#bookblog2024 — Public Fediverse posts

Marie-Lætitia Bonaparte-Wyse de Solms Ratazzi de Rute y Ginez, and The Husband Trap stories
A big sweeping story of the 1860s in Paris; and its glamorous author.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/marie-laetitia-bonaparte-wyse-de-solms-ratazzi-de-rute-y-ginez-and-the-husband-trap-stories/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WorldFrance

The Peacock Cloak, by Chris Beckett
They’re all decent enough, mostly rooted in East Anglia.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-peacock-cloak-by-chris-beckett/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WriterChrisBeckett

In Ascension, by Martin MacInnes
Everything is linked, the protagonist is interesting and intriguing, and the non-human forces subtly realised.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/in-ascension-by-martin-macinnes/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024

Bellatrix, Épisodes 1 and 2, by Leo
Kim and Manon investigate the backward world of Bellatrix.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/bellatrix-episodes-1-and-2-by-leo/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WriterLeo

Freshwater, by Akwaeke Emezi
The story of a Nigerian who contains several different personalities. I found it an excellent read.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/freshwater-by-akwaeke-emezi/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #SfTiptreeAward

The Sea Lady: A Tissue of Moonshine, by H.G. Wells
A mermaid washes ashore and the local Liberal candidate falls in love with her.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-sea-lady-by-h-g-wells/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WriterHgWells

The Nightwatch Winter, by Jenny Overton; and Elizabeth Grant, illustrator
Sequel to Creed Country; and its intriguing cover artist.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-nightwatch-winter-by-jenny-overton-and-elizabeth-grant-illustrator/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WriterJennyOverton

Collected Plays and Teleplays, by Flann O’Brien
Especially Faustus Kelly, Rhapsody in Stephen's Green, and The Dead Spit of Kelly.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/collected-plays-and-teleplays-by-flann-obrien/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WriterFlannObrien

The Aztecs, by Doris V. Sutherland (and John Lucarotti)
Concentrates maybe a bit too much on the question of historical accuracy.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-aztecs-by-doris-v-sutherland-and-john-lucarotti/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho01 #WriterJohnLucarotti

Eden Rebellion, by Abi Falaise
World-building so complex that I am afraid I got lost in it.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/eden-rebellion-by-abi-falaise/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho15

How To Stay Sane In An Age Of Division, by Elif Shafak
A short text that gave me a lot to think about.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/how-to-stay-sane-in-an-age-of-division-by-elif-shafak/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WriterElifShafak

Hollow Places, by Christopher Hadley
A tremendously charming book about one obscure local legend in Hertfordshire.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/hollow-places-by-christopher-hadley/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024

The Light We Carry: Overcoming In Uncertain Times, by Michelle Obama
I found a lot to like and admire here, and it actually succeeded in cheering me up.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-light-we-carry-overcoming-in-uncertain-times-by-michelle-obama/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WriterMichelleObama

My books of 2024
287 total
89 SF
86 non-genre
65 Doctor Who (34 prose fiction)
36 comics
35 non-genre
8 plays and poetry
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/my-books-of-2024/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024

Tuesday and December books
Non-fiction 5
Non-genre 3
Plays 1
SF 8
Doctor Who 4
Comics 4
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/tuesday-and-december-books/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #BookblogMonthly #BookblogNostalgia

Palace of the Red Sun, by Christopher Bulis
Entertaining enough, but not at the top of my list.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/palace-of-the-red-sun-by-christopher-bulis/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho06 #WriterChristopherBulis

Authors of their Lives: The Personal Correspondence of British Immigrants to North America in the Nineteenth Century, by David Gerber
We should not forget that migrants themselves were people.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/authors-of-their-lives-the-personal-correspondence-of-british-immigrants-to-north-america-in-the-nineteenth-century-by-david-gerber/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024

The Way Spring Arrives and Other Stories, eds Yu Chen & Regina Kanyu Wang
Second paragraph of third story ("What Does the Fox Say?", by Xia Jia; unlike most of the stories in the anthology, the original is in English not Chinese):

You type this sentence word by word, and wait.

