cafe: Hobart Street Deli / North Perth

café: Hobart Street Deli / North Perth

This café is semi-hipster. It may have always been a café but I suspect it of having started life as a corner shop, so, tick repurposed. Decorations did not come out of a factory, tick. Food... probably hipster but we do not check.

We are here for coffee, milk and snacks. Not quite our standard coffee & cake... we are here with a toddler. We order coffees, cold milk, three small "smiley" biscuits. The biscuits are simple and tasty, probably not overly healthy. They each have a smiley face done in icing.

This café is opposite a park which is ideal for toddlers, there is a lot of overflow from park to café, there are some snacks which are designed to appeal to toddlers -- though most food is for the parents... young mothers, mostly.

Above the door is a shelf -- piled high with toy trucks. Yellow, some rusty, all well worn. The decoration theme is trucks, mostly kids' trucks. I'll call this, kid-hipster. A café to suit its location :-)

Coffee is coffee, biscuits are good, milk is soon drunk... so it's back to the park for more playing.

Café rating three out of three, we will definitely come back. It would score an enjoyable two -- but is boosted by the very toddler friendly location. Oh, but don't worry, only a few toddlers make it inside the café :-)

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Choice, not chance, determines your destiny" … Aristotle

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Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

The Crystal Singer / Anne McCaffrey

The Crystal Singer

(Crystal Singer #1)

by Anne McCaffrey

space opera

copyright 1974

read in October 2019

rated 5/10: readable but only if there's nothing else

Sometimes it's funny what comes to mind as I read a book. This time, it's The Ugly American.

Years ago -- possibly when this book was written -- travelling Americans had a reputation: loud, rude, demanding to be treated as superior, happy to tell everyone how poorly local standards compared to those in America. Crystal singers are The Ugly Ballybrannians. Totally up themselves.

Crystal singers travel the universe, sneering at other planets and demanding fawning attention for themselves. Unpleasant, demanding, manipulative and unlikeable -- yet written as though they are worth knowing.

The science of crystals is ridiculous. If not for the space travel I would call this a fantasy. That is not a problem, this is "fiction". The effects of crystals on people -- again, ridiculous. Unfortunately, these effects are part of what makes the characters so unpleasant.

This is space opera without the pleasure of heroic characters. I read it, I reached the pointless yet unsurprising conclusion. Now I'm glad to be starting a different book.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Choice, not chance, determines your destiny" … Aristotle

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Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

Crisis on Doona / Anne McCaffrey, Jody Lynn Nye

Crisis on Doona 

(Doona #2)

by Anne McCaffrey & Jody Lynn Nye

science fiction

copyright 1992

read in October 2019

rated 6/10: read to pass the time

This is a sweet book. Almost, sickeningly sweet. It's easy to read but everyone is so *nice*. Except for the villains, who snap and sneer and rub their hands in evil anticipation as they swagger through the book.

The heroes maintain their ethical standards while they solve the various mysteries. The heroines are just a tiny bit more lawyerly in the ways that they interpret the law. Some of the women's ethical standards are maintained only because, that's the way that their boyfriends would want it.

The women do do some heroic things. Unfortunately they spoil the opportunities for equality by sobbing, clapping and gasping with excitement, then retiring to the kitchen to make sandwiches. It's not bad enough to be embarrassing, just very, very dated.

The book does include several problems with continuity, with facts which change. Monsters which can grow up to 20m, for example, then shrink to a maximum of 12m. Is this a problem with a writer in a hurry? Perhaps it's a problem of two authors and no proofreader. Not that it affects the plot, which flows quite happily from sweet-home beginnings to the that's-ridiculous overly happy ending.

The characters are sweetly cloying but not unlikeable. The plot is good fun. The action is unlikely -- but who cares!

This is a lightweight book. I enjoyed reading it. If I had not read it I would not have missed it.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Books suffer wear and tear, just the same as hip joints, cars and reputations." … Thursday Next per Jasper Fforde

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Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

Just One Damned Thing After Another / Jodi Taylor

Just One Damned Thing After Another

(Chronicles of St Mary's #1)

by Jodi Taylor

fantasy

copyright 2013

read in October 2019

rated 8/10: really quite good
re-rated to 9/10: really really good

Time travel is just one of the challenges facing the staff of St Mary's. A good comparison could be, St Trinian's for adults.

Right from the start I enjoy this book. By the time it gets more serious -- I'm hooked. It's a book which I want to finish -- then read again.

The science is rubbish. The history is (as far as I know) based on reality. The sex is noisy, enthusiastic, not overdone. There is well-phrased humour and occasional blood-soaked violence. All up, really quite a good book.

