Children of Time

Book 14 of 2018 is Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

This book is excellent in every single way. This may become on of my most recommended sci-fi books since The Martian.

I was engaged the whole time and at times stayed awake too late just to finish a few more chapters.

Not going to give any more than to say that this is sci-fi that forces you to explore the way you think or where we evolved from. Strong female characters and great writing had me thinking of this book while out with friends rather than paying attention to the conversation.

5 evolutions and revolutions out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes. No buts about it.
What did I learn? The world could have been a very different place.

Porcelain: A Memoir

Book 14 of 2017 is Porcelain: A Memoir by Moby.

I'm learning that autobiographies make very good audio books when read by the author. This may be the only type of audio book I will entertain.

Considering I enjoyed Moby's music but always considered him a little mainstream and elitist, this was a nice awakening. Yeah, he is a geeky little balding white guy who grew up very poor but he truly does love music and is a real musician. This made me respect him that way.

Realising that not all celebrities are rich and that it can take a decade to have an albums selling millions was awakening for me. I always assumed they were on private jets and sipping on Champagne while eating caviar. Not the case it seems.

The end felt a little rushed. The final chapters reflecting on his childhood and his mother would have been nice if they were extended but it feels like he didn't really want to go there. That made you feel his sadness, all the more.

This was a great view in to the New York music scene in the 90s. Much in the style of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Mental note: Must read that again.

5 bowls of brown rice and vegetables out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes, yes and yes. You don't even have to be in to his music.
What did I learn? Famous does not automatically equate to rich.

Good Omens

Book 14 of 2016 is Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

If you've heard my Gaiman (or as I know him, Amanda Palmer's husband) rants then you will know that I love him as a person and have read many of his books. I loved Neverwhere but have not enjoyed much since. Yes, I even diss American Gods.

This book was recommended to me by so many people that I had to give in and read it.

I stand corrected. This is brilliant. That may be due to Pratchett though :p

The idea that the world isn't perfect but it is imperfectly wonderful, is one that I truly share. The pop culture references and hilarious British humour won me over within the first couple of chapters.

This is so good that I didn't want to finish. I am sad it is over.

Five cute hounds of hell out of five.

Should I read this? Yes. Even if you don't like Gaiman's other stories.
What did I learn? Good and evil are relative. I knew that but now more so.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Book 14 of 2015 is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.

I've seen the movie with Johnny Depp. In fact, that movie is the reason I bought my first DVD player. I'd ordered books from Amazon and they sent me that DVD so I thought "might as well get a DVD player" and I did.

It is hard to call this a book. I'd call it a short story. I always count it as a book when it looks like a book. Maybe I'll call it half a book.

The writing is quite brilliant. I haven't read anything like it in a quite a while. It could be that short stories like short films can have much more flair without it overwhelming the reader or viewer.

The most enjoyable thing about this book is that Ichabod Crane is not the usual hero. He is a normal guy who I'd go as far as to call a dorky guy with a crush.

4 heads out of 5 headless horsemen.

Should I read this? Yes.It's a great classic story.

What did I learn? Legend has a life of its own independent of the truth.