This is a collection of seventeen stories by female and no
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-way-spring-arrives-and-other-stories-eds-yu-chen-regina-kanyu-wang/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WriterRfKuang

When Worlds Collide, by Tony Lee et al
Anglo-Saxons vs Vikings, and a Truman Show-like entertainment with multiple doppelgängers.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/when-worlds-collide-by-tony-lee-et-al/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho11 #WriterTonyLee

The Hollow Places, by T. Kingfisher
It's funny and scary, and the characters are very believable.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-hollow-places-by-t-kingfisher/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WriterUrsulaVernon

The Word for World is Forest, by Ursula K. Le Guin
A brief, tough, important read.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-word-for-world-is-forest-by-ursula-k-le-guin/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WriterUrsulaLeGuin

Aelita, Queen of Mars
Tremendous early Soviet era film, and the novel it was based on.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/aelita-queen-of-mars/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #films #WorldRussia

The Force of Death, by Andrew Lane
Set in Galway in the 1890s; Eighth Doctor and zombie aliens.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-force-of-death-by-andrew-lane/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho08 #WriterAndyLane

Creed Country, by Jenny Overton
Teenage historical research; I loved this as a kid and I love it now.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/creed-country-by-jenny-overton/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024

Drowned Ammet, by Diana Wynne Jones
Story of a fermenting society with magical underpinnings. Very good.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/drowned-ammet-by-diana-wynne-jones/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WriterDianaWynneJones

Marriage, by H.G. Wells
I really liked most of it. Spoiled by the protagonists going on about philosophy and politics.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/marriage-by-h-g-wells/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #WriterHgWells

The Deep State of Europe: Welcome to Hell, by Basil Coronakis
I'm not as thoroughly convinced as Basil was that the EU is fatally wounded or unreformable, but he had a good point about continued vigilance.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-deep-state-of-europe-welcome-to-hell-by-basil-coronakis/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #eu

The Harvey Girls, by Samuel Hopkins Adams; and the Judy Garland film
A rather cheerful interpretation of the Western legend, from the women's point of view.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-harvey-girls-by-samuel-hopkins-adams/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #films

Set in 2025 #14: The Nikopol Trilogy, by Enki Bilal
Well drawn, but does it make any sense?
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/set-in-2025-14-the-nikopol-trilogy-by-enkibilal/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #comics #SetIn2023 #SetIn2025

Ascension of the Cybermen & The Timeless Children, by Ryan Bradley
Much about Ireland and Doctor Who.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/ascension-of-the-cybermen-the-timeless-children-by-ryan-bradley/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho13 #DoctorWhoBlackArchive #SfSetInIreland #WorldIreland

The Geraldines: An Experiment in Irish Government 1169-1601, by Brian Fitzgerald
Although it's partisan, it wears its heart on its jacket and is rather endearing.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-geraldines-an-experiment-in-irish-government-1169-1601-by-brian-fitzgerald/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #TudorHistory #TudorIreland #WorldIreland

The Tudor Discovery of Ireland, by Christopher Maginn and Steven G. Ellis
Deep analysis of a 15-folio manuscript about Ireland, preserved in Hatfield House
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-tudor-discovery-of-ireland-by-christopher-maginn-and-steven-g-ellis/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #TudorHistory #TudorIreland

Tudor Court Culture, eds. Thomas Betteridge & Anna Riehl
Essays on how the court actually functioned under the Tudor monarchs; standout piece on royal progresses.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/tudor-court-culture-eds-thomas-betteridge-anna-riehl/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #TudorHistory

Midnight, by Philip Purser-Hallard (and Russell T. Davies)
A thought-provoking monograph on a great Doctor Who story.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/midnight-by-philip-purser-hallard-and-russell-t-davies/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho10 #DoctorWhoBlackArchive #WriterPhilipPurserhallard

