Mark
@chimper17.bsky.social
Book-reader, food-eater, unimaginative writer of blurbs
And finally, a nostalgic trip through my gaming history. While I hadn’t experienced (or even heard of) all, there were plenty I was familiar with. For each, you are taken by the hand and guided through the author’s experience of playing for the first time. #books #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 6:41 AM
The second Mossa and Pleiti story. This Holmesian duo are this time investigating a missing persons case that quickly develops into much more than they were expecting.
Charming and engaging, this builds confidently on the world and relationship established in the first book. #books #booksky
Charming and engaging, this builds confidently on the world and relationship established in the first book. #books #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 6:37 AM
From same world a We Are All Ghosts in the Forest, this is a new tale in this post-apocalyptic setting where digital information roams the world as potentially deadly ghosts.
I enjoyed the high stakes action even more than the first and am keen to see where this goes next. #books #booksky
I enjoyed the high stakes action even more than the first and am keen to see where this goes next. #books #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Keeping the quirky theme going, this Bob Mortimer novel starts with a missing girlfriend and spirals through pungent body odour, spying on a crazed yoga instructor and the titular long shoe.
So reflective of Bob’s humour you can practically hear him narrating. #books #booksky
So reflective of Bob’s humour you can practically hear him narrating. #books #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Next a step into the surreal. This is a short but mind-bending tale of a man who returns home to find a giant talking frog. The green intruder proceeds to ask his host to join him on a quest to save the city.
The strangest of Murakami’s works that I’ve read (complimentary). #books #booksky
The strangest of Murakami’s works that I’ve read (complimentary). #books #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 6:17 AM
A revisit to a personal favourite. I love the seemingly random absurdity, but find particular delight in how it is all so skilfully brought together. Part sci-fi, part murder mystery, all hilarious. As much a reflection of Douglas Adams’ genius as the Hitchiker’s Guide collection. #books #booksky
October 10, 2025 at 8:26 PM
A couple of older stories next. The first is new to me but is a classic of the SF genre. Written when the moon landing had everyone expecting to be colonising new worlds within a century or two; elements feel of its time but the mystery of Rama remains engaging throughout. #books #booksky
October 10, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Set in a London that has been largely deserted after a mini ice age, where much of the population now experiences migraines that they are able to record and share via neural implants. It’s a beautifully written journey that touches on romance, populism and social media. #books #booksky
September 26, 2025 at 5:56 AM
When a body is found buried in the cafe grounds, the missing owners instantly fall under suspicion but little is as it seems. This contains less Kosuke Kindaichi than prior novels and I did miss his chaotic energy. But there are enough twists and turns to keep it entertaining. #books #booksky
September 21, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Another strong offering from RF Kuang, this follows two students studying magic as they travel to Hell to bring back their professor’s soul. The story draws on myth, classical literature and philosophy, as they face their experiences of love and admiration-both healthy and otherwise. #books #booksky
September 19, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Another strong offering from RF Kuang, this follows two students studying magic as they travel to Hell to bring back their professor’s soul. The story draws on myth, classical literature and philosophy, as they face their experiences of love and admiration-both healthy and otherwise. #books #booksky
Book 2 of the Echo Archives series sees Kembral and Rika again traversing the echoes of their own reality to try and save their friends from a deadly curse. I loved the 1st in this series and this was a worthy follow-up. Fast-paced and high stakes, bound by the central relationship. #books #booksky
September 7, 2025 at 7:28 AM
A story about the return of ‘gods’ to a post-apocalyptic Earth, we follow Amri of the Rabbit clan as she helps one of the gods on his mission of revenge against his peers. It explores the ultimate path of the trend of transhumanism and those that are left behind. Great read. #books #booksky
September 3, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Time loop murder mystery from the 90’s, this follows a high school with an unusual condition - occasionally he will relive a day nine times. When his grandfather is murdered on such a day, he resolves to prevent this happening. Intriguing and unusual, it’s an entertaining read. #books #booksky
September 1, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Magda, an author and member of a small but secret society that collects magical items, is sent on an errand to collect the latest when events quickly spiral out of control. The story accelerates quickly but remains tight and well-written, centred round a small but strong cast. #books #booksky
August 30, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Set in a world consisting of a labyrinth filled with statues and beset by ocean tides, it’s a dreamlike story that follows a single inhabitant, Piranesi, as he discovers clues to his past. Weaving the fantastical with more earthly human motives, it’s a fantastic story. #books #booksky
August 24, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Excellent take on the dirty dozen/suicide squad theme, The Devils sees an empress-to-be escorted across an alternative Europe by a group including a vampire, and elf and a magician. Violent, but with rich seam of humour running through, I’ll be looking for more Joe Abercrombie books. #books #booksky
August 21, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Excellent take on the dirty dozen/suicide squad theme, The Devils sees an empress-to-be escorted across an alternative Europe by a group including a vampire, and elf and a magician. Violent, but with rich seam of humour running through, I’ll be looking for more Joe Abercrombie books. #books #booksky
Books 2 and 3 of the trilogy. They continue the tale of Rin, an orphan from a near-extinct race who is able to summon the fires of her god. Set in a fictional land based on China, these see growing influence from the European-influenced west. Dark and gripping books, worth a read. #books #booksky💙📚
August 7, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Books 2 and 3 of the trilogy. They continue the tale of Rin, an orphan from a near-extinct race who is able to summon the fires of her god. Set in a fictional land based on China, these see growing influence from the European-influenced west. Dark and gripping books, worth a read. #books #booksky💙📚
Not usually a biography fan, but this is funny, touching and self-deprecating.
