Review: The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

Winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2011, The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes is a slim book at only 163 pages and I had high hopes as I turned to the first page.

Essentially this is a book about ageing and reflecting back on one's life with the hindsight and wisdom of age. Tony is the narrator of The Sense of an Ending, and in the 1960s he has a relatively idealised vision of his future while attending school with his intellectual and cocky school friends who enjoy exchanging witty banter. After an unsuccessful relationship with girlfriend Veronica, Tony and his close friends eventually lose touch as they disband to different universities etc.  

Forty years later, after becoming a father and going through a divorce, Tony receives news that puts him in touch with Veronica again. The news and subsequent revelations force him to reflect on his life and how it has turned out and how it might have been.  

Tony also begins to face the fact that he is closer to death now and making preparations himself to leave the world soon and considers the legacy he wishes to leave.

Reading The Sense of an Ending for me was like listening in on the private thoughts of a stranger and while interesting, I didn't find them that revolutionary or groundbreaking. I couldn't help but wonder if I would have felt different if I were reading this as a baby boomer or if I'd have been more touched by his reflections if I'd been reading this at a later stage in my own life? Unfortunately I don't think so.

Clearly the literati and booklovers the world over fell in love with The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes, but it just wasn't the book for me. If it swept you away, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Review: Blackwater Moon by B. Michael Radburn

* From Publisher for review * 

Blackwater Moon is a brand new release (published 1 October) written by Australian author B. Michael Radburn.  Regular readers of Carpe Librum will remember my interview with Radburn in August of this year following my review of his debut novel The Crossing set in Tasmania.

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of Blackwater Moon for review from Pantera Press and please believe me when I say I was blown away!  I wish Blackwater Moon had been Radburn's debut novel; it was rich in plot and characters and daring in a way I rarely see from Aussie authors.

Andy Walker is a young boy from a turbulent home growing up in a relatively small town when we meet him, and he is soon changed.  There is a strong element of crime in the novel while the reader also follows Andy through his teen years, early adulthood and into manhood.

I thought I knew what the climax was building towards early on in the novel and pretty much thought I had the plot 'sussed' but boy was I wrong!  Blackwater Moon is dark but also beautiful and the author isn't afraid to write characters out that in other novels would be best supporting characters for the duration of the book. In Radburn's hands, these characters (e.g. a likeable policemen) make way for others who come in and quickly take their place in the reader's hearts; it's daring but it works!

Blackwater Moon seemed to have different phases where Andy Walker was moving through his life and each was rich with content and feeling with the shadow of the past lurking beneath.  It was filled with suspense and I was eager to find out what would happen next.  I also enjoyed Andy's personal reflections and his character development as he worked through the trauma of his past and life's hurdles from that time on.

I thoroughly enjoyed Blackwater Moon, and I hope B. Michael Radburn continues to write in this style going forward.

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Gunslinger by Stephen King

Background
I've been reading and enjoying books from bestselling author Stephen King for years, but have never ventured into his Dark Tower series of books.

Stephen King refers to this as his magnum opus, starting to write it in 1970 and finishing it in approximately 2003. I had heard it was like a spaghetti western, but had previously been overwhelmed by the series of seven books and in particular the covers; it was never clear from the covers which book in the series you were looking at.

When earlier in the year The Wind Through The Keyhole was published, I decided I would make the commitment and read it. It just so happens that Hachette Australia was running a competition on Twitter to win a copy of the entire series and I was the lucky winner, woohoo!!! So now I have a copy of the entire series; see my blog post about the win here, including a photo.

Review
It was obvious quite early on in this slim volume (238 pages) that The Gunslinger was the foundation for a much larger series and therefore contains clues throughout the pages that allude to events that the reader will no doubt learn more about in subsequent novels. There are snippets provided regarding character backstories, that will no doubt be filled out in later novels. Information regarding the existence of the dark tower - from which the series takes its name - is scant, which creates an incentive to read the next book.

King acknowledged J.R.R. Tolkien in his introduction, and in particular the 'sweep of his imagination.' By the end of reading The Gunslinger I had way more questions than answers but I understand that King has set out to create a new world with a set of rules, a quest of sorts and The Gunslinger is just the beginning. 

It was just an 'okay' read for me, but I'm going to persist with the knowledge that this was just the foundation and the hope that the series will take off from here.

