My 2014 Reading List

Over the last few years I've drifted away from reading to the extent where I may have read only three or four books each of the last few years. This blog entry will be a record of this years reading material and an effort to get back into enjoying a good book. Anyway here's what I read in 2014:

Interesting Times by Terry Prattchett, I'd started this in November of last year but finished it in early January. I've gotten into the habit of revisiting the Discworld over the last few years and felt in the mood for a Rincewind tale. So much from this book has stayed with me over the years, be it a one liner or plot detail and it was an absolute joy to revisit.

The Gallifrey Chronicles by Lance Parkin, this book is the final book of the BBC's Eighth Doctor range. I was a regular reader when they came out but drifted away at the end, having seen this re released a year or two back I'd had my eye on it for some time. Surprisingly it was quite a romp and not much of an event book compared to other books from the same range. A pleasant tale and fully enjoyable with a few nice touches, I especially enjoyed the ending and the Doctors interaction with the other time lord.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, sadly a disappointment and I'm not sure how this piece of work has made it into the public consciousness. I expected a horror classic and all I got was a weak travelogue.

The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne, I was glued to the page for the entire 500+ page count. Fully of wonderful characters, camaraderie, a fantastic location, and a good solid background plot attached to the ongoing survival story line. At this point my favourite read of the year.

Doctor Who: Tales of Trenzalore: The Eleventh Doctors Last Stand, a collection of short stories set during Matt Smiths TV story. A good collection that builds on the world and situation set up during the TV story - also the stories are very different featuring a diverse number of the Doctors villains, recommended.

The Sign of Four by Conan Doyle, having read two of the Sherlock Holmes short story collections I'd been meaning to get around to one of the novels for some time. A fun and rather short read, a lot of the traditionally highly quoted Holmes lines come from this story. Very much a fun romp, compared to the short stories there isn't really much detection going on but a fun romp of an adventure none the less. Plus for readers like me there is a short story included in the prose where we get the motivation of the villain.

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, a book I'd been meaning to get around to for some time. I've seen so many adaptions of this over the years from the Dogtanian to the Richard Lester films so it was a joy finally reading the source material. Due to me getting back into work and lack of reading time it took me three months to read this (I love a good meaty book that takes months to get through) so it looks like I may not read as many books as I hoped this year.

Aberystwyth Mon Amour by Malcolm Pryce, I saw the cover of this book a few years ago and knew I'd read it at some point. A brilliant mix of noir, dark comedy and a brilliant mystery. The lead character and the town of Aberystwyth are brought to life majestically. Highly recommended and I will be reading more of Louis Knight in the future.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, I finally break my Christie cherry and read one of her books! I've seen quite a few adaptions of her work (a firm film fav of mine is the 1982 film adaption of Evil Under the Sun) including this book. So while knowing who the killer was I was still able to enjoy the book and will be rounding off all of Agatha's books I've seen adaptions of before tackling the mysteries I've yet to experience.

Starter For Ten by David Nicholls, a story about Brian Jacksons first year at university. It has a lot to say about growing up, a lot about class structure and 80's pop culture. Another book I highly recommend although the main character himself is a frustrating protagonist who will have you throwing the book against the wall.

Moving Pictures by Terry Prattchett, my end of year traditional visit to the Discworld was to my favourite book in the series. I hadn't read it in years and my reading of 2014 ends on a high, I always say if your getting into Prattchett and Discworld for the first time try this one, twenty four years on and its still a cracking read with quite a few firsts that have lingered and become fan favourites.

In short my best read of 2014 was The Three Musketeers and the worst was Frankenstein.

The Big Finish Catch Up: November 2014

In my ongoing mission to catch up with Big Finishes audio range I'm still making my way through the monthly ranges 2005 output...

  
We start of with Other Lives featuring the 8th Doctor, Charley and C'rizz. This is without doubt the most enjoyable story the 8th Doctor has had in absolute ages. Due to the 8th Doctors story going in a certain direction since Zagreus we've had by and large a certain type of story, a lot of angst and this crew in particular being put through the ringer. This story is just pure fun and in places a joyous farce, there's the odd bit of steel noticeably when a certain ongoing plot is touched on slightly but apart from that this is the most fun the 8th Doctor stuff has been in ages. Highly recommended and top scores all around from me.

Next up is Thicker Than Water, I must state I know this isn't in the right order, but I try not to look at story titles, covers or numbers and sometimes listen to them slightly out of order. This story features the 6th Doctor, Mel and Evelyn, its also a sequel to Arrangements For War which is a personal favourite of mine. Possibly not one I recommend as a one off purchase as its more of a farewell to Evelyn who gets a lovely "happy ever after" and a surprising cameo with some revealing information for another character. A lovely intimate story and its good to see Sixy being so proud of the affect Evelyn had on him as he pays a visit to her years after they parted when he's traveling with Mel. Another thumbs up, its good to see Big Finish revisit the scenes of its top stories. Like I said earlier I don't look up details of stories I've not heard so I assume its the last appearance for Evelyn and its a very fond farewell. Sadly Maggie Stables who played Evelyn passed away recently and she'll always be remembered in Doctor Who fandom for her work with the Six Doctor and her help in molding him into who Colin wanted to portray on screen as well as on audio. RIP Maggie and I hope you enjoyed every moment life threw at you.