Monstrous Regiment was definitely the most fun I’ve had with a Terry Pratchett book, not to mention my absolute favorite read of this year.
It is a war story, a comedy, and a political study of gender roles, all rolled into one. Reminiscent of the plot of Mulan, we follow Polly Perks, a young woman who decides, against the laws of her land, to dress up as a man in order to enlist in the Borogravian army.
Her intention is to find her brother Paul, who has been missing in action. Due to a shortage of troops, her fellow comrades include a troll named Carborundum, an undead called Igor, and the vampire Maladict.
The story is engaging, hilarious, and absolutely riddled with plot twists.
A new stage adaptation of one of Pratchett's best-selling novels The Monstrous Regiment in question is made up of a vampire (reformed and off the blood, thank you), a troll, Igor (who is only too happy to sew you a new leg if you aren't too particular about previous ownership), a collection of misfits and a young woman discovers that a pair of socks shoved down her pants is a good way to open up doors in a man's army."One of the funniest English authors alive" (Independent)
Atomic Habits fell into my hands sometime in February. At the time, I was in a bit of a writing slump, and my daily habits were an absolute mess. Normally, I am highly suspicious of self-help books, especially anything that promotes quick and easy solutions.
I dare say Atomic Habits exceeded my expectations. Not only did it succeed in getting me out of my writing slump, but it also helped me create new and more powerful habits.
The book’s practical advice is interlaced with lots of productivity strategies, as well as some psychological root causes for procrastination.
My main takeaways were all the little things add up to big accomplishments, habits begets more habits (positive and negative), and finally, if you make your tasks easier to do, habits stick longer.
The #1 New York Times bestseller. Over 4 million copies sold!
Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results
No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the…
As a fan of cosmic horror, I was, of course, familiar with H.P. Lovecraft’s unique flavor of insanity-inducing fiction. It wasn’t until this year that I managed to get my hands on his complete body of work.
“The Complete Fiction” bundles nearly 100 short tales of hair-raising horror, spanning mysterious civilizations, dangerous cults, and alien creatures that defy imagination.
Lovecraft’s vision of an infinitely abysmal universe has even inspired the fantasy book I’m writing right now, especially the tale known as Dagon. Another favorite of mine was The Shadow over Innsmouth, where I first became acquainted with the race of the Deep Ones.
Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised by how many stories were new to me. I recommend this collection to everyone with a passion for bizarre cosmic horror.
Another fantastic edition in the Knickerbocker Classic series is The Complete Fiction of H.P. Lovecraft, comprised of the author's fictional stories featuring the world's most bizzarre creatures and supernatural thrills. Written by H.P. Lovecraft between the years 1917 and 1935, the stories in this collection feature many horrific and cautionary science fiction themes that influence today's artists like Stephen King, Alan Moore, Paul Wilson, Guillermo Del Toro, and Neil Gaiman. For Lovecraft fans worldwide, this stunning gift edition has a full cloth binding, foil blocking on the spine, ribbon marker, and is packaged neatly in an elegant slipcase. The Complete…
Five days before the end of the world, a mother and her baby struggle to beat the Neon God’s Algorithm in order to secure a seat on the last shuttle leaving the planet.
Set in a mad world overseen by “The Neon God,” the deceitful and ubiquitous AI controlling the metropolis of New Vega, this science-fiction survival novel follows the exploits of five people who are made to compete for “Gold Stars” in the hope of escaping the Apocalypse by Darkness. The story is a social commentary on AI technology and digital totalitarianism that serves as a cautionary tale on the dangers of an algorithm-based society.
Moreover, 5 Stars can be read as a pioneering novel written in a new subgenre of fiction: Neon Science-Fiction.
Sally and Sam were having a dull day at home when they received the unexpected visit of a cat in a hat. So begins this little tale, which Dr. Seuss wrote by rhyming 220 words in delightful and creative ways.
Just like Sally and Sam are saved from their boredom by the Cat in the Hat, so will your children revel in this brief tale of adventure and mischief. They will especially enjoy the rhyming prose, the quirky illustrations, and the naughty tomcat himself.
The one and only Cat in the Hat from the iconic Dr. Seuss gets a brand new look, introducing his roller-coaster ride of mayhem to a new generation of readers.
When Sally and her brother are left alone, they think they're in for a dull day - until the Cat in the Hat steps in on the mat, bringing with him mayhem and madness! This is the classic book that every child should have the joy of reading.
The perfect book for early readers, the new style brings a worldwide favourite to a whole new generation.
My friend’s kid adores The Midnight Gang. There is so much excitement, magic, and wholesomeness jumping from the page that your child will absolutely beg you to read them another page.
Since the story reframes a hospital ward as a place of adventure and thrill, where children can make their wildest dreams come true, this book is an ideal read during times of sickness or hospitalization.
The Midnight Gang is funny, adventurous, and thought-provoking, featuring Tom Charper, his gang of rebels, and their side-splitting shenanigans.
Children will especially love the book’s charming hand-drawn illustrations, which are sometimes mixed with puns and nursery rhymes.
Welcome to the Midnight Gang! Midnight is the time when all children are fast asleep, except of course for... the Midnight Gang. That is when their adventures are just beginning...
When Tom gets hit on the head by a cricket ball, he finds himself at Lord Funt Hospital, and is greeted by a terrifying-looking porter. Things go from bad to worse when he meets the wicked matron in charge of the children's ward... But Tom is about to embark on the most thrilling journey of a lifetime!
The Midnight Gang tells an extraordinarily heartwarming and, of course, funny story of…
I know this thirteen-year-old boy who cannot stop talking about Neil Gaiman's Coraline. Something about the dark and eerie atmosphere of the book had him hooked from the start.
There is a quote that stayed with him, which I believe is a perfect summary of the book: "When you're scared, but you still do it anyway, that's brave." The story is exciting and humorous, with spare sprinkles of darkness. It is teeming with important life lessons about family, friendship, and finding your authentic self.
All in all, if your child is between 13 and 17, I completely recommend getting them to read Coraline.
Just be careful with allowing them to watch the movie version of this most excellent book. There are few children's animations on the silver screen more creepy than the book-to-movie adaptation.
"Sometimes funny, always creepy, genuinely moving, this marvellous spine-chiller will appeal to readers from nine to ninety." - "Books for Keeps". "I was looking forward to "Coraline", and I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I was enthralled. This is a marvellously strange and scary book." - Philip Pullman, "Guardian". "If any writer can get the guys to read about the girls, it should be Neil Gaiman. His new novel "Coraline" is a dreamlike adventure. For all its gripping nightmare imagery, this is actually a conventional fairy story with a moral." - "Daily Telegraph". Stephen King once called Neil Gaiman 'a treasure-house…