Doctor Who: 73 Yards, by Scott Handcock
Handcock has done the story justice, also giving some neat extra bits.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/doctor-who-73-yards-by-scott-handcock/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho15 #DoctorWhoBlackArchive #WriterScottHandcock

The Happiness Patrol, by Mick Stack (and Graeme Curry)
Stack asks, "So, Is It Any Good?"
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-happiness-patrol-by-mick-stack-and-graeme-curry/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho07 #DoctorWhoBlackArchive

Shame, by Annie Ernaux
A very intense story of a teenager in provincial Normandy in 1952.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/shame-by-annie-ernaux/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #NobelLaureates

A Crack in Everything, by Ruth Frances Long
Dublin exists in parallel to the supernatural world of Dubh Linn, where the Sidhe keep an eye on us mortals.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/a-crack-in-everything-by-ruth-frances-long/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #SfSetInIreland

Doctor Who: Kerblam! by Pete McTighe
One of the (surprisingly rare) cases where a flawed TV story has a fair number of those flaws corrected on the page.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/doctor-who-kerblam-by-pete-mctighe/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho13

The Myth Makers, by Ian Z. Potter (and Donald Cotton)
When I first listened to the audio of this lost story, with linking dialogue read by Peter Purves, in 2007, I wrote:

The Myth Makers was the four-part story between the single-episode, Doctor-less Mission to the Unknown and the twelve-par
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-myth-makers-by-ian-z-potter-and-donald-cotton/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho01 #DoctorWhoBlackArchive #WriterDonaldCotton #WriterIanPotter

Discovering Tudor London: A Journey Back in Time, by Natalie Grueninger
A breezy gazetteer, which assumes that the reader already has knowledge of the Tudor period.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/discovering-tudor-london-a-journey-back-in-time-by-natalie-grueninger/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #TudorHistory

The Girl Who Died, by Tom Marshall
Marshall unpacks not only the story's portrayal of the Vikings but also our understanding of them, veering into the political side of the topic without losing touch with Doctor Who.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-girl-who-died-by-tom-marshall/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho12 #DoctorWhoBlackArchive

Flux, ed. Paul Driscoll
I did learn quite a lot from this, because it explained to me what several of the episodes were about.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/flux-ed-paul-driscoll/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho13 #WriterJamesCooraySmith #WriterJimMortimore #WriterPaulDriscoll #WriterPhilipPurserhallard

The Sun Makers, by Lewis Baston (and Robert Holmes, and Terrance Dicks); and Angela from Bristol, the mystery extra
I think I like The Sun Makers a bit more now that I have read Lewis Baston's analysis of it.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-sun-makers-by-lewis-baston-and-robert-holmes-and-terrance-dicks-and-angela-from-bristol-the-mystery-extra/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho04 #DoctorWhoBlackArchive #WriterRobertHolmes #WriterTerranceDicks

Kill the Moon, by Darren Mooney
This is the worst Doctor Who story of the last forty years. I am unpersuaded by counter-arguments.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/kill-the-moon-by-darren-mooney/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho12 #DoctorWhoBlackArchive

The Talons of Weng-Chiang, by Dale Smith (and Robert Holmes, and Terrance Dicks)
The question of whether Talons is racist isn't a matter of debate; what is up for debate is our response.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-talons-of-weng-chiang-by-dale-smith-and-robert-holmes-and-terrance-dicks/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho04 #DoctorWhoBlackArchive #WriterRobertHolmes #WriterTerranceDicks

Vincent and the Doctor, by Paul Driscoll (and Richard Curtis)
Substantial monograph considering Curtis, van Gogh, the monster and the art.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/vincent-and-the-doctor-by-paul-driscoll-and-richard-curtis/
#Uncategorized #Bookblog2024 #DoctorWho #DoctorWho11 #DoctorWhoBlackArchive