I am utterly completely and totally besotted with Neil Gaiman as a narrator. His voice gives me the shiver sin the best way — I am listening to Norse Mythology off and on at the moment. And then I find out he’s offered to read a Cheese Factory Menu for donations to a UNHCR charity AND Dr Seuss’ Fox in Socks for the same.
Donate people, donate!
That said, I most certainly do not have a Neil Gaiman book for review. Alas.
What I do have are these:
Overturned
It’s the cover on this that made me stop and take a look at this — the skull especially. And then it’s set in Las Vegas and then, it’s about Nikki — whose dad is on death row for killing his best friend. All Nikki wants is out of Vegas, however, that kind of goes out the window when her dad gets released from prison. And drags her along as he investigates who set him up. I’m somewhat mystified as to why her father is so nameless in this. But Nikki intrigues me — why is is just her and her father? And, who would have set him up and what what is this seedy underbelly that he’s dragging her into??
Ten Dead Comedians
Definitely one of the quirkiest titles I’ve seen in a long time — and that it pays homage to Agatha Christie is an added bonus, along with the fact that it’s showbiz satire! So nine comedians are convinced to come to the island retreat of a legendary Hollywood comedian, but the problem is the legend that invited them isn’t there. The only person there is the one killing them off. So yes please — and island and nine suspects? OR nine and counting down number of suspects!
The Only Child
This is one of the more original plots I’ve seen in a long time. Lily is a psychiatrist who happens to have a 200 year old patient, that claims he’s the inspiration for Frankenstein, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Dracula, which seems to be on time considering the monster movie universe that is just being set up. But Lily and her “dad” are still far more original, I think! What the hell is up with her dad, mum and herself???
This next one, I don’t know about. On the one hand it seems like an impossible scenario that kind of sounds like it might be frustrating but… but I want to be hopeful…
The Forgotten Girl
How do you solve a mystery when you’ve forgotten the most important clue? A woman, your girlfriend, who happens to have the very interesting talent of being able to erase a person’s memory. But she’s left our hero, Harvey, the memory of a woman in a blue dress — a dancing woman. So who is Sally? And how does Harvey find her? And what is the war that he can’t win?
And last, is the story of a tattoo machine that changes everything as we know it. Alternative 60s history anyone?
The Epiphany Machine
Adam invents a machine that changes the course of history — a tattoo machine that inks the skin of people with with revelations, the kind that changes who they are (like you know, helping John Lennon love the Beatles). Into Adam’s life comes Venter (and his family), who becomes his protege. He is the one who records what people feel and think after being inked with their revelations. And takes an oath for himself never to reveal what his machine inks on a person’s skin. But what does he do when the government comes asking about the mark on the arm of his best friend. Another unusual plot, and I feel like it’s going to be quiet read, but it’s probably going to leave a wreck by the end! What would your tattoo revelation be?? Wait, would you get a tattoo??
I agree, The Only Child has an original plot, one that definitely makes me want to read the book! Will have to check it out for sure, thanks 😀
It’s creeping me out, but I definitely want to know how the auhtor pulls it all together.
I love these posts. You always share such interesting books. I need to check out The Only Child and The Epiphany Machine now!
Aw, thank you for that! That’s my weirdness coming out in the recs lol
Ooh, The Only Child sounds superb! I love books that mix it up and push against genre boundaries. I’m wondering since it’s being marketed as contemporary, is it magical realism or does he suffer from a mental illness. I’ve seen a review for that one that thought it was a bit of a mish mash of all the Gothic classics but still super intrigued.
Exactly! That blurb made me go WANTS. It’s such a great mix of characters and genres, I am ready for something new that is pushing boundaries you know — even if it is a mish mash, I hope it’s done well and interesting lol
I do need to read Norse Mythology, now that you mention Mr. Gaiman. 🙂
It’s more a collection of short stories retold by Gaiman. Not what I epxected, but quite good too!
Man, I’ll have to read The Only Child now! you got me all curious. I love Gaiman’s writing btw!
Gaiman is amazing and continues to be so! The Only child is top of my list too!
I have listened to a couple of short pieces narrated by Neil Gaiman and he does such a great job. I do have one of his books on audio with his narration in my account that I hope to get to soon.
his voice is so mesmerising, isn’t it?
I haven’t read anything by Neil Gaiman yet but Norse Mythology is SERIOUSLY on my radar. I need that audio me thinks! I also really want to read Neverwhere which is just sitting there waiting for me to pick it up…. One day? Oh, also American Gods… Sheesh. So far behind on my reading!
The Only Child sounds VERY interesting. I hope it’s a good one! The Forgotten Girl also sounds good.
Hope you’re having a great week so far!
MKR – We’ve almost got up to the end of the second instant restaurant round. Josh and Amy bombed out with a TERRIBLE restaurant and I was so suprised when Della and Tully didn’t perform. Matt and Alyse are up next and I can’t WAIT to see what this ‘cheating scandal’ is about!!!! Also – I HATE THE WAY THESE PEOPLE ARE SCORING in this group. It seems so inconsistent to me!!! So frustrating.
Di, try Neverwhere! Seriously, go find the BBC cast recording of Neverwhere — it’s got James MacAvoy and more importantly Benedict Cumberbatch as part of the cast and it seriously got me hooked on audiobooks.
MKR, gosh, you have a long way to go! I will have to keep my mouth shut big time lol The whole thing this year was frustrating. I’ve been saying this season is the best ad Masterchef never did.
Okay… I’m going to look for it NOW!
OH NO!!!!!!!! We finally finished the 2nd instant restaurant round and OMG I cannot believe that the ‘Seafood King’ flipping made it through. Argh. I was so frustrated! I’m going to be chatting to you about this season the entire time because I’m not even sure who else WATCHES!!!!!!!! Ha ha. 🙂
Masterchef.. Hmm. Maybe I should give it a go. 😀
Oh, I have so much to say about the Seafood King (ass) and he’s just barely got started, I tell you.
(Please do give Masterchef a go! the food is pretty as a picture and omg the challenges, I get scared for the contestants bc they are INSANE)