For me, the video game references were right in my nostalgic sweet spot (particularly FF7), though the book never got bogged down in them and were more used to add colour phases in Mike’s life. #books #booksy💙📚
For me, the video game references were right in my nostalgic sweet spot (particularly FF7), though the book never got bogged down in them and were more used to add colour phases in Mike’s life. #books #booksy💙📚
July 29, 2025 at 10:44 AM
As the title suggests, this is about a down on his luck guy who is offered a mysterious job working with large animals, but soon realises the description doesn’t quite do justice to the reality.
Funny and fast-paced, of the 3 John Scalzi books I’ve read, it’s my favourite. #books #booksky💙📚
Funny and fast-paced, of the 3 John Scalzi books I’ve read, it’s my favourite. #books #booksky💙📚
July 29, 2025 at 10:40 AM
As the title suggests, this is about a down on his luck guy who is offered a mysterious job working with large animals, but soon realises the description doesn’t quite do justice to the reality.
Funny and fast-paced, of the 3 John Scalzi books I’ve read, it’s my favourite. #books #booksky💙📚
Funny and fast-paced, of the 3 John Scalzi books I’ve read, it’s my favourite. #books #booksky💙📚
A gripping spy thriller, focusing in the Legends programme; an initiative to create the ultimate cover story, by having agents assume the life of an identified civilian during an operation. Only this time, it doesn’t all go to plan.
#books #booksky💙📚
#books #booksky💙📚
July 29, 2025 at 10:35 AM
A gripping spy thriller, focusing in the Legends programme; an initiative to create the ultimate cover story, by having agents assume the life of an identified civilian during an operation. Only this time, it doesn’t all go to plan.
#books #booksky💙📚
#books #booksky💙📚
The follow-up to How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying. A duology about Davi, a woman who grows sick of her recurring lives trying to save the kingdom, so decided to try becoming the Dark Lord instead.
Funny and well written, I enjoyed the second book as much as the first. #books #booksky💙📚
Funny and well written, I enjoyed the second book as much as the first. #books #booksky💙📚
July 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
The follow-up to How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying. A duology about Davi, a woman who grows sick of her recurring lives trying to save the kingdom, so decided to try becoming the Dark Lord instead.
Funny and well written, I enjoyed the second book as much as the first. #books #booksky💙📚
Funny and well written, I enjoyed the second book as much as the first. #books #booksky💙📚
Few more books I’ve read recently. Hopefully one or more jumps out at you/gives you some inspiration.
First up is a charming collection of intertwined tales, centred around a taxi driver in Tokyo. Similar in style to Murakami, though without his occasional surrealism. #books #booksky💙📚
First up is a charming collection of intertwined tales, centred around a taxi driver in Tokyo. Similar in style to Murakami, though without his occasional surrealism. #books #booksky💙📚
July 29, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Few more books I’ve read recently. Hopefully one or more jumps out at you/gives you some inspiration.
First up is a charming collection of intertwined tales, centred around a taxi driver in Tokyo. Similar in style to Murakami, though without his occasional surrealism. #books #booksky💙📚
First up is a charming collection of intertwined tales, centred around a taxi driver in Tokyo. Similar in style to Murakami, though without his occasional surrealism. #books #booksky💙📚