My rating = **1/2

Carpe Librum!

Review: Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth is essentially the story of Rapunzel, a children's story we all think we know pretty well. However in the hands of Australian author Kate Forsyth - who is currently undertaking a Doctorate in fairytale retellings - the story is told anew and adult readers are in for an absolute treat!

Early on, we meet Margherita, a young girl living with her parents on their modest income until she is cruelly snatched away by a witch for payment on a promise made by her father a long time ago.

Charlotte-Rose de la Force is living at court in Versailles, France until she falls out of favour with the Sun King Louis XIV and is sent to a nunnery. Always writing stories, Charlotte-Rose is keen to listen to an old tale from one of the nuns about a young girl sold for a handful of bitter greens.

La Strega Bella is the witch who locked Rapunzel in the tower and we are given a first person peek at what drove her to those extremes. The reader is taken back to her time as a young girl to find out what drove her towards the dangerous world of dark magic.

Three lives, three women all interconnected with elements of historical fiction combined with fairytale and magic make for an enchanting and compelling read and I was glued from the first few pages. Even the cover is enticing, and I knew by page 50 that Bitter Greens was going to be a 5 star read for me and I relished every page.

The novel is on the darker side of fairytale, so don't be expecting shades of Disney or be surprised when the plague comes knocking. Oh, and saucy too! The final third of the novel is quite tantalising - let me tell you - so be prepared ;-)

Finally, I recommend Bitter Greens to readers who enjoy historical fiction, fairytales and those who enjoy stories with passion, love, hardship, revenge and redemption.

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

(P.S. I'm also pleased that Bitter Greens qualifies for both reading challenges).

Review: Thursday At Noon by William F. Brown

* From author for review *

This is my third book from author William F. Brown, having previously read and reviewed The Undertaker (4 stars) and Amongst My Enemies (3 stars). Each novel has been a stand alone and unique from the one before it and Thursday At Noon covers new territory again.

Set in Cairo in the early 1960s, Richard Thomson is a disgraced CIA agent after a failed mission in Damascus. He is having a drink in a bar when he is approached by a man with some photographs to sell. After refusing to buy them, the man is later beheaded, the photographs disappear and Thomson is suspected of his murder. So the story begins.

Thursday At Noon is a spy thriller involving the CIA, and the fate of Egypt with a military plot and the future being decided on Thursday at noon.

I was particular drawn to the character of the Chief of Homicide Police in Cairo, Captain Hassan Saleh, injured and now with a withered leg and walking with a cane. His character was incredibly intriguing to me and way more interesting than that of the main character Thomson. Wearing pristine white suits, and arriving at his destination early so that others wouldn't see him walking with such excruciating pain was incredibly moving. I'd love to read a novel where he was the central character, solving crimes in Cairo.

Moving on though, the romance Thomson developed towards the end of the novel however was completely laughable and not necessary to the plot development. I'm a female reader and not really into spy novels, and this romance didn't do it for me; it would have been better not to have been there at all. And the "Richard Richard" dialogue when the character had been referred to as Thomson throughout was jarring for the reader and felt very out of place, being the most exciting part of the storyline.

I recommend this novel for male readers who enjoy spy thrillers peppered with CIA hierarchy relationships, Nazis working on a secret project, gun fights, car chases, goons, and the occasional political/military coup. You will be crying out for more!

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Unfinished Journals of Elizabeth D by Nichole Bernier

* From Publisher for review *

I was lucky enough to read The Unfinished Journals of Elizabeth D by Nichole Bernier as part of an Allen & Unwin read-along hosted over at 1 Girl 2 Many Books.

Essentially it's the story Kate, who is grieving the loss of her friend Elizabeth (of the title) who kept a journal throughout her life, which was cut short after a plane crash, leaving her husband a widower with young children.

In her will, Elizabeth leaves her journals to Kate, mentioning that she will have the sensitivity to decide what to do with them.

I found the novel confronting in the beginning. As Kate was reflecting and processing her friend's passing, it was hard not to draw parallel comparisons to your own life and consequently forcing me as the reader to consider my own mortality. For this reason I found myself feeling rather depressed at times and reluctant to pick up the book.

What I did enjoy - whilst trying to bat aside that heavy feeling - was the sense or theme of identity Kate was battling or searching for within herself and only just discovering about her friend by reading Elizabeth's journals.

