I have started to attack my to be read list quite agressively, which means that I have started to buy more books that are in my list or that are relatively recent releases. Keeping that in mind I have bought a couple of books in January and as always I will list all the real, hard copies that are sitting next to me right now. Here we go!
Neil Gaiman – Neverwhere
Neil Gaiman is a very popular author and I’ve always felt like I might like him a lot, but I have never actually gotten around to read anything by him. Well, this is going to change, because last month I picked up his book!
Neverwhere is a book about Richard Mayhew who’s single act of kindness changes his whole life, because from London he knows, he is transported to a new Underground London – city called Neverwhere, it lurks with monsters, murderers, knights and angels. A strange and unexpected destiny awaits him in Neverwhere.
This book is something I found on Vlad Mihalcea’s blog, he reviewed the book here. His review got me really interested in it. Although I usually am not a part of creating databases, I still feel like it would we fun to judge and compare the work we are doing to the good practices described in this book.
Although it is supposedly not very popular amongst programmers, it has good reviews from people who aren’t SQL programmers (like me) or are beginners at it. So as I have little knowledge and use, I hope to get some interesting information and hopefully learn something I could use in my limited SQL needs.
Maureen Johnson – The Boy in the Smoke (Shades of London #0.5)
I’ve actually already read this World Book Day novella and have been quite disappointed in it. It is a novella in the Shades of London series and although it was published after the first book, it takes place before it. You can check out my goodreads review here.
This book talks about boy who was born in a family with a lot of money and demands, but not much love. Stephen’s closest person is his sister and although they couldn’t be more different from each other, they love and care for one another dearly. Everything changes, when their parents expel Stephen’s sister from their house and lives. She needs to work for herself and take care of her, but not all the decisions she make are good ones…
Maureen Johnson – The Madness Underneath (Shades of London #2)
After reading the first book, which was really addictive (I wouldn’t put it in my favourites though), I was very eager to read the second one. Unfortunately, I read the novella above first and kind of got out of the bubble of wanting to read this one. Shame! But definitely will continue with the series. I don’t really want to go into detail so I wouldn’t spoil the first book for those who haven’t read it.
This book follows the events of the first book. The Shades – a secret police force that deals with unusual murder and sighting cases, have a new task and they have to deal with the new threat that seems to have taken over London… But they can’t do it alone the Shades have to find means to get their friend Rory back to help and solve this mystery.
Barbara Demick – Nothing to Envy: Real Lives in North Korea
This book has been in my to-read list for so long already. And at last I have bought it.
Barbara Demick is an American journalist, who’s interest currently the bureau chief of Los Angeles Times in Beijing. But in 2001 she just moved to Los Angeles Times and reported on economical and social changes in North Korea, following the life inside cities of North Korea and stories people, who got out, told. This book follows six people in time period of fifteen years and tells the stories of what ordinary people’s lives in North Korea are like.
Holly Black – The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
I did not really like Holly Black’s book The Darkest Part of the Forest (review), so it’s understandable that it took me quite some time to get my courage and buy this book. But honestly, the title seems so cool that it is almost enough to forget my previous experience.
Tana lives in a world where Coldtowns exist – cities you can enter, but never leave. In them quarantined monsters and humans live together in a horrible game of predator and prey. One morning, after an ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses with only two other survivors…
I’ve actually read this one as well. I was quite excited to read this book as I saw the movie very many years ago and didn’t remember anything at all. Including the famous plot twist. You can check my review here.
This book is about an office worker, who is tired of his life… until he meets Tyler Durden – projectionist and waiter. Both together they create a fight club, which helps to fight their inner demons and everyday annoyances, but at some point it goes too far. Far too many fight clubs have been started and all they are chanting is the name of the creator, they listen to only one person – Tyler Durden. They are his army.
So these are the books I have bought in January. Well, actually I’m missing one, because I bought it as a gift while I was in Toulouse this month, so that one is a secret and not really mine! Let me know your thoughts on the books I revealed and suggestions, what should I give a try first! Thanks, cheerio!
