One Foot in the Grave

Book 4 of 2016 is One Foot in the Grave from the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost.

This is book 2 of the Night Huntress series and I think I will continue. This book was much better than the first book, which almost had me not touching the second. A few Good Reads reviews helped me go one.

I'm still not a massive fan of the whole bodice ripping genre but ignore that and it's a good plot with a strong female character. Although I read on, I am worried Cat may go the way of Anita Blake. Hopefully not.

4 vampire cultural rules out of 5.

Should I read this? Only if you like Anita Blake, which owns that genre.
What did I learn? I don't care much for written porn. It bores me.

Halfway to the Grave

Book 3 of 2016 is Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost.

This is book 1 of the Night Huntress series and I've already started the second book.

Since the Anita Blake books went to hell in a handbasket around book 9, I haven't had a good vampire hunter series to read. This may be it.

The writing isn't very good but the stories are interesting and original. The sex scenes are boring and very Mills & Boon but they are few and far between and you can scroll by them.

3 half-bred assassins out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes, if you like the early Anita Blake style books or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
What did I learn? The writing isn't great but the story arc is promising.

The Rook

Book 2 of 2016 is The Rook by Daniel O'Malley.

This is a book that my friend Jan chose for our distant book club. We will be discussing this over Skype when she finishes the read.

Having read The Hanged Man, this followed on quite well. Fantastical historical fiction is my new obsession and I am going to own this genre this year and read so much of it. This isn't the best example but it did introduce some nice ideas.

The reason I would read the rest of the series is because I had no love for any of the characters.

Told in the first person, the only possible sympathetic character is the story teller and seeing inside her mind makes her less-so.

The current to historical context is the most appealing part of this book. I can imagine it happening in almost modern day London but it misses something. It didn't bring me in to the place or the moment. My guess is that this is a British text written for Americans because it is nondescript and only hints of the culture.

What I would have liked was something distinctly English. Something that gave me an insight in to the culture and the moment. But alas, it did not.

3 forgotten moments due to amnesia out of 5.

Should I read this? Only if you like fantastical history novels.
What did I learn? I like this genre and want to find better versions of this.

3 Reasons to Treat Mental Illness like Cancer

1. Like cancer, it is an illness and not something you can just get over

2. People who are mentally ill should get treatment in the way you would naturally opt for with cancer

3. There are many different kinds and not one cure/solution for all

A Man Called Ove

Book 1 of 2016 is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.

This book was raved about for all of 2015 and I started it towards the end, like a chore.

The thing is, this is an absolute pleasure to read and not a chore. I recommended it to friends when I was less than half way through it and having finished it, I can only recommend it more strenuously.

There are many stories of grumpy old men but this old man stole my heart. I want to go out and hug old people everywhere but I may be shot for that in this country.

It has been a long while since I listened to a book and understood why I want to live my life with fury.

5 grunts of disapproval out of 5.

Should I read this? If you like stories about anti-heroes that you can't relate to but can like.

What did I learn? Good people don't always look like good people. Being good is all that matters.