Ellison Wonderland by Harlan Ellison

First sentence:

"'Thing' was all I could call it, and it had a million tentacles."

Description:

"Classic Ellison collection: Buckle your safety belts for a journey to the wildest wonderland that never existed!

COMMUTER'S PROBLEM--Or what happens when you catch the morning express to somewhere out of this world!
NOTHING FOR MY NOON MEAL--Trapped on Hell, survival was a choice between the impossible and the unbelievable.
ALL THE SOUNDS OF FEAR--He was a man of many faces but the master of none.
THE SKY IS BURNING--Why was Earth good enough for dying?
RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY--But look out for that "other day"!" -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

Great collection of short stories! I especially liked "All the Sounds of Fear" (provocative look at method acting), "The Sky is Burning," (dying aliens in the sky) and "Rain, Rain, Go Away" (what happens when the "other day" arrives).

Date read: 5/24/2008
Book #: 30
Challenge: Celebrate the Author Challenge, Spring Reading Thing Challenge 2008
Rating: 4*/5 = great
Genre: SF

ISBN-10: 0451077172
ISBN-13: 9780451077172
Publisher: Signet
Year: 1974
# of Pages: 178
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Spring Reading Thing 2008

Spring Reading Thing 2008
Hosted by: Katrina at Callapidder Days
When: March 20th - June 19th
What: Read as many books as you want

My list (in no particular order):

• Lee Child. Killing Floor -- finished 4/13/2008
  
• Douglas Clegg. The Attraction -- finished 4/22/2008
• Susannah Clarke. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell -- finished 4/25/2008
  
• Harlan Ellison. Ellison Wonderland
• Tess Gerritsen. The Sinner
• Rohinton Mistry. Such a Long Journey
• Arundhati Roy. God of Small Things
  

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

First sentence:
"Some years ago there was in the city of York a society of magicians."

Description:

"Susanna Clarke's brilliant first novel is an utterly compelling epic tale of nineteenth century England and the two very different magicians who, as teacher and pupil and then as rival, emerge to change its history. In the year 1806, in the throes of the Napoleonic Wars, most people believe magic to be dead in England--until the reclusive Mr Norrell of Hurtfew Abbey reveals his powers and becomes a celebrity overnight. Soon, another practicing magician emerges: the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's student, and the two join forces in the war against France. But as Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, he risks sacrificing not only his partnership with Norrell, but everything else that he holds dear." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

I admit when I first saw this book I was reluctant to read it - not because of the subject. I like books about magic and history, but because of the size. From the beginning, however, Clarke's writing pulled me into this world in which magic is studied and practiced, used and misunderstood. I especially liked the interactions between Norrell and Strange and the ones between the servant Stephen Black and the faery gentleman with the thistle-down hair.

Date read: 4/25/2008
Book #: 25
Challenges: Book Awards Challenge; Chunkster Challenge; Spring Reading Thing Challenge 2008; What's in a Name Challenge?; Man Booker Challenge
Rating: 4*/5 = great
Genre: Historical Fantasy

ISBN-10: 1582346038
ISBN-13: 9781582346038
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Year: 2005
# of Pages: 846
Binding: Trade Paperback
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Killing Floor by Lee Child

First sentence:

"I was arrested in Eno's diner."

Description:

"Ex-military policeman Jack Reacher is a drifter, just passing through. He is in Margrave, Georgia, for less than a half hour when four policemen arrive, shotguns in hand to arrest him for murder.

All Jack knows is he didn't kill anybody. Not in their town, and not for a long time. . ." -- from the back cover

My thoughts:

This was a good mystery featuring Jack Reacher who finds himself in the middle of an ongoing plot that threatens a small town. I liked how Jack and his new friends figure out the mystery and eventually outwit the criminals and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Die Trying.

Date read: 4/13/2008
Book #: 22
Series: Jack Reacher #1
Challenges: Book Awards Reading Challenge, TBR Challenge 2008, Spring Reading Thing Challenge, To Be Continued Challenge
Rating: 3*/5 = good
Genre: Mystery

ISBN-10: 0515123447
ISBN-13: 9780515123449
Publisher: Jove
Year: 1997
# of Pages: 407
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
LibraryThing Page