Two marriages are also observed between the pages of the novel and the pages of Elizabeth's journals, that sparked much discussion during the read-along. I enjoyed the fact that the two main female characters (Elizabeth & Kate) and their respective husbands weren't perfect, nor were they ever completely or fully characterised or revealed in the book. The author didn't spoon feed the reader every little tidbit and then tie a bow on it.

The reader was not given every journal entry we may have wished to have read (bummer) and although the 'big' answer to the mystery was provided at the end, subtle consequences and outcomes were left open. I appreciated this as it's more realistic and in keeping with life, although some readers prefer to have their novels delivered on a silver platter with every little thread tied up at the end. What type of reader are you? I loathe a completely ambiguous ending! 

I've also got to comment on the cover, I absolutely adored it!  It's not entirely a soft cover or hard cover but somewhere in between. The cover protrudes over the pages a little to protect them, and it's just a gorgeous and beautiful book to hold in your hands.

Since reading The Unfinished Journals of Elizabeth D, I have purchased a fountain pen in readiness to begin a travel journal. Was I influenced by Elizabeth or would I have done the same anyway? Who's to know... All in all, a good read.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

My Four Bucks is re-branded Carpe Librum

I'm thrilled to announce that after seven years in operation, the My Four Bucks blog is undergoing a huge name change and today is being rebranded as follows:

My Four Bucks is being relaunched as:

Carpe Librum

(Seize The Book)

I look forward to bringing you even more book reviews across a wide variety of genres, interesting interviews with engaging authors and snippets of bookish news. There will also be competitions and giveaways when possible, so I'll hope you'll join me and share your favourite books.

In order to celebrate the renaming of the site to Carpe Librum, the first three people to comment on this post will receive a bookmark in the mail (Australia and Overseas).  Leave a comment about the new blog name to win.

Happy Reading !

Change is Coming to My Four Bucks

Just a quick note to let everyone know that change is coming to My Four Bucks very soon!  I'm working on a few changes including a big name change, so stay tuned :-)

Review: Second Glance by Jodi Picoult

Bestselling author Jodi Picoult has published an astounding twenty novels, and has achieved global success as a writer. Probably best known for her novel My Sister's Keeper published in 2004 and later made into a movie in 2009, reading Second Glance was my first introduction to Jodi Picoult's work.

The blurb describes Second Glance as: "One of Jodi Picoult's eeriest and most engrossing works, this is a story about the things that come back to haunt us - literally and metaphorically." Reading this, I figured it sounded like the perfect place to start.

A house and large plot of land is being sold in Vermont, but little does the buyer know, the house has a history. Strange things begin to happen as the developer begins to demolish the house, and Ross - a paranormal investigator, in town to visit his sister - offers to look into the situation.

What he doesn't expect is to fall in love and re-open a 70 year old murder case. Picoult takes us back in time to when owners of the house were leaders in eugenics and a terrible tragedy took place.

This is a story of love, family and identity, and Picoult deftly weaves the story and the characters together in a meaningful and touching way. I enjoyed learning how the characters were linked together and how destiny or fate played a role in each of their lives. It was quite beautiful although at times heartbreaking.

"I think Second Glance is my biggest accomplishment to date." - Jodi Picoult (Source: author website, August 2012)

This was a fabulous introduction to popular author Jodi Picoult and I'll be sure to read more of her work in the future.

My rating = ***1/2

Carpe Librum!

Interview with B. Michael Radburn, author of The Crossing

B. Michael Radburn

Australian author B. Michael Radburn drops by to talk about writing, reading, his favourite bookshop, and his newest book Blackwater Moon. Radburn is the author of the chilling tale, The Crossing, published by Pantera Press.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
All writers were readers first. Once I found an author whose work really spoke to me, I saw it as more than an art form. It was a way to explore your emotions in the safety of a fictitious world. For me the itch began when I read Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes. I was twelve.

Having published more than 80 short stories, articles and reviews during your writing career, how did writing The Crossing differ?
Surprisingly, the disciplines required to write short stories for commercial markets helped me write The Crossing. Having limited word counts for many of the major magazines means you have to carefully consider pace and story relevance. In a crime thriller, these principles are very important. Therefore it was wonderful to have the broader platform of a novel to develop my characters further. The Crossing is carried by its quirky ensemble of characters, which is one of the book’s strengths.

