Fire Dancer by Victor Kelleher

Fire Dancer
Victor Kelleher
1996, Penguin, Ringwood
0670871117
307p.

Josie and Ivan are two adolescents from the near future who are on a time travel holiday when they become stranded in the past. They must learn to survive in the wilderness with a tribe of Neanderthals.

This was a very interesting premise and I like Kelleher's exploration of time travel theory and the nature of time. However, at times, it felt a little too much like it was trying to be educational from a historical viewpoint ... it seemed to read like a documentary about Neanderthals and their life.

Link to journal at bookcrossing

The Island of the Colour-Blind by Oliver Sacks

The Island of the Colour-Blind
Oliver Sacks
1996, Pan Macmillan, Sydney
0330358871
226p.

This is two books in one - the first is about Sacks' journey to a small Pacific island where a high percentage of the population is totally colour blind; the second is about Guam where a neurological disease causes muscular weakness.

I expected this to be more about the neurology and science of the diseases, but it read more like a travel diary which just happened to centre around a neurologist's study travels. It was interesting to read about these places and conditions which I'd never heard about before but I would have liked a little bit more in-depth.

Link to journal at bookcrossing

Doctor Who and the Zarbi by Bill Strutton

Doctor Who and the Zarbi
Bill Strutton
1965, 1984, Target, London
0426113241
174p.

The Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki are drawn to a planet with strange bug-like creatures who appear to be under the control of an outside force. The TARDIS cannot leave the planet until the team uncover the mystery of the planet.

This is a novelisation of one of my favourite classic episodes of Doctor Who. In the TV show I love how the Zarbi keep bumping into the cameras, and the rather effeminate voices of the Menoptera. I enjoyed the read, though it seemed to take forever to get through.

Link to journal at bookcrossing

Rozen Maiden Volume 1 by Peach Pit

Rozen Maiden Volume 1
Peach Pit
2003, 2006, Tokyopop, Los Angeles
1598163124
unnumbered

Jun is a recluse who likes to order junk from the internet and return it before the grace period expires. When he orders a strange doll, he discovers that he cannot return her and is taken on a strange journey.

This is pretty cool manga. I was expecting it to be a bit childish as it's rated T13+, but I thought the style was quite mature and it touches on some not-so-angsty teen issues. Except now I'm going to have to find Volume 2.

The Spare Room by Helen Garner

The Spare Room
Helen Garner
2008, Swann House, Melbourne
9781847672674
195p.

Helen offers her spare room to her friend who is undergoing treatment for cancer. The battle is very difficult on both of them and the relationship is strained.

I don't think this is a true story, but the way it is written, it could very well be ... the author and narrator share a first name and the narrator is a writer living in Melbourne. It's a good little book in that it deals with a very sensitive topic without sugar-coating it or turning it into some sweet saccharin tale of a friendship forged through tough times. Very honest voice.

Link to journal at bookcrossing

Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison

Make Room! Make Room!
Harry Harrison
1966, 1973, Doubleday, New York
0425040437
224p.

This is the book the movie Soylent Green is based on. It is the tale of an over-populated world at the turn of the millennium.

I thought this was brilliant. I adored the movie Soylent Green, and when I heard that the main premise of the movie didn't come from the book (y'all know what I'm talking about), I was a bit worried that I wouldn't enjoy the book. But I did! The writing style is beautiful for a little science fiction novel, and there is so much humanity in this book. I'm just glad it wasn't prophetic.

Link to journal at bookcrossing

Brighton Rock by Graham Greene

Brighton Rock
Graham Greene
1938, 1985, Penguin, Middlesex
0140004424
247p.

Story of Pinkie - a gang member in pre-WWII England - who murders a gambler who owed him money and the repercussions of that event.

I couldn't say I enjoyed the book - it was bleak and difficult to read at times - but I felt I couldn't stop reading, it sucked me in completely. It's an uncomfortable read. I did however learn a lot of 1930s British mobster lingo!

Link to journal at bookcrossing