The Seventh Taboo - review

A beautiful one compliments of "Long and Short Reviews":

"... Clones are identical? Clones are the same sex? The future stretches the scientific boundaries until even the people of that time aren't sure what can be achieved.

In a world of virtual reality, some workmates decide to play an illegal Face to Face game. This is when Jade and Lorri-Ann meet. They are immediately attracted to each other and Lorri-Ann wonders if she has met her soul mate, but realizes this can't be as they are different genders.

In a world where the young and cloned have live-in monitors, these two young people steal moments to investigate and maybe advance their attraction for each other.

Although short this story is full of mystery. Jade and Lorri-Ann combine their skills to outwit their mentors and search the files for clues to their origins...."

Read more here: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/seventh-taboo-by-yvonne-eve-walus.html

"How I Met Your Mother"

I have a brand-new vice lately, which is fabulous, because I was getting bored with the old ones. It's called "How I Met Your Mother". Yes, I mean the popular TV series now in its 845th season or so. And yes, when it comes to TV, I can be slow on the uptake sometimes (I still haven't seen Heroes or Survivor, and have only sampled House).

What I love about "How I Met Your Mother" is the quirkiness. The plot keeps wagging in unexpected directions, and yet there is an underlying wholesomeness to the show, so notably absent from True Blood, to mention a random example.

Having watched only the first season, I can't imagine how they're going to keep the storyline fresh throughout the remaining 844... but I can't wait to find out!

Looking for good books....

I found myself in a bit of a quandary lately. I've run out of books to read. Oh, my to-read pile is still as high as ever, and yet I find myself re-reading the old classics:

• Terry Pratchett
• Harlan Coben
• Nick Hornby
• Joshilyn Jackson
• Lionel Shriver
• Minette Walters
• Agatha Christie....

I'm looking for books in which:

• no bad things happen (particularly to children)
• are uplifting
• and fun to read
• and make me think.

Suggestions welcome... nay, humbly begged for!

Nick Hornby's Books

I've read "About a boy" before, and I've seen the movie. Now I'm listening to the audio book (audio books are great for car journeys and household chores). Nick Hornby is a brilliant writer. Brilliant.

Only yesterday, somebody asked what books I'd write if I could write anything I wanted without paying heed to the market. I mentioned Pratchett-like fantasy settings and satire, I mentioned Coben's thrillers, I mentioned Minette Walters and her issues-driven crime fiction.

I should have added Nick Hornby to the list, with his beautiful and understated commentary on life.