Monthly Archives: June 2004

Jigs and reels… I’m currently dipping into Joanne Harris’ first short story collection, Jigs & Reels, and it’s a real surprise. I’ve only been familiar with Harris as the author of what look like “literary” novels for middle-aged women’s book clubs, like Chocolat and Blackberry Wine, but Harris seems to have a real affection for … Continue reading »

I know I make connections that no-one else ever gets – I’ll say something is like something else and I just get these weird blank looks – but am I the only person to ever think that the music of Stephen Morrissey is a lot like the music of Stephin Merritt? I mention this after … Continue reading »

And an open mind… …compels me to immediately add that the Birmingham novel DOES pick up. I still think the opening 100 pages contain a lot of Tom Clancy-style hooey (for reference, I thought The Hunt for Red October was unutterably boring), but it then begins to get quite interesting and Birmingham really handles his … Continue reading »

Pushing on into the past… Some of you may recall that I posted a link to Paul Di Filippo’s review of John Birmingham’s new novel, Weapons of Choice. It’s one of several good reviews I’ve seen, and it was enough to persuade me – restricted to my sick bed – to check it out. Sigh. … Continue reading »

Hmm. So whassup? Well, the ‘flu has come to visit again, which has pretty much wiped me out for the past couple days. It’s also been Jessica’s 4th birthday, so we had a little family thing with cake and presents here yesterday, and will be having a party at her grandmother’s house tomorrow. All of … Continue reading »