kindle Deal too good to refuse, and I’d already seen the TV movies, so I wasn’t too fussed that I read them out of order (3, then 4, then 1) and don’t have 2 yet. Jack Irish (played by Guy Pearce on TV) is a former criminal lawyer, still […]

Crone power

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

December 25, 2020 by Merryn 3 Comments

My first exposure to Howl’s Moving Castle was the Studio Ghibli film version., which I found utterly charming. So when the Kindle Daily Deal dangled a bargain before me, I pounced, and am pleased to say that the book is similarly delightful. Howl’s Moving Castle takes place in an unspecified European landscape ruled by a fairytale logic, where Sophie Hatter, as the eldest of three daughters, is resigned to nothing interesting ever happening to her. It’s always the youngest of three (or seven) that has […]

Charming and fun

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

December 24, 2020 by Merryn Leave a Comment

Join Lord Henry “Monty” Montague, his bookish sister Felicity and best friend/crush Percy as they embark on a Grand Tour of Europe. The trip is intended to expose Monty to culture, or at least take his embarassing behaviour out of the sight of his father and anyone else important in England. When he returns he is expected to pick up the reins and be the dutiful son and heir. The sensible well laid plans of minder Lockwood have no chance against Monty’s recklessness. Percy is […]

Interesting enough, but with some glaring blindspots

Talking to Strangers: what we should know about the people we don't know by Malcolm Gladwell

December 23, 2020 by Merryn Leave a Comment

This was an interesting but ultimately frustrating read. In his engaging style, Gladwell unpacks a set of human psychological traits that lead us to be very bad at assessing the motives of people we don’t know. But for a book that centres the tragic death of Sandra Bland, there is a huge hole at the centre. Every interaction with a stranger is shaped by our race, gender and position on a multitude of other social hierarchies that are barely acknowledged to Gladwell’s analysis. After starting […]

Mix tape of memories

Almost a Mirror by Kirsten Krauth

December 21, 2020 by Merryn 3 Comments

Jimmy started making a mix tape for Mona for her 15th birthday, a blend of the pretty boy pop she liked and his edgier preferences. The song titles of that slice of the 80s head the short chapters of this arty debut novel that jump Mona back and forward in time from the starstruck girl she was to the woman she has become. There’s a Spotify list if you want to listen along as you read. But I didn’t need to. The musical cues dragged […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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