I decided it might be a good idea to try and write a brief summary about each book as I finish it, so that I remember how good/bad it was, and maybe just for general interest too.
I must warn you though, my reviews will no doubt be highly opinionated and I don't always have enough facts to substantiate some remarks - only my initial reaction to the book, not a comparison of what else is available on the market!
Format: Paperback
Pages: 380
ISBN: 1861632290
My rating: 4 out of 5
I thought it was an awesome book, got some good background, some useful techniques to practise and enough personal opinion to make it interesting and insightful, without any of the pressurising to believe or agree with the author - he says to make up your own mind about various things and admits he's just offering one or two possible explanations. Writing style is easy to read without being patronising, and includes a mix of excerpts, interpretations, and general musings alongside journey ideas and meditation techniques. In my opinion it's a book worth reading.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 124
IBSN: 1578632072
My rating: 2 out of 5
At first glance this is a very basic guide to working with Sigils. It explains briefly how to go about making a graphic sigil, and includes a few exercises to power them and work with them. The author tries very hard to get his opinions across, which is sometimes viewed as unrequired bias, especially trying to discredit any other belief system as "wrong", and states that after doing things his way for a while, you'll agree.
I don't agree. But, I do think there are some interesting ideas here, and also some useful views about our approach to life in general. The second half of the book is a colour guide to different magics and the correct colour corresspondant, and also a further Inner Sanctum exercise. And what seems like it was added as an afterthought, a brief chapter with 3 or so exercises for using the imagination and vizualisations.
Overall, this book confuses me. Just as I'm starting to push aside my reactions to the previous chapters biased viewpoints, another comment will stir up more defensive emotion. I'm not sure if that says something more about me or the book! Maybe I'm just not in the right mindframe to read this objectively. Also, it says not to just accept the points you agree with and forget the others, for eventually you will realise they are all true and your own thinking was wrong.. which, to me, is kinda like brainwashingly bias. OK book, but I'm sure there are others out there on the same topic which I'd prefer over this one if I looked.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 127
ISBN: 185568222-2
My Rating : 1.5 out of 5
This is in fact my cheat for the month. It's true it's a 127-page-book, but it's also true that each page only contains one quote - and one more thing, it's a pocket book, measuring around 3 inches any way you try. Ergo, it's not really a "book" as such, but a collection of quotes. But I'm damn well counting it, because, quite frankly, it's getting rather hard to manage to read the entire book in a month. I'm not very good at non-fiction in general, and I should mention I tend to read half a book in one sitting then ignore it for several weeks, then finish it in another sitting. This is just how I work. But with more and more time being eaten by college and illness, it's getting hard!
Oh by the way, this is an occasionally amusing book for anyone who likes quotes or dialect or I suppose Lancashire. I wouldn't do anything like recommend it, but I wouldn't not recommend it either. Make up your own mind. I also own "The Little Book of Cumbria" which I shall no doubt use as a cheat on another month where I don't feel overly optimistic about the realistness of finishing a book by the end of the month.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 120
ISBN: 1-85813-720-9
My Rating: 5/5
This book is pure awesome. I'm too tired to do a proper review, but it's a classic so we all know it's awesome anyhow by now.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 224
ISBN: 1564146936
My Rating: 3.25 out of 5
At first I was a bit skeptical about this book, but as I've continued reading it has somehow won me over. It's split into three parts, each further divided into subheadings of each God/Goddess being described. It basically gives a bit of background about the supposed origins of each Archetype and where possible provides examples of myth, folklore, or appearances in text or religion.
It's written in America so it's a typical American style of slightly patronising the reader on occasion, while throwing in enough cheesy cracks to not bore you with the abundance of facts/names listed. For some reason I can't help liking it, despite the sometimes unneccessary openly disrespectful attitude towards certain paths/belief systems. (But that said, I think every book on pagan religions or deities is going to have some degree of this.)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 155
ISBN: 1857989546
My Rating: 3 out of 5
An easy read, mildly amusing. Read it for a break really! I don't do reviewing Pratchett much, they don't really count as books in my world because I can read them without any hassel. They are awesome though!
