The Adventures of Monsieur Robinet - John Hegley

A very charming short book of poetry that Dad won the other night for coming up with a joke.

It struck me as I started to write this post that it would be a lovely thing to include a photo of the cover of the books I read, alas both my camera cards are in the computer completing specific functions and I plan to post this before either of them is free.

Anyway, this book has a French translation of each of the poems on the opposite page, a hark back to his mother's French roots.

I shall give it a 3.5 out of 5. :)

Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex - Eoin Colfer

I'm not sure if my favourite part was the return of so many of my favourite literary characters or the optomisitc ending that didn't say "SERIES END" like the last Alex Rider book did.

The story in this one was strange, maybe not as good as it's predecessors, but then again it worked properly primarily because of it's differences. There was more consideration of possibilities that I could guess the outcome of in this one rather than fast paced unpredictable action.

I very much enjoyed this book and will happily recommend it to others (although you should read the first 6 novels in the series first). 3.8/5

Mostly Harmless - Douglas Adams

I didn't remember any of this book, I wonder if I even read it last time round.
I enjoyed this almost as much as the first in the series.
The bird was interesting, so was Random Frequent Flyer Dent.
The intricate sandwich process and the watch and the Perfectly Normal Beasts.

:)

3.8/5

The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pulman

This time I didn't cry, though I felt like it. Very close I was. I have every other time I've finished this novel and when a similar thing happened in Dr. Who. It's heartbreaking.

It's wonderful. A full 5/5 story.

I'm so glad P. Pulman decided to let Lyra have Pan outside of herself while in the other worlds (his first idea was that in worlds where daemons were inside Lyra's, and others from her world, would have them retreat within, still with a clear voice). The land of the dead bit wouldn't have worked nearly as well.

I totally adore the Mulefa and their Sraf.

Will read this again in a few years probably.

Monstroso - Charlie Higson

I read this is no time at all, it's a children's book, a young children's book. One written for the children aware of rolf and lol and noob and pwn. (All these things are referenced along with World of Warcraft).

It was sweet, but not great. Only 2/5  for me. Also, Play.com told me it would come with a free bag, that's why I paid £2 for the book in the first place.I don't have this bag. Fail.

Awkward Situations for Men - Danny Wallace

This is one of Danny's less impressive books. (Though still recommendable.) I know he has grown up, has less chances to undertake such an in-depth and time consuming venture as Yes Man or Friends Like These.

I enjoyed the whole thing, each little aspect of his awkward existence, some that ended well, some badly and some uneventfully. However, overall it was just short of being impressive. A collection of amusing instances and observations, but just that.

I got a free t-shirt with this book when I ordered it. On the front it says "Well this is awkward" and on the back "Well that was awkward". Genius.

3.7/5 (Just to be awkward).

100 Facts About Pandas - David O'Doherty, Claudia O'Doherty & Mike Ahern

This is hilarious. Nearly every page makes you laugh. My friend Alex has memorised many of them too and entertained us in the kitchen a few weeks ago by reciting the most hilarious and memorable ones aloud.

5/5 humour

3/5 readability (has to be in sporadic chunks, reading it through is tiring)

Overall 4/5. I'll pick it up again.