#117. Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente

Title:	Palimpsest
Author:	Catherynne M. Valente
Genre:	Fiction
Synopsis:	Individuals find gateways to another world that they visit in their dreams, that marks their skin and makes demands of their flesh. As these visitors chase meaning and contact with their new reality, the history of the city they’re visiting slowly unfurls.
Verdict:	Beautiful imagery and stories woven together to look at the lives and motivations of different people and explore certain ideas. A nice read.
Pages:	367
Read:	April ­– May 2011

#116. The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

Title:	The Windup Girl
Author:	Paolo Bacigalupi
Genre:	Science Fiction/Semi Post-Apocalyptic
Synopsis:	In a future Thailand, after the world’s crops have been ravaged by uncontainable contaminations, a corporation man tries to find ways to exploit the stability the Thai people have fought to achieve. Meanwhile in the slums of the city an abandoned genetically modified concubine finds herself both at the mercy of and the cause of society shaking events.
Verdict:	Very scary view of how resources, trade and society would be fundamentally threatened and altered by diseases and corruptions that cannot be eradicated by chemicals. A very honest view that doesn’t pull any punches but still lets each character be human rather than an easily pigeonholed caricature.
Pages:	505
Read:	April 2011

#115. Packing For Mars by Mary Roach

Title:	Packing For Mars
Author:	Mary Roach
Genre:	Humorous Research
Synopsis:	Exploring the psychological, social, personal and logical challenges and requirements of space travel, especially with regards to travelling to Mars.
Verdict:	A fantastic, informative and enjoyable read. It confirmed that space travel is awesome but very definitely not for me, it made me feel too claustrophobic.
Pages:	275
Read:	April 2011

#114. Plucker by Brom

Title:	Plucker
Author:	Brom
Genre:	Supernatural
Synopsis:	A spirit doll containing a malevolent spirit is brought into an unsuspecting home and a child’s toys must protect their owner.
Verdict:	Brom does creepy and touching very well and his illustrations are amazing. Loved it.
Pages:	143
Read:	April 2011

#113. The Stone-Cutter by Camilla Läckberg

Title:	The Stone-Cutter
Author:	Camilla Läckberg
Genre:	Crime/Thriller
Synopsis:	A small girl is found drowned, presumably the victim of an accident, but evidence slowly comes to light suggesting something a lot darker.
Verdict:	Very well done with excellent plotting, character development and a patient drawing out of personal stories over the series. Camilla Läckberg always seems to pay as much attention to the details of the back stories as she does to the main story line which makes for a very rich read.
Pages:	473
Read:	April 2011