I shall re-read this book. Then I shall look for more in the series (there are lots).

There are also lots of characters. With a very useful list at the front: as I read I am constantly turning back, to remind myself who this character is. I'm hopeless at remembering names, the "dramatis thingummy" is an enormous help.

And interestingly: There is one character who is exceedingly nasty. There is one book written by Jodi Taylor under a pseudonym. The pseudonym is the name of the nasty character. Is this deeply significant? or a final joke? or just one more irrelevant inconsistency by the author... Or just interesting because I noticed it :-)
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22oct19: So I do re-read "Just One Damned Thing..." -- and it is even better! I've just updated my rating, from eight to nine. But why?!

First, I enjoy the second reading. With the benefit of foreknowledge I have a clearer understanding of what is happening. Does foreknowledge spoil the surprise? No! This book has an inventive plot, it does not need the artificial stimulus of surprise twists. Yes, there are twists, plenty of them. There is pleasure in following each plot twist, even though I know very well what is about to happen.

First reading I think, Wow! that is unexpected. Second reading I think, Wow! that is clever.

The second benefit of re-reading is related. I thought that some adventures were just that, adventures. A bit of action to pad out the plot. Second reading I realise, each apparently irrelevant scene is adding to the overall plot. How do they know X? Because of seemingly irrelevant scene Y. That sort of thing.

For a book which is so easy to read, the plot is surprisingly complex. My second reading adds to my understanding of that complexity. Better yet, it's straight-line complexity. There are no distracting subplots. Just one, complex, very enjoyable, main story.

With lots of humour. Which is even funnier the second time round.

I just hope I can find copies of other books in the series. Before I have to read this one, a third time :-)

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22nov20: Well, I've had to read it a third time...

I was looking for a book, any book. I saw this book. Thought, may as well... Read it a third time. Enjoyed it a third time :-)

As with my second reading I was ready for some of the plot twists -- which made me enjoy them even more.   With a year since I read it first, memory had faded. There were no real surprises, just plenty of happy reminders.

An excellent book. Still.

19aug21: Yes, I've read it again. Discovered (or re-discovered?) how clever it is. Still thoroughly enjoyable! Still worth nine out of ten :-)

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Books suffer wear and tear, just the same as hip joints, cars and reputations." … Thursday Next per Jasper Fforde

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Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

Lies of the Beholder / Brandon Sanderson

Lies of the Beholder

(Legion #3 of 3)

by Brandon Sanderson

fantasy

copyright 2018

read in October 2019

rated 7/10: well worth reading

This is a novella. It wraps up -- and closes off -- a short series of books. It can be read alone though it takes a while for me to work out who is (or is not) who.

This is the only one of the series that I have read. It still makes sense -- and surprises me with its depth.

As I understand it, the first two books have the hero, "Legion", following the back-page blurb to act as "an incredible intelligence agent". This book is more introspective, as Legion battles "to understand and control his own divided nature."

This is a story of a man with mental issues and his efforts to ensure his own sanity. Presented with enough action to make it enjoyable. Well, I'm not sure whether or not I really understood it... but I read it, enjoyed it, took away more than just satisfaction at baddies being defeated.

Speaking of baddies... Very unbelievable, both them and their science. But who cares, it's a novel. Fiction. I enjoyed it. And gained a little bit more than I expected.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Books suffer wear and tear, just the same as hip joints, cars and reputations." … Thursday Next per Jasper Fforde

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Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

Clockwork Princess / Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess

(Infernal Devices #3 of 3)

by Cassandra Clare

fantasy, romance

copyright 2013

read in October 2019

rated 7/10: well worth reading

What a delightful book! Romance galore, a world of pleasant fantasy, some action and adventure...

This is book three of a trilogy, all of the romantic pairings are being wrapped up. No stress, no terrible misunderstandings, just getting closer and getting partnered. So sweet! Even the love triangle is sorted out -- with some sadness but oh so nicely. This is not hot sex. It is deeply romantic love between caring and likeable people.

It's a Scarlet Pimpernel sort of world. Horse and carriage, dim streets, old London town with subservient shopkeepers and seedy bordellos. The main characters are all "upstairs downstairs". Most of the action... that is, the worry and discussion... takes place in one old big mansion. There is some out-of-house action, sudden and violent. Then back home to talk around the challenges.

There is the ultimate -- obvious -- villain. His disposal is, well, a violent matter yet completely secondary to the personal challenges being tackled by the protagonists. I was surprised... then I smiled. The interpersonal stuff is far more important than the disposal of a murderous villain :-)

There are plenty of books which introduce each chapter with a wise -- that is, incomprehensible -- saying, or a bit of poetry. This is usually so cryptic that it adds nothing to the story. This book uses poetry (the Lakes poets, are they called?) -- and each quote is relevant. And adds extra depth, or understanding, to the story.

