Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

I’ve never read a James Bond novel before, so I took a chance on one when it came available on Paperbackswap.com.

It was what I’ll call historically interesting, rather than a “good book”. In a recent movie that introduced Judi Dench as M, M referred to him as a “misogynistic dinosaur”, and that pretty much sums up the novel.

There isn’t a whole lot of action, but when there is some, Bond escapes danger mostly by luck or allies, though once or twice by quick thinking. But this is his genesis; he is a young agent simultaneously doubtful and confident.

But boy, those women annoy him. They were ALWAYS messin’ stuff up back then. You know?

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Man, that is a lot of 80s references.

I feel really… pandered to. Here is a book full of references to things you are nostalgiac about… movies, video games, etc.

It’s a fine dystopian future plot, where a young, overweight gamer can save the world (sort of) by remembering 80s trivia, and playing video games.

Really… just so… pandered to.

But that’s fine. It’s an enjoyable ride, as long as you can overlook the Mary Sue-ness.

Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett

The Wizards at Unseen University start a soccer/football team.

Whimsy results.

Another fine Discworld serial.

‘Nuff said.

I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett

I don’t know. It was a Pratchett Discworld Tiffany Aching book. I read it several weeks back.

I feel bad, never having anything to say about Discworld books. I like them. I really do. I obviously keep reading them. I think I’ve read just about all of them.

What happens in any particular one just dissipates quickly in my mind.

But Tiffany Aching is a fine heroine, which I’m noticing more and more are in short supply. Witches are cool. Nice ones, anyway.