The Screwtape Letters

This was a most amusing book that manages to make you laugh and think at the same time. I felt very sorry for poor Wormwood, though I didn't need Screwtape to tell me he was seriously screwing up. I'm tempted to say that the last letter in the book was the best of the lot.

Though I don't believe in demons or devils or whatever it is that they're supposed to be, I find myself questioned my motivations more now than I did before. As much as this is a work of fiction there is a certain amount of truth underneath, as in all CS Lewis's work.

Highly recommended.

Biting the Wax Tadpole

Goodness it's been a while. This is partly from a disinclination to be online and partly from a disinclination to review old books when I'm reading new books. Of course, the problem with that is that I've already reviewed the Cadfael Chronicles, so I can't review the ones I've just read. A bit of a weird dichotomy.

Anyway, this is a fun romp through languages weird, wonderful and, occasionally, made-up. It reignited my love of languages and introduced me to some I'd never even heard of. It's a delightful book for anyone with a love of or interest in languages.

Tigger on the Couch

Yet another thing I picked up at an Exclusive Books sale. This is a fun analysis of fairy tale and other characters, attempting to diagnose whatever mental maladies they may have. In addition to that, I found it useful in explaining a variety of personality disorders (some of which I'd never even heard of!) in a fun and accessible way. I wouldn't recommend reading it through in one sitting as I did though. It can get a bit repetitive, there are a surprising number of characters suffering from the same problems. I suppose that shouldn't be surprising when analysing fairy tale characters, but it does make the book a little flat in places.

The Discworld

On my last visit to CAFDA, I had the good fortune to spot Reaper Man, by Terry Pratchett. What, exactly, it was doing in the children's section rather than the fantasy section is beyond me, but I grabbed it up as soon as I could.

I love the Discworld series. I love some characters more than others (I have to say that I frequently find the Wizards very irritating) and there are some books that I can do without. However, every Discworld book I've ever read has belonged to someone else, usually my dad. Now, I have the beginnings of my own collection.

I have to say that reviewing the Discworld series seems somewhat superfluous. How can there be people in the world that have not read and enjoyed this series? Granted, the humour may not be to everyone's taste (like my mother, for instance), but they're just such fun! Particularly when they parody particular real-world myths, stories and other things. I'm particularly fond of those books. Also, any book that has significant periods of Death, Tiffany Aching and other witches, the Wee Free Men, etc. I'm also fond of the City Watch.

In short, before I go gushing off again, I shall say that these are just books of fun. A quick afternoon read of happy absurdity before returning to more mundane or serious matters.

Stephanie Plum

I like a good mystery story, no matter what age group it's aimed at. I also like a certain amount of romantic chick-lit (for a particular definition of 'romantic') and, as an adult reader, nothing makes a mystery more enjoyable than a murder. On the other hand, as we've already discussed, I'm a little on the morbid side and probably don't have quite the normal response towards death and the dead (for a given value of normal, of course).

I have read all the numbered books in this series (though I don't own them all) and one of the four 'between the numbers' novels. Though a quick glance at the author's website tells me that number sixteen is about to come out. The first book (One for the Money) is nowhere near as good as the later ones, though I do think there comes a point where the series needs to stop. I don't know that this series has reached that point yet, it's difficult to tell. The books are just pure fun, complete fluff and require absolutely no brain power. In fact, the less brain power the better, as you're less likely to notice how incredibly ridiculous the entire thing is. Stephanie Plum is exceptionally well written in that she's both the clumsy, awkward girl we all are, as well as being the woman we'd all like to be, what with the combination of Morelli and Ranger being all over her.

If you've got an afternoon to kill and are in the mood for something light and fun, these are a must read. And the best part is that there's no need to read them in order, even though earlier events are occasionally referenced.