Bogormen

Title: Karen-Kurér (Karen Courier)
Author: Estrid Ott
Genre: Classic, WW2
Rating: 5/5
# pages: 128
Date read: October, 2017

A YA novel based on true events that occurred in Elsinore, Denmark during World War II. The main character, Vips - a.k.a. Karen Courier - helps her brothers in the resistance movement by passing on documents, photos and films, helping Jews and others to Sweden and generally doing all she can to annoy the Germans.

I was introduced to this book as a child and cannot count the number of times I've read it - so it actually came as a surprise to see that I hadn't added it to Goodreads yet, as that means I haven't read it since 2002 or before!!! About time I remedied that! Estrid Ott is one of my favourite authors, and this is one of my favourite books by her. She really makes the every-day life during the war come to life, and I read most of the book with a lump in my throat.

Title: The Crucifix Killer (Robert Hunter #1)
Author: Chris Carter
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 365
Date read: October, 2017

When the body of a young woman is discovered in a derelict cottage in the middle of Los Angeles National Forest, Homicide Detective Robert Hunter finds himself entering a horrific and recurring nightmare. Naked, strung from two parallel wooden posts, the victim was sadistically tortured before meeting an excruciatingly painful death. All the skin has been ripped from her face - while she was still alive. On the nape of her neck has been carved a strange double-cross: the signature of a psychopath known as the Crucifix Killer. But that's impossible. Because two years ago, the Crucifix Killer was caught and executed. Could this therefore be a copycat killer? Or could the unthinkable be true? Is the real killer still out there, ready to embark once again on a vicious and violent killing spree, selecting his victims seemingly at random, taunting Robert Hunter with his inability to catch him? Hunter and his rookie partner are about to enter a nightmare beyond imagining.


I don't know why it's taken me so long to pick up this book. It was exactly as captivating as the back blurb had led me to believe. It had some issues with pacing in places, but considering it's a debut novel, I can look past that, and am keen to see how he improves in later books. The killer's motivation didn't come across as entirely realistic to me (or rather, the punishment didn't quite fit the crime), but still somehow fit the story.

While it's the first in a series, the book is nicely contained with all ends woven in.

Title: Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe
Author: Preston Norton
Genre: YA, arc
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 400
Date read: October, 2017

Cliff Hubbard is a huge loser. Literally. His nickname at Happy Valley High School is Neanderthal because he's so enormous-6'6" and 250 pounds to be exact. He has no one at school and life in his trailer park home has gone from bad to worse ever since his older brother's suicide.

There's no one Cliff hates more than the nauseatingly cool quarterback, Aaron Zimmerman. Then Aaron returns to school after a near-death experience with a bizarre claim: while he was unconscious he saw God, who gave him a list of things to do to make Happy Valley High suck less. And God said there's only one person who can help: Neanderthal.

To his own surprise, Cliff says he's in. As he and Aaron make their way through the List, which involves a vindictive English teacher, a mysterious computer hacker, a decidedly unchristian cult of Jesus Teens, the local drug dealers, and the meanest bully at HVHS--Cliff feels like he's part of something for the first time since losing his brother. But fixing a broken school isn't as simple as it seems, and just when Cliff thinks they've completed the List, he realizes their mission hits closer to home than he ever imagined.


A bit slow to start, but once it took off (basically after Aaron and Cliff became friends) it did so with a vengeance, and I couldn't put it down. I found it relatable, moving and very poignant. I loved the idea of a popular kid and an outcast getting together to work for the school to be a better place. I also liked the fact that they made mistakes. It didn't always work - sometimes they even made it worse - but even their efforts made a difference, and got other kids on board. It was very satisfying to see Cliff grow from being "Neanderthal" to being "Cliff".

Title: Temple of the Winds
Author: Terry Goodkind
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4/5
# pages: Audiobook ~27hrs / 822 pages
Date read: November 2011, October 2017

Wielding the Sword of Truth, Richard Rahl has battled death itself and come to the defense of the D'Haran people. But now the power-mad Emperor Jagang confronts Richard with a swift and inexorable foe: a mystical plague cutting a deadly swath across the land and slaying thousands of innocent victims.

To quench the inferno, he must seek remedy in the wind...

To fight it Richard and his beloved Kahlan Amnell will risk everything to uncover the source of the terrible plague-the magic sealed away for three millennia in the Temple of the Winds.

Not quite as good as the first three books in the series. The entire thing about gaining entrance to the Temple of the Winds annoyed me, as did Nadine and Drefan. I am glad that Richard, Kahlan and Shota achieved a truce of sorts though.

Title: A Mango-Shaped Space
Author: Wendy Mass
Genre: YA
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 270
Date read: January 2009, October 2017

Mia Winchell seems to be a typical teenager, but shes keeping a huge secret from everyone who knows her: sounds, numbers, and words appear in color for her. Mia has synesthesia, the mingling of perceptions whereby a person can see sounds, smell colors, or taste shapes. When trouble in school forces Mia to reveal her condition, her friends and family can't relate to her, and she must look to herself to develop an understanding and appreciation for her gift.


Having no clue what to expect when I purchased this book, I was absolutely fascinated by it. I never knew that synesthesia existed in so many different forms, and that it could be so vivid for some. I have a very mild form of synesthesia myself, but A Mango-Shaped Space brought it home to me rather forcefully just how mild it is. Nothing like Mia anyway, that's for sure.

While in some ways a typical YA fiction with the friendship, family and relationship issues that entail, by far most of the book is used to describe Mia's condition and how it affects her every-day life. It's well written, and readers of all ages will find it an interesting way to learn about synesthesia.

The audiobook version was read by Danielle Ferland who did a good job of sinking into the background and letting Mia tell the story. She did voices well, even if Mia's father could sound a bit strained at times, and Mia's friend Jenna was occasionally too young-sounding. Minor details though - in general, she was a pleasure to listen to.