About this blog
There are lots of critics out there who want you to read something innovative, challenging and wanky. This blog is not about that sort of book. This is about the books I read on the train. For me, the usual characteristic of books you can read on the train are
- Straightforward enough to enjoy even when it’s 7am, I’m a bit sleep deprived and haven’t had enough tea yet
- Complex enough to keep me thinking about between reads
- Interesting characters that develop during the narrative
- A strong plot that makes me want to know what happens next, and zips along faster than British trains usually do
- Original without overdoing the WTF factor
Other things I like:
- Flawed characters
- Allegory
- Black humour
- Inventive monsters
- Action, chases, jeopardy and cliffhangers
- Psychological tension
Some things I don’t like:
- Chick lit
- Wankiness
- Unnecessary adjectives
- Epic quests for a sword, a stone or a crown
- Fantasy characters raised as peasants who suddenly discover they’re the prince in waiting
- Techno-utopian scifi
- Anyting fanfictiony (that means you, Stephanie Meyer)
If you can recommend me a good book to read on the train, please email me at this address:
write to me [at] something to read dot co dot uk