When do you do your best work? Do you have any particular writing routines or quirky habits you've developed over the years?
I’m not the kind of author who needs a special place to write. I travel a lot with my work, so with laptop in hand, I can write at home, on a plane, or in a hotel room. The closest thing to a routine is that I prefer to do my creative writing in the mornings when my mind is fresh and clear. Evenings are better for research and plot development. If I suffer from writer's block I jump on my Harley and everything seems to fall into place again on the highway.

The main character in The Crossing is a Ranger in Glorys Crossing, Tasmania, a (fictional) town which is slowly being drowned by a local dam project. This makes for an original and eerie setting for a novel, what inspired you to choose this location and setting?
The Tasmanian landscape was important to me because the island has a deep sense of history. From a “mainlander’s” point of view, its isolation and unpredictable climate lends itself as the perfect setting for The Crossing which required a strong notion of place about it.

I was down there in the 1980’s when the eco-battle to save the Franklin River was on. I remember walking the streets of a nearby village, imagining it drowning beneath the dam waters, its history – and secrets – gone forever. It was an image that stayed with me all this time and formed the genesis of The Crossing.

My favourite character in The Crossing was The Librarian – the hoarder and master of information in the form of newspapers, books, reports and microfiche; mountains of paper stacked all around him. How did this character manifest on the page? I'd love to know more about him!
My process of creating characters for The Crossing required a complex mix of individuals, yet each needed that underlying drive of seeking redemption. Before the creative process of any piece, I write a detailed character profile. This entails physical description, general background and even a psychological profile in the case of more complex characters like the Librarian.

But of all the characters, he and Taylor virtually wrote themselves. This became evident whenever the two engaged in the story. It was almost like I was merely sitting in the corner taking notes.

Was it important to you that your novel was distinctly Australian?
I gave this a lot of thought while developing the storyline, and felt there was scope to not just to write a fast paced thriller for the Australian market, but also to write an Australian story to appeal to a wider international market as well.

This weekend is National Bookshop Day, do you have a favourite bookshop, and what makes it special?
I like Abbeys in the City in Sydney. I discovered Abbeys way back in the 1970’s when I was in my late teens. It was worth the travel because you were guaranteed finding the book you were after and many you weren’t. It’s still there today, and brings back many fond memories.

What are some of your favourite books and authors?
Anything by the late Ray Bradbury. He’s an author that uniquely tackles adult fears through the eyes of a child. I’ve been a keen fan of Stephen King’s work too. His early novels like Salem’s Lot, The Shining and The Stand are wonderful. But the one book I can go back to time and time again is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. I’d have to say that book is my all time favourite.

As for more modern writers, I’ve become a big fan of Tess Gerritsen’s work. Books like The Surgeon and The Apprentice. I was fortunate enough to meet Tess at a writer’s event last year. She’s amazing.

Do you have any literary influences?
Most writers begin their careers by emulating their favourite authors. Stephen King’s work was the most influential when I began, and from there I developed my own style. A little while later I met Stephen at a writers’ convention we were both speaking at in Canada. We got together at an after-party and I’ll never forget the insights on writing he offered. Guidelines I continue to use in my writing courses and general approach to the craft. Wow, how incredible to meet one of your favourite authors and biggest literary influences. You obviously made the most of the opportunity when many of us would have been star struck (like me).

Tell us a little about your new novel due out soon, Blackwater Moon.
Blackwater Moon is a brooding crime thriller set in the fictitious riverlands town of Blackwater. Set over several decades, it’s not only about “the crime”, but about the influence that one moment in time has over both the perpetrator and victim, all leading to a climax that you won’t see coming. I’m really happy with it.

Anything else in the pipeline?
I’m currently working on a sequel to The Crossing. Taylor Bridges and Sam Grady join forces again to solve a series of murders uncovered after a forest fire reveals the remote kill grounds of a serial killer. I’m really enjoying working with those two characters again.

A sequel sounds exciting, I hope the Librarian makes an appearance! Thanks for joining us here at Carpe Librum and I'm looking forward to reading Blackwater Moon!