Format: Paperback (The Trilogy of Four)
Pages: 768 pages (book one 183 pges)
ISBN: 0330492047
My Rating: 4 out of 5
This book is awesome, I demand that anyone and everyone reads it at least once in their lifetime. If you go on to read the other books in the trilogy of four, and then the fifth, then more power to you! I just love this book like I love Pratchett. It's clever, it's funny, it's entertaining, it's smiles in a book! <-- Just look at how many exclamation marks I have used, says it all really! (Well that or it shows how inept I am at using expressive language..) Go, Read!
Format: Hardback
Pages: 128
ISBN: 0199232369
My Rating: 3 out of 5
An interesting and enlightening read, which gives an explanatory overview of the laws of thermodynamics in an easy to comprehend way. I have little knowledge of physics, and found this took a lot of mental energy to read, but for a healthy person I would think it is pretty easy to understand. Great lengths have been made to ensure this is accessable for most people, so little prior knowledge is actually required - just a keen interest in the basic laws.
I bought this on a whim and don't really have that much interest in the subject of thermodynamics, but I found that interest was kindled and increased as I kept reading, so all in all, a good book I reckon!
(Book Two of the Triology of Four)
A really good read, thoroughly enjoyed it as I always do. Some really comical moments in it, and just a good read.
Book Three of The Trilogy of Four
My least favourite of the lot, but still enjoyed it.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 254
ISBN: 0004709187
My Rating: 3 out fo 5
It's a random general mildly interesting book, pretty useful if you know nothing about body language. My copy has at least 10 blank pages in it though, so it loses points..
The fourth of four.
Made me giggle in places, which is cool, but best done in private, otherwise people tend to look at you rather oddly, but then that's fun too.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 229
ISBN: 0330323113
My Rating: 3 out of 5. Ish.
This book confuses me, it has no logical purpose in existance. If you've read it, you'll understand. If you've not read it, chances are you won't understand until you read it, then you'll realise what I mean. But the problem is you'll keep reading it, right until you're finished, and if you're anything like me, next time you start reading the Hitchhikers series.. you'll read it again, even though and this is the important part, even though you now understand. It's just life I'm afraid.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 192
ISBN:0679746048
My Rating: 4 out of 5
High rating because it's simple and easy to read and a more realistic view as opposed to a romanticised version of events. I'd seen the film before reading the book, and now understand just how much the film misses out. Read the book if you've seen the film, or just read it anyway.
Format: Paperback
Pages:384
ISBN:9780552140287
My Rating: 3 out of 5
I like the city watch books and I've not read this for a while, so I enjoyed it. I think it's a decent book with many humourous moments in it. Easy to read.. it's a Pratchett.
Format: Hardback
Pages: 176
ISBN: 9780747558538
Rating: 3 out of 5
Read this randomly this morning because someone suggested I should last night, and I found myself in a room with it this morning with hours to kill. Was a quick easy read (are you seeing a trend here to my reviews?) and enjoyable too. I'm way too tired to be reviewing anything methinks. But yeh, glad I've read it, just to have read it.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 414
ISBN: 0552142379
Rating: 3 out of 5
Follows on from Men at Arms, with Vimes as Commander. Another who done-it with royal mayhem to boot. I like this book, but I always forget I do. I suppose I have to be in the right mindframe to read it.
Format: Hardback
Pages: 368
ISBN: 0385611005
My Rating: 4 out of 5
A look back to the inspirations of some of the discworld mysteries, and a comparison with similarities on the Earth. Interesting background on some 'well known' things that 'everyone knows' - which as it turns out, no-one really knows.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 414
ISBN: 9780615139449
My Rating: 2.5 out of 5
I struggled reading this book for reasons I'm not really aware of. It is very personalised to a specific belief structure with little room for an open minded view, and yet it is not a workbook or instruction manual. It's basically a more in depth overview of various topics including but not limited to a bit of background to the tradition, elements and elementals, and other shaman skills.
The format is easy to read, the book as a whole is split in to three parts, which are each divided in to chapters, which are further broken down in to overviews, personal accounts, and information listings, including various songs for use with elementals.
It's book three in a series of six or seven on the same theme, but nothing has inspired me to locate any of the other's!
Format: Paperback
Pages: 117
ISBN: 0955151406
My Rating: 4 out of 5
I really like this collection of short stories written in Cumbrian eye-dialect rhyme. It's easy to read and mildly amusing, making it an enjoyable read whether read cover to cover or one rhyme at a time.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 62
ISBN: 085206621x
My Rating: 1 out of 5
It's slimline, only 62 pages long, and has vaguly attractive font. This is about it. Unless you really like bee's, and the same 20 words written in about 60 different ways, don't bother!
