Stuf I've read recently 7

It has been a long time, even longer than usual since I did one of these, so long I barely remember writing about stuff I've read. It is mere weeks short of a whole year since I last posted so I'd better get cracking. In my defence I was on a very full-on teacher training course which barely left time to think, let alone read and I'm only just getting back into my already lax reading habits.

If you're my friend on Facebook you probably already know what I've been reading but on the off chance there's someone else reading here goes.

The Bible - God

My reading as taken me right through the rest of the New Testament up to Revelation, which I've just started reading. The letters of Paul, John and Peter are full of marvelous instruction and exploration of the truths told in the Gospel. To read the words of great Christian leaders to the real Christians of the day, all the while knowing that God is breathing his Scripture through them, intending it to be read by us is humbling and inspiring.

Holy Sonnets of the Twentieth Century - Don Carson

A collection of poems in the aforementioned form expounding on a number of topics from the Bible, each accompanied with relevant verses. A useful way to dip into the truths of scripture in an interesting and accessible form

Neverwhere (Graphic Novel adaptation) - Neil Gaiman

I really enjoyed this rather loopy tale of one man's journey into London's 'underworld' where the strangest characters dwell, unseen by the masses, and where there really are sheperds at sheperds bush and a key player in the world is an Angel called Islington. The idea of this fantasy world that is just beyong our own is magnificently portrayed and the characters are appropriately 'different' while also recognizable as heroes, villains etc. The story is also a clever exposition of homelessness as it discusses the people who live on the streets of London who we simply do not see.

Star Wars Underworld: The Yavin Vassilika - Mike Kennedy

A short side story about a quest by the Rebels, the Empire and a trio of rival Hutt lords, manipulated and controlled by their 'slaves' for a rare and powerful item called the Yavin Vassilika. Various hunters and smugglers are called in, including the notorious Boba Fett, and a pre-New Hope Han Solo - you can guess who wins but the story does have plenty of twists and surprises in the running.

Planetary Vol 1 and 2 - Warren Ellis

Planetary is a superb series which manages to merge many classic Sci-Fi elements into a completely original story. Expertly drawn by Jon Cassaday the story is about a group of supehero arhceologists who don't fight crime, battle supervillains or alien threats, though they have their fair share of action don't worry! They investigate the hidden world, all the thing that have gone on behind the scenes, the cover ups, the truth behind ghost stories, digging up interdimensional devises and travelling to monster filled islands all the while uncovering a larger consiparacy. Well worth reading for the intrigue, superb characters and giant space ants!!

The End League vol 1: The Ballad of Big Nothing - Rick Rememder

Another new take on the superhero genre, this time set in a post-apocalyptic world where millions of people have abilities and their human nature has made the vast majority cowards and villains who serve despotic leaders like Dead Lexington or the Smiling Man. Yet one band of heroes remains, hiding for the most part but striking against the darkness when they can - they are the End League. When the characters make one desperate attempt to do good they lose more than they can imagine, yet discover one thing that could give them hope - the hammer of Thor. The characters are familiar such as flying super-strength 'Astonishman' or spider based 'Arachnakid' but their setting is a far darker world and their story is new and powerful.

Call for the Dead - John Le Carre

I caught this in a John le Carre series on BBC radio with dramatisations and readings. I really enjoyed this first one, though I unfortunately lost track of the other broadcasts. The spy George Gently is very interesting as he is an older man, not attractive (he is referred to as frog in an interior dialogue with his ex-wife) and his main background was as a trainer of other agents. Yet this makes him more real in ways and the danger to him more potent. The story was well-written and captivating and worth a look at.

Doctor Who Short Trips: Indefinable Magic - Caleb Woodbridge et al

My first purchasing venture into Doctor Who fiction, I have picked up some free audio dramas but that's about it. I bought this because my friend Caleb is the author of one of the short stories collected in this volume. I really enjoyed this collection of stories with the various Doctor incarnations and companions with a wide variety of stories and adventures as well as different writing styles. If you want to 'dip in' to Doctor Who fiction, a collection of original adventures like this is a great way to start.

OK those are the books I picked up during the past almost year, here are the 'main books' I was reading, in addition to the Christian stuff.

Strange Places, Questionable People - John Simpson

The autobiography of one of the foremost foreign reporters in the world and of his tumultuous love affair with the BBC. The story goes from how he audaciously applied for a job he didn't believe he'd get and from then on carved a career in some of the most exciting and diverse aspects of news reporting. Through planning and large amount of luck he has found himself in the front line of many key conflicts and global events and his story provides as much insight into the changing world as does his broadcasting.

Children of Dune - Frank Herbet

The third book in the Dune series detailing the political and religious machinations of the desert world of Arrakis where giant worms produce the spice that is central to the economy of an Empire spanning many worlds. There has been ecological transformation on Dune, starting the transformation of it into a lush world, but this is slowly killing the worms and threatening the whole of the Empire. Leto and Ghanima, heirs tot he throne and born with all the memories of their anscestors hatch a desperate plan to move against the rulers and move the Empire on a new path. The Dune books are notoriously heavy, but once you get into them the detail and minutiae build up a remarkable world and an exciting story.

OK - that is actually it, my next post should come sooner because two of the books I'm reading are on loan!!

Word of the post: Fray –noun

1.	a fight, battle, or skirmish.

2.	a competition or contest, esp. in sports.

3.	a noisy quarrel or brawl.