READING

Ah, my dear little friends. It is not my intention to program you -- to flick through the many crevices of your brains with my grease-spotted fingers. But let me subtly suggest that you buy The Call for your loved ones this Christmas ( Read more... )

If you're reading this, the chances are you already know me and the last thing you want is to run into me in London. Well, if you live in the UK's capital, it's time to find an excuse to get out of it, because I will be visiting the Piccadilly branch of Waterstones on the last evening of September.

Here's the blurb:

"Join us for an evening of ( Read more... )

Oh, yes, it's been a while. You're right to sneer at me as I get down on my knees and swear that this time it will be better, that I'll blog more often and never fail you again. But we both know different, don't we? Still, this is just who I am and you knew that when you first befriended me, even though everybody said I was no good ( Read more... )

PLAYING

I rarely do videogames any more. But for some reason yesterday I started playing This War of Mine from 11 bit Studios. It's a simulation where you control a group of refugees trapped in a war torn city. They are constantly hungry and tired. They get injured and sick. Your job is simply to keep them alive and there's never a comfortable ( Read more... )

I've been watching TV, God help me. Especially that Italian pit of bleak violence known as Gomorra. There is not a single character to like here, and nor is there supposed to be. Italians have to live with the Mafia every day and they won't risk us viewers falling in love with them the way we fell for the Sopranos.

Watching Gomorra can be a bit ( Read more... )

I'll make this quick so I can get back to staring stupified at the ceiling. Outside, the whole world boils in its own juices -- at least 17C! -- and there I cannot go.

So what will I get up to as I await the return of saner temperatures? Thanks for asking!

READING

I finished up with a few good books over recent weeks. Devil's Blood, sequel to ( Read more... )

READING
Look at me reading. What a guy! I have books up to my eyeballs at the moment, and some of them seem set to fill my heart with delight. I'm particularly looking forward to Prentice and Weil's Devil's Blood. Yes, the cover. Yes, the title. But mainly because the first book was such a blast. That one's out only today, by the way! But I'd advise ( Read more... )

Some time ago, I wrote a post about meeting Michael Swanwick at Boskone. I gushed a little about his novel, "The Iron Dragon's Daughter".

For some, like John O'Neill of blackgate.com, that wasn't bloated, long-winded or gassy enough. He persuaded me to write a full review.

Well, it's up right now -- on the actual INTERNET!!!Don't be too astounded ( Read more... )

LUXCON

LuxCon? I really have nothing to say that I haven't said in previous years. A lovely Con run by lovely people. They always have the coolest guests of honour. This year's English language GOH was Belfast's own Ian McDonald of whom you have seen me rave on this page more than once. It was great to hang out with him and Wolfgang. It was even ( Read more... )

I have no straight answer when you ask me what my favourite book is. Usually I blurt out, "I, Caludius"! Because it *is* brilliant and because nobody can get to the end of it without falling in love ( Read more... )