Beneath a Scarlet Sky

Book 9 of 2018 is Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan.

My work published this book so I have heard a lot about it. It is at the top of a lot of best seller lists and there is a moving coming out. When I read the description of the book, I didn't want to read but I couldn't ignore how highly recommended it came.

I am really happy I read it. Some of it was hard to believe but I'm going to treat this as fiction based in history and leave it at that. This even changed my view of the Italians in the second world war. My opinion of the Nazis goes unchanged.

4 lucky breaks out of 5.

Should I read this? Yeah, it is well written and a fun adventure. Yes, there are tears.
What did I learn? The Italians were not simply complicit.

The Autobiography of Santa Claus

Book 72 is The Autobiography of Santa Claus which is book one of The Christmas Chronicles by Jeff Guinn.

Considering this is the guy who wrote The Road to Jonestown, I was not expecting such positivity but this is fictional. Of course, anything about Santa is fictional but this is told in Guinn's non-fictional tone and that added to the enjoyment of it.

This was an amusing read and one of escapism and nonsense. The historical characters effected by the Forrest-Gump-like Santa Claus were a nice idea... badly executed. This was unfortunate because reading the synopsis had me hoping for something a little more like Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure through history with a little Christmas magic. It wasn't.

This could be aimed at children and people with little knowledge of history. The historical figures becoming so subservient to Santa was not convincing or explained well by Christmas magic.

This was a flop. Although it is the first of a series, it will be the only one I read.

2 Huns out of 5.

Should I read this? No. There is little that redeems it. Go for Dickens instead.
What did I learn? The Dutch are the reason for the name Santa Claus.

Around the World in Eighty Days

Book 62 is Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne.

This is the 11th book Verne wrote in the Extraordinary Voyages series and one that I am shocked to not have read yet, considering I know the story so well.

What surprised me about the story is that there is no hot air balloon travel at all. Not a single mention of it.

Phileas Fogg is one of the least penetrable yet most interesting central characters I've ever read. He is the central pivot point in the story with the world made up of interesting characters, situations and exceptions rotating around him. I would never have seen that in a movie version.

The twists and solutions are intelligent although sometimes contrived but it all fits together perfectly.

You must remember that time this was written to not cringe at the cultural insensitivity and sexism.

I must read the rest of the series now. And no, order does not seem to matter.

4 idiot travel buddies out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes. Read it to your kids or to yourself. You'll enjoy it.
What did I learn? I want to travel around the world in 80 days now but only five star.

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

Book 48 is The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson.

I've seen this book on best seller lists, in bookstores and did want to read it but it took my upcoming trip to Chicago to push me into reading it now and quickly.

This is a thick book so I wasn't confident in finishing it within the week I had before leaving for for my long weekend in that city.

I'm glad I started it. I'm glad I had no idea that it was non-fiction until about halfway through when I googled it and found out it was based in truth... actual truth.

As I head to that city hoping I shan't meet a serial killer, I'm excited to see the city that hosted the 1893 World's Fair. The city with soggy ground, enclaves, a huge mix of different people, high standards in food and a history.

Mostly, that history.

5 dead wives of 5.

Should I read this? One of the best books I have read in a while and absolutely the best historical non-fiction I've read in a decade.
What did I learn? No Air BNBs.

Soulless

Book 39 of 2017 is Soulless which is book one of the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger.

This book has left me wondering if I ever actually liked this genre. Vampire chick lit has been something I've always 'fessed to reading. After reading this, I'm very doubtful of liking this genre anymore.

The weird repressed sex scenes bored me. It's the kind of bodice ripping stuff that sex-starved housewives like, I think. Fifty Shades of Rubbish.

Can't work out why this series is a big deal.

2 bodices torn out of 5.

Should I read this? Nope.
What did I learn? I don't like the ripping of bodices.

Life After Life

Book 11 of 2017 is Life After Life by Kate Atkinson.

This book has been on my To Read list for quite some time. It turns up a lot on "best books of the year" lists. I can not for the life of me work out why.

The idea is good. It is a WWII Groundhog Day but in the end, I couldn't like the main character or her family. One thing I will say is that the first half of the book was thoroughly boring. The second half almost redeemed it but is it ever worth sticking with it?

2 alternative lives out of 5.

Should I read this? No, don't.
What did I learn? Nothing is perfect. No life is perfect. I'd rather just do it once.