Nostalgic and August Book Haul!

 Greetings Fellow Readers!

This August I've acquired one novel and one graphic novel.  I won't be purchasing any more books in August, as I'm quickly running out of shelf space and will probably buy a couple of books in Derby at Edge-Lit in September.

I bought Birdman and Chicken by Trevor Metcalfe because when I was younger it was a comic strip in quite a few comics I bought including Whizzer and Chips. 

The strip started in a comic called Krazy in 1976, so what I read was probably repeats of the strip and also newer adventures drawn and written by other people.  Trevor mainly drew the strips after getting scripts from other writers.

I loved it as it was very funny.  Being a parody of super heroes especially the 1960s Batman TV show with Adam West.

I also bought the final book in The Raven Trilogy by Giles Kristian. Odin's Wolves.

I now have the full trilogy to enjoy although I've so many books to read before them.

Best get reading I guess!

What books have you purchased recently?

Neil x

Fantastic Four - First Steps - Film Review

 

Hey Nerds!

Went to see the new offering from Marvel at the weekend. Took the daughter and we were hoping this new take on the Fantastic Four would be better than the last few films from Marvel.

Luckily it was but only just!

The film is set on an alternative world to the usual main Marvel films.  This was a refreshing take and I loved the retro sixties future world and technology.

The origin of the Fantastic Four isn't shown but we get hints and also action shots of the Fantastic Four defeating their main enemies including Mole Man.

The main story starts 3 years into their role of heroes and Sue Storm (the gorgeous Vanessa Kirby), discovers she's pregnant with Reed Richard's (Pedro Pascal) baby.

They announce this to The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and the Human Torch (Joseph Quinn).

The film fast forwards to Sue Storm in her late stage of pregnancy when the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) shows up saying the planet will be destroyed by Galactus (Ralph Ineson).

The Fantastic Four follow the Silver Surfer to speak to Galactus to bargain to save Earth, but he knows there's something special about Sue's baby and will leave the Earth alone if they give him the baby.

They don't and escape to Earth.  Sue has had baby Franklin on the trip back home but Galactus soon arrives for a final showdown.

Overall - this is a visually great film and a different fresh theme on the Marvel world we're used to.  Some of the technology is great.

The acting of the main cast is solid too and the main team have a good spark.  The problem is the emotions are a bit flat, which I think is how the characters were written.

The action set pieces are solid and it takes a sci-fi turn when they go to space.

It's a fun film but there was something lacking. A spark it needed.  Maybe it needed more humour although luckily there wasn't so much of the usual Marvel cheesy humour.

Bels Score -  7/10

My Score   -  8/10

Has anyone else seen it? What are your thoughts?

Neil x

August 2025 Update!

 

Greetings Creatives!

Yep. We're in August. Has time speeded up? Or have the years always gone so fast?

July was another quick month.  Sadly another month of procrastination for me.

July Review -

Continued on my journey reading Best Served Cold. A journey I hope will come to an end in the first week of August.

Still didn't write any stories!

Job going well and now work from home a couple of times a week, which is great and the cat loves it.

Still not started my health kick and got my fat arse to the gym.

In July did have some good times with daughter and my Mum.  This included a meal out and walks.

Had a good unexpected day out in Leeds.  This included visiting my favourite Waterstones.

Also hauled some good books in July.  One from Waterstones.  The other 2 from Amazon. But needs must!

In August - 

I definitely want to get writing again especially for Edge-Lit in September.  Every year I go I say I'm going to write and never do.  Hopefully by September I will have got something down.

In August 2 women that are important in my life have their birthdays.

One being by Mum, who will be 82.  

The other being my girlfriend Jane who sadly passed away in January.  Hope she's celebrating wherever she is.

This is the month I finish Best Served Cold. In July I realised one of the reasons why I hadn't read much in the last year - I need new glasses.  This includes reading glasses.  So in August I've to see the opticians and get new glasses.  Once I have those I'll be reading loads of books.

I also hope to carry on doing well in my job which I'm liking a lot.

Lastly I need to get healthy and exercise and lose some weight before Edge-Lit and beyond as I'm more out of shape now I'm in an office job again.

What's your plans for August?

Neil x

Return to Leeds Waterstones!

 

Hey Book Worms!

I had to nip into Leeds today out of the blue.  I'd been thinking of visiting Leeds for a few months.

As I was there I couldn't resist a visit to my joint favourite Waterstones - joint with York.

I got there early so had a good look around and browsed a bit.  Finally settling to purchasing another Aliens book and having coffee and carrot cake, which was yummy.

I bought an Aliens short story collection.

I had to admit Leeds Waterstones was looking good, with plenty of choice in all genres, in particular my favourites of Sci-fi,  Fantasy and Horror.

Have you been to a Waterstones lately? What did you buy?

Neil x

Quick Book Haul

 

Hi Book Nerds!

A real quick blog post as I've let my posting slip over the last 2 weeks.

Decided to treat myself to the sequel in the Raven trilogy by Giles Kristian.

I've a few of his novels now including his Lancelot series and need to get them read!

What new books have you got?

Neil x

July 2025 Update!

 

Hey Dweebs!

I say it every month but hasn't it gone fast this year! Already in the seventh month of 2025!

Another quick update especially on the writing and reading front.

June Review -

Been enjoying my temporary job in Bradford so far.  That alone has surprised me, as the time goes fast there.  In the previous job time dragged on forever.

Still been reading Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie.  Been 8 months now although still loving it.  

Writing wise still not done any.  I've usually sore eyes from looking at 2 screens all day.  Now I'm adjusting hope to write soon.

Had a great day and night out with my mates in Holmfirth.  After a few drinks in the pubs we went to see A Special Kind of Madness - a tribute band to both The Specials and Madness.

In July -

I need to finish Best Served Cold and get writing again.

I hope to do more exercise in July also and loose some weight for Edge-Lit in September!

I hope to get to the cinema in July to see a few movies including the new Jurassic World and Superman movie.  Not sure about Fantastic Four yet, as Marvel have been churning out not so great movies over the last few years.

Job wise my contract is supposed to run out in July but been told it usually gets extended so I'll just wait and see.

What's your plans for July?

Neil x

Quick Update and Edge -Lit 11

 

Hey Nerds!

Just a really quick update as I've not posted for ages.

Here's a reminder for a great event that I try to get to each year in Derby at the Quad.

A fantastic place with friendly staff, it's a great opportunity to meet famous and not so famous writers.  From novel authors to script writers who have worked in film and TV.

Whether you're a writer or just a reader it's informative about the writing process, from listening to panels or attending workshops.

It's also a good place to meet new friends, go for drinks and buy new books.

I've already bought my tickets for this year's Edge-Lit plus paid my coach fare and accommodation.

Held on Saturday the 20th of September it's shaping up to be another great event with main guests announced. 

First being Sci-fi author and TV writer Tim Lebbon. I've a few of his novels including an Alien book he wrote and hopefully will read one by September.

The same could be said for the second guest of honour, Sci-fi writer Peter F Hamilton.

I've already met Peter before at Leeds Waterstones so look forward to seeing him again and getting a photo with him this time.

Other authors lined up include Mark Morris, Sarah Pinborough, Dan Coxon and JS Barnes.

Hopefully will see familiar and new faces in Derby in September.

See below for the official Edge-Lit/Quad link.

https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/edgelit11/

Later.

Neil x