There’s No Cure Like Micro Reviews!

As some of you may know, I recently returned from a month-long research trip to Europe. What you may not know is that I decided to travel as light as possible. In practical terms, this means the unthinkable: no books*! For someone who used to travel with no fewer than four of the seven Chronicles of Narnia novels at any given time**, this was a big problem.

Fortunately, not everyone is so maniacal about books as I am. Whereas I would never dream of leaving behind a book once I’d finished reading it, lots of previous guests at the hostel I was staying at didn’t mind doing so in the slightest. Which meant there was a mini lending library in the common room.

Which is why you see me blogging before you a sane woman today.

Here are some of the things I read and saw in London.

Our Little Secret by Kevin Flynn and Rebecca Lavoie (true crime novel, 2010) – Based on the true story of a teen murderer brought to justice decades later, this book was well written and enjoyable. I find true crime novels tough to evaluate: should I care how good they are as mysteries, as adventure stories, as character studies, and/or as histories? The authors spent lots of time tracking down the people involved, and the first-hand research showed in the vividness of the narrative, which remained exciting even though what would happen was laid out from the very first page.

I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett (fantasy novel, 2010) – Young witch Tiffany Aching is starting to feel unappreciated and excluded from the community, and when the old Baron dies, her troubles are compounded by the attentions of a supernatural being with the ability to stir up hatred for outsiders. Also, the Feegles. Admittedly, this book felt a little weak compared to the other Tiffany Aching novels, but even a “weak” Pratchett is still full of insightful observations, warm and wry humour, and enthralling characters.

(P.S. In a somewhat cruel twist of fate, I had had this book on hold at the library for OVER A YEAR with no success, and there it was, lying happily on the shelf in the hostel common room.)

The 39 Steps (farcical play, 2011) – Bought a ticket to this four-man parody of the famous suspense movie on a whim, and although it was amusing, I can’t say I’d spend my money the same way had I the chance to do it all over again. The quick-change/multiple-character stuff was well done, but there was nothing original or clever enough to make me laugh aloud. I suspect fans of the film or book might find more to enjoy, though.

The Magic Cavern (magic show, 2011) – Given the nature of my research, I figured it was only fair that I go see what seemed to be the one remaining long-running magic show in London, but I was disappointed with the result. The mechanism of many of the illusions seemed obvious to me (particularly one involving a mathematical magic square), and even with those that were more mystifying, the patter and presentation made me think, “So what?” instead of “Whoaaaa!!!” Then again, the dozen or so little kids in the audience seemed to be having a blast, so what do I know?

The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers (mystery novel, 1934) – Hello, Lord Peter Wimsey — we haven’t properly met, not in full-length novels instead of back issues of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, but you’re kind of cool. Unfortunately, this story happens to feature the method of murder that I find unspeakably silly whenever I encounter it (and sadly, I’ve encountered it several times). On the other hand, if you’re reading Dorothy L. Sayers, you’re reading her partly for her sharp portrayal of old-school English villages, peers, etc. and for the care she takes to educate the reader on the subject central to her book (in this case, traditional church bell ringing), not because it’s super important to know who killed the mysterious man found buried on top of the coffin at a recent funeral.

Friend of the Devil by Peter Robinson (mystery novel, 2007) – This is the only e-book on my list, and although I enjoyed it more than some of the others, I found myself turning to it less often just because it was such a pain to use my laptop at the hostel I was staying at. Series characters Annie Cabbot and Alan Banks each have a murder to investigate, but it when one of their victims turns out to be linked to long-ago serial murders, their cases intertwine. Twisty plot, interesting characters, but nothing that really jumped out at me and screamed, “Hey, you have to read more of these guys!”

Hmmm, that turns out to be not very long at all. So instead of mixing in more micro reviews from other times, here are some micro thoughts on reading and travel.

It’s impossible to accurately judge the number of books I’ll need while away from home. Whenever I bring tons, I end up shlepping them around and never reading them. Whenever I congratulate myself on realizing that the first scenario is likely and bring only one or two, I end up blazing through them and driving myself nuts within a day.

I’ve come to understand that this literary Catch-22 is inevitable and therefore have resigned myself to failure when it comes to reading in transit. Why, even last Sunday on the TTC, I finished my library book before my commute.

Conclusion: bah.

* All right, you smug little smugfaces with your e-readers and Kindles, I know these days it’s still possible to travel light with a whole library at your fingertips. I did have plenty of e-books, both for leisure and for work, on my laptop. But it’s just not worth it to buy electronic versions of all the works I want to read; the prices are still way too high. And downloading books illegally, with the state of the publishing industry being what it is, is NOT COOL. I’m a public library kind of gal, because otherwise a) I’d go bankrupt within two weeks, and b) my bookshelves and floor would collapse under the weight.

** You never know when you might need one!