Format: Paperback
Pages: 384
IBSN:1573225126
My Rating:4 out of 5
I really liked this book, once you get used to the writing style it's an easy and enjoyable read. Also a lot better than the film, so it's well worth a read if you've seen the film. I read it in two sittings I think so it's a quick read if you have the motivation!
Format: Paperback
Pages: 317
ISBN: 0552549053
My Rating: 4/5
It's taken me a while to get around to reading this book but I'm glad I did. Though it is aimed more at children it's still an enjoyable read, set on the discworld with characters based in the main Discworld Series, but mainly centered around a girl witch and The Nac Mac Feegle. First of three books about the same.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 224
ISBN: 0099450259
My Rating: 3.5/5
Following the adventure that is daily life for an aspergers sufferer this book is written part in narrative and provides a bit of an insight in to one person with aspergers. The story is the story the boy narrator is writing for a school project, and the repercussions it has on his life. Ish.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
ISBN: 0552551441
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Set two years on from Wee Free Men, Tiffany is now 11 and is leaving home to train to be a witch. Encountering more supernatural challenges, and more housework than was advertised, she overcomes more personal battles with the help of the Nac Mac Feegle. (Even though she'd rather not have them around quite so often, thank you very much.)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
ISBN: 0552553697
My Rating: 4/5
Another two years on and Tiffany finds that being a witch is a lot of responsbility and one mistake can lead to serious trouble. The Wintersmith has an interest in her and it's her job to politely decline his offer of marriage, in order to return Summer to the world again. More or less. The Nac Mac Feegle show up to help or hinder again, making many amusing appearances.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 90
ISBN: 0-14-032671-5
My Rating: 3/5
The farmers are after the fox and his family, but they forget he is a fantastic fox, and is therefore more cunning than they could ever hope to be. An easy kids book but always enjoyable!
Format: Hardback
Pages: 89
ISBN: 435 12165
My Rating: 4/5
I think everyone should read this at least once, it's a classic for a reason.
Format: Hardback
Pages: 410
ISBN:978-0-385-61370-5
My Rating: 3.5/5
I really didn't want to like this book, and so am left quite annoyed at the fact that I have. It's very different from the Discworld series, writing style as much as setting, but I found myself caught up in the bigger picture. Like Pratchett says in the author's note: "Thinking. This book has some. Whether you try it at home is up to you." It is rather thought provoking, and for that reason alone, has reclaimed some worthiness in my view.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 429
ISBN: 0552149438
My Rating: 2.5 out of 5
For some reason this is one of my least favourite discworld books. It's set in Ankh Morpork, and introduces the shady character of Moist Von Lipwig, saved from certain death to restore the post office. (A job position which only involves possible death.) There's an alright plot to it, and enough characters to sustain it, but for some reason I just.. don't like it very much. Give it a go and see for yourself though..
Format: Hardback
Pages: 352
ISBN: 0385611013
My Rating: 4 out of 5
I enjoyed this book more than I did the last time I read it for some reason. It follows on from Going Postal, with Moist Von Lipwig as the main character, this time trying to transform the Ankh Morpork Bank service. It's got enough action to keep it moving, while being simple enough to follow easily. It has everything from The Department for Post Mortem Communications to paper money, with a hint of a golden army along the way for good measure.
Format: Hardback
Pages: 180
ISBN: 0-691-12521-x
My Rating: 2 out of 5
This book is interesting to one who is interested, but once the self motivation to read it lessens, there is little to keep you gripped. It's a basic overview of the different types of reasons given in society in various area's and professions, but does not go in to much detail. Definately more of a sociology angle than a psychology angle. Worth a read if you have an interest in the subject, but it's more just obvious observation so if you're looking to learn about the subject in more depth you'll be disappointed.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 234
ISBN: 0571226167
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5
The start seemed a bit slow to me and then in the middle it randomly jumped to the psych stuff without much notice. It was a bit odd really, but did make some sort of sense. Good book all the same I think.
Format: Hardback
Pages: 340
ISBN: 0261103288
My Rating: 4 out of 5
I've not read this for years but it's just how I remember it. I love the writing style and the quick paced storytelling. It's an awesome book no matter how old (or young) you are.