Review: Beneath the Darkening Sky by Majok Tulba

* From Channel Ten, The Circle for review *


Obinna's life of tending goats in a small village in Sudan comes crashing around his ears one night when rebels enter the village looking for blood and new recruits to fight in the ongoing civil war. The rebels determine potential recruits by measuring the height of young boys against that of an AK-47. Those taller than the AK-47 are rounded up and taken from the village and those shorter are spared.

What makes Beneath The Darkening Sky amazing is that Australian Sudanese refugee Majok Tulba is writing from experience; rebels came for him on two occasions. The first time he was too short and the second time he was so sick the rebels decided he was going to die in a few days anyway. Well Tulba survived and made it to a refugee camp and in 2001 came to Australia and Beneath The Darkening Sky is a fictionalised story of what might have happened had he been taken.

Given the subject matter, you would be forgiven for assuming this would be a difficult and dark read with possible political over/undertones however be prepared for a pleasant surprise. This is an incredibly moving read without any political agenda.

Both Obinna and his older brother Akot are kidnapped by the rebels and begin their training as soldiers. Obinna resists the doctrine with all his might, singing Sunday school songs under his breath instead of the party songs and befriending an older soldier by the name of Priest who acts as a mentor and friend.

Obinna longs to return to his village and his observations and innocence are so clear to the reader it's both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Time moves on and Priest guides Obinna, teaching him how to survive at the rebel camp.

Beneath The Darkening Sky is incredibly moving and a breathtaking read. The writing is superb and there are some wonderful moments that have stayed with me after reading. I haven't wanted to put it back on the bookshelf after reading, which is a sign of a great book.

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Crossing by B. Michael Radburn

* From Publisher for review *

Set in Glorys Crossing, Tasmania, The Crossing is the debut novel from Aussie author B. Michael Radburn.  

Taylor Bridges is a Ranger working in the local National Park at Glorys Crossing, having left his wife and moved from the mainland after the tragedy of his daughter's disappearance.  The town is slowly being flooded by a massive dam project and residents are slowly leaving the town as the floodwaters reach their doorsteps.

When local girl Drew goes missing, Taylor is reminded of his daughter Claire's disappearance and tries to find her, fighting his fatigue and beginning to question his chronic sleepwalking problem.

This is a chilly tale and I really felt the cold while following Taylor on his rounds through deserted areas of Glorys Crossing or preparing a simple meal by the fire in the stark Ranger's cabin.  

My favourite character in the town by far was the Librarian.  Living in an impressive looking house, he wasn't a traditional librarian but a hoarder and master of information in the form of newspapers, books, reports and microfiche and was the unofficial 'go-to' person for information.

Radburn pays tribute to the Tassie devil via one of the characters in The Crossing in an unexpected way.  I enjoyed this aspect (although I won't spoil the surprise) and it significantly added to the Australian tone of the novel; I'll certainly be glad to include The Crossing as part of my Aussie Author Reading Challenge.

I've just learned B. Michael Radburn has a new book out soon called Blackwater Moon and I'll definitely be checking that one out, so stay tuned!

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Read-Along: The Unfinished Journals of Elizabeth D by Nichole Bernier

Exciting news to share! In approximately 2 weeks I'll be participating in another Allen & Unwin sponsored read-along, hosted by Bree over at her 1 Girl 2 Many Books blog.

The great news is that you can participate too!  The read-along is open to Australian residents only, and commences on approximately 15 August.  Allen & Unwin will send you a free copy of The Unfinished Journals of Elizabeth D by Nichole Bernier which everyone will read together at the same pace.

Weekly discussions are hosted at the 1 Girl 2 Many Books blog, and all participants must post their thoughts and comments on the blog.  Having just participated in a read-along hosted by Bree, I can assure you this is a fabulous reading experience.

Click here to find out more and join the read-along.

Guest Blogger for Aussie Author Challenge 2012

Screenshot of blog post
www.bookloverbookreviews.com

I'm very excited to be the Aussie Author Challenge 2012 Guest Blogger for July over at Booklover Book Reviews today.  It was wonderful to be the one interviewed for a change and a nice surprise to be chosen.

As most of you already know, I'm participating in the Aussie Author Challenge and striving to achieve Dinky Di status by reading and reviewing 12 books by at least 6 different Aussie authors.

It's a fabulous way to introduce more Aussie books into your reading schedule and enjoy the talent we have here at home.

I've enjoyed reading the interviews by other book bloggers and it was a lot of fun to be part of it myself.  Click here to read the interview for yourself and happy reading!