February 2, 2017 at 22:16
I gave in not long ago and picked up a Gaiman. Everyone seems to love his books so I figured it would be a slam dunk. Nope. Discovered I can stand his books (I had tried American Gods). I hope you have better luck!
http://literaryweaponry.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 20:04
One of the comments here mentioned that it is heavier than the Neverwhere, so perhaps you should give him another shot with something lighter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2017 at 22:18
Neverwhere was the first book I read by Neil Gaiman. Definitely recommend it. Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 20:03
Awww, sounds great! 🙂 Hope to like it as much as you did!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2017 at 22:29
Great list! I very much enjoyed Neverwhere and I was surprised by how much I liked The Coldest Girl in Coldtown (I didn’t like Black’s fairy series very much). Good luck with the reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 20:03
That sounds perfect as I didn’t like the previous book I read by Holly Black! Thanks for raising the hope bar! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2017 at 22:33
I loved Neverwhere. I really like Neil’s work, ever since I came across his comic book Sandman series. Hope you enjoy it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 20:02
I’m really hoping so too, very positive feedback in comments, so I’m very excited to read it soon!
LikeLike
February 2, 2017 at 23:03
I want to read The Coldest Girl in Coldtown!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 20:02
I hope to get to it soon too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2017 at 03:02
I really liked the list. I am a bit surprised that you included a technical read as well and being a SQL server DBA, am very much interested to know how the book goes. Happy reading to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 20:02
I try to include all my book purchases, to show also my ‘outside fiction interests’, but I can’t help but think that a general reader will not understand anything of my mumblings about the book and my position in the company I work. 😀
I am mostly front end and just sometimes get a back end jobs, very rarely actually creating, editing etc. dbs, so this is pretty much dipping my finger and checking, if everyone else is doing it right and what could be improved. 🙂 It seems perfect for my level of understanding. My boyfriend had a look (he is currently reading a different book, so hasn’t started this one yet), but he was quite excited, he liked the structure of the book and the way things are explained. He is back end.
LikeLike
February 3, 2017 at 09:10
What a good book choice! I loved Fight Club (don’t be put off by the title). Palahniuk is a great writer and has a way of describing things so that you’re really there – which can be a brilliantly revolting experience in some of his more sordid work. My favourite of his is Invisible Monsters, which is all about appearances & magazines and very thought provoking. Happy reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2017 at 13:03
Depending on what you think of Neverwhere, you might try American Gods if you want something heavier or Stardust if you want something lighter. Stardust seemed like a good Gaiman starter book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 19:53
Thanks for the options. So many good comments about Neverwhere, I sure hope to fall in love with Gaiman’s writing!
LikeLike
February 3, 2017 at 20:16
Neverwhere sounds interesting. I’ll have to read it as soon as I get thru reading Cesarani’s “Final Solution.” Heavy going, so it may be a while.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2017 at 23:25
Great list with lots of variety!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2017 at 23:27
I love Neverwhere (recommended to me by a Uni friend) and The Coldest Girl in Cold Town (random library pick)! I hope you enjoy them too 🙂 I always think of Neverwhere when I’m in London, I need to steal my copy back from my brother to read again…
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 19:52
I actually didn’t know it will take place in London and I’m always super excited about London books, because I live there. 🙂 Also gives a good hope for the Coldest girl in coldtown, will have to bump it up in my reading list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 00:13
Neverwhere was the first book I read by Neil Gaiman. Love, love, loved it!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 19:51
Hope to like it as well. All the good comments definitely makes me want to read it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 20:31
I am in the mood to reread it….lol. Door was one of my favorite characters in the book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 07:21
I haven’t read a Gaiman either, but Neverwhere really intrigues me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2017 at 19:51
I hope to love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2017 at 01:35
The book on North Korea looks especially interesting. I’ve read a few books on North Korea, but this is one I’ve yet to read. Coincidentally, last week I finished reading “Without You There is No Us”, written by an American journalist who went undercover to teach English at a Pyongyang university. A terrific read!
The rest of your choices look intriguing, too…but I don’t think I’ll be picking up the book on SQL Antipatterns any time soon… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 7, 2017 at 23:30
I’ve had this one in my sights for a long time, but I it deemed to be too expensive. I actually bought it as a gift for my friend last (or maybe 2015) year and she loved it, gave it 5 stars, so I’m quite excited about it!
I will see how it goes with this one and then check out “Without You There is No Us”!
Haha, well, don’t say that, it’s never too late to learn programming. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2017 at 02:37
I really need to read Neil Gaiman. I will get to it this year hopefully!
Also, I nominated you for a Blogger Recognition Award! https://iamabookdrunkard.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/blogger-recognition-award/
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 5, 2017 at 03:32
Great post, my interest for the Coldest Girl in ColdTown has been sparked! I’ve tagged you in the Mystery Blogger Award, hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 18, 2017 at 22:17
It`nice that you have self control! When I did my book haul it was WAYYYY longer!!
LikeLike
March 1, 2017 at 09:32
Awww! I’ve been wanting to read The Coldest Girl in Town… Great haul!!
LikeLike