Book List 2009
Title: Shining Darkness
Author: Mark Michalowski
Pages: 251
Language: English
Keywords: science fiction
Rating: 6/10
Thoughts: an example of a tie-in novel gone wrong. I'd never before read a Doctor Who novel and after this I'm not sure I ever will again. The Doctor felt off and Michalowski only occasionally managed to get his voice right. Maybe that's what kept me pulling out of the story. Donna, on the other hand, was her arse-kicked self, which was a relief. The plot itself was flimsy and rather boring. Not a rec.
Title: Herr Der Diebe (The Thief Lord)
Author: Cornelia Funke
Pages: 390
Language: German
Keywords: youth
Rating: 8/10
Thoughts: I'd heard many great stories about Funke before I started reading this book and all the praise is totally deserved! Funke's style is just what I would expect from an exciting youth novel. The only thing I wasn't so sure about was the ending, which felt a little dragged out, but apart from that I think she's done a marvelous job writing something for a younger and an older audience.
Title: Tegenspel
Author: Floortje Zwigtman
Pages: 492
Language: Dutch
Keywords: historical fiction/youth
Rating: 9/10
Thoughts: this book was as great as its predecessor 'Schijnbewegingen'. Zwigtman really knows how to describe the romantic struggle between former rent-boy Adrian and his artistic and aristocratic lover Vincent. Just a shame that I need to wait another year for the last part in the 'Green Flower' series, as this book ends on a real cliffhanger!
Title: Het Diner
Author: Herman Koch
Pages: 300
Language: Dutch
Keywords: contemporary fiction
Rating: 8/10
Thoughts: I'm not a fan of Dutch literature, but after one of my colleagues nearly forced me to read it regardless, I gave in. I'm glad I did, too, as this was one of the best Dutch books I've read. It felt like a modern, culinary Jeckell and Hide with a real twist at the end.
Title: Company of Liars
Author: Karen Maitland
Pages: 559
Language: English
Keywords: historical fiction
Rating: 10/10
Thoughts: loved it, loved it, loved it! History, myths and fairytales are all woven into one in this amazing debut novel. Every single character feels totally real and believable, the plot is different from anything I've ever read before and the details are gory and scary: just how I like them. Pick this one up if you can!
Title: Almost Perfect
Author: James Goss
Pages: 251
Language: English
Keywords: science fiction
Rating: 7/10
Thoughts: I like me a good tie-in novel, especially Torchwood-related ones, but despite that I almost didn't pick this one up. I just didn't feel the need to read about Ianto as a woman. I'm glad my inner nerd won out in the end and made me buy it just for the sake of completing my collection, because this was one of the best TW novels so far. Fast-paced, exciting and adventurous it's just what some episodes of the show miss. Then why the 7 out of 10? Goss's grasp on Ianto as a character is really not all that great and I could have done with less clichés. Still, it was worth the buy, if only for those great fire aliens!
Title: Mr. Toppit
Author: Charles Elton
Pages: 343
Language: English
Keywords: contemporary fiction
Rating: 4/10
Thoughts: I usually finish reading the books I start on, but this one gave me real trouble. A real disappointment, too, as I had expected something Tim Burtonesque judging the book by its cover and the snippet at the back. Two dimensional characters, a plot that doesn't go anywhere except down the drain and downright boring pages of introspective ramblings give this book little less value than life as a coaster. Thank God I didn't buy it. A waste of paper, words and time.
Title: The Pillars of the Earth
Author: Ken Follett
Pages: 1088
Language: English
Keywords: historical fiction
Rating: 9/10
Thoughts: after a slow start this book really picks up in speed and excitement. It's long and glorious, with tons of beautifully researched details, a bunch of info on Medieval architecture and interesting characters. Being used to faster-paced novels I needed a little time to start and appreciate Follett's pace and way with words, but man, it's worth it! A totally deserved 9 out of 10.
Title: Schijnbewegingen
Author: Floortje Zwigtman
Pages: 509
Language: Dutch
Keywords: historical fiction/youth
Rating: 9/10
Thoughts: beautifully researched, exciting and touching novel set in Victorian London. Adrian, a tailor's apprentice, rolls into the world of art, fortune, fame and the freedom of sexuality as his path crosses with those of Oscar Wilde and his gang of jolly friends. Admittedly, this novel could have been a total disaster - including well-known names is a tricky business - but Zwigtman did it beautifully. Gorgeous!
Title: Skypoint
Author: Phil Ford
Pages: 251
Language: English
Keywords: science fiction
Rating: 7/10
Thoughts: the eighth book of the series of Torchwood tie-in novels. Not my favourite of the bunch. Nice portrayal of Owen, but the introduction of the characters was unnecessary and boring, and the author obviously forgot about certain team members halfway through the book. Not a must-read.
Title: The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Author: J.K. Rowling
Pages: 108
Language: English
Keywords: fantasy
Rating: 7/10
Thoughts: okay, it was cute and I did like two of the stories, but of course the real power of this tiny little book are Dumbledore's notes. Cute, perfect for a read during my break at work (or during work, as it were), but nothing special.
Title: The Graveyard Book
Author: Neil Gaiman
Pages: 312
Language: English
Keywords: fantasy
Rating: 8/10
Thoughts: Gaiman is back to his old high standards with this lovely little novel. It's touching and warm and has a hopeful undertone, despite the fact that the end made me cry. Gaiman is still the master of fantasy to me.
Title: Sovereign
Author: C.J. Sansom
Pages: 662
Language: English
Keywords: historical detective (Tudor times)
Rating: 9/10
Thoughts: just like Dark Fire, this book was a gem amongst historical whodunits. Gorgeous, extensive and exciting with some (and I love this) absolutely bloody horror parts. What are you guys waiting for? Go read Sansom's books!
Title: Dark Fire
Author: C.J. Sansom
Pages: 595
Language: English
Keywords: historical detective (Tudor times)
Rating: 9/10
Thoughts: exciting until the last page, wonderfully accurate in terms of historic events, interesting characters, lovely prose. Nothing but praise and a total recommendation for anyone who likes to read historical novels and detectives