Review: Rocks in the Belly by Jon Bauer

Rocks in the Belly is narrated by an eight year old boy, an only child desperate for his parents' affections.  His mother brings in foster boys which incites a fierce and sometimes dark jealousy.  Possessive of his mother's attention, her son does whatever he can to monopolise her affections and when Robert joins their family, all this is set to escalate.

Originally from the UK, but now an Australian citizen living in Melbourne, it's hard to believe this is Jon Bauer's first novel.  I read a sample chapter in Good Reading Magazine a long time ago and I recall it had me hooked right away.

The reader never learns the name of the troubled young boy in Rocks in the Belly, however his observations are unique and dark, strangely youthful and sometimes quite funny.  Offsetting the humour are unexpected sociopathic thoughts and shocking behaviour that reminded me of movies like The Good Son.  

Interspersed between the chapters we meet the young boy as an adult, returning to the family home to look after his mother in the very last stages of a terminal illness, her mind almost lost to a brain tumour.  The two of them together dance around the shadows of the past slowly revealing to the reader the shocking events of years ago.

This is an excellent read and I thoroughly enjoyed the sections narrated by the young boy, they were piercing and unpredictable and definitely kept the pace flying along.  I'd definitely recommend Rocks in the Belly by Jon Bauer; the young character is likely to stick with you for a while afterwards.

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

N.B. I'm also pleased that this novel qualifies for the Aussie Author Challenge 2012.

Review: Zapped - Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn't Be Your Alarm Clock by Ann Louise Gittleman

Zapped - Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn't Be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution by Ann Louise Gittleman is an informative read about the prevalence and damage that electromagnetic fields (EMF) and electronic pollution and how to mitigate these in the home and at work.  

As the title suggests, this encompasses radiation from mobile phones, microwaves and high voltage power poles, all generally accepted by the majority of people to 'not be good for us.'  

However Zapped goes even further to suggest that today's lifestyle is full of electronic devices such as wi-fi, laptops, ipads, cordless phones, ipods, televisions and time-saving kitchen appliances.  Put simply, we are bombarded by EMF every day.  Every room in our house has multiple devices plugged into powerpoints and some cases powerboards.  At the time of writing this post, I have twelve other wi-fi networks criss-crossing mine at home making thirteen in total. Wow!

Some of us are sensitive to EMF and Gittleman believes that many health related problems that have been attributed to stress or other conditions can be attributed to EMF, even going so far as to suggest conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, migraines and more.  Her evidence and information is quite compelling and certainly makes for interesting reading.

Zapped contains many resources including websites, and suggestions for further reading and I was pleased to see reference to Earthing - The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? by Clinton Ober which is one way to reduce EMF exposure.  I've read this book, purchased and use the products daily.

Zapped is a great reference book with measurements, advice and guidance for those wanting to learn more about the environment around them.  Did you know you can buy house paint to reduce your own exposure to mobile phone towers? Zapped - Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn't Be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution.

My rating = ****

Carpe Librum!

Review: Gone For Good by Harlan Coben

Gone For Good by Harlan Coben is the story of Will Klein.  He lost his older brother Ken at a young age, when Ken fled the family home after being accused of murdering Will's ex girlfriend Julie and was never heard from again.  Eleven years on and Will's mother is losing a battle with a terminal illness and gives Will the news that his brother is still alive.

His mother's death and her shocking revelation sets a number of events into motion.  Will's girlfriend disappears and he begins to find out more about his brother Ken and the past he never new about.

The best character in Gone For Good is undoubtedly Will's friend, Squares.  Squares got his nickname after having his swastika - that was tattooed on his forehead in his misspent youth - tattooed into squares rather than removed, to remind him of his troubled past.  Squares and Will both work at Covenant House, reaching out to homeless youths and trying to offer them a better future.

Will believes his brother Ken is innocent, however he is torn between a love for his brother and doing the right thing.  There is danger and tension throughout this thriller and a twist that caught me a little by surprise.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!

Review: The Richest Man In Babylon by George S. Clason

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason is a modern classic and has sold millions of copies.  It's a collection of parables set in ancient Babylon based around financial wisdom and how to achieve wealth and reach financial independence.

The lessons apply as much in today's society as they did in ancient Babylon, and each story or parable has a cast of characters, a plot and is enjoyable to read.