This is no world-shattering future classic. It is a well-written, thoroughly enjoyable story of love, fantasy and some action. A story which leaves me feeling thoroughly satisfied. And pleased to have read such a nice book. A story to be enjoyed. I enjoyed it.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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"Books suffer wear and tear, just the same as hip joints, cars and reputations." … Thursday Next per Jasper Fforde

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Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

The Collapsing Empire / John Scalzi

The Collapsing Empire

(Interdependency #1)

by John Scalzi

space opera

copyright 2017

read in October 2019

rated 8/10: really quite good

Space opera. Heavy science, no basis in reality yet internally consistent. In general terms this book is science fiction. More accurately it is high adventure set in space.

Thoroughly enjoyable, too.

The characters are a mixed bunch. Stereotypes have been put in a blender -- with added spice -- and the results are good fun. Traditional gender bias has been reversed -- which could be a problem -- except that it doesn't really matter. A traditional macho role will be "she"... then the story carries on, with no further distinction.

Except that there are more women than men demanding lots of sex. Traditional bias reversed -- but not to make a point. Or, at least, not to make an in-your-face I'm-so-equal-opportunity point. It's just men, women, doing whatever they do best. Sometimes in an unexpected fashion.

There are several -- quite a few -- moments of sudden, unexpected action and violence. The abrupt start of an action sequence seems to be the author's schtick, at least in this book. Nothing wrong with that, the action is essential to the plot.

The plot has several related threads but is not too hard to follow. Characters and plot threads are usually clearly introduced, and re-introduced. With most threads coming together for the grand finale.

And then... the inconclusive end.

I should have noticed: "Book One" is clearly printed on the spine. Even though I missed that, I enjoyed the ending of this book. Yes, the empire is still collapsing, there's lots still to be done. Yet the end provides a satisfactory conclusion to enough of the problems.

Sufficient challenges have been met -- and conquered -- for a satisfying ending. I reached the end and thought, that was good. I also thought, I want to know what happens next. But I did *not* think, nothing is finished.

The book is space opera, lots of fun -- and a satisfactory read even if I never read book two. Good enough that yes, I will be looking for book two... And for book three -- because this is supposed to be a trilogy. It's just a pity that book three has not yet been published.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

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So-cratz: "The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing". Ted: "That's us, dude."

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Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)

Dodge in Hell / Neal Stephenson

Fall, or Dodge in Hell

by Neal Stephenson

science fiction

copyright 2019

read in October 2019

rated 5/10: readable but only if there's nothing else

A one word review? Rubbish.

The book starts slowly. Then slows down. When the electronic "god" is playing out creation, I almost gave up. Tower of Babel? Check. Garden of Eden, expulsion from? Check. Except that Stephenson also throws in a grab bag of other mythological godlets and creatures.

It seems to be an electronic explanation of the Old Testament -- but with a mishmash of other mythologies thrown in.

There is also the battle of good and evil. Or -- more accurately -- the battle of evil versus unthinking tyranny. The "evil" god rules with fear and force. The "good" god simply smashes -- without explanation -- anything which he doesn't like. Your building can look into my back yard? Smash! Old Testament egotistic destruction.

And stupidity: Why don't you call yourselves Adam and Eve/ suggests the "good" god. Oh yeah, subtle eh, that'll never rouse suspicion with the current god-in-charge.

And wasted opportunity -- possibly a spoiler: That person who disappears at the end, was he Jesus? Why not take the obvious extra step and identify him as a representative of a group who sysadmin for the "real" world? Nope, the author just throws in another random religious reference.

And I do get sick and tired of god thinking, I don't remember anything... but this seems to be good. As he creates yet another world wonder. This god remembers nothing yet is able to create anything. When he decides to eat, for example, a complete digestive system is magically created. How did he know how that should work?!

And then the bad god seems to remember everything?! Is he somehow better than the good god? He certainly has plans, rather than the good god's surprised reactions. So -- why is the good -- forgetful and tyrannical --god set up as the hero of this creation myth?

Solid science, possibly. Clear analogies explaining the science? Yes. Broad thinking, yes. Logical and plausible? Definitely not. Rambling and long-winded, leaving no plot stone unturned? Siiighh, yes.

In one word: rubbish.

Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper

...        Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved

===

So-cratz: "The only true wisdom consists in knowing that you know nothing". Ted: "That's us, dude."

===

Dying for you to read my blog, at https://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/ :-)