“Dead Lions” by Mick Herron

 This was an enjoyable audio book even though I knew the plot from the tv show. Herron has a great talent for vividly amusing descriptions.

“Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan

The book was a bit repetitive and of course the characters are the usual teenage types, but I quite enjoyed it. I have always liked Greek mythology, and the descriptions of the gods and locations are very well done. I’m glad Morgan and Lochlan had me red it.

“The Case of the Velvet Claws” by Erle Stanley Gardner (Perry Mason)

 I quite enjoyed this first book in the Perry Mason series. The mystery was interesting and more complicated than I initially expected. It was also fun from a historical perspective. It’s quite amazing how much society has changed in 90 years.

“Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver

 I bought this book because I enjoyed Kingsolver’s “The Poisonwood Bible” and because I liked the novel “David Copperfield, of which this is an updated rendering. It takes place in Appalachia, and I’ve liked Sharon McCrumb’s books about this region. 

This is a very long novel, and sadly it lacked Dickens’ light touch and ironic sense of humour. Reading it was, for the most part, a slog. It read like a documentary on human misery. I did enjoy the last 200 pages or so, because they were actually finally hopeful, and as expected, Demon got the girl, Angus.

“Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century” by Kim Fu

 I would have to say that this mostly unpleasant set of bizarre short stories was right up my alley.

“Snow Road Station” by Elizabeth Hay

 I was hoping I would enjoy this book because it’s written by an older woman, it is about an older woman, and it takes place in Lanark, Ottawa and Montreal. But I found it to be a rather pedestrian experience. I’m not into reliving my past or having regrets over things you can’t change, or having recreational sex. Lulu, the aging actress, found peace and happiness in the beauty of nature, in her family home, surrounded by loving friends and family. Big deal. Tell me something I don’t know. Lulu was a total bore.

“The Daughter of Dr Moreau” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

 I have read this author before and I like the way she combines weird subject matter with Mexican history and culture. Dr Moreau’s daughter, Carolita, was a compelling character who had to come to terms with the discovery that she was part cheetah. I liked the characters of Montgomery and Lupe as well.  The love between Montgomery, Carolita and the other hybrids was very touching.