First off, the title of this series is a misnomer. Greg does not seem to be a particularly wimpy kid. He is merely not one of the popular group. That's not the same as being the class wimp. I was hoping for a mini-me - you know, the uncoolest in the class, weediest, always chosen last in PE, the most likely to be made fun of, only tolerated because sitting next to a nerd has its advantages, etc - and instead was fobbed off with this travesty of a wimp. Rather than Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this should have been called Diary of a Selfish, Abusive Idiot with no Integrity or Loyalty. Because that's really what Greg Heffley is. Diary of a Narcissist.

The way he treats Rowley is absolutely appalling. With a friend like Greg, who needs enemies? In fact, I'd say Rowley fits the description of "wimpy kid" a lot more. And he is much more likeable.

Now for the story itself. It's written in an interesting way, and in some ways, reminds me of the first Clarice Bean novel. Except, of course, that Clarice is a very likeable character, whereas Greg is definitely not. There are parts that I chuckled at, but nothing laugh-out-loud. Kinney writes in an engaging and humorous way, but that's still not enough to detract from the fact that Greg is an absolute jerk, a complete abuser. There were no major plots to speak of, more just small narratives, no climax to the story or anything like that.

I feel really let down, you know. From the T-shirts, you'd think Greg is something a lot different from what he turns out to be. I'd have to give this 3/5 for the good writing. If only Greg wasn't such a detestable character, who gets worse with every book, this could have got a 5/5.

I first read this book at 19 and found it really enjoyable. Maybe I was just so desperate for something new to read that I would have enjoyed anything. Maybe I was just young enough to find anything credible.

Many years later I've re-read it and had many WTH moments. I've read shoujo manga with more sophisticated, credible plotlines than this.

First off, the author has an annoying habit of writing in very short paragraphs. I remember finding this strange even the first time I read it. Some paragraphs are only one or two WORDS long. Yes, words, not sentences. The narrator, Claire, also feels the need to explain the punchline of every joke, as though the reader is too thick to get it on their own.

The plotline is about as cliché as it gets (sorry, spoilers follow). Continue reading →

I can see two obvious things that are wrong with this book, just from the cover:

1. The first Ruby book is supposed to be called There was a Girl Called Ruby
2. The Ruby books are supposed to be written by Patricia F. Maplin Stacey

Reading further in:

1. Ruby Redfort is 13. She is supposed to start her spy career at age 11
2. I'm sure there were one or two more, but I've forgotten

Now, you see, whenever I read Clarice Bean's talking about Ruby Redfort, I shall feel slightly disorientated that she is reading a different set of Ruby books from the rest of us. It's a shame.

On to the book itself. Continue reading →

Cast in Shadow is a fantasy story, set in a world populated by various races of beings and full of magic.

The story follows Kaylin Neya, a young orphaned woman who ran away from the fiefs and joined the city's law enforcement, the Hawks. She has strange markings on her arms and thighs, markings which match those found on children ritually killed in the city. She is then called upon to help track down the killers of these children.

And that's pretty much all I understood of it. I don't know why, but I found it hard to relate to the characters, any of them. I felt strangely left in the dark throughout most of this book. Even in the final battle scenes, I felt as if I was watching it from a distance.

The problem is, Sagara expends so much effort on creating "sophisticated" and emotive prose at the expense of clarity. Instead, you're just a casual observer, someone the author doesn't really want to let in to her secrets, and the book suffers greatly for it. You never really feel as if you are part of the action, you never feel Kaylin's emotions with her. You don't feel her fear, her pain, you're not made to care about what happens to her. As Sagara herself says, "It's the same, after all."

by Alexander McCall Smith

"You see," said Mma Ramotswe, casting a glance at the attentive attorney, "there are some people in this country, some men, who think that women are soft and can be twisted this way and that. Well I'm not. I can tell you, if you are interested, that I killed a cobra, a big one, on my way here this afternoon."

"Oh?" said Jameson Mopotswane. "What did you do?"

"I cut it in two," said Mma Ramotswe. "Two pieces."

Precious Ramotswe is Botswana's first ever lady private detective, and owner of The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Armed with a sharp and inquisitive mind, her friend Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, and a good dose of humour, Mma Ramotswe is called upon to unravel various mysteries — disappearing husbands, rebellious daughters and stolen cars.

Until one day she is contacted by the father of a missing child, a young boy feared to have been taken for witchcraft, and things start to get a little more serious.

This book is a real gem, and the characters and settings are very much different from others in crime fiction, making this a very refreshing read. The author's observational humour adds to the enjoyment, as does Mma Ramotswe's fiery, no-nonsense attitude. I highly recommend this and I'm very much looking forward to the rest of the series.

Mais les yeux sont aveugles... il faut chercher avec lecoeur...

Un livre à lire à tous les âges de la vie, surtout lorsqu'on se sent perdu, ou quand on croit qu'on a des problèmes insurmontables...

Rien n'est impossible...

Et la vie n'a rien de terrible, d'alienant ou de decevant. Il suffit de tout voir avec l'âme d'un enfant comme Le Petit Prince. Et de la vivre, cette vie, en suivant son cœur.