Originally these stories were published as pamphlets and issued to customers of banks and insurance companies before being brought together and published as a book in 1926 entitled The Richest Man in Babylon, which is quite interesting.

Since then, the book has gone on to sell millions, and the simple financial concepts, such as: "a part of all you earn is yours to keep" and the "Seven Cures for a Lean Purse" have become familiar and accessible to many.

If you haven't read it already, I recommend you do; and at a mere 144 pages, it's a very quick read.

My rating = ***1/2

Carpe Librum!

Gothic Tales

I love a good gothic novel, so I've put together a list of gothic tales I've read and have mentioned them below. I've included links to my reviews where possible and continue to update this list each year. I would love to hear about any gothic tales you've enjoyed.

Gothic Novels*

Andahazi, Federico (The Merciful Women)

Andrews, Rosie (The Leviathan)
Bailey, Catherine (The Secret Rooms)
Bayley, Natalie (Bone Rites)
Cantero, Edgar (The Supernatural Enhancements)

Carter, Angela (The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories)
Challinor, Deborah (Black Silk and Sympathy)
Chase, Eve (Black Rabbit Hall)

Cohen, Julie (Spirited)
Collins, Bridget (The Silence Factory)
Conrad, Joseph (Heart of Darkness)
Davids, Nadia (Cape Fever)
Devenish, Luke (The Secret Heiress)
Dickens, Charles (Great Expectations)
Dickens, Charles (Oliver Twist)
Dickens, Charles (A Christmas Carol)
Du Maurier, Daphne (Rebecca)
Eco, Umberto (The Name of the Rose)
Egan, Jennifer (The Keep)
Elmas, Stephanie (The Room Beyond)

Frank, Anita (The Lost Ones)

Fox, Hester (The Widow of Pale Harbour)
Griffiths, Elly (The Stranger Diaries)
Halls, Stacey (Mrs England)
Harris, Jane (The Observations)
Harrow, Alix E. (Starling House)
Hart, Emilia (Weyward)
Hawthorne, Nathaniel (The Scarlet Letter)
Hill, Susan (The Small Hand)
Hyland, Angus & Roberts, Caroline (The Book of the Raven - Corvids in Art & Legend)
Jackson, Shirley (We Have Always Lived in the Castle)
James, Henry (The Turn of the Screw)
James, Rebecca (The Woman in the Mirror)

Jennings, Kathleen (Flyaway)
Kidd, Jess (Things In Jars)

Lyons-Lee, Belinda (Tussaud)
Lyons-Lee, Belinda (The Haunting of Mr and Mrs Stevenson)
Mas, Victoria (The Mad Women's Ball)
Maurier, Daphne Du (Rebecca)
Mazzola, Anna (The Story Keeper)
McGill, Bernie (The Butterfly Cabinet)
Meyer, Stephanie (Twilight)
Morton, Kate (The Distant Hours)
Morton, Kate (The Shifting Fog)
Moss, Tara (The Blood Countess: Pandora English Novel)
Nathan, Alix (The Warlow Experiment)
Nunn, Kayte (The Silk House)
Paver, Michelle (Wakenhyrst)
Perry, Sarah (Melmoth)
Purcell, Laura (The Silent Companions)
Purcell, Laura (The Corset)
Purcell, Laura (Bone China)

Purcell, Laura (The Shape of Darkness)
Purcell, Laura (The Whispering Muse)
Rayne, Sarah (What Lies Beneath)
Rice, Anne (Angel Time - The Songs of the Seraphim)
Rice, Anne (Interview With The Vampire)
Rice, Anne (Memnoch the Devil)
Rice, Anne (The Vampire Lestat)
Rice, Anne (Violin)
Rose, M.J. (Seduction: A Novel of Suspense)
Schwab, V.E. (Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil)
Setterfield, Diane (The Thirteenth Tale)
Setterfield, Diane (Once Upon a River)
Shelley, Mary (Frankenstein)
Shenje, Kuchenga (The Library Thief)
Stevens, Amanda (The Restorer)
Stoker, Bram (Dracula)
Ware, Ruth (The Turn of the Key)
Ware, Ruth (The Death of Mrs Westaway)
Waters, Sarah (The Little Stranger)
Webber, Andrew Lloyd (Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera Companion)
Wells, H.G. (The War of the Worlds)
Wilde, Oscar (The Picture of Dorian Gray)
Zafon, Carlos Ruiz (The Shadow of the Wind)
Zafon, Carlos Ruiz (The Angel’s Game)

* Last updated 13 May 2026

What makes a novel Gothic?

1. Setting in a castle. The action takes place in and around an old castle, sometimes seemingly abandoned, sometimes occupied. The castle often contains secret passages, trap doors, secret rooms, dark or hidden staircases, and possibly ruined sections. The castle may be near or connected to caves, which lend their own haunting flavor with their branchings, claustrophobia, and mystery. (Translated into modern filmmaking, the setting might be in an old house or mansion--or even a new house--where unusual camera angles, sustained close ups during movement, and darkness or shadows create the same sense of claustrophobia and entrapment.)

2. An atmosphere of mystery and suspense. The work is pervaded by a threatening feeling, a fear enhanced by the unknown. Often the plot itself is built around a mystery, such as unknown parentage, a disappearance, or some other inexplicable event. Elements 3, 4, and 5 below contribute to this atmosphere. (Again, in modern filmmaking, the inexplicable events are often murders.)

3. An ancient prophecy is connected with the castle or its inhabitants (either former or present). The prophecy is usually obscure, partial, or confusing. "What could it mean?" In more watered down modern examples, this may amount to merely a legend: "It's said that the ghost of old man Krebs still wanders these halls."

4. Omens, portents, visions. A character may have a disturbing dream vision, or some phenomenon may be seen as a portent of coming events. For example, if the statue of the lord of the manor falls over, it may portend his death. In modern fiction, a character might see something (a shadowy figure stabbing another shadowy figure) and think that it was a dream. This might be thought of as an "imitation vision."

5. Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events. Dramatic, amazing events occur, such as ghosts or giants walking, or inanimate objects (such as a suit of armor or painting) coming to life. In some works, the events are ultimately given a natural explanation, while in others the events are truly supernatural.

6. High, even overwrought emotion. The narration may be highly sentimental, and the characters are often overcome by anger, sorrow, surprise, and especially, terror. Characters suffer from raw nerves and a feeling of impending doom. Crying and emotional speeches are frequent. Breathlessness and panic are common. In the filmed gothic, screaming is common.

7. Women in distress. As an appeal to the pathos and sympathy of the reader, the female characters often face events that leave them fainting, terrified, screaming, and/or sobbing. A lonely, pensive, and oppressed heroine is often the central figure of the novel, so her sufferings are even more pronounced and the focus of attention. The women suffer all the more because they are often abandoned, left alone (either on purpose or by accident), and have no protector at times.

8. Women threatened by a powerful, impulsive, tyrannical male. One or more male characters has the power, as king, lord of the manor, father, or guardian, to demand that one or more of the female characters do something intolerable. The woman may be commanded to marry someone she does not love (it may even be the powerful male himself), or commit a crime.

9. The metonymy of gloom and horror. Metonymy is a subtype of metaphor, in which something (like rain) is used to stand for something else (like sorrow). For example, the film industry likes to use metonymy as a quick shorthand, so we often notice that it is raining in funeral scenes. Note that the following metonymies for "doom and gloom" all suggest some element of mystery, danger, or the supernatural.

This list of gothic elements has come directly from the Virtual Salt website.

Review: Breathless by Dean Koontz

Grady Adams lives on his own in the Colorado mountains together with his massive Irish Wolfhound named Merlin and the book takes off when they come across a pair of animals Grady has never seen before. Grady asks his friend Cammy Rivers - a vet - to come and take a look, and she names the unique, gentle, inquisitive creatures Puzzle and Riddle, and it soon becomes apparent that these creatures will change the world.

Meanwhile there are two sub plots taking place that eventually link up at the end to make for a great climax. I've said it before, but Koontz loves to write about dogs and animals and Breathless carries on this theme.

There was a particularly good section of writing that made me laugh and is a good example of why I keep returning to Koontz. The excerpt comes from Page 216:

"If Northcott's smile looked like a grimace, then his grimace was more like the expression of a man who found a live cockroach swimming in his soup at the very moment he broke a tooth on a ball bearing spooned from the same bowl."

Classic! All in all, this was an easy read and highly recommended for animal lovers everywhere.

My rating = ***

Carpe Librum!